bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estranged Labor, Habitus, and Verstehen in the Rise of Extreme Endurance Sports
Authors: Eren Colleen P.
Published: July 2017

Extreme endurance sporting events and participation in these events have grown exponentially since the 1970s. Events such as Iron-distance triathlons, marathons, ultramarathons, ultradistance cycling, and military-style obstacle courses now attract millions of participants in the United States annually. Although many studies have analyzed this late 20th and early 21st century phenomenon from a microsociological perspective, looking at individual characteristics of participants, its broader relationship to class-based changes in nature of work during the neoliberal period has not been thoroughly investigated. This article theorizes the rise of extreme endurance sports by uniting Marx’s conception of estranged labor under capital in the Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844 with Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of habitus particularly as articulated within Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste. While injecting macro-level socioeconomic concerns into the exploration of extreme endurance sports, the author concludes that investigations into the lived experience of participants must continue, but should be united with explorations into the connection between the phenomenology of play and its relationship to class and the changing economic structure.
Perception or Reality: The Relationship Between Stereotypes, Discrimination, and the Academic Outcomes of African American Male College Athletes
Authors: Fuller Rhema D.
Published: July 2017

The current study examined the degree to which stereotypes and racial discrimination affected the academic outcomes of African American male college athletes. Furthermore, the ability of athletic identity and racial identity to moderate this relationship was examined. Participants ( N = 168) were recruited from 13 predominately White institutions across the United States. Results indicated a “tipping point” by which negative stereotypes and discrimination moved from having a positive effect to a negative effect on the academic achievement. In addition, certain dimensions of athletic and racial discrimination were found to moderate the relationship between stereotypes and discrimination and academic outcomes. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical and practical significance.
Active structural-acoustic control of interior noise in a vibro-acoustic cavity incorporating system identification
Authors: Bagha Ashok K , Modak Subodh V
Published: July 2017

Linear quadratic Gaussian optimal control is one of the techniques used for active noise control. In practical implementation of this technique, one of the key difficulties faced is the estimation of the states of the plant. A state observer that accurately estimates these states can be used in this regard. Studies reported make use of analytically or experimentally derived models to build observers. This paper proposes a method for active noise control in the framework of active structural-acoustic control incorporating system identification for the development of the linear quadratic Gaussian controller. Kalman filter is used as a stochastic state observer of the plant states. System identification is carried out using modal testing and finite element model updating to obtain an accurate model of the plant for building up the Kalman filter. The objective of the proposed method is to actively reduce the noise inside the cavity due to disturbances acting on the cavity structure. The active control is achieved by controlling the structural vibrations by taking into account the degree of coupling between the various structural and the acoustic modes. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated experimentally on a 3D rectangular box cavity with a flexible plate.
On the Space-Time Local Active Control
Authors: Arabadzhi Vladimir V.
Published: July 2017

The traditional active control approach includes the following steps: (1) measuring of the wave field; (2) extracting (identification) of total space-time structure of the wave to be damped fro the data measured; (3) generating of the cancelling wave i.e. the one inverted with respect to the wave to be damped. This paper is devoted to the searching of alternative approaches, when we can produce the damping wave without knowledge of the structure of the wave to be damped or make active wave damping without damping wave at all. Four algorithms (approaches) are proposed below for the space one-dimensional active damping problem. These algorithms ensure the solution operating in the sapce-time region of a scale much less than the minimum space-time scale of the wave to be damped i.e. this control is local in space and time.
Effect of desvenlafaxine 50 mg and 100 mg on energy and lassitude in patients with major depressive disorder: A pooled analysis
Authors: Lam Raymond W , Wajsbrot Dalia B , Meier Ellen , Pappadopulos Elizabeth , Mackell Joan A , Boucher Matthieu
Published: July 2017

Nine randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of major depressive disorder were pooled to evaluate the effects of desvenlafaxine 50- and 100-mg/d on energy and lassitude in adults with major depressive disorder ( n=4279). Changes from baseline to endpoint in 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17) Work and Activities, Retardation, and Somatic Symptoms General items, HAM-D17 psychomotor retardation factor, and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Lassitude item were analyzed with a mixed model for repeated measures analysis of variance. Associations between residual energy measures and functional impairment, based on the Sheehan Disability Scale, were modeled using stepwise multiple linear regression. Improvement from baseline was significantly greater for both desvenlafaxine doses versus placebo on all energy symptom outcomes at week 8 (all p⩽0.005). Both early improvement in HAM-D17 psychomotor retardation at week 2 and residual energy symptoms at week 8 were associated with Sheehan Disability Scale total score at week 8 (all p⩽0.001). Among Sheehan Disability Scale remitters and responders, the HAM-D17 psychomotor retardation score at week 8 was significantly lower with desvenlafaxine (both doses) than placebo. Desvenlafaxine 50 and 100 mg/d significantly improved energy and lassitude symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder. Both early improvement in energy and fewer residual energy symptoms were associated with functional improvement.
The Role of Temporal Disparity on Audiovisual Integration in Low-Vision Individuals
Authors: Targher Stefano , Micciolo Rocco , Occelli Valeria , Zampini Massimiliano
Published: July 2017

Recent findings have shown that sounds improve visual detection in low vision individuals when the audiovisual stimuli pairs of stimuli are presented simultaneously and from the same spatial position. The present study purports to investigate the temporal aspects of the audiovisual enhancement effect previously reported. Low vision participants were asked to detect the presence of a visual stimulus (yes/no task) presented either alone or together with an auditory stimulus at different stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs). In the first experiment, the sound was presented either simultaneously or before the visual stimulus (i.e., SOAs 0, 100, 250, 400 ms). The results show that the presence of a task-irrelevant auditory stimulus produced a significant visual detection enhancement in all the conditions. In the second experiment, the sound was either synchronized with, or randomly preceded/lagged behind the visual stimulus (i.e., SOAs 0, ± 250, ± 400 ms). The visual detection enhancement was reduced in magnitude and limited only to the synchronous condition and to the condition in which the sound stimulus was presented 250 ms before the visual stimulus. Taken together, the evidence of the present study seems to suggest that audiovisual interaction in low vision individuals is highly modulated by top-down mechanisms.
Understanding the factors that influence social and community participation as perceived by people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Barclay Linda , Lentin Primrose , McDonald Rachael , Bourke-Taylor Helen
Published: July 2017

Introduction

The number of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury is rising in developed countries such as Australia and Great Britain. People with non-traumatic spinal cord have different gender, injury and age-related profiles compared to those with traumatically acquired spinal cord injury; therefore, their lived experience is likely to be different. However, the specific issues and challenges that this group faces have not been well investigated.

Method

Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 adults with non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The factors that influenced the social and community participation of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury were grouped into three broad areas: person factors, factors in the physical and institutional environment, and factors in the social or cultural environment.

Conclusion

The findings from this study inform the understanding of occupational therapists regarding the social and community participation of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury and how this can be facilitated. Assisting people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury to participate in meaningful social and community-based activities is important to maximise their quality of life.
Electroconvulsive Therapy Training in Canada: A Call for Greater Regulation
Authors: Yuzda Edward , Parker Kathryn , Parker Vivien , Geagea Justin , Goldbloom David
Published: July 2017

Objective:

A national survey of senior psychiatric residents' experience of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) training was undertaken in Canada in 1989. Since then, guidelines have been published in Canada and the US with respect to ECT training in psychiatry residency programs. This study examines whether there has been any change in the Canadian resident ECT training experience through a second national survey.

Methods:

Confidential questionnaires assessing the training in and the attitudes toward ECT were sent to all 133 psychiatric residents in their final year of training in Canadian medical schools.

Results:

We attained a response rate of 68.3%. Of respondents, 88% felt that theoretical and practical ECT training should be a mandatory component of psychiatric residency programs. No marked improvements have occurred with respect to didactic and bedside training in ECT, compared with the original 1989 study. Only 18% of respondents reported that they feel completely competent administering ECT. Despite this, 59.3% anticipate working in an inpatient setting.

Conclusions:

The publication of training guidelines has made little impact on training in and attitudes toward ECT in senior psychiatric residents in Canada. Despite senior residents' acknowledgement of ECT's value, few feel competent to administer ECT after completing their training.
Bipolar II Disorder: An Overview of Recent Developments
Authors: Hadjipavlou George , Mok Hiram , Yatham Lakshmi N
Published: July 2017

Objective:

Recent research on the epidemiology, clinical course, diagnosis, and treatment of bipolar II disorder (BD II) stands to have a considerable impact on clinical practice. This paper reviews these developments.

Method:

We conducted a Pubmed search, focusing on the period from January 1, 1994, to August 31, 2004. Articles deemed directly relevant to the epidemiology, course, diagnosis, and management of BD II were considered.

Results:

The prevalence of BD II is likely higher than previously suggested. Systematic probing for particular clinical features and use of screening tools allow for a more timely and accurate detection of the disorder. There is a paucity of good quality data to guide clinicians treating BD II.

Conclusion:

Significant progress has been made in clarifying diagnostic and treatment issues in BD II. Neither strong nor broad treatment recommendations can be made; a cautious interpretation of available data suggests that lithium or lamotrigine are fairly reasonable first-line choices. More well-designed studies with larger samples are needed to improve the evidence base for managing this disorder.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Concurrent Disorders Screener
Authors: Negrete Juan C , Collins Jane , Turner Nigel E , Skinner Wayne
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

To review the characteristics of psychiatric screening tools currently available in addiction treatment services for rapid assessment of comorbid pathology and to introduce the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Concurrent Disorders Screener (CAMH-CDS), a computer-administered questionnaire that screens for the occurrence of 11 Axis I disorders plus all substance use disorders, as well as for a history of conduct disorder.

Methods:

We describe the structure, contents, and application of the CAMH-CDS. We undertook a sensitivity and specificity trial involving 171 subjects, a test–retest reliability study with 301 participants, and an open-label concordance study with 656 respondents. All subjects were regular clients of a major addiction treatment facility.

Results:

The CAMH-CDS was easily and effectively used by addiction counsellors with limited or no mental health training. It has a low rate of false-negative responses, and it yields excellent test–retest reliability figures. It is highly sensitive to identifying persons with psychiatric disturbances; however, its ability to discriminate among specific disorders appears to be more limited.

Conclusions:

The CAMH-CDS can be reliably used to rule out the presence of psychiatric comorbidity in addiction service populations. As with other psychiatric screening instruments, its sensitivity values are stronger than its specificity values. The use of nonstructured clinical evaluations as the gold standard for diagnosis and a likely variance in the patients' symptom reports between the 2 examinations may have contributed to the latter finding.
Community Treatment Orders: Profile of a Canadian Experience
Authors: O'Brien Ann-Marie A , Farrell Susan J
Published: July 2017

Objective:

This study reports the first published Canadian profile of a sample of psychiatric patients from the Royal Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, who were issued community treatment orders (CTOs).

Method:

We undertook a population study of sociodemographic and health care use patterns from January 2001 to September 2003, using a standardized information collection tool.

Results:

The issuance of CTOs was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the number and length of hospital admissions and increased use of supportive community-based services and supportive housing.

Conclusion:

CTOs are effective tools for allowing patients to live in the least restrictive setting possible while they receive diverse services. They also effectively reduce rates and lengths of readmission to hospital.
Sélection du Matériel Pour L'élaboration D'un Test de Stroop Émotionnel Adapté Aux Troubles Schizophréniques et Bipolaires
Authors: Besnier Nathalie , Kaladjian Arthur , Mazzola-Pomietto Pascale , Adida Marc , Fakra Eric , Jeanningros Régine , Azorin Jean-Michel
Published: July 2017

Objectif:

Le test de Stroop émotionnel évalue l'influence de la valence émotionnelle des stimuli sur les processus d'inhibition cognitive. Chez les sujets souffrant de troubles psychiatriques, l'interférence à ce test est augmentée lorsque la valence fait référence à leur psychopathologie spécifique. L'objectif de cette étude est d'élaborer une version du test de Stroop émotionnel adaptée à la schizophrénie paranoïde et au trouble bipolaire.

Méthode:

La valence émotionnelle et la fréquence d'emploi par les patients de 200 mots relatifs à la psychopathologie des troubles schizophréniques et bipolaires ont été soumises à l'évaluation de 25 cliniciens, puis à une analyse en composantes principales avec une classification ascendante hiérarchique.

Résultats:

Les mots se répartissent selon deux dimensions factorielles, l'émotionnalité et la tonalité, en quatre classes de valences différentes: mots dépressifs, paranoïdes, maniaques et neutres. La fréquence lexicale des mots retenus pour construire le test ne diffère pas.

Conclusions:

La validation statistique de la valence émotionnelle des mots permet la construction d'un test de Stroop émotionnel adapté à l'exploration des biais émotionnels dans la schizophrénie paranoïde et le trouble bipolaire.
Extended Evaluation of Serotonin Transporter Gene Functional Polymorphisms in Subjects with Post-Stroke Depression
Authors: Ramasubbu Rajamannar , Tobias Rose , Bech-Hansen N Torben
Published: July 2017

Objective:

As an extension of our previous observation, relating a serotonin transporter gene-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) diallelic functional polymorphism (short [S] and long [L] alleles) to the risk of post-stroke major depression (PSD), this study investigated the role of 2 other functional polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) in the same sample of subjects with PSD.

Method:

In a clinical sample of 26 patients with PSD and 25 unrelated nondepressed stroke patients of Caucasian descent, we examined the frequencies of a functional single nucleotide variant (A/G) within the promoter region (rs25531) and located in L (16-repeat) and S (14-repeat) alleles of 5-HTTLPR, and a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in intron 2.

Results:

There were significant intergroup differences in the allelic frequencies of 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 (SA, LA, and LG) ( P < 0.05) and in the combined frequencies of lower-expressing alleles (SA and LG) and higher-expressing alleles (LA) ( P < 0.025) between subjects with PSD and nondepressed stroke. However, the differences in the combined frequencies of lower-expressing (SA/SA, SA/LG, and LG/LG), intermediate-expressing (SA/LA and LA/LG), and higher-expressing (LA/LA) genotypes of 5-HTTLPR were not significant. Further, no significant intergroup differences were found in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the intron 2 VNTR.

Conclusions:

These findings strengthen the support for an association between PSD and lower-expressing alleles of 5-HTTLPR.
Measuring Schizophrenia Remission in Clinical Practice
Authors: Alonso Jordi , Ciudad Antonio , Casado Alfonso , Gilaberte Inmaculada
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To evaluate reliability and validity of the short forms (SF) assessment of positive (SAPS) and negative (SANS) symptoms scales.

Methods:

In 235 Spanish schizophrenia outpatients, accuracy of the SF for measuring clinical remission (for at least 6 months) was assessed in comparison with the standard forms.

Results:

For the SF overall score, Cronbach's alpha was 0.78. Correlations with the standard form were 0.89, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally (0- to 12-month change scores). Using a cut-off score of 16, remission assessed by the SF had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 72%. When using a cut-off score of 8, both sensitivity and specificity were 86%.

Conclusions:

The short forms of the SAPS and the SANS are reliable and have face validity for assessing remission of schizophrenia outpatients. They should be considered for use in routine clinical practice.
Changes in Mindfulness following Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Mood Disorders
Authors: Leong KaWai , Chan Peter , Grabovac Andrea , Wilkins-Ho Michael , Perri Maria
Published: July 2017

Objective:

Mindfulness practices are associated with changes in different cortical regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFCs). Our study sought to examine how an index course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the DLPFC improved components of mindfulness as assessed by Baer's Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Experience Questionnaire (EQ).

Method:

Our preliminary study is a retrospective chart review of 32 patients who had undergone an index course of rTMS for major depressive episode between 2009 and 2012. The following information was collected prior to rTMS: patient demographics, diagnosis, and age of onset of primary diagnosis. The following information was collected prior to and after rTMS: 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) scores, Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale scores, FFMQ scores, and EQ scores.

Results:

Following rTMS, results showed statistically significant decreases in HRSD, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores. There was significant improvement in the nonreactivity to inner experience subscale of the BFFMQ and in the decentring subscale of the EQ. Subgroup analysis between patients who did not improve on the HRSD by 50% or more following rTMS and those who did revealed no baseline difference in mindfulness. There was significant improvement in the decentring subscale of the EQ in both subgroups.

Conclusions:

Our study provides preliminary data that rTMS may be associated with improvement in some components of mindfulness, independently of changes in depression.
Les interventions basées sur les résultats probants en réadaptation psychiatrique: Auxquelles accorder la priorité et pourquoi?
Authors: Lecomte Tania , Corbière Marc , Leclerc Claude
Published: July 2017

Objectif:

Cette revue de littérature critique décrit les interventions psychosociales en réadaptation psychiatrique reconnues pour leurs résultats probants.

Méthode:

Une description brève des méta-analyses et (ou) des revues de littérature les plus récentes est présentée pour chaque intervention ciblée, ainsi qu'une description des interventions, de leur pertinence en réadaptation psychiatrique et de leurs limites.

Résultats:

Les interventions retenues sont: les interventions familiales, la thérapie cognitive-comportementale pour la psychose, l'entraînement aux habiletés sociales, la thérapie de remédiation cognitive, les programmes intégrés pour toxicomanie et troubles mentaux, et les programmes de soutien à l'emploi.

Conclusions:

Les interventions en réadaptation psychiatrique retenues dans ce article sont non seulement basées sur des résultats probants, mais offrent aussi des outils cliniques pour le rétablissement de la personne souffrant d'un trouble mental.
Radiative heat transfer from multiple discrete fires
Authors: Liu Qiong , Liu Naian , Huang Xinyan
Published: July 2017

The behavior of multiple discrete fires is often different from that of a single fire. Because of the interaction among these fires, their burning rates and flame lengths can increase. Also, the increasing radiative heat transfer from multiple flames is partially responsible for the remote ignition and accelerated flame spread in large-scale urban and wildland fires. To understand the distribution of radiant heat fluxes from multiple discrete fires, experiments have been performed with an array of individual pool fires of variable spacing and size. Results show that a point-source radiation model can be extended from a single pool fire to the array of discrete pool fires. The analysis shows that the radiative heat flux from the fire array was proportional to the fuel–area ratio (or the fuel surface density) and was inversely proportional to the square of the distance to fire array. This work quantifies the role of radiative heat transfer from large-scale discrete fires, thus helps understand the extreme fire behaviors in large-scale urban and wildland fires.
Times-Picayune Coverage Differs Print to Online
Authors: Bockino David
Published: July 2017

An analysis of print and online coverage in the three-day-a-week newspaper shows reduced coverage of governmental and political topics on days without a print edition, suggesting a heavy reliance on the traditional newsroom.
Synthetic sutures: Clinical evaluation and future developments
Authors: Abhari Roxanna E , Martins Joana A , Morris Hayley L , Mouthuy Pierre-Alexis , Carr Andrew
Published: July 2017

Today’s sutures are the result of a 4000-year innovation process with regard to their materials and manufacturing techniques, yet little has been done to enhance the therapeutic value of the suture itself. In this review, we explore the historical development, regulatory database and clinical literature of sutures to gain a fuller picture of suture advances to date. First, we examine historical shifts in suture manufacturing companies and review suture regulatory databases to understand the forces driving suture development. Second, we gather the existing clinical evidence of suture efficacy from reviewing the clinical literature and the Food and Drug Administration database in order to identify to what extent sutures have been clinically evaluated and the key clinical areas that would benefit from improved suture materials. Finally, we apply tissue engineering and regenerative medicine design hypotheses to suture materials to identify routes by which bioactive sutures can be designed and passed through regulatory hurdles, to improve surgical outcomes. Our review of the clinical literature revealed that many of the sutures currently in use have been available for decades, yet have never been clinically evaluated. Since suture design and development is industry driven, incremental modifications have allowed for a steady outflow of products while maintaining a safe regulatory position and limiting costs. Until recently, there has been little academic interest in suture development, however the rise of regenerative medicine strategies is shifting the suture paradigm from an inert material, which mechanically approximates tissue, to a bioactive material, which also actively promotes cell-directed repair and a positive healing response. These materials hold significant therapeutic potential, but could be associated with an increased regulatory burden, cost, and clinical evaluation compared with current devices.
Is It Better to Govern Managers via Agency or Stewardship? Examining Asymmetries by Family Versus Nonfamily Affiliation
Authors: James Albert E. , Jennings Jennifer E. , Jennings P. Devereaux
Published: July 2017

This article examines whether agency or stewardship is the more effective form of managerial governance within family firms. Synthesizing arguments regarding the differential tendencies of nonfamily versus family managers and the bifurcated manner in which they are likely to be governed, we propose asymmetric responses to agency versus stewardship mechanisms. Our empirical results provide evidence challenging common assumptions regarding the behavior exhibited by nonfamily versus family managers and the mechanisms by which each is governed. Although our findings also provide evidence of response asymmetry, they nevertheless point to the greater effectiveness of stewardship over agency governance irrespective of a manager’s family affiliation.
Entrepreneurship education for executive MBAs
Authors: Allahar Haven , Brathwaite Candace
Published: July 2017

Entrepreneurship courses are now a feature of the curricula of many tertiary-level business schools. While there is a growing body of research on the subject of entrepreneurship education and learning, studies of the executive master of business administration (EMBA) are relatively sparse. This article offers an example of an entrepreneurship course specifically tailored to the more mature and experienced EMBA participants. The curriculum offered in this article is the result of 25 years of teaching, testing and refining of content and learning approaches in a university setting. The argument is that the course, as currently designed, can serve as a template for courses to be conducted in business schools located in similar cultural contexts and economic environments.
Evaluating the impact of ballast undercutting on the roughness of track geometry over different subgrade conditions
Authors: Scanlan Kirk M , Hendry Michael T , Martin C Derek
Published: July 2017

The progressive degradation of railway ballast is often cited as a primary factor that contributes to the development of track roughness, while ballast renewal (undercutting) attempts to manage its long-term development. Soft subgrades have been shown to strongly influence track geometry and are a contributing factor that has not been considered during conventional track maintenance. This study evaluated the impact of undercutting on long-term trends in track geometry roughness, and what impact softer subgrades had on the effectiveness of undercutting. A combined 6.90 km of Class II–IV heavy-haul track in Western Canada (undercut in 2010 and 2011) formed the basis for this analysis. Annual traffic on these sections typically totals 50 million gross tonnes. Long-term trends in the track crosslevel, alignment, and surface roughness after ballast renewal were derived from 50 track geometry surveys carried out over a five-year period (2010–2015). The results showed that undercutting significantly reduced track roughness over sand, silt, clay, or till subgrades; however, it was often ineffective when used over soft organic subgrades. Thus, while ballast degradation is the primary cause of track roughness in segments constructed on mineral subgrades, it is not a mechanism that results in track geometry roughness over soft organic soils.
Auditing the use and assessing the clinical utility of microscopy as a point-of-care test for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a Sexual Health clinic
Authors: Mensforth Sarah , Thorley Nicola , Radcliffe Keith
Published: July 2017

We assessed whether urethral microscopy was performed as per clinic protocol for male clinic attendees reporting contact with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), urethral symptoms or given a diagnosis of epididymo-orchitis (EO) over a 12-month period (9732 patients). Prevalence of gonorrhoea in the contacts, urethral symptoms and EO groups was 50, 12.7 and 1.6%, respectively. Microscopy was performed reliably for contacts (96%), those with discharge/dysuria with evidence of urethritis on examination (98%), but not those with EO (43%). We explored the clinical utility of microscopy as a point-of-care test for identifying urethral GC in each subgroup, using the APTIMA Combo 2 CT/GC nucleic acid amplification test as the comparator (1710 patients). Sensitivity of microscopy for each subgroup was good; there was no statistical difference between subgroup sensitivity using Fisher’s exact test. Microscopy is valuable to ensure prompt diagnosis and contact tracing. All GC contacts were treated ‘epidemiologically’; however, half of GC contacts did not have GC. Microscopy identified the majority of GC cases, including amongst contacts (71% of heterosexual contacts, 66% of contacts reporting sex with men). We propose that epidemiological treatment for GC contacts should be reconsidered on the grounds of antibiotic stewardship, favouring use of microscopy to guide treatment decisions.
The relationship between microRNAs and the STAT3-related signaling pathway in cancer
Authors: Zhang Lin , Li Junyao , Wang Qi , Meng Guangping , Lv Xuejiao , Zhou Hong , Li Wei , Zhang Jie
Published: July 2017

MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNA molecules in 3′ untranslated region. Mounting evidence indicates that microRNAs regulate several factors to influence various biological activities that are related to carcinogenesis, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, which is a transcription factor that also acts as an oncogene. MicroRNAs influence signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 either by directly targeting or via other pathway components upstream or downstream of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 such as Janus kinases, members of the suppressor of cytokine signaling family, and other genes that regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. However, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation changes the pattern of expression of microRNAs and mediates tumorigenesis. Moreover, the relationship between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and microRNAs varies among different kinds of cancers. A specific microRNA may act as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in different cancers, and microRNAs also directly or indirectly regulate signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 via pathways in the same cancers. In this review, we focus on the reciprocal regulation and roles of microRNAs and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in cancer, as well as describe current research progress on this relationship. A better understanding of this relationship may facilitate in the identification of targets for clinical therapeutics.
Capacity of Commune Health Stations in Chi Linh District, Hai Duong Province, for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases
Authors: Thi Thuy Nga Nguyen , Thi My Anh Bui , Nguyen Ngoc Nguyen , Minh Diem Dang , Duy Kien Vu , Bich Phuong Tran , Quynh Anh Tran , Van Minh Hoang
Published: July 2017

The primary health care system in Vietnam has been playing an important role in prevention and control of diseases. This study aimed to describe the capacity of commune health stations in Chi Linh district, Hai Duong province for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). A mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative approaches) approach was applied to collect data in 20 commune health stations. The participants, including health workers, stakeholders, and patients with NCDs, were selected for the study. The findings reported that the main activities of prevention and control of NCDs at commune health stations (CHSs) still focused on information-education-community (IECs), unqualified for providing screening, diagnosis, and treatments of NCDs. The capacity for prevention and control of NCDs in CHSs was inadequate to provide health care services related to prevention and control of NCDs and unmet with the community’s demands. In order to ensure the role and implementation of primary care level, there is an urgent need to improve the capacity of CHSs for prevention and control of NCDs, particularly a national budget for NCDs prevention and control, the essential equipment and medicines recommended by the World Health Organization should be provided and available at the CHSs.
After Brainstorming, Groups Select an Early Generated Idea as Their Best Idea
Authors: Johnson Brian R. , D’Lauro Christopher J.
Published: July 2017

A long-standing assumption states that brainstorming techniques that increase the quantity of ideas will lead to the selection of better ideas (Taylor, Berry, & Block, 1958). However, groups that generate more ideas do not select better ideas when compared with groups that generate fewer ideas (Kramer, Kuo, & Dailey, 1997). This may occur because groups generate their best ideas early. In Experiment 1, groups brainstormed, and then selected their best idea. Groups were free to define best however they saw fit. Selected best ideas were generated early ( M = 117 s). In terms of quality, the best ideas were highly feasible, but unoriginal. In Experiment 2, groups selected the most feasible ideas and the most original ideas, rather than best ideas. Selected feasible ideas were generated early ( M = 69 s), but original ideas were not ( M = 328 s). Thus, how groups define best contributed to which ideas they selected.
Parental Homework Completion and Treatment Knowledge During Group Parent–Child Interaction Therapy
Authors: Ros Rosmary , Graziano Paulo A. , Hart Katie C.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine how parental homework completion, session attendance, and treatment knowledge influenced parenting practices and confidence in using learned skills during behavioral parent training (BPT). Parents of 54 preschoolers ( Mage = 5.07, 82% Hispanic/Latino) with externalizing behavior problems participated in an 8-week group BPT program. Pre-and posttreatment measures included parent-reported parenting practices and a treatment knowledge quiz. Parental homework completion, or home practice of skills, was reported by parents and collected weekly. Increases in positive parenting and decreases in negative parenting were observed (Cohen’s d = .63 and .70, respectively), as well as increases in treatment knowledge ( d = 1.46). Treatment knowledge moderated the association between parental homework completion and negative parenting as well as parenting skill-use confidence. Increased parental homework completion was only associated with decreases in negative parenting and increases in skill-use confidence for families with high treatment knowledge. Parental homework completion also moderated the association between session attendance and negative parenting, such that lower session attendance was only associated with higher negative parenting for families that had low parental homework completion. Findings highlighted the potential impact that parents’ reports of home practice may have on improving parenting.
Medical “Gatekeeping” for Psychosocial Research on Serious Illness
Authors: McGrath Pam , Kaur Amandeep , Feracho Rennette , Patton Mary Anne
Published: July 2017

The discussion explores ethical issues associated with medical “gatekeeping” in relation to psychosocial health research associated with serious illness and loss. “Gatekeeping” is defined as the process whereby health-care providers prevent access to eligible patients for research recruitment. The impact of this practice on the research process is explored, including issues of sample representation, selection bias, and wastage of time and resources. The reflection of ethical issues is set in the context of research on clinical empathic responsiveness and accuracy, paternalism, and the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice.
Breaking the Paradox: Understanding How Teams Create Developmental Space
Authors: Derksen Karin , Blomme Robert J. , de Caluwé Léon , Rupert Joyce , Simons Robert Jan
Published: July 2017

Past research shows that teams working on a complex task need developmental space to be successful. They can create this space in their interaction by undertaking four activities: creating future, reflecting, organizing, and dialoguing. These four activities refer to two orientations: the performance orientation, limiting the space, and the sensemaking orientation, opening up the space. Teams need them both, yet it seems inconsistent and impossible to achieve together, thus a paradox. In this exploratory research, we address the way in which teams experience and handle that “developmental space paradox,” and how it affects team success. Individual team members ( N = 70) from 12 teams were interviewed. Successful ( n = 7) and unsuccessful ( n = 5) teams were compared. The results show that successful teams experience this paradox differently than the unsuccessful teams, and that both categories choose other coping strategies to handle this paradox.
Experimental and numerical study of reinforced concrete beams with steel fibers subjected to impact loading
Authors: Jin Liu , Zhang Renbo , Dou Guoqin , Xu Jiandong , Du Xiuli
Published: July 2017

As a kind of impact resistant material, steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) has a good ductility and energy dissipation capacity by improving the tensile strength and impact toughness. To explore the dynamic mechanical behavior of SFRC beams subjected to impact loading, 12 simply-supported SFRC beams with different stirrup ratios (0%, 0.253% and 0.502%) and different volume fractions of steel fibers (0%, 1%, 2% and 3%) were tested with free-falling drop-weights impacting at the mid-span of specimens. The failure patterns were observed and videoed, and simultaneously, the time histories of the impact force, the reaction force, and the mid-span deflection were recorded. Moreover, the influences of stirrup ratio and volume fraction of steel fibers on the impact resistant behavior of the SFRC beams were preliminarily analyzed and discussed. The results indicate that the impact resistant performance of SFRC beams, such as crack pattern, ductility, energy consumption capacity, and deformation recovery capacity can be improved by the addition of steel fibers and stirrups. The required static capacity of these beams were calculated based on the analysis of reaction force vs. displacement loop and impact force vs. displacement loop as well as absorbed energy ratio. For further understanding the experimental results, finite element simulation of SFRC beams subjected to impact loading were carried out. The rationality and accuracy of the finite element model was illustrated by the good agreement between the test observations and the numerical results.
Economic Inequality and Public Support for Organized Labor
Authors: Newman Benjamin J. , Kane John V.
Published: July 2017

When exploring the political response of citizens to economic inequality, scholarship primarily focuses on support for left parties and demand for redistribution. This article expands upon this literature by exploring whether inequality generates public support for a known inequality-attenuating force in society—labor unions. In contrast to prior work, which largely focuses on national levels of inequality, we focus on the effect of citizens’ firsthand exposure to inequality in their local context. We theorize that residing in a context with visible income inequality should generate support for expanding the power of unions and should do so by augmenting the perceived exigency of unions in advocating for the working class. Using observational analysis of national survey data, reinforced with matching, placebo tests, and a survey experiment, we find strong support for our theoretical expectations.
Certified Patient Decision Aids: Solving Persistent Problems with Informed Consent Law
Authors: Pope Thaddeus Mason
Published: July 2017

The legal doctrine of informed consent has overwhelmingly failed to assure that the medical treatment patients get is the treatment patients want. This Article describes and defends an ongoing shift toward shared decision making processes incorporating the use of certified patient decision aids.
A New Age of Patient Transparency: An Organizational Framework for Informed Consent
Authors: Campbell Kenneth , Parsi Kayhan
Published: July 2017

With the many changes occurring in today's healthcare organizations, patients are increasingly equipped with a vast quantity of health care data and being more included in the healthcare decision-making process. The new approach we propose incorporates a new patient-organization framework that examines relevant historical, legal and ethical elements within the doctrine of informed consent in addition to examining the role of new healthcare organizations' obligations to include data to support addressing issues such as population health, health outcomes and health disparities within the informed consent. There is a growing consensus among healthcare professionals that using an evidencebased organizational informed consent framework to improve the informed consent process can lead to better comprehension, health outcomes, transparency and improved patient trust and retention overall.
Informed Consent Is the Essence of Capacity Assessment
Authors: Spike Jeffrey P.
Published: July 2017

Informed consent is the single most important concept for understanding decision-making capacity. There is a steady pull in the clinical world to transform capacity into a technical concept that can be tested objectively, usually by calling for a psychiatric consult. This is a classic example of medicalization. In this article I argue that is a mistake, not just unnecessary but wrong, and explain how to normalize capacity assessment.

Returning the locus of capacity assessment to the attending, the primary care doctor, and even to ethics consultation in today's environment will require a substantial effort to undo a strong but illusory impression of capacity assessment. Hospital attorneys as well as clinical ethicists with a sophisticated understanding of health law can be in the vanguard of this reorientation.
Negotiating Commercial Interests in Biospecimens
Authors: Roberts Jessica L.
Published: July 2017

Proposed changes to the Common Rule would require publicly funded researchers to disclose whether a subject's biospecimens could be used for commercial profit and whether the subject will share in those proceeds. Disclosing commercial interests will inform research participants that their tissue may have commercial value, a possibility that those individuals might not have previously considered. The proposed changes may then provide people with an opportunity to negotiate commercial rights in their biospecimens despite the well-accepted legal precedent that individuals maintain no interests in their excised tissue.
EPSDT's Role in Improving Child Vision, Hearing, and Oral Health
Authors: Perkins Jane
Published: July 2017

The Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit offers health care coverage specifically targeted to meet the needs to low-income children and children with disabilities. This article provides a brief overview of EPSDT and then discusses how states are working to bring vision, hearing, and oral health services to children through EPSDT.
Legal Epidemiology: The Science of Law
Authors: Ramanathan Tara , Hulkower Rachel , Holbrook Joseph , Penn Matthew
Published: July 2017

The importance of legal epidemiology in public health law research has undoubtedly grown over the last five years. Scholars and practitioners together have developed guidance on best practices for the field, including: placing emphasis on transdisciplinary collaborations; creating valid, reliable, and repeatable research; and publishing timely products for use in decision-making and change. Despite the energy and expertise researchers have brought to this important work, they name significant challenges in marshalling the diverse skill sets, quality controls, and funding to implement legal epidemiology activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has worked to develop cross-cutting research and translation on issues of national priority in legal epidemiology, and has explored ways to overcome some of these challenges. As such, this article describes a case study of the use of law to characterize states' prior authorization policies regarding medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a central component of a broader effort to improve behavior therapy options for young children with ADHD. This article highlights the types of legal epidemiology work we have undertaken, the application of this work to an emerging public health problem, and the lessons learned in creating impactful research for the field.