bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of a peer-led group program for unemployed people with mental health problems: Pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rüsch Nicolas , Staiger Tobias , Waldmann Tamara , Dekoj Marie Christine , Brosch Thorsten , Gabriel Lisa , Bahemann Andreas , Oexle Nathalie , Klein Thomas , Nehf Luise , Becker Thomas
Published: May 2019

Background:

People with long-term unemployment and mental health problems often find it difficult to take active steps toward help-seeking and job search and to navigate the complex system of available services. Likewise, job center staff would welcome interventions to improve the reintegration of long-term unemployed individuals with mental health problems into the labor market.

Aim:

To examine the efficacy of a peer-led group program that supports unemployed people with mental health problems in terms of help-seeking, job search and recovery.

Methods:

Based on participatory research, a four-session group program was designed and evaluated in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 42 participants, randomized to the program ( n = 23) or treatment as usual ( n = 19). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), 3 weeks (T1), 6 weeks (T2) and 6 months later (T3).

Results:

There were no significant intervention effects on primary outcomes (job search self-efficacy and help-seeking). But compared to the control group, intervention participants showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms ( p = .02) and recovery ( p = .04) at T2 with medium effect sizes. There were trend-level positive program effects on self-stigma, hopelessness and secrecy.

Conclusion:

This pilot RCT provides initial evidence for the efficacy of a peer-led group program to improve symptoms and recovery among unemployed participants with mental health problems.
Understanding China: A Dialogue with Philip Huang
Authors: Zhou Li-An
Published: May 2019

This article aims at engaging in a constructive dialogue with Philip Huang. We approach China’s administrative governance and economy from different perspectives but arrive at similar and complementary characterizations. I argue that what makes any theory about China valuable and valid lies in its ability to penetrate both China’s history and its present, link theory and evidence, go beyond left and right, and combine East and West. Since it has been dominated by Western standards, academic research about China should stand firmly on historical reality as well as constructive dialogue with Western doctrines, but with full awareness of their implicit assumptions, some of which are bundled with Western-specific experiences, and their potential conceptual traps when applied to China. As an ambitious goal, we also should seek to generalize the experiences of both East and West.
Input dependent Nyquist plot for limit cycle prediction and its suppression using fractional order controllers
Authors: Perumal Sathishkumar , Selvaganesan Narayanasamy
Published: May 2019

In practical systems having separable hard nonlinearities, sustained oscillation is detected at the steady state response due to the presence of stable limit cycles. An optimization problem is proposed to tune the fractional order controller parameters for system with multiple-nonlinearity to suppress the limit cycle magnitude in addition to meet the desired closed loop specifications. To extend the applicability of the existing Nyquist plot for predicting this limit cycle, an input dependent Nyquist plot is proposed in this paper. A servo system with backlash and relay nonlinearities is considered as a case study for limit cycle prediction with obtained fractional order controllers using an input dependent Nyquist plot. The predicted limit cycle information is compared with optimization results, input dependent root locus and are validated through closed loop simulations. Further, the robustness of the designed controllers are tested under system parameter uncertainty, disturbance and measurement noise conditions.
BBC arts programming: a service for citizens or a product for consumers?
Authors: Genders Amy
Published: May 2019

The British Broadcasting Corporation occupies what is often considered to be a unique position within UK culture as both a respected national institution that is a pillar of enlightenment values and, increasingly, an agile, entrepreneurial business that has to deliver ‘value-for-money’. This study will contribute to the existing body of literature examining the impact of a neoliberal marketisation discourse on BBC policy by focusing specifically on the provision of arts programming as a key indicator of how the logic of the marketplace has permeated the BBC’s commissioning culture. In doing so, it argues that the loss of the topical arts magazine and discussion formats from BBC television, in contrast to radio, is symptomatic of the ways in which arts broadcasting has been reimagined both in the corporation’s internal production culture and in its public pronouncements as a product for consumers rather than a service for citizens.
Utilizing a Mobile Health Intervention to Manage Hypertension in an Underserved Community
Authors: Zha Peijia , Qureshi Rubab , Porter Sallie , Chao Ying-Yu , Pacquiao Dula , Chase Sabrina , O’Brien-Richardson Patricia
Published: May 2019

This 6-month pilot randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of a Mobile Health (mHealth) intervention for hypertension self-monitoring and management in an underserved urban community. The four health outcomes measured included changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), BP monitoring adherence, perceived medication adherence self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to the mHealth group or a standard follow-up group; 25 participants completed the study. The mHealth group had statistically significant improvement in systolic BP decrease ( p = .01). The mHealth group had better adherence to BP monitoring and improved perceived medication adherence self-efficacy at 6 months, compared with the standard follow-up group. The results suggest that an mHealth intervention has the potential to facilitate hypertension management in underserved urban communities.
A study of whether individual and dyadic relations between spirituality and resilience contribute to psychological adjustment among individuals with spinal cord injuries and their family members
Authors: Jones Kate Fiona , Simpson Grahame , Briggs Lynne , Dorsett Pat , Anderson Malcolm
Published: May 2019

Objective:

To test a model of spiritual well-being and resilience among individuals with spinal cord injuries and their family members.

Design:

Prospective cross-sectional observational data were analyzed by structural equation modelling.

Setting:

Inpatient and community services at one rehabilitation hospital.

Subjects:

Individual with spinal cord injury ( n = 50) and family member ( n = 50) dyads.

Interventions:

Standard rehabilitation, both inpatient and community.

Main measure(s):

Functional assessment of chronic illness therapy – spiritual well-being scale – expanded, Connor–Davidson resilience scale, positive and negative affect scale, depression anxiety and stress scale–21, satisfaction with life scale.

Results:

Median time post-injury was 8.95 months (IQR (interquartile range) = 14.15). Individuals with spinal cord injury and family members reported high scores for both spiritual well-being (66.06 ± 14.89; 68.42 ± 13.75) and resilience (76.68 ± 13.88; 76.64 ± 11.75), respectively. Analysis found the model had acceptable fit (e.g. chi-square goodness of fit statistic = 38.789; P = .263). For individuals with spinal cord injury, spiritual well-being was positively associated with resilience which, in turn, was associated with increasing positive affect and satisfaction with life. Among family members, spiritual well-being was positively associated with resilience. Resilience was then associated with lowered levels of depression and mediated the impact of depression on satisfaction with life. Limited evidence was found for mutual dyadic links, with the only significant pathway finding that resilience in the individual with spinal cord injury was associated with increased satisfaction with life among family members.

Conclusion:

Increased spirituality and resilience make a significant contribution (both independently and in combination) to positive psychological outcomes for both individuals with spinal cord injury and their family members.
Implementing advance care planning with community-dwelling frail elders requires a system-wide approach: An integrative review applying a behaviour change model
Authors: Combes Sarah , Nicholson Caroline Jane , Gillett Karen , Norton Christine
Published: May 2019

Background:

Facilitating advance care planning with community-dwelling frail elders can be challenging. Notably, frail elders’ vulnerability to sudden deterioration leads to uncertainty in recognising the timing and focus of advance care planning conversations.

Aim:

To understand how advance care planning can be better implemented for community-dwelling frail elders and to develop a conceptual model to underpin intervention development.

Design:

A structured integrative review of relevant literature.

Data sources:

CINAHL, Embase, Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Further strategies included searching for policy and clinical documents, grey literature, and hand-searching reference lists. Literature was searched from 1990 until October 2018.

Results:

From 3043 potential papers, 42 were included. Twenty-nine were empirical, six expert commentaries, four service improvements, two guidelines and one theoretical. Analysis revealed nine themes: education and training, personal ability, models, recognising triggers, resources, conversations on death and dying, living day to day, personal beliefs and experience, and relationality.

Conclusion:

Implementing advance care planning for frail elders requires a system-wide approach, including providing relevant resources and clarifying responsibilities. Early engagement is key for frail elders, as is a shift from the current advance care planning model focussed on future ceilings of care to one that promotes living well now alongside planning for the future. The proposed conceptual model can be used as a starting point for professionals, organisations and policymakers looking to improve advance care planning for frail elders.
Effect of Visual and Auditory Alerts on Older Drivers’ Glances toward Latent Hazards while Turning Left at Intersections
Authors: Bakhtiari Sarah , Zhang Tingru , Zafian Tracy , Samuel Siby , Knodler Michael , Fitzpatrick Cole , Fisher Donald L.
Published: May 2019

Older drivers are known to make significantly fewer glances toward hazards that are hidden from view (latent hazards) than middle-aged drivers. This is especially true when the driver is making a left turn at an intersection at that critical point in the turn immediately after the driver enters the intersection. This has led to the development of training programs that can increase the frequency of these glances toward latent hazards at intersections. However, training programs can require time and money that many older adults may not have. Advances in machine vision and vehicle-to-vehicle communications technologies make possible the use of alerts that warn older drivers of the location of latent hazards at intersections. This driving simulator study investigates the effect of auditory and visual warning alerts on older drivers’ primary (before entering the intersection) and secondary (just after entering the intersection) glance behavior when making a left turn at an intersection. In a between-subjects design, forty older drivers navigated eight unique scenarios containing latent hazards either in the presence or in the absence of combined auditory and visual hazard warning alerts. The results showed that older drivers anticipated a significantly greater proportion of latent hazards in the presence of warning alerts both before they enter the intersection and after they enter the intersection. The results of this study suggest that a combination of auditory and visual alerts may be effective at improving older drivers’ glance behavior while making left turns at intersections.
Characterization of Drayage Activities in the Paso Del Norte Airshed
Authors: Jaikumar Rohit , Farzaneh Reza , Ramani Tara , Johnson Jeremy
Published: May 2019

The overall objective of the study was to characterize drayage truck activity and associated emissions in the Paso del Norte region, which is the binational region covering El Paso in Texas and Ciudad Juárez in Mexico. Drayage trucks are a significant source of emissions in the Paso del Norte airshed. The region faces air quality problems and characterizing the unique operational and emission characteristics of drayage vehicles can better support regional air quality planning. In this study, the global positioning system and portable activity measurement system units were fitted to a sample of drayage trucks operating in the El Paso region. The resulting data were analyzed to generate trip-level information on truck activity, along with key parameters, such as speeds, origin, destination, and length. The individual trip information was also used to identify key freight corridors and to estimate emissions associated with drayage activity. The study dataset showed that the Ysleta-Zaragoza International Bridge is the most utilized by the trucks. The facilities visited in the United States tended to be more clustered closer to this bridge, in less urbanized areas, while facilities visited in Mexico tended to be more spread out geographically. Corridor truck volumes and emissions were plotted on maps to visualize emission impacts of drayage trucks, with urbanized areas and areas close to border bridges likely most affected because of higher volumes and emissions. The findings from the study provide an understanding of air quality impacts of drayage trucks in the Paso del Norte airshed.
Investigating the Effects of Mental Workload on Highway Safety
Authors: Habib Karim , Shalkamy Amr , El-Basyouny Karim
Published: May 2019

The majority of vehicle collisions occur because of human error; in fact, studies have shown that approximately 95% of collisions are caused, at least in part, as a result of human mistakes. Therefore, it is important to study the main causes of human mistakes and develop mitigation strategies to reduce, if not eliminate, these errors from occurring. In this respect, designing highways that balance mental workload is a crucial task that ensures drivers have sufficient time to make appropriate decisions. However, the quantitative relationship between mental workload and collisions is not well documented in the safety literature. Enough evidence exists to support the reasonable conclusion that safety is affected by changes in workload, but there is no quantitative evidence of this effect. Consequently, this paper tries to investigate the relation between mental workload ratings and collisions on highways using data from Alberta, Canada. Horizontal and vertical curve parameters on two-lane, two-way highways were first extracted from LiDAR and GPS data using MATLAB algorithms, and the resulting features were summarized using Civil 3D. The mental workload ratings were assigned based on the presence of four major geometric features, namely, intersections, horizontal curves, vertical curves, and changes in cross-section. The results show that mental workload has a significant effect on safety for two-way, two-lane highways. Furthermore, the findings strongly indicated the need to integrate mental workload into the design process, to not only meet the operational needs of the highway, but also ensure that the geometric layout does not mentally overwhelm drivers.
Discrete Element Modeling of Full-Scale Ballasted Track Dynamic Responses from an Innovative High-Speed Rail Testing Facility
Authors: Feng Bin , Park Eun Hyun , Huang Haohang , Li Wei , Tutumluer Erol , Hashash Youssef M.A. , Bian Xuecheng
Published: May 2019

To achieve increased rail network safety and reliability, it is important to better understand ballast layer performance under complex and demanding dynamic loading field scenarios, especially for high speed lines on ballasted track. Repeated high-speed loading tests were recently conducted at three train speeds on a full-scale ballasted track-subgrade system, known as the Zhejiang University innovative high-speed rail tester (ZJU-iHSRT). BLOKS3D, a polyhedral discrete element method (DEM) particle simulation code with newly featured parallel computing capability, was used to capture the full-scale ballasted track dynamic responses at those speeds. A proportional–integral–derivative controller was also implemented in the DEM code to ensure identical dynamic loadings were applied in the DEM model as in the physical model. This paper presents the dynamic response findings obtained using the DEM model: 1) Crosstie vibration velocities captured in the DEM model match closely with the measurement obtained from the same crosstie in the physical model; 2) ballast particle vibration velocities recorded in the DEM model provide an overall good match with the data measured from the same location in the physical model; and finally, 3) visualized macroscopic ballast layer dynamic responses reveal the mechanical behavior of the ballast layer under dynamic loading scenarios applied in the ZJU-iHSRT full-scale ballasted track-subgrade system.
Optimal Platoon Trajectory Planning Approach at Arterials
Authors: Liu Meiqi , Wang Meng , Hoogendoorn Serge
Published: May 2019

Cooperative (automated) vehicles have the potential to enhance traffic efficiency and fuel economy on urban roads, especially at signalized intersections. An optimal control approach to optimize the trajectories of cooperative vehicles at fixed-timing signalized intersections along an arterial is presented. The proposed approach aims to optimize throughput first, and then to maximize comfort while minimizing travel delay and fuel consumption. The proposed approach is flexible in dealing with both quadratic and more complex cost functions. Assuming fixed timing signal control in a cycle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, the red phase is taken into account in position constraints for vehicles that cannot pass the intersection in the green phase. Safety is guaranteed by constraining the inter-vehicle distance larger than some desired value. The approach is scalable and can be used for joint trajectory planning of one platoon approaching another stationary platoon. It can also be extended to multiple intersections with fixed signal plans. To verify the performances of the controlled platoon, simulation under three different traffic scenarios is conducted, namely: an isolated intersection with/without downstream vehicle queues, and platoon control at multiple intersections. Three baseline scenarios without control are also designed to compare performances in relation to both mobility and fuel consumption in each controlled scenario. The results demonstrate that the controlled vehicles generate plausible behavior under control objectives and constraints. Moreover, the consideration of downstream vehicle queues and the application at both an isolated signalized intersection and arterial corridors on urban roads verify the flexible characteristics of the control framework.
Effect of Implicit Prejudice on Intergroup Conflict: The Cognitive Processing Bias Perspective
Authors: Sun Lian-Rong , Wang Pei , Bai Yong-Hai
Published: May 2019

Principles of intergroup conflict are a core issue in social psychology fields. Studies have found that social prejudice has a significant correlation with intergroup conflict, apart from the personal characteristics and the contextual factors. However, none of those studies concentrated on the triggering role of the prejudice to the social phenomena in Eastern culture. Accordingly, the dependent variable detection paradigms used in three experiments were the Emotional Stroop Task, the Lexical Decision Task (LDT), and the Story Completion Protocol (SCP), the present research took the patient–physician conflict in domestic China as the example to detect the effect of social prejudice on the attention selective bias, memory accessibility, and the explanation of attribution bias of the aggressive information processing during the triggering of patient–physician intergroup conflict. The result showed that there was social patient–physician prejudice dissociation, which means that implicit patient–physician prejudice was observed but explicit social prejudice was not. In addition, the implicit patient–physician prejudice priming had a significant effect on patients’ reaction times of Emotional Stroop task and SCP, but no effect of LDT. It indicated that the implicit prejudice did not improve memory accessibility in the later stages of information processing, but rather triggered selective attention bias and hostile attribution bias in preceding stages. Such a conclusion supported the Interpretation-First Model of aggressive information processing.
Blind windows
Authors: Kinsey Cadence
Published: May 2019

This article analyses Camille Henrot’s 2013 film Grosse Fatigue in relation to the histories of hypermedia and modes of interaction with the World Wide Web. It considers the development of non-hierarchical systems for the organisation of information, and uses Grosse Fatigue to draw comparisons between the Web, the natural history museum and the archive. At stake in focusing on the way in which information is organised through hypermedia is the question of subjectivity, and this article argues that such systems are made ‘user-friendly’ by appearing to accommodate intuitive processes of information retrieval, reflecting the subject back to itself as autonomous. This produces an ideology of individualism which belies the forms of heteronomy that in fact shape and structure access to information online in significant ways. At the heart of this argument is an attention to the visual, and the significance of art as an immanent mode of analysis. Through the themes of transparency and opacity, and order and chaos, the article thus proposes a defining dynamic between autonomy and automation as a model for understanding the contemporary subject.
Enhanced properties of phthalonitrile resins reinforced by novel phthalonitrile-terminated polyaryl ether nitrile containing fluorene group
Authors: Wang Guangxing , Guo Ying , Han Yue , Li Zheng , Ding Jiangnan , Jiang Hui , Zhou Heng , Zhao Tong
Published: May 2019

Novel phthalonitrile resins (BPAPNs) were prepared by blending phthalonitrile-terminated oligomeric polyaryl ether nitrile, 4,4′-(1,3-phenylenebis(oxy))diphthalonitrile (PN), and 4-amino-4-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl. The curing behavior of the blends was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and rheology measurements. Additionally, quartz fiber-reinforced composites were prepared by hot-pressing process. Thermal stability and mechanical properties of cured phthalonitrile resins and composites were characterized and discussed. Compared with that of pristine PN, the impact strength of cured BPAPNs increased by 60%, while the thermal properties were not sharply compromised. Additionally, the maximum bending strength of BPAPNs composites reached 855 MPa, which was 56% higher than that of pristine PN. The current method shed light on the toughening of phthalonitrile resins, and the corresponding phthalonitrile resins could be used as the matrix for high-performance composites.
Filming a poem with a mobile phone and an intensive multiplicity: A creative pedagogy using stylistic analysis
Authors: O’Halloran Kieran
Published: May 2019

A film poem is a cinematic work which uses a written, often canonical poem as its inspiration. Film poems frequently exceed the likely intentions of the poet, becoming something new; one creative work is used as a springboard for another. Typically, however, in film poems the poem’s stylistic detail is largely irrelevant to its cinematic execution.

In a previous article, I spotlighted how this oversight/limitation can be addressed by bringing film poems into stylistics teaching and assessment. That article showed how stylistic analysis of a poem can be used to drive generation of a screenplay for a film of the poem. But, it did not show how the film could be produced on that basis. In contrast, this article does just that, modelling how a student could make a film from a poem, with their mobile device, where stylistic analysis has been used to stimulate the screenplay.

Accompanying this article is a film that I made on a mobile phone. This is of Michael Donaghy’s poem, Machines. In developing this approach for producing film poems via stylistic analysis, I incorporate ideas from the philosopher, Gilles Deleuze, and from his collaboration with the psychoanalyst, Félix Guattari, in their book A Thousand Plateaus. In particular, I make use of their concept of ‘intensive multiplicity’. Generally, this article highlights how common ownership of mobile devices by university students, in many countries, can be used, in conjunction with stylistic analysis, to foster a different approach to interpreting poetry creatively which, in turn, can extend students’ natural capacity for creative thinking.
The synthesis of organically modified layered double hydroxide and its effect on the structure and physical properties of low-density polyethylene/ethylene–vinyl acetate blends
Authors: Guo Xincheng , Tang Mengqi , Wang Na , Li Lingtong , Wu Yifan , Chen Xiaolang , Qin Jun , Zhang Kun , Lu Xiong
Published: May 2019

Organically modified layered double hydroxide (OM-LDH) was synthesized via anion exchange reaction and potassium monolauryl phosphate (MAPK) was used as an intercalator. The OM-LDH nanofillers were embedded into low-density polyethylene/ethylene–vinyl acetate (LDPE/EVA) via melt blending process which provided LDPE/EVA/OM-LDH nanocomposites. The structure and properties of the fabricated samples were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction techniques, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile testing. The results showed that the organic anion was intercalated into the interlayer region of LDH and enlarged the interlayer distance. The TGA results of the nanocomposites showed significantly improved thermal stability at a higher temperature when containing 6 wt% OM-LDH due to the good dispersion of OM-LDH in the matrix. The DSC data indicated that the degree of crystallinity was increased obviously due to the incorporation of OM-LDH in the matrix. The formation of organic side chains on the OM-LDH surface also contributed to an improvement in the interfacial adhesion, resulting in enhanced tensile strength and elongation at break compared with LDH.
Concentrated Promoters’ Ownership and Firm Value: Re-examining the Monitoring and Expropriation Hypothesis
Authors: Pandey Krishna Dayal , Sahu Tarak Nath
Published: May 2019

The study attempts to provide some fresh evidences, on the way in which ownership concentration by promoters inﬂuences ﬁrm value by re-examining two popularly known hypotheses, namely, monitoring and expropriation attached with the concept of ownership concentration. It uses a set of strongly balanced panel data consisting 91 manufacturing firms listed on Bombay Stock Exchange of India from 2009 to 2016 and employs fixed effect regression model under panel data analysis. The study documents a positive effect of concentrated promoters’ ownership on the value of Indian manufacturing firms and endorses the monitoring role played by large owners. It also accepts the possibility of co-existence of both monitoring and expropriation effects, with the former having a dominating influence, as the overall impact of large promoters is a trade-off between the benefits of active monitoring and cost of expropriation. The study is expected to have important implications in strategy making in the domain of corporate finance and governance and to act as a piece of reliable empirical evidence for the academicians and business analysts of this domain.
Students Adding Value: Improving Patient Care Measures While Learning Valuable Population Health Skills
Authors: Shaheen Amy W. , Fedoriw Kelly Bossenbroek , Khachaturyan Susanna , Steiner Beat , Golding Julie , Byerley Julie S. , Helgeson Erika S. , Beck Dallaghan Gary L.
Published: May 2019

Medical students are potential resources for ambulatory primary care practices if learning goals can align with clinical needs. The authors introduced a quality improvement (QI) curriculum in the ambulatory clinical rotation that matched student learning expectations with practice needs. In 2016-2017, 128 students were assigned to academic, university affiliated, community health, and private practices. Student project measures were matched with appropriate outcome measures on monthly practice dashboards. Binomial mixed effects models were used to model QI measures. For university collaborative practices with student involvement, the estimated odds of a patient being screened for breast cancer in March 2017 was approximately 2 times greater than in 2016. This odds ratio was 36.2% greater than the comparable odds ratio for collaborative practices without student involvement (95% confidence interval = 22.7% to 51.2% greater). When student curriculum and assignments align with practice needs, practice metrics improve and students contribute to improvements in real-world settings.
Correlation between refractive state, corneal thickness, and keratometry in ametropic patients
Authors: Rosenblatt Amir , Mimouni Michael , Sela Tzahi , Munzer Gur , Varssano David , Sorkin Nir
Published: May 2019

Purpose:

To analyze the correlation between age, gender, refractive error, keratometry, and corneal thickness in a large group of subjects.

Methods:

This study is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent refractive surgery between January 2000 and February 2015 at Care Vision Refractive Clinic, Tel Aviv, Israel. Patient demographics, subjective refraction, pachymetry, and average keratometry were collected.

Results:

Overall, 51,113 eyes of patients averaging 28.8 ± 9.3 years of which 53.9% were males were included. Average keratometry, spherical equivalent and cylindrical error differed significantly between male and female subjects (p < 0.001), while pachymetry did not (p = 0.332). In myopic eyes, correlations between age, pachymetry, average keratometry, spherical equivalent, and cylindrical error were all statistically significant except for the correlation between age and either pachymetry (p = 0.462) or spherical equivalent (p = 0.016). All correlations found were negligible or small (|r|= 0.003 to 0.141). In hyperopic eyes, correlations between age, pachymetry, average keratometry, spherical equivalent, and cylindrical error were all statistically significant except for the correlation between average keratometry and either pachymetry or cylindrical error (p = 0.344 or p = 0.274, respectively). All correlations found were negligible or small, except for a moderate correlation found between age and cylindrical error (r = 0.365).

Conclusion:

Refractive state, pachymetry, and keratometry of refractive surgery candidates are mostly weakly correlated.
Investigation of indoor environment comfort in large high-speed railway stations in Northern China
Authors: Du Xiaohui
Published: May 2019

The indoor environment of high-speed railway stations is more complex than in traditional railway stations. This could lead to complex indoor environment problems. In this study, indoor environmental measurements and passenger satisfaction surveys were conducted in two high-speed railway stations in summer and winter, considering the indoor thermal, natural light, acoustic and air environment. The results indicate that the air temperatures in winter were far below comfort standards. The mean illuminance met the standard requirements in both stations. However, the illuminance uniformity was very low in the summer. The acoustic and air environments were satisfactory and have positive impacts on the overall environmental comfort of passengers. The evaluated acoustic environment indicated this has a worst effect on passengers’ comfort. The depth of the waiting halls affected the air environment. The subjective survey revealed the following: Females were more sensitive to the indoor environment than males in winter. Northerners were more satisfied with the environment than Southerners. Older passengers were slightly more tolerant to the environment. Passengers with a longer waiting time would have higher demands for a better indoor environment. Also, passengers were more tolerant in summer than in winter.
Domesticating WhatsApp: Family, friends, work, and study in everyday communication
Authors: Matassi Mora , Boczkowski Pablo J , Mitchelstein Eugenia
Published: May 2019

This article analyzes the domestication of WhatsApp among Argentine individuals going through young, middle, and late adulthood, drawing on 158 semi-structured interviews and a 700-person survey. Findings show variance in domestication processes related to the different life stages that users belong to. Young adults (18–34 years, in our sample) adopt WhatsApp as a taken-for-granted platform where sociability is mainly produced in groups with friends and enacted through an “always on” availability. Middle adults (35–59 years) appropriate this platform partly shaped by a constellation of work and care responsibilities. Late adults (60 years and older) find in WhatsApp a connection with younger generations in addition to age peers, while enacting less continuous modes of availability than those in other life stages. We propose that considering life stages in domestication processes contributes to unpacking broader dynamics of the social mediation of everyday life.
When high and pop culture (re)mix: An inquiry into the memetic transformations of artwork
Authors: Aharoni Tali
Published: May 2019

This article explores the complex meanings embodied in memes featuring artwork as a juxtaposition between fine arts and participatory culture. A qualitative textual analysis of 119 meme instances identified three dimensions of artwork that can be echoed in digital memes: the content, the form, and the artist. Consistent with the metaphor of communication as transmission, the mimesis of content uses artwork as a device for political expression. The mimesis of form and of the artist, on the other hand, provoke a response that emphasizes the aesthetics over the narrative, albeit for contrasting goals: while the former conveys a communal partaking of iconic gestures, which highlights what Carey depicted as the ritual view of communication, the latter distinguishes the imitators as individuals, thus comparing them to the original creator. This article demonstrates the memetic manipulation of fine art as a dual agent of individual and communal expression.
A Pilot Low-Inflammatory Dietary Intervention to Reduce Inflammation and Improve Quality of Life in Patients With Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Protocol Description and Preliminary Results
Authors: Pasanisi Patrizia , Gariboldi Manuela , Verderio Paolo , Signoroni Stefano , Mancini Andrea , Rivoltini Licia , Milione Massimo , Masci Enzo , Ciniselli Chiara Maura , Bruno Eleonora , Macciotta Alessandra , Belfiore Antonino , Ricci Maria Teresa , Gargano Giuliana , Morelli Daniele , Apolone Giovanni , Vitellaro Marco
Published: May 2019

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) depend on a lifelong endoscopic surveillance programme and prophylactic surgery, and usually suffer nutritional problems. Intestinal inflammation has been linked to both FAP and colorectal cancer. Epidemiological studies show a relationship between diet and inflammation. Preventive dietary recommendations for FAP patients are so far lacking. We have designed a nonrandomized prospective pilot study on FAP patients to assess whether a low-inflammatory diet based on the Mediterranean diet principles and recipes, by interacting with the microbiota, reduces gastrointestinal markers of inflammation and improves quality of life. This report describes the scientific protocol of the study and reports the participants’ adherence to the proposed dietary recommendations. Thirty-four FAP patients older than 18 years, bearing the APC pathogenic variant, who underwent prophylactic total colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis were eligible into the study. During the 3-month dietary intervention, they reported improvements in their consumption of Mediterranean foods (vegetables, fruits, fish, and legumes), and a reduction in pro-inflammatory foods (red/processed meat and sweets); this led to a significant increase in their adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The improvement was accompanied by a decrease in the number of diarrhoeal discharges. These preliminary results are encouraging with regard to feasibility, dietary outcome measures, and safety.
Breast Tumor Cells Highly Resistant to Drugs Are Controlled Only by the Immune Response Induced in an Immunocompetent Mouse Model
Authors: Lasso Paola , Llano Murcia Mónica , Sandoval Tito Alejandro , Urueña Claudia , Barreto Alfonso , Fiorentino Susana
Published: May 2019

Background: The tumor cells responsible for metastasis are highly resistant to chemotherapy and have characteristics of stem cells, with a high capacity for self-regeneration and the use of detoxifying mechanisms that participate in drug resistance. In vivo models of highly resistant cells allow us to evaluate the real impact of the immune response in the control of cancer. Materials and Methods: A tumor population derived from the 4T1 breast cancer cell line that was stable in vitro and highly aggressive in vivo was obtained, characterized, and determined to exhibit cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes (CD44+, CD24+, ALDH+, Oct4+, Nanog+, Sox2+, and high self-renewal capacity). Orthotopic transplantation of these cells allowed us to evaluate their in vivo susceptibility to chemo and immune responses induced after vaccination. Results: The immune response induced after vaccination with tumor cells treated with doxorubicin decreased the formation of tumors and macrometastasis in this model, which allowed us to confirm the immune response relevance in the control of highly chemotherapy-resistant ALDH+ CSCs in an aggressive tumor model in immunocompetent animals. Conclusions: The antitumor immune response was the main element capable of controlling tumor progression as well as metastasis in a highly chemotherapy-resistant aggressive breast cancer model.
Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Men in the Middle East: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Meo Sultan Ayoub , Sheikh Saeed A. , Sattar Kamran , Akram Ashfaq , Hassan Asim , Meo Anusha Sultan , Usmani Adnan Mehmood , Qalbani Erum , Ullah Anhar
Published: May 2019

The rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious global health concern. The world is experiencing type 2 diabetes epidemics and prevalence differs by gender, regions, and level of socioeconomic development. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in men increased at a faster rate and numbers are continuing to rise in some regions of the world. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of T2DM among men in the Middle East countries. Seventy-four research articles were identified through search engines including Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Ovid databases by using keywords “epidemiology,” “prevalence,” “diabetes mellitus,” and individual names of the Middle East states. Finally, 17 studies were included for the assessment of prevalence of T2DM among men in the Middle East. In the Middle East, high prevalence of T2DM among men was identified in Bahrain (33.60%), Saudi Arabia (29.10%), United Arab Emirates (UAE; 25.83%), and Kuwait (25.40%), whereas low prevalence was reported in Iran (9.90%) and Yemen (9.80%). The random pooled prevalence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states was (24.0%) compared to non-GCC states (16.0%), and in both GCC and non-GCC countries combined, it was 19%. The prevalence was significantly associated with the gross domestic product of these states ( p = .0005). Despite different socioeconomic and cultural settings in the Middle East, the rising T2DM prevalence among men was identified in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait. These states must incorporate future diabetes defensive strategies targeting the Middle East population to minimize the burden of DM from the region.
Methodological Challenges Faced in Doing Research With Vulnerable Women: Reflections From Fieldwork Experiences
Authors: Thummapol Onouma , Park Tanya , Jackson Margot , Barton Sylvia
Published: May 2019

Methodological challenges of qualitative research involving people considered vulnerable are widely prevalent, for which many novice researchers are not well equipped or prepared for. This places great physical and emotional demands on the researchers. However, a discussion to bring to light the issues related to the researchers’ experiences and practical concerns in the field remains largely invisible in the literature. This article presents the reflective accounts of a doctoral researcher’s fieldwork experience, particularly in relation to the methodological challenges encountered in carrying out research with vulnerable women in rural and northern Thailand. Four of these challenges pertain to selecting a field site and acquiring access, recruiting and building trust, maintaining privacy and confidentiality, and being vulnerable as a researcher. Suggestions from the literature and practical strategies the researcher employed to deal with such challenges and real dilemmas are discussed. This article calls for more formal safeguards during the research process and suggests that researchers reflect upon their experiences and emotions in undertaking a field research, making the accounts of their research journey heard and beneficial to other novice and/or experienced researchers.
NAD metabolites interfere with proliferation and functional properties of THP-1 cells
Authors: Petin Katharina , Weiss Ronald , Müller Gerd , Garten Antje , Grahnert Anja , Sack Ulrich , Hauschildt Sunna
Published: May 2019

Over the past few years the NAD-related compounds nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinamide riboside (NR) and 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) have been established as important molecules in signalling pathways that contribute to metabolic functions of many cells, including those of the immune system. Among immune cells, monocytes/macrophages, which are the major players of inflammatory processes, are especially susceptible to the anti-inflammatory action of NAM. Here we asked whether NAM and the two other compounds have the potential to regulate differentiation and LPS-induced biological answers of the monocytic cell line THP-1. We show that treatment of THP-1 cells with NAM, NR and MNA resulted in growth retardation accompanied by enrichment of cells in the G0/G1-phase independent of p21 and p53. NAM and NR caused an increase in intracellular NAD concentrations and SIRT1 and PARP1 mRNA expression was found to be enhanced. The compounds failed to up-regulate the expression of the cell surface differentiation markers CD38, CD11b and CD14. They modulated the reactive oxygen species production and primed the cells to respond less effectively to the LPS induced TNF-α production. Our data show that the NAD metabolites interfere with early events associated with differentiation of THP-1 cells along the monocytic path and that they affect LPS-induced biological responses of the cell line.
Resolution of new daily persistent headache by a tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist, Venlafaxine
Authors: Tariq Zeshan , Board Nathan , Eftimiades Alex , Ibrahim Ronnie
Published: May 2019

New daily persistent headache is a continuous, unremitting headache, notorious for its unresponsiveness to aggressive medical interventions. The underlying pathophysiology of new daily persistent headache is poorly understood resulting in unending, chronic pain. However, a prior study identified elevated tumor necrosis factor alpha within the cerebral spinal fluid of new daily persistent headache patients. Herein, we report on a patient who suffered with headache for 6 years failing to respond to over 20 different medical treatments, but found drastic improvement and eventual resolution with Venlafaxine. This drug binds to the 5-HT2A receptor inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha signaling. Therefore, we hypothesize a chronic inflammatory mechanism driving new daily persistent headache pathology.
Twenty-Eight-Day-Long Delirium Tremens
Authors: Kafle Paritosh , Mandal Amrendra Kumar , Shrestha Binav , Bhattrai Bikash , Bhandari Manjul , Bhagat Shambhu , Shankar Kar Bijoy , Sharma Dikshya , Gayam Vijay
Published: May 2019

Refractory alcohol withdrawal delirium is uncommon in day-to-day clinical practice. This case report presents a rare case of delirium tremens of unusually long duration that was complicated by the difficulty in tapering down benzodiazepines despite adding midazolam drip as well as phenobarbitone to the management regimen and excluding other possible diagnoses.
Health Insurance Cards and Health Care Services Utilization: Evidence From Children in Mountainous Regions of Vietnam
Authors: Ha Nhu Van , Nguyen Van Thi Anh , My Anh Bui Thi , Nguyen Thanh Duc
Published: May 2019

Health insurance reform for children younger than 6 years of age was implemented in 2005. The study aimed to describe the health insurance card status, health care services use, and associated factors. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 210 Hmong mothers of children younger than 6 years of age, and of those, 118 mothers having an ill child in the previous 4 weeks were selected in this study. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were applied to predict the associated factors. In all, 42.9% of children had health insurance cards and 45.8% ill children accessed public health facilities. The factors included children’s age, mothers’ knowledge of the free health care policy, mothers’ knowledge about one sign of lung infection of their children associated with health insurance status, and health care services use. In conclusion, the 2005 reform of child health insurance policy has brought a modest impact on insurance coverage of children younger than 6 years of age and health care services use. Mothers’ knowledge of free health care policy should be improved.
CosmoGAN: creating high-fidelity weak lensing convergence maps using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Mustafa Mustafa , Bard Deborah , Bhimji Wahid , Lukić Zarija , Al-Rfou Rami , Kratochvil Jan M.
Published: May 2019

Inferring model parameters from experimental data is a grand challenge in many sciences, including cosmology. This often relies critically on high fidelity numerical simulations, which are prohibitively computationally expensive. The application of deep learning techniques to generative modeling is renewing interest in using high dimensional density estimators as computationally inexpensive emulators of fully-fledged simulations. These generative models have the potential to make a dramatic shift in the field of scientific simulations, but for that shift to happen we need to study the performance of such generators in the precision regime needed for science applications. To this end, in this work we apply Generative Adversarial Networks to the problem of generating weak lensing convergence maps. We show that our generator network produces maps that are described by, with high statistical confidence, the same summary statistics as the fully simulated maps.