bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Spanish-Finnish Telecollaboration to Develop Intercultural Competence and Learner Autonomy
Authors: Vurdien Ruby , Puranen Pasi
Published: December 2018

Telecollaboration enables students from different geographical locations to interact in a more authentic environment, share their views with their partners, create profiles as well as build online communities enjoying common interests. With this in mind, a Spanish-Finnish task-based project was designed to examine how students perceived their cultural exchange via Facebook and the extent to which such online interactions assisted them in becoming autonomous learners. Nineteen Spanish and seventeen Finnish participants were provided with the opportunity to interact with each other outside the classroom with a view to exploring the target culture and, consequently, experiencing intercultural learning. The findings suggest that the learning experience was positive and that the participants felt motivated to examine each other's cultural traits and manage their own learning tasks. Sharing information and reciprocally exchanging views on comments are paramount in developing skills to become independent learners.
Becoming Autonomous Learners to Become Autonomous Teachers
Authors: Phi Minh Tuan
Published: December 2018

Autonomy appears to be a challenging concept for both language learners and teachers. This article attempts to ascertain the beliefs on learner autonomy (LA) and teacher autonomy (TA) of students on the MA in English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics at Coventry University (UK) engaging with this concept while reflecting on a distributed MOOC blend flip. This article explores the extent to which a MOOC blended into an existing curriculum can support students in their transition between LA and TA for their professional practice. The paper discusses the interpretations of autonomy in language education, including “technical”, “psychological” and “political” orientations and illustrates two categorises of autonomous perspectives: independent learning and interdependent learning. The article also discusses how blended learning can support language teacher with re-thinking their role. It moreover illustrates, some constraints regarding fostering autonomy in practice and highlights some problematic areas in the reconceptualization of learning and teaching with a MOOC blend.
Towards the Normalization of Web-Based Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in College English Instruction
Authors: Wang Hongmei , Yuan Hui , Zhang Shanshan
Published: December 2018

Since the turn of the 21st century, many Chinese higher institutions followed the trends of Web-based Computer-assisted Language Learning (CALL) in College English instruction. After one decade's development, the effectiveness of this west-originated approach remains to be investigated. This chapter analyses two cases from two Chinese higher institutions, examining to what extent Web-based computer-assisted language learning is integrated into College English teaching and how the instructors and students adapt to it. The findings in the two cases show that lack of training for both faculty and students, technological defects of online systems, hybrid levels of students' English proficiency within one class have presented great challenges to the implementation of the new mode of instruction. While defining these obstacles, the second case, in particular, explored ways to address some of these challenges by the innovative use of internet technology.
Supporting Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning Through Kinect-Based Gaming
Authors: Urun Mehmet Fatih , Aksoy Hasan , Comez Rasim
Published: December 2018

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a Kinect-based game called Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier to investigate possible contributions of game-based learning in a virtual language classroom at a state university in Ankara, Turkey. A quasi-experimental design where the treatment group (N= 26) was subjected to kinect-based learning environments, and the control group (N = 26) continued with traditional learning environments was used. All the participants were administered an achievement test as a pre-test, and a post-test. Moreover, the qualitative part of the study included post-study semi-structured interviews with 10 students. The findings showed that there was significant mean difference in student achievement in post-test scores in favor of the experimental group. In addition, the study explored the opinions of the students toward the use of gesture-based computing systems for instructional purposes. The findings suggested some important points to consider while making use of kinect-based games for educational purposes like interaction and learner motivation.
Chinese English Teachers' Perspectives on “Distributed Flip MOOC Blends”
Authors: Orsini-Jones Marina , Zou Bin , Hu Yuanyan , Wei Li
Published: December 2018

This article reports on a study involving experienced university lecturers from mainland China reflecting on how to blend FutureLearn MOOCs into their existing English Language Teaching (ELT) curricula while on an ‘upskilling' teacher education summer course in the UK in academic year 2016-2017. Linked to a British Council ELTRA (English Language Teaching Research Award) project, the study involved: a. the administration of a pre-MOOC survey relating to teachers' beliefs towards online learning in general and MOOCs in particular; b. ‘learning by doing': taking part in a FutureLearn MOOC; c. reflecting on the experience both face-to-face in workshops, in online forums and in a post-MOOC survey. The outcomes of this article highlight that the understanding of what a MOOC is might differ between the UK and China. The article concludes by presenting the perceived pros and cons of adopting a ‘distributed flip MOOC blend' as previously discussed in related work.
Nomophobia
Authors: Bahl Rishi Raj , DeIuliis David
Published: December 2018

The first investigation of mobile phone addiction, a survey conducted by the UK Post Office in 2008, found that close to 53 percent of people in the UK suffered from a persistent, irrational fear of being disconnected from their mobile device. Later, in 2012, the British cellphone company SecurEnvoy reported that as many as 66 percent of the population suffered from nomophobia that induced stress levels comparable to those felt when getting married or going to the dentist. Before these surveys were conducted and the term coined, several scholars have done pioneering work on mobile phone addiction, both theoretically and practically. A review of this extant literature indicates that nomophobia is commonly considered an “emerging problem of the modern era” (Dixit et al., 2010), or a “disorder of the modern world” (King, Valencia & Nardi, 2010). In this article, however, we approach nomophobia as a young concept with an ancient history intimately intertwined with culture, consciousness, and communication.
Understanding Fairness, Equality, and Police Legitimacy
Authors: Egharevba Stephen
Published: December 2018

For decades, research on minority predisposition to comply or cooperate with the police has evolved, as citizens' encounter and experiences with the police can affect their sense of self-belonging in societies. However, less attention has been given to the issues of police act and behaviour in accordance with the laid down principles of policing in their interaction with citizens. For instance, some of the difficulties of the police in fostering its' legitimacy are the events in Totteham, London in the UK in 2011, and the USA in 2014, 2015 and 2016. This introduction analyses how the police engage with minorities and treat them fairly in order to improve their legitimacy and how violence, brutality and racial profiling has been utilized in police practices. The result revealed a perceived unjust policing and a high level of violence across many societies in the world. Finally, we have tried in this book to identify how police, courts and the penal system officials can improve and facilitate a fair, equal and understanding in their practices in general towards minorities.
Using the MMPI-2-RF in Preemployment Evaluations of Police Officer Candidates
Authors: Ben-Porath Yossef S. , Corey David M. , Tarescavage Anthony M.
Published: December 2018

The MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is the current, most up-to-date version of the most widely used self-report measure of personality and psychopathology. Prior versions of the test were studied and used extensively in police candidate assessments. This chapter reviews the legal and empirical foundations for using the MMPI-2-RF in preemployment evaluations of police officer candidates and provides practical guidance for doing so. A detailed review of a series of recent studies on using the MMPI-2-RF in identification of high risk candidates is presented, followed by practical suggestions for integrating MMPI-2-RF findings with other sources of information when conducting preemployment evaluations of police candidates. The MMPI-2-RF Police Candidate Interpretive Report is highlighted.
The Evolution of Securing the American K-12 Educational Environment With Armed Police Officers
Authors: Kubena Jiletta , Watts J. Harrison
Published: December 2018

Over the course of time we have seen a dramatic shift in the protection and security of our school system. With the increasing media coverage of school violence the general public has responded with a demand and a push for a safer educational environment for our children. This chapter addresses the movement from very limited school security through full time armed police officers responsible for the school campus. The chapter focuses on policy response to school shootings and covers a wide range of police and school response.
Reconsidering the Career Construction in Modern Era
Authors: Arastaman Gökhan
Published: December 2018

There have been significant changes in business—in the nature of employment—influenced by the transformations in the economy, society and technology. These changes led to uncertainty and competition in the labor market, insecurity in employment, and divisions in career paths. This was especially important in the 21st century where the technological advancements have created a more mobile, unstable environment. Career construction theory describes elucidative and relational progress through which individual impose meaning and direction on his/her vocational behaviors. This chapter, which approaches the idea of Savickas in a theoretical basis, offers a consideration on the career construction thinking based on his propositions. The chapter provides a framework for viewing vocational behavior across the lifespan as a dynamic process which considers life themes, vocational personality, and career adaptability. To this end, it aims to support academics, human resources specialists, and counsellors to benefit from Savickas' seminal thought.
Promoting Student Creative Problem-Solving Skills
Authors: Duyar Ibrahim , Mina Keri D. , Owoh Jeremy S.
Published: December 2018

Creative problem solving has emerged as one of the most sought skill sets by employers. The purpose of this chapter was to comparatively examine the relationships between principal instructional leadership, teacher creative practices, and students' creative problem-solving skills in public and private schools in the United States context. Special attention was given to the relationship patterns between variables for the higher (1st quartile) and lower performing (4th quartile) student populations. The data source was the PISA 2012 data sets. Findings showed that there were similarities and differences between the relationships of study variables in two schooling systems. Findings identified similar and different relationship patters between the study variables in these two distinct school settings. Findings also showed relationship patterns differed for lower and higher achieving student groups in each schooling system.
Transition From School to Work
Authors: Apaydın Çiğdem
Published: December 2018

Although the pattern and issue of transition from school to work (TSW) is commonly discussed in France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, and the US, it cannot find a place as a topic of discussion in the press and academe in Turkey. In reality, transition from school to work constitutes one of the most critical steps in young people's careers. It is therefore necessary to discuss the power of public policies to improve policies for young people, such as the regulation of the labor market, labor market programs, the effect of education on having a profession, and transition from higher education to work, all of which are underlined in the literature. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the process of transition from higher education to work within the context of Turkey based on the literature.
Bourdieu's Habitus for Academicians
Authors: Hancı-Azizoglu Eda Başak
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this chapter is to initiate a discussion on academicians' habitus to explore the life space of academicians based on Bourdieu's habitus theory along with the career construction theory. The conceptual review of Bourdieu's habitus theory sheds light on aspects that might help institutions to enhance the concept of social justice at institutional levels to increase academicians' labor effective and positive work surroundings. Within the scope of this study, the life space assessment technique is used to conceptually review studies on academicians' interpretation of their habitus. This chapter suggests that promoting the intellectual wellbeing of societies depend on how universities are represented in a society by creating free and liberal life spaces for academicians.
Academic Leadership
Authors: Kıral Erkan , Başaran Ramazan
Published: December 2018

Since the existence of mankind, leader and leadership have always been remarkable subjects and still continue to be. Leader is a source of inspiration for believers with the leadership he demonstrates and takes them from where they are and carries beyond their dreams. Thus, there is need for the knowledge of what kind of leadership the leaders that shape the future of mankind have done, have been doing, and will do. Of course, this need leads researchers to study leadership. The phenomenon of leadership, which resembles a huge plane tree whose root is far deeper, owes this depth under its trunk to the sprouts it extends up into the sky. Every sprout may have led the roots to go much deeper. Hence, one of these sprouts is academic leadership. Indeed, the aim of this study is to grow this sprout.
Scientific Publishing in English for Non-English-Speaking Academicians
Authors: Hancı-Azizoglu Eda Başak
Published: December 2018

The majority of scientific research in the world is published in English. The chapter expands the discussion on English as a lingua franca a step further to initiate a discussion on English as a scientific lingua franca. English as a scientific lingua franca poses a significant challenge for the non-Anglo-Saxon scholars by disregarding their data sets and research unless the research is written in academic English with culturally determined rhetorical conventions. This chapter investigates why different cultures have tendencies to write in culturally affected writing styles and forms. Toward that end, the chapter shows how the failure to give proper attention to other rhetorical styles results in losing crucial intellectual information from the non-Anglo-Saxon scholars. With this in mind, the chapter offers short-term solutions for academicians to join in the scientific world despite possible language barriers.
Alternative Modes of Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Gallagher John J.
Published: December 2018

Modern mechanical ventilators are more complex than those first developed in the 1950s. Newer ventilation modes can be difficult to understand and implement clinically, although they provide more treatment options than traditional modes. These newer modes, which can be considered alternative or nontraditional, generally are classified as either volume controlled or pressure controlled. Dual-control modes incorporate qualities of pressure-controlled and volume-controlled modes. Some ventilation modes provide variable ventilatory support depending on patient effort and may be classified as closed-loop ventilation modes. Alternative modes of ventilation are tools for lung protection, alveolar recruitment, and ventilator liberation. Understanding the function and application of these alternative modes prior to implementation is essential and is most beneficial for the patient.
Boot Camp for Caregivers of Children With Medically Complex Conditions
Authors: Van Orne Julie , Branson Kaylan , Cazzell Mary
Published: December 2018

Background:

The safe transition of children with complex medical conditions who are dependent on technology from hospital to home requires that caregivers receive specialized training from qualified health care professionals. Inadequate caregiver training can lead to discharge delays and hospital readmissions, often resulting in caregiver distress.

Objective:

To determine the effectiveness of a structured boot camp–style predischarge training program for caregivers of pediatric patients with complex medical conditions.

Methods:

We conducted a quasi-experimental interventional study to compare outcomes before and after implementation of the training program, which involved 34 caregivers. Pre–boot camp data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of 34 control patients.

Results:

After program implementation, statistically significant decreases were found in mean unit length of stay (92 vs 60 days; P = .02), mean discharge training days (60 vs 16 days; P < .001), and median total parental stress score, expressed as a percentile (49 vs 45; P < .001). More than 90% of caregiver participants were very satisfied with the program. On the basis of minimal length of stay limits, cost savings were estimated at between $53 300 and $69 900 per patient.

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicate that the training program is a valuable tool to track and verify caregiver education, reduce hospital length of stay, increase caregiver satisfaction, decrease caregiver stress, and reduce medical costs.
Visiting insect behaviour and pollen transport for a generalist oak-savannah wildflower,Camassia quamash(Asparagaceae)
Authors: Rammell N.F. , Gillespie S.D. , Elle E.
Published: December 2018

Many studies have investigated plant-pollinator interactions using visit records of insects contacting floral reproductive organs. However, these studies may not reflect the effectiveness of visits, since factors such as visitor behaviour and the composition of pollen on their bodies may influence conspecific pollen transfer required for fertilisation in plants. Here we study how pollen transport to a generalist wildflower,Camassia quamash(Pursh) Greene (Asparagaceae), is influenced by the behaviour and body pollen of five functional visitor groups (AndrenaFabricius (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)/Halictidae (Hymenoptera),Apis melliferaLinnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), BombusLatreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae),OsmiaPanzer (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), and Syrphidae (Diptera). We found that functional visitor groups differed in their behaviour (BombusandOsmiawere legitimate visitors, contacting both anthers and stigmas) and in the amount of conspecific pollen on their bodies (A. melliferahad the highest levels andAndrena/Halictidae the lowest). Conspecific pollen receipt byC. quamashstigmas was high (>80%), and best explained by visitor behaviour rather than the proportion of visitors with high amounts of conspecific body pollen. Our findings highlight the utility of pollen analyses for understanding pollinator effectiveness.
Transplacental Transmission: A Rare Case of Ebola Virus Transmission
Authors: Okoror Lawrence , Kamara Abdul , Kargbo Brima , Bangura James , Lebby Mat
Published: December 2018

During the mid-transmission period of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Sierra Leone, a 19-year-old pregnant woman, who was a petty trader in a health facility in Freetown, noticing no fetal movement for the past 3 days, reported to a health facility. Medical history and laboratory testing showed no abnormalities except that she was positive for sickle cell. She was not known to any surveillance team of having any epidemiological link to EVD case. She was induced with oral medications as well as IV infusion. EVD test showed that the fetus was positive to EVD with a high threshold value of 21, while the woman was negative for EVD with a threshold value of 42. The woman was positive to EVD IgG but negative to EVD IgM by ELISA technique. This is a rare EVD case in the period of medium transmission. We conclude that the woman may have come into contact with a low dose of virus not enough to cause a full blown EVD and that her immune system was able to stop the virus from further replication.
Changes in the Incidence and Epidemiology of Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease over the Last Two Decades in Crete, Greece
Authors: Vergadi Eleni , Manoura Antonia , Chatzakis Emmanouil , Karavitakis Emmanouil , Maraki Sofia , Galanakis Emmanouil
Published: December 2018

Group B streptococcus (GBS) remains a leading cause of neonatal disease. However, GBS rates and prevention strategies vary considerably worldwide. Herein, we investigated the burden and epidemiological trends of neonatal GBS infections in our area (Greece) over the last two decades. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study that includes all cases of culture-proven GBS disease in infants <90 days old in the last 22 years. Neonatal GBS incidence was 0.17/1000 live births (95%CI: 0.11-0.21). A significant increase was noted during the second decade (0.23 vs 0.10/1000, P<0.05). Late onset disease (LOD) significantly increased during the second decade (0.08 vs 0.02, P<0.05). Infants in the LOD group had a higher risk of meningitis (RR 1.8, 95%CI: 1.23-2.71). Long-term neurological sequelae were reported in 42.8% of meningitis cases. The mortality rate was 8%. The incidence of neonatal GBS disease in our area is among the lowest reported, but an increase was noted the last decade mainly due a rise in the LOD. The burden of LOD, the mortality and long-term disability are still substantial, thus effective prevention strategies − including maternal vaccination for neonatal GBS − are needed.
A unique case of hemi-tongue pseudohypertrophy, necrotizing myopathy, and erythema nodosum
Authors: Sato Kota , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Yamashita Toru , Takemoto Mami , Hishikawa Nozomi , Jinwei Shang , Ohta Yasuyuki , Abe Koji
Published: December 2018

A 46-year-old woman developed slowly progressive tongue weakness with a pseudohypertrophic change on the right side of her tongue. She subsequently developed weakness in her proximal lower extremities, skin erythema and a sustained increase of muscle enzymes at 11 M after the onset. A biopsy of the quadriceps muscle showed necrotizing myopathy and a skin biopsy showed erythema nodosum. The present case showed characteristic clinical manifestations that may represent a rare variant of sarcoidosis.
Hemodynamic ischemia of the anterior choroidal artery and reversal by carotid artery stenting 10 years after ipsilateral superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass for symptomatic left middle cerebral artery stenosis
Authors: Suzuki Hayato , Yamaguchi Suguru , Nishino Katsuhiro , Nakase Taizen , Shimizu Hiroaki
Published: December 2018

The pathogenesis of anterior choroidal artery (AChA) territory infarction includes various mechanisms, but hemodynamic causes are rare and difficult to diagnose. 77-year-old man, who had moderate left ICA stenosis and he had treated with STA-MCA bypass surgery for severe symptomatic left MCA stenosis 10 years earlier, was admitted with right hemiparesis and confused state. On admission, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography demonstrated patent bypass, but severe stenosis of left ICA with no opacification of the left AChA and A1 portion of the left ACA. Diffusionweighted imaging demonstrated ischemic lesion in the left corona radiata. Together with clinical findings, hemodynamic ischemia of the AChA region was suspected and left carotid artery stenting resulted in prompt improvement of symptoms. Hemodynamic ischemia of the AChA territory is rare, however, should be considered as a potential target of treatment when the ipsilateral ICA, A1 and M1 show stenoocclusive lesions.
Effect of intrasite vancomycin powder on development of epidural fibrosis
Authors: Clippinger Benjamin , Ayzenberg Mark , Narvaez Michael , Arango Dillon , Minimo Corrado , Pahys Joshua , Handal John
Published: December 2018

Placement of vancomycin powder into the surgical wound prior to closure has been shown to reduce postoperative infections in spine surgery. This study examines the effect of vancomycin powder on formation of epidural fibrosis (EF). Twenty-two rats underwent a two-level lumbar laminectomy. A control group, a low-dose and a high dose vancomycin powder (applied prior to closure) group was formed. Rats were sacrificed at 30 days and a blinded fellowshiptrained pathologist evaluated the laminectomy segments for EF. 50% of the samples in the high-dose vancomycin group were EF grade 3, compared to 20% of the low-dose and 16.7% of control samples. The average fibrosis grade for the high dose, low dose and control groups were 2.4, 1.4 and 1.8, respectively. There were more grade 3 EF specimens in the high dose vancomycin group. While the average EF grade was also higher in this group, there was not a statistical difference compared with the other groups.
Digital templating of rotating hinge revision and primary total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Savov Peter , Windhagen Henning , Haasper Carl , Ettinger Max
Published: December 2018

Preoperative digital templating in total knee arthroplastiy (TKA) is useful in predicting implant size, the level of bone resections and the need for special implants. This study should evaluate the templating of a rotating hinge prosthesis and the realization of the preoperative plan. Two observers with different experience levels templated 40 cases which received TKA and R-TKA using digital planning on standard preoperative x-rays. The examiners templated all cases independently and were blinded to the component sizes used intraoperatively. The kappa coefficient and Pearson coefficient were determined. The accuracy in predicting the correct implant size in revision TKA varied from 67,9% to 82,1% depending on the training level of the observer. The two observers show moderate and substantial correlation. The coefficient indicates a substantial agreement in between the two observers in templating revision TKA. The accuracy depends on the experience of the observer. In the cases were the templating was incorrect, the prosthesis was implanted smaller than the preoperative plan. With this knowledge very good results can be made with this prosthesis.
[Predatory and feeding behaviors of some bird species]
Authors: Mostini Leonardo
Published: December 2018

[This paper reports some unusual predatory and feeding behaviors of twenty-two bird species. Observations were carried out in Piedmont, Lombardy, Venetia (N Italy), and Holland (Noord Brabant).]

[Article in Italian]
Breeding population of Black Stork, Ciconia nigra, in Italy between 1994 and 2016
Authors: Fraissinet Maurizio , Bordignon Lucio , Brunelli Massimo , Caldarella Matteo , Cripezzi Enzo , Giustino Stefano , Mallia Egidio , Marrese Maurizio , Norante Nicola , Urso Salvatore , Visceglia Matteo
Published: December 2018

The Black Stork Ciconia nigra, following an expansion on European scale, started breeding in Italy in 1994 with one pair in the Piedmont Region and one in the Calabria Region. Since then, the breeding pairs established in Italy have progressively increased up to 18 in 2016, and they are currently in Piedmont, Lazio, Campania, Molise, Apulia, Basilicata and Calabria. However, the number of breeding pairs could be higher than 20, as indicated by records and observations of adults and juveniles, during the breeding period in potentially suitable nesting areas. Despite the low population density in Italy, the trend in the breeding population in Northwest and in Southern Central regions seems to show a slight and high increase respectively. Productivity, breeding success and fledging rate have been considered and analysed. A difference between the two macro areas has been found in the choice of nesting sites, which is on trees for Northwest couples, and cliffs for Southern Central couples. It is necessary to further explore the reason why the small Northwest population does not show any increase and range expansion compared to the Southern Central one.
[The Great grey Shrike Lanius excubitor L. of the Arrigoni degli Oddi’s ornithological collection at the Museo Civico di Zoologia, Rome (Italy)]
Authors: Fraticelli Fulvio , Marangoni Carla
Published: December 2018

[Lanius excubitor is a polymorphic species with 12 subspecies. In the last years the taxonomy of this species has been reviewed several times. According to the literature, in Italy Lanius excubitor is a regular migrator, wintering and irregular nesting, occurring with three subspecies: L. excubitor excubitor, L. e. homeyeri and L. e. sibiricus. This paper aims at reviewing the subspecies actually occurring in Italy by analyzing the specimens preserved in the Arrigoni degli Oddi’s collection at the Museo Civico di Zoologia in Rome (Italy). The morphometrics and colouring of 66 specimens were examined in relation to the most recent literature data. This review allowed to demonstrate that all specimens described as L. e. homeyeri in this collection have to be attributed to the nominate subspecies; only the specimen described as L. przelwaskii (now L. e. leucopterus) is a true L. e. homeyeri. According to these data, the ssp. homeyeri must be considered very rare in Italy, contrarily to some previously reported information. Specimens ascribed to L. borealis sibiricus do not show the characters of this subspecies, consequently they should not be included in the check list of Italian species.]

[Article in Italian]
Impact of Protocol Implementation on Rationalization of Albumin Use in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Ebrahimpour Sholeh , Nosrati Marzieh , Mohammadi Mehdi , Kamyab Haniyeh , Sarayani Amir , Mahmoodzadeh Habibollah , Jahangard-Rafsanjani Zahra , Gholami Kheirollah
Published: December 2018

Objective:

With respect to the high cost and limited availability of albumin, its use must be restricted to indications strongly supported by solid scientific evidence. It was anticipated that with the implementation of the National Health Reform Plan (NHRP), the consumption of albumin would increase as the result of decreasing patients' out-of-pocket costs. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of protocol implementation on the rationalization of albumin use in surgery wards of Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran.

Methods:

This pre-post interventional study was conducted in 32-month phases from January to November 2014 in an Iranian University hospital. The first phase was before the implementation of NHRP, the second phase was after NHRP, and the last one was after the intervention. The first and second phases were conducted retrospectively. Data extraction was performed by a hospital pharmacist. During the third phase, the physicians were mandated to adhere to a local albumin protocol which had been prepared by clinical pharmacy service and approved by drug and therapeutic committee. Appropriateness of prescriptions regarding indication, dose, and duration based on local guideline was compared among groups.

Findings:

Although hospital bed-days of care remained consistent among phases, albumin was prescribed for 40, 45, and 8 patients during first, second, and third phases, respectively. This shows about 80% reduction of drug prescriptions in the last phase. The mean duration/dose of albumin in inappropriate indications reduced significantly from 11.3 ± 8.2 days/24.7 ± 21.2 vials in the second phase to 2.6 ± 1.7 days/5.6 ± 3.5 vials in the third phase, respectively (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003).

Conclusion:

Interactive collaboration through guideline implementation seems effective in rationalizing the use of high-cost medications such as albumin.
Predicting Factors for the Pattern of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Utilization in a Middle Eastern University Hospital
Authors: Fakhari Zeinab , Farsaei Shadi , Sabzghabaee Ali Mohammad
Published: December 2018

Objective:

The dramatic increase in the consumption of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) products in nonapproved indications, its high cost, and the severe shortage has developed the concerns of its irrational utilization, especially in the Middle East countries. Therefore, this clinical study attempts to describe the pattern of IVIG administration in one of the largest hospitals in Iran and find the variables associated with inappropriate IVIG utilization.

Methods:

This cross-sectional medication utilization study was conducted in one of the largest referral hospitals in Iran. Random IVIG administrations were assessed from different wards for 9 months. Different data were collected to evaluate the pattern of IVIG administration and find variables, which could predict this behavior.

Findings:

IVIG was prescribed for approved indications in 72% of 201 patients recruited in our study. Although, the rate of drug administration was appropriate in most of the study population, hydration and pre-medication were unsuitable in more than one-third of the patients. Among the variables analyzed to find the factors affecting the misuse of IVIG, female gender, older age of patients, and longer time to start IVIG administration due to hospital admission were statistically significant in the multivariate model.

Conclusion:

Despite the fact that inappropriate use of IVIG was confirmed in less than 30 % of its utilization for the studied patients, it caused a potential risk of treatment complications and a notable and unjustifiable burden of unnecessary costs for this University hospital.
Simple nuclear C*-algebras not equivariantly isomorphic to their opposites
Authors: Dadarlat Marius , Hirshberg Ilan , Phillips N. Christopher
Published: December 2018

We exhibit examples of simple separable nuclear C*-algebras, along with actions of the circle group and outer actions of the integers, which are not equivariantly isomorphic to their opposite algebras. In fact, the fixed point subalgebras are not isomorphic to their opposites. The C*-algebras we exhibit are well behaved from the perspective of structure and classification of nuclear C*-algebras: they are unital C*-algebras in the UCT class, with finite nuclear dimension. One is an AH-algebra with unique tracial state and absorbs the CAR algebra tensorially. The other is a Kirchberg algebra.
Hereditary triangulated categories
Authors: Chen Xiao-Wu , Ringel Claus Michael
Published: December 2018

We call a triangulated category hereditary provided that it is equivalent to the bounded derived category of a hereditary abelian category, where the equivalence is required to commute with the translation functors. If the triangulated category is algebraical, we may replace the equivalence by a triangle equivalence. We give two intrinsic characterizations of hereditary triangulated categories using a certain full subcategory and the non-existence of certain paths. We apply them to piecewise hereditary algebras.
Regionalne in razvojne značilnosti obmejnega območja avstrijske štajerske
Authors: Zsilincsar Walter
Published: December 2018

Obravnavano območje je zaradi obmejnega položaja eno najmanj razvitih v Avstriji, kar prikazuje analiza demografskega razvoja in podrobnega vprašalnika o gospodarskih in drugih pogojih življenja v tem prostoru.
Prometno geografski vidiki nove državne meje
Authors: Černe Andrej , Pelc Stanko
Published: December 2018

Prikazane so osnovne prometno geografske značilnosti meja Slovenije in najnovejše spremembe v obsegu, prostorski usmeritvi in strukturi prometnih tokov med leti 1985-1992 na magistralnih in regionalnih cestah ter izbranih mejnih prehodih na slovensko-hrvaški meji.
Plužna pri Bovcu, primer transformacije obmejnega naselja, njegovega prebivalstva in zemljišča
Authors: Kunaver Jurij
Published: December 2018

Predstavljene so naravne razmere, razvoj gospodarstva in prebivalstva ter sedanje socialnoekonomske razmere majhne vasi Plužna kot izrazito depopulacijskega obmejnega naselja.
Odsev globalnih družbenih sprememb na vsebino regionalnega prostorskega planiranja
Authors: Ravbar Marjan
Published: December 2018

Ob kratkem pregledu družbenogospodarskih sprememb in razvojnih stopenj regionalnega prostorskega planiranja v Sloveniji po drugi svetovni vojni avtor obravnava metodološka izhodišča pri regionalnem prostorskem planiranju.
Družbeni proizvod slovenskih mest
Authors: Vrišer Igor
Published: December 2018

Na podlagi podatkov o družbenem proizvodu ustvarjenem v slovenskih mestih l. 1990, ki jih je zbral Zavod republike Slovenije za statistiko, je prikazan: 1. pomen in delež v mestih ustvarjenega družbenega proizvoda v Sloveniji, 2. koliko družbenega proizvoda je prišlo na mestnega oziroma podeželskega prebivalca, 3. katere dejavnosti so največ prispevale k ustvarjenemu družbenemu proizvodu, 4. izvedena je bila funkcijska opredelitev mest glede na dejavnostno strukturo v mestih ustvarjenega družbenega proizvoda in 5. primerjava s podobno analizo iz leta 1966 je pokazala spremembe v pomenu mest, ki so nastale pod vplivom povojnega družbenoekonomskega razvoja.
Vpliv univerze na razvoj Ljubljane
Authors: Pak Mirko
Published: December 2018

Univerza v Ljubljani, ustanovljena leta 1919, vključuje 27 fakultet in visokih šol ter nekaj umetniških akademij s skupno 33000 študentov. Po drugi svetovni vojni je edina slovenska univerza vplivala na razvoj Ljubljane: (1) njene ustanove zavzemajo precejšen del mestnih površin in so poseben element mestnega razvoja (prostorsko in funkcijsko), kar je razvidno iz njihove lokacije; (2) z zaposlenimi in študenti je pomembno zaznamovala gospodarsko strukturo mesta; (3) vključena je v družbeno-kulturno strukturo mesta; (4) vplivala je na zgostitev raziskovalnih kapacitet in ustanov z njihovimi znanstvenimi in raziskovalnimi dejavnostmi.
Konvencija o varstvu Alp in protokoli - izhodišča za trajnostni razvoj v slovenskih Alpah in sosedstvu
Authors: Kolar-Planinšič Vesna
Published: December 2018

Prispevek predstavlja mednarodno pogodbo, s katero so se države, ki delijo alpski prostor, zavezale k preudarni in trajni rabi virov in enotni politiki za ohranitev in varstvo Alp. Prikazuje vsebino Alpske konvencije in njene cilje glede prebivalstva in kulture, prostorskega načrtovanja, ohranjanja čistega zraka, varstva tal, vodnega gospodarstva, varstva narave in urejanja krajine, gorskega kmetijstva, gorskega gozda, turizma in prostega časa, prometa, energije in gospodarjenja z odpadki. Podrobneje je predstavljena vsebina protokolov Urejanje prostora in trajnostni razvoj ter Varstvo narave in urejanje krajine, ki se vsebinsko nanašata na trajnostni razvoj in sta krovnega značaja. V svojih ciljih ju zasledujejo tudi vsi drugi protokoli.
Nekatere topoklimatske značilnosti razporejanja temperature zraka in burje v razgibanem reliefu Slovenije
Authors: Ogrin Darko
Published: December 2018

V prispevku je predstavljen problem razporejanja minimalnih temperatur ob anticiklonalnem vremenu in pojav inverzije v konkavnih oblikah reliefa v Sloveniji. Podrobneje so analizirane razmere v Slovenski Istri, kjer so inverzije, kljub obmorski legi, zelo izrazite, in na Visokih dinarskih planotah. Tu se v nekaterih kraških kotanjah pojavlja stalna temperaturna inverzija z vegetacijskim obratom. V drugem delu pa so z uporabo metode vetrovnih krošenj in terenskih meritev predstavljene nekatere toploklimatske značilnosti burje na profilu Trnovskega gozda do morja.
Geostrateški pomen vodnih virov Slovenije
Authors: Plut Dušan
Published: December 2018

Avtor obravnava temeljne značilnosti in geostrateški pomen vodnih virov Slovenije. V primerjavi z večino drugih evropskih držav so vodni viri Slovenije obilni. Vendar je hkrati značilna zelo neenakomerna prostorska razporeditev in sezonska nihanja vodnega stanja. Gospodarski in geostrateški pomen vodnih virov zmanjšuje praviloma slaba kakovost tekočih voda. Za vodno oskrbo s pitno vodo slovenske reke niso primerne, kakovost talne vode in vodnoekološko zelo občutljivih kraških izvirov pa ogrožajo praviloma neprečiščene odpadne vode in druge oblike obremenjevanja okolja. Čiščenje odpadnih vod in smotrna raba vodnih virov je tudi strateško pomembna, sonaravno zasnovana naloga.
Oblikovanje čezmejnih vezi na tromeji med Slovenijo, Hrvaško in Italijo v Istri
Authors: Bufon Milan
Published: December 2018

Prispevek obravna nekatere vidike obmejnosti in razvoja čezmejnega povezovanja na »tromeji« med Slovenijo, Italijo in Hrvaško v Istri. Uvodoma so predstavljeni nekateri geopolitični vidiki formiranja in preoblikovanja obravnavanega obmej-nega in družbeno-kulturnega kontaktnega območja. V nadaljevanju so prikazani nekateri rezultati raziskovalnega projekta, ki se bo zaključil v letu 2001 in bo to območje tudi primerjal z ostalimi slovenskimi obmejnimi območji, za katera se že zbirajo ustrezne informacije. Na osnovi metodologije, ki jo je avtor prispevka razvil v domačem in mednarodnem znanstvenem okolju, so v prispevku prikazani tipologija, intenzivnost in smer čezmejnih vezi v različnih delih, ki sestavljajo obravnavano »tromejo«. Prispevek zaključuje krajša primerjalna analiza istrske »tromeje« z drugimi obmejnimi območji vzdolž slovensko-italijanske meje.
Valonska regija: kmetijsko-gozdarska pokrajina brez kmeta?
Authors: Schmitz Serge
Published: December 2018

Predstavljena je pokrajinska pestrost valonske regije, ukrepi za obnovopodeželja, selitve nazaj na podeželje in novi izzivi valonskega podeželja.
Regionalni ekonomski cikli kot instrument sonaravnega regionalnega razvoja na podeželju
Authors: Maier Jörg
Published: December 2018

The article deals with theoretical starting-point, positive and negativeaspects of regional economic cycles. The special empnasis has been put ongood practice examples in Upper Franconia (Bavaria, Germany).
Simulacija ogroženosti površja zaradi snežnih plazov v slovenskih Alpah
Authors: Pavšek Miha
Published: December 2018

Po oblikah površja razgibano in pokrajinsko raznovrstno Slovenijo ogrožajo številne naravne nesreče med katerimi so tudi snežni plazovi. Na temelju dosedanjih ugotovitev in s pomočjo podatkov iz geografskega informacijskega sistema za Slovenijo smo opredelili potencialno plazovito površje na območju slovenskih Alp. Pri tem smo upoštevali rezultate obdelave snežnih plazov iz lavinskega katastra v Julijskih Alpah, ugotovitve drugih podobnih študij ter podatkovne sloje naravnogeografskih sestavin visokogorskih pokrajin.
Razvoj in novi teoretični in metodološki koncepti ter aplikacija socialne geografije
Authors: Klemenčič Vladimir
Published: December 2018

V prispevku so predstavljene nova metodologija, teorija in aplikacija socialne geografije v praksi, ki so se razvile pod vplivom evropske integracije Slovenije in oblikovanja tržnega kmetijstva Evropske unije. Posledice prilagajanja slovenskega kmetijstva zahtevam Evropske unije se že kažejo v novih potezah podobe kmetijskega prostora, posledično pa tudi v celotni podobi in funkciji kulturne pokrajine.
Napovedi sprememb rabe tal v Sloveniji do leta 2012
Authors: Petek Franci
Published: December 2018

Po podatkih iz zemljiškega katastra smo izdelali analizo sprememb rabe tal med letoma 1994 in 1999. Ta je bila osnova za napoved sprememb rabe tal do leta 2012. Na podlagi linearnega trenda sprememb deležev površin do leta 2012 smo prikazali napovedi sprememb deležev površine za osnovne zemljiške kategorije. Najbolj naj bi se zmanjšal delež sadovnjakov, povečal pa delež pozidanih površin.
Geografija in celostni razvoj podeželja
Authors: Pelc Stanko
Published: December 2018

Obravnavan je položaj geografije podeželja v slovenski geografiji. Uporabljeni so bili nekateri podatki o pojavljanju geografije podeželja v različnih študijskih programih in bibliografski podatki o obsegu gradiva s tega področja v osrednji geografski knjižnici. Podan je pregled geografskih del, ki bi jih lahko uvrstili v okvir aplikativne geografije podeželja in opredeljene njene možnosti za uporabo v projektih celostnega razvoja podeželja v Sloveniji.
Narodne manjšine - dejavnik povezovanja in konfliktov v državah tranzicije
Authors: Zupančič Jernej
Published: December 2018

Prispevek obravnava manjšinske situacije v tranzicijskih državah. Vloga mnajšin se je v zadnjih dveh desetletjih precej spremenila. V preteklosti so bile predmet spopadov, sodobnejše teze pa jim namenjajo vlogo povezovalca med regijami, narodi in državami. V tranzicijskih državah prevladuje njihova še vedno pasivna vloga, žal pa je kar precej primerov prikritih in odkritih konfliktov, ki bodo verjetna popotnica tudi v prihodnjem obdobju.
Regionalizacija Slovenije
Authors: Ravbar Marjan
Published: December 2018

Pri regionalizaciji vloga geografov ni zgolj povezana s pripravo ustrezne členitve Slovenije na ustrezna funkcijsko zaokrožena območja, marveč sodobne družbene prilike od njih zahtevajo sistematično vrednotenje variantnih členitev z vidika vzročne povezanosti oblikovanja pokrajin. Prav posebej še med regionalnim razvojem oz. učinki policentrične zasnove omrežja naselij in decentralizacije (javnih) institucij. Pričujoči prispevek govori o vlogi, učinkih in posledicah decentralizacije institucij kot instrumenta za oblikovanje uravnoteženega razvoja. V njem analiziramo faktorje, ki vplivajo na uspeh regionalizacije v funkciji decentralizacijske politike.
Vrednotenje zahtevnejših geografskih učnih vsebin na vseh ravneh izobraževanja
Authors: Resnik Planinc Tatjana
Published: December 2018

V geografskem izobraževanju se srečujemo z didaktičnim problemom prenosa in razumevanja zahtevnejših geografskih učnih vsebin, ki naj bi bile s stališča stroke vključene v celotno vertikalo geografskega izobraževanja. Nadaljnje izboljševanje pouka in študija geografije ter zagotavljanje kakovostnih učnih načrtov za učence na vseh stopnjah geografskega izobraževanja zahteva definiranje zahtevnejših geografskih učnih in študijskih vsebin, definiranje vzrokov za njihovo pojavljanje, utemeljitev razlogov za njihovo vključitev v učne načrte ter ugotavljanje poti in metod za njihovo razumevanje in usvajanje.
Odnos prebivalcev zahodnega dela Šaleške doline do pokrajinskih virov
Authors: Špeh Natalija
Published: December 2018

V pokrajini, pod površjem katere so leta 1986 načrtovali odkopavanje surovinskega vira - lignita, in načrte dokončno opustili šele januarja 2002, smo ugotavljali odnos prebivalcev do pokrajinskih virov1. Potencialno prizadeti prebivalci so tako v urbanem kot podeželskem delu območja izrazili enotno mnenje proti načrtovanemu posegu.
Geografski prostor in turistična politika
Authors: Tkalčič Marjan
Published: December 2018

Turizem trži poleg storitev turističnih organizacij tudi geografski prostor v širšem smislu besede (prostor, naravne vrednote, kulturno dediščino, kvaliteto življenja prebivalstva, organiziranost družbe itd.). Množica različnih delnih turističnih proizvodov, identiteta kraja in njegovi razpoložljivi resursi tvorijo celoviti turistični proizvod destinacije. Usklajeno delovanje zasebnega in javnega sektorja turistične destinacije kot sistema zagotavlja turistična politika.
Urbano-geografsko proučevanje blokovskih stanovanjskih sosesk kot element urbanističnega planiranja
Authors: Rebernik Dejan
Published: December 2018

V prispevku je predstavljena raziskava o odnosu prebivalstva blokovskih stanovanjskih sosesk v Ljubljani do svojega bivalnega okolja in možnosti njene uporabe v urbanističnem planiranju. Namen raziskave je s pomočjo anketiranja prebivalstva izbranih blokovskih stanovanjskih sosesk ugotoviti značilnosti zaznavanja in vrednotenja svojega bivalnega okolja, izbire lokacije in tipa stanovanja ter potencialne selitvene mobilnosti.