bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palaeobotanical records from Rebun Island and their potential for improving the chronological control and understanding human–environment interactions in the Hokkaido Region, Japan
Authors: Müller Stefanie , Schmidt Mareike , Kossler Annette , Leipe Christian , Irino Tomohisa , Yamamoto Masanobu , Yonenobu Hitoshi , Goslar Tomasz , Kato Hirofumi , Wagner Mayke , Weber Andrzej W , Tarasov Pavel E
Published: April 2016

Rebun Island with Hamanaka and Funadomari among the 43 documented archaeological sites and the environmental archive stored in the Lake Kushu sediment proves to be one of the key areas to study the interplay between ecology, climate and human activities. This paper focuses on the potential of palaeobotanical records from Rebun Island for improving the chronological control and understanding of late Quaternary climate changes and habitation environments of northern hunter-gatherers in the Hokkaido Region of Japan. A set of 57 radiocarbon dates of the RK12 core (Lake Kushu) demonstrates that it represents a continuous environmental archive covering the last c. 17,000 years. The RK12 pollen record reflects distinct vegetation changes associated with the onset of the lateglacial warming about 15,000 cal. yr BP and the cold climate reversal after c. 13,000 cal. yr BP. The onset of the current Holocene interglacial after c. 11,700 cal. yr BP is marked by a major spread of trees. The middle Holocene ( c. 8000–4000 cal. yr BP) is characterized by a major spread of deciduous oak in the vegetation cover reflecting a temperature increase. A decline of oak and spread of fir and pine is recorded at c. 2000 cal. yr BP. After c. 1100 cal. yr BP, arboreal pollen percentages decrease, possibly linked to intensified usage of wood during the Okhotsk and Ainu culture periods. The results of diatom analysis suggest marshy or deltaic environments at the RK12 coring site prior to c. 10,500 cal. yr BP and a brackish lagoon between c. 10,500 and 7000 cal. yr BP. A freshwater lake developed after 6500 cal. yr BP, likely reflecting sea level stabilization and formation of the sand bar separating the Kushu depression from the sea. Plant macrofossil analysis shows use of various wild plants and also domesticated barley during the Okhotsk and Ainu periods.
Pollen- and charcoal-based evidence for climatic and human impact on vegetation in the northern edge of Wuyi Mountains, China, during the last 8200 years
Authors: Ma Ting , Tarasov Pavel E , Zheng Zhuo , Han Aiyan , Huang Kangyou
Published: April 2016

Pollen and charcoal records derived from the sediment core of Lantianyan (LTY) peat bog, Northern Wuyi Mountain chains, eastern subtropical China, provide valuable information of landscape evolution caused by both climatic variation and anthropogenic activities over the past 8200 years. Our results reveal fluvial and lacustrine deposition between c. 8200 and 5600 cal. yr BP. The high proportion of pollen from evergreen broadleaved forests (e.g. Quercus and Castanopsis) and Alnus trees, a taxon frequently occurring in mountain wetlands, implies a humid interval, which is consistent with the Holocene moisture maximum in eastern China. After 5600 cal. yr BP, the spread of the wooded swamp taxon, Glyptostrobus, suggests shallow water conditions and peat formation caused by gradual drying. The drying trend generally corresponds with the speleothem isotope record from this region, revealing a weakening East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) due to a decrease in Northern Hemisphere summer insolation (and in air temperature). Peaks in the abundance and concentration of Glyptostrobus pollen at c. 4600–4400 cal. yr BP and c. 3300–3000 cal. yr BP suggest two periods of swamp expansions, which coincide with the drought intervals revealed by the speleothem records. The LTY pollen and charcoal record demonstrates that human-induced land cover change was negligible before 3600 cal. yr BP. We consider the first signal of intensive human activity and landscape clearing to be the noticeable increase in charcoal particles at around 3600 cal. yr BP. This anthropogenic impact is followed by a dramatic decrease in arboreal pollen and increase in Poaceae pollen percentages, likely reflecting a transition to rice-paddy agriculture in the study area.
Effect of Generation Gap on Organizational Commitment: A Case Study of Ferro-alloy Industries in India
Authors: Jena R.K.
Published: April 2016

This research is intended to investigate the possible differences in the levels of commitment between Generation X (GenX) and Generation Y (GenY) employees in the fast-changing working environment of the twenty-first century. The research also aims to explore the direction and strength of relationships between the two age groups with respect to their commitment towards organization. This study was conducted by using cross-sectional quantitative research method involving 384 participants from five ferro-alloy industries in Odisha, India. The results indicated that GenY employees had a higher normative commitment (NC) to organization than GenX employees, whereas GenX employees had a higher continuance commitment (CC) to organization than GenY employees. However, it is also found that there is no significant difference in affective commitment (AC) between older and younger generation people. This research contributes to the theory of generation gaps with respect to organizational commitment (OC) and opens up new avenues for future research in this field.
Work Passion: Construction of Reliable and Valid Measurement Scale in the Indian Context
Authors: Johri Rupali , Misra Rajnish Kumar , Bhattacharjee Sharmistha
Published: April 2016

Today ‘work passion’ is highly sought-after human capability to overcome intensifying environmental challenges. In this paper, we develop and validate the measure of ‘work passion’ in India. Two separate studies were conducted in this regard. In Study 1, work passion scale was developed and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine its factor structure and reliability. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and construct validity was examined through its convergent and discriminant validity. Results of both EFA and CFA yielded a 17-item work passion scale (WPS) with four distinct dimensions: work enjoyment, self-motivation, self-identity and sense of learning. The model emerged as a perfect fit on various fit indices. Analyses reveal high internal consistency for both the total scale ( α = 0.93) and the four sub-scales ( α’s from 0.89 to 0.92). The resulted 17-item WPS is a short, reliable, valid and easy to administer measure that holds potential for use in future research and practice.
Transformational Leadership and Job Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Meaningful Work
Authors: Pradhan Sajeet , Pradhan Rabindra Kumar
Published: April 2016

Transformational leaders inspire their followers to exert more than their normal share of efforts and demonstrate unflinching loyalty towards the organizational goals. Although previous studies have reported positive influence of transformational leadership on employee’s affective organizational commitment and their contextual performance, the process by which transformational leadership influences the affective commitment and contextual performance has not yet been adequately studied. Hence, the present study will empirically investigate one such mediator’s (meaningful work) role in explaining the relationship between transformational leadership and the two job outcomes. This study includes a sample of 480 IT professionals working in several IT firms across India. SPSS 18 was used for data analysis and interpretation. Results of the present study reported a significant positive effect of transformational leadership on follower’s affective organizational commitment and contextual performance. The findings of this study also reported meaningful work partially mediating the relationship between transformational leadership and affective organizational commitment and contextual performance. The implications of the findings, limitations of the study and its scope for future research are also discussed.
The Use of an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model for Prediction of the Incidence of Dysentery in Jiangsu, China
Authors: Wang Kewei , Song Wentao , Li Jinping , Lu Wu , Yu Jiangang , Han Xiaofeng
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study is to forecast the incidence of bacillary dysentery with a prediction model. We collected the annual and monthly laboratory data of confirmed cases from January 2004 to December 2014. In this study, we applied an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to forecast bacillary dysentery incidence in Jiangsu, China. The ARIMA (1, 1, 1) × (1, 1, 2)12 model fitted exactly with the number of cases during January 2004 to December 2014. The fitted model was then used to predict bacillary dysentery incidence during the period January to August 2015, and the number of cases fell within the model’s CI for the predicted number of cases during January-August 2015. This study shows that the ARIMA model fits the fluctuations in bacillary dysentery frequency, and it can be used for future forecasting when applied to bacillary dysentery prevention and control.
Cultural citizenship, media and sport in contemporary Australia
Authors: Rowe David
Published: April 2016

Mediated sport has assumed an extraordinary position in contemporary global culture. It is enormously popular, especially when stimulated by both artful and ‘carpet bomb’ marketing and promotion. It is, correspondingly, in high commercial demand in the transition from scheduled, ‘appointment’ broadcast television to a more flexible, mobile system of on-demand viewing on multiple platforms. The ‘nowness’ of sport means that it is highly effective in assembling massive, real-time audiences in an era of increasing fragmentation both in terms of numbers and viewing rhythms. At the same time, sport routinely insinuates itself into the everyday lives of citizens in ways that are no more uniform than the people who encounter it. Even among enthusiastic participants in, and aficionados of, sport, there is considerable experiential diversity in engagement with it in mediated form. Socio-cultural variables such as age, gender, ethnicity and social class, as well as dispositions of sporting taste, are responsible for considerable differences in the practices associated with mediated sport. This article addresses current research on cultural citizenship and sport in Australia, drawing on qualitative data from Greater Western Sydney, Australia’s most demographically diverse region, in analysing the various ways in which citizens engage with sport as participants and spectators. It explores the research participants’ views concerning their rights to access ‘live’ mediated sport within a broad framework of cultural citizenship, analysing the tension between commercial and citizen relationships in the production of public culture. Finally, the article considers problems associated with such access, including with regard to the so-called ‘gamblification’ of sport.
Learning a New Language is Like Swiss Cheese
Authors: Larrotta Clarena , Moon Ji Yoon Christine , Huang Jiuhan
Published: April 2016

The purpose of the study was to understand instructors’ viewpoints on the relevance of learning to learn (L2L) in the settings where they teach. Twenty-four instructors answered an online qualitative survey about their experiences teaching English to adults. Data analysis was informed by narrative analysis procedures. Study findings include teachers’ perspectives about how students learn, teachers’ conception about L2L, and benefits for adult learners.
Pseudofungi
Authors: Lyapichev Kirill A. , Agarwal Apeksha N. , Rosenberg Andrew E. , Chapman Jennifer R.
Published: April 2016

Pseudofungi are septate hyphae–like structures very similar morphologically to true fungal elements. Histologically their presence poses a diagnostic challenge as they mimic fungal infection. Accurate identification of pseudofungi is required to avoid unnecessary treatment, and this can be accomplished by careful morphologic analysis with the use of appropriate histochemical stains. We report a patient with pseudofungi within a paratracheal lymph node, describe the morphologic findings, and discuss the differential diagnosis.
Predicting Forgiveness in Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Gilbert Sarah E. , Gordon Kristina C.
Published: April 2016

A recent study found that women’s intent to return to abusive partners is related to their forgiveness of the abuse; however, few studies have identified predictors of forgiveness in this population. Consequently, this study aims to identify factors related to forgiveness of intimate partner violence (IPV). It was hypothesized that commitment would predict forgiveness and that minimization of aggression would mediate this relation, as women may be more likely to minimize the severity of the IPV to reduce the dissonance that arises from being committed to unhealthy relationships. Results generally supported hypotheses and findings; limitations and future directions are discussed.
Severe periocular bleeding induced by bevacizumab in a patient with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Eryılmaz Melek K , Mutlu Hasan , Yalçin Müsri Fatma , Salim Derya K , Tazegül Gökhan , Coşkun Hasan Ş
Published: April 2016

Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor, and it has been shown to improve progression-free survival in patients with recurrent glioblastome multiforme when administered as second-line therapy. However, it has been associated with serious and fatal hemorrhagic events. Here, we present a 68-year-old male who developed severe periocular bleeding while on bevacizumab for recurrent temozolamide-resistant glioblastome multiforme.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf? Media Messaging and Traveler Responses to “Carmageddon” in Los Angeles
Authors: Brown Anne E. , Taylor Brian D. , Wachs Martin
Published: April 2016

One of the most heavily traveled freeways in the United States closed for construction over weekends in 2011 and 2012. Some public officials publicized the closures by appealing to civic pride whereas others threatened nightmarish delays they dubbed “Carmageddon.” In 2011, contrary to many media predictions, traffic flowed freely at volumes far below normal levels. Our analysis finds that travelers did not switch routes, modes, or trip timing, but instead forewent thousands of trips. Travel behavior changes were far more modest and mixed during the second closure in 2012. Although the lack of traffic problems surprised many public officials, we find traveler responses to both events congruent with past research. Traveler responses to the first event were more dramatic but short-lived, while more modest but durable responses to the second event suggest that travelers learned from, and were perhaps jaded by, the histrionics surrounding the first closure.
Translating the Social-Ecological Perspective Into Multilevel Interventions for Family Planning
Authors: Schölmerich Vera L. N. , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: April 2016

Scholars and practitioners frequently make recommendations to develop family planning interventions that are “multilevel.” Such interventions take explicit account of the role of environments by incorporating multilevel or social-ecological frameworks into their design and implementation. However, research on how interventions have translated these concepts into practice in the field of family planning—and generally in public health—remains scarce. This article seeks to review the current definitions of multilevel interventions and their operationalization in the field of family planning. First, we highlight the divergent definitions of multilevel interventions and show the persistent ambiguity around this term. We argue that interventions involving activities at several levels but lacking targets (i.e., objectives) to create change on more than one level have not incorporated a social-ecological framework and should therefore not be considered as “multilevel.” In a second step, we assess the extent to which family planning interventions have successfully incorporated a social-ecological framework. To this end, the 63 studies featured in Mwaikambo et al.’s systematic review on family planning interventions were reexamined. This assessment indicates that the multilevel or social-ecological perspective has seldom been translated into interventions. Specifically, the majority of interventions involved some form of activity at the community and/or organizational level, yet targeted and measured intrapersonal change as opposed to explicitly targeting/measuring environmental modification.
A Glimmer of Optimism in Government Savings Accumulation? An Empirical Examination of Municipal Unassigned Fund Balance in Florida
Authors: Arapis Theodore , Reitano Vincent
Published: April 2016

Few would question that the Great Recession and its aftermath have proved challenging for government financial management. This depressed economic environment has renewed interest in research involving the accumulation and use of the unassigned fund balance. In this study, we use data on Florida cities to examine the factors affecting the unassigned fund balance before, during, and after the Great Recession. According to our findings, building and maintaining savings at high levels have become routine for Florida cities, irrespective of their government form and the economic conditions they face. This research also provides evidence that Florida cities adapt their savings accumulation strategy, depending on the level of unassigned fund balance they are targeting. As a result, Florida cities consider different factors when accumulating unassigned fund balance above, rather than within or below, the minimum range suggested by the Government Finance Officers Association.
Aetiology and pathogenesis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in cats by histological examination
Authors: Wessely Marlis , Reese Sven , Schnabl-Feichter Eva
Published: April 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine histologically intact and ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments in cats, in order to evaluate whether degeneration is a prerequisite for rupture.

Methods

We performed a histological examination of 50 intact and 19 ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments in cadaver or client-owned cats, respectively, using light microscopy. Cats with stifle pathology were further divided into five age groups in order to investigate the relationship of changes in the ligament with lifespan. Cats with ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments were divided into two groups according to medical history (with presumed history of trauma or without any known history of trauma) in order to investigate the relationship of ligament rupture with a traumatic event. Data from 200 healthy cats were selected randomly and reviewed to make a statistical comparison of cats with and without cranial cruciate ligament rupture (reference group).

Results

On histological examination, the intact cranial cruciate ligaments showed basic parallel arrangement of the collagen fibres, with no relation to age. While cats of a more advanced age showed fibrocartilage in the middle of the cranial cruciate ligament – a likely physiological reaction to compression forces over the lifespan – degenerative changes within the fibrocartilage were absent in all cases, regardless of age or rupture status. Cats suffering from cranial cruciate ligament rupture without history of trauma were significantly older than cats in the reference group.

Conclusions and relevance

This study showed that differentiation of fibrocartilage in the middle of the cranial cruciate ligament is likely a physiological reaction to compressive forces and not a degenerative change associated with greater risk of rupture in advanced age. This finding in cats is distinct from the known decrease in differentiation of fibrocartilage in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Furthermore, the histological examination of cats revealed no other signs of degeneration in the cranial cruciate ligaments. Thus, degeneration is likely not an aetiological factor for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in cats.
Feline corneal sequestra: outcome of corneoconjunctival transposition in 97 cats (109 eyes)
Authors: Graham Kathleen L , White Joanna D , Billson Francis M
Published: April 2016

Case series summary

A retrospective study was undertaken to review outcomes of keratectomy and corneoconjunctival transposition in cats with superficial and deep corneal sequestra. Information including pertinent history, signalment, ophthalmological findings and postoperative outcome was collected from medical records. Follow-up was obtained by clinical examination, contact with the referring veterinarians and review of medical records or telephone contact with owners. Ninety-seven cats (109 eyes) were included from 2005–2015. The most commonly affected breeds included Persian, Burmese and Himalayan. The mean age at the time of surgery was 6.8 years (median 6.5 years; range 8.0 months–18.0 years). A corneal sequestrum in the contralateral eye was diagnosed in 28 cats (28.9%). Recurrent corneal sequestration was diagnosed in eight cats (nine eyes), with recurrence occurring a mean of 703 days after surgery (range 29–1750 days). Age, sex, breed, depth of sequestration and concurrent ocular disease in the contralateral eye were compared between cats with and without recurrence, with no risk factors for recurrence identified.

Relevance and novel information

Excellent surgical outcomes have previously been described in a series of 17 cats with superficial and mid-stromal corneal sequestra. This paper adds further information to the literature by describing a larger series of cats, with corneal sequestra affecting the full range of corneal thickness, and good long-term postoperative outcomes.
Biaxial buckling analysis of functionally graded nanocomposite sandwich plates reinforced by aggregated carbon nanotube using improved high-order theory
Authors: Moradi-Dastjerdi Rasool , Malek-Mohammadi Hosein
Published: April 2016

In this work, biaxial buckling analysis of sandwich plates with symmetric composite laminated core and two functionally graded nanocomposite face sheets is carried out by a new improved high-order theory. The nanocomposite face sheets are carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced nanocomposites and the material properties of the nanocomposites plates are graded along the thickness and are estimated though the Mori–Tanaka approach. CNTs are assumed randomly oriented and aggregated into some clusters. The same third order theory is used for modeling of core and the faces sheets. The theory has third and second orders of z for in-plane and normal displacements, respectively. The principle of minimum potential energy is used to derive the equations of motion and boundary conditions. Analytical solution for static analysis of simply supported sandwich plates under biaxial in-plane compressive loads is presented using Navier’s solution. The effects of CNT volume fraction, CNT aggregation states, CNT distribution, biaxial loads ratio, and geometric dimensions of sandwich plate are investigated on the overall buckling of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced nanocomposite sandwich plates.
Intersectionality and its discontents: Intersectionality as traveling theory
Authors: Salem Sara
Published: April 2016

‘Intersectionality’ has now become a major feature of feminist scholarly work, despite continued debates surrounding its precise definition. Since the term was coined and the field established in the late 1980s, countless articles, volumes and conferences have grown out of it, heralding a new phase in feminist and gender studies. Over the past few years, however, the growing number of critiques leveled against intersectionality warrants us as feminists to pause and reflect on the trajectory the concept has taken and on the ways in which it has traveled through time and space. Conceptualizing intersectionality as a traveling theory allows for these multiple critiques to be contextualized and addressed. It is argued that the context of the neoliberal academy plays a major role in the ways in which intersectionality has lost much of its critical potential in some of its usages today. It is further suggested that Marxist feminism(s) offers an important means of grounding intersectionality critically and expanding intersectionality’s ability to engage with feminism transnationally.
Numerical analysis of high-speed wheel/rail adhesion under interfacial liquid contamination using an elastic-plastic asperity contact model
Authors: Wu Bing , Wu Tao , Wen Zefeng , Jin Xuesong
Published: April 2016

The objective of this paper is to investigate the high-speed wheel/rail adhesion under interfacial liquids contamination using a numerical model. This model considers the rheological property of interfacial liquids, elastic-plastic deformation of microasperities contact and the temperature across the film thickness. The pressure and the temperature fields can be obtained. The effects of train speed, surface roughness parameters, characteristic shear stress, and the slip ratio are investigated. Furthermore, the present model is compared with the elastic model and the elastic-plastic model without considering the thermal effect. The numerical results show that the train speed and temperature affects the wheel/rail adhesion significantly.
Depression and anxiety among elderly earthquake survivors in China
Authors: Liang Ying
Published: April 2016

This study investigated depression and anxiety among Chinese elderly earthquake survivors, addressing relevant correlations. We sampled one earthquake-prone city, utilising the Geriatric Depression Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. In addition, explorative factor analysis and structural equation model methods were used. Results indicated elderly earthquake survivors exhibited symptoms of moderate depression and anxiety; depression and anxiety are highly positively correlated. The overlap between these two psychological problems may be due to subjective fear and motoric dimensions; subjective fear and motoric dimensions of Beck Anxiety Inventory are more strongly related to Geriatric Depression Scale domains. The two scales exhibit high reliability and validity.
Teachers’ self-perception of their dietary behavior and needs to teach healthy eating habits in the school
Authors: Vio Fernando , Yañez Marisol , González Carmen Gloria , Fretes Gabriela , Salinas Judith
Published: April 2016

Through focus groups, we explored 22 third- to fifth-grade teachers’ perceptions about their eating habits, including barriers and facilitators to healthy eating. It also explored teachers’ thoughts about how to teach students healthy eating habits. The information was transcribed and treated using the content analysis technique. Results were evaluated using the concept of majority and minority group and presented in a sequential way: teachers’ perceptions about eating habits, barriers to healthy eating, teacher’s culinary habits, abilities to teach students healthy eating habits through Information and Communication Technologies, and cooking activities. Teachers’ eating habits were poor, with lack of time, money, and will to improve. They had culinary habits skills and the desire to instruct and guide their students in eating healthier food. They need a program with Information and Communication Technologies and cooking workshops to apply in the classroom.
Coping strategies modify risk of depression associated with hematopoietic cell transplant symptomatology
Authors: Barata Anna , Gonzalez Brian D , Sutton Steven K , Small Brent J , Jacobsen Paul B , Field Teresa , Fernandez Hugo , Jim Heather SL
Published: April 2016

To determine whether coping strategies modify the risk of depression among allogeneic recipients experiencing post-transplant-related symptomatology, 105 participants (mean age = 52 years, 42% female) completed questionnaires 90 days post-transplant. A total of 28 percent reported depressive symptoms. Univariate correlations indicated that depression was associated with greater transplant-related symptomatology and avoidance, acceptance/resignation, and emotional discharge coping. Depression was negatively associated with problem-solving coping. Moderator analyses indicated that transplant-related symptomatology was significantly associated with depression among patients who frequently used maladaptive coping and rarely used adaptive coping. These data suggest that transplant-related symptomatology, combined with maladaptive coping, place patients at risk of depression.
‘Are you sure you’re going to have another one of those?’: A qualitative analysis of the social control and social support models in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Newton-John Toby RO , Ventura Adriana D , Mosely Kylie , Browne Jessica L , Speight Jane
Published: April 2016

While there is evidence that spouses can impact the self-management of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, less is known about the influence of the wider social network. This qualitative study explored the perceived impact of the family as well as friends and work colleagues on type 2 diabetes mellitus self-management. A total of 25 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus participated in semi-structured interviews regarding their social experiences of living with diabetes. Deductive thematic analysis was applied to the data. Pre-existing themes of health-related social control and social support were identified in the wider social network, with additional themes of non-involvement and unintentional undermining also emerging.
What is the best measure for assessing diabetes distress? A comparison of the Problem Areas in Diabetes and Diabetes Distress Scale: results from Diabetes MILES–Australia
Authors: Fenwick Eva K , Rees Gwyn , Holmes-Truscott Elizabeth , Browne Jessica L , Pouwer Frans , Speight Jane
Published: April 2016

This study used Rasch analysis to examine the psychometric validity of the Diabetes Distress Scale and the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale to assess diabetes distress in 3338 adults with diabetes (1609 completed the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale ( n = 675 type 1 diabetes; n = 934 type 2 diabetes) and 1705 completed the Diabetes Distress Scale ( n = 693 type 1 diabetes; n = 1012 type 2 diabetes)). While criterion and convergent validity were good, Rasch analysis revealed suboptimal precision and targeting, and item misfit. Unresolvable multidimensionality within the Diabetes Distress Scale suggests a total score should be avoided, while suboptimal precision suggests that the Physician-related and Interpersonal distress subscales should be used cautiously.
Social factors, weight perception, and weight control practices among adolescents in Mexico
Authors: Bojorquez Ietza , Villatoro Jorge , Delgadillo Marlene , Fleiz Clara , Fregoso Diana , Unikel Claudia
Published: April 2016

We evaluated the association of social factors and weight control practices in adolescents, and the mediation of this association by weight perception, in a national survey of students in Mexico ( n = 28,266). We employed multinomial and Poisson regression models and Sobel’s test to assess mediation. Students whose mothers had a higher level of education were more likely to perceive themselves as overweight and also to engage in weight control practices. After adjusting for body weight perception, the effect of maternal education on weight control practices remained significant. Mediation tests were significant for boys and non-significant for girls.
Searching for help online: An analysis of peer-to-peer posts on a male-only infertility forum
Authors: Hanna Esmée , Gough Brendan
Published: April 2016

Men’s experiences of infertility help seeking are under-researched and thus less widely understood than women’s experiences, with men’s needs for support often missing from reproductive research knowledge. This article presents a thematic analysis of peer-to-peer posts within the context of a UK men-only online infertility forum. The key themes demonstrate that men value male support from those with experience, and that masculinity influences help-seeking requests and men’s accounts more broadly. We highlight the value of such online communities in offering support to men in need while recognising the importance of further research across other online settings in order to inform practice around supporting men in the reproductive realm.
A critical review of sanctioned knowledge production concerning abortion in Africa: Implications for feminist health psychology
Authors: Macleod Catriona , Chiweshe Malvern , Mavuso Jabulile
Published: April 2016

Taking a feminist health psychology approach, we conducted a systematic review of published research on abortion featured in PsycINFO over a 7-year period. We analysed the 39 articles included in the review in terms of countries in which the research was conducted, types of research, issues covered, the way the research was framed and main findings. Despite 97 per cent of abortions performed in Africa being classifiable as unsafe, there has been no engagement in knowledge production about abortion in Africa from psychologists, outside of South Africa. Given this, we outline the implications of the current knowledge base for feminism, psychology and feminist health psychology in Africa.
Popular video cartoons and associated branded toys in teaching English to very young learners: A case study
Authors: Prosic-Santovac Danijela
Published: April 2016

When teaching foreign languages to very young learners, motivation is an issue that needs to be taken into account even more than in the case of any other age group. Teaching materials and students’ textbooks used in schools and preschools, however carefully crafted, often fail to cater for the genuine interests of children and to invoke intrinsic motivation for learning. This article aims to examine whether centring teaching around authentic media material, such as popular cartoons, and the accompanying branded toys, affects the level of second language (L2) knowledge and motivation for learning. The ‘one environment – one language’ approach was developed for this case study, which focuses on the learning progression of one four-year-old during the period of 18 months. The results speak in favour of using this approach both in kindergarten settings, exploiting role play with playschool character toys, as well as in home settings, where family characters can be used to connect home and preschool environments.
Chest-wall contouring surgery in female-to-male transgender patients: A one-center retrospective analysis of applied surgical techniques and results
Authors: Kääriäinen M. , Salonen K. , Helminen M. , Karhunen-Enckell U.
Published: April 2016

Background and Aims:

Chest-wall contouring surgery is an important part of the gender reassignment process that contributes to strengthening the self-image and facilitating living in the new gender role. Here, we analyze the surgical techniques used in our clinic and report the results.

Material and Methods:

Female-to-male transgender patients (n = 57) undergoing chest-wall contouring surgery at Tampere University Hospital between January 2003 and April 2015 were enrolled in the study. Breast appearance was evaluated and either a concentric circular approach or a transverse incision technique was used for mastectomy. Patient characteristics and data regarding the technique and postoperative results were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

Results:

In addition to the transgender diagnosis, 40.4% of the patients had another psychiatric diagnosis. For mastectomy, a concentric circular approach was used in 50.9% and a transverse incision approach in 49.1% of the patients. In the transverse incision group, 21.4% of the patients underwent pedicled mammaplasty and 78.6% mastectomy with a free nipple–areola complex graft. Compared with the transverse incision group, breasts were smaller (p < 0.001) and body mass index value was lower in the concentric circular group (p = 0.001). One-third of the patients had complications (hematoma, infection, seroma, fistula, or partial necrosis of nipple–areola complex) and the reoperation rate was 8.8%. Hematoma was the most frequent reason for reoperation. Corrections were required for the scar in 14.0% of the patients, the contour in 28.0%, the areola in 15.8%, and the nipple in 5.3%. Secondary corrections were needed more often in the concentric circular (55.2%) than in the transverse incision group (25.0%; p = 0.031).

Conclusions:

The larger the breast, poorer the skin quality, and greater the amount of excess skin, the longer the required incision and resulting scar is for mastectomy of female-to-male patients. Hematoma is the most common reason for acute reoperation and secondary corrections are often needed.
Emerging networks in the global news arena: Theorizing the structural role of Chinese bridge blogs
Authors: Zheng Nan , Reese Stephen D
Published: April 2016

In this article, we present a theoretical approach to conceptualizing the global news arena as a structure of relations formed across media systems worldwide, relations mapped by hyperlinked connections across online news platforms, including professional news sites, blogs, and other social media. Specifically, we argue that bridge blogs serve as the ‘weak ties’ (in Granovetter’s terms), linking cultural spheres formed by the ‘strong ties’ among traditional national media. Using China as the national context, we provide an overview of the phenomenon of bridge blogs, presenting an illustrative example to show how bridge blogs are positioned to provide contextual information and interpretation of events and issues in China to be better understood by overseas audiences.
Participatory research ideals and practice experience: Reflections and analysis
Authors: D’Cruz Heather , Gillingham Philip
Published: April 2016

Consumer participation in decision making and evaluation of services has been a significant theme in social work and other caring professions for over 20 years. This article reflects on a qualitative research study that was conceptualised within participatory principles. It critically examines key features that emerged as challenges to the ideals of participatory research with parents and grandparents about their experiences with child protection services in Victoria, Australia.

Findings

The features examined are differentiated between the visible and familiar and the invisible, often emergent, aspects of social work research. We critically examine the ways in which the visible and invisible features as situated dimensions of social work research may shape how and whether the ideals of participatory research can be achieved. We discuss tensions in the process that have no clear ‘solutions’. Instead, we identify the importance of mindfulness and reflexive practice by researchers to find their way through these potential ethical and legal minefields.

Applications

We conclude that while social workers must continue to strive for participation by a range of service users in knowledge generation, we must also critically examine and theorise the meaning of participatory research and the idealised images of consumers and service users to improve such practice. An awareness of situated ethics as a location of the self in interaction with others is essential to promote ongoing reflexive practice throughout all stages of research.
Comic book cartographies: a cartocentred reading of City of Glass, the graphic novel
Authors: Peterle Giada
Published: April 2016

This article responds to the call for a deeper theoretical and methodological exchange between the disciplines involved in geohumanities research and proposes comic books as an environment for interdisciplinary, geo/cartographical and literary critical research practice. The analysis considers the emerging field of ‘comic book geographies’ and suggests a further opening to ‘comic book cartographies’. Hence, by referring to the ‘spatiocentred’ approaches emerging in literary theory and criticism, I propose a ‘geocritical’ and ‘cartocentred’ reading of comics to explore the ‘cartographies of the comic book’. I individuate the peculiar map-like features of comics’ spatial grammar to interpret the comic book as both a cartographer and a map. Moreover, taking into account the recent shift in cartographic theory towards an ‘emergent cartography’, I propose an ‘ontogenetic’ understanding of comics as maps. Through both their representational and non-representational map-like features, comics are intended ‘as always mappings’, providing the author/reader with a truly mapping experience. The analysis of the exemplary case study of City of Glass, the graphic novel transposition of Auster’s novel by Paul Karasik and David Mazzucchelli, counts as a first attempt to propose a ‘cartocentred’ reading of the cartographies inserted within and emerging from a comic book. This article suggests that a ‘cartocritical’ reading of comics could provide comic studies, cultural geography and literary theory with new insights, as well as cartographic theory with an unexplored laboratory to keep on ‘rethinking maps’ from an ‘emergent’ perspective.
On the spaces and movement of monsters: the itinerant crossings of Gef the talking mongoose
Authors: Holloway Julian
Published: April 2016

Geographical enquiries of the monster and the monstrous have increased in recent years. Through the accounting of a particular monster that emerged in the Isle of Man in the 1930s, I seek to contribute to these debates. The monster detailed in this article underscores the argument that the power of the monster lies in both their proximity to familiar spatial and cultural codings and their distance in the unfamiliarity they perform. However, I argue that the geographical accounts of the monster must focus their attention not only on their ambiguous status, but how they are constituted through mobility and movement. It is the constant itinerancy in-between and in-the-between wherein the monster finds its disruption and potential. Furthermore, in exploring monstrous modes of mobility, I argue the monster is best understood as an itinerant crossing that is incessantly and continually emergent. I finish by reminding those interested in monstrous geographies that while these strange beings may act as sources of hope and potentiality, geographers must not lose sight of how the monster still has the capacity to warn and to bite.
Methodological implications of Marxian praxis in action research
Authors: Cunningham Joseph
Published: April 2016

When considering Karl Marx’s conception of praxis, numerous relations between it and action research come to the surface. These relations are not only important for understanding the roots of action research, but also future directions of the methodology. Marx’s short, but important text, the Theses on Feuerbach, not only constructs the foundation for Marxian praxis, but also can be read as an action research text, for it stands as an example of how to transform knowledge generation into a practical and active process. Moreover, praxis functions as a mode of epistemology and a revolutionary system that espouses human agency. One can further draw connections between Marxian praxis and action research in terms of how praxis requires researchers to be critical of dominant ideologies and methodologies. Therefore, revisiting Marxist theory, particularly its specific conception of praxis, is a crucial exercise for action researchers, particularly in a context where problems associated with the capitalist political economy continue to profoundly affect people’s lives.
Change of habitus: The young people and the free public university in Northeast of Brazil
Authors: Bandeira de Melo Patricia , Romani Campos Luís Henrique , Zarias Alexandre , Gonçalves Ferreira Suzy Luna Nobre
Published: April 2016

This paper explores the results of the research A interiorização recente das Instituições públicas e gratuitas de ensino superior no Nordeste: efeitos e mudanças [The recent implementation of new federal universities in the Northeast of Brazil: effects and changes], performed by the Joaquim Nabuco Foundation.1 One of its main mottos is the emphasis on the official speech, which defends that the implementation of Federal University campuses in the countryside of Brazil generates opportunities for young people at the lowest levels of the income pyramid to attend higher education. In this research, we have investigated the relations between the life stories and the aspirations of the students and, here, we analyse the reality of the educational system on the countryside, where in some cities, the possibility of a young person to attend university is rated below 5%. We have identified their expectations on professional choices and their future in the labour market, the way they feel about the implementation of the campuses and the changes in their life projects according to the possibility of achieving a better place in society due to the chance of attending free public university. The theoretical–methodological line used in this research will be explained throughout this paper.
Leadership Development
Authors: Ardichvili Alexandre , Natt och Dag Kristina , Manderscheid Steven
Published: April 2016

The Problem

Leadership development (LD) is the largest expense item in the overall training and development budget of the majority of business organizations in the United States and many other countries of the world. However, industry reports and academic articles alike suggest that, in many cases, organizations are dissatisfied with the outcomes and impact of their LD efforts and are experimenting with new approaches to LD in search for better solutions. At the same time, the academic literature on LD practices struggle to keep up with the fast pace of the emergence of new trends and equally rapid changes in established practices. Therefore, there is a need for periodic updates and reviews of current and emerging trends and models in LD theory and practice.

The Solution

This article provides a brief overview of current and emerging theoretical models and frameworks in leadership and further discusses emerging LD practices.

The Stakeholders

This article will be of relevance to HRD academics, scholar-practitioners, and students, studying HRD and LD, and HRD practitioners in charge of LD in a variety of organizations.
Pulmonary Function of Young Muslim Males During the Month of Ramadan
Authors: Singha Roy Anindita , Bandyopadhyay Amit
Published: April 2016

During the month of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF), both dietary and sleep patterns are adversely affected to cope with the rituals of Ramadan. Literature suggests that sleep deprivation and alteration of dietary pattern and nutritional impairment affect the pulmonary structure and function. Pulmonary function during RIF was not explored earlier. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of RIF on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in healthy young Muslim males. Fifty sedentary nonsmoking healthy young Muslim male individuals of 20 to 25 years of age without any history of pulmonary or other major diseases were recruited by simple random sampling from different parts of Kolkata, India. Participants completed the American Thoracic Society questionnaire to record their personal demographic data, health status, and consent to participate in the study. Expirograph and peak flow meter were used to record the pulmonary function parameters (PFTs). PFTs were within the normal range and did not show any significant variation during the RIF. Body height and body mass depicted significant correlation ( p < .05, p < .001) with PFTs. Tidal volume, vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow rate had significant correlation ( p < .05, p < .01, p < .001) with age. Simple and multiple regression equations were computed to predict PFTs in the studies population. RIF did not affect the normal range of PFTs in young Muslim males of Kolkata, India. Standard errors of estimate of the computed regression equations were substantially small enough to recommend these equations as norms to predict the PFTs in the studied population.