bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The African Novel and the Western Reader. A Case Study
Authors: Vermeulen Julien
Published: February 2018

African literature, like any other literature remote in space or time, can be approached in two different ways. We can read it from our own point of view and try to appreciate it with our own literary standards. We can also try to read it as it was experienced and appreciated by its immediate audience, which means by the African public at the time of publication. Reactions given by a group of Dutch-speaking readers on a novel by E. Dongala clearly illustrate that the second approach is hardly achievable, however attractive it may seem. So we have to accept that every reading of an African literary work implies a serious degree of creative treason. KEYWORDS : Literary reception, literary criticism, African literature in French, E. Dongala
The Use of Rock Phosphate as a Source of Phosphorus on a slightly acid clayey Soil in Tanzania
Authors: Msaky J.J.T. , Msanya B.M. , Uriyo A.P.
Published: February 2018

The effectiveness of rock phosphate as a phosphorus nutrient source was studied as compared to triple superphosphate (TSP), a common fertilizer used in Tanzania. Initial results showed that rock phosphate can be used as a P source for growing maize. Its application increased both grain yields and soluble floride extractable P in the soil. TSP still proved to be superior to rock phosphate for the direct effect experiments in terms of both grain yield and soluble fluoride extractable P. However, for the residual effects experiment, rock phosphate was equally effective as TSP. Grinding rock phosphate beyond -40+60 mesh did not result in an increase in soluble P. However, increase in levels of application resulted into increased soluble P in soil. A combination of fineness and level of application resulted into an increased amount of soluble P. This combination should thus be used as a criterion in the use of rock phosphate as a P nutrient source for plant growth. KEYWORDS : Rock Phosphate, phosphorus source, soils, Tanzania
Peasant Households, the Market and the Tanzanian State
Authors: Couderé Hugo
Published: February 2018

The economie reality of the peasant households in Tanzania is situated at the convergence of three spheres : 1. the economy of affection, based on the peasant mode of production; 2. the market, which is dominated by parallel circuits; 3. the Tanzanian state, which is expanding continuously. Each of these spheres has its own logic with its own beneficiaries. The economy of affection redistributes income, often at the expense of market laws and official economic policies. The parallel circuits in the market system only benefit the black marketeers and the well-off. The state has expanded, sometimes in favour of peasant-farmers and workers, but most of the time for its own sake.KEYWORDS : economy of affection, parallel circuits, expanding state
Film and Racism: 'The Gods must be crazy' in Eastern Africa
Authors: Cantin Chantal , Juste Hervé
Published: February 2018

Commentary on the Film "The Gods must be Crazy" This critical comment on the film "The Gods must be Crazy" deals with the controversial reactions it provoked. The Anti-Apartheidlobby has condemned it as implicitely racist but others qualified it as an amusing, entertaining comedy. In the first part the authors analyze a number of differing press-comments. In the second part they try to identify the stereotypes about Black and White. Finally the authors describe the reactions of some 40 spectators by means of a debate with a preceding description of the South African political context ("contextualization") aiming at orienting the audience towards the thesis of a racist film. KEYWORDS : film, Southern Africa, apartheid, stereotype
Socio-economic Aspects of the intensive growing of the Cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in Kano, northern Nigeria
Authors: Van Damme Patrick , Sampers Wim , Pauwels Frans
Published: February 2018

The costs and benefits of single crop cowpea and cowpea grown in, a traditional mixed cropping system are calculated for the Kano area, in northern Nigeria. If all the technical requirements are met, single crop cowpea is more profitable, on a financial return per unit land basis, than the traditional crop mixture. A one year effort to try and familiarize traditional farmers with a new variety and new production methods is clearly not enough and may even demotivate a number of farmers when the yields, and financial returns, are low. To ensure that the improved technologies are adopted, it will be necessary to provide a credit programme enabling farmers to purchase the improved inputs, and a marketing structure that guarantees fixed and stable market prices throughout the year. KEYWORDS: Vigna unguiculata, cowpea, northern Nigeria, financial analysis, marketing
Between rhetoric and reality: the relevance of substantive equality approach to addressing gender inequality in Mozambique
Authors: Durojaye Ebenezer
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this article is to examine the socio-cultural challenges that continue to limit women’s enjoyment of their fundamental rights and freedoms in Mozambique. In this regard, this article focuses on three areas of gender inequality – denial of inheritance rights, sexual violence and early/ child marriage -in the country. In addition, the article, using a substantive equality approach, critically examines whether the steps and measures taken by the government of Mozambique to address gender inequality are consistent with its obligations under international human rights law. For the purpose of this analysis, the article focuses on Mozambique’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women (African Women’s Protocol). The article concludes by making suggestions on how Mozambique can better safeguard the rights of women and improve their status. Key words : gender inequality, human rights, socio-cultural practices, Mozambique
Social inclusion, care and belonging of children with spina bifida: perspectives from Uganda
Authors: Bannink Femke
Published: February 2018

This study presents a situation analysis on daily functioning, caregiving, and inclusion of children with spina bifida in Uganda. 139 children with spina bifida and their families from 4 regions in Uganda participated in this study. Findings show how a complex play of cultural values, globalization and access to biomedical care determines knowledge, and negative attitudes about, and perception of children with spina bifida. Families and private non for profit organisations are the main providers of care of the children. Children with spina bfida had a more negative perception of themselves, were less likely to be in school, and had lower cognitive outcome compared to their siblings. Daily functioning and social inclusion were affected by motor function, incontinence, lack of support for caregivers, low household income, limited resources and knowledge of inclusive teaching, bullying, and inaccessibility of public transport, roads, and buildings. Positive experiences of belonging were found at family and household level and were closely related to the ‘ubuntu’ concept. When a child belongs, the child has a chance to live, to participate, to become, to be included. To facilitate inclusion, families need to be supported, and negative attitudes and behaviour of community members, teachers, and health workers need to be addressed. Key words: disability, inclusion, spina bifida, Uganda, Africa
Ethnicity, voting and the promises of the independence movement in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Malipula Mrisho Mbegu
Published: February 2018

This report explores influences of ethnicity on determining voters’ choices in Tanzania. It questions the dominant neo-patrimonial and hybrid approaches to African politics, which argue that primordial (traditional) ways of organising politics inform ethnic voting. This study deviates from ethnic structure theorists arguing that outcomes of elections are determined by the ability of ethnic groups to form minimum winning coalitions (MWCs). Instead, it looks at the ideational structure of nationalisation, driven mainly by the promises of the independence movement (PsIM). The movement created an experiential and discursive framework that emphasises depoliticisation of ethnicity, peacefulness and national unity as ‘Tanzanian’ national values. The frame is intact despite Tanzania’s ethnic diversity and liberal socio-economic as well as political reforms it has undergone overtime. The report critically divulges this capacity to build a political organisation encompassing the political leaders, ideals of the independence movement and the people in informing voters’ choices. Key words: ethnicity, neo-patrimonialism, hybrid regimes, promises of independence and voting
Hospital Design in Zimbabwe
Authors: Schuerman Wim
Published: February 2018

Designing a hospital means making a study of all the influencing parameters of the form and functional organisation. The thoroughness of this process will determine the quality of the design itself. This article contains a distilation of such a process. By making such a study I hoped to come to a valid conclusion - design - different from the health-factories that are normally implanted in developing countries. This, by taking in account not only the health carefacility onitself - with which we are quite familiar - but also the specific human values of the indegenious population. KEYWORDS : architectural expression, basic health care, district-hospital, human architectural approach
Medical Development-Cooperation in Central Africa
Authors: De Schaepdryver André
Published: February 2018

The author describes the Project of Medical Cooperation between the Medical Faculties of the University of Ghent and the National University of Rwanda in Butare. The objectives of this project, which started in 1966, were the following: (l) to organize and dispense the theoretical education and practical training at the G.P.-level;(2) to structure the postgraduate education of alumni selected for higher education posts;(3) to take care of the postgraduate training of specialists;(4) to organize the continuing education of health personnel;(5) to promote and participate in medical research.The results of the Project were, in 1984: (1) at the level of health personnel: the education and training of 220 physicians, 19 university lecturers and 15 specialists; (2) at the level of the infrastructure: the building of the Medical Faculty facilities, the pediatric and medical policlinics and clinics, the community health service for adults; the adaptation of the gynecological-obstetrical policlinic and clinic and of the community health service for children; the founding of the Faculty library, secretariat and workshop, (3) at the research level: the founding and development of the University Center for Research on Traditional Pharmacopoeia and Medicine, aiming at: a) the valorization and integration of traditional medicine; b) the study of Rwandese medicinal plants; c) the local production of pharmaceutical preparations of plant origin and organic raw materials. The attention is drawn to the importance of the postgraduate education in Belgium, for periods of 5 years, of 25 Rwandese medical alumni, which resulted in 15 Ph.D. -theses and a nearly complete rwandization of the Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Butare. A pairing Agreement Butare-Ghent has taken the relief of the Project, insuring its continuity through visiting lecturers, and the coaching of trainees and of research projects in various fields of the local pathology.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES AFRICANISTES COURANTES : UNE COMPARAISON
Authors: D'Hertefelt Marcel
Published: February 2018

CURRENT AFRICAN BIBLIOGRAPHIES: A COMPARISON Five internationally used current bibliographies are here compared with respect to their coverage of the periodical literature, the degree of their overlapping, and three basic aspects of their layout (list of analyzed periodicals, arrangement of references, index construction). As regards coverage, the most striking conclusion is the low to minimal rate of overlapping, so that it would be rather risky for the student to rely on one bibliography only, even the most extensive. Coverage, of course, is not the sole factor in assessing the value of a bibliography. The five bibliographies differ widely in their organisation and are by far not equally easy to use.
The Togolese Chiefs: caught between the Scylla and Charibdis?
Authors: Van Nieuwaal Emile A. B. van Rouveroy
Published: February 2018

In recent years, political and other scientists have wondered whether the African One Party system is able to cope with all the problems a modern state administration has to deal with. One of the most intriguing questions is to what extent the One Party Rule, as a political system, produces a structural and fundamental weakness in itself by which an effective (local) government is nearly been obstructed. It is noticeable, however, that in those African States where the (neo)traditional elite still plays an important role, their socio-legal and socio-political position in the day-to-day interaction between the (local) administration has - scientifically - received too little attention. It appears, that chieftaincy possesses a remarkable capacity for adapting itself to social and political changes. The chief can probably fulfil a crucial role in future efforts aimed at socio-economic transformations at regional and even national levels. The Togolese Government, in 1990 started opening the door to a multiparty system, it hereby recognizes the fact that the (neo)traditional elite is an outstanding means to maintain the interaction and the communication between the State and the people.This contribution focuses on the interaction between the State in Togo and - in this very example: the Head of the State himself - and chiefs in North Togo particulary in the district of Sokodé in the period 1989 and 1987 at the moment that the paramount chief of the Tern (Kotokoli) has passed away and his succession to the throne has been the start of a strong, long and vehement struggle for power inside the Tern society and to a negotiation between the Head of State and the traditional political elite of that society. KEY WORDS: African administration, African State, chieftaincy, Togo, One Party System
Kazanga. Ethnicity in Africa between State and Tradition
Authors: Van Binsbergen Wim
Published: February 2018

The production of cultural forms at the interface between a rural-based tradition and the state is a familiar aspect of ethnicity in contemporary Africa. This paper seeks to identify some of the characteristics of thisprocess, whose products are too often misunderstood, and cherished, as 'authentic' forms of 'tradition'. Highlighting the role of ethnic brokers, of the modern mass media, and of a model of commoditifled 'performance ' as an aspect of contemporary electronic mass culture, the argument explores the production of expressive culture in the context of the Kazanga cultural association and its Kazanga annual festival among the Nkoya people of central western Zambia since the early 1980s, against the background of Nkoya ethnicity and Nkoya expressive and court culture since the 19th century. KEY WORDS: associations, brokers, commoditification, dance, ethnicity, festivals, music, Nkoya, state, Zambia
Between Cultural Tradition and Change: the Bamilake-Tontine. Traditional Basis, Present Functioning and Social Control
Authors: Van Dievoet Grietje , Verboven Dirk
Published: February 2018

The Bamileke of Cameroon are generally considered as one of Africa's economicallywell-adapted people. One of the factors in this process is unmistakably the adaptation of traditional savings and credit associations (ROSCA, tontine, Ntshwa) to the needs of the market economy. The basic principle of a tontine is very simple: at set times, every member contributes a fixed sum of money, which is handed over to one of its members, until everyone has received this "tontine ". This enables each member to dispose of a relatively large amount of money, that can be used to various ends: agriculture, education, economic investments, trade or whatever. The Bamileke have, under demographic pressure, massively migrated to urban areas, where they developed the rural ROSCA into an original urban variant, the "bourse d'argent". This is an intermediate form between traditional tontines and western Exchange-systems, and is extremely well adapted to the new economic demands. However, the complex functioning and the principles underlying both traditional and recent savings and credit associations are well anchored in traditional social structures and cultural norms. And both give the Bamleke a distinctive advantage in endogenous development, industry, and especially trade. The western banking-system on the other hand does not succeed to give confidence, and remain to a large extent to-be-avoided foreign institutions. This situation makes tontines a preferable instrument in development policy, for they guarantee financial responsibility and personal involvement.KEY WORDS: informal financial sector (ROSCA, tontine), Cameroon, Bamileke, endogenous development strategies
Agaricomycetes gasteroides del bosque mesófilo de montaña de la Huasteca Alta Hidalguense, México
Authors: Bautista-Hernández Silvia , Raymundo Tania , Aguirre-Acosta Elvira , Contreras-Pacheco Magdalena , Romero-Bautista Leticia , Valenzuela Ricardo
Published: February 2018

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los gasteromicetes son un grupo artificial de hongos con basidiomas gasteroides que presentan un himenio encerrado. Actualmente, se ubican en las subclases Agaricomycetidae y Phallomycetidae de la clase Agaricomycetes del Phylum Basidiomycota. Hasta ahora no existe un trabajo que los aborde específicamente en el bosque mesófilo de montaña (BMM), por lo que el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo estudiar la diversidad taxonómica de los Agaricomycetes gasteroides del BMM.Métodos: Se realizaron 10 exploraciones de 2012 a 2015 a los BMM de los municipios Molango de Escamilla, Tlanchinol y Zacualtipán de Ángeles en el estado de Hidalgo, México. Adicionalmente, se revisó la colección de hongos del herbario ENCB. Los especímenes se estudiaron siguiendo las técnicas tradicionales micológicas y se encuentran depositados en las colecciones micológicas ENCB y MEXU.Resultados clave: Se estudiaron 20 especies de Agaricomycetes gasteroides pertenecientes a 12 géneros, seis familias y cinco órdenes de las subclases Agaricomycetidae y Phallomycetidae dentro de la clase Agaricomycetes. De éstas, Aseroë rubra, Calvatia rugosa, Laternea pusilla, Lycoperdon eximium, L. juruense, L. marginatum, L. nigrescens, Mutinus bambusinus, Scleroderma michiganense y Protubera jamaicensis son nuevos registros para el estado de Hidalgo.Conclusiones: Al igual que otros grupos de hongos, los gasteroides presentaron una alta diversidad en los bosques mesófilos de montaña de Hidalgo. Anteriormente, se habían registrado solamente 12 especies y en este trabajo se mencionan 10 más para el estado. Se considera necesario seguir realizando exploraciones micológicas para un mejor conocimiento de los micobiota en este ecosistema.
Plantas silvestres consumidas como tés recreativos por grupos de rancheros en Baja California Sur, México
Authors: Pío-León Juan Fernando , Nieto-Garibay Alejandra , León-de la Luz José Luís , Delgado Vargas Francisco , Vega-Aviña Rito , Ortega-Rubio Alfredo
Published: February 2018

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los tés recreativos son bebidas preparadas, por infusión/ebullición, de diferentes partes de plantas que se consumen en un entorno social/alimenticio. Se consideran generalmente saludables y con usos medicinales, aunque ese no es su único propósito de consumo. En México, los tés recreativos prácticamente no se mencionan en los estudios etnobotánicos. Este estudio describe la etnobotánica, contenido de fenólicos y actividad antioxidante de plantas silvestres empleadas como tés recreativos en dos rancherías de las zonas montañosas de la región de Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, México: Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra La Laguna y comunidad San Blas-Cacachilas.Métodos: La información etnobotánica se obtuvo mediante encuestas semi-estructuradas y estancias con los rancheros de ambas comunidades. Se calculó el porcentaje de citas, preferencia y valor cultural de cada especie registrada, además de describir sus usos medicinales adicionales. El contenido de fenólicos y actividad antioxidante se determinó por métodos colorimétricos y fueron correlacionados con parámetros etnobotánicos.Resultados clave: Se registraron 12 taxa de plantas silvestres para elaborar tés recreativos, 11 en Sierra La Laguna y seis en San Blas-Las Cacachilas. La damiana (Turnera diffusa) obtuvo el mayor valor cultural (71.2%), seguido de margarita (Aloysia barbata) (41.1%) y anís silvestre (Tagetes filifolia/T. micrantha) (21.5%). Los tés recreativos tuvieron sus principales usos medicinales como antigripales/antitusivos y relajantes generales. El contenido de antioxidantes presentó correlación negativa con el porcentaje de citas y la preferencia. Los usos etnofarmacológicos de A. barbata y el helecho peyote (Pellaea ternifolia) son descritos por primera vez, y se documentaron nuevos usos para la damiana y el cerezo (Prunus serotina).Conclusiones: Los rancheros de Baja California Sur tienen gran afinidad por el consumo de tés recreativos de plantas silvestres, y aquellos usados para tratar padecimientos comunes como gripe/tos o estrés son los preferidos. El presente es el primer estudio etnobotánico específico para tés recreativos en México.
Application of Efficient Data Cleaning Using Text Clustering for Semistructured Medical Reports to Large-Scale Stool Examination Reports: Methodology Study (Preprint)
Authors: Woo Hyunki , Kim Kyunga , Cha KyeongMin , Lee Jin-Young , Mun Hansong , Cho Soo Jin , Chung Ji In , Pyo Jeung Hui , Lee Kun-Chul , Kang Mira
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Since medical research based on big data has become more common, the community’s interest and effort to analyze a large amount of semistructured or unstructured text data, such as examination reports, have rapidly increased. However, these large-scale text data are often not readily applicable to analysis owing to typographical errors, inconsistencies, or data entry problems. Therefore, an efficient data cleaning process is required to ensure the veracity of such data.

OBJECTIVE

In this paper, we proposed an efficient data cleaning process for large-scale medical text data, which employs text clustering methods and value-converting technique, and evaluated its performance with medical examination text data.

METHODS

The proposed data cleaning process consists of text clustering and value-merging. In the text clustering step, we suggested the use of key collision and nearest neighbor methods in a complementary manner. Words (called values) in the same cluster would be expected as a correct value and its wrong representations. In the value-converting step, wrong values for each identified cluster would be converted into their correct value. We applied these data cleaning process to 574,266 stool examination reports produced for parasite analysis at Samsung Medical Center from 1995 to 2015. The performance of the proposed process was examined and compared with data cleaning processes based on a single clustering method. We used OpenRefine 2.7, an open source application that provides various text clustering methods and an efficient user interface for value-converting with common-value suggestion.

RESULTS

A total of 1,167,104 words in stool examination reports were surveyed. In the data cleaning process, we discovered 30 correct words and 45 patterns of typographical errors and duplicates. We observed high correction rates for words with typographical errors (98.61%) and typographical error patterns (97.78%). The resulting data accuracy was nearly 100% based on the number of total words.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data cleaning process based on the combinatorial use of key collision and nearest neighbor methods provides an efficient cleaning of large-scale text data and hence improves data accuracy.
Older People Negotiating Independence and Safety in Everyday Life Using Technology: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Stokke Randi
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Due to demographic changes with an aging population, there is a demand for technology innovations in care services. However, technology innovations have proven difficult to implement in regular use. To understand the complexity of technology innovations in care practices, we need a knowledge base of the complex and diverse experiences of people interacting with established technologies.

OBJECTIVE

This paper addresses the research gap in relation to understanding the microcontext of co-production of care involving established technologies integrated into care practices. The paper also aims to provide a framework for exploring what really happens when different actors use technology in care practices.

METHODS

Participant observations and 22 interviews with actors using social alarms were conducted employing the critical incident technique. A stepwise deductive-inductive analysis was then performed.

RESULTS

The results reveal how co-production of care assumes different meanings according to how actors use the technology. The results also show how technology innovation changes the dynamics between the actors and rearranges care practices. Independent and safe living is co-produced through performing bricolages and optimizing practice. Additionally, this opens up for unexpected results and bricolages as an integrated part of technology innovations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrates how care services are always co-produced between the actors involved. By using aspects from science and technology studies, this paper provides a framework for exploring technology in use in care practices. The framework provides tools to unpack and articulate the process of co-producing services.
Desired Features of a Digital Technology Tool for Self-Management of Well-Being in a Nonclinical Sample of Young People: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Babbage Camilla , Jackson Georgina Margaret , Nixon Elena
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Adaptive coping behaviors can improve well-being for young people experiencing life stressors, while maladaptive coping can increase vulnerability to mental health problems in youth and into adulthood. Young people could potentially benefit from the use of digital technology tools to enhance their coping skills and overcome barriers in help-seeking behaviors. However, little is known about the desired digital technology use for self-management of well-being among young people in the general population.

OBJECTIVE

This is a small, qualitative study aimed at exploring what young people desire from digital technology tools for the self-management of their well-being.

METHODS

Young people aged 12-18 years were recruited from the general community to take part in semistructured interviews. Recorded data from the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 14 participants were recruited and completed the study, with a mean age of 14.6 years (female n=3). None of the participants reported using any digital tools specifically designed to manage well-being. However, as indicated through the emerged themes, young people used digital technology to reduce their stress levels and manage their mood, mainly through games, music, and videos. Overall, identified themes showed that young people were keen on using such tools and desired certain facets and features of an ideal tool for self-management of well-being. Themes related to these facets indicated what young people felt a tool should do to improve well-being, including being immersed in a stress-free environment, being uplifting, and that such a tool would direct them to resources based on their needs. The feature-based themes suggested that young people wanted the tool to be flexible and enable engagement with others while also being sensitive to privacy.

CONCLUSIONS

The young people interviewed in this study did not report engaging with digital technology specialized to improving well-being but instead used media already accessed in their daily lives in order to self-manage their psychological states. As a result, the variety of coping strategies reported and digital tools used was limited to the resources that were already being used for recreational and social purposes. These findings contribute to the scarce research into young people’s preferred use of digital technology tools for the self-management of their well-being. However, this was a small-scale study and the current participant sample is not representative of the general youth population. Therefore, the results are only tentative and warrant further investigation.
Acceptance of Robot-Era system: results of robotic services in smart environments with older adults (Preprint)
Authors: Cavallo Filippo , Esposito Raffaele , Limosani Raffaele , Manzi Alessandro , Bevilacqua Roberta , Felici Elisa , Di Nuovo Alessandro , Cangelosi Angelo , Lattanzio Fabrizia , Dario Paolo
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

In Europe, the population of elderly people is increasing rapidly. Many older people prefer to remain in their homes, but increasing age can bring with it various chronic diseases, greater likelihood of falling, feelings of loneliness, and a higher risk of malnutrition. In this context, robotics and other emerging technologies are increasingly proposed as potential solutions to this societal concern. However, one-third of all assistive technologies are abandoned within one year of use because they are not accepted by the end-users.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the acceptance of the Robot-Era system, which provides robotics service to permit elderly people to remain in their homes.

METHODS

Six robotic services were tested by 35 elderly users; the experiments were conducted in three different environments: domestic, condominium, and outdoor sites. The Appearance questionnaire was developed to collect the users' first impressions about the Robot-Era system. The usability was measured using the System Usability Scale, and the Acceptance was evaluated through an Ad-Hoc developed questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 45 elderly users were recruited. The people were grouped in two samples of 35 subjects, according to their availability. Participants had a positive impression of Robot-Era robots, as reflected by the median score of 71.67 for DORO's appearance, 75.00 for CORO, and 76.67 for ORO. Regarding the usability, the Robot-Era services had a mean System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 80.93 for shopping, 90.00 for garbage, 85.57 for communication, 78.48 for reminding, 86.82 for indoor walking support, and 81.36 for outdoor walking support. Products with a SUS higher than 70 are pronounced good. Regarding the acceptance, the Robot-Era services were deemed acceptable by older adults because 75% of the sample gave an overall score higher than 75 points.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the feedback given by the end users, the Robot-Era system has all the potentialities to be developed as a socially acceptable and believable provider of robotic services to promote the ability for elderly people to remain in their homes.
A Web-Based Coping Intervention by and for Parents of Very Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes: User-Centered Design (Preprint)
Authors: Wysocki Tim , Pierce Jessica , Caldwell Cindy , Aroian Karen , Miller Louis , Farless Rebecca , Hafezzadeh Ivy , McAninch Terri , Lee Joyce M.
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) among children aged <6 years is exceptionally challenging for parents and caregivers. Metabolic and psychosocial outcomes among very young children with T1D (YC-T1D) are tightly associated with their parents’ ability to meet these challenges. There is scant research testing interventions targeting these issues and few resources to equip health care providers with feasible and effective coping strategies for these parents. User-centered design (UCD) of a continuously accessible Web-based resource could be a mechanism for helping parents of YC-T1D cope more effectively with the complex challenges they face by providing them with information, solutions, and emotional support.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this paper are to (1) describe the application of UCD principles to the development of a Web-based coping intervention designed by and for parents of very young children (<6 years old) with T1D; (2) illustrate the use of crowdsourcing methods in obtaining the perspectives of parents, health care providers, and Web development professionals in designing and creating this resource; and (3) summarize the design of an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) that is evaluating the effects of parental access to this resource on pertinent child and parent outcomes.

METHODS

This paper illustrates the application of UCD principles to create a Web-based coping resource designed by and for parents of YC-T1D. A Web-based Parent Crowd, a Health Care Provider Crowd, and a Focus Group of minority parents provided input throughout the design process. A formal usability testing session and design webinars yielded additional stakeholder input to further refine the end product.

RESULTS

This paper describes the completed website and the ongoing RCT to evaluate the effects of using this Web-based resource on pertinent parent and child outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

UCD principles and the targeted application of crowdsourcing methods provided the foundation for the development, construction, and evaluation of a continuously accessible, archived, user-responsive coping resource designed by and for parents of YC-T1D. The process described here could be a template for the development of similar resources for other special populations that are enduring specific medical or psychosocial distress. The ongoing RCT is the final step in the UCD process and is designed to validate its merits.
Informing Adults With Back Pain About Placebo Effects: Randomized Controlled Evaluation of a New Website With Potential to Improve Informed Consent in Clinical Research (Preprint)
Authors: Bishop Felicity L , Greville-Harris Maddy , Bostock Jennifer , Din Amy , Graham Cynthia A , Lewith George , Liossi Christina , O'Riordan Tim , White Peter , Yardley Lucy
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Placebo effects and their underpinning mechanisms are increasingly well understood. However, this is poorly communicated to participants in placebo-controlled trials. For valid informed consent, participants should be informed about the potential benefits and risks of participating in placebo-controlled trials. Existing information leaflets often fail to describe the potential benefits and adverse effects associated with placebo allocation. This study tested the effects of a new website designed to inform patients about placebo effects (The Power of Placebos, PoP). PoP was designed using qualitative methods in combination with theory- and evidence-based approaches to ensure it was engaging, informative, and addressed patients’ concerns.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to test the effects of PoP, compared with a control website, on people’s knowledge about placebo and the ability to make an informed choice about taking part in a placebo-controlled trial.

METHODS

A total of 350 adults with back pain recruited from 26 general practices in Southern England participated in this Web-based study. Participants were randomly assigned to PoP (which presented scientifically accurate information about placebo effects in an engaging way) or a control website (based on existing information leaflets from UK trials). Participants self-completed Web-based pre- and postintervention questionnaire measures of knowledge about placebo effects and preintervention questionnaire measures of attitudes toward and intentions to participate in a placebo-controlled trial. The 2 primary outcomes were (1) knowledge and (2) informed choice to take part in a placebo-controlled trial (computed from knowledge, attitudes, and intentions).

RESULTS

After viewing PoP, participants had significantly greater knowledge about placebos (mean 8.28 [SD 1.76]; n=158) than participants who viewed the control (mean 5.60 [SD 2.24]; n=174; F1,329=173.821; P<.001; η2=.346). Participants who viewed PoP were 3.16 times more likely than those who viewed the control to make an informed choice about placebos (χ21=36.5; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a sample of adults with back pain, PoP increased knowledge and rates of informed choice about placebos compared with a control website. PoP could be used to improve knowledge about placebo effects in back pain. After essential further development and testing in clinical trial settings, it could support informed consent in placebo-controlled trials.
The Indigo System in Acute Lower-Limb Malperfusion (INDIAN) Registry: Protocol (Preprint)
Authors: de Donato Gianmarco , Pasqui Edoardo , Giannace Giovanni , Setacci Francesco , Benevento Domenico , Palasciano Giancarlo , Setacci Carlo ,   INDIAN Registry Collaborators
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) poses a major threat to limb survival. For many years, surgical thromboembolectomy was the mainstay of treatment. Recent years have brought an endovascular revolution to the management of ALLI. It seems that the newly designed endovascular thrombectomy devices may shift treatment recommendations toward endovascular options. This protocol study aims to collect evidence supporting the latest hypothesis.

OBJECTIVE

The devices under investigation are the Penumbra/Indigo Systems (Penumbra Inc). The objective of this clinical investigation is to evaluate, in a controlled setting, the early safety and effectiveness of the devices and to define the optimal technique for the use of these systems in patients with confirmed peripheral acute occlusions.

METHODS

This study will be an interventional prospective trial of patients with a diagnosis of ALLI treated with Penumbra/Indigo devices. This project is intended to be a national platform where every physician invited to participate could register his or her own data procedure. The primary outcome is the technical success of thromboaspiration with the Indigo System. Assessment of vessel patency will be recorded using the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score classifications before and after use of the device. Clinical success at follow-up is defined as an improvement of Rutherford classification at 1-month follow-up of one class or more as compared to the preprocedure Rutherford classification. Secondary endpoints include the following: (1) safety rate at discharge, defined as the absence of any serious adverse events; (2) primary patency at 1 month, defined as a target lesion without a hemodynamically significant stenosis or reocclusion on duplex ultrasound (>50%) and without target lesion reintervention within 1 month; and (3) limb salvage at 1 month.

RESULTS

The study is currently in the recruitment phase and the final patient is expected to be treated by the end of March 2019. A total of 150 patients will be recruited. Analyses will focus on primary and secondary endpoints.

CONCLUSIONS

These new endovascular thrombectomy devices that are specifically designed for peripheral intervention in this difficult set of patients, as those under investigation in the proposed registry, may offer improved clinical outcomes with lower rates of major systemic and local complications. Following completion of this study, it is expected that the value of the Indigo Thrombectomy System in the treatment of ALLI will be better defined. As a result, a shift of treatment recommendations toward endovascular options may be observed in the near future.
mHealth Supportive Care Intervention for Parents of Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Quasi-Experimental Pre- and Postdesign Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Jingting , Howell Doris , Shen Nanping , Geng Zhaohui , Wu Fulei , Shen Min , Zhang Xiaoyan , Xie Anwei , Wang Lin , Yuan Changrong
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy. Caring for children with ALL is challenging for parents. A mobile health (mHealth) supportive care intervention was developed to meet parents’ needs.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the potential effectiveness of this mHealth supportive care intervention on emotional distress, social support, care burden, uncertainty in illness, quality of life, and knowledge.

METHODS

We conducted a quasi-experimental pre- and postdesign study from June 2015 to January 2016. In total, 101 parents were enrolled in the study, with 50 in the observation group and 51 in the intervention group. Parents in the observation group received the standard health education and were observed for 3 months. Parents in the intervention group received the mHealth supportive care intervention, in addition to the standard health education. The intervention consisted of 2 parts—an Android smartphone app “Care Assistant (CA)” and a WeChat Official Account. The CA with 8 modules (Personal Information, Treatment Tracking, Family Care, Financial and Social Assistance, Knowledge Center, Self- Assessment Questionnaires, Interactive Platform, and Reminders) was the main intervention tool, whereas the WeChat Official Account was supplementary to update information and realize interaction between parents and health care providers. Data of parents’ social support, anxiety, depression, care burden, uncertainty in illness, quality of life, their existing knowledge of ALL and care, and knowledge need were collected before and after the 3-month study period in both groups. For the intervention group, parents’ experience of receiving the intervention was also collected through individual interviews.

RESULTS

Overall, 43 parents in the observation group and 49 in the intervention group completed the study. Results found that the intervention reduced parents’ anxiety (Dint(Post-Pre)=−7.0 [SD 13.1], Dobs(Post-Pre)=−0.4 [SD 15.8], t90=−2.200, P=.03) and uncertainty in illness (Dint(Post-Pre)=−25.0 [SD 8.2], Dobs(Post-Pre)=−19.8 [SD 10.1], t90=−2.761, P=.01), improved parents’ social function (Dint(Post-Pre)=9.0 [SD 32.8], Dobs(Post-Pre)=−7.5 [SD 30.3], t90=2.494, P=.01), increased parents’ knowledge of ALL and care (Dint(Post-Pre)=28.4 [SD 12.4], Dobs(Post-Pre)=17.2 [SD 11.9], t90=4.407, P<.001), and decreased their need for knowledge (Dint(Post-Pre)=−9.9 [SD 11.6], Dobs(Post-Pre)=−1.9 [SD 6.4], t90=−4.112, P<.001). Qualitative results showed that parents were satisfied with the intervention and their role in the caregiving process.

CONCLUSIONS

The mHealth intervention in supporting parents of children with ALL is effective. This study is informative for other future studies on providing mHealth supportive care for parents of children with cancer.
Teachers Challenges and Coping Mechanisms in Educating Learners with Disabilities among Some Selected Special Needs Units in Mombasa County, Kenya
Authors: Macmbinji Vincent Otieno , Pwani Alice Anika,
Published: February 2018

Inclusion of children with disability in the special units has been a great challenge in many counties in Kenya. One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to give all Children Living with Disability (CLWD) the opportunity to participate in the least restrictive environment. However, teachers in special units face a myriad of drawbacks in handling children with disabilities in the special units. This paper addresses challenges and mitigation as viewed by the teachers working in those special units. Purposive sampling was used to sample 50 respondents (teachers). Data was collected using interviews, Focused Group Discussions (FDG) and digital recorder. Descriptive data analysis method yielded results indicating that one of the major challenges teachers faced is the in efficiency of training capacity of teachers due to various disabilities children face and this spills over to inadaptability of the curriculum. Teachers have mitigated individual based education programme as a coping mechanism.
The Use of STAD to Improve Students’ Writing Skill
Authors: Suryani Suryani , Azlim Azlim
Published: February 2018

This study aims to know whether Student Team Achievement Division (STAD) can improve students’ ability in writing descriptive text or not. To answer this research questions, the researchers applied experimental study. Two classes of the second-grade students in MTs (Islamic Junior Secondary School) Babun Najah were chosen as the sample of this study. In order to get the data, the test was used as the main research instrument. The researcher applied teaching writing descriptive text by using STAD in the experimental class. Based on the result, it was found that the t-test score of post-test in experimental and control groups is higher than the t-table score (4.21>1.69). This means that the alternate hypothesis was accepted or the implementation of STAD improves the students’ ability in writing descriptive text. The findings also revealed that the writing component that had improved by using STAD is the content component. The students show more knowledgeable in their writing. In addition, through STAD the students had the opportunity to work together in a group to share and learn in order to produce good writing.

                                                                                                                      

Keywords: STAD, writing ability, descriptive text
Empirically based solutions for the Serbian adaptation of a parent report inventory used in the assessment of child language development
Authors: Andjelkovic Darinka , Seva Nada , Savic Maja , Tutnjevic Slavica
Published: February 2018

The study is aimed at providing empirical basis for the adaptation of the
MacArthur-Bates? Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs) for Serbian
language, a parent report instrument for the language development assessment.
Two sources of data were used in order to provide the basis for selection of
items and evaluation of their linguistic, cultural and developmental
validity: a. Serbian Corpus of Early Child Language (SCECL), and b. focus
groups with experts and parents/caregivers. Exploration of the frequency of
words/forms in Serbian child language and the qualitative analysis of focus
groups discussions provided criteria for selection/adjustment of items in the
course of inventory adaptation. The results also revealed that parents are
naturally more focused on semantic and communicational aspects of utterances,
and insufficiently aware of formal properties of their children?s production.
The paper presents significant changes and modifications of the instrument in
the course of its adaptation for Serbian, which is a step closer to the final
aim - providing a standardized instrument for the assessment of language
development in Serbian.