bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional Interdependence and Migration in Asia
Authors: Kim Won Bae
Published: January 2015

The 1980s witnessed increasing regional interdependence in Asia through trade and investment. Increasing flows of labor within the region, however, raise questions about three important issues: (1)the assumption that trade, investment and aid will eventually mitigate migration pressure in source countries and the effectiveness of migration policies based on that assumption; (2)whether increasing regional interdependence stimulates or deters migration; (3)the effect of rising interdependence on the political and international relations aspects of migration. As a partial attempt to address these questions, this article examines the regional pattern of economic interdependence by utilizing information concerning trade, investment and migration flows. The concept of interdependence/dependence is discussed within a political context, focusing on migration and policy responses to it. Observations are made on the implications for regional stability and development.
Gender, International Migration and Social Reproduction: Implications for Theory, Policy, Research and Networking
Authors: Truong Thanh-Dam
Published: January 2015

This paper aims to contribute to the development of an analytical framework that provides the space for the understanding of female migrants as reproductive workers in a cross-national transfer of labor. It will first provide some hypothetical guidelines for the explanation of female migration in the context of reproductive labor. Based on accessible data, a discussion on the case of Japan will be presented to highlight the main issues and problems concerning female migrants as reproductive workers. Finally, implications on policy-making and networking at the international and national level will be analyzed and discussed, taking into account the specific ideological, political and socio-economic constraints.
A Contribution of the Asian Female Immigrants into the Canadian Population
Authors: Michalowski Margaret
Published: January 2015

In Canada, the proportion of women among immigrants fluctuates around 50 percent, with a slight increase in recent years. Another important characteristic of immigration to the country is a radical change in the composition of origin of flows in the past three decades — European-dominated streams have been replaced by those originating mostly in Asia. This paper focuses on female Asian immigrants in Canada. The exploratory analysis of this population points to its significant diversity. This diversity is determined to a great extent by regional differences, and more precisely, by Asian countries' specific situations which produce distinct migration flows destined to Canada. Major Asian source countries of female immigrants (Hong Kong, Philippines, India, China, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Lebanon and Iran) give evidence to the growing importance of political push factors and sending countries' policies-facilitation factors as crucial determinants of international migration.
The Migration Transition in Malaysia
Authors: Lim Lin Lean
Published: January 2015

Exploring the unique experience of migration transition in Malaysia, this paper identifies the turning points in relation to the level and nature of economic and labor market developments in Malaysia. Examining the development dynamics that mark the passage from exporting labor to depending on foreign labor, the paper concludes that such dynamics are influenced not only by economic but also sociocultural, demographic and policy factors. Several lessons from the Malaysian experience are drawn at the end to be utilized by other countries that still have to reach the turning points of the migration transition.
Philippines and Indonesia: On the Way to a Migration Transition
Authors: Amjad Rashid
Published: January 2015

This paper, in a comparative analysis of the Philippines and Indonesia, examines first under what conditions can migration favorably contribute to the process of economic development and then to what extent can economic growth impact upon reducing emigration pressures in these labor surplus economies. The paper also argues that there is still considerable scope for putting in place and agreed set of rules and policies to ensure better protection for the more vulnerable migrants.
The New Economic Policy and Permanent Migration in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Yang Xiushi
Published: January 2015

This article examines the impact of economic reforms on the volume and characteristics of permanent migration in Zhejiang Province, China. The data suggest that the new economic policy induced a surge in permanent migration during the post-reform years. Such positive impact of the reform on permanent migration has started to fade away in 1985, as government relaxed its control over residence. Moreover, market mechanisms started playing a more important role in employment, exchange, and consumption. The data also suggest that the new economic policy has particularly favored the better educated, and thereby increased educational differentials between permanent migrants and nonmigrants. For all other characteristics examined, the results show consistently that post-reform migrants are less differentiated from nonmigrants than their pre-reform counterparts.
Transience and Settlement: Singapore's Foreign Labor Policy
Authors: Wong Diana
Published: January 2015

Foreigners constitute 15 percent of the population and over 20 percent of the labor force in Singapore. They are bifurcated into the highly-skilled, high end as well as the unskilled, low end of the labor market. This large foreign labor force is managed by a comprehensive and highly selective foreign labor policy, which is described in this paper. The strict enforcement of a guestworker policy of transience on the one hand, and the liberal encouragement of settlement on the other, are the twin pillars of this policy. Seen originally as a dispensable appendage to a labor-scarce economy, foreign labor has now become integral to the economic and increasingly, population policy of the country, as evidenced by the recent announcement of a national policy to “attract foreign talent.”
Skilled Hong Kong Immigrants' Intention to Repatriate
Authors: Mak Anita S.
Published: January 2015

An emphasis on skills in Australian immigration policy in the past decade has led to the increase of highly skilled Hong Kong immigrants. However, Australia has not been able to retain all of them. An estimated 30 percent attrition rate among recently arrived Hong Kong-born settlers in Australia is noted by Kee and Skeldon (1994). This paper reports the results of an in-depth study on intention to repatriate and work in Hong Kong, conducted in Australia with 111 professional and managerial Hong Kong immigrants. Correlational and loglinear analyses on prediction of such an intention are presented. Research findings on the career-family dilemma experienced by a number of immigrants are likewise discussed.
Immigration Consulting Firms in Taiwanese Business Immigration
Authors: Tseng Yen-Fen
Published: January 2015

Today various countries actively promote business migration programs to bring in more resourceful immigrants, thereby increasing immigration channels for people with physical capital. How to match the right migrants with the right destinations has become a business niche for private agencies. In this article, I analyze the impact of the immigration industry on the immigration process, based on a case study of Taiwanese business immigration. Immigration consultants have facilitated recent Taiwanese business migration by increasing awareness of business migration programs, providing needed assistance and organizing the actual migration process. The involvement of immigration consultants in facilitating the migration of the wealthy class represents one of the outstanding characteristics of the so-called “new Asian migration.” Data are mainly from various documentary sources and in-depth interviews with immigration consulting firms.
Ethnic Identity Entrepreneurs: Their Role in Transracial and Intercountry Adoptions
Authors: Lal Barbara Ballis
Published: January 2015

Three attributes characterize ethnic identity entrepreneurs. First, ethnic identity entrepreneurs appeal to an essentialized image of identity in which ethnicity ‘trumps' all other bases of affiliation and authenticity. Second, ethnic identity entrepreneurs invoke this essentialized identity and group membership to justify a claim to, or, monopolization of, scarce resources and entitlements by way of a process of social closure. Third, the activities of ethnic identity entrepreneurs which are often initially motivated by the desire to open up options and to facilitate choice among members, induce conformity and functions as a mechanism of social control. In this paper I emphasize a particular subset of ethnic identity entrepreneurs, namely, those who represent subordinate/minority groups and who work in bureaucracies -whether governmental or community based- and who have acquired a very extensive power by virtue of their office and their professional expertise, which enables them to construct and enforce their specific conceptions of what ethnic identity is and the cultural requirements this essentialized identity entails. Illustrative of these processes is the role of the social worker ethnic identity entrepreneur in formulating policies inhibiting both domestic transracial and transnational adoption which more and more frequently is involving moving children without parents or a permanent home from the Asian Pacific region to families in the United States or Britain.
The Gendering of Identity: Minority Women in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Ganguly-Scrase Ruchira , Julian Roberta
Published: January 2015

This paper explores the centrality of gender in the construction of minority identities. We adopt a comparative perspective to analyze its significance in the contexts of internal and international migration within the Asia-Pacific region, the former being within contiguous parts of West Bengal, India by the Rabi Das and the latter from the mountains of Laos to Tasmania, Australia by Hmong refugees. In both cases, gender relations are fundamental to the process of identity construction. Nevertheless, the histories of minority status and the strategies adopted by men and women as they construct, re-construct and resist identities vary in the two diverse contexts. We focus on exploring the role of women's resistance and pro-active involvement in the restructuring of identity. Through an analysis of the intersection of ethnicity, gender and class in the construction of minority identities we highlight the need to firstly, avoid essentialist ways of defining gender and ethnic identity, and secondly to examine structural constraints and agency among minority women.
The Financial Crisis and Foreign Workers in Korea
Authors: Park Young-Bum
Published: January 2015

Since the financial crisis started, the employment situation in Korea has been worsening. In a span of six months, about one million people lost their jobs. By offering the amnesty program to undocumented foreign workers right after the IMF measures took effect, the Korean government revealed its view of foreign workers as a buffer against economic ups and downs. About one-third of the illegal workers left Korea under this program. However, many Korean firms are still having difficulties in hiring local workers for the jobs which were previously held by foreign workers. This indicates that the government should reconsider its position concerning the importation of foreign labor.
Migrant Labor: The Sabah Experience
Authors: Kurus Bilson
Published: January 2015

Sabah has been the recipient of countless migrants for centuries. The most recent of these are largely Indonesians and Filipinos who come for economic reasons. The current economic turmoil has affected the capacity of the state to provide employment to both local and foreign workers. While Sabah is working towards reducing its dependence on foreign workers, it is likely that Sabah will continue to depend on migrant workers in the short and immediate term. The Sabah experience suggests that a more systematic approach is needed to regulate the flow of migrant labor in the region. But for this to succeed, the support and cooperation of all the relevant parties would be essential.
Living Arrangements and Residential Overcrowding among Older Immigrants in Canada
Authors: Basavarajappa K.G.
Published: January 2015

Because older immigrants arriving in Canada are not eligible for government transfer payments or welfare benefits for up to 10 years, many of them choose to live with their relatives or sponsors in crowded three- or more than three-generation households. Cultural preferences also influence this tendency and the propensity of immigrant groups from developing regions to live in three- or more than three-generation households ranges up to 18 times those of their Canadian-born and immigrant counterparts from the developed regions. Variables such as average income, percent receiving Old Age Security payments, percent widowed and duration of residence in Canada are significantly associated with proportions of immigrants living in such arrangements, and explain about 84 percent of birthplace variation for males and 81 percent for females.
Invisible Visibility: Intergenerational Transfer of Identity and Social Position of Chinese Women in Belgium
Authors: Pang Ching Lin
Published: January 2015

The effects of migration on identity and the social position of Chinese women in Belgium were examined from an intergenerational perspective. At the macro level, policies and the general discourse on migration and migrants in Belgium were examined to assess the level of inclusion or exclusion of Chinese women. At the meso and micro levels, in-depth interviews suggest that the intergenerational transfer of identities and affiliations requires a significant amount of goodwill and ability to reinterpret and re-create adaptations that are acceptable to first and second-generation migrants. Social mobility among the first generation was mainly financial independence and autonomy, which opened up educational opportunities for their children. Those in the intermediate generation (those born in Hong Kong but who grew up in Belgium) realized that educational success was an important avenue for social mobility, particularly for daughters. In the patrilineal system of Chinese families, which persisted in Belgium, daughters are considered dependent members of the family and they have to fend for themselves if they want to be the author of their own life. The experience of a small number of successful Chinese female professionals supports this point. Presently, an increasing number of second-generation youngsters are attending school. They experience discrimination in varying degrees, suggesting that the othering process of Chinese females remains a problem in the realization of a truly pluralist society.
South Asian Immigrant Women Organize for Social Change in the Diaspora: A Comparative Study
Authors: Ralston Helen
Published: January 2015

The paper uses a feminist theoretical perspective and methodology to explore the lived experience of South Asian immigrant women. It operationalizes empowerment in terms of community organization. It examines various organizational activities which unite and empower the women. The paper draws on qualitative comparative data from original research among women in Atlantic Canada (n=126), in British Columbia, Canada (100 women), in Australia (n=50) and in New Zealand (n=10). The field work, which was conducted in Atlantic Canada between 1988 and 1991 and the remainder between November 1993 and May 1995, involved one-to-one interviews and limited participant observation in the women's everyday activities.

The research has suggested that patriarchal relations of ruling in family, community and society, race, gender, class discrimination, and region of settlement, are major factors in South Asian women's lived experience of subordination, oppression and disempowerment. Nevertheless, a large number of community organizations provided services which gave them a self-conscious awareness of a new identity and a measure of control over their lives and resources. Women's advocacy organizations explicitly aimed to produce a gender-sensitive consciousness and to address discrimination and oppression. Such organizations contributed to empowerment by creating solidarity among the women and by proactively working for change in relations of ruling. Through collective advocacy and action, South Asian immigrant women's lived experience can be that of empowerment and justice in family, community and society.
Ninoy Aquino: Not a Mere Exile
Authors: Romana-Cruz Neni Sta.
Published: January 2015

His exile to the United States was a learning experience for Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., considered to be the most prominent critic of the Marcos administration. Aquino experienced much freedom in exile, but it did not occur to him to stay permanently in the United States. In fact, he was plagued by the thought that he might be a mere exile if he stayed away from the country for too long. When he returned to the Philippines, it is said that his commitment to the non-violent path of change was one of the lessons of his exile. Aquino was not just a mere exile for the Filipinos; instead, he was instrumental in the people power revolution that restored democracy to the country.
Understanding and mitigating overheating and indoor PM2.5 risks using coupled temperature and indoor air quality models
Authors: Taylor Jonathon , Mavrogianni A , Davies M , Das P , Shrubsole Clive , Biddulph P , Oikonomou E
Published: January 2015

Indoor temperature and air quality in dwellings are closely coupled. Differences between the indoor temperature and the temperature outside and in adjoining zones can influence airflow due to the stack effect, whilst changes in ventilation can cause changes in indoor pollution and temperature. This paper demonstrates the relationship between an indoor air pollutant, PM2.5, and temperature in UK domestic building archetypes using the dynamic thermal and contaminant modelling capabilities of EnergyPlus 8.0 under various UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09) scenarios (current, current ‘hot’, 2050 High Emissions and 2050 High Emissions ‘hot’), with both internal and external PM2.5 sources. Results indicate that flats have 0.7–0.8 times as much outdoor PM2.5 infiltrating indoors compared to detached dwellings, but 1.8–2.8 times more PM2.5 from indoor sources. During hot periods, temperature-dependent window opening increases exposure to outdoor PM2.5, meaning that as temperatures rises, dwelling occupants will become exposed to relatively higher levels of outdoor PM2.5 and lower levels of indoor PM2.5 due to the need to increase dwelling ventilation. The practical implications for government and designers and possible policy implications of this research are discussed.

Practical applications: This paper demonstrates how an increase in summertime ventilation is necessary in UK homes to reduce overheating risks due to climate change and energy-efficient building retrofits. This, in turn, will lead to a change in the profile of indoor air pollution exposure, with greater exposure to pollution from outdoor sources and reduced exposure to pollution from indoor sources. Roof insulation and trickle vents reduce overheating risk, whilst increased use of mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems in the UK is encouraged, as it offers the co-benefits of cooling through increased ventilation, energy recovery and the potential to reduce indoor pollution levels.
Taurine Concentrations Decrease in Critically Ill Patients With Shock Given Enteral Nutrition
Authors: Vermeulen Mechteld A. R. , van Stijn Mireille F. M. , Visser Marlieke , Lemmens Stéphanie M. P. , Houdijk Alexander P. J. , van Leeuwen Paul A. M. , Oudemans‐van Straaten Heleen M.
Published: January 2015

Background: Nutrition studies in the intensive care unit (ICU) have shown that adequate enteral nutrition (EN) support has clinical benefits. However, the course of amino acid concentrations in plasma has never been investigated in patients admitted with shock receiving EN. We hypothesized that plasma concentrations, when deficit, increase during EN and that persistent deficiency is associated with poor outcome. Methods: In 33 septic or cardiogenic shock patients receiving EN, plasma amino acid concentrations were measured during 5 days. Changes in amino acid concentrations, correlations with clinical outcome variables, and regression analyses were studied. Results: On ICU admission, several plasma concentrations were deficient. Plasma concentrations of almost all amino acids increased. In contrast, taurine decreased by >50%, from 47.6 µmol/L on admission to 20.0 µmol/L at day 1, and remained low at day 5. Taurine (admission) correlated with time on mechanical ventilation (R = −0.42, P = .015). Taurine decrease within 24 hours correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II predicted mortality (R = 0.43, P = .017) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (R = 0.36, P = .05). Regression analyses confirmed correlations. Conclusions: Several amino acids were deficient in plasma on ICU admission but increased during EN. Taurine concentrations declined and were associated with longer periods of mechanical ventilation and ICU support. Fast taurine decline correlated with severity of organ failure. These findings support the role of taurine during ischemia, reperfusion, and inflammation. Taurine may be an essential candidate to enrich nutrition support for critically ill patients, although more research is required.
A framework for studying mechanisms underlying terminal decline in well-being
Authors: Gerstorf Denis , Ram Nilam
Published: January 2015

Multiple facets of well-being are known to show steep end-of-life deteriorations. However, the underlying mechanisms and pathways are vague. Capitalizing on an earlier review of the existing empirical literature on terminal decline, we present a conceptual/methodological framework that can be used as a tool to structure future inquiry aimed at refining the precision and specificity of the terminal decline concept. Specifically, we propose a model of terminal decline in well-being in which within-person mean levels of, inconsistencies in, or couplings among multiple domains of functioning serve as indicators or sources of well-being. The model, based on time-varying dynamic factor analysis of intensive longitudinal data, provides for concise articulation and testing of central tenets of theories of successful aging, including hypotheses regarding shifts in goals away from some domains and towards others (e.g. secondary control). We conclude by suggesting routes for empirical research.
Glutamate and dopamine in schizophrenia: An update for the 21st century
Authors: Howes Oliver , McCutcheon Rob , Stone James
Published: January 2015

The glutamate and dopamine hypotheses are leading theories of the pathoaetiology of schizophrenia. Both were initially based on indirect evidence from pharmacological studies supported by post-mortem findings, but have since been substantially advanced by new lines of evidence from in vivo imaging studies. This review provides an update on the latest findings on dopamine and glutamate abnormalities in schizophrenia, focusing on in vivo neuroimaging studies in patients and clinical high-risk groups, and considers their implications for understanding the biology and treatment of schizophrenia. These findings have refined both the dopamine and glutamate hypotheses, enabling greater anatomical and functional specificity, and have been complemented by preclinical evidence showing how the risk factors for schizophrenia impact on the dopamine and glutamate systems. The implications of this new evidence for understanding the development and treatment of schizophrenia are considered, and the gaps in current knowledge highlighted. Finally, the evidence for an integrated model of the interactions between the glutamate and dopamine systems is reviewed, and future directions discussed.
The thalamic reticular nucleus: A functional hub for thalamocortical network dysfunction in schizophrenia and a target for drug discovery
Authors: Pratt Judith A , Morris Brian J
Published: January 2015

The thalamus (comprising many distinct nuclei) plays a key role in facilitating sensory discrimination and cognitive processes through connections with the cortex. Impaired thalamocortical processing has long been considered to be involved in schizophrenia. In this review we focus on the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) providing evidence for it being an important communication hub between the thalamus and cortex and how it may play a key role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We first highlight the functional neuroanatomy, neurotransmitter localisation and physiology of the TRN. We then present evidence of the physiological roles of the TRN in relation to oscillatory activity, cognition and behaviour. Next we discuss the role of the TRN in rodent models of risk factors for schizophrenia (genetic and pharmacological) and provide evidence for TRN deficits in schizophrenia. Finally we discuss new drug targets for schizophrenia in relation to restoring TRN circuitry dysfunction.
“Write a Word, Get a Third”
Authors: de Laat Kim
Published: January 2015

This article examines the doubly uncertain work environment of professional songwriters: They are affected by wider events in the music industry, and their immediate work context is a team setting where the distribution of tasks varies from one project to the next. Interviews reveal that songwriters pursue professional interests by enhancing cooperation, rather than engaging in defensive tactics. The author identifies two conventions: equal authorship and professional conciliation. Such conventions elucidate how rewards are managed in a team context of task variation and underscore the mutually constitutive relationship between conflict and cooperation within postbureaucratic forms of organizing.
Modeling the nonlinear deformation of flax-fiber-reinforced polymer matrix laminates in active loading
Authors: Andersons J , Modniks J , Spārniņš E
Published: January 2015

In an attempt to fully utilize the mechanical properties of bast fibers in polymer-matrix composites, unidirectional (UD) or quasi-UD flax-fiber-reinforced composites are being developed and characterized. Their response in tension is markedly nonlinear both in on- and off-axis loading. A semiempirical tensor-linear model is applied to describe such deformation nonlinearity in active combined loading. The deformation model of UD ply, combined with an elementary laminate theory, is used to predict the stress–strain curves of laminated composites in tension. Reasonable accuracy of prediction is demonstrated for fiber-dominated layups.
Induction suspension plasma sprayed biological-like hydroxyapatite coatings
Authors: Loszach Max , Gitzhofer François
Published: January 2015

Substituted hydroxyapatite coatings with different ions (Mg, Na, K, Cl, F) have been developed by the induction suspension plasma spray process. Suspensions were prepared with sol–gel. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate that induction suspension plasma spray technology possesses high material composition flexibility that allows as-sprayed coatings to closely mimic natural bone composition. Long-term in vitro behaviour of as-sprayed substituted coatings was evaluated with simulated body fluid. Data on the suspensions showed the formation of a pure hydroxyapatite phase. Transmission electron microscopy characterized various preparation stages of the suspensions. As-sprayed samples were distinguished by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Substituted elements were quantified by neutron activation. A well-crystallized hydroxyapatite phase was produced with concentration in various substitutions very close to natural bone composition. Ca/P and (Ca + Mg + Na + K)/P ratios provided evidence of the introduction of different cations into apatite structures. The immersion of samples into simulated body fluid led to the nucleation and growth of a flake-like octacalcium phosphate crystal layer at the surface of as-sprayed coatings after one week. Proof of octacalcium phosphate transformation and its partial dissolution and direct re-precipitation into apatite was disclosed by local energy dispersive spectroscopy and microstructure observation. Formation of a Ca/P ratio gradient from the precipitated layer surface to the as-sprayed coatings interface was observed after four weeks once the octacalcium phosphate crystals reached a critical size, resulting in the formation of a rich apatite layer at the interface after six weeks. A set of mechanisms has been proposed to explain these findings.
Treatment of Acute Hepatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Courson Alesa , Jones G. Morgan , Twilla Jennifer D.
Published: January 2015

Objectives:

Rifaximin is approved for the reduction of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD); however, few studies have evaluated the benefit of adding rifaximin to lactulose for treatment of acute HE. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of combination therapy with lactulose and rifaximin on hospital length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates.

Methods:

A retrospective study of patients admitted to an adult hospital within the Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare (MLH) System in Memphis, Tennessee, between 2007 and 2012 was conducted. Patients were identified via International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision ( ICD-9) coding for liver cirrhosis.

Results:

Of the 173 patients included, 87 (50%) received lactulose monotherapy and 62 (36%) combination therapy, while 24 (14%) underwent therapy escalation. Median LOS was 6 days in monotherapy group and 8 days in combination group ( P = .9). At 180 days, patients receiving combination therapy had fewer readmissions for HE than those receiving monotherapy (2.4% vs 16.2%, P = .02).

Conclusion:

Addition of rifaximin to lactulose for treatment of acute HE did not reduce hospital LOS; however, it did result in lower readmission rates for HE at 180 days.
Making sense of self-employment in late career: understanding the identity work of olderpreneurs
Authors: Mallett Oliver , Wapshott Robert
Published: January 2015

The enterprise culture is a pervasive socio-historical discourse. This article adopts a narrative identity work approach to explore how individuals may exert agency to make sense of and negotiate with the structuring features of such discourses. Older entrepreneurs are an interesting case through which to explore these processes because ageing is predominantly portrayed as a form of decline to be resisted or hidden and as inherently anti-enterprise. Qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with two UK-based older entrepreneurs reveal how they engaged problematically with discourses around enterprise culture and ageing in constructing their identities. Sedimentation and innovation are proposed as valuable concepts for understanding how particular discourses become embedded in the understanding and identity work of individuals and how they seek to exert agency. The findings demonstrate the difficulties in innovative identity work for older entrepreneurs and this is discussed in terms of narrative resource poverty.
Oral primary localized amyloidosis in HIV-infected patients: the oral face of a described skin lesion
Authors: Anaya-Saavedra Gabriela , Ramírez-Amador Velia , Valencia-Mayoral Pedro
Published: January 2015

Oral primary localized amyloidosis should be considered in the diagnosis of oral white lesions such as hyperplastic candidosis, lichen planus and lichenoid reactions; it is not associated with antiretroviral therapy use, systemic involvement or malignant transformation.
Critical friend or absent partner? Institutional and organisational barriers to the development of regional civil society
Authors: Rumbul Rebecca
Published: January 2015

The role of civil society in enhancing the quality of democracy has become institutionalised within many developed states. However, within states where programmes of regionalisation, federalisation or devolution are being implemented, how does an already institutionalised civil society respond to new arrangements of governance? This paper demonstrates that the historical institutional and organisational civil society context of newly devolving or regionalising areas inhibits the growth of strong civil society in those areas. It detects a limiting effect on the development of effective policy-making and scrutiny functions, and a prolonged period of time taken to develop effective civil society mechanisms at a territorial level. It concludes that civil society development in developed, regionalising contexts is vulnerable to strong, centralised institutions, and that a lack of civil society organisational engagement to the regionalisation of government ultimately fosters a weakness in the resulting regional civil society.
Clarifying Sustainable Development Concepts Through Role-Play
Authors: Blanchard Odile , Buchs Arnaud
Published: January 2015

Purpose. The article aims at assessing the effectiveness of a role-play in addressing two concerns: clarifying the concept of sustainable development and teaching sustainable development issues.

Method. The effectiveness of the role-play is gauged by surveying students to reveal how the game matches a set of significant learning criteria defined by Fink.

Structure of the article. First, our article provides a short overview of how the concept of sustainable development has emerged and spread over time. Second, in order to assess the learning potential of our role-play, we examine how it addresses the six components of Fink’s taxonomy of significant learning: (a) foundational knowledge, (b) application, (c) integration, (d) human dimensions, (e) caring, and (f) learning how to learn.

Results. The assessment shows that our role-play is highly praised by the players as it not only brings them foundational knowledge, but also allows them to enhance many skills.

Conclusion. The framework of the role-play contributes to educating about sustainable development as well as educating for sustainable development.
Measures of Consumer Satisfaction in Social Welfare and Behavioral Health
Authors: Fraser Mark W. , Wu Shiyou
Published: January 2015

This article reviews the origins, conceptual bases, psychometric properties, and limitations of consumer satisfaction measures in social welfare and behavioral health. Based on a systematic review of research reports published between 2003 and 2013, we identify 58 consumer satisfaction measures. On average, these measures have acceptable reliability (mean Cronbach’s α = .85). However, the research on the concurrent and predictive validity of consumer satisfaction is inconclusive. We identify the following three core aspects of consumer satisfaction: (a) satisfaction with alternative elements of service, (b) promotion or recommendation of a program based on a recent service experience, and (c) subjective appraisal of change or problem resolution related to participation in a service. Attrition bias, reactivity, and confounding of ratings with the image of service providers complicate and condition the interpretation of consumer satisfaction as an outcome measure.
Competing on the issues
Authors: Greene Zachary
Published: January 2015

Parties campaign on a range of topics to attract diverse support. Little research, however, looks at why parties narrow or expand the scope of their campaign or shift attention across issues. Focusing only on a single dimension or topic may lead scholars to estimate wrongly the magnitude of the effect of parties’ experiences in a government or economic context. I propose that electoral conditions influence the scope of parties’ manifestos. I test hypotheses using a measure of issue diversity: the Effective Number of Manifesto Issues (ENMI). Based on analysis of 1662 manifestos in 24 OECD countries from 1951 to 2010, the results support the theory. Government parties have higher ENMI. Opposition parties and governments expecting a reward for the economy limit their issue appeals. Tests of the underlying mechanism using data on issue dimensions and policy data provide additional support. These findings have important implications for the study of election strategy and democratic accountability.
A cross-sectional study of the quality of telephone triage in a primary care out-of-hours service
Authors: Pasini Alberto , Rigon Giulio , Vaona Alberto
Published: January 2015

We evaluated the quality of telephone triage and the appropriateness of the decisions resulting from it at a primary care out-of-hours service. Four simulated clinical cases were used in the Incognito Standardized Patient method: an adult with nosebleed, an adult with fever, a child with fever and a child with vomiting. There was a set of obligatory questions for each case, translated from those used in a previous study. Quality was assessed by the proportion of questions asked by the call-handlers during telephone triage versus those that should have been asked. A total of 22 out-of-hours doctors were involved in the study, working in two different locations in the Verona city area. Over a 4-month period each of the four simulated clinical cases was used five times in calls to the two centres involved. The proportion of obligatory questions asked compared to those expected to be asked was 27–36%. On three occasions out of the 40 simulations, all of which were considered to be manageable by telephone, the patient was advised to go to an outpatient clinic for a face-to-face evaluation. The average duration of the calls was 3 min 47 s. The quality of telephone triage in the regions studied was low and provided considerable room for improvement. This is relevant to patient safety and risk management of the service.
Client satisfaction with telehealth services in home health care agencies
Authors: Grant Leslie A , Rockwood Todd , Stennes Leif
Published: January 2015

We assessed client satisfaction with the home telemonitoring service provided by 14 home health care agencies in five US states. Clients were randomised to two groups. Telehealth services (health monitoring and patient safety) were provided to 450 experimental subjects. Control subjects (n = 409) received usual care. Clients were asked to rate their satisfaction with their service providers on 25 items, at baseline, 6 months post-discharge (to home) and 12 months post-discharge. The mean age of the clients was 78 years. Out of the initial 859 subjects, 490 had dropped out of the study by the 12-month follow-up, an overall attrition rate of 57%. There were similar proportions of clients reporting high satisfaction with external systems at baseline and at 6 months; at 12 months, there were significantly more clients in the experimental group who reported high satisfaction ( P = 0.049). There were similar proportions of clients reporting high satisfaction with internal systems at baseline and at 12 months; at 6 months, there were significantly more clients in the experimental group who reported high satisfaction ( P = 0.031). Clients with home monitoring were more satisfied with health-related and medical services post-discharge than those receiving usual care over a 6–12 month period.
A computationally efficient combustion trajectory prediction model developed for real-time diesel combustion control
Authors: Bittle Joshua A , Jacobs Timothy J
Published: January 2015

The heterogeneous nature of diesel combustion adds many complexities that make understanding the combustion process difficult. Many researchers have made great efforts in diagnostics, prediction, and control capabilities. In this work, a computationally efficient thermodynamic-based model (15 ms on 2010 dual core processor) has been created that predicts the combustion trajectory (path through the ϕ–T plane) with the goal of bridging the gap between typical off-line engine prediction simulations and on-line real-time engine control strategies. The ϕ–T plane is often used to help illustrate the soot and NOx formation behavior during diesel combustion. The experimental engine operating conditions shown illustrate how exhaust gas recirculation influences the combustion trajectory at different timings—that is, showing the typical soot–NOx trade-off for diesel engines and the defeat of this trade-off when low-temperature combustion is obtained. The major insight gained is that the low-temperature combustion trajectory looks similar to a conventional one with just subtle differences that keep it from moving into the soot formation region. Additionally, the traditional conceptual explanations for diesel combustion are explored relative to how they are illustrated by the combustion trajectory, especially the transition from premixed to mixing-controlled combustion. Understanding that behavior in this context aids in explaining the different observations for the low-temperature combustion modes. The fact that these observations are made using this simplified modeling approach is promising for future use of this type of thermodynamic-based models in real-time engine control.
High-Dose Robotic Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Patients With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Pontoriero A. , Iatì G. , Mondello S. , Midili F. , Siragusa C. , Brogna A. , Ielo I. , Anastasi G. , Magno C. , Pergolizzi S. , De Renzis C.
Published: January 2015

Background:

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) can emulate high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BRT) dose fractionation. We report our preliminary results using SBRT in monotherapy or pre-external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) boost in patients with localized prostate cancer (LpC). The primary end point was the evaluation of both acute and late toxicities; secondary end point was the observation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with LpC having prostate volume ≤90 cm3 were enrolled in the present study. Patients were treated with SBRT alone or in combined modality (SBRT + EBRT). SBRT was performed using a CyberKnife System (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, California) and fiducial tracking system.

Results:

From February 2008 to July 2013, 21 patients for monotherapy (38 Gy/4 fractions) and 5 for combined modality (9.5 Gy/2 fractions plus 46 Gy/23 fractions EBRT) were enrolled. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was administered in 16 of the 26 patients. The median pretreatment PSA was 9.4 (range, 4.5-14.3) ng/mL. All patients completed the planned therapy. Acute Grade 1 toxicity was observed in 18 patients, genitourinary (GU) in 12 / 26 patients, and gastrointestinal (GI) in 6 / 26 patients. Acute Grade 2 GU toxicity was reported in 1 / 26 patients, and Grade 2 GI toxicity was observed in 2 / 26 patients. The median PSA nadir was 0.15 (range, 0.02 = 1.4) ng/mL. Late toxicities were observed in 5 / 26 patients: Grade 1 GU (3 of 26), Grade 2 GU (1 of 26), and Grade 1 GI (1 of 26). Median follow-up was 21.5 (range, 8-65) months.

Conclusions:

Our preliminary results of SBRT “simulating” HDR for LpC confirm a minimal toxicity and an optimal PSA response. The PSA nadirs appear comparable with HDR-BRT.
A Person-Centered Approach to Moral Judgment
Authors: Uhlmann Eric Luis , Pizarro David A. , Diermeier Daniel
Published: January 2015

Both normative theories of ethics in philosophy and contemporary models of moral judgment in psychology have focused almost exclusively on the permissibility of acts, in particular whether acts should be judged on the basis of their material outcomes (consequentialist ethics) or on the basis of rules, duties, and obligations (deontological ethics). However, a longstanding third perspective on morality, virtue ethics, may offer a richer descriptive account of a wide range of lay moral judgments. Building on this ethical tradition, we offer a person-centered account of moral judgment, which focuses on individuals as the unit of analysis for moral evaluations rather than on acts. Because social perceivers are fundamentally motivated to acquire information about the moral character of others, features of an act that seem most informative of character often hold more weight than either the consequences of the act or whether a moral rule has been broken. This approach, we argue, can account for numerous empirical findings that are either not predicted by current theories of moral psychology or are simply categorized as biases or irrational quirks in the way individuals make moral judgments.
Sleep, Cognition, and Normal Aging
Authors: Scullin Michael K. , Bliwise Donald L.
Published: January 2015

Sleep is implicated in cognitive functioning in young adults. With increasing age, there are substantial changes to sleep quantity and quality, including changes to slow-wave sleep, spindle density, and sleep continuity/fragmentation. A provocative question for the field of cognitive aging is whether such changes in sleep physiology affect cognition (e.g., memory consolidation). We review nearly a half century of research across seven diverse correlational and experimental domains that historically have had little crosstalk. Broadly speaking, sleep and cognitive functions are often related in advancing age, though the prevalence of null effects in healthy older adults (including correlations in the unexpected, negative direction) indicates that age may be an effect modifier of these associations. We interpret the literature as suggesting that maintaining good sleep quality, at least in young adulthood and middle age, promotes better cognitive functioning and serves to protect against age-related cognitive declines.
Towards a better understanding of eating behaviour through the concept of Perception of Nutritional Risk
Authors: Laporte Marie-Eve , Michel Géraldine , Rieunier Sophie
Published: January 2015

The general public’s nutritional behaviour is a priority of public-health authorities. Associated diseases are the prime cause of mortality worldwide. For reasons of public health, a better understanding of the consumer Perception of Nutritional Risk (PNR) is essential, since this, according to the protection motivation theory, influences behavioural intention (Maddux and Rogers, 1983; Rogers, 1975). Following a review of the literature and qualitative research, the present article endeavours to clarify the concept of PNR, explore potential explanatory or moderating factors, and identify leads for future research. We show that PNR depends not solely on the product characteristics (role of perceived naturalness), but also the consumption situation (role of commensality) and purchasing conditions (role of hyperchoice).
Notch1 acts via Foxc2 to promote definitive hematopoiesis via effects on hemogenic endothelium
Authors: Jang Il Ho , Lu Yi-Fen , Zhao Long , Wenzel Pamela L. , Kume Tsutomu , Datta Sumon M. , Arora Natasha , Guiu Jordi , Lagha Mounia , Kim Peter G. , Do Eun Kyoung , Kim Jae Ho , Schlaeger Thorsten M. , Zon Leonard I. , Bigas Anna , Burns Caroline E. , Daley George Q.
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Notch1 induction promotes specification of hemogenic endothelial cells during embryonic stem cell differentiation. Foxc2 functions downstream of Notch in specification of hemogenic endothelium in mouse and zebrafish embryos.