bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Nonlinear Companding Transform for PAPR Reduction in Lattice-OFDM System
Authors: Peng Siming , Shen Yuehong , Yuan Zhigang , Jian Wei , Miao Yuwei
Published: August 2014

In this paper, a novel companding scheme is proposed to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of lattice orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (LOFDM) system. By transforming the statistics of original signals into a specified distribution form, which is defined by a continuous sine function, this scheme can achieve a simple companding form as well as an improved PAPR and bit-error-rate (BER) performance. Moreover, by introducing the variable companding parameters in the desired probability density function (PDF), a great design flexibility in the companding form and an effective trade-off between the PAPR reduction and BER performance can be achieved to satisfy various system demands. The general formulas of the proposed scheme are derived and a theoretical analysis regarding the achievable transform gain and the selection criteria of companding parameters are also conducted. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can substantially outperform the conventional
High Directivity Microstrip Coupler with Asymmetric Structure
Authors: Maheswari S. , Jayanthy T.
Published: August 2014

A method to improve the directivity of the microstrip coupler is presented. The pattern of the coupler is modified for phase velocity compensation, which results in high directivity. Using this procedure, two 15 dB couplers are designed and fabricated at 0.9 GHz. A high directivity of 35 dB and 39 dB are measured. The validity of the design concept is verified by simulations and measurements.
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using biotransformations by Saccharomyces boulardii
Authors: Korbekandi Hassan , Jouneghani Rasoul Mardani , Mohseni Soudabeh , Pourhossein Meraj , Iravani Siavash
Published: August 2014

Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) using microorganisms is ecofriendly and gives researchers greater opportunities in sizes and shapes of the synthesized NPs. The aims of this research were the biosynthesis of silver NPs by biotransformations using Saccharomyces boulardii and analysis of the sizes and shapes of the produced NPs. Dried (commercially available) and freshly cultured S. boulardii were used as the biocatalyst. Dried yeast synthesized few NPs, but freshly cultured yeast produced a large amount of NPs. It was seen from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs that individual silver NPs as well as a number of aggregates with almost spherical shapes and sizes of about 8–26 nm were synthesized. It was shown that the NPs were mainly synthesized intracellularly, which might be due to the reductases inside the cells. Therefore, the biomass should be used in the synthesis, instead of discarding it. Previous researchers used only the supernatant and reported that the synthesis is extracellular.
Effects of concentration and temperature on the rheological behavior of concentrated sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS) solutions
Authors: Tang Qianqian , Zhou Mingsong , Yang Dongjie , Qiu Xueqing
Published: August 2014

Concentrated sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS) solutions have wide industrial applications. Therefore, the viscoelastic properties of NaLS in concentrations of 55%–63% have been investigated between 5°C and 55°C by means of a dynamic rheological technique, namely, the oscillatory rheological experiments were conducted in a rheometer in the small amplitude oscillatory mode. All solutions showed “shear-thinning” behavior over frequency. The complex viscosity (η*) increased and the loss tangent (tanδ) decreased with increasing concentrations. Both the storage modulus (G′) and the loss modulus (G″) increased with increasing frequencies and concentrations. The change in viscoelastic behavior was probably caused by stronger aggregation effects. However, the effects of temperature on the viscoelastic properties are more complex. For 60% NaLS, G′, G″, and η* decreased, but tanδ increased with increasing temperatures. When the temperature exceeded 20°C, G′, G″, and η* increased, but tanδ decreased, and the relaxation times were increased as a function of temperature. The change in viscoelasticity as a function of temperature may also be related to intermolecular aggregation and the swelling of aggregates. The conductivity experiments indicated that the formation of a greater strength of network structures at higher levels of concentrations between 55% and 63% and temperatures between 20°C and 55°C was probably responsible for elasticity enhancement.
Role of lncRNAs in prostate cancer development and progression
Authors: Weiss Melanie , Plass Christoph , Gerhauser Clarissa
Published: August 2014

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Despite advances in the characterization of genomic and epigenetic aberrations contributing to PCa, the etiology of PCa is still far from being understood. Research over the past decade demonstrated the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in deregulation of target genes mainly through epigenetic mechanisms. In PCa, evidence accumulated that hundreds of lncRNAs are dysregulated. Functional analyses revealed their contribution to prostate carcinogenesis by targeting relevant pathways and gene regulation mechanisms including PTEN/AKT and androgen receptor signaling as well as chromatin remodeling complexes. Here we summarize our current knowledge on the roles of lncRNAs in PCa and their potential use as biomarkers for aggressive PCa and as novel therapeutic targets.
Bivariate Non-Normality in the Sample Selection Model
Authors: Pigini Claudia
Published: August 2014

Since the seminal paper by [Heckman, J. J. 1974. “Shadow Prices, Market Wages, and Labor Supply.” Econometrica 42: 679–694], the sample selection model has been an essential tool for applied economists and arguably the most sensitive to sources of misspecification among the standard microeconometric models involving limited dependent variables. The need for alternative methods to get consistent estimators has led to a number of estimation proposals for the sample selection model under non-normality. There is a marked dichotomy in the literature that has developed in two conceptually different directions: the bivariate normality assumption can be either replaced, by using copulae, or relaxed/removed, relying on semi- and non-parametric estimators. This paper surveys the more recent proposals on the estimation of the sample selection model that deal with distributional misspecification giving the practitioner a unified framework of both parametric and semi/non-parametric options.
First trimester prediction of maternal glycemic status
Authors: Gabbay-Benziv Rinat , Doyle Lauren E. , Blitzer Miriam , Baschat Ahmet A.
Published: August 2014

Objective: To predict gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or normoglycemic status using first trimester maternal characteristics.

Methods: We used data from a prospective cohort study. First trimester maternal characteristics were compared between women with and without GDM. Association of these variables with sugar values at glucose challenge test (GCT) and subsequent GDM was tested to identify key parameters. A predictive algorithm for GDM was developed and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) statistics was used to derive the optimal risk score. We defined normoglycemic state, when GCT and all four sugar values at oral glucose tolerance test, whenever obtained, were normal. Using same statistical approach, we developed an algorithm to predict the normoglycemic state.

Results: Maternal age, race, prior GDM, first trimester BMI, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were all significantly associated with GDM. Age, BMI, and SBP were also associated with GCT values. The logistic regression analysis constructed equation and the calculated risk score yielded sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 85%, 62%, 13.8%, and 98.3% for a cut-off value of 0.042, respectively (ROC-AUC – area under the curve 0.819, CI – confidence interval 0.769–0.868). The model constructed for normoglycemia prediction demonstrated lower performance (ROC-AUC 0.707, CI 0.668–0.746).

Conclusions: GDM prediction can be achieved during the first trimester encounter by integration of maternal characteristics and basic measurements while normoglycemic status prediction is less effective.
Optimal control problems for linear backward doubly stochastic differential equations
Authors: Gherbal Boulakhras
Published: August 2014

In this paper we prove the existence of strict optimal controls for linear
backward doubly stochastic differential equations (LBDSDEs in short), where the control
domain and the cost function were assumed convex. The proof is based on strong
convergence techniques for the associated linear backward doubly stochastic
differential equations and Mazur's theorem. We derive also necessary and
sufficient conditions for optimality for this control problem. This result is
based on the convex optimization principle.
Feedback from the Source Improving Productivity on Construction Jobsites
Authors: Daneshgari Perry , Moore Heather
Published: August 2014

The construction industry relies on skilled trade craftsmen to transfer a concept from design to a physical built entity. In addition, construction jobsites are temporary workspaces. These two characteristics classify construction as a complex production, in which knowledge and experience are gained locally by individuals in the work environment. It also means that workers must adapt and coordinate in the local work environment in order to produce. Without a correct measurement system, the adaption and coordination and resulting information gained are invisible outside of the jobsite, which costs construction contractors and contributes to over $10 × 109 of unnecessary cost to the construction industry annually. ASTM's Standard Practice for Job Productivity Measurement (ASTM E2691-11) was developed to provide a measurement of task, project, and industry productivity. The practice provides ongoing and instantaneous feedback from the source of work on construction jobsites, which are the craftsmen. MCA, Inc. originally developed and implemented this measurement system over fifteen years ago and has seen results of minimum 20 % improvement in productivity on jobsites across the United States and Canada. ASTM E2691 describes how productivity is measured, monitored, and analyzed, and leads to other by-products of information gathered from the source. In addition, ASTM has published Manual 65 on how to use ASTM E2691 with several case applications. This paper explains how ASTM E2691 can be used by all stakeholders of the construction industry supply chain. The standard is explained and examples given for how it can be used by each stakeholder. In addition, a model of information entropy is introduced based on data gathered using JPM, leading to a new approach that can be used to reduce information entropy and improve the time, cost, and quality of construction.
Taking control over intracellular fatty acid levels is essential for the analysis of thermogenic function in cultured primary brown and brite/beige adipocytes
Authors: Li Yongguo , Fromme Tobias , Schweizer Sabine , Schöttl Theresa , Klingenspor Martin
Published: August 2014

Thermogenesis in brown adipocytes, conferred by mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), is receiving great attention because metabolically active brown adipose tissue may protect humans from metabolic diseases. In particular, the thermogenic function of brown‐like adipocytes in white adipose tissue, known as brite (or beige) adipocytes, is currently of prime interest. A valid procedure to quantify the specific contribution of UCP1 to thermogenesis is thus of vital importance. Adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis is a common way to activate UCP1. We here report, however, that in this frequently applied setup, taking control over intracellular fatty acid levels is essential for the analysis of thermogenic function in cultured brown and brite adipocytes. By the application of these findings, we demonstrate that UCP1 is functionally thermogenic in intact brite adipocytes and adrenergic UCP1 activation is largely dependent on adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) rather than hormone sensitive lipase (HSL).
Impact of a Pertussis Epidemic on Infant Vaccination in Washington State
Authors: Wolf Elizabeth R. , Opel Douglas , DeHart M. Patricia , Warren Jodi , Rowhani-Rahbar Ali
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Washington State experienced a pertussis epidemic from October 2011 to December 2012. There was wide variation in incidence by county. The objectives of this study were to determine how the pertussis epidemic affected infant vaccination in Washington State and whether the incidence in counties modified this effect.

METHODS:

We conducted an ecologic before–after study to compare the proportion of infants up to date (UTD) with a pertussis-containing vaccine at time points before (September 30, 2011), during (September 30, 2012), and after (September 30, 2013) the epidemic. Children aged 3 to 8 months enrolled in the Washington State Immunization Information System with documented county of residence were included. UTD status was determined as ≥1, ≥2, or ≥3 doses of a pertussis-containing vaccine at ages 3, 5, and 7 months, respectively. Generalized linear models with extension to the binomial family and clustered robust standard errors were used to examine differences in the proportion of UTD infants between preepidemic and either epidemic or postepidemic points. The potential modifying effect of pertussis incidence by county was examined.

RESULTS:

We found no significant difference in statewide UTD status with a pertussis-containing vaccine between preepidemic and either epidemic (absolute difference 2.1%; 95% confidence interval, −1.6 to 5.9) or postepidemic (absolute difference 0.2%; 95% confidence interval, −4.0 to 4.5) time points. There was no significant modification by county pertussis incidence. There was wide variation in the absolute difference in UTD status across counties.

CONCLUSIONS:

A statewide pertussis epidemic does not appear to have significantly changed the proportion of infants who were UTD with a pertussis-containing vaccine.
Mechanical Ventilation for a Child With Quadriplegia
Authors: Novotny William E. , Perkin Ronald M. , Mukherjee Debjani , Lantos John D.
Published: August 2014

Parents generally have the right to make medical decisions for their children. This right can be challenged when the parents’ decision seems to go against the child’s interests. The toughest such decisions are for a child who will survive with physical and neurocognitive impairments. We discuss a case of a 5-year-old boy who suffered a spinal injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident and whose father requests discontinuation of life support. Many experts recommend a “trial of therapy” to clarify both prognosis and quality of life. The key ethical question, then, is not whether to postpone a decision to forego mechanical ventilation. Instead, the key question is how long to wait. Parents should be allowed time to see what life will be like for themselves and for their child. Most of the time, life turns out better than they might have imagined. Comments are provided by 2 pediatric intensivists, Drs William Novotny and Ronald Perkin of East Carolina University, and by a specialist in rehabilitation, Dr Debjani Mukherjee of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
High-dose Vitamin A With Vaccination After 6 Months of Age: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Fisker Ane B. , Bale Carlito , Rodrigues Amabelia , Balde Ibraima , Fernandes Manuel , Jørgensen Mathias J. , Danneskiold-Samsøe Niels , Hornshøj Linda , Rasmussen Julie , Christensen Emil D. , Bibby Bo M. , Aaby Peter , Benn Christine S.
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND:

The World Health Organization recommends vitamin A supplementation (VAS) at routine vaccination contacts after 6 months of age based on the assumption that it reduces mortality by 24%. The policy has never been evaluated in randomized controlled trials for its effect on overall mortality. We conducted a randomized double-blind trial to evaluate the effect of VAS with vaccines.

METHODS:

We randomized children aged 6 to 23 months 1:1 to VAS (100 000 IU if aged 6–11 months, 200 000 IU if aged 12–23 months) or placebo at vaccination contacts in Guinea-Bissau. Mortality rates were compared in Cox proportional-hazards models overall, and by gender and vaccine.

RESULTS:

Between August 2007 and November 2010, 7587 children were enrolled. Within 6 months of follow-up 80 nonaccident deaths occurred (VAS: 38; placebo: 42). The mortality rate ratio (MRR) comparing VAS versus placebo recipients was 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.59–1.41) and differed significantly between boys (MRR 1.92 [0.98–3.75]) and girls (MRR 0.45 [0.24–0.87]) (P = .003 for interaction between VAS and gender). At enrollment, 42% (3161/7587) received live measles vaccine, 29% (2154/7587) received inactivated diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis–containing vaccines, and 21% (1610/7587) received both live and inactivated vaccines. The effect of VAS did not differ by vaccine group.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of the policy on overall mortality. VAS had no overall effect, but the effect differed significantly by gender. More trials to ensure an optimal evidence-based vitamin A policy are warranted.
Neonatal Vitamin K Refusal and Nonimmunization
Authors: Sahni Vanita , Lai Florence Y. , MacDonald Shannon E.
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND:

Neonatal Vitamin K prophylaxis is an effective intervention for reducing vitamin K deficiency bleeding. A recently published report of parental refusal of vitamin K prompted an investigation of the prevalence and characteristics of this group, and exploration of whether these same parents were likely to subsequently refuse immunization for their children.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study of all infants born in Alberta between 2006 and 2012 by using linkage of administrative health data. Risk factors for vitamin K refusal were determined by using Poisson regression. The association between vitamin K refusal and nonimmunization was assessed using relative risk.

RESULTS:

Among the 282 378 children in the cohort, 99.7% received vitamin K and 0.3% declined. Midwife-assisted deliveries were more likely to be associated with vitamin K refusal compared with physician-attended delivery (risk ratio 8.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5–11.0). Planned home delivery (risk ratio 4.9, CI 3.8–6.4) or delivery in a birth center (risk ratio 3.6, CI 2.3–5.6) were more likely to result in decline of vitamin K compared with hospital delivery. Vitamin K refusal was associated with a 14.6 (CI 13.9–15.3) higher relative risk of having no recommended childhood vaccines at 15 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first population-based study to characterize parents who are likely to decline vitamin K for their infants and whose children are likely to be unimmunized. These findings enable earlier identification of high-risk parents and provide an opportunity to enact strategies to increase uptake of vitamin K and childhood immunizations.
Comparación de la prevalencia de discapacidades basada en auto-reportes en países de América Latina
Authors: Monteverde-Verdenelli Malena , Peranovich-Celton Andrés , Zepeda-Ortega Ana
Published: August 2014

En general, la medición de prevalencias de discapacidades a nivel de población o de grandes muestras se basa en auto-reportes. Resulta de interés evaluar en qué medida dichos auto-reportes permiten realizar comparaciones entre grupos de población. El objetivo del presente trabajo es medir, comparar y analizar la consistencia de las comparaciones de la prevalencia de discapacidades en actividades de la vida diaria (AVD) entre poblaciones de América Latina. El análisis incluye las poblaciones de Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Sao Pablo, Ciudad de México, Montevideo y La Habana. Para evaluar la consistencia de las comparaciones basadas en auto-reportes, se estiman prevalencias de discapacidades en AVD y prevalencias de enfermedades crónicas relacionadas con la discapacidad. Luego se comparan los patrones observados en países con ambas condiciones. Las poblaciones de 60 años y más de Buenos Aires y Montevideo reportan menores dificultades para la realización de AVD y menores prevalencias de condiciones crónicas discapacitantes como diabetes, enfermedades pulmonares, enfermedades cerebrovasculares y problemas cognitivos. Sin bien ello sugiere que al menos parte de las diferencias de auto-reporte de discapacidades podrían deberse a diferencias de morbilidad, no se descarta la existencia de efectos por diferencias en factores contextuales o en las propensiones a reportar discapacidades, entre otros. En este sentido, sería de utilidad llevar a cabo estudios ad-hoc que permitan medir simultáneamente diagnósticos y auto-reportes, la implementar instrumentos como viñetas e incluir información sobre factores contextuales (al menos para sub-muestras), y así poder evaluar la existencia de sesgos sistemáticos y la importancia de factores contextuales en los auto-reportes de discapacidades.
Hemorrhagic Hairy Polyp Causing Velopharyngeal Dysfunction in a Newborn
Authors: Varshney Rickul , Pitaro Jacob , Alghonaim Yazeed , Lacroix Yolene
Published: August 2014

Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) can be secondary to anatomic, neurologic, or functional maldevelopment in the pediatric population. We present a case of transient VPD after the removal of a voluminous oropharyngeal hairy polyp in a newborn with an intact palate. This report sensitizes physicians, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists not only to the repercussions of oropharyngeal congenital masses, such as hairy polyps, on the feeding mechanisms of a newborn but also to the possibility of conservative management.
Thermo-mechanical radial expansion of heat exchanger piles and possible effects on contact pressures at pile–soil interface
Authors: Olgun C. G. , Ozudogru T. Y. , Arson C. F.
Published: August 2014

This letter shows that the increase of heat exchanger pile capacity in response to heating, observed in several small-scale laboratory studies, cannot be directly attributed to the increase of contact pressure at the soil–pile interface. The main thermo-hydro-mechanical processes that influence the capacity and behaviour of heat exchanger piles include thermal hardening of the soil, thermally induced water flow, excess pore pressure development and volume changes upon thermal consolidation. Due to the lack of understanding of the behaviour around the soil–pile interface, thermo-mechanical interactions between the heat exchanger pile and the ground are not taken into account appropriately in energy foundation design. However, in situ and reduced-scale experiments provide evidence about temperature-induced changes in pile capacity, presumably as a result of the altered stress state around the test pile. A finite-element analysis was conducted to quantitatively assess the radial stresses and strains undergone by a heated pile embedded in deformable soil. The study indicates that radial contact pressures typically increase less than 15 kPa, which cannot fully explain the increase in shaft resistance observed in heating tests. Further analyses are underway to characterise the mechanisms that govern pile load–displacement behaviour and the limit state.
Dynamic shear modulus reduction and damping under high confining pressures for gravels
Authors: Zhu S. , Yang G. , Wen Y. , Ou L.
Published: August 2014

To provide a more reliable material property description for seismic analyses of high rockfill dams, this study investigates the dynamic properties of gravels under high confining pressures. The dynamic shear moduli G and damping ratios D of 12 gravels derived from cyclic triaxial tests are measured for confining pressures of 227–4000 kPa. As the confining pressure increases, the shear modulus reduction curve moves upwards slightly, while the damping variation curve moves downwards. However, the tested data of both the shear moduli and the damping ratios fall within the ranges recommended by previous studies, which are derived from data tested under lower confining pressures, because the influence of the confining pressure is countered by the impact of different loading frequencies during testing. Previously proposed empirical equations were found to fit the shear modulus reduction curves well for the test gravels, but could not precisely describe the variation of damping with strain. Furthermore, one important parameter in the damping equation is difficult to determine in practice for gravels with high confining pressures. A modified equation of damping is thus proposed in which all parameters are easy to obtain from test data.
Testing Measurement Invariance of the Chinese Version of the Strategies Used by Patients to Promote Health Among Patients With Cancer
Authors: Yuan Changrong , Wei Chunlan , Wang Jichuan , Qian Huijuan , Lev Elise L. , Yuan Avery , Li Huiling , Hinds Pamela S.
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose: The Chinese version of the Strategies Used by Patients to Promote Health (C-SUPPH) is a self-report instrument used to measure self-efficacy among patients with cancer. The purpose of this article is to examine measurement invariance of C-SUPPH using data of 764 cancer patients recruited in China. Methods: Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models were applied across the selected sociodemographic groups of gender, age, education, and monthly income levels. Results: The factorial structure and factor loadings (relationships between items and their underlying factors) of C-SUPPH were invariant across all sociodemographic groups. Conclusions: The findings showed that the C-SUPPH measures the same latent constructs/factors in the same way when administered to different sociodemographic groups and thus can be readily applied to studying self-efficacy of cancer patients in China.
Validity and Reliability of the “German Utilization Questionnaire—Dissemination and Use of Research” to Measure Attitude, Availability, and Support Toward Implementation of Research in Nursing Practice
Authors: Haslinger-Baumann Elisabeth , Lang Gert , Müller Gerhard
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose: In nursing practice, research results have to undergo a systematic process of transformation. Currently in Austria, there is no empirical data available concerning the actual implementation of research results. An English validated questionnaire was translated into German and tested for validity and reliability. Method: A survey of 178 registered nurses (n = 178) was conducted in a multicenter, quantitative, cross-sectional study in Austria in 2011. Results: Cronbach’s alpha values (.82–.92) were calculated for 4 variables (“use,” “attitude,” “availability,” “support”) after the reduction of 7 irrelevant items. Exploratory factor analysis was calculated with Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) ranging from .78 to .92; the total variance ranged from 46% to 56%. Conclusion: A validated German questionnaire concerning the implementation of research results is now available for the nursing practice.
Reliability and Validity of the Revised Osteoporosis Knowledge Test
Authors: Qi Bing-Bing , Resnick Barbara , Nahm Eun-Shim
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the Osteoporosis Knowledge Test (OKT) revised to incorporate recent evidence-based recommendations for bone health. Methods: The revised OKT was tested with 866 participants (mean age = 62.8 years ± 8.5 years) in an online bone health study. Results: Based on Rasch analysis, there was evidence of internal consistency with an item separation index of 12.68 and a reliability score of .98. The person separation index was 2.06 with a reliability score of .81. The INFIT and OUTFIT mean-square statistics for items on both subscales all demonstrated good fit ranging from 0.71 to 1.40, except for 2 items that had low OUTFIT statistics. Conclusions: The revised OKT provides sufficient reliability and construct validity.
“I'm Here”: The Words that Started A Movement
Authors: Engel Marcus
Published: August 2014

The ability to be fully present with patients is a cornerstone of effective caregiving. Time constraints, a health care system in flux, and political agendas, combined with the stress of overwork and high-pressure work environments of health care professionals, can lead to compassion fatigue, mistakes, and burnout. Narrative nursing is a field created by the author to teach nurses therapeutic journaling and perspective as tools to address and prevent these issues.
Narrative Learning in the Virtual Landscape: A Model from a Baccalaureate Program
Authors: MacNamara Meghan E.
Published: August 2014

This article explores the implications of presenting a medical humanities curriculum in a virtual format, using as a model a fully online humanities course taught in both traditional 15-week and accelerated 5-week formats. The course explores narrative competency and allows baccalaureate students to deepen their practical skills with increased awareness of narrative constructions. The online course design fosters growth in many areas of communication that have otherwise been absent in face-to-face courses taught by this educator. In the virtual format, students showed increased investment in the course content and an openness to communicating their experience as well as to critically challenging their colleagues on narrative-based dilemmas, such as those centered around building empathy, remaining nonjudgmental when challenged with ethical dilemmas, and awareness of signs within themselves of disengagement and burnout.
Intertwined Narratives of the Human Caring Story
Authors: Rosa William
Published: August 2014

The story of human caring is universal; built on a foundation of caring-healing-loving and comprising intersubjective shared intimacy, authenticity, and presence. Each person's relationship with story is worthy of telling as it connects the individual to the collective, the personal to the global. The story of human caring is the result of intertwined narratives; the love, light, and prayer we hold for ourselves and each other in the world.
The Effect of Individual Reminiscence Therapy on Self-Esteem and Depression among Institutionalized Elderly in India
Authors: Poorneselvan Catherine , Steefel Lorraine
Published: August 2014

Nurses often elicit patients ‘stories as a means to an end—for example, getting to know patients better and providing better care or treatments. However, the act of listening in itself can be therapeutic. Through the use of reminiscence therapy (RT), eliciting stories from elderly residents of a nursing home in India improved their sense of well-being. This article describes a study of the use of RT and presents one resident's story.
Narrative Medicine's Role in Graduate Nursing Curricula: Finding and Sharing Wisdom through Story
Authors: Mangino Heather
Published: August 2014

Nurses are affected on a personal and professional level by the stories they hear from patients throughout their careers. Nurse educators can help graduate-level nursing students understand how these stories impact their nursing lives by incorporating narrative medicine into graduate nursing curricula. Narrative medicine is “… recognizing, absorbing, interpreting, and being moved by the stories of illness” (Charon, 2006, p. 4). Methods to incorporate narrative medicine into graduate nursing curricula include in-depth text analysis and writing exercises, with opportunities for students to read their work aloud. Narrative medicine's role in nursing must be researched through qualitative and quantitative studies.
Grief and Gratitude
Authors: Ramstad Sheryl
Published: August 2014

People cope with loss and other traumatic life events in their own ways and according to their own individual timelines. Grief is not the same for everyone. Although people may pass through some of the same stages, they do not necessarily go through all of them or in the same order. Oftentimes, gratitude is more readily expressed nearer the time of the life-changing event—gratitude to those who provide care and comfort and gratitude for surviving the ordeal. Clients who are struggling for survival may find it easier to express their gratitude rather than their grief, but eventually expressing both is necessary for full emotional recovery.
Pure Grit: Telling the Story of World War II Military Nurses to a New Generation
Authors: Bonifazi Wendy
Published: August 2014

Only a few of the 102 American military nurses serving in the Pacific in the 1940s had any combat training, experience or expectations, until the surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor and the Philippines put them on the front lines. They learned wartime nursing under fire, treating thousands of casualties at ill-equipped battlefield hospitals. When the Allies surrendered, the 79 remaining nurses were the first U.S. Army women to become prisoners of war, but they refused to relinquish their professional roles and continued to provide nursing care to fellow prisoners throughout their years of captivity. In the book Pure Grit: How American World War II Nurses Survived in Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific, Mary Cronk Farrell uses quotes from journals, letters, and oral histories to give voice to the horrific experiences and esprit de corps of these remarkable nurses.
The Burden of Treatment: Listening to Stories of Adolescents With ADHD About Stimulant Medication Use
Authors: Avisar Alon , Lavie-Ajayi Maya
Published: August 2014

Objective: Stimulant medications are considered an effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and their prescription is consistently on the rise. However, research showed a limited adherence to ADHD medication regimens. This study explores the experiences of using stimulant medication from the understudied perspective of adolescents. Method: Fourteen semistructured interviews were conducted with adolescents diagnosed as having ADHD, and the data was analyzed according to the principles of qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Participants were passive actors in the diagnostic process. Following the medical treatment, half of the interviewees described improvement in their concentration while studying and during exams. However, most of the interviewees discussed the difficulties of taking medication especially in terms of emotional side effects, identity loss, and interpersonal relationships. Those who reached high school stopped, fully or selectively, taking the medication on their own initiative. Conclusion: The results of this study points to the importance of considering the burden of treatment for children and adolescents who take stimulant medications.
College Graduation to Employment in STEM Careers: The Experience of New Graduates at the Intersection of Underrepresented Racial/Ethnic Minority Status and Disability
Authors: Hawley Carolyn E. , McMahon Brian T. , Cardoso Elizabeth D. , Fogg Neeta P. , Harrington Paul E. , Barbir Lara A.
Published: August 2014

Purpose:To examine the recent labor market indicators of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) versus non-STEM college graduates with disabilities.

Method:The sample included bachelor of science (B.S.)/B.S.-level college graduates including 1,567,527 with a disability and 32,512,446 without a disability. Data were derived from the American Community Survey public use microdata files 2009–2011 inclusive. Three measures of labor market activity were used: labor force participation rate, unemployment ratio, and employment-to-population ratio.

Results:Nonparametric tests of proportion with stringent alpha levels indicated that overall labor market participation was much lower for graduates with disabilities. Indicators improved somewhat for STEM graduates with disabilities perhaps because they persisted longer in their job search efforts. Within the sample of STEM graduates with disabilities, Whites experienced greater labor market participation than ethnic minorities. It was also found that supply-side interventions to improve STEM employment (i.e., government investment) have been markedly less effective than demand-side interventions (i.e., expanded recruitment of foreign STEM degree holders).

Conclusion:Recent labor economics data and the expanded recruitment of foreign STEM degree holders bring into question whether or not a true STEM crisis exists today.
Experiences of Physical Activity One Year after Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Wiklund Malin , Olbers Monika Fagevik , Olbers Torsten , Willén Carin
Published: August 2014

Background and purpose:

Obesity is a major global health problem today and the only evidence-based method
leading to a long-lasting weight reduction is bariatric surgery. Physical activity improves health, decreases the incidence
of several diseases and may influence weight loss outcome after bariatric surgery. Knowledge regarding how patients
experience physical activity after bariatric surgery could provide us with better tools to enhance physically active.

Methods:

The aim of the present study was to describe how patients experience physical activity one year after bariatric
surgery. An inductive qualitative content analysis was used to analyse semi-structured interviews with twenty-four
patients one year after bariatric surgery.

Results:

Results: The main findings emerged in four overarching themes: “Hindrances of physical activity”, “Physical activity with
a less obese body implies achievement”, “Coming to an understanding of the benefits of physical activity” and “Need of
support”.

Conclusion:

According to our findings patients experience both achievements and hinders with regard to physical activity
one year after surgery. Patients had an increased understanding of the benefits of physical activities, but support appears
necessary to obtain and maintain a suitable level.
Evaluation of potential opportunities for electric power generation from landfill gas at “Tsalapitsa”
Authors: Ganev Ivaylo , Naydenova Iliyana
Published: August 2014

Potential opportunities for electric power generation from landfill gas (LFG)
utilization were estimated for the second largest landfill site in Bulgaria,
situated near the city of Plovdiv. The work performed was based on detailed
analysis of experimentally obtained and model-predicted features of the
?Tsalapitsa? landfill site. The study presents a short description of the
site, the global characteristics of the disposed municipal solid waste, and
the experimentally obtained methane composition of the LFG. Based on the
above described observations, the potential for LFG recovery at ?Tsalapitsa?
was determined, together with that for electric power generation for the
next 25 years. A set of recommendations was then developed regarding the
parameters required for the installation of electric power generation from
LFG in Plovdiv.
The Dynamic and Changing Development of EERA Networks
Authors: Figueiredo Maria P. , Grosvenor Ian , Hoveid Marit Honerød , MacNab Natasha
Published: August 2014

In this article the authors use two EERA networks as a case for a discussion on the development of research networks within the European Educational Research Association (EERA). They contend that EERA networks through their way of working create a European research space. As their case shows, the development of networks is diverse. The emergence of networks and the current group of thirty-one networks do not display a coherent and unified system. Thus they argue that EERA networks have to be studied as an open complex system in order to comprehend the multiplicity and creative and innovative space that these networks represent. They create a space for knowledge production in a European context, enabling educational researchers to see and experience their research in a more diverse setting.
A Space for Critical Research on Education Policy: ECER Paper Sessions and the ‘Policy Studies and Politics of Education’ Network
Authors: Rasmussen Palle
Published: August 2014

The activities of the European Educational Research Association (EERA) and the yearly European Conference on Educational Research (ECER) are mainly organised in standing networks. Through the example of the Policy Studies and Politics of Education network, this article takes a closer look at network activity and the ways in which it contributes to the development of educational research. Since most network activity is focused around the yearly conferences, the first part of the article discusses the conference session space, its forms and its links to the broader community of educational researchers. The second part of the article traces the origin and development of the Policy Studies and Politics of Education network, emphasising how the network has provided a space for critical analysis and discussion of education policies and forms of governance being pursued by national and trans-national actors in and beyond Europe.
Educational Research Capacity Building in the European Union: A Critique of the Lived Experiences of Emerging Researchers
Authors: Hallet Fiona , Fidalgo Patricia
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this article is to explore the extent to which European Union (EU) policies impact upon the activities of associations such as the European Educational Research Association (EERA) and the experiences of emerging researchers aligned to such associations. In essence, the authors explore potential tensions between policy and the lived experiences of those directly affected by the implementation of policy directives. Lévi-Strauss's conception of ‘mythemes' is employed, in order to elucidate segments of what the authors call policy myths that happen to portray an underlying structural meaning. From this, they use Barthes' exploration of the syntagm and system of contemporary acts of myth-making in order to compare EU policy with the activities of the EERA Emerging Researchers' Group. Their analysis suggests that all researchers, including those new to the field, need to see themselves as self-sovereign actors, each of whom has the potential to contribute to the broader societal challenges that we face.
EERA: A Participant or an Agent in European Research Policy? A Governance Perspective
Authors: Moos Lejf , Wubbels Theo
Published: August 2014

In this article, the authors begin to frame a discussion of the educational research space that the European Educational Research Association (EERA) has been given and aims to take. The educational space is not merely a geographical phenomenon, but rather refers to the networks, flows and scapes that form the foundation for the construction of national or transnational cultural frames in which educational research works. This is a double-sided issue: EERA is a participant in the Europeanisation process working — intentionally or not and willingly or not — on harmonising educational research all over Europe and in the European Union (EU); furthermore, the EERA has been working on influencing research politics in Europe, in the EU and at the national levels for the past several years. The links between global development and local practices in universities and schools have become tighter over the past two or three decades. Transnational agencies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the EU are important channels in creating educational policies between global market initiatives and local practices. We can identify governance chains from these agencies through national authorities to local institutions.
Ten Years A-Talking! Reflecting on the Role of the EERA Council from the Perspective of National Educational Research Associations
Authors: O'Hara Joe , Holm Gunilla
Published: August 2014

Drawing on their personal experiences, the authors reflect on the relationship between the European Educational Research Association (EERA) Council and the National Educational Research Associations (NERAs). The article will argue that while much of the work undertaken by the EERA Council is hugely valuable, at times it can be difficult to see a causal link between discussions and decisions at this level and changes in governance and practice at the level of national associations. Having said that, it is hoped that the article will give an idea of issues that emerged and challenges that might yet need to be faced in the EERA Council. These included the impact of changes in governance structures on the way EERA interacts with NERAs and other constituent groups. In addition, there has also been an ongoing debate around the definition of European in the context of educational research and the connected challenges of the identification and operationalisation of a core set of values to underpin this endeavour. Finally, the article explores the manner in which EERA Council as a representative body of national associations helped shape the processes whereby the association interacted with a range of external partners.
Observations on European Education and Educational Research: The European Educational Research Journal at work, 2002–2014
Authors: Lindblad Sverker
Published: August 2014

This is a review of the European Educational Research Journal (EERJ) since the start in 2002 and up to 2014. Three questions were put forward: what are the ambitions with the journal, how has the journal developed over time, and what are its possible futures? The review is based on minutes and emails from the late 1990s up to 2014, as well as editorial materials. Downloads and citations of EERJ articles were analysed in order to capture the impact of the journal. The themes of each issue were analysed concerning their main research objects. The results presented a picture of a successful journal with greatly increasing numbers of subscriptions and downloads of articles. They also showed a journal that was increasingly more European concerning editorial matters and authorship. Considering journal contents and research objects that are in focus, EERJ is presenting productive and significant research on European education. However, articles analysing European educational research as a specific focus are less frequent. On the basis of these results it was concluded that there is a need for EERJ to further develop its focus on research on the Europeanisation of educational research, as well as to consider the opportunities for the European Educational Research Association (EERA) networks to produce handbooks concerning their areas of specialism, and for EERA to develop a European educational research observatory to improve research communication and reflexivity, and by that, further advance European educational research.