bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Smoking and Associated Factors: Evidence From the CHILILAB Demographic Surveillance System in Vietnam
Authors: Thi Thanh Huong Le , Khanh Long Tran , Xuan Son Phung , Thi Tuyet-Hanh Tran
Published: July 2017

This study analyzed secondary data from Chi Linh Health and Demographic Surveillance System (CHILILAB) database to identify smoking prevalence and associated demographic factors. Data were extracted from the database of the CHILILAB 2016, which included information on individual smoking behaviors, as well as individual and household demographic data. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were performed with significance level of 0.05. The smoking prevalences were 34.7%, 0.9%, and 16.1% for men, women, and both genders, respectively. A total of 78.2% of current smokers smoked daily inside their houses. Lower smoking status was associated with younger age, being student, rich, and/or single. Future efforts should not only spend on further reduction of smoking rate in Chi Linh Town but should also pay special attention on reducing the prevalence of in-home smoking. This will help to decrease the risk of nonsmokers being exposed to secondhand smoke in their home environment.
The patriotism down under: Nationalized qualities and Australian media consumption of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
Authors: Billings Andrew C , Scott Olan KM , Brown Kenon A , Lewis Melvin , Devlin Michael B
Published: July 2017

A survey of 291 Australians before and after consuming varied levels of Olympic media revealed key relationships between national identity, psychological connections to the Olympic Games, and media consumption of the Rio Games. The desire for nationalized emulation significantly predicted televisual media consumption; and the desire for nationalized identification and protection significantly predicted both print and digital media consumption. Differential motivations for identifying with Australia, fan involvement, and media consumption all yielded significant relationships with connection to the Olympics as a whole. Theoretical and applied implications are delineated.
Publish or perish: Dr Victor Webster and cardiazol treatment in Western Australia, 1937–1938
Authors: Martyr Philippa
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To examine the role of Dr Victor Henry Webster (1905–1980) in the introduction of cardiazol therapy to Western Australia in November 1937.

Method:

A range of primary and secondary sources were consulted.

Results:

Webster experimented with cardiazol treatment at Heathcote Reception Home, and published his findings in April 1938, at the same time as Ellery and Lear, but was not able to publish his results in a nationally-recognised journal. As a result, his contribution to early cardiazol treatment in Australia has been largely forgotten.

Conclusions:

Webster made a genuine contribution to the introduction of cardiazol treatment in Australia, and his story illustrates the need to publish early findings of new physical therapies.
Supervision: ‘a random bag of arrangements’? Perspectives from psychiatrists on how to improve clinical teaching
Authors: Cheung Gary , Stephan Alice
Published: July 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore psychiatrists’ perspectives on how clinical teaching and supervision can be improved in postgraduate psychiatric training.

Method:

All New Zealand members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (fellows: n=367; affiliates: n=167) were invited to participate in an online survey that collected responses to two open-ended questions. The responses were then analysed qualitatively.

Results:

A total of 27% psychiatrists responded. Two major themes emerged: supervisor competencies and the workplace educational environment, with subthemes of supervisor training, feedback and culture change.

Conclusions:

Suggestions to improve clinical teaching and supervision included defining supervisor teaching competencies, instituting evidence-based faculty development, a feedback structure and strengthening leadership support for workplace-based education.
Activity-based funding in mental health: a disastrous path
Authors: de Jong Gideon
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

On the basis of the experience of the Netherlands, this critical commentary will argue why activity-based funding (ABF) in mental health care is a disastrous path that Australia should not take.

Conclusions:

ABF leads to an exponential growth in health care spending as it encourages diagnostic inflation and overproductivity. It also leads to fraud and an increased bureaucracy that goes hand in hand with demoralisation among health workers. And finally, the increasing treatment claims leads to the reintroduction of productivity limitations, waiting lists and ultimately austerity measures in order to halt the untamed growth of spending.
Deaf: A Concept Analysis From a Cultural Perspective Using the Wilson Method of Concept Analysis Development
Authors: Pendergrass Kathy M. , Newman Susan D. , Jones Elaine , Jenkins Carolyn H.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this article is to provide an analysis of the concept Deaf to increase health care provider (HCP) understanding from a cultural perspective. Deaf signers, people with hearing loss who communicate primarily in American Sign Language (ASL), generally define the term Deaf as a cultural heritage. In the health care setting, the term deaf is most often defined as a pathological condition requiring medical intervention. When HCPs are unaware that there are both cultural and pathological views of hearing loss, significant barriers may exist between the HCP and the Deaf individual. The concept of Deaf is analyzed using the Wilsonian method. Essential elements of the concept “Deaf” from a cultural perspective include a personal choice to communicate primarily in ASL and identify with the Deaf community. Resources for HCPs are needed to quickly identify Deaf signers and provide appropriate communication.
The Relationship Among Gender Role Conflict, Normative Male Alexithymia, Men’s Friendship Discords With Other Men, and Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Guvensel Kan , Dixon Andrea , Chang Catherine , Dew Brian
Published: July 2017

This study examined the triadic relationship of gender role conflict (GRC), normative male alexithymia (NMA), and men’s friendships qualities with other men as well as the impact of this triadic relationship on men’s ( N = 216) psychological well-being (PWB). Bivariate correlations revealed significant correlations among all four variables. High levels of NMA and friendship discords factored in as the best predictor of men’s PWB, and accounted for the 37% variation in overall PWB scores with an effect size of f2 = .60. The moderation analysis indicated that GRC significantly moderated the effect of NMA on men’s PWB scores, Δ R2 = .073, F(1, 212) = 20.795, p < .001. Clinical and research implications of the study are discussed.
Applying an Equity Lens to the Child Care Setting
Authors: Scott Krista , Looby Anna Ayers , Hipp Janie Simms , Frost Natasha
Published: July 2017

In the current landscape, child care is increasingly being seen as a place for early education, and systems are largely bundling child care in the Early Care and Education sphere through funding and quality measures. As states define school readiness and quality, they often miss critical elements, such as equitable access to quality and cultural traditions. This article provides a summary of the various definitions and structures of child care. It also discusses how the current child care policy conversation can and ought to be infused with a framework grounded in the context of institutional racism and trauma. Models and examples will explore the differences between state government regulations, and how those differ than the regulation and structure of child care in Indian Country.
Generation and Pathogenicity of Anti-Platelet Factor 4 Antibodies: Diagnostic Implications
Authors: Amiral Jean , Vissac Anne Marie
Published: July 2017

Recent studies have elucidated the target antigens for heparin-dependent antibodies. The major one is generated in the presence of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin at a well-defined concentration that allows formation of heparin-PF4 complexes and induces an alteration of the PF4 molecule. It then exposes neoepitopes, which bind the heparin-dependent antibodies. These antibodies are generated only in some heparin-treated patients, and only a subgroup of them develops thrombocytopenia (HIT) sometimes associated with thrombosis (HITT). The major challenge is to understand how antibodies can be generated and why only some of them are pathogenic. The presence of the IgG isotype at a high concentration is an important factor for developing HIT/HITT. The clinical context, which induces accumulation and activation of platelets at pathological sites, is also important for disease occurrence. The presence of antibodies (mainly the IgG isotype) enhances cell-cell interactions and platelet activation followed by platelet accumulation at these sites. Generation and expression of the autoantigen, HPF4 complexes, is a key feature for triggering antibody binding and pathogenicity. Factors contributing to antibody generation and its persistence, and factors contributing to the expression of the autoantigen triggering the disease development are discussed.
A complementary approach for fault diagnosis of rolling bearing using canonical variate analysis based short-time energy feature
Authors: Wang Baoxiang , Pan Hongxia , Yang Wei
Published: July 2017

Signal decomposition is a meaningful and effective methodology which is widely used for fault diagnosis. Mode/feature selection is an inevitable topic for fault diagnosis of rolling bearing due to over-decomposition. In practical application, the selection of sensitive modes is a challenging task, so many valuable works have been performed to cope with it. However, the published works lack an effective approach to acquire few meaningful modes by avoiding the complicated mode selection procedures, prior to feature extraction. Moreover, selection of the modes of interest fails to take the residual part into account, which makes the diagnosis result sensitive to the number of modes/features retained. This paper proposes a complementary approach to extract fault features and avoid the selection of single mode of interest, which employs canonical variate analysis to convert the original variable into two complementary spaces; canonical variate space; and residual space. Then the complementary statistical indicators Hotelling T2 statistic and Q statistic are used to provide important information about the conditions of the rolling bearing. Subsequently, a new feature index, complementary short-time energy extracted from the two statistics are used as fault features which are given as an input to a classifier such as a support vector machine. Two data sets collected from different test rigs are used for demonstration of the proposed work. The experimental result shows that the troublesome feature/mode selection issue is avoided, and the diagnosis result is not sensitive to the number of canonical variate retained. Besides, the proposed approach can identify various working conditions of rolling bearing accurately, which is simple and effective for fault diagnosis of rolling bearing, compared with the existing methods.
Longitudinal Relations Between Childhood Maltreatment, Maltreatment-Specific Shame, and Postpartum Psychopathology
Authors: Menke Rena A. , Morelen Diana , Simon Valerie A. , Rosenblum Katherine L. , Muzik Maria
Published: July 2017

The persistence of shame-based reactions to child maltreatment (CM) has been associated with poor posttraumatic adjustment. Despite evidence that the postpartum period is a vulnerable time for women with CM histories, little is known about the consequences of maltreatment-specific (MS) shame for postpartum functioning. The current study examined individual differences in MS shame among a sample of women during the postpartum period ( n = 100) as well as prospective relations from MS shame to postpartum psychopathology at 6-, 12-, 15-, and 18-month postpartum. Linear growth curve (LGC) analyses showed that MS shame predicted higher levels of depression symptoms but not post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms at all time points whereas path analyses showed that shame mediated the relations from multi-maltreatment to both depression and PTSD symptoms at all time points. Results point to the long-term consequences of MS shame during postpartum and the importance of attending to shame in clinical care of maltreatment survivors who present with postpartum psychopathology.
External Resource Use for Undergraduates Learning Coding in Communications
Authors: Sturgill Amanda , Hannam Ben , Walsh Brian
Published: July 2017

Researchers collected and analyzed data from 85 undergraduate communication majors enrolled in a one-credit technology and coding course. Instructors offered various out-of-class supports to determine which ones students used and valued. Student behaviors clustered: One group preferred interpersonal support; another, content support. Most support types were not related to student success, at least as measured by course grades. Video support was negatively related to student success, suggesting that procrastinating and expecting last-minute help from extra resources is ineffective. The article includes a discussion of implications for faculty workloads.
A Selected Bibliography from British Journals
Authors: Gerald J. Edward
Published: July 2017

Highlights of material in British trade periodicals this quarter include a synthetic scare campaign promising an invasion of England by American magazine publishers, and a sound series of articles by G. M. Goodall on reconstruction in Japan. Additional facts on government-press relations in France also emerge.
Events as an Influence upon Public Opinion
Authors: Berelson Bernard
Published: July 2017

In a paper prepared for the Iowa Conference on Opinion and Attitude Research, the Chairman of the Committee on Communication at the University of Chicago summarizes and classifies seven ways in which “real happenings” are often more influential than “mere words” in changing people's minds.
Isolated and Afraid in a Small Town
Authors: Hobson Kathryn
Published: July 2017

Living in a small southern town, my narrative performance explores the anger, pain, and, at times, privilege of isolation when not having a queer community with whom to publicly mourn following the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Complicating this further is my dissonance as to whether or not the Orlando Latinx community is, in fact, my community at all to mourn. When finally finding and attending a vigil a town away, my identity as a queer femme woman was pushed to the side to make way for anti–second-amendment speeches, a political campaign opportunity, and a Muslim man trying to prevent Islamophobia. Weaving the metaphor of the brewing storm with my narrative of the problematics of small town advocacy, what unfolds is a collision of my identities crashing into my prejudicial thoughts and ideas, despite espousing “good liberal,” antiracist, and intersectional politics. Ending with more questions than answers, I narrate the ways in which difference is erased in my small town, and yet, how simultaneously those of us fighting for social justice learn to negotiate challenges together, forging coalitions between people of differences.
Utilization of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid plus oxaliplatin in the adjuvant treatment of stage IIB and stage III colon cancer: A multi-centre, retrospective, chart review study
Authors: Sha Aaron , Abadi Shirin , Gill Sharlene
Published: July 2017

Purpose

First, to assess drug utilization rates of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) versus 5-fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) regimens in the treatment of stage IIB and stage III colon cancer. Second, to assess patient characteristics used to select CAPOX versus FOLFOX therapy, dose-limiting toxicities, dose intensities and treatment completion rates.

Methods

Patients with resected stage IIB or stage III colon cancer from five British Columbia Cancer Agency centres treated with CAPOX or mFOLFOX6 were selected for the analysis. Protocol utilization rates, patient characteristics and toxicities of the two regimens were collected and compared by descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 306 patients were included over study period. mFOLFOX6 is the most commonly used regimen with 69% utilization rate. CAPOX patients were younger (57 years old vs. 62 years old, p < 0.01), but no other significant differences were found. CAPOX was associated with more dose-limiting toxicities compared to mFOLFOX6 (95% vs. 82%, p < 0.01). Fewer patients completed the intended 24-week course of CAPOX compared to mFOLFOX6 (67% vs. 82%, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

FOLFOX is the most commonly utilized adjuvant treatment option for stage IIB and stage III colon cancer in British Columbia, and is associated with better tolerability and higher treatment completion rates.
Sexual Offender Treatment Efficacy Revisited
Authors: Alexander Margaret A.
Published: July 2017

Several authors have recently addressed current views of sexual offender treatment efficacy. Some maintain that offenders can gain from treatment while others argue that the vast majority cannot. Some researchers say that the field of sexual offender treatment is too new to be able to determine whether or not treatment works. This latter group notes that most studies in this field have not yet reached the point at which meta-analytic techniques can be applied; for this reason no definitive statements can be made about the utility of treatment. The present analysis examines the issues from a slightly different perspective. Data from a large group of studies are combined to identify patterns which can be examined later in more detail. More specifically, 79 sexual offender treatment outcome studies are reviewed, encompassing 10,988 subjects. Recidivism rates for treated versus untreated offenders are investigated according to age of offender, age of victim, offense type, type of treatment, location of treatment, decade of treatment, and length of follow-up. Each study is used as the unit of analysis, and studies are combined according to the number of treated versus untreated subjects who reoffended in each category. Clinical implications are drawn from these results.
Pathways in the Offending Process of Extrafamilial Sexual Child Molesters
Authors: Proulx Jean , Perreault Christine , Ouimet Marc
Published: July 2017

The aim of the current study was to investigate specific pathways in the offending process of extrafamilial sexual child molesters. Forty-four men who had committed at least one sexual offense against a nonfamilial prepubescent child were included in this study and were classified using cluster analysis. Subjects using the coercive pathway ( n = 30) had generally used psychoactive substances before their offenses. Furthermore, they had molested a female victim without perceived vulnerability and whom they had already well known. These molesters had not planned their offense, which was of short duration (less than 15 min), and involved coital activities and coercion (verbal and/or physical). Subjects using the noncoercive pathway ( n = 14) had generally used pornography and deviant sexual fantasies before their offenses. Moreover, they had molested a male victim, in whom they perceived a psychosocial vulnerability and who was not familiar to them. These molesters had planned their offense, which was of longer duration (more than 15 min) and involved noncoital activities without coercion. These two pathways were compared to the two pathways in the offending process identified by Ward and his colleagues.
Alcohol's Possible Covert Role: Brain Dysfunction, Paraphilias, and Sexually Aggressive Behaviors
Authors: Williams Simon
Published: July 2017

A number of studies have suggested a relationship between sexually anomalous behavior and brain dysfunction. However, in most cases, the etiology of this dysfunction remains elusive. In this paper, alcohol exposure in utero (fetal alcohol syndrome) is offered as one possible explanation for the neurophysiological abnormalities that appear to characterize a notable proportion of individuals within the paraphilic and sexually aggressive populations. It is noteworthy that the teratogenic effects of alcohol upon humans and animals often leads to a number of the behavioral and physiological abnormalities exhibited by some of these individuals.
Multilanguage, Multipurpose: A Literature Review, Synthesis, and Framework for Critical Literacies in English Language Teaching
Authors: Bacon Chris K.
Published: July 2017

This article reviews and synthesizes empirical literature on critical literacies in English language teaching (ELT), gathering perspectives from international scholarship. Across a range of global contexts, the consistency with which English learning is touted as access to power while acting to marginalize those still learning the language demonstrates the need for critical approaches to ELT. In addition to reviewing the literature, this article develops a framework to analyze critical literacies in ELT. This multilanguage, multipurpose framework highlights language learning and critical engagement as foundational to the field’s endeavors. Analyzed through this framework, studies were found to coalesce around five key topics: teacher beliefs, learner beliefs, course design, specific practices, and language-emphatic designs. By exploring how current research conceptualizes and operationalizes critical literacies in ELT, this review outlines the current state of the field while illustrating impactful pedagogical approaches. In addition, the review challenges the ways in which multilingual learners are positioned within research, advocating practices that frame language learning and critical engagement as mutually reinforcing endeavors toward critical praxis.
Hard Truths about the Truth in Budgeting Act
Authors: Luberoff David
Published: July 2017

Removing transportation trust funds from the federal budget would undermine efforts to reduce the federal deficit and to devolve decision making to the states. Supporters of the policy, moreover, overestimate the nations infrastructure problems and underestimate the costs that transportation users impose on society.
Narratives for Obesity: Effects of Weight Loss and Attribution on Empathy and Policy Support
Authors: Thibodeau Paul H. , Uri Rachel , Thompson Briana , Flusberg Stephen J.
Published: July 2017

Despite an urgent need to address the issue of obesity, little research has examined the psychological factors that influence support for obesity-related policy initiatives, which represent an important tool for addressing this complex health issue. In the present study, we measured the degree to which people supported obesity-related policy interventions and empathized with a person struggling with obesity after reading a personal account of his or her situation. The narrative described an obese individual who was portrayed as either successfully losing weight or not, and as attributing his or her weight-loss outcome to personal or environmental factors. We found that protagonists who successfully lost weight and/or took personal responsibility for their situation elicited more empathy from participants, which was associated with support for societal policy interventions for obesity. These findings suggest that specific features of personal narratives influence support for obesity-related policies and highlight empathy as a mechanism through which such narratives affect obesity-related attitudes.
Isolated Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy Presenting as Fetal Hydrops at 24 Weeks Gestation
Authors: Armes Jane E , Squires Lisa , Lourie Rohan , Williams Mark , Gallagher Renee , Price Gareth , Stubbs Andrew , Swagemakers Sigrid MA , van der Spek Peter J , Harraway James , Thomas Joseph , Venter Deon J
Published: July 2017

Ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy is a rare form of congenital cardiomyopathy with increasing evidence of genetic etiology, especially when presenting in childhood. Fetal presentation is rare. We describe a case of fetal hydrops, presenting at 24 weeks gestation and leading to intrapartum death at 26 weeks gestation. Autopsy examination revealed characteristic features of left ventricular noncompaction. A genetic analysis identified a constellation of variants of unknown significance in MYH6, TNNC1, and MYBPC3, genes known to be important in sarcomeric function. Additionally, the variant in MYBPC3 was homozygous. While this case did not demonstrate a conventional single-gene mutation as the cause of the ventricular noncompaction, a broader genomic investigation revealed several variants in sarcomeric genes which may act synergistically to impact cardiac function.
Autoamputation of the Appendix Presenting as a Calcified Abdominal Mass Following Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Weil Brent R , Al-Ibraheemi Alyaa , Vargas Sara O , Rangel Shawn J
Published: July 2017

Autoamputation of the appendix has previously been reported in the literature, but it is likely an unusual event. We report a 2-year-old male child who had previously undergone laparotomy and bowel resection for necrotizing enterocolitis. Two years later a calcified intra-abdominal mass was identified on abdominal radiography and ultrasonography. Eventual laparotomy revealed a densely calcified mass within the transverse mesocolon. The mass was uneventfully resected. Pathologic evaluation showed appendiceal tissue, consistent with prior autoamputation of the vermiform appendix. Autoamputation of the appendix has not to our knowledge previously been associated with a calcified mass nor been associated with a history of necrotizing enterocolitis, and these factors distinguish this case as noteworthy.
Severe Fat Accumulation in Multiple Organs in Pediatric Autopsies
Authors: Bleeker Jeannette C , Visser Gepke , Wijburg Frits A , Ferdinandusse Sacha , Waterham Hans R , Nikkels Peter G J
Published: July 2017

Background

The observation of fat accumulation in different organs at pediatric autopsy may help determine the cause of death. However, a comprehensive study on fat accumulation and related etiologies is still lacking.

Aim

To investigate the incidence of fat accumulation in different organs in pediatric autopsies and their relevance to the cause of death.

Methods

From February 2004 until March 2015, fat accumulation was assessed in 561 routinely performed pediatric autopsies in our center. Age at death ranged from 14 weeks of gestation for fetuses to 16 years. Samples of liver, heart, kidney, and muscle were stained with Oil-Red-O and scored for fat accumulation by one pediatric pathologist.

Results

Fat accumulation in ≥1 organ(s) was present in 132 (39.8%) of 332 prenatal cases. Only 3 (0.9%) had fat accumulation in all 4 organs. For postnatal cases, fat accumulation in ≥1 organ(s) was present in 106 (46.3%) of 229 postnatal cases. Only 12 (5.2%) had fat accumulation in all 4 organs. Fat accumulation was mostly seen in liver, both in prenatal and postnatal cases. Fatty acid oxidation disorders were the only cause of death associated with severe fat accumulation in all 4 organs. No other etiologies could be linked directly to distribution or severity of fat accumulation.

Conclusion

Severe fat accumulation in at least 4 organs is a rare finding in pediatric autopsies, whereas fat accumulation in only the liver is relatively common. Severe fat accumulation in both liver, muscle, kidney, and heart was only seen in cases with fatty acid oxidation disorders.
Diagnostic utility of renal fine-needle aspirate cytology and ultrasound in the cat
Authors: McAloney Camille A , Sharkey Leslie C , Feeney Daniel A , Seelig Davis M
Published: July 2017

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to retrospectively assess the diagnostic utility of feline renal fine-needle aspiration cytology by assessing diagnostic yield, cytologic characteristics and diagnostic accuracy. The secondary objective was to characterize ultrasonographic features of sampled kidneys to determine if they influenced diagnostic yield.

Methods

Slides, images and patient data were collected from the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center database. Slides were designated as diagnostic or non-diagnostic. Non-diagnostic slides were used in calculating diagnostic yield and excluded from other analysis. Slides were evaluated for cytologic characteristics and assigned a single primary diagnosis. Ultrasound still images were evaluated for descriptive characteristics and characteristics of specific lesions were described. Cases with confirmatory testing were used to determine diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for detecting neoplasia.

Results

Of 96 cytologic submissions available for review, diagnostic yield was 68%; 48% of samples were at least moderately cellular. Of 87 cases with ultrasound data, kidneys showing subcapsular renal infiltrate, diffuse renal enlargement without pelvic dilation and infiltrative/nodular change were more likely to yield diagnostic samples. Of 12 confirmed cases, cytology was 100% sensitive and specific for the detection of neoplasia (four round-cell tumors and two carcinomas). Three cases with non-neoplastic histologic diagnoses were considered cytologically normal, two incorrectly diagnosed the pathology present, and one correctly diagnosed the pathology. While some imaging characteristics were more commonly seen in neoplastic vs non-neoplastic lesions, the sample size was insufficient for definitive correlation.

Conclusions and relevance

This is the first major analysis of feline ultrasound-guided renal fine-needle aspiration cytology. This technique generates adequate samples for interpretation at rates comparable to other soft tissues and is most useful in the diagnosis of neoplasia. Some imaging characteristics are indicative of the likelihood of obtaining an adequate sample for cytologic interpretation.
Digital generations, but not as we know them
Authors: Fortunati Leopoldina , Taipale Sakari , de Luca Federico
Published: July 2017

The aim of this article is to see whether or not adolescents were the real leaders of the digital ‘revolution’ in the 1990s and whether they have sustained or even improved their position in the 2000s. The analysis is based on two surveys carried out in Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain in 1996 ( N = 6609) and in 2009 ( N = 7255). The results show that the adolescents belonging to the first digital generation in 1996 were the most equipped with new technologies, although not the most intensive users. In 2009, the adolescents lost their position as the leading adopters and lagged behind youth and young adults regarding the use of new technologies and computer skills.
Everyday communication management and perceptions of use
Authors: Burchell Kenzie
Published: July 2017

For media users enjoying a context of near constant connection across a changing set of platforms, the management of that communication environment is a central concern in the management of everyday life. The multiplication and divergence of possible uses across these platforms emerge alongside the increasing cross-media integration of informational, interactive and entertainment practices with interpersonal communication. The individual’s perception of that environment of increasingly differentiated communication possibilities becomes a site for managing and partially negotiating the limits, form and organization of one’s social world. Expanding upon Gershon’s (2010) notion of media ideologies, this article focuses on the increasing divergence of the perceived and preferred uses of media technologies. The analytical terms ‘social tool’ and ‘social device’ are deployed to tease apart the central ordering experience of perceived ‘mutual engagement’ within media practices. The perceived presence or lack thereof within such engagement serves to recursively delimit and order the media user’s social landscape, pointing to further reflexive management of one’s own media ideology through a highly idiosyncratic ‘relational ordering’ of perceived and preferred platform uses, amidst social and technological change.
The politics of musical activism: Western YouTube reception of Pussy Riot’s punk performances
Authors: Weij Frank , Berkers Pauwke
Published: July 2017

Various scholars have studied the relationship between music and politics. Most, however, focus on how governments and political parties on the one hand and movements and activists on the other use music for political outcomes and in doing so they often ignore the more latent forms of political participation music can lead to. This article, therefore, focuses on how people give meaning to political music in informal conversational settings by exploring the reception of Pussy Riot on YouTube. New media platforms like YouTube are ubiquitous in the West and as ‘third spaces’ they allow audiences to publicly reflect on everyday newsworthy events and activism. We combine the computerized methods of topic modelling and semantic network analysis to study both quantitatively and qualitatively how Pussy Riot’s punk protests afford political participation by (Western) YouTube users. Results show that the comments mostly address (1) the geopolitical boundaries of activism, (2) the legitimacy and commitment of the activists, (3) the political content of the protests and (4) the relationship between the protests and religion. For the YouTube users in our study, the political music of Pussy Riot thereby serves as a vehicle to discuss politics beyond the protests themselves.
Imagining the thinking machine: Technological myths and the rise of artificial intelligence
Authors: Natale Simone , Ballatore Andrea
Published: July 2017

This article discusses the role of technological myths in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies from 1950s to the early 1970s. It shows how the rise of AI was accompanied by the construction of a powerful cultural myth: The creation of a thinking machine, which would be able to perfectly simulate the cognitive faculties of the human mind. Based on a content analysis of articles on AI published in two magazines, the Scientific American and the New Scientist, which were aimed at a broad readership of scientists, engineers and technologists, three dominant patterns in the construction of the AI myth are identified: (1) the recurrence of analogies and discursive shifts, by which ideas and concepts from other fields were employed to describe the functioning of AI technologies; (2) a rhetorical use of the future, imagining that present shortcomings and limitations will shortly be overcome and (3) the relevance of controversies around the claims of AI, which we argue should be considered as an integral part of the discourse surrounding the AI myth.
Design, Implementation and Preliminary Evaluation of a Telemedicine System for Home Haemodialysis
Authors: Skiadas Marios , Agroyiannis Basil , Carson Ewart , Cramp Derek , Fourtounas Costas , Darnige Ann , Morgan Alastair , Murley David , Tsavdaris Harry , Hassomeris Costas , Skouras Costas
Published: July 2017

A telemedicine system for home haemodialysis was designed using a systems approach and a feedback model to produce the hardware and software specifications. Preliminary clinical trials at four European locations involved 29 patients and 305 sessions of haemodialysis. The evaluation included an evaluability assessment and formative evaluation. Central to the methodology was the detailed specification of a stakeholder/evaluation criterion matrix. Preliminary results indicated that the telemedicine system was capable of satisfying the requirements of formative evaluation as a precursor to evaluating its overall worth.
Fundus Imaging and the Telemedical Management of Diabetes
Authors: Lamminen Heikki , Ruohonen Keijo
Published: July 2017

Diabetes is the major preventable form of blindness among people of working age in the Western world, despite the improvements in laser photocoagulation treatments. It is known that regular glycaemic control and annual retinal screening of people with diabetes can reduce its incidence. Effective treatment needs to be available but also screening methods which are simple to perform and cost-effective should be implemented. It will be important in future to integrate digital images of the fundus into the health records of diabetic patients. Screening programmes for the detection of diabetic retinopathy aided by image-processing software for processing fundus images will save manpower and increase quality. Before this can happen, we need more clinical studies of store-and-forward techniques, so that they can be standardized and their effectiveness established against that of traditional analogue screening.
A Norwegian Study of Seafarers' and Rescuers' Recommendations for Maritime Telemedicine Services
Authors: Norum Jan , Moksness Stein Gunnar , Larsen Eli
Published: July 2017

We studied maritime telemedicine and its potential for improvement. Twenty-four people representing 13 different shipping companies and maritime public authorities were interviewed. They covered all areas of the Norwegian maritime sector except for offshore installations. The morbidity pattern reported differed between the groups: on cruise liners and ferries the major problems were due to coronary heart disease, while on merchant ships, navy vessels and in the fishing fleet the major problems were accidents. Voice and fax systems were available in all cases. However, the Emergency Medical Dispatch Centres did not offer an email service and did not use faxes in the maritime setting. Radio Medico Norway was the only assistance provider offering two-way transfer of digital pictures. The interviewees suggested a number of areas for improvement; these included having a single emergency telephone number to call for help, email systems with the possibility of digital picture attachments, wireless communication systems on board and a standard CD-ROM reference work for medical guidance/education.
Telemedicine for New Neurological Outpatients: Putting a Randomized Controlled Trial in the Context of Everyday Practice
Authors: Chua Richard , Craig John , Esmonde Thomas , Wootton Richard , Patterson Victor
Published: July 2017

In a retrospective review, the telemedical management of 65 outpatients from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of telemedicine for non-urgent referrals to a consultant neurologist was compared with the management of 76 patients seen face to face in the same trial, with that of 150 outpatients seen in the neurology clinics of district general hospitals and with that of 102 neurological outpatients seen by general physicians. Outcome measures were the numbers of investigations and of patient reviews. The telemedicine group did not differ significantly from the 150 patients seen face to face by neurologists in hospital clinics in terms of either the number of investigations or the number of reviews they received. Patients from the RCT seen face to face had significantly fewer investigations but a similar number of reviews to the other 150 patients seen face to face by neurologists (the disparity in the number of investigations may explain the negative result for telemedicine in that RCT). Patients with neurological symptoms assessed by general physicians had significantly more investigations and were reviewed significantly more often than all the other groups. Patients from the RCT seen by telemedicine were not managed significantly differently from those seen face to face by neurologists in hospital clinics but had significantly fewer investigations and follow-ups than those patients managed by general physicians. The results suggest that management of new neurological outpatients by neurologists using telemedicine is similar to that by neurologists using a face-to-face consultation, and is more efficient than management by general physicians.
Elevated homocysteine in human abdominal aortic aneurysmal tissues
Authors: Chan Crystal Yin Tung , Cheng Stephen Wing Keung
Published: July 2017

An abnormally high level of homocysteine (Hcy) has been consistently observed in the blood of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients. However, the expression of Hcy in human AAA tissues has not been investigated. In this study, the expression of Hcy in aneurysmal tissues from AAA patients ( n=30) was compared with non-aneurysmal tissues from organ donors ( n=31) by dot blotting and immunohistochemistry. A significantly higher expression of Hcy was observed in AAA than control tissues ( p<0.001). Furthermore, the associations of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, with both AAA and tissue Hcy expression were evaluated. Our results showed MTHFR C677T polymorphism was not significantly associated with AAA or tissue Hcy expression. Lastly, the expression of Hcy in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which were isolated from human aortic tissues by explant culture, and their release to cultured media was investigated by dot blotting. The AAA VSMCs expressed and released a significantly higher level of Hcy than the control VSMCs ( p<0.001). In summary, our novel findings showed Hcy expression was abnormally elevated in human AAA tissues, which may not be dependent on MTHFR C677T polymorphism.
Comparison of Graded versus Constant Treadmill Test Protocols for Quantifying Intermittent Claudication
Authors: Chaudhry H , Holland A , Dormandy J
Published: July 2017

The standard method for quantifying the symptoms of intermittent claudication is by using treadmill walking distance. It has recently been suggested that a graded exercise test is much more reproducible than a constant load exercise test. Graded protocols have also been claimed to abolish the placebo effect that has been reported with the constant load test. The reproducibility of absolute claudication distance (ACD) and initial claudication distance (ICD) using a constant load was compared to the graded load treadmill protocol. Fourteen patients (mean age 66 years) with varying severity of stable intermittent claudication were tested using a constant load (3.2 km/h, 10% gradient) and a graded load (3.2 km/h, 0% gradient increasing by 3.5% every 3 min). Patients were tested twice using each protocol in a random sequence, with a minimum 2 day interval between visits. Intra-class correlation coefficient (R) with a constant load protocol for ICD and ACD was R = 0.68, R = 0.93, respectively. With a graded protocol R = 0.84 for ICD and R = 0.98 for ACD. Relative coefficient of repeatability for ICD and ACD during constant load tests were 1.47 and 1.90 respectively and with a graded load test were 1.69 and 1.52 respectively. It was concluded that the graded load test was more reproducible than the constant load test but only by a small margin, whilst ACD was much more reproducible than ICD using either protocol.
Exercise Testing and Exercise Rehabilitation for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease: Status in 1997
Authors: Regensteiner Judith G , Gardner Andrew , Hiatt William R
Published: July 2017

Intermittent claudication is a common manifestation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Patients with claudication are limited in terms of work, housework and leisure activities so that functional status is very impaired. Therefore, the goals for treatment should focus on improving the functional impairment as well as on modifying risk factors. Evaluation of the functional status is of critical importance before beginning any therapy so that any resultant changes can be assessed. A validated graded treadmill protocol and validated questionnaires are used for this purpose. Three questionnaires that are currently used include the Walking Impairment Questionnaire, the PAOD Physical Activity Recall and the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36. Exercise rehabilitation is a method that has been particularly efficacious for treating the functional impairment associated with intrmittent claudication. Exercise rehabilitation has been shown to improve pain-free treadmill walking distance by 44% to 300% and absolute walking distance by 25% to 442%. In addition, improvements have also been reported (using questionnaire data) in the ability to walk distances and speeds, in amount of habitual physical activity and in physical functioning. Thus, exercise rehabilitation has caused improvements not only in exercise capacity but also in community-based functional status. Because of the benefits of this treatment, in addition to the low associated morbidity, exercise therapy is recommended as an important treatment option for people with intermittent claudication due to PAOD.
The impact of a social network based intervention on self-management behaviours among patients with type 2 diabetes living in socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods: a mixed methods approach
Authors: Vissenberg Charlotte , Nierkens Vera , van Valkengoed Irene , Nijpels Giel , Uitewaal Paul , Middelkoop Barend , Stronks Karien
Published: July 2017

Aims: This paper aims to explore the effect of the social network based intervention Powerful Together with Diabetes on diabetes self-management among socioeconomically deprived patients. This 10-month group intervention targeting patients and significant others aimed to improve self-management by stimulating social support and diminishing social influences that hinder self-management. Methods: This intervention was evaluated in a quasi-experimental study using a mixed methods approach. Of 131 socioeconomically deprived patients with suboptimal glycaemic control, 69 were assigned to the intervention group and 62 to the control group (standard diabetes education). 27 qualitative in-depth interviews with the participants and 24 with their group leaders were held to study the subjective impact of the intervention. Further, self-management behaviours (medication adherence, diet and physical activity) were assessed at baseline, 10 and 16 months. Data were analysed using framework analyses and a linear mixture model. Results: Qualitative data showed that the intervention group had a better understanding of the way self-management influences diabetes. The intervention group showed more complex self-management behaviours, such as planning ahead, seeking adequate food and physical activity alternatives, and consistently taking their diabetes into consideration when making choices. In participants with complete follow-up data, we found a significant increase in physical activity in the intervention group (3.78 vs. 4.83 days) and no changes in medication adherence and diet. Conclusions: This study indicates that an intensive support group and simultaneously involving significant others might improve diabetes self-management behaviours among socioeconomically deprived patients. More studies are needed to justify further implementation of the intervention.

This study is registered in the Dutch Trial Register NTR1886. http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1886