bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Las inequidades geográficas en la mortalidad infantil en Costa Rica, período 2008-2012
Authors: Chamizo García Horacio Alejandro , Behm Ammazzini Ingrid
Published: August 2014

Se presenta un estudio exploratorio ecológico sobre la mortalidad infantil en Costa Rica, sus inequidades geográficas y determinantes sociales. Se calculó la tasa mortalidad infantil, el riesgo relativo de morir para menores de un año de vida por unidades territoriales (del año 2008 al 2012) y se representó cartográficamente. Se analizó el patrón espacial de la mortalidad infantil estableciendo correlaciones lineales con diversos indicadores socioeconómicos, como el índice de desarrollo humano, gini y un indicador sintético de calidad ambiental a nivel doméstico y comunal. Los territorios con mayor riesgo de morir se localizan hacia zonas fronterizas y costeras, así como las peores condiciones socioeconómicas y calidad ambiental. Se ha evidenciado que, en la medida que  empeoran las condiciones socioeconómicas y ambientales en los cantones, se incrementa la mortalidad infantil.
Susceptibilidad y síntomas respiratorios asociados a la exposición a dióxido de carbono y dióxido de azufre provenientes del volcán Turrialba, Costa Rica
Authors: Yglesias-González Marisol , Chamizo-García Horacio Alejandro
Published: August 2014

El volcán Turrialba ha mantenido en los últimos años una actividad de desgasificación, y paulatinamente se han mostrado los efectos de este dinamismo sobre la vegetación e infraestructuras de las comunidades aledañas. Entre las sustancias que conforman esta actividad de desgasificación se encuentra el  dióxido de carbono y el dióxido de azufre que se han ido incrementando y son capaces de afectar la salud respiratoria de quienes se exponen a ellas. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar la proclividad de las poblaciones aledañas de desarrollar síntomas respiratorios ante las exposiciones vía aérea de dióxido de carbono y dióxido de azufre provenientes del volcán Turrialba. La investigación consistió en un estudio transversal, descriptivo, analítico y cuantitativo. Se trabajó con ocho comunidades, y se obtuvo una muestra de 502 personas. Las comunidades estudiadas fueron: Hacienda La Fuente, La Central, La Silvia, Miravalles, Finca El Retiro, Guayabo Arriba, Las Virtudes y La Alegría. Esta última fue la comunidad control. Los estratos con mayor riesgo de presentar molestias en la garganta cuando hay exposición a gases volcánicos fueron los niños y adultos mayores (OR=1,93), mujeres (OR=1,86), personas que emplean varios tipos de cocina (OR=2,07), individuos con ocupaciones al aire libre (OR=1,51) y personas con ingresos iguales o mayores a los USD $475 (OR=2,09). Los estratos con mayor riesgo de presentar molestias en la nariz fueron los niños y adultos mayores (OR=1,37), mujeres (OR=1,83), personas que emplean cocina eléctrica (OR=2,23), individuos con ocupaciones dentro de edificaciones (2,12) y personas con ingresos inferiores a los USD $475 (OR=2,30).
Studying Motion of 〈100〉 Tilt Grain Boundaries Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Lu Shijing , Brenner Donald W.
Published: August 2014

In the study of grain boundary migration of metallic materials using molecular dynamics simulation (MDS), grain boundary mobilities and activation energies are often found to be different from experimentally observed values. To reconcile the discrepancies, tremendous effort has been made to replicate experiment conditions in MDS, e.g.as low a driving force as possible, near zero grain boundary velocity. In the present study, we propose an analytic method that removes effects from non-physical conditions such as high driving force or high temperature. The analytic model presumes that two types of rate limiting events coexist during grain boundary migration. Kinetics parameters, such as activation energies, of the rare events are different and therefore should be modeled separately. Activation energies from this model are closer to experiment than previously reported values. Further, by analyzing the evolution of atomic structures, these two types of rate limiting events correspond to shear coupled migration and grain boundary sliding mechanisms, respectively.
Clinical Factors Affecting Length of Stay after 100 Consecutive Cases of Primary Cleft Lip Repair
Authors: Oh Albert K. , Magge Keshav , Sauerhammer Tina M. , Kim Jacqueline , Atnafu Mahlet , Boyajian Michael J. , Rogers Gary F.
Published: August 2014

Objective

To analyze the hospital course of 100 consecutive infants after primary cleft lip repair (PCLR) and identify factors related to length of stay (LOS).

Design

Retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive infants who were routinely admitted after PCLR.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Patients

One hundred consecutive infants undergoing PCLR. Demographic and perioperative data were collected and analyzed.

Main Outcome Measure

LOS, planned before data collection.

Results

Male:female ratio was 65:35. Seventy-two infants had unilateral cleft lip; syndromic association was documented in 15 patients. Mean age and weight at PCLR were 5.6 ± 4.0 months and 6.7 ±1.3 kg, respectively. Mean duration of surgery was 2.5 ± 0.9 hours, and mean duration of general anesthesia was 3.4 ± 0.9 hours. A total of 3.3 ±1.5 mL of intraoperative local anesthetic was used per patient. Intravenous fluids were necessary after transfer from the post-anesthesia care unit to the general ward in 98% of patients. Almost half (44%) of all patients received intravenous morphine 23 hours or more after hospital admission. Mean LOS was 35.8 ± 13.9 hours. No association was identified between patient demographic factors and LOS. Multivariate linear regression models identified significant positive correlation between LOS and duration of general anesthesia ( P = .002). Greater volume of postoperative oral intake ( P = .000) and higher acetaminophen dosage on the floor ( P = .000) correlated with decreased LOS.

Conclusions

This study identifies perioperative factors associated with LOS. Our findings question the safety of routine outpatient or short-stay observation after PCLR.
Dicalcium silicates doped with strontia, sodium oxide and potassia
Authors: Zhao Yanting , Lu Lingchao , Wang Shoude , Gong Chenchen , Lu Lingchao
Published: August 2014

The early-age mechanical property of belite cement can be improved by the inclusion of the high early-strength mineral calcium strontium sulfoaluminate (C1·5Sr2·5A3$, 1·5CaO·2·5SrO·3Al2O3·SO3). In this paper, the effects of strontia (strontium oxide), sodium oxide, potassia (potassium oxide) and their combination on the burnability and phase composition of belite are discussed with the purpose of enhancing hydration activity of dicalcium silicates (C2S), which lays the foundation for improvement in the early hydraulic activity for belite-C1·5Sr2·5A3$ cement. Results showed that, contrary to strontium oxide, sodium oxide and potassium oxide can greatly reduce free-calcium oxide (f-CaO) content in dicalcium silicates and lower the calcium carbonate decomposition temperature. The dicalcium silicate polymorphism was influenced by minor elements, α-dicalcium silicate, α′-dicalcium silicate, β-dicalcium silicate and γ-dicalcium silicate coexisting in different proportions for each doping sample and non-doping sample, of which the most abundant polymorphs were β-dicalcium silicate and γ-dicalcium silicate. According to the Rietveld quantitative phase analysis, the β-dicalcium silicate contents in the control sample, 3% sodium oxide-added, 3% potassium oxide-added, 5% strontium oxide-added and a combination of three elements were 16·49%, 70·13%, 59·34%, 72·78% and 91·04%, respectively. The stabilising effect of β-dicalcium silicate for minor elements can be listed as composite, strontium oxide, sodium oxide and potassium oxide. Scanning electron microscope photographs of doped dicalcium silicate showed granular shape β-dicalcium silicate of dimension of 1–10 μm and prism or plate-like shape γ-dicalcium silicate.
A generalised failure envelope for undrained capacity of circular shallow foundations under general loading
Authors: Vulpe C. , Gourvenec S. , Power M.
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a generalised failure envelope for the prediction of the undrained capacity of circular shallow foundations under general vertical, horizontal and moment (VHM) loading. Uniaxial capacities and failure envelopes under combined loading are presented for shallow circular foundations over a practical range of embedment ratio and soil strength heterogeneity. An approximating expression is proposed to describe the shape of the normalised VHM failure envelope as a function of foundation embedment ratio, normalised soil strength heterogeneity index and vertical load mobilisation.
Anchorage behaviour and development length of headed bars in exterior beam–column joints
Authors: Dhake Pravinchandra D. , Patil Hemant S. , Patil Yogesh D.
Published: August 2014

Six exterior beam–column joint specimens with and without transverse shear reinforcement were constructed and tested under cyclic loading to assess the anchorage strength of headed bars with short development length. The test results demonstrated that the beam–column specimen without transverse shear reinforcement can exhibit satisfactory seismic behaviour with headed bars up to a drift ratio of 3%; above this the role of transverse shear reinforcement is vital. The test results also indicated that hysteretic behaviour of exterior beam–column joints with headed bars was superior to joints constructed and tested with 90° bent bars with sufficient anchorage length.
Variation in the local population dynamics of the short‐livedOpuntia macrorhiza(Cactaceae)
Authors: Haridas C. V. , Keeler Kathleen H. , Tenhumberg Brigitte
Published: August 2014

Spatiotemporal variation in demographic rates can have profound effects for population persistence, especially for dispersal‐limited species living in fragmented landscapes. Long‐term studies of plants in such habitats help with understanding the impacts of fragmentation on population persistence but such studies are rare. In this work, we reanalyzed demographic data from seven years of the short‐lived cactusOpuntia macrorhizavar.macrorhizaat five plots in Boulder, Colorado. Previous work combining data from all years and all plots predicted a stable population (deterministic logλ≈ 0). This approach assumed that all five plots were part of a single population. Since the plots were located in a suburban–agricultural interface separated by highways, grazing lands, and other barriers, andO. macrorhizais likely dispersal limited, we analyzed the dynamics of each plot separately using stochastic matrix models assuming each plot represented a separate population. We found that the stochastic population growth rate logλSvaried widely between populations (logλS= 0.1497, 0.0774, −0.0230, −0.2576, −0.4989). The three populations with the highest growth rates were located close together in space, while the two most isolated populations had the lowest growth rates suggesting that dispersal between populations is critical for the population viability ofO. macrorhiza. With one exception, both our prospective (stochastic elasticity) and retrospective (stochastic life table response experiments) analysis suggested that means of stasis and growth, especially of smaller plants, were most important for population growth rate. This is surprising because recruitment is typically the most important vital rate in a short‐lived species such asO. macrorhiza. We found that elasticity to the variance was mostly negligible, suggesting thatO. macrorhizapopulations are buffered against large temporal variation. Finally, single‐year elasticities to means of transitions to the smallest stage (mostly due to reproduction) and growth differed considerably from their long‐term elasticities. It is important to be aware of this difference when using models to predict the effect of manipulating plant vital rates within the time frame of typical plant demographic studies.
Sex‐based differences in the adaptive value of social behavior contrasted against morphology and environment
Authors: Vander Wal E. , Festa-Bianchet M. , Réale D. , Coltman D. W. , Pelletier F.
Published: August 2014

The adaptive nature of sociality has long been a central question in ecology and evolution. However, the relative importance of social behavior for fitness, compared to morphology and environment, remains largely unknown. We assessed the importance of sociality for fitness (lamb production and survival) in a population of marked bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) over 16 years (n = 1022 sheep‐years). We constructed social networks from observations (n = 38 350) of group membership (n = 3150 groups). We then tested whether consistent individual differences in social behavior (centrality) exist and evaluated their relative importance compared to factors known to affect fitness: mass, age, parental effects, and population density. Sheep exhibited consistent individual differences in social centrality. Controlling for maternal carryover effects and age, the positive effect of centrality in a social network on adult female lamb production and survival was equal or greater than the effect of body mass or population density. Social centrality had less effect on male survival and no effect on adult male lamb production or lamb survival. Through its effect on lamb production and survival, sociality in fission–fusion animal societies may ultimately influence population dynamics equally or more than morphological or environmental effects.
Reliability and Construct Validity of the Complexity Compression Questionnaire
Authors: Hughes Ronda G. , Fridlington Linda , Ryan Polly
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Complexity Compression Questionnaire (CCQ), a 28-item instrument designed to explain nurses’ experiences when assuming multiple responsibilities in a compressed time frame. Methods: Data were obtained from 607 registered nurses in an academic medical center in the midwestern United States who participated in a larger study on system-wide organizational change involving upgrading electronic health records. Results: Cronbach’s alpha for the 26-item CCQ, was .91. Exploratory factor analysis supported a 5-factor solution that explained 53.6% of the variance. Conclusions: The CCQ may be a useful tool for measurement of the effects of organizational change on the complexity of the work of nurses.
Psychometric Properties of the Clinical Decision-Making Self-Confidence Scale
Authors: Hart Patricia L. , Spiva LeeAnna , Mareno Nicole
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose: Nurses’ self-confidence in handling acute patient deterioration events may influence decision-making capabilities and implementation of lifesaving interventions during such events. The study purpose is to provide further psychometric testing of the Clinical Decision-Making Self-Confidence Scale (CDMSCS). Methods: The psychometric properties and factor structure of the CDMSCS was examined. Results: A two-factor solution was discovered for the CDMSCS. Construct validity was further supported by statistically significant differences between registered nurses and nursing students’ self-confidence level in handling deterioration events. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were acceptable for the subscales and instrument. Conclusion: The CDMSCS is a valid and reliable instrument. Future studies should focus on establishing test–retest reliability and to determine factor loadings of subscale items to retain or delete cross-loading items.
Using Item Response Theory Models to Evaluate the Practice Environment Scale
Authors: Raju Dheeraj , Su Xiaogang , Patrician Patricia A.
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this article is to introduce different types of item response theory models and to demonstrate their usefulness by evaluating the Practice Environment Scale. Methods: Item response theory models such as constrained and unconstrained graded response model, partial credit model, Rasch model, and one-parameter logistic model are demonstrated. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) indices are used as model selection criterion. Results: The unconstrained graded response and partial credit models indicated the best fit for the data. Almost all items in the instrument performed well. Conclusions: Although most of the items strongly measure the construct, there are a few items that could be eliminated without substantially altering the instrument. The analysis revealed that the instrument may function differently when administered to different unit types.
Negotiating Relationships of Power in a Maternal and Child Health Centre: The Experience of WHO Nurse Margaret Campbell Jackson in Iran, 1954–1956
Authors: Wytenbroek Lydia
Published: August 2014

From November 1954 to November 1956, Canadian nurse Margaret Campbell Jackson was employed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and was stationed in Tehran, Iran, where she participated in the establishment of a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centre. The objective of the project, known as Iran 10, was twofold: to set up a health service for mothers and children and to initiate a field training program for Iranian physicians, nurses, and other health care providers. Drawing on 180 letters Jackson wrote to her family in Canada from Iran, this article analyzes the MCH Centre as a contact zone and considers the relationships Jackson developed with staff affiliated with the project. The Centre became a space of cross-cultural encounters, where locally and foreign-trained Iranian staff and expatriates mingled and shared working relationships. I argue that authority was negotiated and contested through interactions and associations that were often unequal and framed by notions of progress, modernization, race, and health. Personality also played an important role.
Story: An Intimate Human Resource
Authors: Lewis-Hunstiger Marty
Published: August 2014

The significance of story in providing therapeutic, person-centered care and the centrality of relationship in obtaining stories are explored in this issue of Creative Nursing. Authors explain narrative medicine, narrative nursing, and the narrative reflective process as used in education, a research cluster, and a program to help nurses thrive amid stress. Nurses tell their own and others ‘stories of courage, compassion for the dying, immersion in another culture, and grieving adverse life events.
A Personal Letter to an Aspiring Physician or Nurse (or Other Caring Professional)
Authors: Savett Laurence A.
Published: August 2014

In a letter to an aspiring physician or nurse, the author describes some of the important dimensions and timeless values of a fulfilling career in health care, the importance of the professional–patient relationship, ways to make an informed career choice, the guidance provided by sound values, and his response to some of the myths about health care careers.
Fulbrighter's Journey
Authors: Banks Angela D.
Published: August 2014

This article provides a synopsis of a Fulbright scholar's journey to Jordan, filled with challenges, opportunities, and life-changing experiences. The author received a Ful-bright lecturing award for 2011–2012 for the Jordan University of Science and Technology School of Nursing. This manuscript discusses the experience of teaching graduate students in nursing in the Middle East, collaborating with Muslim professors on research projects, and organizing a fundraiser that provided financial support for refugees and disadvantaged students at the university.
Where Are the Social Workers? One Social Worker’s Road to Active Opposition to the New DSM
Authors: Carney Jack
Published: August 2014

This article consists of a topical/historical compilation of events surrounding the protests that stalked the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) prior to and since its publication in May 2013, including a national boycott launched in February of this year. To summarize, the new DSM has been challenged for its lack of construct validity and its poor interrater reliability; for its reliance on the biomedical model to explain causality, to the exclusion of environmental and psychosocial factors; for its medicalization of the disorders it proposes to include in the new DSM and its consequent reliance on psychoactive medications for treatment of these disorders, again to the virtual exclusion of other largely psychosocial treatment interventions; and, ultimately, for its continued pathologization of human behaviors ordinarily considered normative. This article concludes by questioning the hegemonic role assumed by psychiatry in determining the categorization of disordered behaviors with no input from other professions and mental health system stakeholders. Social workers and the organizations that represent them, particularly the National Association of Social Workers, are also challenged for their continued passive acceptance of a very flawed DSM.
Modern Models of Psychosocial Adaptation to Chronic Illness and Disability as Viewed Through the Prism of Lewin’s Field Theory: A Comparative Review
Authors: Livneh Hanoch , Bishop Malachy , Anctil Tina M.
Published: August 2014

Purpose: In this article, we describe how four recent models of psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability (CID) could be fruitfully conceptualized and compared by resorting to the general framework of Lewin’s field theory—a theory frequently regarded as a precursor and the primary impetus to the development of the field of somatopsychology.

Method: Based on a comprehensive literature review and theoretical integration, we have provided the reader with a brief review of Lewin’s field theory and its applications to rehabilitation and psychosocial adaptation to CID, highlighted the main components of the four models of psychosocial adaptation to CID, and reviewed the models through the theoretical lens of Lewin’s theory.

Results: Lewin’s field theory provides a robust and viable theory to conceptualize psychosocial adjustment for CID. Research and clinical implications to practicing rehabilitation counselors and researchers based on the conceptual and practical synergy formed through the understanding of psychosocial adaptation to CID within Lewin’s theoretical framework have also been provided.

Conclusions: Lewin’s field theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding research and clinical implications related to psychosocial adaptation for individuals with CID.
The Impact of Novice Counselors’ Note-Taking Behavior on Recall and Judgment
Authors: Lo Chu-Ling , Wadsworth John
Published: August 2014

Purpose:To examine the effect of note-taking on novice counselors’ recall and judgment of interview information in four situations: no notes, taking notes, taking notes and reviewing these notes, and reviewing notes taken by others.

Method:The sample included 13 counselors-in-training recruited from a master’s level training program in rehabilitation counseling. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to detect significant differences in recall and clinical judgment. Spearman’s rho correlation was used to determine if there were significant relationships in general judgment across note-taking conditions. The participants’ notes were examined to describe the note-taking strategies used by the participants.

Results:MANOVA analysis showed a significant within-subjects effect in relation to the four note-taking behaviors (F[6, 70] = 2.475,p= .031). Univariate analyses for effects of note-taking indicated that there were significant differences for recall (F[3, 36] = 3.214,p= .034) but not clinical judgment (F[3, 36) = 1.936,p= .141). Specifically, the results showed that when counselors reviewed the provided notes, they recalled more facts than when they took notes themselves. The Spearman’s rho correlation results indicated that the counselors’ perceptions of the client changed, but did not become more accurate, as a function of note-taking activity.

Conclusion:Note-taking was not a successful strategy to improve recall or judgment among these novice counselors. Counselor educators and supervisors should not assume that the benefits that come from note-taking in academic settings generalize to the clinical setting.
Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Young: Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors and Prognosis
Authors: Esteban Marcos R , Montero Sara M , Sánchez José J. A , Hernández Horacio P , Pérez José J. G , Afonso Julio H , Pérez del C. R , Díaz Buenaventura B , de León Antonio C
Published: August 2014

Background:

To describe the characteristics of patients ≤40 years of age hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome, analyze the risk factors and identify the variables associated with prognosis.

Methods:

Case series of patients admitted between 2003 and 2012 inclusive in a tertiary hospital (123 consecutive cases admitted between 2003 and 2012), and case-control study (369 controls selected from the general population matched for sex and age with cases, at a ratio of 3:1). Outcome variables: Mortality, likelihood of survival without readmission for heart-related problems, extent of coronary disease as determined by coronary angiography and cardiovascular risk factors.

Results:

Mean age was 35.4±4.8 years and 83.7% of the participants were men. Myocardial infarction with abnormal Q wave (48%) and single-vessel involvement (44.7%) predominated. Intrahospital mortality was 1.6%. For the 108 patients eventually included in the follow-up, likelihood of readmission-free survival after 60 months was 69.3±4.8%. In the case group 36% of the patients admitted to using cocaine. Compared to controls, the prevalence in patients was higher for smoking (74.8 vs 33.1%, p<0001), diabetes (14.6% vs 5.1%, p=0.001), low HDL-cholesterol (82.9 vs 34.1%, p<0.001) and obesity (30.0 vs 20.3%, p=0.029). Decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (odds ratio=2.2, p=0.033) and smoking (odds ratio=7.8, p=0.045) were associated with readmission for coronary syndrome.

Conclusion:

Acute coronary syndrome in people younger than 40 years is associated with diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle: smoking, sedentary behavior (low HDL-cholesterol), cocaine use and obesity. The readmission rate is high, and readmission is associated with smoking and decreased ejection fraction.
Evaluating the Role of Perceived Stress on the Likelihood of Having a Non - Fatal Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Katsarou Alexia , Triposkiadis Filippos , Skoularigis John , Griva Emmanuela , Neroutsos George , Karayannis Georgios , Papageorgiou Charalabos , Panagiotakos Demosthenes
Published: August 2014

Objectives:

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the independent role of perceived stress, measured by the PSS-14, on the likelihood of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Conclusion:

This is a case-control study with individual matching by age and sex. During 2010-2012, 250 consecutive patients (60±11 years, 78% men) with a first ACS and 250 population-based, control subjects (60±8.6 years, 77.6% men), were enrolled. Perceived stress levels were evaluated with the PSS-14 scale, depression status was assessed with the Zung Depression Rating Scale, anxiety status with the STAI scale and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by the MedDietScore.

Conclusion:

Higher perceived stress was associated with increased likelihood of having an ACS, after adjusting for various factors (OR=1.15, %CI 1.11, 1.18). STAI and ZUNG scale were positively associated with the likelihood of having an ACS (OR: 1.27 %CI 1.20-1.34, p<0.001 and OR: 1.49 %CI 1.36-1.63, p<0.001 respectively). Stratified analysis by sex showed a greater impact of perceived stress in men, compared with women (Wald test value 45.65 vs 18.56, respectively). When stratifying by depression levels, the effect of perceived stress on ACS was not significant among depressed individuals. When stratifying by level of anxiety, higher odds of having an ACS was found in the low anxiety group (OR: 1.129, %CI 1.047-1.218).

Conclusion:

Perceived stress appears as an independent ACS risk factor, although no causal relationship can be extracted due to the nature of the study. Early recognition and treatment of perceived stress may lead to ACS risk reduction.
‘Engaging People and Ideas’: Memories, Meaning Making and the European Educational Research Association
Authors: Pataki Gyöngyvér
Published: August 2014

This article seeks to reveal patterns of the discursive and interpretative culture of the European Educational Research Association (EERA) in an attempt to contribute directly to the discussion about the social and cultural integrity of the association. It looks beyond the network and community approaches of transnational research associations and suggests instead that the communicative aspects of the organisation should be considered. Within this framework the article aims to address the questions to what extent can EERA be considered as an intellectual home, and what motivates researchers to be engaged with EERA activities? In 2013 four group interviews and 26 semi-structured interviews were carried out in an effort to delineate what lends stability and intimacy to a broad European umbrella organisation. Respondents were asked to share their experiences with EERA and their reflection on their contribution to it. The data reveal that there is a delicate balance between activity and representation within the association and that there is a constant reflection on, as well as a desire towards, inclusiveness in terms of both ideas and colleagues. The data show that researchers enter EERA seeking their research identity and slowly realise that the only way to establish their belonging to the association is their constant contribution. It is possible to discern that a dynamic element — constant contribution in communication — gives EERA its integrity and intimacy.
Organising Continuity and Quality of the European Educational Research Association
Authors: Jochems Wim , Wubbels Theo
Published: August 2014

Research associations tend to be voluntary by nature and therefore unstable in character, and thus are subject to threat for their continuity. History has shown that the European Educational Research Association (EERA) is not an exception to this rule. Because EERA Council and the board members are volunteers with limited time, experience and expertise in running a complex international organisation, they cannot be expected to manage EERA without professional support. In this article the authors describe the ways in which EERA has tried to guarantee continuity through rearranging its administrative and financial structures. They show that introducing a business model for organising conferences, which both spreads the financial risks and provides the organisation with sufficient resources to maintain a professional office supporting not only the conference organisation but also all other EERA activities, has contributed immensely to the stability of EERA. The office is the collective memory of EERA in terms of both people and documents. Of course, this has introduced a new dependency: EERA's continuity and viability is nearly as vulnerable as its office is.
Transnational Lives in European Educational Research
Authors: Lawn Martin
Published: August 2014

Transnational collaboration by educational researchers in Europe has grown fast since the mid-1990s and the means to support it have become more easily accessible. A study of the growth of the European Educational Research Association (EERA) since its foundation in the mid-1990s shows how transnational research in European education began, and how it overcame organisational problems and created opportunities for new research identities and subjects to be constructed. Overcoming confusing mobilities, creating ‘homes' or nests inside the EERA in networks, and building necessary forms of sociality are explored in this article by means of interviews undertaken with a range of experienced and engaged researchers who have worked within the European Conference of Educational Research (ECER) since its early years. These researchers are clear that a stable European space for education research has been formed, and offer ideas about the association's role in relation to its function and value.
Influence of pH on the Effectiveness of Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening
Authors: Torres CRG , Crastechini E , Feitosa FA , Pucci CR , Borges AB
Published: August 2014

Objective

To evaluate the influence of pH on the bleaching effect of hydrogen peroxide on chromogen agents.

Method

Hydrogen peroxide 50% was mixed with red wine or with an alcoholic solution of tobacco in glass cuvettes, resulting in final peroxide concentrations of 16.97% and 21.12%, respectively. The pH of this mixture was measured and adjusted with 3.3 M HCl solution or 2.5 M NaOH solution to obtain the final pH values of 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0. After mixing, the color of these solutions was evaluated in a reflectance spectrophotometer; readings were repeated after 10 minutes for the wine solution and 20 minutes for the tobacco solution. Ten samples were prepared for each solution at each pH. Color changes (Delta E) were calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance one-way and Tukey tests, with a significance level of 5%.

Results

There were significant differences among the different pH values for the wine and tobacco solutions (p=0.0001). The Tukey test showed that for both solutions, pH 9.0 resulted in a significantly greater bleaching effect than the other values tested.

Conclusion

The efficacy of hydrogen peroxide bleaching is directly proportional to the increase in its pH.
Effect of Cleansing Methods on Saliva-Contaminated Zirconia—An Evaluation of Resin Bond Durability
Authors: Feitosa SA , Patel D , Borges ALS , Alshehri EZ , Bottino MA , Özcan M , Valandro LF , Bottino MC
Published: August 2014

The aims of this study were to investigate 1) the influence of cleansing methods after saliva contamination and 2) aging conditions (thermocycling and water storage) on zirconia shear bond strength (SBS) with a resin cement. One hundred and eighty zirconia specimens were sandblasted with 50 μm aluminum oxide particles, immersed in saliva for one minute (with the exception of the control group, [C]), and divided into groups according to the cleansing method, as follows: water rinse (W); 37% phosphoric acid gel (PA); cleaning paste (ie, Ivoclean®) containing mainly zirconium oxide (IC); and 70% isopropanol (AL). Scanning electron microscopy was done to qualitatively evaluate the zirconia surface after each cleansing method. For the SBS test, resin cement buttons were bonded to the specimens using a dedicated jig. SBS was evaluated according to standard protocols after 24 hours, 5000 thermal cycles (TC), or 150 days of water storage. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey test (p<0.05). Data showed a significant effect for the 150 days of water storage, TC, and 24 hours of water storage (150 days < TC < 24 hours). Group comparisons showed that PA < AL and W < IC and C. SBS ranged from 10.4 to 21.9 MPa (24 hours), from 6.4 to 14.8 MPa (TC), and from 2.9 to 7.0 MPa (150 days). Failure analysis revealed a greater percentage of mixed failures for the majority of the specimens and a smaller percentage of adhesive failures at the ceramic-resin cement interface. Our findings suggest that Ivoclean® was able to maintain adequate SBS values after TC and 150 days of storage, comparable to the uncontaminated zirconia.
Efficiency of Dual-Cured Resin Cement Polymerization Induced by High-Intensity LED Curing Units Through Ceramic Material
Authors: Watanabe H , Kazama Re , Asai T , Kanaya F , Ishizaki H , Fukushima M , Okiji T
Published: August 2014

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of high-intensity light-emitting diode (LED) and other curing units to cure dual-cured resin cement through ceramic material.

Methods

A halogen curing unit (Jetlite 3000, Morita), a second-generation LED curing unit (Demi, Kerr), and two high-intensity LED curing units (PenCure 2000, Morita; Valo, Ultradent) were tested. Feldspathic ceramic plates (VITABLOCS Mark II, A3; Vita Zahnfabrik) with thicknesses of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mm were prepared. Dual-cured resin cement samples (Clearfil Esthetic Cement, Kuraray Noritake Dental) were irradiated directly or through one of the ceramic plates for different periods (5, 10, 15, or 20 seconds for the high-intensity LED units and 20, 40, 60, or 80 seconds for the others). The Knoop hardness test was used to determine the level of photopolymerization that had been induced in the resin cement. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's post-hoc test to identify test-control (maximum irradiation without a ceramic plate) differences for each curing unit (p<0.05).

Results

For all curing units, the curing conditions had a statistically significant effect on the Knoop hardness numbers (KHNs) of the irradiated cement samples (p<0.001). In general, the KHN decreased with increasing plate thickness and increased as the irradiation period was extended. Jetlite 3000 achieved control-level KHN values only when the plate thickness was 1.0 mm. At a plate thickness ≥2.0 mm, the LED units (except for PenCure 2000 at 3.0 mm) were able to achieve control-level KHN values when the irradiation time was extended. At a plate thickness of 3.0 mm, irradiation for 20 seconds with the Valo or for 80 seconds with the Demi were the only methods that produced KHN values equivalent to those produced by direct irradiation.

Conclusion

Regardless of the type of curing unit used, indirect irradiation of dual-cured resin cement through a ceramic plate resulted in decreased KHN values compared with direct irradiation. When the irradiation period was extended, only the LED units were able to achieve similar KHN values to those observed under direct irradiation in the presence of plates ≥2.0-mm thick. High-intensity LED units require a shorter irradiation period than halogen and second-generation LED curing units to obtain KHN values similar to those observed during direct irradiation.
Barriers for Eco-Innovations: A Case Study of a Small Firm in Poland
Authors: Jasiński Andrzej H. , Tużnik Filip
Published: August 2014

This paper is mainly based on a case study of Tuzal Ltd. - a small firm acting in the eco-innovation market in Poland. The main aim of the paper is to analyze main barriers which are being met by enterprises, especially small firms, acting in the eco-innovation market. The following barriers are analysed: problems in convincing customers to innovative solutions; a specific nature of cooperation with local administration units; continuous changes in legal regulations; an increasing market competition; a lack of funds for marketing; a generation gap and a retirement age of the company’s owner.
Innovation Process Planning Model in the Bpmn Standard
Authors: Jurczyk-Bunkowska Magdalena
Published: August 2014

The aim of the article is to show the relations in the innovation process planning model. The relations argued here guarantee the stable and reliable way to achieve the result in the form of an increased competitiveness by a professionally directed development of the company. The manager needs to specify the effect while initiating the realisation of the process, has to be achieved this by the system of indirect goals. The original model proposed here shows the standard of dependence between the plans of the fragments of the innovation process which make up for achieving its final goal. The relation in the present article was shown by using the standard Business Process Model and Notation. This enabled the specification of interrelations between the decision levels at which subsequent fragments of the innovation process are planned. This gives the possibility of a better coordination of the process, reducing the time needed for the achievement of its effect. The model has been compiled on the basis of the practises followed in Polish companies. It is not, however, the reflection of these practises, but rather an idealised standard of proceedings which aims at improving the effectiveness of the management of innovations on the operational level. The model shown could be the basis of the creation of systems supporting the decision making, supporting the knowledge management or those supporting the communication in the innovation processes.
Developing a New Project Evaluation Systems Based on Knowledge
Authors: Grzeszczyk Tadeusz A.
Published: August 2014

The article is dedicated to the modelling of a new project evaluation systems based on knowledge. Author suggests possible direction of project evaluation systems development. This enabled the application of data mining algorithms for discovering patterns in data sets. The concept of a new evaluation system based on knowledge is synthetically discussed. The example of using association rule base for analysis of project stakeholders surveys is also presented.
Usefulness of Software Valuation Methods at Initial Stages of ERP Implementation
Authors: Plecka Przemyslaw , Bzdyra Krzysztof
Published: August 2014

This work discusses the problem of selecting methods for valuing the costs and estimating the time of implementing computer systems in cases when system modification is necessary. The methods presented in literature are reviewed and the stages of strategic phase of implementation characterised. On the basis of the analysis of data required by each method and the data obtained at different stages, appropriate selection of methods for each stage was proposed.
V.A. Gorbatov Theory of Characterization - Principles and Examples
Authors: Krupa Tadeusz
Published: August 2014

Characterization theory was developed in the 1970s by a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a prominent cybernetics V.A. Gorbatov, and became the nucleus of an international school. Many of today’s academy graduates make a new generation of scholars, more than 150 doctors and assistant professors, developing a new descriptive theory of cybernetic complex systems, based on the canon of the so-called characterization principle, binding the sets of y¥a functioning models and x¥bstructure models using the paradigm of monotone mappings of the considered system. This article presents an overview of the following problems: (1) the issues of functional-structural connection systems from the point of view of their design correctness; (2) the basic postulates of the characterization principle; (3) the nature of interaction between system objects; (4 and 5) mechanisms and functions for initiation of the operation; (6) the mechanisms of control and reaction functions; (7 and 8) the analytical form of initiation function and a network initialization function and (9) the axiom of extensionality (J), feasibility (R) and compatibility (Z).
Post-Crisis Potential Output in the Western Balkans
Authors: Čaršimamović Vukotić Naida , Jankulov Suljagić Irena , Smirnov Irina
Published: August 2014

Spurred by the recent global economic crisis, there has been a resurgence of research on output gaps. As the crisis caused a decline in potential GDP due to a strong contraction in demand, it is expected that the recovery of potential output will be especially difficult in demand-driven small open economies, such as the Western Balkan countries, where recovery will strongly depend on global international trade recovery. The purpose of this research is to calculate and compare pre and post-crisis potential GDPs and GDP gaps for the Western Balkan countries. The symmetric filter method developed by Hodrick and Prescott is used to de-trend GDP time series data by decomposing it into growth and cyclical components. The results point to a strong decrease in potential output growth compared to the pre-crisis potential output growth of the Western Balkans.
First Proposal Of Seed Regions For Frankincense Trees (Boswellia Spp.) On Socotra Island
Authors: Smuel Lvončík , Petr Maděra , Daniel Volařík , Boris Vrškový , Hana Habrová
Published: August 2014

The landscape differentiation on seed regions is used in the Czech forestry industry for purposes of seed transfers. The seed regions are created for main commercial tree species and the rules for transfer among these regions are described. The geobiocoenological landscape differentiation and differences among tree species populations were used as main approaches. The same principle is used for Boswellia seed regions differentiation on Socotra island. Eight species of Boswellia genus were determined on the island, all species being endemic. The differentiation is based on Boswellia populations field survey. All populations were described in morphological signs. The vegetation zones and geomorphological differentiation were also taken into account. The result is a map of seed regions for every Boswellia species on Socotra island presented in the article.
Assessing Social Value in Open Data Initiatives: A Framework
Authors: Viscusi Gianluigi , Castelli Marco , Batini Carlo
Published: August 2014

Open data initiatives are characterized, in several countries, by a great extension of the number of data sets made available for access by public administrations, constituencies, businesses and other actors, such as journalists, international institutions and academics, to mention a few. However, most of the open data sets rely on selection criteria, based on a technology-driven perspective, rather than a focus on the potential public and social value of data to be published. Several experiences and reports confirm this issue, such as those of the Open Data Census. However, there are also relevant best practices. The goal of this paper is to investigate the different dimensions of a framework suitable to support public administrations, as well as constituencies, in assessing and benchmarking the social value of open data initiatives. The framework is tested on three initiatives, referring to three different countries, Italy, the United Kingdom and Tunisia. The countries have been selected to provide a focus on European and Mediterranean countries, considering also the difference in legal frameworks (civic law vs. common law countries).
Past, Present and Future of Sensors in Food Production
Authors: Adley Catherine
Published: August 2014

Microbial contamination management is a crucial task in the food industry. Undesirable microbial spoilage in a modern food processing plant poses a risk to consumers’ health, causing severe economic losses to the manufacturers and retailers, contributing to wastage of food and a concern to the world’s food supply. The main goal of the quality management is to reduce the time interval between the filling and the detection of a microorganism before release, from several days, to minutes or, at most, hours. This would allow the food company to stop the production, limiting the damage to just a part of the entire batch, with considerable savings in terms of product value, thereby avoiding the utilization of raw materials, packaging and strongly reducing food waste. Sensor systems offer major advantages over current systems as they are versatile and affordable but need to be integrated in the existing processing systems as a process analytical control (PAT) tool. The desire for good selectivity, low cost, portable and usable at working sites, sufficiently rapid to be used at-line or on-line, and no sample preparation devices are required. The application of biosensors in the food industry still has to compete with the standard analytical techniques in terms of cost, performance and reliability.