bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social media work: reshaping organisational communications, extracting digital value
Authors: McCosker Anthony
Published: March 2017

Social media platforms are associated with significant digital transformations but also carry some uncertainty for organisations seeking to capitalise on their affordances while developing new professional roles. This article explores the characteristics and contexts of social media work and the different approaches of organisations as they enter a second wave of application, moving beyond participation to data extraction within conditions of continuous connectivity and community management. The article uses hybrid methods: analysing job market data and in-depth interviews with 18 social media strategists and workers from 13 different organisations. The analysis is informed by critical accounts of digital labour, and emphasises organisations’ strategic search for new affordances such as analytics that extract additional value from carefully managed communities. The findings reveal how social media work has become diffused across industries, and is understood ‘ecologically’, as a capability that operates right across organisations within a dynamic and changing media environment.
Diversity of Welfare Systems in the EU: A Challenge to Policy Coordination
Authors: Biffl Gudrun
Published: March 2017

As the EU economies and societies become increasingly integrated, and as labour market behaviour patterns converge across borders, the EU is striving to develop a substantially common social identity. To this end, it is seeking to promote the development of a sustainable institutional framework that facilitates flexibility and structural change in the economy and the labour market, and, at the same time, to provide a meaningful social safety net (‘flexicurity’). However, while there are such great differences in social organisation among EU countries, it would be unrealistic to try to establish a common social protection model. The more immediate goals for the EU should be to identify a mechanism for ensuring social protection, the developments that jeopardise the continuation of universal coverage for all members of society, the factors that are responsible for the exclusion of certain groups of people and how this is affected by different models of social organisation and, last but not least, the gaps are in the statistical data that prevent a proper evaluation of economic well-being under different welfare models. These are the questions that are addressed in this paper.

The argument advanced in this paper is that the well-being of every society depends upon the interaction of the market, the household/family and the state. The exclusion of the household sector from the conventional statistical framework – and its exclusion from orthodox economic theory – ignores the fact that the various models of social organisation give different relative weights to – and impose different roles on – the three pillars of social organisation. A different set of taxes, transfer payments and public services in the various welfare models that are found in the EU leads to a divergence of incentives to the private sector and/or the household to provide social services. This results in a different degree of integration of the working age population into the labour force, the quality of work and the price and quality of social protection. Models that allow for the targeting of individual needs are best able to cope with the current trends of increasing flexibility of work and family relationships and the concomitant challenge of universal social protection.
Comfort in Numbers? Social Integration and Political Participation among Disability Benefit Recipients in Norway
Authors: Bay Ann-Helén , Pedersen Axel West , Finseraas Henning
Published: March 2017

There are growing concerns both in academic and political debates that the provision of cash transfers to people in economically active age groups does not support and might even undermine active social citizenship. In this article we study the social integration and political participation of disability benefit recipients in Norway. We anticipate that disability benefit recipients are less likely than others to participate in social and political arenas, but postulate that the degree of their social and political marginalisation depends on contextual factors. In particular we expect that the presence of a large proportion of disability benefit recipients in the local area where the individual disability benefit recipient lives will make it less likely that they will be marginalised in terms of social networks; we anticipate that this positive network effect will also spill over into participation in voluntary organisations and the propensity to vote in national elections. Analysing Norwegian survey-data, we find that disability benefit recipients are somewhat marginalised both socially and in terms of participation in voluntary organisations. In municipalities with a high proportion of disability benefit recipients, individuals belonging to this group are more likely to have close friends, but this beneficial contextual effect is not found to spill over into increased organisational and political participation.
A hybrid model for a drilling process for hydrocarbon well-boring operations
Authors: Alkaragoolee MYA , Ebrahimi KM , Whalley R
Published: March 2017

In hydrocarbon well-drilling operations, self-excited, stick-slip vibration is considered as a source of drilling equipment failures, which also causes a reduction in the drilling penetration. This leads to delays and increase in the operational and equipment costs. A new approach using distributed-lumped (hybrid) modelling is considered as the first step in understanding the stick-slip phenomena in order to determine a solution to this problem. In this paper, a hybrid modelling scheme is the advocated modelling method proposed in contrast to the conventional lumped modelling. Three case studies are used to show that hybrid modelling is an accurate technique in the representation of stick-slip oscillations, particularly when the length of the drill string is high. The results show that the modelling technique adopted in this work can more accurately present the phenomena associated with stick-slip process.
A Community Health Advisor Program to Reduce Cancer Screening Disparities in the Deep South and Appalachia: The American Cancer Society’s CHA Collaborative
Authors: Riehman Kara S. , Fisher-Borne Marcie , Martinez Jeremy M. , Daven Morgan , Thompson Letitia , Fouad Mona N. , Partridge Edward E.
Published: March 2017

Introduction. Cancer disparities continue to exist in the United States. Community health advisors (CHAs) can play a critical role in addressing cancer disparities. The American Cancer Society (ACS) implemented a 3-year pilot CHA program in the South based on an evidence-based program to increase breast cancer screening. Study Design. Evaluation assessed the extent to which ACS successfully implemented the program. Quantitative data were tracked and reported by ACS staff, and qualitative data were collected through focus groups and interviews with volunteer participants. Setting/Participants. The pilot was implemented in 28 communities in nine states. ACS staff recruited volunteer community network partners (CNPs) as local advisory groups, and volunteer CHAs to conduct outreach, education, and screening navigation. Measures. Outcome measures included number of individuals educated and screened, and number of communities reaching education and screening targets. Process measures included number of volunteers recruited, number of communities reaching recruitment targets, and implementation process, challenges, and successes. Results. A total of 383 CHAs were recruited and recruitment goals were met in 68%; 31,439 individuals were educated, and 93% of communities reached education goals. In all, 5,056 individuals were screened, but screening goals were attained in only 36% of communities. Conclusion. This pilot demonstrates the ability of ACS to adapt and disseminate an evidence-based program to fit into its volunteer-based outreach model. ACS built community network partnerships, recruited a cadre of volunteers, and trained them to conduct education and screening navigation.
Measuring Agreement in Participatory Mapping
Authors: Caspersen Janna R. , Holt Tracy Van , Johnson Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2017

This article offers a way to measure agreement in participatory mapping. We asked subject matter experts (SMEs) to draw where Sudanese ethnic groups were located on a map. We then used an eigenanalysis approach to determine whether SMEs agreed on the location of ethnic groups. We used minimum residual factor analysis to assess the extent of interinformant agreement among SMEs’ judgments of four ethnic groups’ spatial locations. Although we found little evidence of the lumper/splitter problem, some SMEs drew larger polygons than others, and we provide directions on how to reduce this potential bias. Finally, the results of the geospatial agreement analysis were validated through a comparison of other sources of geospatial data for three of the four ethnic groups.
The Impact of Shoulder Abduction Loading on Volitional Hand Opening and Grasping in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke
Authors: Lan Yiyun , Yao Jun , Dewald Julius P. A.
Published: March 2017

Background. Up to 60% of individuals with moderate to severe chronic hemiparetic stroke experience excessive involuntary wrist/finger flexion that constrains functional hand movements including hand opening. It’s not known how stroke-induced brain injury impacts volitional hand opening and grasping forces as a result of the expression of abnormal coupling between shoulder abduction and wrist/finger flexion or the flexion synergy. Objective. The goal of this study is to understand how shoulder abduction loading affects volitional hand opening and grasping forces in individuals with moderate to severe chronic hemiparetic stroke. Methods. Thirty-six individuals (stroke, 26; control, 10) were recruited for this study. Each participant was instructed to perform maximal hand opening and grasping forces while the arm was either fully supported or lifted with a weight equal to 25% or 50% of the participant’s maximal shoulder abduction torque. Hand pentagon area, defined as the area formed by the tips of thumb and fingers, was calculated during hand opening. Forces were recorded during grasping. Results. In individuals with moderate stroke, increasing shoulder abduction loading reduced the ability to maximally open the hand. In individuals with severe stroke, who were not able to open the hand, grasping forces were generated and increased with shoulder abduction loading. Stroke individuals also showed a reduced ability to control volitional grasping forces due to the enhanced expression of flexion synergy. Conclusions. Shoulder abduction loading reduced the ability to volitionally open the hand and control grasping forces after stroke. Neural mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
A traffic-aware quality-of-service control mechanism for software-defined networking-based virtualized networks
Authors: Shi Jiameng , Chung Sang-Hwa
Published: March 2017

Network virtualization technology allows the creation of virtual networks that reflect the requirements of various services and distribute resources of a physical network among virtual tenants. Recently, the virtualization of physical networks through software-defined networking technology has become a popular method. OpenVirteX is a software-defined networking-based network virtualization platform that can create multiple virtual and programmable networks on top of a single physical infrastructure and provide full isolation of each virtual tenant. However, some shortcomings persist in OpenVirteX, one of which is the lack of a mechanism to distribute physical network resources efficiently among the virtual tenants. In this article, we propose a novel quality-of-service management mechanism, based on the single rate three color marker proposed by the Internet Engineering Task Force. This mechanism employs two new token buckets, called global token buckets, which are used to collect idle tokens from each virtual network. Furthermore, a resource manager can redistribute the collected tokens among the virtual networks according to their weights. Finally, our work achieves a maximum improvement of approximately 1.6 times over the performances of previous mechanisms.
Stuffed in a Locker: A Case Study Involving Guns on Campus
Authors: Lampron Phillip Andrew
Published: March 2017

Ensuring that children are safe is imperative for any educational institution. This case presents a realistic scenario of the safety concerns of leaders and staff in a middle school concerned with potential gang activity. Inspired by actual events, this case illustrates burdens that many middle school leaders across the nation face on a daily basis—weapons on campus. Potential legal issues surrounding this case study are prosecution of the students involved, student access to weapons, lack of oversight on the part of parents, and proper notification of parents of students who were potential victims. This case study could be used in educational leadership courses that focus on educational law and supervision.
Age Discrimination, Retirement Conditions and Specific Labour Arrangements: The Main Trends in the Application of Directive 2000/78/EC in the Field of Age Discrimination
Authors: do Rosário Palma Ramalho Maria
Published: March 2017

This paper deals with the EU law principle of non-discrimination applied to age. The study focuses on the key concepts of Directive 2000/78, exploring the inspiration of this Directive. Taking into account gender equality directives, it points out limitations as regards age discrimination, due to the number of exceptions and derogations of the principle, allowed by the Directive in this area. Furthermore, the study explores the practices of the Member States when applying the non-discrimination principle in relation to age and examines the tendencies of ECJ ruling in this respect.
Crisis and Labour Market in Spain
Authors: Corujo Borja Suárez
Published: March 2017

This article examines the employment policies implemented in Spain since the onset of the crisis and highlights the consequences of the major legal changes that have been passed. Preceded by an overview on the strong and weak points of the Spanish labour market before the onset of the crisis, the first part of the analysis focuses on the labour reform implemented by the socialist government before 2012, marked by a deteriorating economic and social context with mounting unemployment and by a limited shift towards deregulation. Then the article offers some critical thinking on the new policy stage opened in Spain after the right-wing party gained an overwhelming majority in Parliament in November 2011, arguing that the magnitude of the legal changes introduced in 2012 is such that we might speak of a new Spanish model of industrial relations, a model of “flexinsecurity”. This section outlines how the reform (labour “disruption”) breaks the traditional balance between employers and employees, examining the following issues: the new forms of instability in hiring; how employers are allowed to impose internal flexibility on workers; the new and devalued collective bargaining system; and the easier and cheaper regime of dismissal. Finally, the article analyses the legal measures implemented in 2013 to complete that major reform.
‘When Poverty Comes in at the Door, Love Flies Out the Window’
Authors: Neergaard Ulla
Published: March 2017

The economic crisis has brought the intriguing question of its effects on Social Europe sharply into focus. This contribution therefore goes to the heart of the puzzles and explores the mutual influence of Eurozone reforms and broader Union social policies with an additional focus on pointing out the most pertinent challenges in that regard. Thus, the analysis anchors around the following issues: the social dimension of the EU and the Eurozone respectively; comparison; mutual influence; and challenges. A recurring theme is thus the tension between the overall construction of the EU and the internal construction of the Eurozone, which is growing, but not really focused on. It is, inter alia, concluded that the Eurozone reforms bring Social Europe in a new – also viewed by many as a dangerous, illegitimate and undemocratic – direction detached from the prevailing intentions in the EU as such.
Adaptation-Induced Blindness Is Orientation-Tuned and Monocular
Authors: Apthorp Deborah , Griffiths Scott , Alais David , Cass John
Published: March 2017

We examined the recently discovered phenomenon of Adaptation-Induced Blindness (AIB), in which highly visible gratings with gradual onset profiles become invisible after exposure to a rapidly flickering grating, even at very high contrasts. Using very similar stimuli to those in the original AIB experiment, we replicated the original effect across multiple contrast levels, with observers at chance in detecting the gradual onset stimuli at all contrasts. Then, using full-contrast target stimuli with either abrupt or gradual onsets, we tested both the orientation tuning and interocular transfer of AIB. If, as the original authors suggested, AIB were a high-level (perhaps parietally mediated) effect resulting from the ‘gating’ of awareness, we would not expect the effects of AIB to be tuned to the adapting orientation, and the effect should transfer interocularly. Instead, we find that AIB (which was present only for the gradual onset target stimuli) is both tightly orientation-tuned and shows absolutely no interocular transfer, consistent with a very early cortical locus.
Pulmonary hypertension’s variegated landscape: a snapshot
Authors: Kulik Thomas J. , Austin Eric D.
Published: March 2017

The many types of pulmonary hypertension (PH) are so protean in their biological origin, histological expression, and natural history that it is difficult to create a summary picture of the disease, or to easily compare and contrast characteristics of one type of PH with another. For newcomers to the field, however, such a picture would facilitate a broad understanding of PH. In this paper, we suggest that four characteristics are fundamental to describing the nature of various types of PH, and that taken together they define a number of patterns of PH expression. These characteristics are histopathology, developmental origin, associated clinical conditions, and potential for resolution. The “snapshot” is a way to concisely display the ways that these signal characteristics intersect in select specific types of PH, and is an effort to summarize these patterns in a way that facilitates a “big picture” comprehension of this disease.
Citizen science for pedestrian cartography: collection and moderation of walkable routes in cities through mobile gamification
Authors: Kapenekakis Ippokratis , Chorianopoulos Konstantinos
Published: March 2017

Digital geographical maps can be regarded as a user interface for understanding and navigating the city. Nevertheless, contemporary digital maps over-emphasize the needs of motor vehicles. Pedestrian routes have only been considered as an add-on option in existing digital maps and the respective data collection has not been performed in the field. In this article, we present a mobile application that employs gamification as a means to engage users to collect pragmatic data about walkable routes, which are then processed with the goal of creating a new kind of pedestrian-friendly cartography. Besides the technical infrastructure for collecting and filtering the route traces, the main challenge in user-generated walkable routes is the identification of malicious data, which should be rejected, as well as the rewarding of constructive behavior through peer-review. For this purpose, the mobile application employs a point system in order to identify and discourage the submission of bad routes. A longitudinal (2-months) field study of the mobile application confirmed that gamification facilitates effective data collection for producing pedestrian cartography even with few users and demonstrated that gamification infuses a shared responsibly about the quality of data collection. The visualization of the pedestrian-generated data on a map required a partially manual process, thus, further research should explore the gamification of the data visualization part, too.
Stress-induced seismic azimuthal anisotropy, sand-shale content, and depth trends offshore North West Australia
Authors: Gavin Lisa J. , Lumley David
Published: March 2017

Seismic azimuthal anisotropy is apparent when P-wave velocities vary with source-receiver azimuth and downward-propagating S-waves split into two quasi-S-waves, polarized in orthogonal directions. Not accounting for these effects can degrade seismic image quality and result in erroneous amplitude analysis and geologic interpretations. There are currently no physical models available to describe how azimuthal anisotropy induced by differential horizontal stress varies with sand-shale lithology and depth; we develop a model that does so, in unconsolidated sand-shale sequences offshore North West Australia. Our method naturally introduces two new concepts: “critical anisotropy” and “anisotropic depth limit.” Critical anisotropy is the maximum amount of azimuthal anisotropy expected to be observed at the shallowest sediment burial depth, where the confining pressure and sediment compaction are minimal. The anisotropic depth limit is the maximum depth where the stress-induced azimuthal anisotropy is expected to be observable, where the increasing effects of confining pressure, compaction, and cementation make the sediments insensitive to differential horizontal stress. We test our model on borehole log data acquired in the Stybarrow Field, offshore North West Australia, where significant differential horizontal stress and azimuthal anisotropy are present. We determine our model parameters by performing regressions using dipole shear log velocities, gamma-ray shale volume logs, and depth trend data. We perform a blind test using the model parameters derived from one well to accurately predict the azimuthal anisotropy values at two other wells in an adjacent area. We use our anisotropy predictions to improve the well-tie match of the modeled angle-dependent reflectivity amplitudes to the 3D seismic amplitude variation with offset data observed at the well locations. Future applications of our method may allow the possibility to estimate the sand-shale content over a wide exploration area using anisotropic parameters derived from surface 3D seismic data.
Diffraction imaging and time-migration velocity analysis using oriented velocity continuation
Authors: Decker Luke , Merzlikin Dmitrii , Fomel Sergey
Published: March 2017

We perform seismic diffraction imaging and time-migration velocity analysis by separating diffractions from specular reflections and decomposing them into slope components. We image the slope components using migration velocity extrapolation in time-space-slope coordinates. The extrapolation is described by a convection-type partial differential equation and implemented in a highly parallel manner in the Fourier domain. Synthetic and field data experiments show that the proposed algorithms are able to detect accurate time-migration velocities by measuring the flatness of diffraction events in slope gathers for single- and multiple-offset data.
Automatic early arrival traveltime tomography and its applications
Authors: Peng Chengbin (Chuck) , Tang Jun
Published: March 2017

We have developed a method of macrovelocity inversion that does not require explicit picking of either common-image point gathers or first breaks. The method uses head waves, diving waves, and wide-angle reflections in seismic data (collectively early arrival energies) for accurate estimation of velocity and anisotropy parameters. In this method, seismic data are first decomposed into Gaussian packets. Packets associated with early arrival energies are selected and used as input to a tomography solver. The outputs of the solver are velocity and Thomsen’s anisotropy parameters, or any of their combinations. Using information contained in the packets, we can correctly model the early arrival energies (first breaks and/or other refractions). The workflow is fully automatic and can be used in a batch processing environment with minimum human intervention. We have tested the method on synthetic and field data sets. In one synthetic test, we were able to reduce traveltime residuals of diving waves from 400 to 5 ms and recover anisotropic model parameters that are sensitive to early arrival traveltimes. In another synthetic test, we were able to recover a large shallow low-velocity anomaly with a very simple starting velocity model. The first field data set was for a shallow marine seismic data project. We were able to obtain a better shallow velocity model using our method than when using a legacy approach. In the second field data test, we applied our method on a deepwater data set from a dual-coil acquisition, with full-azimuth and long-offset coverage. Our method can correctly model early arrival energies recorded at long offsets and use them in the iterative inversion such that better estimation of velocities and anisotropy parameters in shallow sediments can be achieved. We have tested different starting models for the inversion. We are able to get very similar results, suggesting that our method is not sensitive to the accuracy of a starting model.
Sensitivity of 3D 3C synthetic seismograms to anisotropic attenuation and velocity in reservoir models
Authors: Guo Peng , McMechan George A.
Published: March 2017

Anisotropic attenuation in fluid-saturated reservoirs with high fracture density may be diagnostic for reservoir characterization. Wave-induced mesoscale fluid flow is considered to be the major cause of intrinsic attenuation at exploration seismic frequencies. We perform tests of the sensitivity, of anisotropic attenuation and velocity, to reservoir properties in fractured HTI media based on the mesoscale fluid flow attenuation mechanism. The viscoelastic T-matrix, a unified effective medium theory of global and local fluid flow mechanisms, is used to compute frequency-dependent anisotropic attenuation and velocity for ranges of reservoir properties, including fracture density, orientation, fracture aspect ratio, fluid type, and permeability. The 3D 3C staggered-grid finite-difference anisotropic viscoelastic modeling with a Crank-Nicolson scheme is used to generate seismograms using the frequency-dependent velocity and attenuation computed by the viscoelastic T-matrix. A standard linear solid model relates the stress and strain relaxation times to the frequency-dependent attenuation, in the relaxation mechanism equation. The seismic signatures resulting from changing viscoelastic reservoir properties are easily visible. Velocity becomes more sensitive to the fracture aspect ratio when considering fluid flow compared with when the fluid is isolated. Anisotropy of attenuation affects 3C viscoelastic seismic data more strongly than velocity anisotropy does. Analysis of the influence of reservoir properties, on seismic properties in mesoscale fluid-saturated fractured reservoirs with high fracture density, suggests that anisotropic attenuation is a potential tool for reservoir characterization.
Diversity in the American Society of Anesthesiologists Leadership
Authors: Toledo Paloma , Duce Lorent , Adams Jerome , Ross Vernon H. , Thompson Kelli M. , Wong Cynthia A.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND:

Women and minorities are underrepresented in US academic medicine. The Sullivan Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce emphasized the importance of diverse leadership for reducing health care disparities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the demographics of the American Society of Anesthesiologists leadership. We hypothesized that the percentage of women and underrepresented minorities is less than that of their respective proportions in the general physician workforce.

METHODS:

An electronic survey was developed by the authors and mailed to 595 members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists leadership who had valid email addresses, including the members of the 2014 House of Delegates and state society leaders who were not the members of the House of Delegates. Univariate statistics were used to characterize survey responses and the probability distributions were estimated using the binomial distribution. A one-sample t test was used to compare the percentage of women and minorities in the survey pool to that of the corresponding percentages in the general physician workforce (38.0% women and 8.9% minorities), and the US population (51.0% women and 32.0% minorities).

RESULTS:

The survey response rate was 54%. A total of 21.1% (95% confidence interval: 16.4%–25.7%) of respondents were women and 6.0% (95% confidence interval: 3.3%–8.7%) were minorities. The proportion of women in the American Society of Anesthesiologist leadership was lower than the general medical workforce and the US population (P < .001 for both); the proportion of underrepresented minorities was lower than the US population (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Women and minorities are underrepresented in the leadership of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Efforts should be made to increase the diversity of the American Society of Anesthesiologists leadership with the goal of reducing overall anesthesia workforce disparities.
Small States and Parliamentary Diplomacy: Slovenia and the Mediterranean
Authors: Šabič Zlatko , Fenko Ana Bojinović , Roter Petra
Published: March 2017

The essay contributes to the scholarship on parliamentary diplomacy in the Mediterranean region through the lens of a small state: Slovenia. We argue that, because of limited resources, small states need to diversify their means of foreign policy to make their voices heard. Parliamentary diplomacy is a useful tool for representing Slovenian positions abroad. It enables focus on selected issues on the international agenda chosen together with the government and establishes continuous expert knowledge at the senior levels of parliament. However, it also exposes a small state's limited capability to provide support for the parliament's external relations. With specific reference to the Mediterranean, we find that there is considerable room for improvement, even with some evident obstacles, such as the lack of continuity in parliamentary representation.
Can the MABC discriminate and predict motor impairment? A comparison of Brazilian and American children
Authors: Valentini Nadia C , Oliveira Marcia A , Pangelinan Melissa M , Whitall Jill , Clark Jane E
Published: March 2017

Background:

Estimates of the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder range from 1.7% to 19%, raising concerns about the discriminative ability of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC).

Aims:

We compared MABC performance of children aged 4–12 years from the USA and Brazil. We aimed to examine: a) the prevalence of motor impairment across countries; b) age band and sex differences across countries; c) the test's ability to discriminate and predict motor impairment; and d) to identify the discriminating capacity of each MABC subtest.

Methods:

Children (n=1055) from Brazil and the USA were included in the present study. MABC cut-off points (typical development: above 15%, at risk: 6–15%; developmental coordination disorder: 0–5%) and discriminant analyses were used.

Findings:

Prevalence of probable developmental coordination disorder (24.1%) and at risk (16.2%) was higher in the Brazilian sample. Higher prevalence of probable developmental coordination disorder was observed among girls and among children aged 11–12 years old for the Brazilian sample and among boys and among children aged 9–12 years old for the American sample. Differences in scores across countries were only observed for children with typical development in manual dexterity and balance skills. The MABC discriminant functions were able to predict the classification of children into typical development, at risk, and probable developmental coordination disorder. The manual dexterity subtest was the strongest predictor for both samples, whereas the ball skills subtest was the weakest predictor.

Conclusions:

Differences for prevalence were found across countries. American results were similar with current estimates relative to incidence and gender; for Brazilian children, prevalence was near three times higher and more persistent among girls. Overall, in both countries the motor difficulties demonstrated by children with probable and at risk of developmental coordination disorder were similar for all tasks. The MABC showed predictably and discriminant capacity in the identification of children with probable and at risk developmental coordination disorder in both countries.
Qualitative research. Part 3: Methods
Authors: Nicholls David
Published: March 2017

Background:

In the third and final article in this three part series, I look at sampling in qualitative studies, methods of data collection and analysis.

Content:

Building on the previous two articles, I highlight the importance of rigour and explore some of the different criteria used by researchers to demonstrate that their research is trustworthy. I include a brief discussion of some of the more recent trends in mixed-method or post-positivist research.

Conclusions:

Qualitative research is different in many ways to quantitative, and it cannot be approached with the same mind-set. It seeks to explore different aspects to quantitative research, focusing on the individual experience, rather than conclusions that can be drawn from large groups. Because of these differences, the two approaches to research should not be seen as alternatives, but complementary.
Quantitative analysis of blood cells and inflammatory factors in wounds
Authors: Cerveró-Ferragut S. , López-Riquelme N. , Martín-Tomás E. , Massa-Domínguez B. , Pomares-Vicente J. , Soler-Pérez M. , Sánchez-Hernández J.F.
Published: March 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to quantify blood cells and inflammatory markers, involved in the healing process, in exudates from wounds in different healing phases, to assess these markers in order to identify the inflammatory phase of the wounds.

Method:

Patients who presented with postsurgical wounds, which closed by first and second intention, and those who presented with pressure ulcers (PUs), which were closed by second intention, were included in the study.

Results:

We examined wounds from 37 patients and collected samples from 52 wounds in the inflammatory phase, 30 in the proliferative phase and 29 in the maturation phase. The number of neutrophils and platelets in the exudate collected from wounds in the inflammatory phase was significantly higher (p<0.001), while the number of lymphocytes, was significantly lower in exudate from wounds in the inflammatory phase (p<0.001). Wound c-reactive protein (CRP) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were higher in the inflammatory group (p<0.001). We found a significantly positive correlation between CRP levels and the percentage of neutrophils and monocytes (r=0.346, p=0.004; r=0.293, p=0.015), and a significantly negative correlation between CRP levels and the percentage of lymphocytes (r=−0.503, p<0.001). A stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify an optimal combination of these biomarkers. The optimal biomarker combinations were neutrophils + monocytes + platelets + IgG + CRP, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.981 [confidence interval (CI) 95%: 0.955–1.000, p<0.001] for the diagnosis of wounds in the inflammatory phase. The optimal cutpoint yielded 96.9 % sensitivity and 94.6 % specificity. The biomarker combination predicted the inflammatory phase and was superior to individual biomarkers.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that the combination of the markers, percentage of neutrophils and monocytes, platelets, CRP and IgG levels could be useful prognostic indicators of the inflammatory phase.
Funding crisis: Last-ditch bid to influence Spring Budget
Authors: Henshaw Pete
Published: March 2017

‘Schools are running out of things they can cut’ – Chancellor Philip Hammond warned of crisis in schools ahead of his March 8 Budget
Teaching practice: The lecture
Authors: Bromley Matt
Published: March 2017

Learning at large? It may be unloved and even considered by some unethical, but the lecture still has a role to play. Matt Bromley continues his teaching practice series with a look at how to make a success of the lecture format
Picture of health: An artist’s journey through disease as told in his photographs
Authors: Gonzalez-Dolginko Beth
Published: March 2017

This is a phenomenological study of a photographer who used his artistic sensibilities to deal with a life-threatening illness, which became a life-changing journey. As J. was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, knew he would die if he did not get a new liver, waited for that liver, went through the transplant surgery and subsequent surgeries, and recovered, he chronicled the entire journey with photographs. When diagnosed with a terminal illness, J. faced mortality and went through stages of grief and loss, as well as experiencing trauma, and used his photography to cope with this. J. also went through a process of transformation, whereby the patient moves through a five-stage trajectory of receiving the transplant, improving in hospital, improving at home, feeling well again, and reciprocating. J. continues on that journey with a commitment to health and life. Literature is reviewed regarding the stages of grief, loss, trauma and emotional state of transplant patients.
Circle of compassion: Arts and nursing – the stimulation of compassionate awareness
Authors: Salmon Catharine , Childs Helen
Published: March 2017

This article has two authors – the artist/patient and the nurse educator. Their meeting point was an arts-based research project inspired by a personal experience of compassionate care from a hospital nursing team. The artist/patient developed an exhibition – Touching the Unthinkable, which explored the ‘voices’ of health teams, other hospital patients and visitors linked by the treatment of breast cancer. The nurse educator used art practices as part of a nursing pedagogy to facilitate students’ understanding of themselves, the patient experience and the centrality of compassion. It was discovered that many of the inspirational hospital nurses had previously engaged with art as part of their education. The authors have identified what they have termed the circle of compassion – if compassion is enhanced in students and sustained in practicing nurses it is then experienced by the patient/recipient.
Shot attempts: F**k Po****cs! Performing is enacting indeed!
Authors: Darienzo Marcel
Published: March 2017

This text is an experiment, an attempt to play with the style of theoretical language, and to harness the performative potential of the journal format. The invented concepts of ‘shot attempts’ and ‘the you’ are used in parallel to the artist’s practice, to drive a quasi-theoretical explication of the artwork–viewer relationship. Academic convention lapses into poetic and artistic flourishes, and demands are made of the reader to question dichotomies (mind–body, subject–object) through a series of directives.
feature article: Encounters with immigrants in recent Finnish feature films
Authors: Hiltunen Kaisa
Published: March 2017

This article discusses representations of immigrants in recent Finnish feature films, focusing in particular on encounters, often conflicted, between immigrants and native Finns. The figure of the immigrant remains a relative rarity in Finnish cinema. Even in the nine films under consideration, immigration is not the main subject matter and immigrants are generally secondary characters. Consequently the central question of integration into Finnish society, with an attendant sense of belonging, is rarely addressed from the immigrant’s point of view. As Finnish society is becoming culturally and ethnically more heterogeneous, the way immigrants are represented in the media becomes increasingly significant. With that in mind, the films are analysed through an ethically sensitive lens.
Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on serum calcium level in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Dasitania Vaya , Chairulfatah Alex , Rachmadi Dedi
Published: March 2017

Background Patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) maydevelop hypocalcemia caused by low levels of albumin and vitaminD -binding protein, which subsequently decreases calcium absorptionin the intestine. Hypocalcemia may result in neuromuscularmanifestations, such as Chvostek's and Trosseau's signs.Objectives To evaluate the effect of calcium and vitamin Dsupplementation on hypocalcemia and its clinical manifestationsin idiopathic NS children.Methods A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial wasperformed in idiopathic NS patients aged 1-14 years. Subjectswere divided into treatment and placebo groups. Subjects inthe treatment group received 800 mg elemental calcium and400 IU vitamin D supplementation, while they in control groupreceived placebo syrup, both for 8 weeks. Serum calcium andmanifestations of hypocalcemia were examined before and aftersupplementation.Results Thirty subjects completed the study (15 in each group).Seventeen subjects experienced hypocalcemia. Chvostek's andTrosseau's signs were observed in 6 subjects in the treatment groupand 2 subjects in the placebo group (P= 0.427). After 8 weeks ofintervention, Chvostek's and Trosseau's signs disappeared in bothgroups, and calcium levels were significantly increased in bothgroups compared to the levels before intervention. However, therewas no significant difference in serum calcium levels after 8 weeksbetween the treatment and placebo groups (P =0.707).Conclusion Normalization of serum calcium levels and improvedclinical manifestations ofhypocalcemia occur both in NS patientswho receive calcium and vitamin D supplementation and thosewho do not.
Surface applied lime dynamics and base saturation index in a consolidated no-tillage area
Authors: Bortolini Diego , Cassol Luís César , Piva Jonatas Thiago , Bosi Cristiam , Rocha Kassiano Felipe
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of chemical properties and crop yields during five years after liming, in a consolidated no-tillage system area and indicate a base saturation index to serve as a criterion for recommendation. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four repetitions, being the treatments the five lime doses (0, 2.4, 4.8, 7.2 and 9.6 Mg ha-1) applied and maintained on the soil surface. Soil chemical properties were evaluated in eight soil sampling, in the layers 0 to 0.025; 0.025 to 0.05; 0.05 to 0.10; 0.10 to 0.15; 0.15 to 0.20 and 0.20 to 0.40 m, besides crop grain yield (wheat, soybean and corn) and black oat dry matter yield, totaling five years of evaluation. The surface liming in no-tillage system increased the exchangeable magnesium and calcium contents, base saturation and soil pH and reduced the exchangeable aluminum content. The cumulative grain yield (six crops) and black oat dry matter yield (three crops) was not influenced by liming. These results suggested, from this study conditions, that the value of 50% of base saturation should be adopted as a criterion for liming for crops implanted under consolidated no-tillage systems.
La evaluación en proyectos de extensión incluidos en el currículo universitario
Authors: Camilloni Alicia
Published: March 2017

La evaluación de proyectos de extensión incluidos en el currículo universitario con propósitos académicos, profesionales y sociales articulados y un enfoque pedagógico de educación experiencial, es un proceso particularmente complejodadas las múltiples funciones desplegadas por la evaluación en los planos institucional y estratégico. Deben tomarse decisiones en cada una de las etapas de planificación, implementación y finalización del proyecto con la intervención necesaria de los diversos actores que en él participan. En tanto el proceso deevaluación esté entramado con las acciones que se realizan en cada etapa y se resuelvan adecuadamente los problemas técnicos, sin dejar de lado los valores que se ponen en juego en el proyecto de extensión, la evaluación es un recurso que contribuye a enriquecer y profundizar los alcances y logros del proyecto y contribuye a la formación de todos los que en él participan.
El aprendizaje experiencial: una práctica de innovación que se afianza en la Universidad Nacional del Litoral
Authors: Menéndez Gustavo , Tarabella Laura
Published: March 2017

El presente artículo tiene como referencia el trabajo realizado por la Universidad Nacional del Litoral en lo que hace a la integración de la extensión con la docencia en los últimos años con el objetivo de promover una formación integral para todoslos estudiantes que cursan las carreras de grado de nuestra Universidad.El punto de partida es el reconocimiento de la extensión universitaria como una de las funciones sustantivas de la Universidad. Se define un enfoque teórico– conceptual que permite una caracterización de la extensión en términos demúltiples dimensiones: institucional, comunicacional, social, política y pedagógica.A partir de esta última se propone incorporar las prácticas de extensión en el currículo universitario desde una perspectiva epistemológica, pues este vínculo produce conocimiento y es justamente sobre el cual se sustenta y se inscribe la educación experiencial para inclusión en el currículo universitario.Esta propuesta constituye una importante innovación en materia curricular, en tanto resignifica las prácticas de enseñanza y promueve instancias complementarias y valiosas en la formación de los estudiantes, a la vez que permite consolidar la extensión como una de las funciones sustantivas de la Universidad.
Creación de escenarios convergentes entre docencia, investigación y extensión: la Residencia Integral del Profesorado en Comunicación
Authors: Contino Paula , Daneri Mariela
Published: March 2017

Este artículo acerca la mirada a los procesos contemporáneos que rigen el pulso de las tres funciones sustantivas de la universidad: docencia, investigación y extensión.Podría decirse que esta última, fruto de la jerarquización de años recientes, ha desarrollado progresivamente una capacidad creativa y creadora trayendo consigo nuevos desafíos para pensar la arquitectura institucional universitaria en claverelacional, es decir, un lugar donde converjan de manera estratégica funciones, actores, saberes y disciplinas. Sobre estas ideas paradigmáticas se levanta la Residencia Integral del Profesorado en Comunicación, creado recientemente en laFacultad de Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario, constituyendo así un espacio de enseñanza –aprendizaje de carácter integral y dialogante entre teoría, práctica, investigación y socialización de lastramas emergentes.
Las Prácticas para la Inclusión Social en la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la Universidad de Buenos Aires
Authors: Saravia Federico , Álvarez María Victoria
Published: March 2017

Durante los últimos años, diversas iniciativas han colaborado con el estrechamiento del vínculo entre Universidad y comunidad: la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FCE–UBA), ha resignificado elconcepto de extensión universitaria entendiendo, por un lado, que la relación entre la universidad y la comunidad es indisoluble y, por otro, que el vínculo entre la oferta curricular y las actividades de extensión universitaria debe construirse ydesarrollarse bajo el paradigma de la Responsabilidad Social Universitaria. En este marco, se propone dar cuenta del recorrido y los desafíos planteados desde la materia “Prácticas para la Inclusión Social” (PIS) en la FCE–UBA.