bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Factors for More Usable and Safer Health Information Technology: Where Are We Now and Where do We Go from Here?
Authors: Nohr C. , Borycki E. , Kushniruk A.
Published: November 2016

A wide range of human factors approaches have been developed and adapted to healthcare for detecting and mitigating negative unexpected consequences associated with technology in healthcare (i.e. technology-induced errors). However, greater knowledge and wider dissemination of human factors methods is needed to ensure more usable and safer health information technology (IT) systems.

Objective: This paper reports on work done by the IMIA Human Factors Working Group and discusses some successful approaches that have been applied in using human factors to mitigate negative unintended consequences of health IT. The paper addresses challenges in bringing human factors approaches into mainstream health IT development.

Results: A framework for bringing human factors into the improvement of health IT is described that involves a multi-layered systematic approach to detecting technology-induced errors at all stages of a IT system development life cycle (SDLC). Such an approach has been shown to be needed and can lead to reduced risks associated with the release of health IT systems into live use with mitigation of risks of negative unintended consequences.

Conclusion: Negative unintended consequences of the introduction of IT into healthcare (i.e. potential for technology-induced errors) continue to be reported. It is concluded that methods and approaches from the human factors and usability engineering literatures need to be more widely applied, both in the vendor community and in local and regional hospital and healthcare settings. This will require greater efforts at dissemination and knowledge translation, as well as greater interaction between the academic and vendor communities.
Biomechanisms of Comorbidity: Reviewing Integrative Analyses of Multi-omics Datasets and Electronic Health Records
Authors: Pouladi N. , Achour l. , Li H. , Berghout J. , Kenost C. , Gonzalez-Garay M.L. , Lussier Y.A.
Published: November 2016

Objectives: Disease comorbidity is a pervasive phenomenon impacting patients’ health outcomes, disease management, and clinical decisions. This review presents past, current and future research directions leveraging both phenotypic and molecular information to uncover disease similarity underpinning the biology and etiology of disease comorbidity.

Methods: We retrieved ~130 publications and retained 59, ranging from 2006 to 2015, that comprise a minimum number of five diseases and at least one type of biomolecule. We surveyed their methods, disease similarity metrics, and calculation of comorbidities in the electronic health records, if present.

Results: Among the surveyed studies, 44% generated or validated disease similarity metrics in context of comorbidity, with 60% being published in the last two years. As inputs, 87% of studies utilized intragenic loci and proteins while 13% employed RNA (mRNA, LncRNA or miRNA). Network modeling was predominantly used (35%) followed by statistics (28%) to impute similarity between these biomolecules and diseases. Studies with large numbers of biomolecules and diseases used network models or naïve overlap of disease-molecule associations, while machine learning, statistics, and information retrieval were utilized in smaller and moderate sized studies. Multiscale computations comprising shared function, network topology, and phenotypes were performed exclusively on proteins. Conclusion: This review highlighted the growing methods for identifying the molecular mechanisms underpinning comorbidities that leverage multiscale molecular information and patterns from electronic health records. The survey unveiled that intergenic polymorphisms have been overlooked for similarity imputation compared to their intragenic counterparts, offering new opportunities to bridge the mechanistic and similarity gaps of comorbidity.
Human Factors and Organizational Issues in 2015: The Increasing Complexity of the Healthcare Domain Calls for More Comprehensive Approaches
Authors: Santos R. , Pelayo S. ,   Section Editors for the IMIA Yearbook Section on Human Factors and Organizational Issues
Published: November 2016

Objective: To summarize significant research contributions on human factors and organizational issues in medical informatics published in 2015.

Methods: An extensive search using PubMed/Medline and Web of Science® was conducted to identify the scientific contributions published in 2015 that address human factors and organizational issues in medical informatics. The selection process comprised three steps: (i) 15 candidate best papers were first selected by the two section editors, (ii) external reviewers from internationally renowned research teams reviewed each candidate best paper, and (iii) the final selection of five best papers was conducted by the editorial board of the Yearbook.

Results: Noteworthy papers in 2015 emphasize the increasing complexity of the healthcare environment. They call for more comprehensive approaches and evaluation studies. All provide a real added-value in this direction.

Conclusion: There is no more need to promote the contribution of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) approaches to health IT-related risks and patient safety. However, there is still a need for research on HFE methods to adapt health information technology tools to the complexity of the healthcare domain.
All that Glitters Is not Gold: Consumer Health Informatics and Education in the Era of Social Media and Health Apps
Authors: Staccini P. , Fernandez-Luque L. ,   Section Editors for the IMIA Yearbook Section on Consumer Health Informatics
Published: November 2016

Objective: To summarize the state of the art published during the year 2015 in the areas related to consumer health informatics and education with a special emphasis on unintended consequences of applying mobile and social media technologies in that domain.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of articles published in PubMed with a predefined set of queries, which lead to the selection of over 700 potential relevant articles. Section editors screened those papers on the title, abstract, and finally complete paper basis, taking into account the papers’ relevance for the section topic. The 15 most representative papers were finally selected by consensus between the two section editors and submitted for full review and scoring to external reviewers and the yearbook editors. Based on the final scoring, section editors selected the best five papers.

Results: The five best papers can be grouped in two major areas: 1) Digital health literacy and 2) Quality and safety concerns. Regarding health literacy issues of patients with chronic conditions such as asthma, online interventions should rather focus on changing patient beliefs about the disease than on supporting them in the management of their pathology since personally controlled health management systems do not show expected benefits,. Nevertheless, encouraging and training chronic patients for an active online health information–seeking behaviour substantially decreases state anxiety level. Regarding safety and privacy issues, even recommended health-related apps available on mobile phones do not guarantee personal data protection. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that patients undergoing Internet interventions experienced at least one adverse event that might be related to treatment. At least, predictive factors have been identified in order to credit or not a health rumour.

Conclusions: Trusting digital and connected health can be achieved if patients, health care professionals, and industrials build a shared model of health data management integrating ethics rules. Only increasing efforts in education with regards of digital health would help reach this goal., This would not resolve all frauds and security issues but at least improve their detection.
Will mHealth Revolutionize Health and Clinical Management and Open up New Horizons for Mental Health?
Authors: Bricon-Souf N. , Conchon E. ,   Section Editors for the IMIA Yearbook Section on Health and Clinical Management
Published: November 2016

Objectives: To summarize recent research and emerging trends in the field of Health and Clinical management and propose a selection of best papers for year 2015.

Methods: A literature review has been conducted by the two section editors and computerized provider order entry systems from bibliographic databases regards to health clinical management. As a result, a list of 15 candidate papers has been elaborated and a peer-reviewed has been performed by external reviewers. A consensus meeting has been organized between the two section editors and the editorial board to conclude the selection of the 3 best papers.

Results: Starting with 1803 papers published in 2015, the full selection process ended with three papers from international peer-reviewed journals for the Health and Clinical Management section.

Conclusion: IoT and Cloudification have a direct impact on health and clinical management this year. Telepsychiatry benefits directly from this development and take advantages of the improvement of smart homes and of the generalization of mHealth solutions. Social networks are starting to be integrated as valuable source of information that are complementary to clinical data for reasoning-based solutions.
New Problems - New Solutions: A Never Ending Story
Authors: Ganslandt T. , Hackl W.O. ,   Section Editors for the IMIA Yearbook Section on Clinical Information Systems
Published: November 2016

Objective: To summarize recent research and to propose a selection of best papers published in 2015 in the field of Clinical Information Systems (CIS).

Method: The query which had been used last year to retrieve articles for the CIS section of the IMIA Yearbook of Medical Informatics 2015 was refined. It again aimed at identifying relevant publications in the field of CIS and comprised search terms from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) catalog as well as additional free text search terms from PubMed and Web of Science. The retrieved articles were categorized in a multi-pass review carried out separately by the two section editors. The final selection of 15 candidate papers was then peer-reviewed by Yearbook editors and external reviewers. Based on the review results the four best papers were then selected at the best papers selection meeting with the IMIA Yearbook editorial board. To get an overview on the content of the retrieved articles we applied text mining and term co-occurrence mapping techniques.

Results: The query was carried out in mid-January 2016, yielding a combined result set of 1851 articles which were published in 790 different journals. The most relevant terms from abstracts and titles of these articles were assigned to six different clusters. A majority of articles dealt with two thematic blocks, problems and solutions in the CIS field. The majority of the 2016 CIS candidate papers and all four best papers could be assigned to these two thematic blocks.

Conclusions: We identified two main tracks among the CIS candidate and best papers as well as in CIS research activities in general: problems and solutions. A never ending cycle of continuous improvement.
Computerized Clinical Decision Support: Contributions from 2015
Authors: Bouaud J. , Koutkias V. ,   Section Editors for the IMIA Yearbook Section on Decision Support
Published: November 2016

Objective: To summarize recent research and select the best papers published in 2015 in the field of computerized clinical decision support for the Decision Support section of the IMIA yearbook.

Method: A literature review was performed by searching two bibliographic databases for papers related to clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) and computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems. The aim was to identify a list of candidate best papers from the retrieved papers that were then peer-reviewed by external reviewers. A consensus meeting between the two section editors and the IMIA editorial team was finally conducted to conclude in the best paper selection.

Results: Among the 974 retrieved papers, the entire review process resulted in the selection of four best papers. One paper reports on a CDSS routinely applied in pediatrics for more than 10 years, relying on adaptations of the Arden Syntax. Another paper assessed the acceptability and feasibility of an important CPOE evaluation tool in hospitals outside the US where it was developed. The third paper is a systematic, qualitative review, concerning usability flaws of medication-related alerting functions, providing an important evidence-based, methodological contribution in the domain of CDSS design and development in general. Lastly, the fourth paper describes a study quantifying the effect of a complex, continuous-care, guideline-based CDSS on the correctness and completeness of clinicians’ decisions.

Conclusions: While there are notable examples of routinely used decision support systems, this 2015 review on CDSSs and CPOE systems still shows that, despite methodological contributions, theoretical frameworks, and prototype developments, these technologies are not yet widely spread (at least with their full functionalities) in routine clinical practice. Further research, testing, evaluation, and training are still needed for these tools to be adopted in clinical practice and, ultimately, illustrate the benefits that they promise.
Troubled Waters: Navigating Unintended Consequences of Health Information Technology
Authors: Lehmann C. U. , Séroussi B. , Jaulent M.-C.
Published: November 2016

Objectives: To provide an introduction to the 2016 IMIA Yearbook of Medical Informatics by the editors.

Methods: We present a brief overview of the 2016 special topic “Unintended consequences of Health IT: new problems, new solutions”, we review our choice of special topic section editors, and discuss the transitions in the editorial team for next year.

Results: This edition of the Yearbook acknowledges the fact that implementation and use of Health Information Technology (HIT) may result in unintended consequences, which may lead to both adverse and sometimes beneficial outcomes. However to date, in the literature, undesired outcomes are emphasized with a focus on the complex causes and the many sources that may generate them. The growing awareness of the importance of HIT’s unintended consequences and their increasing documentation reflect a wider acceptance of HIT by users (more use generating more consequences) and and a new type of users (a shift from early adopters to late adopters and laggards), whith great expectations regarding the improvement of care quality through HIT solutions. Different points of view on new problems and new solutions of unintended consequences of Health IT are presented through the keynote paper, survey papers, and the working group contributions.

Conclusions: The regular 2016 issue of the IMIA yearbook focuses on new unintended consequences of Health IT – brought on by wider adoption and different types of users as well as solutions to addressing them.
THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON ACUTE PHASE PROTEINS OF CATTLE
Authors: Sevgisunar S.M. , Şahinduran S.
Published: November 2016

Stress occurs with the pressure of external and internal (infectious or non–infectious) causes which forces change in animals. This stress not only emerge with behavioral or clinical signs, but also will result with immune response formed by body. Understanding and evaluating this subclinic response is also possible with the help of Acute Phase Proteins (APP–AFP) which are released by tissues and organs when exposed to external and internal changes as well as known hormonal changes. Cattle are fed because of their economical importance and the inflammatory processes have influence on their yield levels. Because the stress is laying under all these health problems, also it is getting attention how stress effect the animals. Stress can be divided into main four groups: physical (mechanical), inflammatory (infectious), behavioral and other stress factors. The main APPs which all groups mostly using in their studies are serum amyloid A (SAA) haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), fibrinogen (Fb), lipopolisakkarit binding protein (LBP) ve α1–Acid Glycoprotein (AGP).
Systemic Acremonium species infection in a dog
Authors: Geisweid Kathrin , Hartmann Katrin , Hirschberger Johannes , Majzoub Monir , Schulz Bianka , Ballhausen Bianca D.
Published: November 2016

A 2-year-old female Magyar Viszla was referred with fever, lethargy, polyuria/polydipsia, and suspected systemic cryptococcosis. At presentation increased rectal temperature and enlarged lymph nodes were detected. Main laboratory abnormalities included lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, and mildly reduced urine specific gravity. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable. Lymph node cytology revealed mycotic infection. Acremonium species was isolated from urine as well as from a popliteal lymph node by fungal culture. Therapy with itraconazol (10 mg/kg p. o. q 12 h) was initiated based on susceptibility testing, but dosage had to be reduced by half due to adverse effects. Despite treatment, the dog developed progressive azotemia. Four months after initial presentation, the patient showed anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, vomitus, neurological signs, and severe azotemia and was euthanized. Acremonium species are emerging opportunistic mould fungi that can represent a potential threat for immunocompromised humans. In dogs, only two cases of systemic infection with this fungal species have been reported so far. This case highlights the fact that systemic fungal infections should be considered as a differential in cases of fever and lymphadenopathy.
Numerical test for single concrete armour layer on breakwaters
Authors: Anastasaki Eleni , Latham John-Paul , Xiang Jiansheng
Published: November 2016

The ability of concrete armour units for breakwaters to interlock and form an integral single layer is important for withstanding severe wave conditions. In reality, displacements take place under wave loading, whether they are small and insignificant or large and representing serious structural damage. In this work, a code that combines finite- and discrete-element methods which can simulate motion and interaction among units was used to conduct a numerical investigation. Various concrete armour layer structures were built using a carefully researched placement technique and then subjected to a boundary vibration. By analysing the displacements and assessing the number of units that were displaced by more than one-third their nominal size, the numerical test programme indicated clearly that the initial build packing density was the most important parameter influencing the stability of concrete armour layers under vibration. The size of the underlayer rock and the type of unit also affected the numerical performance of the single-layer concrete armour systems under vibration. The results presented are for full-scale systems and therefore add further insights into simple laboratory ‘shake tests’, although the oscillatory loading in this study is acknowledged to be profoundly different to wave action.
The relationship between the size-dependent melting point of nanoparticles and the bond number
Authors: Zhang Shuai
Published: November 2016

An integrated model based on the bond number and the bond length in a system is developed to predict the size-dependent thermal characteristics of nanoparticles. It is found that this model can be used to predict the melting point and the cohesive energy of low-dimensional materials without any other adjustable parameters, suggesting that both of them depend on the size and the atomic distance. Since the bond number is one of the geometric parameters of a nanostructure, it can be obtained if the shape of the nanostructure is known. So, the cubo-octahedron is used to describe the shape of nanoparticles. With the decrease in size, the melting point and cohesive energy also decrease, which is due to the decreased bond number. The good agreement of the theoretical prediction with the experimental and molecular dynamic simulation results confirms the validity of the cubo-octahedron in describing the thermodynamic behaviours of nanoparticles even without considering their crystalline structures.
Seismic performance of deficient masonry infill reinforced-concrete structures
Authors: Ali Muhammad Usman , Khan Shaukat Ali , Anwar Muhammad Yousaf , Aleem Abdul , Raza Saim , Maqbool Uzair
Published: November 2016

Literature from previous years of research studies reveals that the effect of masonry infills is significant and cannot be neglected. This study is aimed at the seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry infilled reinforced-concrete frame structures in developing countries, taking Pakistan as a case study. Typical two-dimensional reinforced-concrete frames with and without infill panels, and with infill openings are considered. A three-strut model is employed for analytical modelling of infill panels. Compressive strength of a typical Pakistani brick masonry prism is evaluated for modelling the equivalent strut. It is concluded that the study's masonry infilled structural configurations give better performance than bare frame structures. Openings in masonry panels, however, increase the seismic vulnerability of infilled structures.
Fluid viscous dampers locations in reinforced-concrete core wall buildings
Authors: Ahmed Munir
Published: November 2016

Conventionally, a flexural plastic hinge is assigned and detailed at the core wall base and coupling beams ends to control seismic responses. This strategy is based on allowing damage to main structural components. To avoid damage to main structural components, an alternative strategy using energy dissipating devices, such as fluid viscous dampers (FVDs), is currently being studied and implemented. In this study, the effect of FVD locations on a 40-storey, high-rise, reinforced-concrete core wall case study building has been studied in detail using non-linear response history analysis for seven spectrally matched ground motions. FVDs were installed at strategic locations, identified based on maximum ‘design basis earthquake’ elastic modal racking shear deformation demands and force (shear and moment) demands in three different options. The force, deformation and energy demands on structural components are compared for conventional design and different options of FVDs. The comparison with conventional design shows that FVDs are effective not only for reducing shear force demand along wall height, bending moment demand at mid-height and deformation demands by 10, 45 and 35%, respectively, but also significantly reduce the rotation and energy demands in the core wall by 60 and 450%, respectively.
Diversity patterns of monocotiledonous geophytes in Mexico
Authors: Cuéllar-Martínez Manuel , Sosa Victoria
Published: November 2016

Background: Geophytes, plants with underground perennating organs that lose their aerial organs annually, are able to survive in harsh habitats. This life form is common in the monocots that inhabit Mediterranean climates around the world. In Mexico only the northern area of Baja California has this type of climate.

Hypothesis: In this study, we recorded the species and distribution of Mexican geophyte monocots to pinpoint diversity hotspots. Our hypothesis is that the highest diversity of geophytes will be found in biogeographic areas with complex topography and seasonal climate such like Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and Sierra Madre del Sur, not only in the north of the Baja California Peninsula.

Data description: Records of geophytes were taken from different sources, collections, taxonomic references and diversity databases. Geophyte locations were mapped in the context of biogeographic and protected areas.

Results: The Mexican geophyte flora is composed of 476 species, approximately 10% of the total diversity of monocots. Echeandia and Tigridia were the two most diverse genera. This flora is dominated by the taxa of Orchidaceae, Asparagaceae and Iridaceae, and nine small endemic genera were recorded. Geophyte diversity was highest in two biogeographic provinces: the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Sierra Madre del Sur, in dry forests such as oak-pine, seasonally dry tropical forests and semi-arid shrubby vegetation.

Conclusions: Diversity of geophytes in Mexico is similar compared with certain regions with Mediterranean climate around the world. Areas sustaining a high diversity and endemism of geophytes are located in the Mesoamerican Biodiversity Hotspot, in unprotected and threatened areas.
Introducción. Procesos socioambientales en territorios amazónicos
Authors: Cuvi Nicolás
Published: November 2016

Introducción al Dossier.
Volleyball injuries in KwaZulu-Natal - epidemiology
Authors: Puckree T , Nathalal Y , Lin J
Published: November 2016

SA Sports Medicine Vol.15(3) 2003: 26-28
Letter: Caution when using heart rate as a marker of exercise intensity
Authors: Kirkman M
Published: November 2016

SA Sports Medicine Vol.15(3) 2003: 32
A new era for the South African Journal of Sports Medicine
Authors: Lambert Mike
Published: November 2016

A new era for the South African Journal of Sports Medicine
Determination of oxidation characteristics and decomposition kinetics of some Nigerian biomass
Authors: Okoroigwe Edmund C , Enibe S O , Onyegegbu S O
Published: November 2016

The oxidation characteristics and devolatilisation kinetics studies of palm kernel shell (Elaeis guineensis), African bush mango wood and shell (Irvingia wombolu), and African border tree wood (Newbouldia laevis), were carried out by the thermogravimetric method. A thermogravimetric analyser TA Q500 instrument was used at a heating rate of 30 °C.min-1 under oxidative conditions. It was observed that all the samples followed a two-stage structural decomposition between 200 °C and500 °C. The greatest mass loss rate occurred within the oxidation stage (200–375 °C) in all the samples. The ignition temperature of the samples ranged from 275–293 °C while their burnout temperatures ranged from 475–500 °C. During the oxidationstage, African bush mango shell was the most reactive sample, while palm kernel shell was the least. During the char combustion stage (375–500 °C), the reactivity of palm kernel shell was the highest. The average activation energy of the samples for the entire decomposition period are 140, 270, 131 and 231 kJ.mol-1 respectively. The biomass samples considered are thus suitable for combustion purposes for bioenergy production with minimal external energy input.
Varying percentages of full uniform shading of a PV module in a controlled environment yields linear power reduction
Authors: Swart Arthur James , Hertzog Pierre E
Published: November 2016

Partial shading of a PV module has received much attention over the past few years, as it results in uneven cell power generation, compromising a PV system performance. Full uniform shading of a PV module has not received as much attention. This article correlates the percentage of full uniform shading of a given PV module within a controlled environment to its output power. The percentage of full uniform shading provided by shade nets was firstly determined. These shade nets are then used to cover a specific PV module (experimental system), while an identical PV module remains totally unshaded (control system). Increasing percentages of full uniform shading negatively affected the direct beam component in a linear way. Decreasing the light intensity falling on the PV model exhibited a linear increase in the percentage of output power reduction of the PV module. This is observed in that a shade net providing 36% of full uniform shading resulted in a 56% output power reduction, while a 63% full uniform shading net yielded 82% power reduction. These results hold a strong promise to improve current simulation modules that focus on determining the output power of a given PV array under specific environmental conditions or for specialised geographical locations.
Modeling the Productivity of Forest Plantations with the Different Spacing the Trees
Authors: Припутина И.В. , Priputina I.V.
Published: November 2016

The main objective of this study was to assess the biomass productivity of short-rotation forest plantations depending on different spacing between
trees. Our simulations were focused on the birch plantation with the initial density of 2500 trees·ha-1, which could be reached
by using two planting schemes: with the distances between trees in a row and between rows, respectively, 2 and 2 m or 1 and 4 m. We used the model
EFIMOD-fbp-REG, and the soil-climatic data relevant to the Eutric Podzoluvisols disposed in the Republic of Mariy El in the Eastern part of European
Russia. The results showed greater biomass of trees in the planting scheme of 1 × 4 m. With the scheme of 2 × 2 m, increments of diameters and heights
of most trees decreased at the age of 15–20 years, and then the total number of trees strongly reduced. Intensive death of trees with the scheme
of 2 × 2 m was due to the procedure simulating the self-thinning of trees, which was used in the model. It is based on the use of the threshold ratio
of an annual biomass increment of the tree to the total tree biomass, IP/BT.
With the planting scheme of 2 × 2 m, the almost simultaneous closing of crowns and root areas of neighboring trees in rows and between rows was
the cause a competition for light and for available soil nitrogen, and resulted in a sharp reduction of biomass increments. As a consequence,
the value of IP/BT was below the threshold. With the planting scheme of 1 x 4 m, step-by-step (or gradual) closing of crowns and root areas of trees
(first in the rows and then between rows) reduced the competition effects, that ensured a higher growth rate of the tree stand in the next years.
“I Am Human Too!” ‘Probeerruimte’ as Liminal Spaces in Search of Recognition
Authors: Budge Fiona MacLeod , Wels Harry
Published: November 2016

This paper explores the Dutch concept ‘probeerruimte’ in relation to the statement ‘human as a contested concept’, a highly relevant topic in disability studies. Probeerruimte encompasses the idea that people need space to ‘try things out’, a liminal space that facilitates personal development. It was conceived in a context where institutional practices exerted restrictive control over the lives of people with learning difficulties, denying them rights to self-determination and personal growth, rights that are integral to experiences of ‘being human’. The concept emerged about 20 years ago, and was revived during two studies conducted in 2014 and 2015.  The studies, commissioned by Disability Studies in Nederland (DSiN), explored perceptions of social inclusion. Study findings reveal the significance of associated concepts, inclusive of connectivity, citizenship, liminal spaces, and ‘risk taking’. Of critical importance is the need to challenge hegemonic practices that all too often disempower people with learning difficulties, remove their rights and, relegate their status to below citizenship. This paper addresses the relevance of probeerruimte for people with learning difficulties, from their perspectives, and examines how institutions can facilitate this process. Opinions from ‘all people’ involved in the conversation are used as data so as not to ‘label’ or make too strict a distinction between people with or without learning difficulties. The authors affirm the need to create probeerruimte to facilitate varied ways of existing. Ideally these ways of existing will promote opportunities for people with learning difficulties to engage in meaningful spaces, affirm their rights to citizenship and recognise their humanity.
Humanity as a Contested Concept: Relations between Disability and ‘Being Human’
Authors: Van Trigt Paul , Kool Jacqueline , Schippers Alice
Published: November 2016

This editorial presents the theme and approach of the themed issue “Humanity as a Contested Concept: Relations between Disability and ‘Being Human’”. The way in which the concept of humanity is or must be related to disability is critically investigated from different disciplinary perspectives in the themed issue, which is, moreover, situated in the field of disability studies and related to discussions about posthumanism. The argument is made that humanity is a concept that needs to be constantly reflected upon from a disability studies perspective. Finally, the contributions of the themed issue are briefly outlined.
Effects of combined therapy in celullitis: controlled clinical trial, randomized and blind
Authors: Soares Ingrid Jullyane Pinto , Amaral Thereza Cristina do , Araújo Dayane Darlles Miranda de , Melo Vanessa Sales de , Silva Rodrigo Marcel Valentim da , Meyer Patrícia Froes
Published: November 2016

Introduction: The cellulites is defined as a multifactorial disease that results in the degeneration of adipose tissue, through the stages of change of interstitial matrix, micro circulatory stasis and adipocyte hypertrophy. Objective: The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of Combined Therapy of Ultrasound and Electrotherapy (CTUE) in cellulites in women through the infrared sensor (Celluscan). Methods: This research is a controlled, randomized and blinded trial, consisting of 28 females, divided into 2 groups of 14 individuals with cellulites in grade II, III and IV, chosen randomly in the city of Natal/RN. Results: In the control and the treatment group, comparing between them the form and degree of the cellulites in accordance with Celluscan, showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Considering the results obtained in this study it was not possible to prove the effectiveness of CTUE, taking into account that the cellulites is a multifactorial disease, because in this case there are several factors involved, such as the triggering, the predisposing and the aggravating factors that can influence the results.
Uma Recessão sem fim? As Transformações da Teoria e das Políticas Econômicas na Perspectiva Latino-Americana
Authors: Puyana Alícia
Published: November 2016

Resumo: este ensaio avalia criticamente os paradigmas da teoria econômicaneoclássica a partir da crise mundial de 2007-2008, assim como a trajetória daseconomias latino-americanas após a implementação das reformas neoliberais nasdécadas de 1970 e que provocaram um aumento acentuado da desigualdade empraticamente todos os países. A redução da desigualdade que ocorreu na décadade 2000 é atribuída, sobretudo, à ascensão de governos de centro e centro-esquerda no subcontinente. Numa perspectiva de longo prazo, evidencia-se que os indicadores Gini de desigualdade, em 2010, apenas retornaram aos valores de 1960.Palavras-chave: Teoria econômica. Crise mundial. Globalização. Desigualdade.América Latina.
UMA LEITURA CEPALINA DAS RELAÇÕES ECONÔMICAS SINO-BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Llambert de Azevedo Cesar Augusto
Published: November 2016

O artigo apresenta uma discussão sobre as relações econômicas sino-brasileiras entre 1974 e 2016. Apresenta os aspectos característicos das trajetórias econômicas dos dois países nas décadas consoante as sugestões da CEPAL para a América Latina. Analisa o progresso técnico conquistado pelo Brasil e pela RPC nas fases estruturalista e neoestruturalista cepalinas. Compara as características e os resultados do progresso técnico pela inovação e sugere posições dos dois países na díade centro-periferia.
Editorial
Authors: Oliveira Luiz Guilherme de , Miranda Luciana Oliveira
Published: November 2016

Editorial da Edição Especial CEPAL
A Study of Pre-Service Information and Communication Teachersâ€™ Efficacy Levels for Analyzing and Responding to Cyberbullying Cases
Authors: Kavuk Melike , Bulu Sanser , Keser Hafize
Published: November 2016

This case study was conducted to investigate efficacy levels of preservice Information and Communication Teachersâ€™ to identify, prevent and intervene to cyberbullying cases. Fifty participants were interviewed and 56 cyberbullying cases, which the participants experienced or witnessed, were collected to evaluate their cyberbullying readiness. Based on the content analysis and the expert ratings, preservice teachers found to have problems for identifying cyberbullying cases, suggesting appropriate prevention strategies for cyberbullying, judging intervention strategies, and suggesting appropriate intervention methods.  

 

Keywords: cyberbullying, cyber solisitation, bullying prevention, bullying intervention, preservice teacher traning
The Effect of Using in Computer Skills on Teachers’ Perceived Self-Efficacy Beliefs Towards Technology Integration, Attitudes and Performance
Authors: Nour EL-Daou Badrie Mohammad
Published: November 2016

The current study analyzes the relationship between the apparent teacher’s Self-efficacy and attitudes towards integrating technology into classroom teaching, self- evaluation reports and computer performance results.  Pre-post measurement of the Computer Technology Integration Survey (CTIS) (Wang et al,2004) was used to determine the confidence level with of 60 science teachers and 12 mixed-major teachers enrolled at the Lebanese University, Faculty of Education in the academic year 2011-2012.  Pre –post measurement on teachers’ attitudes towards using technology was examined using an opened and a closed questionnaire. Teachers’ performance was measured by means of their Activeinspire projects results using active boards after their third practice of training in computer skills and Activeinspire program. To accumulate data on teachers’ self-report, this study uses Robert Reasoner's five components: feeling of security, feeling of belonging, feeling of identity, feeling of goal, and self-actualization which teachers used to rate themselves (Reasoner,1983). The study acknowledged probable impacts of computer training skills on  teachers ‘self-evaluation report, effectiveness of computer technology skills, and evaluations of self-efficacy attitudes toward technology integration.  Pearson correlation revealed a strong relationship r = 0.99 between the perceived self-efficacy towards technology incorporation and teachers’ self-evaluation report. Also, the findings of this research revealed that 82.7% of teachers earned high computer technology scores on their Activeinspire projects and 33.3% received excellent grades on computer performance test. Recommendations and potential research were discussed.Keywords: Self- esteem; Activeinspire pre-service training; Perceived self -efficacy; Computer technology performance.
The Potential of Directed Instruction to Teach Effectively Technology Usage
Authors: Hosseini Zahra
Published: November 2016

Currently, teacher educational systems tend to develop their teacherâ€™s knowledge to effectively integrate technology in teaching. Consequently, numerous studies have attempted to describe strategies, models and approaches to develop teachersâ€™ knowledge for teaching with technology. However, most teachers are still following their traditional teaching methods regarding their cultural, individual and situational conditions. While teaching technology in traditional form and separated from pedagogy and content has already shown its failure in many studies, this study suggests an advanced directed instruction teaching model for preparing teachers for teaching with technology. In this study, directed instruction teaching model offers a step-by-step processÂ to individually guide pre-service teachers howÂ to infuse the appropriate technology for teaching the selected content. Subsequently, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) is selected to define and measure technology integration. The result of this study demonstrated that participatingÂ teachersÂ learned technology integration in the new directed setting as well as a constructivist setting. In particular, this study pointed out how the suggested directed instructional teaching model could be easily situated in the traditional setting and helped non-constructivist teacher educators in collaborative or individual learning.Â Keywords: Teacher education, instructional technology,Â  directed instruction , TPACK, technology integration
Affordances of telecollaboration tools for English for Specific Purposes online learning
Authors: Sevilla-Pavón Ana
Published: November 2016

This paper explores students' perceptions of the affordances of different telecollaboration tools used in an innovation project for English for Specific Purposes online learning carried out between the University of Valencia (Spain) and Wofford College (South Carolina, United States) during the school year 2015-2016. Different tools for synchronous and asynchronous communication were used. The asynchronous tools included a discussion forum, a wiki, social networking websites and Google forms; while the tools used for synchronous communication were text, voice and video chat, videoconferencing tools and Google Drive. All the tools were accessible through the online platform used in the project, Google+. By using these tools, students from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean carried out a number of activities and tasks through online telecollaborative methods, involving both synchronous and asynchronous communication. The tasks completed by students through the use of the different tools were aimed at fostering distance online collaboration among American and Spanish students for the development of their linguistic, intercultural and digital literacies.
The Value Of Item Response Theory In Invariance Testing
Authors: Martins Nico , Nienaber Hester
Published: November 2016

The goal of the current study was to assess the Employee Engagement Instrument (EEI) from an item response theory (IRT) perspective, with a specific focus on measurement invariance for annual turnover.  The sample comprised 4 099 respondents from all business sectors in South Africa.  This article describes the logic and procedures used to test for factorial invariance across groups in the context of construct validation. The procedures included testing for configural and metric invariance in the framework of multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).The results confirmed the factor analytic structure of the model fit for some of the individual scales of the EEI. The measurement invariance of the EEI as a function of annual turnover was confirmed. However, the results indicated that the EEI needs to be refined for future research.
Determinantes de la discriminación racial en el mercado laboral en Ecuador, 2010-2012
Authors: Botello Peñaloza Héctor Alberto
Published: November 2016

Introduction: This article aims to quantify racial discrimination in the labor market in Ecuador between 2010 and 2012. Methodology: Information is collected from quarterly household surveys on employment prepared by the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Ecuador, from which Mincer equations are estimated for labor income per hour. Subsequently, the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition with Heckman correction is used to determine wage gaps attributable to observable and unobservable factors regarding two ethnic groups: mestizos and whites. Results: The wage gap is significant and positive for white people, and it increases during the period of analysis. 40 % of this difference is due to higher provisions in human capital. However, about 42 % of the gap remains unexplained.
El control interno en los procesos de producción de la industria litográfica en Barranquilla
Authors: Navarro Stefanell Franklin , Ramos Barrios Liliana Milena
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this article is to diagnostic the current state of lithographic organizations in Barranquilla, in terms of internal control in the production area, in order to encourage the growth of this economic sector following the review of its procedures. An analysis of the methods used in the production departments was performed through fieldwork and observation techniques, which made it possible to determine that it is necessary to reorganize the lithographic businesses of the District so as to be able to exploit the situation of the treaties, aiming to generate a controlled and positive growth in this sector of economy in Barranquilla. Finally, we can conclude that an adequate internal control system will provide the conditions necessary for generating appropriate, reliable, relevant and useful information to promote the decisionmaking process, and the basic input will be established to guide the actions to be implemented in future operational periods.
Promoción de la innovación social a través de la utilización de metodologías participativas en la gestión del conocimiento
Authors: Lora L. Patricia , Rocha J. Daniel
Published: November 2016

This paper aims to discuss the potential of participatory research and social planning methodologies for a participatory management of knowledge and for promoting social innovation. In this context, we resume participatory planning and research methodologies implemented in different initiatives of the Social Innovation Science Park at Universidad Minuto de Dios, including the logical framework methodology and tools developed in the field of participatory action research (particularly the participatory rural appraisal and social mapping). We believe that their inclusiveness and their ability to integrate the knowledge and experience of different social and institutional actors encourage the promotion and development of strategies incorporating the different social actors in knowledge management. These methodologies are approaches to knowledge management and to the collective formulation and participatory development of social initiatives, and they therefore are becoming key raw materials for any social innovation initiative.
Una aproximación al papel de las organizaciones y su incidencia en el desarrollo y el ejercicio de las libertades
Authors: Vivas Cortés Ómar , Gómez Sarmiento José Luis , González Tobito Jorge Antonio
Published: November 2016

Este artículo presenta los resultados de investigación relacionados con el objetivo de identificar las características y propiedades de las formas de organización social para el agenciamiento de problemas públicos. Toma como enfoque teórico el desarrollo y el ejercicio de libertades. La metodología es cualitativa y las técnicas son la revisión e investigación documental. Los hallazgos tienen relación con la identificación de factores y elementos que potencian el desarrollo y que son reiterados en distintas formas de organización. En cuanto al problema, el incremento de las brechas sociales y la persistencia de los círculos de pobreza son algunas de las externalidades negativas que ha traído consigo el crecimiento económico, especialmente en países en vías de desarrollo. Como respuesta a estas problemáticas, la sociedad civil ha aumentado su apuesta por una participación más activa en los procesos sociales, razón por la cual, este artículo se acerca al rol que desempeñan las organizaciones sociales y a su agenciamiento en el desarrollo humano y el ejercicio de las libertades individuales.
Propuesta para el desarrollo de mercadeo turístico para la sabana centro de Cundinamarca
Authors: Rodríguez Escobar Germán
Published: November 2016

El turismo en Colombia es una actividad que viene siendo protagonista en la economía regional, principalmente porque es fuente generadora de empleo y motor de cadenas productivas en los diferentes sectores tanto públicos como privados, mediante la articulación de empresas de comercio y servicios como hoteles, restaurantes, bares, agencias de viajes, transporte, tiendas de artesanías, centros culturales, entre otras. La propuesta comienza por desarrollar un diagnóstico del entorno de la región. Allí se identifican los factores que influyen en cada municipio para fomentar e impulsar el potencial turístico y la apertura de nuevos atractivos; en segunda instancia, se busca articular en un proceso la información relevante sobre temas ecológicos, culturales, comerciales, empresariales, sitios de interés tanto rurales como urbanos y de servicios diferenciales, que son de interés para un turista; en tercera instancia, se busca formular la propuesta de mercadeo turístico integral que contenga una dinámica desde la explotación de los atractivos del municipio, rutas turísticas, el descubrimiento de nuevos tipos de turismo, hasta la comunicación y promoción.