bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Children’s Loneliness Scale
Authors: Maes Marlies , Van den Noortgate Wim , Vanhalst Janne , Beyers Wim , Goossens Luc
Published: September 2015

The present study examined the factor structure and construct validity of the Children’s Loneliness Scale (CLS), a popular measure of childhood loneliness, in Belgian children. Analyses were conducted on two samples of fifth and sixth graders in Belgium, for a total of 1,069 children. A single-factor structure proved superior to alternative solutions proposed in the literature, when taking item wording into account. Construct validity was shown by substantial associations with related constructs, based on both self-reported (e.g., depressive symptoms and low social self-esteem), and peer-reported variables (e.g., victimization). Furthermore, a significant association was found between the CLS and a peer-reported measure of loneliness. Collectively, these findings provide a solid foundation for the continuing use of the CLS as a measure of childhood loneliness.
Effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on Skin Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase Activities in Warfarin-Treated Rats
Authors: Aktop Sertaç , Emekli-Alturfan Ebru , Gönül Onur , Göçmen Gökhan , Garip Hasan , Yarat Ayşen , Göker Kamil
Published: September 2015

Aim:

Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) is a new promising local hemostatic agent, and its mechanism on hemostasis has been shown by many studies. However, the effects of ABS on skin superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities have not been investigated before. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of this new generation local hemostatic agent on warfarin-treated rats focusing on its the antioxidant potential in short-term soft tissue healing.

Methods:

Twelve systemically warfarin treated (warfarin group) and 12 none treated Wistar Albino rats (control group) were selected for the trial. Rats in the warfarin group were treated intraperitonally with 0.1 mg/kg warfarin, and rats in the control group were given 1 mL/kg saline 3 days earlier to surgical procedure and continued until killing. All rats had incisions on dorsal dermal tissue, which was applied ABS or no hemostatic agent before suturing. Six of each group were killed on day 4, and the other 6 were killed on day 8. Blood and skin samples were taken. Prothrombin time (PT) in blood samples, CAT, and SOD activities in skin samples were determined.

Results:

Warfarin treatment dose was found to be convenient and warfarin treatment increased the PT levels as expected. Warfarin treatment decreased CAT activity significantly compared to the control group. The ABS treatment significantly increased SOD activities in the warfarin group at the end of the eighth day.

Conclusion:

Ankaferd Blood Stopper acted positively in short-term tissue healing by increasing SOD activity in warfarin-treated rats. Therefore, ABS may be suggeted as a promoting factor in tissue healing.
Transverse vibration of viscoelastic Timoshenko beam-columns
Authors: Chen Li-Qun , Peng Li , Zhang A-Qiang , Ding Hu
Published: September 2015

Transverse vibration of viscoelastic Timoshenko beam-columns is investigated. The normal and the shear stress-strains are constituted by the Kelvin model with different viscosity parameters. The governing equations and the boundary conditions are derived from the generalized Hamilton principle. The exact frequency equations and the modal functions are proposed. The orthogonality conditions are established in the state space. The transverse response to arbitrary external excitation and initial conditions is determined via decoupling the governing equations based on the orthogonality. The natural frequencies and the decrement coefficients of various beam and beam-column models are numerically contrasted. The effects of the length-to-depth ratio, the axial tension, and the viscosity coefficients on the natural frequencies and the decrement coefficients are numerically demonstrated.
Driven by Contraries
Authors: de la Garza Sarah Amira
Published: September 2015

This special issue of Qualitative Inquiry has been edited to commemorate the influence of the scholarship of H. L. “Bud” Goodall Jr. to work in narrative ethnography. In this introductory essay by the editor of the journal, readers are provided with background and a brief conceptual frame for the issue.
A Narrative Jag
Authors: Poulos Christopher N.
Published: September 2015

In this essay, I trace the work of H. L. Goodall, Jr. across the trajectory of his career, and attempt to show the impact Goodall has had on me, my work, the work of other ethnographers, and the writing and practices of the work of many ethnographers and other qualitative researchers.
The Good(all) Effect
Authors: Boylorn Robin M.
Published: September 2015

The Good(all) Effect refers to the groundbreaking and influential work of H. L. “Bud” Goodall, Jr., and its continuing and rippling effects in qualitative studies and the discipline of Communication Studies following his death. In this tribute piece, one of his protegees writes a narrative reflection of their professional relationship and reflects on how his work and words inspire her own. She also considers ways to honor her mentor by forwarding his goals for narrative ethnography into the 21st century.
Theorizing glocalization
Authors: Roudometof Victor
Published: September 2015

This article presents three interpretations of glocalization in social-scientific literature as a means of reframing the terms of scholarly engagement with the concept. Although glocalization is relatively under-theorized, two key interpretations of the concept have been developed by Roland Robertson and George Ritzer. Through a critical and comparative overview, the article offers an assessment of the advances and weaknesses of each perspective. Both demonstrate awareness regarding the differences between globalization and glocalization, but this awareness is far from explicit. Both interpretations fail to draw a consistent analytical distinction between the two concepts and ultimately succumb to reductionism: either glocalization is subsumed under globalization or globalization is transformed into glocalization. Next, a third interpretation of glocalization as an analytically autonomous concept is presented. Working definitions of glocalization and of glocality as analytically autonomous from globalization and globality are developed and examples are offered. By addressing the key themes of power and temporality, this third interpretation transcends the limits of the other two interpretations.
The tools of social change: A critique of techno-centric development and activism
Authors: Servaes Jan , Hoyng Rolien
Published: September 2015

Generally, the literatures on Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) and on networked resistance are evolving isolated from one another. This article aims to integrate these literatures in order to critically review differences and similarities in the techno-centric conceptions of agency and social change by political adversaries that are rooted in their socio-technical practices. We repurpose the critique of technological determinism to develop a multi-layered conception of agency that contains three interrelated dimensions: (1) “access” versus “skill” and the normative concept of inclusion; (2) fixed “system” versus “open-ended network” and savoir vivre; and (3) “institution” versus “extra-institutional network” and political efficacy. Building on our critique, we end by exploring the political possibilities at the intersections of conventional institutions or communities and emerging, extra-institutional networked formations.
White magic: An anthropological perspective on value in Antarctic tourism
Authors: Picard David
Published: September 2015

This work explores the value of “magic” that Antarctic tourists frequently associate with their encounters of the White Continent. The argument developed here is that this magic emerges as a discourse delineating Antarctica as a radically Other to the modern Self in general, while at the same time offering a symbolic essence to modern social life that tourists actively seek out and try to capture while on the tour. Through its focus on the ambivalent and inherently contradictory values of this “white magic,” the work contributes to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Social Science Action Group’s effort to understand various forms of value that human beings place on Antarctica.
Wicking teaching aged care facilities program: Innovative Practice
Authors: Robinson Andrew , See Catherine , Lea Emma , Bramble Marguerite , Andrews Sharon , Marlow Annette , Radford Jan , McCall Michael , Eccleston Claire , Horner Barbara , McInerney Fran
Published: September 2015

This paper reports on the design of a program that aims to prototype teaching aged care facilities in Australia. Beginning in two Tasmanian residential aged care facilities, the intent of the program is to support large-scale inter-professional student clinical placements, positively influence students’ attitudes toward working in aged care and drive development of a high-performance culture capable of supporting evidence-based aged care practice. This is important in the context of aged care being perceived as an unattractive career choice for health professionals, reinforced by negative clinical placement experiences. The Teaching Aged Care Facilities Program features six stages configured around an action research/action learning method, with dementia being a key clinical focus.
From Aristotle to Arendt: A phenomenological exploration of forms of knowledge and practice in the context of child protection social work in the UK
Authors: Smeeton Joe
Published: September 2015

This paper attempts to explore the relationship between different forms of knowledge and the kinds of activity that arise from them within child protection social work practice. The argument that social work is more than either ‘science’ or ‘art’ but distinctly ‘practice’ is put through a historical description of the development of Aristotle’s views of the forms of knowledge and Hannah Arendt’s later conceptualisations as detailed in The Human Condition (1958). The paper supports Arendt’s privileging of Praxis over Theoria within social work and further draws upon Arendt’s distinctions between Labour, Work and Action to delineate between different forms of social work activity. The author highlights dangers in social work relying too heavily on technical knowledge and the use of theory as a tool in seeking to understand and engage with the people it serves and stresses the importance of a phenomenological approach to research and practice as a valid, embodied form of knowledge. The argument further explores the constructions of service users that potentially arise from different forms of social work activity and cautions against over-prescriptive use of ‘outcomes’ based practice that may reduce the people who use services to products or consumables. The author concludes that social work action inevitably involves trying to understand humans in a complex and dynamic way that requires engagement and to seek new meanings for individual humans.
How should autonomy be defined in medical negligence cases?
Authors: Purshouse Craig
Published: September 2015

In modern law medical paternalism no longer rules. Respect for patient autonomy is now a fundamental principle of both medical law and bioethics. As a result of these developments, and cases such as Rees v Darlington Memorial NHS Trust and Chester v Afshar, there have been suggestions that the law of clinical negligence should be developed so as to recognise diminished autonomy as a form of actionable damage in this area of tort law. Yet in order for the tort of negligence to recognise this new interest, it is first necessary to determine how autonomy should be understood in this context. The purpose of this article is to shed light on this issue and arrive at a suitable definition of the concept. After outlining the different theories of autonomy it is argued that the traditional liberal (current desire) definition is the most philosophically and legally coherent.
Inactive Duty
Authors: Zimdars Melissa
Published: September 2015

From U.S. Marine Corps helicopters rescuing “stranded” participants on The Biggest Loser to having individuals temporarily enlist in the Army on Extreme Weight Loss, these examples of military imagery work toward legitimizing the disciplinary logics put forth on reality weight-loss programs. Yet the military is simultaneously relying more on weight-loss and training practices originating in the commercial sector, including those found on TV, due to perceived “softness” and “fatness” within its ranks. This article thus examines the military-inspired disciplinary logics both reinforced and inadvertently challenged across weight-loss reality TV programs, the “fattening” and commercialization of the military, and the way each ultimately challenge the authority and expertise of the other, revealing numerous instances of disciplinary discrepancy.
Affective Commitment as a Core Essence of Organizational Commitment
Authors: Mercurio Zachary A.
Published: September 2015

This article responds to the call for the identification of a core essence of organizational commitment. Since this call 14 years ago, scholars studying organizational commitment have not come to an agreement as to the nature of organizational commitment, and how it develops. The research’s fragmentation creates a problem in a time when practitioners are looking toward organizational commitment interventions to attract, retain, and develop talent and enhance employee performance. With organizational commitment research remaining confounding and fragmented, further clarification of what commitment is and how it develops is warranted and important to guide future research and evidence-based practice. Through a review of the competing and overlapping organizational commitment theoretical frameworks and the empirical research on the consequences of affective organizational commitment, this article proposes a conceptual framework in which affective commitment, or the emotional attachment to the organization, is an important core essence of organizational commitment.
Digitizing rape culture: Online sexual violence and the power of the digital photograph
Authors: Dodge Alexa
Published: September 2015

The damaging effects, for both the victims and perpetrators, of photographing sexual assault should be self-evident. However, in the cases of Rehtaeh Parsons, Jane Doe and Audrie Pott, photographs of sexual violence seem to have been taken and digitally disseminated without regard for the possible consequences. Thus, these cases pose disturbing questions about the ways that sexual violence is normalized and legitimized in western culture and the ways that new media is implicated in this process. These cases demonstrate how the ubiquity and permanence of digital photographs create new concerns for victims of sexual violence and new questions regarding the interpretive matrix of photographs. Using Judith Butler’s theory on photography, torture and framing, I argue that these cases are an example of what Butler refers to as the digitalization of evil. Through this framework, I will discuss the ways that new media exacerbates experiences of sexual violence and examine issues surrounding the interpretation of photographs of sexual violence.
Evolution = Sustainability
Authors: Marien Michael
Published: September 2015

Focusing on “Future Human Evolution” too often narrows the frame to individual humans only, thus avoiding the context of societies and places where we live, and Planet Earth that is increasingly assaulted by climate change and pollution. If humanity is to have any future whatsoever, evolution is sustainability, taken seriously. This article describes the evolution of sustainability thinking and the many barriers that still persist. “Sustainability” first appeared in a book title in 1976. Since then, attention to sustainability has gathered momentum, with more than five thousand books and five hundred international organizations now calling for sustainable societies, cities, businesses, and economies. Ongoing research for a “Security and Sustainability Guide” to the organizational macro-system finds that, as of June 2015, more than one thousand relevant organizations have been identified, more than half concerned with promoting sustainability. But this burgeoning movement still has a long way to go, and success is problematic: (1) accelerating climate change may offset gains; (2) despite a growing number of alliances, consortia, and networks, there is still considerable fragmentation; (3) major differences among sustainability groups dilute political impact, notably “realos” versus “fundis,” generalists versus specialists, and scientists/academics versus activists/popularizers; (4) the broad and expanding realm of national and global security is not only a barrier to sustainability but also a potential driver, once it is realized that we cannot have security without sustainability—and vice versa; (5) infoglut is a major barrier, and much better information management is needed; (6) we all have much to learn about sustainability, and “third-level scholarship” is needed to integrate numerous second-level integrators. Seven proposals are offered to accelerate efficacy of the evolution = sustainability movement.
Humanity Rising
Authors: Smart John M.
Published: September 2015

The main paradigm we presently use to understand our universe is theoretical physics. It has helped us understand much about space, time, energy, and matter but does not presently explain or predict the emergence of information, computation, life, and mind. In biological systems, the discipline of evolutionary development (evo-devo) biology studies how evolutionary and developmental processes interact to guide the production of ordered, complex, adaptive, and intelligent structures. In living systems, we can distinguish evolutionary processes, which are stochastic, variety-creating, divergent, and contingently adaptive, and developmental processes, which produce convergent and systemically statistically predictable structures and trajectories in a hierarchical developmental cycle, from seed, to adult, to reproduction, aging, and death. If our universe is also a cycling, evo devo system, that moves from seed, to adult, to reproduction and death, as several scientists and philosophers now suspect, it must also exhibit both unpredictable evolutionary creativity over its life span and many predictable and constraining developmental constants, functions, and futures, as it grows up, reproduces, and dies. As science learns to see our universe as an evo-devo system, our foresight will greatly improve, and humanity will gain new moral responsibilities, both to predict and help developmental processes unfold, and to increase evolutionary free choice and diversity of paths.
Construction and validation of an instrument measuring attitudes towards human rights of Liberal Studies teachers in Hong Kong
Authors: Lo Yan Lam , Leung Yan Wing , Chow Joseph
Published: September 2015

In 2009, Liberal Studies, which can be used as a platform for human rights education, was newly introduced as a compulsory subject for the senior secondary students in Hong Kong. As teacher’s attitudes impact students’ learning largely, a survey was conducted in 2010 to measure Liberal Studies teachers’ attitudes towards human rights. This article focuses on the development and validation of the questionnaire instrument measuring Liberal Studies teachers’ human rights attitudes, which is one of the pioneers in Asian societies. The dimensions of the instrument were first explored by exploratory factor analysis, and were confirmed to include Social Welfare, Civilian Constraints, Personal Liberties, Equality, Privacy – School Management and Privacy –Others. Then, the six-dimensional instrument was validated by confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. It is expected that it will serve as a base to build a potential tool for comparative study of human rights attitudes in Asian societies.
Ossification of the bilateral Achilles tendon: a rare entity
Authors: Arora Abhishek J , Arora Richa
Published: September 2015

Ossification of the Achilles tendon is a rare clinical entity comprising of one or more segments of variable sized ossified masses in the fibrocartilaginous substance of the tendon. The etiology of ossification of the Achilles tendon is multifactorial with recurrent trauma and surgery comprising major predisposing factors, with others being metabolic, systemic, and infectious diseases. The possibility of a genetic predisposition towards this entity has also been raised, but has not yet been proven. We present a rare case of ossification of the bilateral Achilles tendons without any history of trauma or surgery in a 48-year-old female patient.
Current Practices Regarding Perioperative Management of Patients With Fracture on Antiplatelet Therapy
Authors: Pean Christian A. , Goch Abraham , Christiano Anthony , Konda Sanjit , Egol Kenneth
Published: September 2015

Objective:

There continues to be controversy over whether operative delay is necessary for patients on antiplatelet therapy, particularly for elderly patients with hip fractures. This study sought to assess current clinical practices of orthopedic surgeons regarding perioperative management of these patients.

Methods:

A 12-question, Web-based survey was distributed to orthopedic surgeons via e-mail. Questions regarding timing of surgery assumed patients were on antiplatelet therapy and assessed attitudes toward emergent and nonemergent orthopedic cases as well as operative delay for specific closed fracture types. Responses were compared using unpaired, 2-tailed Student t tests for continuous variables and Pearson chi-square tests with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for categorical variables. Statistical significance was defined as a P value <.05.

Results:

Overall 67 orthopedic surgeons responded. Fifty-two percent (n = 35) of the respondents described their practice as academic. Thirty-nine percent (n = 25) of the surgeons indicated that no delay was acceptable for urgent but nonemergent surgery, and 78% (n = 50) reported no delay for emergent surgery was acceptable. Sixty-eight percent (n = 46) of respondents felt patients on antiplatelet therapy with closed hip fractures did not require operative delay. Surgeons who opted for surgical delay in hip fractures were more likely to delay surgery in other lower extremity fracture types (OR = 16.4, 95% CI 4.48-60.61, P < .001). Sixty-four percent (n = 41) of the surgeons indicated there was no protocol in place at their institution.

Conclusions:

There continues to be wide variability among orthopedic surgeons with regard to management of patients with fracture on antiplatelet therapy. Over a quarter of surgeons continue to opt for surgical delay in patients with hip fracture. This survey highlights the need to formulate and better disseminate practice management guidelines for patients with fracture on antiplatelet therapy, particularly given the aging population in the United States.
Critical assessment 20: On carbon excess in bainitic ferrite
Authors: Pereloma E. V.
Published: September 2015

For several decades, the question of carbon supersaturation in bainitic ferrite has attracted the attention of physical metallurgists. Originally, this was associated with excess carbon due to the displacive nature of phase transformation and its subsequent trapping at defects in bainitic ferrite. The development of advanced experimental techniques, such as atom probe tomography and in situ synchrotron and neutron X-ray diffraction, has provided new insights into carbon distribution within bainitic ferrite. Possible explanations for carbon excess in solid solution are discussed, and the pathways for the future advancement of this research question are suggested.
Laser surface treatment of AZ91 magnesium alloy presprayed with WC–Co
Authors: Mehrjou B. , Soltani R. , Sohi M. H. , Torkamany M. J. , Valefi Z. , Ghorbani H.
Published: September 2015

In this study, the surface of AZ91 magnesium alloy plasma sprayed with WC–12 wt-%Co powder was melted by pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Microstructure, chemical composition and phase analyses of the treated layers were studied by utilising a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction technique and a microhardness testing machine. Laser treated layers showed much finer structure compared to that of the original base material with suitable distribution of WC particles. Microhardness of melted zone achieved at optimum condition was ∼3.5 times higher than that of the base material. In addition, the presence of WC particle and refined structure reduced the wear rate to less than half in the laser treated layer.
Coagulation factor XIIIa is inactivated by plasmin
Authors: Hur Woosuk S. , Mazinani Nima , Lu X. J. David , Britton Heidi M. , Byrnes James R. , Wolberg Alisa S. , Kastrup Christian J.
Published: September 2015

Key Points

Plasmin inactivates the enzyme FXIIIa, but not the zymogen FXIII. FXIIIa is inactivated during clot lysis.
Patient perceptions of foot disability in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: a comparison of the juvenile arthritis foot disability index and the Oxford ankle foot questionnaire for children
Authors: Ferrari Jill
Published: September 2015

Background

The Juvenile Arthritis Foot Disability Index (JAFI) and the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ‐C) are two region‐specific paediatric outcome tools that measure the impact on well‐being in children with foot pathology. The aim of this study was to establish the level of agreement between the JAFI and the OxAFQ‐C in a group of children diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

Methods

Children with JIA accessed the questionnaire via a website. The OxAFQ‐C questionnaire and the JAFI questionnaire were combined into one document consisting of 42 statements with Likert‐scale responses. A further question regarding duration of disease was added. On completion, the web‐linked questionnaire was returned by e‐mail.

Results

Thirty five participants were included. Individual domain and composite score analysis was undertaken. The JAFI participation domain was compared to the OxAFQ‐C school domain and showed no significant difference between the median scores of each participant (z = ‐1.33, p = 0.181). The JAFI activity and the OxAFQ‐C physical domains were compared and showed that a significant difference between the median scores existed (z = ‐4.29, p < 0.001). Agreement between the two PROMs was tested using Bland Altman Levels of Agreement based upon the percentage summed composite scores. Levels of agreement between the scores were considered to be poor based on the Bland Altman plot, despite a low mean difference in scores (mean difference = ‐3.88, SD of difference = 9.93, p = 0.027). Pearson correlation was undertaken to measure the relationship between the summed composite score and disease duration. No relationship was found (JAFI: r = ‐0.08, p = 0.672; OxAFQ‐C: r = 0.037, p = 0.871).

Conclusions

This study has shown that despite some agreement between the individual domains, overall there is poor agreement between the OxAFQ‐C and the JAFI percentage summed composite scores. The study is not able to determine if one score is superior to the other but both scores could be of value when used in this population.
Human cord blood-derived platelet lysate enhances the therapeutic activity of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from Crohn’s disease patients in a mouse model of colitis
Authors: Forte Dorian , Ciciarello Marilena , Valerii Maria Chiara , De Fazio Luigia , Cavazza Elena , Giordano Rosaria , Parazzi Valentina , Lazzari Lorenza , Laureti Silvio , Rizzello Fernando , Cavo Michele , Curti Antonio , Lemoli Roberto M. , Spisni Enzo , Catani Lucia
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Due to their immunomodulatory properties, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been used for auto-immune disease treatment. Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis are two major inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), resulting from pathological immune responses to environmental or microbial antigens. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that MSC-based cellular therapy hold promising potential for IBD treatment. However, open issues include the selection of the proper cell dose, the source and the optimal route of administration of MSCs for more effective results. Platelet lysate has gained clinical interest due to its efficacy in accelerating wound healing. Thus, we propose to combine the administration of MSCs with a human umbilical cord blood-derived platelet lysate (hCBPL) as a novel strategy to improve MSC-based therapy for IBD resolution.

Methods

Colitis was induced in 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice by daily oral administration of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) (1.5 % w/v in tap water) for 9 days. MSCs were isolated from adipose tissue of CD patients (adCD-MSCs), expanded in proliferation medium, resuspended in hCBPL or PBS and administrated via enema for three times (1 × 106 cells/mouse/time) every other day starting on day +7 from DSS induction. The colitis evolution was evaluated by daily monitoring of body weight, stool consistency and bleeding. Histopathological analysis was performed. Inflammatory cytokine plasma levels were determined. adCD-MSCs stained with lipophilic membrane dye Nile Red, were injected in DSS mice as described above. Colon section of mice sacrificed 24 hours after last cell administration, were analyzed by confocal microscopy.

Results

We found that adCD-MSCs could be easily isolated and expanded from CD patients. Upon injection, adCD-MSCs exerted a therapeutic effect on DSS-induced colitis. Moreover, hCBPL increased adCD-MSCs efficacy by significantly reducing colitis scores, extension of the colon inflamed area and plasma levels of inflammatory mediators. Finally, Nile Red staining of MSCs is very efficient, stable and does not impair their vitality and function. Nile Red-labelling was clearly detected in the colitic area of adCD-MSCs injected mice and it was significantly brighter in the colon sections of mice that had received adCD-MSCs/hCBPL.

Conclusions

In summary, with this study we propose a novel and promising adCD-MSC/hCBPL-based therapy for refractory IBDs.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Levin’s type boundary behaviors for functions harmonic and admitting certain lower bounds
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Vetro Mohamed
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we prove Levin’s type boundary behaviors for functions harmonic and admitting certain lower bounds, which extend Pan, Qiao and Deng’s inequalities for analytic functions in a half-space.
Familial risk and childhood adversity interplay in the onset of psychosis
Authors: Trotta Antonella , Forti Marta Di , lyegbe Conrad , Green Priscilla , Dazzan Paola , Mondelli Valeria , Morgan Craig , Murray Robin M. , Fisher Helen L.
Published: September 2015

Background

The association between childhood adversity and psychosis in adulthood is well established. However, genetic factors might confound or moderate this association.

Aims

Using a catchment-based case-control sample, we explored the main effects of, and interplay between, childhood adversity and family psychiatric history on the onset of psychosis.

Method

Childhood adversity (parental separation and death, physical and sexual abuse) was assessed retrospectively in 224 individuals with a first presentation of psychosis and 256 community controls from South London, UK. Occurrence of psychotic and affective disorders in first-degree relatives was ascertained with the Family Interview for Genetic Studies (FIGS).

Results

Parental history of psychosis did not confound the association between childhood adversity and psychotic disorder. There was no evidence that childhood adversity and familial liability combined synergistically to increase odds of psychosis beyond the effect of each individually.

Conclusions

Our results do not support the hypothesis that family psychiatric history amplifies the effect of childhood adversity on odds of psychosis.
Clinical effectiveness of a skills training intervention for caregivers in improving patient and caregiver health following in-patient treatment for severe anorexia nervosa: pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hibbs Rebecca , Magill Nicholas , Goddard Elizabeth , Rhind Charlotte , Raenker Simone , Macdonald Pamela , Todd Gill , Arcelus Jon , Morgan John , Beecham Jennifer , Schmidt Ulrike , Landau Sabine , Treasure Janet
Published: September 2015

Background

Families express a need for information to support people with severe anorexia nervosa.

Aims

To examine the impact of the addition of a skills training intervention for caregivers (Experienced Caregivers Helping Others, ECHO) to standard care.

Method

Patients over the age of 12 (mean age 26 years, duration 72 months illness) with a primary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and their caregivers were recruited from 15 in-patient services in the UK. Families were randomised to ECHO (a book, DVDs and five coaching sessions per caregiver) or treatment as usual. Patient (n=178) and caregiver (n=268) outcomes were measured at discharge and 6 and 12 months after discharge.

Results

Patients with caregivers in the ECHO group had reduced eating disorder psychopathology (EDE-Q) and improved quality of life (WHO-Quol; both effects small) and reduced in-patient bed days (7–12 months post-discharge). Caregivers in the ECHO group had reduced burden (Eating Disorder Symptom Impact Scale, EDSIS), expressed emotion (Family Questionnaire, FQ) and time spent caregiving at 6 months but these effects were diminished at 12 months.

Conclusions

Small but sustained improvements in symptoms and bed use are seen in the intervention group. Moreover, caregivers were less burdened and spent less time providing care. Caregivers had most benefit at 6 months suggesting that booster sessions, perhaps jointly with the patients, may be needed to maintain the effect. Sharing skills and information with caregivers may be an effective way to improve outcomes. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) was registered with Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN06149665.
Excess cause-specific mortality in out-patients with personality disorder
Authors: Björkenstam Charlotte , Björkenstam Emma , Gerdin Bengt , Ekselius Lisa
Published: September 2015

Personality disorders (PDs) are associated with increased overall mortality. In patients hospitalised with a principal diagnosis of PD, this is observed for all clusters and for natural as well as unnatural causes of death. Data from Swedish nationwide registers were used to assess whether this was also true for the majority of patients diagnosed with PDs not severe enough to lead to hospitalisation. There was an increased mortality in all clusters, and for natural as well as unnatural death, also in patients treated as out-patients only, although not to the same extent as in those hospitalised.
Validation of the Short Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder Screener (SOCS) in children and adolescents
Authors: Piqueras José A. , Rodríguez-Jiménez Tíscar , Ortiz Ana G. , Moreno Elena , Lázaro Luisa , Godoy Antonio
Published: September 2015

Background

The Short Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder Screener (SOCS) is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a suitable and validated screening tool for 11- to 15-year olds. Despite its excellent sensitivity and specificity in detecting obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), it has limitations.

Aims

To empirically examine whether the SOCS is suitable for assessing OCD symptoms across a wide age range of children and adolescents and to provide new data about its psychometric properties.

Method

Participants were 94 patients (9–19 years) with OCD, and 880 healthy controls.

Results

The results supported the SOCS' unidimensional factor structure and metric invariance across samples. It showed good reliability in terms of internal consistency and temporal stability. Furthermore, it had significantly high correlations with other OCD measures and an acceptable sensitivity and specificity for detecting OCD.

Conclusions

The SOCS is a brief screening tool suitable for detecting OCD in children and adolescents.
“Dilute-and-Shoot” Rapid-Separation Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Fast Detection of Thiodiglycolic Acid in Urine
Authors: Baygildiev Timur , Braun Arcady , Stavrianidi Andrey , Rodin Igor , Shpigun Oleg , Rybalchenko Igor , Ananieva Irina
Published: September 2015

A new sensitive rapid-separation liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry approach for the determination of thiodiglycolic acid (TDGA) in urine has been developed. The use of the “dilute-and-shoot” method helps to shorten the sample preparation stage and provides a sensitive and direct approach for TDGA determination in urine. Chromatographic separation of the analyte and other urine compounds was achieved using a reverse-phase liquid chromatography column with mobile phases consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile in a gradient elution mode. For the identification and quantification of TDGA electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry monitoring, two precursor-to-product ion transitions were used. The method demonstrates good linearity and has a detection limit of 50 ng mL−1 in urine.
Dual mechanisms governing reward-driven perceptual learning
Authors: Kim Dongho , Ling Sam , Watanabe Takeo
Published: September 2015

In this review, we explore how reward signals shape perceptual learning in animals and humans. Perceptual learning is the well-established phenomenon by which extensive practice elicits selective improvement in one’s perceptual discrimination of basic visual features, such as oriented lines or moving stimuli. While perceptual learning has long been thought to rely on ‘top-down’ processes, such as attention and decision-making, a wave of recent findings suggests that these higher-level processes are, in fact, not necessary.  Rather, these recent findings indicate that reward signals alone, in the absence of the contribution of higher-level cognitive processes, are sufficient to drive the benefits of perceptual learning. Here, we will review the literature tying reward signals to perceptual learning. Based on these findings, we propose dual underlying mechanisms that give rise to perceptual learning: one mechanism that operates ‘automatically’ and is tied directly to reward signals, and another mechanism that involves more ‘top-down’, goal-directed computations.
Joint Inventory and Cash Management for Multidivisional Supply Chains
Authors: Luo Wei , Shang Kevin
Published: September 2015

This paper develops a centralized supply chain model that integrates material flows with cash flows. The supply chain is owned by a single firm with two divisions. The downstream division (headquarters), facing random customer demand, replenishes materials from the upstream division. The firm installs a financial services platform that pools the divisions’ cash into a master account managed by the headquarters. In each period, cash is received from customers and paid to the outside vendor after materials are delivered. The headquarters determines how much cash to retain for inventory replenishment. The objective is to determine an optimal joint inventory replenishment and cash retention policy for the entire supply chain. We prove that the optimal policy has a surprisingly simple structure—both divisions implement a base-stock policy for inventory replenishment; the headquarters monitors the corporate working capital and implements a two-threshold policy for cash retention. This result is obtained by extending the well-known Clark-Scarf decomposition with newly derived cash-related penalty functions. The optimal policy enables us to investigate the interaction between cash and inventory decisions. We show that in the presence of transaction costs, a firm may stock more even if the inventory holding cost increases. To quantify the value of financial integration, we compare the cash pooling model with systems under different levels of financial integration. Our study suggests that the value of cash pooling can be significant when demand is increasing (respectively, stationary) and the internal transfer price is low (respectively, high). Nevertheless, a significant amount of cash pooling benefit may be recovered if the headquarters can optimize the internal transfer price.
Creating More and Better Alternatives for Decisions Using Objectives
Authors: Siebert Johannes , Keeney Ralph L.
Published: September 2015

The quality of alternatives is crucial for making good decisions. This research, based on five empirical studies of important personally relevant decisions, examines the ability of decision makers to create alternatives for their important decisions and the effectiveness of different stimuli for improving this ability. For decisions for which the full set of potentially desirable alternatives is not readily apparent, our first study indicates that decision makers identify less than half of their alternatives and that the average quality of the overlooked alternatives is the same as those identified. Four other studies provide insight about how to use objectives to stimulate the alternative-creation process of decision makers and confirm with high significance that such use enhances both the number and quality of created alternatives. Using results of the studies, practical guidelines to create alternatives for important decisions are presented.
Posters as assessment strategies: focusing on service users
Authors: Crawley Loretta , Frazer Kate
Published: September 2015

This article debates whether posters as an assessment strategy in health professionals' education programmes can benefit learners, academics, and service users. Evidence suggests that service-user involvement benefits learning by developing students' communication, partnership and advocacy skills. The authors debate the value of posters as an assessment strategy in postgraduate diploma nursing programmes delivered in an Irish School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. It is argued that assessment strategies should not only examine programme theory and practice but should also benefit the people that will be using the service. Although the assessment strategy used in these programmes aimed to benefit service users, additional work is required for assessment to be truly inclusive of service users.
O USO DA TRIANGULAÇÃO NA PESQUISA CIENTÍFICA BRASILEIRA EM ADMINISTRAÇÃO
Authors: Zappellini Marcello Beckert , Feuerschütte Simone Ghisi
Published: September 2015

O objetivo do presente artigo é investigar o uso dos procedimentos de triangulação em pesquisas científicas em Administração feitas no Brasil. Entende-se a triangulação como um procedimento que combina diferentes métodos de coleta de dados, distintas populações (ou amostras), diferentes perspectivas teóricas e diferentes momentos no tempo, para consolidar suas conclusões a respeito do fenômeno que está sendo investigado. Existem diversos tipos de triangulação, mas, de modo geral, segue-se a classificação de Denzin (2005), que distinguiu a triangulação de dados, da teoria, de investigadores e metodológica, posteriormente ampliada e explicada por diferentes autores. Na análise realizada em artigos obtidos junto à base de dados Scielo Brasil, verificou-se uma diversificação no uso do método, por vezes aplicado de forma distorcida, havendo, sobretudo, confusão entre a triangulação de dados e a metodológica. Nesse sentido, o artigo conclui que são poucos os trabalhos que reconhecem o uso da triangulação com base nas diferentes perspectivas e propósitos apontados na literatura, embora se tenha observado um número significativo de estudos que a utilizam enquanto técnica de análise de dados baseada em fontes distintas de evidência empírica.
Enabling others in social work: a review of the reflexive framework
Authors: Houston Stan
Published: September 2015

This article describes a piece of social research commissioned by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. It investigated the significance of a reflexive framework and linked, enabling process for social work practice. Both of these conceptual areas had been previously developed by the author and outlined in a prior submission to the journal. The methodological orientation was qualitative and idiographic so that the participants’ in-depth meanings could be captured in the form of a case study. In terms of data collection, three parallel, coterminous focus groups were convened and met on three occasions. To enhance the study’s representativeness, the sample was purposively drawn from a range of social work sectors and enabling contexts within Northern Ireland. The results showed that the participants wanted a reduced format and presentation of the framework, one that was accessible for busy practitioners and one that helped to clarify the nature of social work within the political and economic spheres. They also strongly registered the barriers to practising reflexivity in the modern organisation. Although the research design was limited to perspectival accounts, it showed how reflexive social work practice can be helpfully conceptualised through an awareness of the impact of various power-laden, psychosocial domains on social life.
The intensification of neoliberalism and the commodification of human need – a social work perspective
Authors: Singh Gurnam , Cowden Stephen
Published: September 2015

Marx and Engels (1848) in the Manifesto of the Communist Party explained how the drive towards the commodification of human society could be seen essentially as a manifestation of the territorial expansion of capitalist relations. While this expansion continues apace, this article argues that the contemporary period, often referred to as neoliberalism, can be characterised in terms of the intensification of those very same capitalist social relations. In the context of the rolling back of the gains from the post-war Keynesian period and most significantly the welfare state, this uniquely involves the reconstruction of human subjectivity, which, it is argued, threatens the very foundations of progressive social work. This article offer a critical look at the deployment of terms such as ‘empowerment’ and ‘resilience’ in policy discourses and the way these are being used to pathologise service users and to reconstruct the relationship between the state and citizenry in this period.