bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Open Source Software to Enhance the STEM Learning Environment
Authors: Dawson Maurice , Al Saeed Imad , Wright Jorja , Onyegbula Festus
Published: December 2014

This chapter examines the use of Open Source Software (OSS) technologies that can be used to improve the learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Explored are the various methods that can be utilized to improve the percentage of STEM majors in the American educational system with resources such as: Open Source as Alternative (OSALT), virtualization, cloud computing, Linux distributions, open source programming, and open source hardware platforms. Increasing the amount of students that pursue STEM majors is important because the projected job growth in the STEM field compared to non-STEM jobs is 33%. OSALT provides cost-effective alternatives to commercial products such as Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Photoshop. Second, creating Virtual Machines (VMs) is another avenue to teach complex concepts in computer science, engineering, and Information Technology (IT). Third, cloud computing is an inexpensive way for clients to access information from multiple locations and devices. Fourth, universities can use the Operating System (OS) Linux and its various distributions as replacements for commercial operating systems like Windows in order to reduce IT costs. Lastly, open source programming languages like Python and their associated Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) provide comprehensive facilities for software engineers for application development or testing.
Emergent Data Mining Tools for Social Network Analysis
Authors: Murthy Dhiraj , Gross Alexander , Takata Alex
Published: December 2014

This chapter identifies a number of the most common data mining toolkits and evaluates their utility in the extraction of data from heterogeneous online social networks. It introduces not only the complexities of scraping data from the diverse forms of data manifested in these sources, but also critically evaluates currently available tools. This analysis is followed by a presentation and discussion on the development of a hybrid system, which builds upon the work of the open-source Web-Harvest framework, for the collection of information from online social networks. This tool, VoyeurServer, attempts to address the weaknesses of tools identified in earlier sections, as well as prototype the implementation of key functionalities thought to be missing from commonly available data extraction toolkits. The authors conclude the chapter with a case study and subsequent evaluation of the VoyeurServer system itself. This evaluation presents future directions, remaining challenges, and additional extensions thought to be important to the effective development of data mining tools for the study of online social networks.
Business Intelligence Tools for Social E-Enterprises
Authors: Bernardino Jorge
Published: December 2014

Social enterprises can tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and contribute to economic growth but they also benefit people and the planet. However, social enterprises face particular difficulties, in order to be financial sustainable and get their social mission accomplished in a global world. In recent time, technology applications in different fields, especially Business Intelligence (BI), have been developed rapidly and considered to be one of the most significant uses of information technology. BI is a broad category of applications and technologies for gathering, storing, analyzing, and providing access to data to help enterprise users make better business decisions. This represents a tremendous competitive advantage that allows achieving and exploring the collective intelligence of the organization, enabling contextual, agile, and simplified information exchange and collaboration among distributed stakeholders and networks of partners. Despite these advantages, the organizations applying such systems may also encounter problems in decision-making process because of the highly diversified interactions within the systems. Hence, the choice of a suitable BI platform for social enterprises is important to take the great advantage of using information technology in all organizational fields. This chapter aims at addressing the problems existed in the social e-enterprises, describing and evaluating the major open source BI tools that can have strong impact on social enterprise change and development.
Empowering LIS Professionals and Academic Library Users in a Networked and Digital Environment
Authors: Sinha Manoj Kumar
Published: December 2014

The aim of this chapter is to give an overview of the modernisation of academic libraries in the ICT era, changing format of the library resources and types of computer-based services being offered by the academic libraries. In view of this, the present chapter discusses various aspects of LIS training and user education, emphasising the need to empower our LIS professionals and library users so that they benefit from the new technologies by using new ICTs for exploring the world of knowledge for their academic pursuit and excellence in higher education and research. The first part of the chapter discusses the recent development in the areas of application of ICT in academic libraries, availability, and usage of electronic resources by the library users, new services provided by the academic libraries to their end users. The second part of the chapter highlights the need for empowering LIS professionals working in academic libraries and their end users in electronic / digital era, enumerates the role of various agencies that are engaged in making library users aware of printed as well as e-resources, and explains the role of Web 2.0/Library 2.0 in making library users more interactive and well informed about the resources, products, and services of the academic libraries to their clientele. The third part of the chapter discusses the user education programme/user awareness programme being organised and offered to the students and research scholars by the Assam University Library (Rabindra Library, Silchar) as a case study. While concluding the chapter, some suggestions and recommendations are also discussed in brief.
Web-Based Service for Collaborative Authoring Learning Using Grid Portal
Authors: Hamid Dayang Hjh. Tiawa Awang Hj. , Alias Norma , Omar Abdul Hafidz Hj. , Islam Md. Rajibul , Saipol Hafizah Farhah Saipan , Palil Siti Qatrunada Muhd , Ghani Asnida Che Abdul , Ramli Nurelya
Published: December 2014

The OER is a comparatively innovative phenomenon which perhaps seen as a part of a bigger movement towards openness in advanced education including more familiar and recognized trends, for example Open Access (OA) and Open Source Software (OSS). This study introduces a web based service for collaborative authoring learning to create, share and explore dynamic contents since many problems occurred while using the current e-learning software such as Moodle and LAMS. This paper proposed the alternative e-learning software technology based on grid portal, grid computing platform and it was implemented in two courses. The conventional web based education may not suitable for collaborative tools and online collaborative authoring environment because of slow operation in searching, uploading, visualizing output, and file sharing. The new web based service offers an efficient authoring infrastructure dealing with online collaborative tools and collaborative authoring environment based on grid portal technology to solve the unequal distribution of task and compensation problem as well as investigates how to improve access and usefulness for the users of such OER. UCLA Grid Portal open source software with parallel computing system has been implemented in order to design the efficient authoring infrastructure and to implement an online graphics, animation, audio and video technology courses. The idea is to show how the environment can offer web assisted education that goes beyond providing digital learning materials. The OER, especially in the collaborative authoring activity environment in parallel computing are designed to provide students with new environment where they can share skills, knowledge, and understanding within the group members as well as to enhance students' teamwork skills in parallel and distributed processing for high performance computing. Based on the strong foundations, hopefully the users are ready to apply their knowledge, creativity and leadership to fulfill the need of their future career development. As a conclusion, the collaborative authoring learning becomes more effective in terms of performance evaluations analysis.
Emerging Issues in Open Access Initiatives in Africa
Authors: Bashorun M. T. , Lawal Iro Sani , Abdulmumin Isah
Published: December 2014

Access to scholarly publications in the 21st century has been greatly enhanced with the emergence of open access initiatives the world over. This new trend has contributed immensely to the development of a global scholarly communication system. This chapter investigates various facets of the Open Access (OA) movement and its growth in Africa. It highlights different roles played by organizations, libraries, publishers, and researchers in the development of OA. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the benefits and challenges of OA to various stakeholders. It concludes with recommendations on how to improve open access in Africa.
Learning4Content
Authors: Sharma Ramesh C.
Published: December 2014

The world over, some common factors have contributed to the emergence and growth of open educational resources. These can be to increase access to educational materials, to reduce the costs, to enhance the quality of educational content through working collaboratively, and to be used for capacity building and research. The WikiEducator project has been the foremost initiative to turn digital divide into digital dividends through free content and open networks. WikiEducator was established on 1 May 2006, and since then, it has grown a very big network of more than 66,700 registered WikiEducators. Learning4Content is one of the flagship initiative of WikiEducator providing free training for teachers. In this chapter, the author discusses building a vibrant and sustainable global community contributing to design, development, and delivery of free content for learning and providing training to develop wiki skills for mass collaboration to create high quality learning resources.
Bridging the Academia-Industry Gap in Software Engineering
Authors: MacKellar Bonnie K. , Sabin Mihaela , Tucker Allen B.
Published: December 2014

Too often, computer science programs offer a software engineering course that emphasizes concepts, principles, and practical techniques, but fails to engage students in real-world software experiences. The authors have developed an approach to teaching undergraduate software engineering courses that integrates client-oriented project development and open source development practice. They call this approach the Client-Oriented Open Source Software (CO-FOSS) model. The advantages of this approach are that students are involved directly with a client, nonprofits gain a useful software application, and the project is available as open source for other students or organizations to extend and adapt. This chapter describes the motivation, elaborates the approach, and presents the results in substantial detail. The process is agile and the development framework is transferrable to other one-semester software engineering courses in a wide range of institutions.
Code Clone Detection and Analysis in Open Source Applications
Authors: Mubarak-Ali Al-Fahim , Sulaiman Shahida , Syed-Mohamad Sharifah Mashita , Xing Zhenchang
Published: December 2014

Code clone is a portion of codes that contains some similarities in the same software regardless of changes made to the specific code such as removal of white spaces and comments, changes in code syntactic, and addition or removal of code. Over the years, many approaches and tools for code clone detection have been proposed. Most of these approaches and tools have managed to detect and analyze code clones that occur in large software. In this chapter, the authors aim to provide a comparative study on current state-of-the-art in code clone detection approaches and models together with their corresponding tools. They then perform an empirical evaluation on the selected code clone detection tool and organize the large amount of information in a more systematic way. The authors begin with explaining background concepts of code clone terminology. A comparison is done to find out strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches, models, and tools. Based on the comparison done, they then select a tool to be evaluated in two dimensions, which are the amount of detected clones and run time performance of the tool. The result of the study shows that there are various terminologies used for code clone. In addition, the empirical evaluation implies that the selected tool (enhanced generic pipeline model) gives a better code clone output and runtime performance as compared to its generic counterpart.
Model-Driven Reverse Engineering of Open Source Systems
Authors: Perez-Castillo Ricardo , Piattini Mario
Published: December 2014

Open source software systems have poor or inexistent documentation and contributors are often scattered or missing. The reuse-based composition and maintenance of open source software systems therefore implies that program comprehension becomes a critical activity if all the embedded behavior is to be preserved. Program comprehension has traditionally been addressed by reverse engineering techniques which retrieve system design models such as class diagrams. These abstract representations provide a key artifact during migration or evolution. However, this method may retrieve large complex class diagrams which do not ensure a suitable program comprehension. This chapter attempts to improve program comprehension by providing a model-driven reverse engineering technique with which to obtain business processes models that can be used in combination with system design models such as class diagrams. The advantage of this approach is that business processes provide a simple system viewpoint at a higher abstraction level and filter out particular technical details related to source code. The technique is fully developed and tool-supported within an R&D project about global software development in which collaborate two universities and five companies. The automation of the approach facilitates its validation and transference through an industrial case study involving two open source systems.
A psychological study of people who seek orthodontic treatment: Comparison with untreated controls
Authors: Jamilian Hamidreza , Jamilian Mehri , Darnahal Alireza , Jamilian Abdolreza , Perillo Letizia
Published: December 2014

Objective

Improvement in appearance is an important motivation for orthodontic treatment; nevertheless, not all patients with malocclusion seek treatment; therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the psychological state of patients with moderate to severe malocclusion who seek orthodontic treatment with patients who suffer from similar malocclusion but do not seek treatment.

Materials and Methods

Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory-2 questionnaire which assesses psychological states of people were given to 100 subject with moderate to severe malocclusion who were undergoing orthodontic treatment and 100 subjects with similar malocclusion who did not request orthodontic treatment. All subjects had similar demographic variables. Clinical scales measured by the test included: Hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate, paranoia, psychasthenia, schizophrenia, and hypomania. The questionnaire consisted of 71 questions, and the subjects had to mark “True” or “False” in response. The scores were transformed into T-scores by a trained psychologist. The results were evaluated by independent t-test.

Results and Conclusion

The results of the test showed that both treated and untreated subjects were in similar psychological state and were psychologically normal; therefore, it is likely that other factors affect patients’ willingness for seeking orthodontic treatment rather than their psychological state.
Skeletal class II malocclusion correction using the Bass appliance
Authors: Doshi Jigar , Shyagali Tarulatha Revanappa , Trivedi Kalyani M.
Published: December 2014

Skeletal class II malocclusion is best treated by growth modification using the myofunctional appliances or the orthopedic appliances or the combination of the both depending upon the type of malocclusion encountered during the growth period of an individual. Though all myofunctional appliances work on the same principle with few basic differences; the orthodontist has to make a choice among the plethora of the appliances at his disposal. The present article is a case report of class II malocclusion treatment using the Bass appliance for the growth modification, which was followed by fixed appliance for the occlusal detailing.
Rutinas de producción informativa en los ciberdiarios de referencia de Ecuador: El Universo, El Mercurio, El Diario y Crónica de la Tarde
Authors: Rivera Rogel Diana , Pereira-Fariña Xosé , Yaguache Quichimbo Jenny
Published: December 2014

Se tomó como base primordial los perfiles de rutinas de producción de los ciberdiarios de Ecuador (El Universo, El Mercurio, El Diario y Crónica de la Tarde) para conocer la dinámica de trabajo y la práctica profesional de los periodistas en la recolección de la información. Metodología: Se utilizaron técnicas de observación no participante y entrevistas en las salas de redacción de cada ciberdiario. La observación en los diarios se efectúo de acuerdo a las siguientes fechas: El Mercurio (1 y 2 de junio de 2011), El Universo (7 de junio de 2011), El Diario (9 y 10 de junio de 2011), y Crónica de la Tarde (13 y 14 de junio de 2011). Resultados: Los resultados apuntan a que los ciberdiarios mantienen métodos de trabajo rutinario. Discusión: La estructura de trabajo es heredada del medio tradicional. Hay una ausencia de participación de los periodistas en la toma de decisiones, redefinición y evaluación del producto digital. Conclusiones: La transición del trabajo de los periodistas de la versión en papel a la digital presenta una alerta considerable. La organización de las salas de redacción es coherente con las dinámicas de trabajo de los medios, teniendo en cuenta que los recursos humanos son limitados y poco capacitados.
Simulation of Turbulent Flows Using a Finite-Volume Based Lattice Boltzmann Flow Solver
Authors: Guzel Goktan , Koc Ilteris
Published: December 2014

In this study, the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) is implemented through a finite-volume approach to perform 2-D, incompressible, and turbulent fluid flow analyses on structured grids. Even though the approach followed in this study necessitates more computational effort compared to the standard LBM (the so called stream and collide scheme), using the finite-volume method, the known limitations of the stream and collide scheme on lattice to be uniform and Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) number to be one are removed. Moreover, the curved boundaries in the computational domain are handled more accurately with less effort. These improvements pave the way for the possibility of solving fluid flow problems with the LBM using coarser grids that are refined only where it is necessary and the boundary layers might be resolved better.
A Finite-Volume Method for Nonlinear Nonlocal Equations with a Gradient Flow Structure
Authors: Carrillo José A. , Chertock Alina , Huang Yanghong
Published: December 2014

We propose a positivity preserving entropy decreasing finite volume scheme for nonlinear nonlocal equations with a gradient flow structure. These properties allow for accurate computations of stationary states and long-time asymptotics demonstrated by suitably chosen test cases in which these features of the scheme are essential. The proposed scheme is able to cope with non-smooth stationary states, different time scales including metastability, as well as concentrations and self-similar behavior induced by singular nonlocal kernels. We use the scheme to explore properties of these equations beyond their present theoretical knowledge.
A Differential Algebraic Method for the Solution of the Poisson Equation for Charged Particle Beams
Authors: Erdelyi B. , Nissen E. , Manikonda S.
Published: December 2014

The design optimization and analysis of charged particle beam systems employing intense beams requires a robust and accurate Poisson solver. This paper presents a new type of Poisson solver which allows the effects of space charge to be elegantly included into the system dynamics. This is done by casting the charge distribution function into a series of basis functions, which are then integrated with an appropriate Green's function to find a Taylor series of the potential at a given point within the desired distribution region. In order to avoid singularities, a Duffy transformation is applied, which allows singularity-free integration and maximized convergence region when performed with the help of Differential Algebraic methods. The method is shown to perform well on the examples studied. Practical implementation choices and some of their limitations are also explored.
Relationship of Dental Caries with Fluoride Concentration in Unstimulated whole Saliva of 7 to 15-year-old Nonfluoride Users
Authors: Sharma Suresh , Talwar Manjit , Tewari Amrit , Chawla Harpinder Singh
Published: December 2014

Objective

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between dental caries and fluoride concentration in unstimulated whole saliva of non-fluoride users.

Study design

Ninety subjects, aged 7 to 15 years who were non-fluoride users, participated in the study. Dental caries was recorded using modified Moller's index. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected early in the morning. Fluoride concentration in saliva was estimated using combination ion specific fluoride electrode (Orion). Water fluoride of the area ranged from 0.34 to 0.38 ppm.

Results

Salivary fluoride concentration (mean ± SE) in saliva (n = 90) was 0.03 ± 0.03 ppm with a range of 0.01 to 0.24 ppm. The DMFT ± SE was 3.26 ± 0.27 and DMFS 4.30 ± 0.42. Correlation of fluoride concentration in saliva was inverse and significant with DMFT (p < 0.01) and DMFS (p < 0.01) using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Conclusion

Fluoride concentration in saliva could be an indication of the individual's caries risk and help isolating high risk individuals requiring special chairside preventive strategies.

How to cite this article

Talwar M, Tewari A, Chawla HS, Sachdev V, Sharma S. Relationship of Dental Caries with Fluoride Concentration in Unstimulated whole Saliva of 7 to 15-year-old Nonfluoride Users. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2): 59-62.
Medications in Thai Patients with Oral Lichen Planus, Oral Lichenoid Drug Reaction and Glossitis
Authors: Nalamliang Napat , Tangnantachai Nichruethai , Thongprasom Kobkan
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Medications have been widely used in the dental patients for the treatment of their systemic diseases. In fact, those drugs have some side-effects to many organs and also the oral cavity. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between medications and oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid drug reaction (OLDR) and glossitis (GT) in Thai patients.

Materials and methods

One hundred and thirty-eight cases of Thai patients were included in this study. Medical records of all cases with oral lesions and symptoms referred to the oral medicine clinic during 2007 to 2010 were extracted. Oral lichen planus group consisted of 88 cases, GT 26 cases and OLDR 24 cases. All data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 11.5.

Results

In our study, 75.5% of patients used more than one medication while single drug used was 24.5%. Antihypertensive drugs were the most commonly used in all groups. Antihypertensive and hypolipidemic drugs were equally taken 22.4% in OLP patients. Patients with OLDR taking antihypertensive in 54.2% followed by hypolipidemic (37.5%), NSAIDs (25%), hypoglycemic/antiplatelet (16.7%) each and others 25%. Patients in GT group were also used antihypertensive drugs 35%, NSAIDs 25%, hypolipidemic 20% respectively.

Conclusion

Most of patients with oral lesions took more than one medication. Antihypertensive drugs were the most commonly used in Thai patients with oral lesions.

How to cite this article

Nalamliang N, Tangnantachai N, Thongprasom K. Medications in Thai Patients with Oral Lichen Planus, Oral Lichenoid Drug Reaction and Glossitis. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2):73-76.
Bilateral Symmetrical Mucocele of the Lower Lip: Report of a Rare Clinical Presentation
Authors: Mortazavi Hamed , Khalighi Hamid Reza , Baharvand Maryam , Eshghpour Majid
Published: December 2014

Aim

Oral mucocele (OM) is a common benign lesion in the oral cavity. We aimed to present an unusual clinical feature of OM.

Materials and methods

We report an 8-year-old girl presented with symmetrical bilateral masses on her lower lip with a known history of lip biting during school hours. After surgical removal of the lesions, histopathologic evaluation showed dilatation of minor salivary gland ducts because of mucus retention, and diagnosis of mucocele was established.

Results

According to our data, presence of bilateral mucocele was reported once before, which was an asymmetrical occurrence of lower lip mucocele causing malocclusion in a 3-year-old child.

Conclusion

Although rare, oral mucocele may present as bilateral symmetrical lesions.

How to cite this article

Mortazavi H, Khalighi HR, Baharvand M, Eshghpour M. Bilateral Symmetrical Mucocele of the Lower Lip: Report of a Rare Clinical Presentation. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2):92-94.
Nonsurgical Retreatment of Lower Incisor with Apical Lesion
Authors: Dagna Alberto
Published: December 2014

Orthograde retreatment is the first choice to manage an endodontic failure, because surgical approach not always eliminates from the root canal all those microorganisms that caused the failure. Endodontic surgery is commonly performed, when the root canal space is no longer accessible as a result of the presence coronal obstacles. But this case report demonstrates that the attempt to removal of prosthetic crown and post allows to create the right access and then to perform an adequate shaping, cleansing and sealing of the root canal system, even if the chronic periapical pathology induced an initial apical resorption. When the apical diameter is increased, perfect obturation with gutta-percha is not possible, and the apical sealing can be managed with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Follow-up intraoral periapical radiograph at 20 months shows adequate repair of the periapical rarefaction.

How to cite this article

Dagna A, Saini R. Nonsurgical Retreatment of Lower Incisor with Apical Lesion. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2):98-102.
Performance-Based Testing in Mild Stroke: Identification of Unmet Opportunity for Occupational Therapy
Authors: Morrison M. Tracy , Edwards Dorothy F. , Giles Gordon Muir
Published: December 2014

Age at first stroke is decreasing, and most strokes are mild to moderate in severity. Executive function (EF) deficits are increasingly recognized in the stroke population, but occupational therapists have not altered their evaluation methods to fully accommodate changing patient needs. We present a hierarchical performance-based testing (PBT) pathway using data to illustrate how PBT could identify patients with mild stroke-related EF deficits in need of occupational therapy intervention. Data suggest that a substantial number of patients with EF deficits after mild stroke could benefit from occupational therapy services.
Effectiveness of Interventions to Improve Occupational Performance of People With Motor Impairments After Stroke: An Evidence-Based Review
Authors: Nilsen Dawn M. , Gillen Glen , Geller Daniel , Hreha Kimberly , Osei Ellen , Saleem Ghazala T.
Published: December 2014

We conducted a review to determine the effectiveness of interventions to improve occupational performance in people with motor impairments after stroke as part of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Evidence-Based Practice Project. One hundred forty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. Findings related to key outcomes from select interventions are presented. Results suggest that a variety of effective interventions are available to improve occupational performance after stroke. Evidence suggests that repetitive task practice, constraint-induced or modified constraint-induced movement therapy, strengthening and exercise, mental practice, virtual reality, mirror therapy, and action observation can improve upper-extremity function, balance and mobility, and/or activity and participation. Commonalities among several of the effective interventions include the use of goal-directed, individualized tasks that promote frequent repetitions of task-related or task-specific movements.
Effectiveness of Interventions for Adults With Psychological or Emotional Impairment After Stroke: An Evidence-Based Review
Authors: Hildebrand Mary W.
Published: December 2014

This evidence-based review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions to prevent or mitigate the effects of psychological or emotional impairments after stroke. Thirty-nine journal articles met the inclusion criteria. Six types of interventions were identified that addressed depression, anxiety, or mental health–related quality of life: exercise or movement based, behavioral therapy and stroke education, behavioral therapy only, stroke education only, care support and coordination, and community-based interventions that included occupational therapy. Evidence from well-conducted research supports using problem-solving or motivational interviewing behavioral techniques to address depression. The evidence is inconclusive for using multicomponent exercise programs to combat depression after stroke and for the use of stroke education and care support and coordination interventions to address poststroke anxiety. One study provided support for an intensive multidisciplinary home program in improving depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life. The implications of the findings for practice, research, and education are discussed.
Effectiveness of Interventions to Improve Occupational Performance of People With Cognitive Impairments After Stroke: An Evidence-Based Review
Authors: Gillen Glen , Nilsen Dawn M. , Attridge Jessica , Banakos Erasmia , Morgan Marie , Winterbottom Lauren , York Wesley
Published: December 2014

This evidence-based review was conducted to determine which interventions are effective in improving occupational performance after stroke. Forty-six articles met the inclusion criteria and were examined. Interventions for the following impairments were reviewed: general cognitive deficits, executive dysfunction, apraxia, memory loss, attention deficits, visual field deficits (included because of their close relationship with neglect), and unilateral neglect. Evidence is available from a variety of clinical trials to guide interventions regarding general cognition, apraxia, and neglect. The evidence regarding interventions for executive dysfunction and memory loss is limited. There is insufficient evidence regarding impairments of attention and mixed evidence regarding interventions for visual field deficits. The effective interventions have some commonalities, including being performance focused, involving strategy training, and using a compensatory as opposed to a remediation approach. The implications of the findings for practice, research, and education are discussed.
Hand Function, Experienced Pain, and Disability After Distal Radius Fracture
Authors: Ydreborg Karin , Engstrand Christina , Steinvall Ingrid , Larsson Eva-Lena
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE. We sought to explore differences in range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and self-reported pain and disability over time after plate-fixation surgery for distal radius fracture.

METHOD. We used a prospective repeated-measures research design with four measure points for a study sample of 101 patients. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire; the Global Assessment Scale; and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were used to assess ROM, grip strength, and pain level.

RESULTS. ROM and grip strength improved over time. Pain improved until 6 mo after surgery but greatly deteriorated from 6 to 24 mo. Concurrently, overall discomfort (global index) from the wrist extensively improved from 12 to 24 mo. DASH score decreased 20.1 points from 6 wk to 6 mo and remained stable until 24 mo.

CONCLUSION. Even when ROM and grip strength were almost fully regained at 12 mo, pain at rest and during activity was still an issue at 24 mo.
Efficacy of a Crisis Intervention in Improving Mother–Child Interaction and Children’s Play Functioning
Authors: Waldman-Levi Amiya , Weintraub Naomi
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE. We examined the efficacy of a crisis-based intervention in improving mother–child interaction and children’s play functioning for families who had experienced domestic violence.

METHOD. Using a pretest–posttest two-group control study design, we assigned the intervention group (n = 20 mother–child dyads) to the Family Intervention for Improving Occupational Performance (FI–OP) program and the control group (n = 17 dyads) to a playroom program. Both programs consisted of eight 30-min sessions. We videotaped dyads during free play and used standardized tools to assess interactions, play skills, and playfulness.

RESULTS. After the intervention, mother–child interaction was significantly better in the FI–OP group than in the playroom group. The children in the FI–OP group also demonstrated significantly greater improvement in play skills, but not in playfulness.

CONCLUSION. FI–OP is a promising program for improving aspects of mother–child interaction and children’s play functioning among survivors of domestic violence.
What Is the Evidence for the Effectiveness of Interventions to Improve Occupational Performance After Stroke?
Authors: Gillen Glen
Published: December 2014

Although rapid progress has been made in generating evidence to support occupational therapy interventions for clients who survive a stroke, the areas receiving research attention show a lack of balance that researchers should correct in order to better guide practice.
Welcome From the New Editor-in-Chief
Authors: Richards Lorie Gage
Published: December 2014

AJOT’s new Editor-in-Chief describes her goals for the journal.
Advancing the Value and Quality of Occupational Therapy in Health Service Delivery
Authors: Leland Natalie E. , Crum Karen , Phipps Shawn , Roberts Pamela , Gage Barbara
Published: December 2014

The authors set forth a foundation on which to build further dialogue and evidence to highlight occupational therapy’s distinctive contribution, significance, and viability as health care policies shift to focus on quality and value.
Maralynne Mitcham: Educator, Mentor, and Innovator
Authors: Carson Nancy , Coker-Bolt Patty
Published: December 2014

The colleagues of Maralynne Mitcham reflect on her legacy.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Prostate Biopsy
Authors: Bartoletti Riccardo , Cai Tommaso
Published: December 2014

Objectives

Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is considered a safe and valid option from the urologist to prevent infective complications after prostate biopsy procedure. The transrectal approach is the most experienced by European urologists and the prevalence of infective complications from this procedure is increasing. Aim of this mini-review article is to improve the urologist knowledge on the prevention of infective complications after prostate transrectal biopsy.

Methods

Recent publications from Medline and Cochrane Library have been collected. Data from the abstracts presented at the EAU and AUA Congresses during the last 5 years have also been analysed.

Results

Fluorquinolone and other antibiotics-resistant bacteria prevalence is normally very high. Other strategies of infective complication prevention such as the use of rectal swab microbiological analysis and relative antibiotics/sensitivity test or the rectal enema with antiseptic solutions or the combined use of different antibiotics are thus justified. The number of biopsy cores reduction and the perineal approach still remain valid alternative indirect options.

Conclusions

Different innovative prevention strategies can be easily used in daily clinical practice to reduce the risk of infectious complications after transrectal prostate biopsy, although a specific policy should be adequately introduced to obtain optimal effects from the current use of antibiotic prophylaxis strategies, thus reducing the risk of developing life-threatening situations for the patient and antibiotic resistance phenomena.
Surgical Site Infections
Authors: Sganga Gabriele
Published: December 2014

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are recognized as a common surgical complication, occurring in about 2-5% of all surgical procedures. SSIs represent the third most frequent nosocomial infection, accounting for 14-16% of all infections observed in hospitalized patients and up to 38% of those observed among surgical patients. Knowledge of incidence, epidemiology, classification, process of wound healing, and pathogenesis of surgical site infection is of great importance. Given the high economic burden that infections provoke, beyond the increased morbidity and mortality, it appears mandatory to improve our tools in order to reduce their incidence, as a reduction of only 0.1% can result in a considerable saving of economic resources to be allocated to other activities, such as screening and prevention programs.
Ghosts, Guests, Hosts: Rethinking “Illegal” Migration and Hospitality Through Arab Diasporic Literature
Authors: Marchi Lisa
Published: December 2014

This article examines and compares narratives of migration developed by contemporary Arab diasporic writers living in North America (both in the United States and Quebec) and in Europe (France and Italy). These writers, I argue, chronicle the painful and often banished from view experience of contemporary “illegal” migrants, anchoring the singular fictional or autobiographical story to the “real” world of migration and to the larger sociopolitical and historical context. Through an original style that blends fresh creativity and deep humanity, the writers addressed in this article complicate mainstream representations of migrants as threatening Others or unwelcomed guests; they further resituate hospitality at the center of current discussions about migration, surprising the reader with creative reformulations of Derrida's conceptualization of hospitality that are both entertaining and politically engaged.
Rereading the Story of the Widow of Ephesus in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
Authors: Wheatley Edward
Published: December 2014

The classical story of the Widow of Ephesus tells of a woman who undermines her reputation as a faithful wife by offering the body of her recently buried husband for crucifixion in order to save the life of a guard with whom she has suddenly fallen in love. The story made its way from Petronius Arbiter's Satyricon into Latin and vernacular fable collections, some of which were used as curricular texts in grammar schools, and it also appears on the Jacobean stage as George Chapman's The Widow's Tears. This article analyzes the ways in which writers in three languages across sixteen centuries attempted to impose interpretive closure and unambiguous morality on this notoriously resistant narrative. The article concludes with a consideration of the ways in which Marie de France's version of the fable occludes the possibility of a closed, antifeminist reading.
Professional Development Engagement
Authors: Blau Gary , Snell Corinne M. , Campbell Deborah , Viswanathan Krupa , Aaronson William , Karnik Satyajit
Published: December 2014

Professional development engagement (PDE) is defined as “the level of perceived undergraduate engagement in professional development activities.” Current measures of student engagement do not adequately measure PDE. A promising PDE scale was utilized for a sample of senior-level business undergraduates. After controlling for student background/precollege variables and college-related variables sets, an organization-related variables set, followed by a motivation-related variables set, explained significant incremental variance in PDE. Specific variables with a significant positive relationship to PDE were joining a student professional organization, motivation to attend the business school, and career development center access ease and service quality.
Collecting Dust or Creating Change:
Authors: Engberg Mark E. , Manderino Mark , Dollard Katelyn
Published: December 2014

This study examines a group of institutions that have recently participated in a national survey focused on student learning. In doing so, the study investigates how institutions decide upon using an externally developed instrument, how campuses use the results to improve their practices, and what barriers and challenges they face in translating survey results into actionable strategies for change. The study highlights issues surrounding assessment use, while also presenting a set of recommendations that might serve as a guide for those campuses concerned about “closing the loop” in their assessment practices.
Outcomes-Based Assessment in Writing:
Authors: Slotnick Ruth , Cratsley Christopher , Consalvo Annamary L. , Lerch Carol
Published: December 2014

Two community colleges and two state universities in central Massachusetts developed a collaborative partnership of faculty assessment teams using institutionally developed rubrics and the LEAP VALUE Written Communication rubric to compare the scoring results and record perceptions of the scoring process itself. Qualitative analysis revealed that while there were differences in interpretations of terminology impacting the assessor confidence and voice when applying both the national and local rubrics to score student work, the process of explicating what goes into selecting a score was central to the process of judging student artifacts. Despite the differences in interpretation of language, quantitative data demonstrated that the LEAP VALUE rubric in its original form or slightly modified allowed assessors to detect significant differences in freshman and sophomore writing samples. By creating a shared partnership for assessment using a mixed-methods approach faculty were able to discuss the requisite level of proficiency in written communication for successful transfer. Translating this knowledge into the types of assignment prompts and assessments needed to measure and communicate a student's proficiency may help to maximize the transfer success for academically at-risk students—indeed, for all students.
Folk medicine and integrative healing in West Asia: Analysis of historical and modern practice and perceptions
Authors: Moe Tammi , Al Obaidly Fahad Ahmed , Al Khoder Reem , Schmid Doreen
Published: December 2014

This manuscript is developed from the findings of the Qatar Unified Imaging Project (QUIP), a research project documenting the cultural heritage of Qatar and the bordering Gulf regions through primary sources. Through the critical evaluation of published works and primary sources we explore the culture of traditional medicine in the Arab world beginning with historical texts of the 11th century to the most current study of Qatar in the 21st century. Traditions contain and reflect the cultural beliefs of the people who created and preserved what they believed most valuable.

Medical heritage figures prominently into the historical documentation of Qatar in the 20th century, and reflects the historical contributions of the Arabs to the development of chemistry and pharmacology, as well as the transnational influences that have affected Qatar's health care systems over time. Western-based medicine in the Gulf was introduced by Christian missionaries. These “modern” practices were grounded in a very different belief system, one foreign to the established healing culture. Despite ongoing developments in modern medicine many traditional practices maintain their popularity today. There is a viable place for tradition and heritage in healing. Medical anthropology helps us to identify cultural representations within traditional treatment practices that positively inform evolving healthcare procedures. We hypothesize that health care professionals can serve their clients' needs more effectively through the integration of traditional techniques into patient care.
Childhood overweight and obesity in Qatar: A literature review
Authors: Mandeya Josephine , Kridli Suha Al-Oballi
Published: December 2014

Childhood obesity and overweight have reached epidemic proportions in both developed as well as some developing countries including Qatar. This paper is a literature review of studies published in the last 10 years in the area of childhood overweight and obesity in the state of Qatar. A high gross domestic product in Qatar has led to a high socio economic status among the Qatari population and the adoption western lifestyles that promote childhood overweight and obesity. Risk factors for overweight and obesity include poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyles and socio-cultural practices. The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Qatar was found to be comparable to other GCC countries. The state of Qatar is called upon to prioritize this public health issue and implement interventions to combat the problem.
Heat in the Arabian Gulf: An analytical review of the impact of ambient temperature on the oral glucose tolerance test
Authors: Greer William , Hedin Lars
Published: December 2014

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and gestational diabetes (GDM) are often diagnosed and their long-term progression monitored either by a fasting blood glucose test (FGT) or an oral blood glucose tolerance test (OGTT). These tests are well-standardized and are conveniently carried out via blood samples drawn from the patient's arm, which are later analyzed to measure blood glucose concentration.

Pre-analytical guidelines for laboratory analysis of blood samples intended for the measurement of plasma glucose maintain that the two principal factors which contribute to poor reproducibility of the OGTT are (i) the variable effects of administration of a hyperosmolar glucose solution on gastric emptying, and (ii) the ambient temperature while the blood sample is being captured. Although viewing ambient temperature as a purely random effect may be acceptable for routine diagnostic tests carried out in “the West”, the substantially higher regular temperatures experienced throughout the year by many African, Asian and Middle-Eastern countries suggest that in some locations and circumstances, ambient temperature might be better regarded as a systematic influence on the OGTT.

The principal purpose of this short literature review is to highlight the potentially significant influence of ambient temperature (during the blood-draw) on the results of OGTT blood glucose measurements. Physicians and healthworkers should be aware of this phenomenon which not only can affect the diagnoses for particular patients but is also capable of producing a significant impact on subsequent prevalence estimates for both diabetes and gestational diabetes. Further studies should be conducted throughout the Arabian Gulf to elucidate the magnitude of this effect on local populations by making use of well-characterized patients under standardized conditions where temperature and humidity can be strictly controlled.