bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O estudo dos grupos de origem servil na Lusitânia romana: Fontes e problemáticas
Authors: Teixeira Sílvia
Published: August 2018

A importância dos grupos servis no desenvolvimento da sociedade lusitano-romana ultrapassa o âmbito económico, afirmando-se a escravatura como instituição social e cultural. Porém, verifica-se uma escassez de trabalhos sobre os grupos servis desta província, que inspirou o projecto de Doutoramento da autora, assente no estudo dos elementos pertinentes ao meio servil. Este artigo faz uma análise crítica dos problemas e particularidades dos mesmos, sobretudo da epigrafia, complementada pelos dados literários e arqueológicos. O debate da legitimidade dos critérios de identificação epigráfica dos escravos e libertos e fiabilidade da sua representação na cultura escrita e material ilustra a complexidade destes estatutos sociojurídicos no tocante aos elementos diferenciadores entre si e face aos restantes grupos da sociedade romana, realçando a importância de uma abordagem global do fenómeno e da aplicação conjunta dos critérios disponíveis.
Editorial
Authors: Pouget Frederic Mario Caires , Carvalho Aline Vieria de
Published: August 2018

Neste novo volume da Revista de Arqueologia Pública (RAP), destacamos a diversidade de temáticas e ações sociais inerentes ao campo da Arqueologia Pública. Mais do que o exercício de comunicação entre arqueólogos e sociedade como um todo, nossa revista tem como missão a reflexão epistemológica da Arqueologia enquanto ciência, pensada de forma plural e produzida na própria movimentação da sua comunicação. Isso significa que os aspectos teóricos são aqui tratados nesta dinâmica reflexiva entre a sociedade e Arqueologia. Nesta edição, é possível observar alguns aspectos dessa dinâmica nos mais diversos pontos de vistas dos mais variados stakeholders.
Impactos da Precarização do Trabalho na Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional: contribuições para o debate sobre saúde e alimentação de trabalhadores terceirizados em Unidades de Alimentação e Nutrição
Authors: Tavares Ariana Oliveira , Ferreira Aldo Pacheco , Moreira Maria de Fátima Ramos
Published: August 2018

No Brasil, a garantia da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN) ainda é um desafio, sobretudo para grupos populacionais mais vulneráveis, dentre os quais, os trabalhadores com rendimentos até cinco salários mínimos. Mudanças no mundo do trabalho, desde os anos 90, alinhadas à precarização do trabalho, com destaque para jornadas laborais flexíveis e baixos salários, desafiam a promoção da saúde dos trabalhadores, como, por exemplo, assegurar uma alimentação saudável e adequada. Assim, objetivou-se analisar a relação entre processo de trabalho e SAN de trabalhadores terceirizados em uma Unidade de Alimentação e Nutrição (UAN). Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo em UAN de uma Instituição Pública Federal de Ensino Superior, onde a observação participante e a entrevista semiestruturada foram empregadas para compreender a tríade trabalho, saúde e alimentação. A organização da produção de refeições na UAN apontou para a intensificação do ritmo de trabalho; para fragmentação do coletivo de trabalhadores; e para prejuízos à saúde dos trabalhadores de ordem física e psíquica. Ficou sinalizado que, na atualidade, no contexto de precarização no mundo do trabalho, as correlações de força desfavoráveis à classe trabalhadora submetem os trabalhadores a uma carga de doenças progressiva e a instabilidade na garantia do Direito Humano à Alimentação Adequada.
Estimating the Population Size of Female Sex Workers in Namibia Using a Respondent-Driven Sampling Adjustment to the Reverse Tracking Method: A Novel Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Wesson Paul Douglas , Adhikary Rajatashuvra , Jonas Anna , Gerndt Krysta , Mirzazadeh Ali , Katuta Frieda , Maher Andrew , Banda Karen , Mutenda Nicholus , McFarland Willi , Lowrance David , Prybylski Dimitri , Patel Sadhna
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Key populations, including female sex workers (FSWs), are at a disproportionately high risk for HIV infection. Estimates of the size of these populations serve as denominator data to inform HIV prevention and treatment programming and are necessary for the equitable allocation of limited public health resources.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to present the respondent-driven sampling (RDS) adjusted reverse tracking method (RTM; RadR), a novel population size estimation approach that combines venue mapping data with RDS data to estimate the population size, adjusted for double counting and nonattendance biases.

METHODS

We used data from a 2014 RDS survey of FSWs in Windhoek and Katima Mulilo, Namibia, to demonstrate the RadR method. Information from venue mapping and enumeration from the survey formative assessment phase were combined with survey-based venue-inquiry questions to estimate population size, adjusting for double counting, and FSWs who do not attend venues. RadR estimates were compared with the official population size estimates, published by the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), and with the unadjusted RTM.

RESULTS

Using the RadR method, we estimated 1552 (95% simulation interval, SI, 1101-2387) FSWs in Windhoek and 453 (95% SI: 336-656) FSWs in Katima Mulilo. These estimates were slightly more conservative than the MoHSS estimates—Windhoek: 3000 (1800-3400); Katima Mulilo: 800 (380-2000)—though not statistically different. We also found 75 additional venues in Windhoek and 59 additional venues in Katima Mulilo identified by RDS participants’ responses that were not detected during the initial mapping exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

The RadR estimates were comparable with official estimates from the MoHSS. The RadR method is easily integrated into RDS studies, producing plausible population size estimates, and can also validate and update key population maps for outreach and venue-based sampling.
Patient-Level Prediction of Cardio-Cerebrovascular Events in Hypertension Using Nationwide Claims Data (Preprint)
Authors: Park Jaram , Kim Jeong-Whun , Ryu Borim , Heo Eunyoung , Jung Se Young , Yoo Sooyoung
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Prevention and management of chronic diseases are the main goals of national health maintenance programs. Previously widely used screening tools, such as Health Risk Appraisal, are restricted in their achievement this goal due to their limitations, such as static characteristics, accessibility, and generalizability. Hypertension is one of the most important chronic diseases requiring management via the nationwide health maintenance program, and health care providers should inform patients about their risks of a complication caused by hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to develop and compare machine learning models predicting high-risk vascular diseases for hypertensive patients so that they can manage their blood pressure based on their risk level.

METHODS

We used a 12-year longitudinal dataset of the nationwide sample cohort, which contains the data of 514,866 patients and allows tracking of patients’ medical history across all health care providers in Korea (N=51,920). To ensure the generalizability of our models, we conducted an external validation using another national sample cohort dataset, comprising one million different patients, published by the National Health Insurance Service. From each dataset, we obtained the data of 74,535 and 59,738 patients with essential hypertension and developed machine learning models for predicting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Six machine learning models were developed and compared for evaluating performances based on validation metrics.

RESULTS

Machine learning algorithms enabled us to detect high-risk patients based on their medical history. The long short-term memory-based algorithm outperformed in the within test (F1-score=.772, external test F1-score=.613), and the random forest-based algorithm of risk prediction showed better performance over other machine learning algorithms concerning generalization (within test F1-score=.757, external test F1-score=.705). Concerning the number of features, in the within test, the long short-term memory-based algorithms outperformed regardless of the number of features. However, in the external test, the random forest-based algorithm was the best, irrespective of the number of features it encountered.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed and compared machine learning models predicting high-risk vascular diseases in hypertensive patients so that they may manage their blood pressure based on their risk level. By relying on the prediction model, a government can predict high-risk patients at the nationwide level and establish health care policies in advance.
The usage of social media encouraged patients' active participation in medical decision-making: cross-sectional survey (Preprint)
Authors: Chen Yen-Yuan , Cheng Yu-Fang , Wu Chau-Chung , Chu Tzong-Shinn
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The rapid advance of information technology since the end of twentieth century has deeply influenced the ways people gather health information to use as references for medical decision-making. Studies have overwhelmingly been focused on the association between health information in the media and the usage of medical care, nevertheless, none of them have examined the association between the usage of social media for gathering health information and patients’ active participation in medical decision-making.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of the health information obtained from social media has on patients’ preference to actively participate in medical decision-making.

METHODS

The participants in this study were openly recruited from the patients who were admitted to the cardiology inpatient unit in the Department of Internal Medicine with an admission diagnosis of coronary artery disease. We used Control Preference Scale to estimate each patient’s preference to play an active role, a collaborative role, or a passive role in medical decision-making. We conducted multivariate logistic regression for examining the association between “gathering health information from social media” and “playing an active role in medical decision-making”, by including the confounding variables which have an association with the outcome variable with a p value of less than .30.

RESULTS

A total of 156 patients participated in this study. After adjusting for the confounding variables, patients who gathered health information related to coronary artery disease from social media were more likely to play an active role in medical decision-making (odds ratio = 2.85, p = 0.04). Furthermore, the odds of patients with one-year increment of their age for playing an active role in medical decision-making was decreased approximately by 6.20% (odds ratio = 0.94, p = 0.01), and patients cared for by Physician C preferred to play an active role as compared to other physicians (odds ratio = 5.37, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Although health information gathered from social media may have been discussed and validated by one’s companions on social media, there is no guarantee that the health information is correct. If the health information gathered from social media is correct, patients’ active participation in medical decision-making is helpful in facilitating physician-patient communication towards that aim. Future studies may be focused on how information seekers use modern information technology to gather correct health information.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
Examining Diabetes Management Apps Recommended From a Google Search: Content Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Jimenez Geronimo , Lum Elaine , Car Josip
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The availability of smartphone health apps empowers people to manage their own health. Currently, there are over 300,000 health apps available in the market targeting a variety of user needs from weight loss to management of chronic conditions, with diabetes being the most commonly targeted condition. To date, health apps largely fall outside government regulation, and there are no official guidelines to help clinicians and patients in app selection. Patients commonly resort to the internet for suggestions on which diabetes app to use.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate apps identified through a Google search and characterize these apps in terms of features that support diabetes management.

METHODS

We performed a Google search for the “best diabetes apps 2017” and explored the first 4 search results. We identified and compiled a list of the apps recommended in the returned search results, which were Web articles. Information about each app was extracted from the papers and corresponding app store descriptions. We examined the apps for the following diabetes management features: medication management, blood glucose self-management, physical activity, diet and nutrition, and weight management.

RESULTS

Overall, 26 apps were recommended in 4 papers. One app was listed in all 4 papers, and 3 apps appeared on 3 of the 4 lists. Apart from one paper, there were no explicit criteria to justify or explain the selection of apps. We found a wide variation in the type and the number of diabetes management features in the recommended apps. Five apps required payment to be used. Two-thirds of the apps had blood glucose management features, and less than half had medication management features. The most prevalent app features were nutrition or diet-related (19/24, 79%) and physical activity tracking (14/24, 58%).

CONCLUSIONS

The ambiguity of app selection and the wide variability in key features of the apps recommended for diabetes management may pose difficulties for patients when selecting the most appropriate app. It is critical to involve patients, clinicians, relevant professional bodies, and policy makers to define the key features an app should have for it to be classified as a “diabetes management” app. The lessons learned here may be extrapolated for the development and recommendation of apps for the management of other chronic conditions.
Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Web-Based Patient Portal Usage Among Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wedd Joel , Basu Mohua , Curtis Laura M , Smith Kayla , Lo Denise J , Serper Marina , Wolf Michael S , Parker Ruth , Patzer Rachel E
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Kidney and liver transplant recipients must manage a complex care regimen after kidney transplant. Although the use of Web-based patient portals is known to improve patient-provider communication and health outcomes in chronic disease populations by helping patients manage posttransplant care, disparities in access to and use of portals have been reported. Little is known about portal usage and disparities among kidney and liver transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine patient racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics associated with portal usage among kidney and liver transplant recipients.

METHODS

The study included all adult kidney and liver transplant recipients (n=710) at a large academic transplant center in the Southeastern United States between March 2014 and November 2016. Electronic medical record data were linked with Cerner portal usage data. Patient portal use was defined as any portal activity (vs no activity) recorded in the Cerner Web-based portal, including viewing of health records, lab results, medication lists, and the use of secure messaging. Multivariable log-binomial regression was used to determine the patient demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic characteristics associated with portal usage, stratified by organ.

RESULTS

Among 710 transplant recipients (n=455 kidney, n=255 liver), 55.4% (252/455) of kidney recipients and 48.2% (123/255) of liver recipients used the patient portal. Black patients were less likely to use the portal versus white patients among both kidney (57% black vs 74% white) and liver (28% black vs 55% white) transplant recipients. In adjusted multivariable analyses, kidney transplant recipients were more likely to use the portal if they had higher education; among liver recipients, patients who were white versus black and had higher education were more likely to use the portal.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite studies showing that patient portals have the potential to benefit transplant recipients as a tool for health management, racial and socioeconomic disparities should be considered before widespread implementation. Transplant centers should include portal training and support to all patients to encourage use, given its potential to improve outcomes.
Assessing the Need for Mobile Health (mHealth) in Monitoring the Diabetic Lower Extremity (Preprint)
Authors: Wallace David , Perry Julie , Yu Janelle , Mehta Joshua , Hunter Paul , Cross Karen Michelle
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Complications of the diabetic lower extremity (such as diabetic foot ulcers, DFUs) occur when monitoring is infrequent, and often result in serious sequelae like amputation or even death.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potential application of mobile health (mHealth) to diabetic foot monitoring. We surveyed the self-management routines of a group of diabetic patients, as well as patient and clinician opinions on the use of mHealth in this context.

METHODS

Patients with DFUs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada completed a 25-item questionnaire addressing their foot care practices, mobile phone use, and views on mHealth. Wound care clinicians across Canada were also surveyed using a 9-item questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the patients surveyed, 59/115 (51.3%) spend less than a minute checking their feet, and 17/115 (15%) of patients find it difficult to see their doctor or get to the hospital regularly. Mobile phone use was widespread in our patient cohort (93/115, 80.9%). Of mobile phone users, 68/93 (73.1%) would use a device on their mobile phone to help them check their feet. Of the clinicians who completed the questionnaire, only 7/202 (3.5%) were familiar with mHealth; however, 181/202 (92%) of clinicians expressed interest in using mHealth to monitor their patients between visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient education or motivation and clinician training were identified as the major barriers to mHealth use in the diabetic lower extremity, which may be a viable mechanism to improve DFU monitoring practices.
Social features in game technologies for alcohol prevention in adolescents: a systematic review (Preprint)
Authors: de la Rosa Pedro Antonio , Calatrava María , Osorio Alfonso , de Irala Jokin
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Alcohol consumption among adolescents is a mainly public health issue. To prevent alcohol consumption onset during adolescence, school-based programs are needed. A key element of program success is to encourage active participation of the students, which is achieved through group dynamics with peer interactions within the class. However, some of these methods require trained adults to be delivered. Game technologies can offer new promising approaches in the development of preventive programs promoting peer interactions without adult training. Game technologies can offer new promising approaches in the development of preventive programs promoting peer interactions.

OBJECTIVE

The current systematic review aims to identify online interventions with peer interactions features designed to address alcohol use among adolescents, and evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions.

METHODS

Web of Science and Scopus were electronically searched for all articles published between January, 2011 and June, 2018. Articles reporting on school-based, web-based interventions for teenagers to prevent alcohol that encouraged any kind of interaction within users were eligible for inclusion. A total of 1067 studies were identified, of which 88 were thoroughly analyzed according to our review protocol.

RESULTS

Five studies met inclusion criteria. Four of them showed positive results on outcome variables, although it is not possible to determine if social interaction among students contributed to their success in three of them. One protocol paper of a randomized trial currently underway was also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that game technologies that contain social interaction elements seem to present benefits to adolescent health within alcohol consumption prevention programs but more research is needed on this.
Contemporary aesthetic forms and scientific museology
Authors: Drioli Alessandra
Published: August 2018

The use of various expressive artistic forms in science centres and in interactive museums is becoming increasingly widespread. This paper proposes an interpretation of this phenomenon that emphasises how contemporary art contributes to experimentation with new forms of scientific communication. Furthermore, it examines the considerable overlap apparent between the themes addressed by contemporary artists and current scientific developments. Indeed, just as can be seen in science centres, artistic experimentation has assumed a new role: raising public awareness of what is happening around us today.
Visibility of latin american scientific publications: the example of Bolivia
Authors: Cristina Pabón Escobar Silvia , da Costa Maria Conceição
Published: August 2018

The discussion on the state of the art of scientific publications in Latin American countries generally restricts itself to its supposedly low visibility. This affirmation is generally conditioned to the exclusive use of large international databases, mainly of the USA and Europe, which include thousands of scientific publications that have marginalized a large part of the scientific literature produced in peripheral countries. Given this fact of low visibility, it became imperative for some Latin American countries, beginning in the 90s (20th Century), to develop their own mechanisms of projection of the results of their own scientific production. The experiences constitute an example for countries that, having significant scientific production, still do not have the means to facilitate access to local scientific publications. Although Bolivia still remains distant from these initiatives, a series of studies were identified that show the existence of a tradition of publication in scientific magazines and interest in their visibility, on a local and international level, which demands attention to the most adequate mechanisms in order to carry this out.
Birth of a science centre. Italian phenomenology
Authors: Rodari Paola
Published: August 2018

In May 2004 the Balì Museum, Planetarium and interactive science museum, was opened to the public in Italy: 35 hands-on exhibits designed according to the interactive tradition of the Exploratorium in San Francisco, an astronomic observatory for educational activities, a Planetarium with 70 places. With a total investment of about three million euros, about two thirds of which were spent on restructuring the splendid eighteenth-century villa in which it is housed, the undertaking may be considered a small one in comparison with other European science centres. Three million euros: perhaps enough to cover the cost of only the splendid circular access ramp to the brand-new Cosmocaixa in Barcelona, an investment of one hundred million euros. But the interesting aspect of the story of the Balì Museum (but also of other Italian stories, as we shall see) lies in the fact that this lively and advanced science centre stands in the bucolic region of the Marches, next to a small town of only 800 inhabitants (Saltara, in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino), in a municipal territory that has a total of 5000. Whereas in Italy the projects for science centres comparable with the Catalan one, for example projects for Rome and Turin, never get off the ground, smaller ones are opening in small and medium-sized towns: why is this? And what does the unusual location of the centres entail for science communication in Italy? This Focus does not claim to tell the whole truth about Italian interactive museums, but it does offer some phenomenological cues to open a debate on the cultural, economic and political premises that favour their lives.
Challenges of an exhibit on nanoscience and nanotechnology
Authors: Murriello Sandra , Contier Djana , Knobel Marcelo
Published: August 2018

This article presents some of the challenges faced in developing an interactive exhibit on nanoscience and nanotechnology in Brazil. Presenting a scientific-technological area which is still in formation and which is little known by the population leads to a (re)consideration of the role of museums and science centers in the conformation and consolidation of scientific practice itself. Museographically, the exhibit deals with the challenge of making matter visible in an expression which is distant from the human perception. Some reflections are presented here on the option of musealization chosen which come from a broader evaluation of the exhibit.
Scientists and science communication: a Danish survey
Authors: Hvidtfelt Nielsen Kristian , Kjaer Carsten R. , Dahlgaard Jørgen
Published: August 2018

This paper summarizes key findings from a web-based questionnaire survey among Danish scientists in the natural sciences and engineering science. In line with the Act on Universities of 2003 enforcing science communication as a university obligation next to research and teaching, the respondents take a keen interest in communicating science, especially through the news media. However, they also do have mixed feeling about the quality of science communication in the news. Moreover, a majority of the respondents would like to give higher priority to science communication. More than half reply that they are willing to allocate up to 2% of total research funding in Denmark to science communication. Further, the respondents indicate that they would welcome a wider variety of science communication initiatives aimed at many types of target groups. They do not see the news media as the one and only channel for current science communication.
The Lisbon post-its: how science-in-society issues were reflected in the last ECSITE meetings
Authors: Rodari Paola , Merzagora Matteo
Published: August 2018

ECSITE is the European network of science centres and museums (www.ecsite.net). The ECSITE Annual Conference, attended every year by several hundreds of professionals in science museums and science centres (870 at the last edition), and the ECSITE director forum, where full members of the association discuss on focused topics, are excellent observation points. Looking at what goes on in these meetings allows to track what is high on the agenda of the science-centre community, how the focus of interest moves, what are the main concerns of museum professionals.
CNRS researchers' popularization activities: a progress report
Authors: Jensen Pablo , Croissant Yves
Published: August 2018

We have analyzed the popularization activities undertaken by ten thousand CNRS researchers by means of their annual reports for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006. This is the first time that such an extensive statistical study on science popularization practices is carried out. Our main findings are : - the majority of researchers is not involved in popularization (51% has not done any popularization over the three-year period, two thirds have been involved in no more than one popularization action). - popularization practices are extremely diverse, both at the individual level (we have identified three subpopulations that feature distinctive attitudes towards popularization), and at the level of scientific disciplines (researchers in Humanities are twice as active as the average), as well as in laboratories or geographical regions. - the number of actions reported in 2005 greatly increased compared to 2004 (+ 26%), while they slightly diminished in 2006.
An example of a science communication evaluation study: Discovery07, a Dutch science party
Authors: Koolstra Cees M.
Published: August 2018

This article presents an example of how a public science party was evaluated. The main goals of the science party, to increase the positive image of science and present an attractive science event, were evaluated in two ways. First, web surveys were used to determine the image of science before and after the event among paying visitors, invited guests, and a control group (N = 149). Second, during the event, visitors were interviewed about their experiences at the event (N = 124). The survey study showed that the image of science was very positive among all three groups of respondents. As no differences were found between pre- and post-tests, participation in the event did not lead to a more positive image of science. The results of the interviews suggested that visitors highly appreciated the event. In the Discussion, the evaluation study is analyzed and possibilities/limitations for future general use are discussed.
Science and scientists turned into news and media stars by scientific journals. A study on the consequences on the present scientific behaviour
Authors: Elías Carlos
Published: August 2018

This article explores whether some scientists have now actually been developing a type of science apt to be published as a piece of news, yet lacking a relevant scientific interest. Possibly, behind this behaviour there may be the present working culture, in which scientists live under the pressure of the dictatorship of the Science Citation Index (SCI) of the reference journals. This hypothesis is supported by a study demonstrating that there is a direct relation between publishing scientific results in the press and a subsequent increase in the SCI index. Many cases are here described, selected among the papers published in Nature that – according to experts – have a media interest rather than a scientific one. Furthermore, the case of the Dolly sheep cloning is studied as a paradigm for a situation in which media coverage actually destroyed the research group.
Artists and now also activists to contrast global warming
Authors: Drioli Alessandra
Published: August 2018

Artists create new aesthetics to communicate new messages and new concerns. Apprehension about the climate, its changes, global warming and a disposition to anxiously running after an ideal sustainable development are part of the issues we all now experience with a certain degree of anxiety. This is why the sensitive antennae of artists have perceived and evolved that. Now they are committed on many fields to making their voice be heard and to raising ethical and social issues, also regarding the scientific instruments man possesses to manipulate nature. So they have now accessed the group of special interlocutors in the dialogue between science and society.
Explainers – New energy for the museum
Authors: Martin Sebastian , Tamez Modesto
Published: August 2018

The Exploratorium explainer program is not only important to the young people involved, but is an integral part of the museum culture. This initiative that started to help the youth of our community has blossomed into a program that has been very helpful to the science centre. In fact, the institution would not be complete without the fresh energy of the explainers. They help the Exploratorium to continue to give the real pear to its public.
Scientists, do it like Al Gore
Authors: Greco Pietro
Published: August 2018

Human health has currently to face a growing series of global issues. From the spread of HIV/AIDS to a fresh outbreak of tuberculosis, increasingly drug-resistant, the world is witnessing a return, mostly unexpected, of infectious diseases. At the same time, the economic growth in many regions of the globe is generating a sort of “epidemics of wellbeing diseases”: obesity, diabetes, heart disease.
Mouse model: what do Japanese life sciences researchers mean by this term?
Authors: Higashijima Jin , Takahashi Kae , Kato Kazuto
Published: August 2018

Mouse-related research in the life sciences has expanded remarkably over the last two decades, resulting in growing use of the term “mouse model”. Our interviews with 64 leading Japanese life sciences researchers showed heterogeneities in the definition of “mouse model” in the Japanese life sciences community. Here, we discuss the implications for the relationship between the life sciences community and society in Japan that may result from this ambiguity in the terminology. It is suggested that, in Japanese life sciences, efforts by individual researchers to make their scientific information unambiguous and explanative are necessary.
Images of women in STEM fields
Authors: Cho S. , Goodman M. , Oppenheimer B. , Codling J. , Robinson T.
Published: August 2018

This study investigated how eighth-grade students perceived images of women in STEM and non-STEM careers. Thirty-six images were posted on-line; we measured five characteristics of each image. Forty students participated in the study. We found that there were significant differences in attractiveness, creativity, and intelligence between STEM and non-STEM images. There were no significant differences for good at her job and organization. In addition, there were no significant differences among STEM and non-STEM images of women of the same race.
Social technologies and socialization of research
Authors: Leijten Jos
Published: August 2018

Whether we like it or not, and how many difficulties this may pose, scientific research and technology are becoming the “property” of everybody and increasingly will become subject of public guidance and political decision making. Socialization happens because what people think, want and do has become central to the development of science and technology. Socialization of research is simply happening because it is the development characteristic of a society in which knowledge is becoming the main driving force. And just like in agricultural or industrial societies in the past it leads to (re-)invent the institutions and mechanisms which allow the knowledge society to function properly. This note will further explore the developments contributing to the socialization of research and their impact on research and research institutes. It will focus more on technologies than on science per se, because applications and usage will become the main drivers.
The "book" medium and scientific editorial communication: prospects and ongoing changes
Authors: Massoli Laura
Published: August 2018

The volume “Il libro contemporaneo” (The Contemporary Book) by Giuseppe Vitiello offers a global view of the “book” as a model and as an instrument of communication and for learning in the society of knowledge; it specifically deals with scientific editorial communication, through a complete and systematic reconstruction of the bodies involved, of the production and dissemination processes, also in the framework of the technological changes pushed by new media. In particular, the author critically analyzes some relevant aspects such as the role played by the journal as the most relevant mean for scientific knowledge dissemination, the scientific writer figure, the strengthening of large publishing groups and the challenge open access implies.
Science comics as tools for science education and communication: a brief, exploratory study
Authors: Tatalovic Mico
Published: August 2018

Comics are a popular art form especially among children and as such provide a potential medium for science education and communication. In an attempt to present science comics in a museum exhibit I found many science themed comics and graphic books. Here I attempt to provide an overview of already available comics that communicate science, the genre of ‘science comics’. I also provide a quick literature review for evidence that comics can indeed be efficiently used for promoting scientific literacy via education and communication. I address the issue of lack of studies about science comics and their readers and suggest some possible reasons for this as well as some questions that could be addressed in future studies on the effect these comics may have on science communication.
Often overlooked: formative evaluation in the development of ScienceComics
Authors: Weitkamp Emma , Featherstone Helen
Published: August 2018

Formative evaluation should play a key role in the development of a science communication project or initiative. Such research is vital to understanding the needs and interests of the audience or participants; meeting these needs and interests helps ensure the project’s success. However, there can be a temptation to plough ahead without undertaking adequate formative evaluation. Using ScienceComics (www.sciencecomics.uwe.ac.uk) as a case study, this article explores both the challenges and benefits of using formative evaluation to guide project development. It focuses on the actors involved in the formative stages and the impacts these actors had on the final outputs. This evidence is used to develop practical guidance on integrating formative evaluation right from the start.
Embedding science in society: a European perspective
Authors: Prista Luisa
Published: August 2018

Within the research framework programmes, the European Commission's interest in societal issues pertaining to science and technology has been increasing over time. An important step in this direction has been taken with the establishment during the Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7) of the theme "Science in Society" (SiS) in the Specific Programme "Capacities". From this perspective, the theoretical and practical horizon of science and technology (S&T) socialisation discussed in this issue of JCOM fits well with the SiS strategy. In fact, S&T socialisation refers, on the one hand, to the process of the adaptation of science to a changing society and, on the other hand, to the capacity of identifying and managing the social dynamics increasingly involved with scientific and technological research.
Science blogs and public engagement with science: practices, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Kouper Inna
Published: August 2018

Digital information and communication technologies (ICTs) are novelty tools that can be used to facilitate broader involvement of citizens in the discussions about science. The same tools can be used to reinforce the traditional top-down model of science communication. Empirical investigations of particular technologies can help to understand how these tools are used in the dissemination of information and knowledge as well as stimulate a dialog about better models and practices of science communication. This study focuses on one of the ICTs that have already been adopted in science communication, on science blogging. The findings from the analysis of eleven blogs are presented in an attempt to understand current practices of science blogging and to provide insight into the role of blogging in the promotion of more interactive forms of science communication.
Open science: policy implications for the evolving phenomenon of user-led scientific innovation
Authors: Stodden Victoria
Published: August 2018

From contributions of astronomy data and DNA sequences to disease treatment research, scientific activity by non-scientists is a real and emergent phenomenon, and raising policy questions. This involvement in science can be understood as an issue of access to publications, code, and data that facilitates public engagement in the research process, thus appropriate policy to support the associated welfare enhancing benefits is essential. Current legal barriers to citizen participation can be alleviated by scientists’ use of the “Reproducible Research Standard,” thus making the literature, data, and code associated with scientific results accessible. The enterprise of science is undergoing deep and fundamental changes, particularly in how scientists obtain results and share their work: the promise of open research dissemination held by the Internet is gradually being fulfilled by scientists. Contributions to science from beyond the ivory tower are forcing a rethinking of traditional models of knowledge generation, evaluation, and communication. The notion of a scientific “peer” is blurred with the advent of lay contributions to science raising questions regarding the concepts of peer-review and recognition. New collaborative models are emerging around both open scientific software and the generation of scientific discoveries that bear a similarity to open innovation models in other settings. Public engagement in science can be understood as an issue of access to knowledge for public involvement in the research process, facilitated by appropriate policy to support the welfare enhancing benefits deriving from citizen-science.
Science communication, an emerging discipline
Authors: Trench Brian , Bucchi Massimiano
Published: August 2018

Several publications have sought to define the field of science communication and review current issues and recent research. But the status of science communication is uncertain in disciplinary terms. This commentary considers two dimensions of the status of discipline as they apply to science communication – the clarity with which the field is defined and the level of development of theories to guide formal studies. It argues that further theoretical development is needed to support science communication’s full emergence as a discipline.
The use of scientific knowledge in the decision making process of environmental public policies in Brazil
Authors: Carneiro Maria José , da Silva Rosa Teresa
Published: August 2018

The way policy makers mobilize scientific knowledge in order to formulate environmental policies is important for understanding the developmental process of environmental policies. Some biodiversity conservation policies, such as those establishing the conservation units and laws on the regulation of land use in protected areas, were selected as objects of analysis. The aim was to see whether political decision makers are supported by scientific knowledge or not. Based on interviews with technical staff from governmental institutions, politicians and scientists, this study analyzed the way the knowledge is mobilized by policy makers concerning measures related to biodiversity conservation in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). We have concluded that environmental policy makers do not normally use the knowledge produced by scientific and academic institutions. Rather than being based on a systematic bibliographic research on environmental issues, the decisions are supported either by personal experience or by expert advice. The measures under analysis were not supported by evidence based on knowledge but motivated by political or economic interests. Paradoxically, policy makers consider themselves sufficiently well informed to make decisions concerning the policy to be implemented.
Science books and networks in the Renaissance. An interview with Adrian Johns
Authors: Johns Adrian
Published: August 2018

The interview portrays the role of scientific books during the Renaissance. Books written within the tradition of skilled technical and intellectual practice shaped the way that led to the birth of modern science. Rooted in a panorama characterized by the multiplicity of cultural authorities, scientific books deeply influenced Renaissance culture and created networks interlaced with the existing trade channels. Big single-authored works, typical in the Renaissance, thereafter would be replaced by smaller-scale publications.
Of deterritorialization, healthism and biosocialities: the companies' marketing and users' experiences of online genetics
Authors: Ducournau Pascal , Beaudevin Claire
Published: August 2018

Since the early 2000s, anybody can buy genetic tests, directly sold on the Internet. These tests provide information about susceptibilities to some diseases and/or about ancestry. Thus, this article deals with a new e-market, whose scientific basis (validity of the tests) and status (as medical devices or consumer goods) are currently controversial. On one hand, we describe the tests and the advertisement and marketing strategies used by the companies (we made an inventory of about 40); on the other hand, we discuss several aspects on the basis of interviews conducted with users: first, the entanglement of these strategies with the global context of healthism and the emphasis put on individuals’ empowerment regarding health decisions — “individualized biopolitics”. In addition, this article broaches the new kind of biosocial networks appearing in these tests’ wake: some users indeed gather on the basis of a genetic proximity, as is it put forward by their results.
Telling science stories in an evolving digital media ecosystem: from communication to conversation and confrontation
Authors: Holliman Richard
Published: August 2018

The globalised digital media ecosystem can be characterised as both dynamic and disruptive. Developments in digital technologies relate closely to emerging social practices. In turn these are influencing, and are influenced by, the political economy of professional media and user-generated content, and the introduction of political and institutional governance and policies. Together this wider context provides opportunities and challenges for science communication practitioners and researchers. The globalised digital media ecosystem allows for, but does not guarantee, that a wider range of range of contributors can participate in storytelling about the sciences. At the same time, new tools are emerging that facilitate novel ways of representing digital data. As a result, researchers are reconceptualising ideas about the relationship between practices of production, content and consumption. In this paper I briefly explore whether storytelling about the sciences is becoming more distributed and participatory, shifting from communication to conversation and confrontation.
Has blogging changed science writing?
Authors: Bell Alice R.
Published: August 2018

Rather than crystal ball gazing into the future of science journalism, this essay invites critical discussion over how much, if at all, has the web changed the way science is discussed in public? The short answer is no, or only slightly. Drawing on basic tenants of the social studies of technology, I argue there have always been more options than action when it comes to innovation in science writing. This essay takes three stories of the impact of the web on science journalism which I believe to be overstated, as well as three areas where I do think we can see change. None are clear-cut, as my chief aim here is to argue that our future is up for debate.
A step-by-step approach for science communication practitioners: a design perspective
Authors: van der Sanden Maarten , Meijman Frans J.
Published: August 2018

Science communication processes are complex and uncertain. Designing and managing these processes using a step-by-step approach, allows those with science communication responsibility to manoeuvre between moral or normative issues, practical experiences, empirical data and theoretical foundations. The tool described in this study is an evidence-based questionnaire, tested in practice for feasibility. The key element of this decision aid is a challenge to the science communication practitioners to reflect on their attitudes, knowledge, reasoning and decision-making in a step-by-step manner to question the aim, function and impact of each issue and attendant communication process or strategy. This approach eventually leads to more professional science communication processes by systematic design. The Design-Based Research (DBR) derived from science education and applied in this study, may form a new methodology for further exploration of the gap between theory and practice in science communication and. Practitioners, scholars, and researchers all participate actively in DBR.