bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To learn from the ancestors or to borrow from the foreigners: China’s self-identity as a modern civilisation
Authors: Mingming Wang
Published: November 2014

This article is a shortened version of a lecture. It deals with the duality of China's modern ‘civilisation’ – its connectivity with the ‘ancestral landscape’ and its openings to the outside world. In presenting the duality, the author examines a wide range of intellectual and political discourses of ‘civilisation’ emerged in the past three decades and relates them to the translation and re-translation of the concept in a longer history. The author argues that much of the ‘dynamics of civlisation’ come from the circulation of such ideas as ‘civilisation’ itself, and anthropologists can understand ‘civilisation’ better if they take ethnography of ideas more seriously.
Long-term experience with onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of chronic migraine: What happens after one year?
Authors: Cernuda-Morollón Eva , Ramón César , Larrosa Davinia , Alvarez Rocío , Riesco Nuria , Pascual Julio
Published: November 2014

Background

OnabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) has shown its efficacy over placebo in chronic migraine (CM), but clinical trials lasted only up to one year.

Objective

The objective of this article is to analyse our experience with onabotA treatment of CM, paying special attention to what happens after one year.

Patients and methods

We reviewed the charts of patients with CM on onabotA. Patients were injected quarterly during the first year but the fifth appointment was delayed to the fourth month to explore the need for further injections.

Results

We treated 132 CM patients (mean age 47 years; 119 women). A total of 108 (81.8%) showed response during the first year. Adverse events, always transient and mild-moderate, were seen in 19 (14.4%) patients during the first year; two showed frontotemporal muscle atrophy after being treated for more than five years. The mean number of treatments was 7.7 (limits 2–29). Among those 108 patients with treatment longer than one year, 49 (45.4%) worsened prior to the next treatment, which obliged us to return to quarterly injections and injections were stopped in 14: in 10 (9.3%) due to a lack of response and in four due to the disappearance of attacks. In responders, after an average of two years of treatment, consumption of any acute medication was reduced by 53% (62.5% in triptan overusers) and emergency visits decreased 61%.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the long-term response to onabotA in three-quarters of CM patients. After one year, lack of response occurs in about one out of 10 patients and injections can be delayed, but not stopped, to four months in around 40% of patients. Except for local muscle atrophy in two cases treated more than five years, adverse events are comparable to those already described in short-term clinical trials.
Hazardous and toxic waste management in Botswana: Practices and challenges
Authors: Mmereki Daniel , Li Baizhan , Meng Liu
Published: November 2014

Hazardous and toxic waste is a complex waste category because of its inherent chemical and physical characteristics. It demands for environmentally sound technologies and know-how as well as clean technologies that simultaneously manage and dispose it in an environmentally friendly way. Nevertheless, Botswana lacks a system covering all the critical steps from importation to final disposal or processing of hazardous and toxic waste owing to limited follow-up of the sources and types of hazardous and toxic waste, lack of modern and specialised treatment/disposal facilities, technical know-how, technically skilled manpower, funds and capabilities of local institutions to take lead in waste management. Therefore, because of a lack of an integrated system, there are challenges such as lack of cooperation among all the stakeholders about the safe management of hazardous and toxic waste. Furthermore, Botswana does not have a systematic regulatory framework regarding monitoring and hazardous and toxic waste management. In addition to the absence of a systematic regulatory framework, inadequate public awareness and dissemination of information about hazardous and toxic waste management, slower progress to phase-out persistent and bio-accumulative waste, and lack of reliable and accurate information on hazardous and toxic waste generation, sources and composition have caused critical challenges to effective hazardous and toxic waste management. It is, therefore, important to examine the status of hazardous and toxic waste as a waste stream in Botswana. By default; this mini-review article presents an overview of the current status of hazardous and toxic waste management and introduces the main challenges in hazardous and toxic waste management. Moreover, the article proposes the best applicable strategies to achieve effective hazardous and toxic waste management in the future.
Open Government and Social Media
Authors: Gunawong Panom
Published: November 2014

Social media have become new tools for the public sector to communicate with the public and to realize the idea of an open government that embraces transparency, participation, and collaboration. This article explores the adoption and use of social media applications (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) by Thailand’s public sector and social media’s contribution to transparency. In total, 172 public agencies representing the central, provincial, and local administration levels were investigated. Evidently, the social media applications in question have not been widely adopted and used in the Thai public sector as indicated by the small fraction of public agencies considered to be active users. Nevertheless, Facebook was found to be the only application keenly used by public agencies at all three administration levels (18 public agencies in total). An examination of their Facebook messages revealed that Facebook was employed mainly for disseminating news updates that did not actually increase the agencies’ transparency. It is thus apparent that for the Thai public sector, social media use to achieve transparency is not open to discussion. Instead, the Thai government’s first priority is to encourage public agencies to merely adopt and use social media at all, before it can focus on the most effective ways that agencies can employ such media.
Multiple Roles, Role Conflict, and Sense of Meaning in Life Among Working Parents
Authors: Kulik Liat , Shilo-Levin Sagit , Liberman Gabriel
Published: November 2014

This study aimed to examine the contribution of multiple roles to explaining home–work conflict and sense of meaning in life (MIL) among a sample of 616 Israeli working parents. A distinction between three types of multiple roles was made on the basis of the extent of the participants’ role satisfaction, that is, satisfying roles (high role satisfaction), unsatisfying roles (low role satisfaction), and neutral roles (neutral role satisfaction). Satisfying roles contributed both directly and indirectly to the participants’ sense of MIL. Neutral roles contributed to intensifying role conflict and had an indirect impact on MIL. Moreover, the contribution of the number of unsatisfying roles to explaining the intensity of the participants’ role conflict and sense of MIL was insignificant. Men experienced more intense work–family conflict (work interfere with family and household responsibilities) than did women, but no gender differences were found for family–work conflict (family demands interfere with the work domain).
High frequency environmental changes and deposition processes in a 2 kyr-long sedimentological record from the Cap-Breton canyon (Bay of Biscay)
Authors: Mary Yannick , Eynaud Frédérique , Zaragosi Sébastien , Malaizé Bruno , Cremer Michel , Schmidt Sabine
Published: November 2014

The core MD03-2693 (43°39.258′N; 01°39.805′W; 431 m water depth) was collected on an abandoned meander of the Capbreton Canyon (SE Bay of Biscay), filled over the last millennia by very high sedimentation rates (mean sedimentation rate of 1.2 cm/yr) linked to its specific environmental location and fine-grained clayed sediment decantation from the proximal canyon axis. This archive thus permits to undertake the study of late Holocene regional climatic patterns at a decadal temporal resolution. In the present work, we use data derived from planktonic foraminifera assemblages coupled to a multiproxy approach that associates grain-size measurements, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis and stable oxygen isotope on Globigerina bulloides shells to infer Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) changes over the last two millennia. Signals reconstructed in the Bay of Biscay show significant oscillations that are consistent with well-known temperature anomalies such as the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA) and the ‘Medieval Warm Period’ (MWP). It additionally displays strong similarities with other areas in the western temperate and northern North Atlantic Ocean, suggesting a narrow coupling between its main gyre surface systems. Abrupt decrease of SSS together with significant change in terrigenous inputs suggests a change in precipitation regime at the onset of the LIA (around ad 1400). Moreover, superimposed to the relative long-term change in environmental parameter, the core MD03-2693 records rapid and discrete pulses of sand grain–sized material that are correlated with the local history of migration of the mouth of the Adour River.
First records of Chenopodium spp./Amaranthus spp. starch grains and their relevance to the study of the late Holocene human subsistence in Central Argentina
Authors: López M Laura , Medina Matías E , Rivero Diego E
Published: November 2014

The first Sierras of Córdoba (Argentina) evidences of Chenopodium spp. and/or Amaranthus spp. human consumption were presented in this paper. The identifications were made over micro-botanical remains – starch granules – from grinding tools and pottery from two archaeological sites: Quebrada del Real 1 ( c. 3000 BP) and C.Pun.39 ( c. 1000–500 BP). Multiproxy data suggest the management of high-nutritional wild plants and the early knowledge of the post-harvest processing technology required to remove the non-edible portion of seed. Thus, the presence of Chenopodium spp. was significant to the study of the subsistence strategies and the small-scale farming spread among the early late Holocene human societies in central Argentina, being especially pertinent as a potential comparison to seek the early phases of food transition in contemporary Andean South America, Mesoamerica, and Eastern North America.
Book Review: Charles Wheelan, Naked Statistics: Stripping the Dread from the Data
Authors: Shankar Gauri
Published: November 2014

Charles Wheelan, Naked Statistics: Stripping the Dread from the Data, First Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2013, xviii + 282 pp. US$ 26.95 (ISBN: 978-0-393-07195-5 [hardback])
Book Review: K. Vaidyanathan, Credit Risk Management for Indian Banks
Authors: Tandon Deepak , Chawla Rachna
Published: November 2014

K. Vaidyanathan, Credit Risk Management for Indian Banks. New Delhi: SAGE South Asia Edition, SAGE Publications India Pvt. Ltd., 2013, 384 pp. ₹ 595 (ISBN: 978-81-321-1102-3 [Paper Back])
Book Review: Thorbecke Willem and W.J. Hsieh, Industrial Restructuring in Asia: Implications of the Global Economic Crisis
Authors: Tandon Deepak
Published: November 2014

Thorbecke Willem and W.J. Hsieh, Industrial Restructuring in Asia: Implications of the Global Economic Crisis. New Delhi: SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd, 2013, 384 pp. ₹ 1100 (ISBN: 978-81-321-0958-7 [Hardback])
Book Review: Moid Siddiqui, Leading from the Heart: Sufi Principles at Work
Authors: Agrawal Soni
Published: November 2014

Moid Siddiqui, Leading from the Heart: Sufi Principles at Work. New Delhi: SAGE Publications India Private Limited, 2014, 192 pp. ₹ 350 (ISBN: 978-81-321-1370-6 [PB])
Book Review: Deborah Perry Piscione, Secrets of Silicon Valley: What Everyone Else Can Learn from the Innovation Capital of the World
Authors: Shankar Gauri
Published: November 2014

Deborah Perry Piscione, Secrets of Silicon Valley: What Everyone Else Can Learn from the Innovation Capital of the World. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, April 2013, First Edition, 249 pp. US$ 27/$31 Canada/ ₹ 971 (ISBN 13: 978-0-230-34211-8 [Hard Bound])
Does Decision Changes—A Case Discussion on e-Governance Outsourcing: A Fuzzy Analysis Approach
Authors: Mahalik Debendra Kumar
Published: November 2014

In the present competitive environment, outsourcing is not only a buzz word, it is an alternative for survival for organizations. Specifically, outsourcing of information technology services is common due to some obvious reasons. However, the decision to outsource differs from decision maker to decision maker as risk and return of outsourcing varies with decision maker’s attitude towards risk taking and their initiative. As the attitude of the decision maker towards the risk consequence plays an important role in decision making, measuring this parameter is a concern as it involves multi-criteria problem with a linguistic nature of the risk attitude resulting in a fuzzy situation. In this article, an attempt has been made to relate sustainability in decision with respect to information technology outsourcing, with a focus on attitude and decision making using a detailed case study of e-governance project in a university using AHP and fuzzy AHP.
Contract Farming and McKinsey’s Plan for Transforming Agriculture into Agribusiness in West Bengal
Authors: Sarkar Swagato
Published: November 2014

Agriculture has been the target of modernization for a long time. The earlier interventions of deploying ‘green revolution’ technologies were a statist project and aimed at increasing productivity. The focus of public policy has shifted from increasing productivity to finding and servicing consumer markets. It is in this context that contract farming and linkages with formal retail sector have been proposed.

 The erstwhile Left Front government in West Bengal, India, had drafted the management consultancy firm McKinsey & Company to strategize a rejuvenation plan for the state’s agriculture. McKinsey suggested that the government should encourage farmers to enter into contract farming, which would allow them to access market, especially international and domestic metropolitan markets. The documents produced by McKinsey were confidential, but have recently been leaked. In this article, I analyze these confidential documents and the proposal to transform agriculture into agribusiness. I try to locate such a proposal at the global level to understand the dynamics of (global) agribusiness and why global agri-capital advocates contract farming. Thereafter, I try to critically evaluate the prospect of contract farming in Bengal and India.
Can South–South Trade Agreements Reduce Development Deficits?
Authors: Bhattacharya Swapan K. , Das Gouranga G.
Published: November 2014

With the rise of India and other Southern engines of growth, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and similar vehicles for South–South regional cooperation have gained in importance. Developing a stochastic frontier gravity model, this article investigates the presence of significant ‘behind the border’ and ‘beyond the border’ constraints and analyzes the potential synergy between trade and development goals in the context of SAARC. In particular, the article demonstrates: (a) a considerable potential for improvement of trade complementarities among SAARC members; (b) a long-run scope for gains from trade; (c) country-specific ‘socio-political–economical–institutional’ rigidities form ‘behind the border’ constraints to trade; (d) that realization of trade potential would eliminate development deficits via growth dividends through trade and investment spillovers, exchange of skills and knowledge; and (e) since tariffs are not an important barrier in this region, emphasis should be placed on higher technology cooperation, and cooperation in areas of education, literacy, gender, institutions ensuring good governance, social capital and infrastructure, to help achieve the SAARC Development Goals (SDGs). The main policy insights are that the removal of ‘behind the border’ barriers and policy coordination would reduce ‘productivity lags’ and close the ‘gap’.
Coverage of the Financial Crisis in English Language Print Media in India
Authors: Dutta Mohan J. , Sen Soumitro
Published: November 2014

The news media in a neoliberal economy often act as channels through which the values of neoliberalism are articulated and perpetuated, being shaped by advertising-driven content and deployed as instruments of reforms. This article examines how the recent global recession was covered in the three most circulated English dailies in India. The two themes that emerged from a thematic analysis of the news stories discuss the local–global linkages in the framing of the financial crisis, as well as attend to the moral panics and responsibilities that are put forth as legitimating responses to the crisis, voicing the flow of affect in logics of financialization.
Evaluation Capacity Building
Authors: Kaye-Tzadok Avital , Spiro Shimon E.
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

Growing emphasis on program and practice evaluation in social work education coalesces with a growing interest in evaluation capacity building (ECB) within the interdisciplinary field of evaluation. However, the literature on ECB, while recognizing the importance of imparting knowledge and skills to individuals, largely ignores the potential contribution of courses that are offered as part of academic degree-granting programs.

Methods:

This article describes a seminar on program evaluation within a postgraduate course leading to a master of social work degree attended by currently employed social workers. The students were required to plan the evaluation of a program conducted by their respective agencies and carry out the evaluation, if possible. A survey was conducted among the graduates.

Results:

Almost all respondents reported that the seminar had improved their own evaluation capacity, and about a third reported enhanced evaluation capacity of their respective agencies. The ECB effect was strongest when stakeholders were involved in the evaluation.

Discussion:

An academic seminar can contribute to ECB, this contribution could be enhanced by designing the seminar with this purpose in mind.
Examining the Public’s Responses to Crisis Communication From the Perspective of Three Models of Attribution
Authors: Yum Jung-Yoon , Jeong Se-Hoon
Published: November 2014

This study applies three models of attribution to examine the public’s responses to corporate crises. Using Kelley’s covariation model and Coombs’s situational crisis communication theory, the study shows that distinctiveness information has strong and robust effects, consistency information has some effects, and consensus information has no effects on attributions of corporate responsibility, purchase intentions, and punitive opinions. Based on Weiner’s model, this study finds that attributions of corporate responsibility result in punitive opinions guided by retributive rather than utilitarian motivations.
Tell Me Where It Hurts
Authors: Woods Sarah B. , Priest Jacob B. , Denton Wayne H.
Published: November 2014

The costs of failing to diagnose or treat psychosocial issues can be dramatic. We suggest that psychosocial assessments should be integrated into routine primary care. Results from a recent study are described in which 60% of patients approached were willing to complete a biopsychosocial assessment battery. Of those who completed the survey ( N = 125), 46% met criteria for further mental health assessment; only 18% of the sample had a mental health diagnosis listed in their medical record. We conclude that a psychosocial assessment intervention in primary care has the potential to increase provider awareness of biopsychosocial concerns. Clinical implications, including the unique ability of family therapists to provide the care indicated by the assessment intervention, are discussed.
Bridging the Research-Practice Gap in Climate Communication
Authors: Han Hahrie , Stenhouse Neil
Published: November 2014

Recent evidence suggests that a research-practice gap exists for climate change communication, whereby practitioners are not making optimal use of knowledge that exists and scholars are not answering questions most relevant to practitioners. Closer collaboration between academics and practitioners is one way to close this gap. We recount our collaboration with a group of Sierra Club staff and volunteers working to improve their climate advocacy and organizing activities. From our collaboration, four ways of improving future collaborations emerged, relating to broad versus narrow applicability of communication recommendations, strategy versus tactics, academic versus experiential knowledge, and proactive versus reactive support.
ADAMTS13 Levels in Young Patients With β-Thalassemia Major
Authors: Hamed Ahmad A. , Darwish Yasser W. , El-Sayed Manal Hamdy
Published: November 2014

We measured levels of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) in 50 children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major (25 without hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and 25 with HCV infection) compared to 25 healthy controls and assessed their relation to iron overload, HCV infection, and liver cirrhosis. Hematological and coagulation profiles, serum ferritin, and von Willebrand factor antigen were assessed. Levels of ADAMTS13 were significantly lower in β-thalassemia major with and without HCV infection compared to healthy controls, with a more significant reduction in levels among patients with HCV ( P < .001). HCV-positive patients with thalassemia having liver cirrhosis had the lowest ADAMTS13 levels than those without cirrhosis ( P = .012) or HCV-negative patients with thalassemia ( P < .001). Levels of ADAMTS13 were positively correlated with platelet count while inversely correlated with partial thromboplastin time, serum ferritin, and VWF: Ag ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Patients with β-thalassemia major infected with HCV have low ADAMTS13 levels, and a marked reduction was observed among patients with liver cirrhosis and, therefore, may be liable to thromboembolic manifestations.
Identification of two cracks with different severity in beams and rods from minimal frequency data
Authors: Rubio Lourdes , Fernández-Sáez José , Morassi Antonino
Published: November 2014

It has been known for a long time that the problem of identifying two small cracks in a simply supported beam from the first three natural frequencies can be analytically formulated and solved if the two cracks have equal severity. In this paper we extend this result to the case of cracks with different severity. Each crack is simulated by a rotational elastic spring and the inverse problem is solved in terms of the damage-induced changes in the first four natural frequencies. Closed-form expressions of the damage parameters in terms of the measured frequencies are obtained. The results can be extended to the identification of two cracks in a longitudinally vibrating beam based on a suitable set of natural frequency and antiresonant frequency data. Numerical simulations support the theory, and show that if accurate input data are available and the cracks are not too close, then damage identification leads to satisfactory results.
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol Cytotoxicity Involves Oxidative Stress, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoning , Zhang Xiaona , Niu Zhidan , Qi Yongmei , Huang Dejun , Zhang Yingmei
Published: November 2014

This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity and potential mechanisms of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Our results show that 2,4,6-TCP causes morphological changes and reduces cell viability. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species, the upregulation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions, and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 protein demonstrate that 2,4,6-TCP induces oxidative stress, and the Nrf2/HMOX1 pathway might be involved in 2,4,6-TCP-induced antioxidative response. Simultaneously, our data also demonstrate that 2,4,6-TCP upregulates the expressions of binding immunoglobulin protein, inositol-requiring enzyme/endonuclease 1α, and C/EBP homologous protein; stimulates α subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 phosphorylation; and induces the splicing of Xbp1 mRNA, suggesting that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is triggered. Moreover, 2,4,6-TCP alters the mitochondrial membrane potential and increases the apoptosis rate, the caspase 3 activity, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, demonstrating that the mitochondrial pathway is involved in the 2,4,6-TCP-induced apoptosis. Thus, these results show that 2,4,6-TCP induces oxidative stress, ER stress, and apoptosis, which together contribute to its cytotoxicity in vitro.
Using Indices of Fidelity to Intervention Core Components to Identify Program Active Ingredients
Authors: Abry Tashia , Hulleman Chris S. , Rimm-Kaufman Sara E.
Published: November 2014

Identifying the active ingredients of an intervention—intervention-specific components serving as key levers of change—is crucial for unpacking the intervention black box. Measures of intervention fidelity can be used to identify specific active ingredients, yet such applications are rare. We illustrate how fidelity measures can be used to identify program active ingredients in the context of a social-emotional learning intervention ( Responsive Classroom). We applied one customary and two novel approaches to create indices of fidelity. In the customary approach, we averaged fidelity ratings across all core components. In the novel approaches, we computed fidelity indices for specific components by (a) averaging responses from like items and (b) deriving factor scores from a multitrait, multimethod factor analysis. We then tested indices in relation to achievement gains ( N = 1,442). Indices derived using novel approaches explained more outcome variance than indices from the customary approach. Further, novel approaches revealed one component as a potential active ingredient. Discussion highlights strengths and limitations of the indices and implications for identifying program active ingredients.
Muscular strength and physical function in elderly adults 6–18 months after a 12-week resistance exercise program
Authors: Geirsdottir Olof Gudny , Arnarson Atli , Ramel A. , Briem Kristin , Jonsson Palmi V. , Thorsdottir Igna
Published: November 2014

Aims: Benefits of resistance exercise in elderly people are well documented; however, sustaining these benefits can be difficult and adherence is often poor. Muscular strength and physical function usually decline after a supervised resistance exercise program (REP). We investigated these changes in older adults during an observational follow-up and whether leisure time physical activity (LTPA) or unsupervised resistance exercise (RE) limit these changes. Methods: Subjects ( N=236, 73.7±5.7 years, 58.2% female) had participated in a supervised 12-week REP. Quadriceps strength and timed-up-and-go performance (TUG) at follow-up were compared to values before and after REP. Multivariate statistics were used to predict changes in strength or function. Results: Two hundred and eleven (90.3%) participants completed REP and 149 (63.1%) completed follow-up (11.4±2.9 months). Quadriceps strength at follow-up decreased significantly compared to after REP (–27N), but was higher than before REP (+30N). TUG did not decrease during follow-up and was better than before REP (–0.9 seconds). LTPA (+38.0N, p<0.001) and RE (+31.6N, p=0.006) predicted strength at follow-up, although they did not completely prevent loss of strength during follow-up. Conclusions: Quadriceps strength declines after a 12-week resistance exercise program in older adults. Neither LTPA nor RE completely prevents loss of quadriceps strength during follow-up, although they limited the loss. TUG did not change during follow-up and was better at follow-up than before the start of the resistance exercise program.
An integrated vehicle dynamic control strategy for three-wheeled vehicles
Authors: Goodarzi Avesta , Soltani Amir , Shojaeefard Mohammad Hassan , Khajepour Amir
Published: November 2014

Three-wheeled vehicles can address many congestion, parking and pollution issues associated with urban transportation. Previous studies about control of dynamics of three-wheeled vehicles mostly focus on roll dynamics control. This study considers simultaneous control of roll and yaw dynamics. For this purpose, an integrated system has been developed to coordinate active front steering, direct yaw moment control and active tilt systems. The challenges in the control system design arise in finding a compromise between improving vehicle dynamic behaviour and minimizing the actuators’ torque requirements. This study first introduces the vehicle model and then, using optimal control theory, develops an integrated control strategy that works based on the feedback signals from the vehicle’s state variables and the steering input feed-forward. Using a comprehensive nonlinear model, the simulation results illustrate considerable improvements in vehicle handling through the integrated control system in comparison with the pure active front steering, direct yaw moment control or active tilt systems.
Dirichlet Lasso: A Bayesian approach to variable selection
Authors: Das Kiranmoy , Sobel Marc
Published: November 2014

Selection of the most important predictor variables in regression analysis is one of the key problems statistical research has been concerned with for long time. In this article, we propose the methodology, Dirichlet Lasso (abbreviated as DLASSO) to address this issue in a Bayesian framework. In many modern regression settings, large set of predictor variables are grouped and the coefficients belonging to any one of these groups are either all redundant or all important in predicting the response; we say in those cases that the predictors exhibit a group structure. We show that DLASSO is particularly useful where the group structure is not fully known. We exploit the clustering property of Dirichlet Process priors to infer the possibly missing group information. The Dirichlet Process has the advantage of simultaneously clustering the variable coefficients and selecting the best set of predictor variables. We compare the predictive performance of DLASSO to Group Lasso and ordinary Lasso with real data and simulation studies. Our results demonstrate that the predictive performance of DLASSO is almost as good as that of Group Lasso when group label information is given; and superior to the ordinary Lasso for missing group information. For high dimensional data (e.g., genetic data) with missing group information, DLASSO will be a powerful approach of variable selection since it provides a superior predictive performance and higher statistical accuracy.
A critical analysis of the International Baccalaureate’s Middle Years Programme assessment design with particular focus on feedback
Authors: Hughes Conrad
Published: November 2014

The International Baccalaureate’s Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) is designed to support the development of creativity, critical thinking, international-mindedness and values. However, close inspection of the programme’s assessment structure suggests that many of the competence-related and dispositional elements of the programme’s construct are to be assessed using performance rather than competence models. The article discusses and problematises this tension. Furthermore, the salient formative assessment strategy of feedback, widely researched and accepted as a teaching technique with considerable gains for learning, is not sufficiently explained or developed in the IBMYP assessment guide to allow for deep understanding of its potential to move learning forward. The article argues for a more competence-related assessment design in the IBMYP with greater detail around the strategy of feedback for learning.
Cultural diversity among heads of international schools: Potential implications for international education
Authors: Slough-Kuss Yvonne
Published: November 2014

This article considers the influence that regional associations of international schools have on individual school members. The role of heads of international schools is explored in terms of their collective regional community influence on the fundamental school level. A revision of Thompson’s model of international education is proposed which addresses the fundamental, local and, specifically, regional community. It proposes implications for the global international school community with a focus on the need for cultural diversity within stakeholder groups.
International family profiles and parental school choice in Tokyo
Authors: Velliaris Donna M , Willis Craig R
Published: November 2014

The concept of being an ‘international’ citizen is one that describes an increasing number of people worldwide. This has implications for the educational experiences of many students, which can be reflected in the school choices made by their parents. As part of this study, ‘international’ parents residing in Tokyo were interviewed and the qualitative data gathered were used to compose family profiles; snapshots of the unfolding of their journeys and experiences that were multidimensional. Interviews elicited from these parents detailed information that contributed to a fuller appreciation of international parenting and transnationalism. This article presents nine international family profiles, followed by a subsequent analysis of the international parents’ selection of schooling for their only or eldest child in Tokyo.
Long-period fiber grating moisture sensor with nano-structured coatings for structural health monitoring
Authors: Zheng Shijie
Published: November 2014

In this article, we inscribe long-period gratings on an SMF-28 optical fiber by a focused CO2 laser beam to develop a humidity sensor with high sensitivity and selectivity for moisture detection for civil infrastructures health monitoring. We propose two types of nano-structured film to deposit on surface of the grating region by electrostatic self-assembly deposition process. The primary nanofilm coating (PAH+/PAA−) does not affect long-period grating properties such as resonance wavelength and transmission intensity; however, it increases the sensitivity by changing the refractive index of the surrounding analytes. The secondary nanofilm coating (Al2O3+/PSS−), due to its molecule structure compatibility, can selectively adsorb analyte molecules of interest (in this case H2O only). The experimental results reveal that the nanofilm-coated long-period gratings are more sensitive to moisture in terms of both wavelength shift and resonance intensity change as of 0.019%/pm and 0.01%/10−3 dBm, respectively, while the bare LPG coefficients are 0.021%/pm and 0.0603%/10−3 dBm. The proposed sensor shows excellent thermal stability as well.
Acoustic emission detection and position identification of transverse cracks in carbon fiber–reinforced plastic laminates by using a novel optical fiber ultrasonic sensing system
Authors: Wu Qi , Yu Fengming , Okabe Yoji , Saito Kazuya , Kobayashi Satoshi
Published: November 2014

Utilizing optical fiber technique to structural health monitoring of composite materials is attracting attention recently due to the inherent advantages in optical fiber sensor. However, acoustic emission signals with low energy and high frequency from transverse cracks in carbon fiber–reinforced plastic laminates are difficult to be detected by normal optical techniques. In this work, we present a phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating balanced sensing system to detect acoustic emission signals generated in a carbon fiber–reinforced plastic laminate in a three-point bending test. We demonstrated that the phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating balanced sensing system with a broad bandwidth and high sensitivity can detect high-frequency, low-energy acoustic emission signals caused by transverse cracks. In our experiments, the transverse cracks were identified very well through the detected acoustic emission signals. The relationship between the strain and the acoustic emission signals, and the typical waveforms of the acoustic emission signals were investigated. Furthermore, accurate position identification using acoustic emission detection by the phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating sensor was demonstrated. All the results obtained from the phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating sensor were compared to the results obtained from commercial lead–zirconate–titanate acoustic emission sensors. We found that the phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating balanced sensing system performance was comparable to the commercial lead–zirconate–titanate acoustic emission sensors.
Hierarchical Linear Modeling
Authors: Turner John R.
Published: November 2014

The Problem

While nested structures occur naturally in organizational and educational settings, past research has failed to recognize these nested structures. Ordinary least squares (OLS) methods assume independence of observation, fixing the intercepts and slopes across all groups. By not accounting for nested structures, errors of inference can occur with the risk of compromising the validity of the results.

The Solution

As new theories become more complex multilevel representations of phenomena, testing these complex theories require hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). HLM provides human resource development (HRD) practitioners with a better method to test multilevel theories while taking into account nested structures, providing a more accurate representation across the different levels.

The Stakeholders

The intended audience includes HRD scholars, scholar-practitioners, and students interested in testing multilevel theories, conducting research using HLM, or those who are involved in reviewing/editing HLM research articles.
Role-Play Simulations as a Transformative Methodology in Environmental Education
Authors: Chen Joseph C. , Martin Akilah R.
Published: November 2014

Knowledge-based environmental education has been consistently found to be limited in its effectiveness due to its small and indirect role in promoting sustainable behavior, while focusing on the impact of social context has been found to be more conceptually relevant. Transformative learning theory is positioned to be foundational to environmental education based on its increasing focus on promoting social activism through personal transformations. We suggest four criteria in the development of an effective transformative environmental education methodology. Methodologies should (1) focus on change and not just knowledge attainment, (2) reveal behaviors in a real-world context, (3) highlight internal and external influences on environmental behavior, and (4) include a problem-solving approach that demands a solution. Role-play simulations addresses these criteria and can influence the perspective change necessary to promote sustainable behavior. We provide one example of this methodology and discuss its potential merits in fostering transformative learning in adult environmental education.
Learning from community: Agenda for citizenship education
Authors: Ghosh Sujay
Published: November 2014

Citizenship is about individual’s membership in the socio-political community. Education for citizenship conceives issues such as quality education, learning society and inclusion. Educational thinking in India has long valued community as a learning resource. With empirical experiences drawn from the programme of ‘Ecology and Natural Resource Education’ (ENRE), executed by local non-governmental organisations in three Blocks in West Bengal, India, this study argues that learning from community has potentials to contribute to quality education and democratic citizenship. Since the local community and non-governmental organisation efforts are insufficient, involvement of the state is necessary, to place it as a universal agenda for citizenship education.
Clinicopathologic characteristics and management trends of cutaneous invasive and in situ melanoma in older patients: a retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Data Base
Authors: Bhatt Vijaya Raj , Shrestha Rajesh , Krishnamurthy Jairam , Mosalpuria Kailash , Loberiza Fausto R. , Ganti Apar Kishor , Silberstein Peter T.
Published: November 2014

Background:

The incidence of melanoma in older patients is on the rise. Prior studies have shown disparities in surgical management and poor survival of older patients with melanoma.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study of adult patients diagnosed with cutaneous invasive and in situ melanoma between 2000 and 2011 in the National Cancer Data Base. Characteristics and management of older patients (≥60 years) were compared with younger patients (20–59 years) using χ2 testing.

Results:

Of 476,623 total cases, 54% ( n = 258,153) were diagnosed among older patients. The reported cases in the older patients increased by 1.74-fold between 2000 and 2011. The majority were white (96%), men (65%), with early-stage disease (76% stage 0-II), and superficial spreading melanoma histology (39%). Older patients, compared with younger patients, were more likely to be men (65% versus 49%, p < 0.0001), and have in situ melanoma (28% versus 21%, p < 0.0001); less likely to have nodal metastases (7% versus 9%, p < 0.0001), receive care in academic centers (30% versus 35%, p < 0.0001), undergo wide excision or major amputation for stage I–III disease (68% versus 72%, p < 0.0001) and systemic therapy for stage III (18% versus 45%, p < 0.0001) and IV disease (30% versus 50%, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Older patients with melanoma are less likely to receive care in academic centers, undergo wide excision for stage I–III disease and receive systemic therapy for stage III–IV disease. Particularly, the utilization of systemic therapy is markedly low. This disparity is particularly important with the availability of less intense more effective therapies.
Task Characteristics, Task Process, Task Structure and their Relationship with Work and Personal Burnout
Authors: Riasudeen S. , Srinivasan P.T. , Venkatesakumar R.
Published: November 2014

This research focuses on identifying the relationship of task characteristics, task process and task structure with work and personal burnout of individuals working in a group. A sample comprising of Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) professionals, working in group setting, were surveyed using a structured questionnaire measuring the constructs. A structural equation model was performed and fitness measures of the model confirm significant relationship among the task characteristics, process and structure with work and personal burnout. In particular, the study results suggest that the task characteristics affects work burnout rather than personal burnout, that task process explicate moderately both personal and work burnout and finally, task structure is strongly related to personal burnout relative to work burnout.
International Careers and Career Success of Indian Women in Science and Technology: The Importance of Career Capital and Organizational Capital
Authors: Valk Reimara , van Engen Marloes L. , van der Velde Mandy
Published: November 2014

This article presents a study on international careers and career success of Indian women in Science & Technology (S&T). We conducted interviews with 30 (upper) middle class Indian women in New Delhi and Bangalore (India) who pursued careers abroad as self-initiated expatriates (SIEs). Important elements of career capital competencies in international career pursuits and career success of Indian women SIEs in S&T were: (a) families who value higher education and careers of their female children, which motivated women to pursue international careers to elevate family class status (knowing-why); (b) the motivation to gain knowledge and skills in science and technology (knowing-how) and (c) the encouragement and support from family for women’s international career pursuits, and international networks (knowing-whom). Furthermore, findings show that patriarchy entrenched in Indian society and culture resulted in a lack of organizational capital, which impede career success of women in S&T. We advise organizations in India to implement HR policies and practices embracing the development of career capital to empower Indian women in S&T to be successful in their international careers.
Telecommuting in India: Pitfalls and Possibilities
Authors: Raghuram Sumita
Published: November 2014

Telecommuting, where individuals primarily work from sites that are miles away from central offices, is making inroads into India’s work practices. This practice carries several promises but also confronts many hurdles in its adoption. The advantages include reduced traffic congestion and commuter hassles, higher productivity and better work–family balance. The problems it confronts include structural and cultural issues such as lack of adequate infrastructure, societal resistance and organizational culture of command and control. This article proposes many possible solutions to enable telecommuting. These include information dissemination, redesign of jobs and appraisal systems and careful configuration of telecommute programmes.
Commentary—Bangladesh Clothing Factory Fires: The Way Forward
Authors: Bowden Bradley
Published: November 2014

The Bangladeshi clothing factory fires and building collapses that killed thousands of workers in 2012 and 2013 created international outrage. One result of this was the Accord on fire and building safety in Bangladesh, an Accord signed between garment retailers and their Bangladeshi suppliers. This article explores this response by placing the recent Bangladeshi disasters in a wider historical context. It argues that disasters such as those that have occurred in Bangladesh have their root cause in a production “bottle-neck”. While spinning and weaving is highly mechanized, the final step in clothing manufacture (sewing) is labour intensive. This creates an age-old drive to lower costs by concentrating low-paid clothing workers in buildings that are not designed for the job at hand. Fire and building collapses are the inevitable result.
Clinical detection and characterization of bacterial pathogens in the genomics era
Authors: Fournier Pierre-Edouard , Dubourg Gregory , Raoult Didier
Published: November 2014

The availability of genome sequences obtained using next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the field of infectious diseases. Indeed, more than 38,000 bacterial and 5,000 viral genomes have been sequenced to date, including representatives of all significant human pathogens. These tremendous amounts of data have not only enabled advances in fundamental biology, helping to understand the pathogenesis of microorganisms and their genomic evolution, but have also had implications for clinical microbiology. Here, we first review the current achievements of genomics in the development of improved diagnostic tools, including those that are now available in the clinic, such as the design of PCR assays for the detection of microbial pathogens, virulence factors or antibiotic-resistance determinants, or the design of optimized culture media for ‘unculturable’ pathogens. We then review the applications of genomics to the investigation of outbreaks, either through the design of genotyping assays or the direct sequencing of the causative strains. Finally, we discuss how genomics might change clinical microbiology in the future.