bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence Among Post-9/11 College Student Veterans
Authors: Klaw Elena L. , Demers Anne L. , Da Silva Nancy
Published: November 2014

The current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq present unique risk factors for military personnel that increase the likelihood of psychological distress and concomitant consequences related to trauma. Several studies have found that the stress brought about by financial difficulties, unemployment, and the need to renegotiate roles and responsibilities with spouses following discharge increases the likelihood of relationship strain and even intimate partner violence in the veteran population. This study was undertaken to determine the challenges related to maintaining healthy relationships for college student veterans who have served in the armed forces since September 11, 2001. Psychological distress, substance use, and hypermasculine attitudes were explored as risk factors for intimate violence. Social support was found to be a protective buffer against psychological aggression. However, approximately a third of college student veterans reported low social support along with symptoms of distress, placing them at elevated risk of partner abuse. The current article explores models for predicting risk of perpetrating aggression in college student veterans and concludes that culturally tailored programs and services are needed.
Moderating Effect of Negative Peer Group Climate on the Relation Between Men’s Locus of Control and Aggression Toward Intimate Partners
Authors: Schmidt Megan R. , Lisco Claire G. , Parrott Dominic J. , Tharp Andra T.
Published: November 2014

The present study sought to examine the interactive effects of an external locus of control and interaction in a negative peer group climate on men’s perpetration of physical aggression and infliction of injury toward their female intimate partners. Participants were 206 heterosexual males recruited from the metro-Atlanta community who completed self-report measures of external locus of control, involvement in a negative peer group climate, and physical aggression and infliction of injury against intimate partners during the past 12 months. Negative peer group climate was conceptualized as a peer group that displays behavior which may instigate aggressive norms, attitudes, and behaviors. Results indicated that men with an external locus of control were more likely to perpetrate physical aggression toward and inflict injury on their intimate partners if they reported high, but not low, involvement in a negative peer group climate. These results extend current research suggesting external locus of control as a risk factor for intimate partner aggression by highlighting the impact of negative peer groups. Implications and future intervention research are discussed.
A Team Approach to ACA Compliance
Authors: Haslinger John
Published: November 2014

Perhaps the most massive and complex HR compliance challenge for employers in U.S. history, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that at this point in the year, organizations be well on their way to preparedness and, of utmost importance, that all departments work together to avoid potentially devastating penalties. This article outlines the role and responsibility of each department (IT, HR and Benefits, Payroll, Finance, Tax and Legal) in meeting the requirements of the law.
Birth and Breastfeeding Dynamics in a Modernizing Indigenous Community
Authors: Veile Amanda , Kramer Karen
Published: November 2014

Background:

Changes in health care access and birthing practices may pose barriers to optimal breastfeeding in modernizing rural populations.

Objectives:

We evaluated temporal and maternal age-related trends in birth and breastfeeding in a modernizing Maya agriculturalist community. We tested 2 hypotheses: (1) home births would be associated with better breastfeeding outcomes than hospital births, and (2) vaginal births would be associated with better breastfeeding outcomes than cesarean births.

Methods:

We interviewed 58 Maya mothers (ages 21-85) regarding their births and breastfeeding practices. General linear models were used to evaluate trends in birthing practices and breastfeeding outcomes (timing of breastfeeding initiation, use of infant formula, age of introduction of complementary feeding, and breastfeeding duration). We then compared breastfeeding outcomes by location (home or hospital) and mode of birth (vaginal or cesarean).

Results:

Timing of breastfeeding initiation and the rate of formula feeding both increased significantly over time. Younger mothers introduced complementary foods earlier, breastfed for shorter durations, and formula fed more than older mothers. Vaginal hospital births were associated with earlier breastfeeding initiation and longer breastfeeding durations than home births. Cesarean births were associated with later breastfeeding initiation, shorter breastfeeding durations, and more formula feeding than vaginal hospital births.

Conclusion:

We have observed temporal and maternal age-related trends toward suboptimal breastfeeding patterns in the Maya community. Contrary to our first hypothesis, hospital births per se were not associated with negative breastfeeding outcomes. In support of our second hypothesis, cesarean versus vaginal births were associated with negative breastfeeding outcomes.
Social networks, ethnic diversity, and cooperative behavior in rural Malawi
Authors: Dionne Kim Yi
Published: November 2014

Even in divided societies, people from different ethnic backgrounds engage each other and an overwhelming majority of this cross-ethnic interaction does not yield conflict, but rather cooperation. Whereas the literature focuses on ethnic diversity as an impediment to cooperation, this study aims to test whether social networks can overcome the challenges posed by ethnic diversity in collective action. This paper’s contribution is to examine the impact of social ties vis-à-vis ethnic difference on cooperative behavior. I analyze data collected from surveys and behavioral economics experimental play of 188 rural Malawians. I find ethnic difference (or sameness) does not influence whether subjects choose to trust their game partner but being socially connected to a game partner increases the odds that a subject will cooperate.
Early-nineteenth-century southern African precipitation reconstructions from ships’ logbooks
Authors: Hannaford Matthew J , Jones Julie M , Bigg Grant R
Published: November 2014

Atmospheric circulation in the oceans surrounding southern Africa plays an important role in determining its precipitation. This study uses wind information recorded in ships’ logbooks in order to statistically reconstruct summer and winter season precipitation at four southern African weather stations from 1796 to 1854. The reconstruction was obtained by first relating gridded 8° × 8° NCEP-DOE reanalysis seasonal mean wind vectors in the adjacent oceans to station precipitation. Over a 30-year calibration period (1979–2008), significant correlations between wind and precipitation at Cape Town, Mthatha and Royal National Park showed particular correspondence with those areas with the greatest concentration of logbook observations. Principal component regression was used to assess the potential of the dominant patterns of variability in the wind vectors as predictors to reconstruct precipitation. Cross-validation in the calibration period gave confidence that precipitation could be reconstructed at several stations across South Africa, meaning the regression relationships derived in the calibration period could be applied to the gridded seasonal mean logbook data to produce reconstructions of precipitation from 1796 to 1854. The reconstructions show a degree of correspondence with other regional data sets. For instance, the decade beginning in 1810 was the wettest of the period at Mthatha and Royal National Park, while the 1820s were the driest. At Cape Town, the 1820s were the wettest decade, with drier conditions observed in the 1830s. An index of west–east circulation in the summer season revealed correspondence with two documentary reconstructions of El Niño events and increased westerliness, although this did not always result in drier conditions. Attention is also drawn to the remaining 3000 yet to be digitised English East India Company logbooks which would provide a high-resolution picture of atmospheric circulation back to 1700 in the region under consideration.
The challenges of science journalism: The perspectives of scientists, science communication advisors and journalists from New Zealand
Authors: Ashwell Douglas James
Published: November 2014

The news media play an important role in informing the public about scientific and technological developments. Some argue that restructuring and downsizing result in journalists coming under increased pressure to produce copy, leading them to use more public relations material to meet their deadlines. This article explores science journalism in the highly commercialised media market of New Zealand. Using semi-structured interviews with scientists, science communication advisors and journalists, the study finds communication advisors and scientists believe most media outlets, excluding public service media, report science poorly. Furthermore, restructuring and staff cuts have placed the journalists interviewed under increasing pressure. While smaller newspapers appear to be printing press releases verbatim, metropolitan newspaper journalists still exercise control over their use of such material. The results suggest these journalists will continue to resist increasing their use of public relations material for some time to come.
An Inventory of Publicly Funded Participant-Directed Long-Term Services and Supports Programs in the United States
Authors: Sciegaj Mark , Mahoney Kevin J. , Schwartz Abby J. , Simon-Rusinowitz Lori , Selkow Isaac , Loughlin Dawn M.
Published: November 2014

After a decade of changes in federal law, regulation, and policy designed to promote the growth of publicly funded participant-directed long-term services and supports (PD-LTSS) programs, the number of these programs has grown considerably. The National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services (NRCPDS) at Boston College started developing an inventory of these programs in 2010–2011 to determine the number and characteristics of publicly funded PD-LTSS programs in the United States. The 2010–2011 NRCPDS inventory provides baseline data for future research efforts in gauging the growth and expansion of this service delivery model. This article details the process for developing this data resource, describes some of the major characteristics of PD-LTSS programs in the United States, and discusses possible implications and areas for future research.
Staying Healthy From Fibromyalgia Is Ongoing Hard Work
Authors: Grape Hedda Eik , Solbrække Kari N. , Kirkevold Marit , Mengshoel Anne Marit
Published: November 2014

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain condition. Although studies have reported that some patients can become healthy again, little is known about what they tell about their lives after having FMS. In this study, we interviewed eight Norwegian women who had all recovered from FMS about their experiences when ill and subsequently being healthy. Inspired by narrative methods, we then conducted a thematic narrative analysis. The findings indicate that although women reported that life was better than before, they also reported investing considerable effort in remaining healthy. When ill, they struggled to maintain the routines of everyday life. Being healthy again, they put great effort into avoiding illness through diet, exercise, and relaxation. In conclusion, remaining healthy requires ongoing hard work to maintain the body, as well as profound changes in everyday life. At the same time, the narratives show continuity in the informants’ self-presentation as hard-working women.
Preservice Music Teacher Perceptions of Mentoring Young Composers
Authors: Menard Elizabeth A. , Rosen Robert
Published: November 2014

Case study techniques were used to investigate perceptions of undergraduate music majors participating as teacher/mentors for elementary students in a university sponsored music composition program. Data included teacher interviews and observation of teacher training and composition mentoring sessions. Teacher perceptions were categorized as challenges and benefits for the young composers they worked with and for themselves as mentors in the program. Benefits to young composers were identified as social development, pride in accomplishment, and promotion of musical learning. Challenges to young composers were perceived as: expression of musical ideas and concern with finding “correct” ideas. Personal challenges for teachers were time commitment and encouraging students without influencing their ideas. Teachers cited benefits of participation as: teaching experience, understanding compositional process, improved composer identity, and appreciation for composer intent. Teachers envisioned possibilities for composition instruction in their future teaching situations. Implications for improving composition training for preservice teachers are discussed.
Are Computers Effective Lie Detectors? A Meta-Analysis of Linguistic Cues to Deception
Authors: Hauch Valerie , Blandón-Gitlin Iris , Masip Jaume , Sporer Siegfried L.
Published: November 2014

This meta-analysis investigates linguistic cues to deception and whether these cues can be detected with computer programs. We integrated operational definitions for 79 cues from 44 studies where software had been used to identify linguistic deception cues. These cues were allocated to six research questions. As expected, the meta-analyses demonstrated that, relative to truth-tellers, liars experienced greater cognitive load, expressed more negative emotions, distanced themselves more from events, expressed fewer sensory–perceptual words, and referred less often to cognitive processes. However, liars were not more uncertain than truth-tellers. These effects were moderated by event type, involvement, emotional valence, intensity of interaction, motivation, and other moderators. Although the overall effect size was small, theory-driven predictions for certain cues received support. These findings not only further our knowledge about the usefulness of linguistic cues to detect deception with computers in applied settings but also elucidate the relationship between language and deception.
Postpartum depression in refugee and asylum-seeking women in Canada: A critical health psychology perspective
Authors: Brown-Bowers Amy , McShane Kelly , Wilson-Mitchell Karline , Gurevich Maria
Published: November 2014

Canada has one of the world’s largest refugee resettlement programs in the world. Just over 48 percent of Canadian refugees are women, with many of them of childbearing age and pregnant. Refugee and asylum-seeking women in Canada face a five times greater risk of developing postpartum depression than Canadian-born women. Mainstream psychological approaches to postpartum depression emphasize individual-level risk factors (e.g. hormones, thoughts, emotions) and individualized treatments (e.g. psychotherapy, medication). This conceptualization is problematic when applied to refugee and asylum-seeking women because it fails to acknowledge the migrant experience and the unique set of circumstances from which these women have come. The present theoretical article explores some of the consequences of applying this psychiatric label to the distress experienced by refugee and asylum-seeking women and presents an alternative way of conceptualizing and alleviating this distress.
Migration, vehicles, and politics
Authors: Walters William
Published: November 2014

This article argues that vehicles, roads and routes merit a much more central place in theorizations of migration politics. This argument is developed in terms of three theses. First, the study of migration politics should examine how vehicles feature in the public mediation of migration and border controversies. Second, it is important to analyze vehicles as mobile sites of power and contestation in their own right. Third, an understanding of the materiality of transportation helps to explain how the vehicle can sometimes become a site of strategic political action. These arguments are in turn used to develop a concept of viapolitics as a contribution to literatures on migration, mobilities and power. Viapolitics orients us to see migration from the middle, that is, from the angle of the vehicle and not just the state. It also seeks to connect migration studies to the history of problematizations, cultural types and the mythopoetics of the road.
Social Information Processing Mechanisms and Victimization
Authors: van Reemst Lisa , Fischer Tamar F. C. , Zwirs Barbara W. C.
Published: November 2014

The aim of the current literature review, which is based on 64 empirical studies, was to assess to what extent mechanisms of the Social Information Processing (SIP) model of Crick and Dodge (1994) are related to victimization. The reviewed studies have provided support for the relation between victimization and several social information processing mechanisms, especially the interpretation of cues and self-efficacy (as part of the response decision). The relationship between victimization and other mechanisms, such as the response generation, was only studied in a few articles. Until now research has often focused on just one step of the model, instead of attempting to measure the associations between multiple mechanisms and victimization in multivariate analyses. Such analyses would be interesting to gain more insight into the SIP model and its relationship with victimization. The few available longitudinal studies show that mechanisms both predict victimization (internal locus of control, negative self-evaluations and less assertive response selection) and are predicted by victimization (hostile attribution of intent and negative evaluations of others). Associations between victimization and SIP mechanisms vary across different types and severity of victimization (stronger in personal and severe victimization), and different populations (stronger among young victims). Practice could focus on these stronger associations and the interpretation of cues. More research is needed however, to investigate whether intervention programs that address SIP mechanisms are suitable for victimization and all relevant populations.
Resilience in Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Domhardt Matthias , Münzer Annika , Fegert Jörg M. , Goldbeck Lutz
Published: November 2014

Objective.

This review article summarizes empirical research on resilience in survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) and discusses protective factors that are associated with adaptive functioning in spite of sexual victimization.

Methods.

A literature search to identify studies published up to November 2013 was performed within the databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, and PSYNDEXplus. Additional relevant studies were retrieved using a snowball technique. A total of 37 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final sample.

Results.

In the studies included in this review, the percentage of CSA survivors who were found to have a normal level of functioning despite a history of sexual abuse ranged from 10% to 53%. The protective factors that had the best empirical support were found to be education, interpersonal and emotional competence, control beliefs, active coping, optimism, social attachment, external attribution of blame, and most importantly, support from the family and the wider social environment.

Conclusions.

Preventive and clinical interventions for survivors of CSA should utilize psychoeducation and cognitive strategies that are adapted to the developmental level of the victim and that seek to enhance social support from significant others. Future research should focus on longitudinal research designs considering resilience rather as a dynamic process with multiple dimensions in a social and developmental context.
Media Strategies and Manipulations of Intelligence Services
Authors: Magen Clila
Published: November 2014

Existing research on the relationship between Israeli intelligence services and the media is limited and fragmented. This work attempts to fill in the gaps by shedding light on four main strategies that have been commonly implemented by the Israeli intelligence community: ambiguity and concealment of media relations, the “if you would only know” strategy, exploiting patriotism and cooptation, and information manipulations and psychological warfare. These strategies were utilized frequently by Israel’s intelligence services, and thus have had an impact on the intelligence services’ accountability. However, significant changes in Israel’s society and media have created new challenges to the intelligence services in the public sphere. This study examines these changes and differentiates between the organizations within the intelligence community, domestic and foreign, which, facing differing challenges, tailor different methods for addressing the media as a result. This paper is based on several years of research and a large database of literature, media coverage, and in-depth interviews with key figures in Israel’s intelligence community (former Mossad and Israeli Security Authority directors), senior journalists, and politicians.
A National Survey of Transition Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
Authors: Luft Pamela
Published: November 2014

This manuscript analyzed a survey of programs providing transition services to deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) students. Quantitative analyses compared services offered by residential, large (35+ D/HH students), and small (<35 students) programs. Correlations across Employment Preparation, Post-school Preparation, and Transition Assessments were significant suggesting program consistency in offerings. ANOVA comparisons for Employment Preparation found that residential programs offered significantly more services than large or small programs. Post-school Preparation and Transition Assessments were not significantly different indicating similar levels of services. Overall, programs focused their services on early and initial transition issues rather than on long-term needs and strategies. In contrast, research indicates that D/HH students require longer to achieve postsecondary and employment outcomes commensurate with their peers. Several strategies are offered to increase program access to specialized transition services and supports for these students in meeting their unique transition needs.
The Impact of IDEA Indicator 13 Compliance on Postsecondary Outcomes
Authors: Gaumer Erickson Amy S. , Noonan Patricia M. , Brussow Jennifer A. , Gilpin Barb J.
Published: November 2014

Since the revision of Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004, experts and service providers have been operating on the untested assumption that State Performance Plan Indicator 13 (transition Individualized Education Program [IEP] compliance) is a precursor to Indicator 14 (student outcomes of engagement in postsecondary education, training, and employment). This study analyzed the relationship between Indicator 13 and Indicator 14 through bivariate linear regression. The sample included student-level secondary transition data from 352 local education agencies (LEAs) in Missouri. A total of 2,123 IEP files were reviewed using a validated checklist for compliance to the IDEA transition requirements, known as Indicator 13. Indicator 14 was measured via survey responses from 4,994 high school graduates with IEPs. Results revealed statistically significant linear relationships between LEAs’ Indicator 13 compliance data and the percentage of graduates with IEPs who completed a semester of college or a career training program. Findings suggest that alternate approaches and indicators may be needed to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with and without IEPs.
The market trend analysis and prospects of scaffolds for stem cells
Authors: Lee Seou , Kwon Taehoon , Chung Eun Kyung , Lee Joon Woo
Published: November 2014

Background

Scaffolds are one of the three most important elements constituting the basic concept of regenerative medicine, and are included in the core technology of regenerative medicine along with stem cells and tissue engineering. Stem cells are very important technology because they are directly responsible for the regenerative treatment of the disease and the damaged tissue, but with regards to the technology and the products that use stem cells exclusively, there is a technical limitation of limited survival rate and the engraftment rate of the transplanted cell, and rather than recovering the damaged tissue fundamentally, there is a limit that the concept is more of just another medicine treatment using cells.

A scaffold is a natural or synthetic biocompatible material transplanted into a human body to be used as the exclusive treatment or as an assisted method of another treatment of a disease and for the recovery of damaged tissue. Therefore, according to the characteristics of the tissue to be applied, scaffolds must have the characteristics such as the excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, minimum immunity and inflammation, proper mechanical strength and interaction between the material and the cells.

Results

The world stem cell market was approximately 2.715 billion dollars in 2010, and with a growth rate of 16.8% annually, a market of 6.877 billion dollars will be formed in 2016. From 2017, the expected annual growth rate is 10.6%, which would expand the market to 11.38 billion dollars by 2021. Meanwhile, the world scaffold element technology market was approximately 4.57 million dollars in 2013, and by increasing 13.4% annually, it is estimated to expand to 10.63 million dollars by 2020. The Korean scaffold element technology market was about 22 million dollars in 2013, and with a steady growth of approximately 13.4% every year, it is prospected to be about 52 million dollars by 2020.

Conclusions

In comparison to the medical material and medicine sales growth rate, the future scaffold element technology market is judged to be higher in growth possibility.
The road to drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Koch Anastasia , Wilkinson Robert John
Published: November 2014

Sequencing of serial isolates of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis highlights how drug resistance develops within a single patient and reveals unexpected levels of pathogen diversity.
Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 controls PI3-kinase activation downstream of the T cell antigen receptor in human T cells
Authors: Chapman Nicole M , Yoder Ashley N , Barbo´n Kathryn M , Bilal Mahmood Y , Connolly Sean F , Houtman Jon C D
Published: November 2014

TCR-induced signaling controls T cell activation that drives adaptive immunity against infections, but it can also induce dysfunctional T cell responses that promote pathologic disease. The PI3K pathway regulates many downstream effector responses after TCR stimulation. However, the molecular mechanisms that induce PI3K function downstream of the TCR are not fully understood. We have previously shown that Pyk2 is activated downstream of the TCR in a PI3K-independent manner. Although Pyk2 controls adhesion, proliferation, and cytokine production in T cells, the mechanisms by which it controls these processes are not known. In this study, we generated Pyk2-deficient human T cells to elucidate further the role that this kinase plays in TCR-induced effector functions and signaling. We observed that Pyk2 localized with the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K at the LAT complex and that PI3K-dependent signaling was impaired in Pyk2-deficient T cells. Likewise, functions downstream of PI3K, including IFN-γ production and proliferation, were also suppressed in human T cells deficient in Pyk2. Collectively, these data demonstrate that Pyk2 is a critical regulator of PI3K function downstream of the TCR.
Temperature and acidification variability reduce physiological performance in the intertidal zone porcelain crabPetrolisthes cinctipes
Authors: Paganini Adam W. , Miller Nathan A. , Stillman Jonathon H.
Published: November 2014

We show here that increased variability of temperature and pH synergistically negatively affects the energetics of intertidal zone crabs. Under future climate scenarios, coastal ecosystems are projected to have increased extremes of low tide-associated thermal stress and ocean acidification-associated low pH, the individual or interactive effects of which have yet to be determined. To characterize energetic consequences of exposure to increased variability of pH and temperature, we exposed porcelain crabs, Petrolisthes cinctipes, to conditions that simulated current and future intertidal zone thermal and pH environments. During the daily low tide, specimens were exposed to no, moderate or extreme heating, and during the daily high tide experienced no, moderate or extreme acidification. Respiration rate and cardiac thermal limits were assessed following 2.5 weeks of acclimation. Thermal variation had a larger overall effect than pH variation, though there was an interactive effect between the two environmental drivers. Under the most extreme temperature and pH combination, respiration rate decreased while heat tolerance increased, indicating a smaller overall aerobic energy budget (i.e. a reduced O2 consumption rate) of which a larger portion is devoted to basal maintenance (i.e. greater thermal tolerance indicating induction of the cellular stress response). These results suggest the potential for negative long-term ecological consequences for intertidal ectotherms exposed to increased extremes in pH and temperature due to reduced energy for behavior and reproduction.
Tax Morale
Authors: Luttmer Erzo F. P. , Singhal Monica
Published: November 2014

There is an apparent disconnect between much of the academic literature on tax compliance and the administration of tax policy. In the benchmark economic model, the key policy parameters affecting tax evasion are the tax rate, the detection probability, and the penalty imposed conditional on the evasion being detected. Meanwhile, tax administrators also tend to place a great deal of emphasis on the importance of improving “tax morale,” by which they generally mean increasing voluntary compliance with tax laws and creating a social norm of compliance. We will define tax morale broadly to include nonpecuniary motivations for tax compliance as well as factors that fall outside the standard, expected utility framework. Tax morale does indeed appear to be an important component of compliance decisions. We demonstrate that tax morale operates through a variety of underlying mechanisms, drawing on evidence from laboratory studies, natural experiments, and an emerging literature employing randomized field experiments. We consider the implications for tax policy and attempt to understand why recent interventions designed to improve morale, and thereby compliance, have had mixed results to date.
Disease summary: dermatophytosis (ringworm)
Authors: Paterson Sue
Published: November 2014

This article gives an overview of dermatophytosis; an infection of the hair shaft and corneum most commonly caused by infestation with Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment will be summarised.
The lame cat: the challenge of degenerative joint disease
Authors: Perry Karen L
Published: November 2014

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) has a high prevalence in cats and can be associated with pain. The feline population is an ageing one, and, as age is a major risk factor for both increasing prevalence and severity of feline DJD, it is critically important that veterinarians can recognise and treat it appropriately. History and physical examination findings differ to those in dogs, and radiographs can be difficult to interpret as cats do not form as much radiographic pathology as other species. A multi modal management plan comprising environmental modulation, physical therapy, dietary modulation, weight reduction and drug therapy where required is appropriate in the first instance but where clinical signs cannot be controlled with medical management, surgical options are available.
Perspectives on the past and the future: Clients' views for adult stammering
Authors: Allen Carolyn , McGroarty Allan , Aydin Ayse
Published: November 2014

Background: Client opinions are appropriate contributions to the design and evaluation of health care services. Adults who stammer (AWS) have previously informed discussion regarding speech and language therapy (SLT) services; however, contemporary UK perspectives are lacking.

Aim: This study aimed to identify features of helpful and unhelpful SLT services for AWS from the client and potential user perspective. Highlighting preferred components of therapy from this standpoint can help to ensure that SLT services are client-centred.

Methods: An online survey was conducted using questions largely derived from UK professional guidelines of minimum best practice. Responses were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Results: Both positive and negative aspects of individual and group therapy for AWS were identified. Ideal service characteristics related to ‘therapy and therapist’ and ‘service delivery’ issues. Results were generally consistent with previous similar studies. In addition, consideration of the place of remote communication methods within therapy highlighted an appetite for such practice.

Conclusions: SLT facilitated long-term benefits for the majority of respondents, but future service design could incorporate greater flexibility in the: timing of therapy; therapeutic format; choice of therapist; and use of technology. The relevance of these findings for allied health services is acknowledged.
The effect of the Nintendo Wii Fit on exercise capacity and gait in an elderly woman with CREST syndrome
Authors: Broadbent Suzanne , Crowley-McHattan Zachary , Zhou Shi , Shaw Brandon S
Published: November 2014

Background/Purpose: Physical deconditioning and impaired balance and gait are common barriers to exercise in frail older adults. This case report describes the efficacy of Nintendo Wii Fit exercises in improving functional capacity, exercise tolerance, strength and balance in an elderly woman with CREST syndrome and multiple chronic conditions.

Case description: A sedentary 77-year-old woman with: scleroderma (CREST syndrome) and secondary Sjögren's syndrome; pulmonary hypertension; coronary artery disease; interstitial lung disease; and tremor. The patient could ambulate with a cane and had a high risk of falling.

Methods: The participant completed three 30-minute sessions of Wii Fit exercises per week for 12 weeks. The exercises included step aerobics, marching and interactive games to develop balance, weight transfer and upper and lower body strength.

Results: Substantial improvements were seen in the following: 6-minute walk test (6MWT) (100%); Timed Up and Go (TUG) (5.3%); 30-second sit to stand (25%); hand grip strength (right 21%; left 8.6%); ankle plantarflexion (right 16.7%; left 33.3%) and dorsiflexion (right 125%; left 88.9%), Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment (balance score 35.5%; falls efficacy scale score 21.4%); resting systolic blood pressure (5.1%); and oxygen saturation (3.3%). The average movement of centre of pressure decreased post-intervention, but average velocity increased.

Conclusions: Specific Wii Fit games may improve health, exercise capacity, mobility, balance and fall risk in older adults affected with CREST and associated severe cardiopulmonary symptoms.
Circulating Tumor DNA as a Liquid Biopsy for Cancer
Authors: Heitzer Ellen , Ulz Peter , Geigl Jochen B
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Targeted therapies have markedly changed the treatment of cancer over the past 10 years. However, almost all tumors acquire resistance to systemic treatment as a result of tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and selection. Although genotyping is the most currently used method for categorizing tumors for clinical decisions, tumor tissues provide only a snapshot, or are often difficult to obtain. To overcome these issues, methods are needed for a rapid, cost-effective, and noninvasive identification of biomarkers at various time points during the course of disease. Because cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a potential surrogate for the entire tumor genome, the use of ctDNA as a liquid biopsy may help to obtain the genetic follow-up data that are urgently needed.

CONTENT

This review includes recent studies exploring the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive potential of ctDNA as a liquid biopsy in cancer. In addition, it covers biological and technical aspects, including recent advances in the analytical sensitivity and accuracy of DNA analysis as well as hurdles that have to be overcome before implementation into clinical routine.

Although the analysis of ctDNA is a promising area, and despite all efforts to develop suitable tools for a comprehensive analysis of tumor genomes from plasma DNA, the liquid biopsy is not yet routinely used as a clinical application. Harmonization of preanalytical and analytical procedures is needed to provide clinical standards to validate the liquid biopsy as a clinical biomarker in well-designed and sufficiently powered multicenter studies.
O Que Nos Ensinam os Novos Meios sobre o Livro no Livro do Desassossego
Authors: Silvestre Osvaldo Manuel
Published: November 2014

O texto procede por comparação entre o caso de O Homem Sem Qualidades e o Livro do Desassossego, que são lidos como dois paradigmas do livro modernista. Segue-se uma leitura das estratégias fundamentais de produção do livro no Livro do Desassossego e interroga-se o contributo do arquivo digital para o livro. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/2182-8830_2-1_4
World Wide Book: A Digitalização e o Livro
Authors: Bettencourt Sandra , Portela Manuel
Published: November 2014

Apresentação sumária de sete arquivos contendo digitalizações do património bibliográfico ou reflexões sobre as formas digitais e pós-digitais do livro: Codices Electronici Sangallenses, Digital Scriptorium, Artists' Books Online, Tipo.PT, University of Iowa Libraries Bookbinding Models, Post-Digital Publishing Archive e The Institute for the Future of the Book.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/2182-8830_2-1_9
An evaluation of course evaluations
Authors: Stark Philip B. , Freishtat Richard
Published: November 2014

Student ratings of teaching have been used, studied, and debated for almost a century. This article examines student ratings of teaching from a statistical perspective. The common practice of relying on averages of student teaching evaluation scores as the primary measure of teaching effectiveness for promotion and tenure decisions should be abandoned for substantive and statistical reasons: There is strong evidence that student responses to questions of “effectiveness” do not measure teaching effectiveness. Response rates and response variability matter. And comparing averages of categorical responses, even if the categories are represented by numbers, makes little sense. Student ratings of teaching are valuable when they ask the right questions, report response rates and score distributions, and are balanced by a variety of other sources and methods to evaluate teaching.
Kinder der Erregung
Authors: Härtel Insa
Published: November 2014

Die derzeitige kulturelle »Erregtheit« um die Figur des Kindes bildet einen Ausgangspunkt dieser kulturwissenschaftlichen Studie. Diese »Erregtheit« erweist sich als Teil gesellschaftlicher Konflikthaftigkeit: Abgewehrtes kehrt in westlichen Bildern bzw. Diskursen kindlich-jugendlicher Sexualität mannigfach wieder. Im Buch werden Materialien aus Kunst und Medien analysiert, die grenzüberschreitende Aspekte von Sexualität thematisieren. In einem breiten Spektrum spielen z.B. Motive von Missbrauch, »sexueller Verwahrlosung«, Unschuldsverlust oder auch Verführtsein eine Rolle. Zugleich lassen die untersuchten Produktionen in der Rezeption selbst nicht in Ruhe - und so stellt sich auch die Frage nach den hier wirksamen »Übergriffen« und Lustgewinnen.
The long-time behavior of 3-dimensional Ricci flow on certain topologies
Authors: Bamler Richard H.
Published: November 2014

In this paper we analyze the long-time
behavior of 3-dimensional Ricci flow with surgery.
We prove that under the topological condition that the initial manifold only has non-aspherical or hyperbolic components in its geometric decomposition, there are only finitely many surgeries and the curvature is bounded by C

t

-
1

$t^{-1}$

for large t.
This proves a conjecture of Perelman for this class of initial topologies.
The proof of this fact illustrates the fundamental ideas that are used in the subsequent papers of the author.
Chemical improvement of surfaces. Part 3: Covalent modification of Scots pine sapwood with substituted benzoates providing resistance to Aureobasidium pullulans staining fungi
Authors: Namyslo Jan C. , Kaufmann Dieter E. , Mai Carsten , Militz Holger
Published: November 2014

The development of appropriate chemical precursors that can covalently functionalize natural wood aims at efficient restriction of deterioration. Biological staining experiments were performed with veneer pieces made of sapwood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) that had previously been chemically modified with substituted benzoates. Based on the recently published protocol on esterification of wood by means of 1H-benzotriazole activation, the quantity of covalently bonded organomaterials (QCOs), a recently defined advantageous value considering the individual molecular weight of the functionalizing organochemical groups, was obtained in the range of 0.9–1.5 mmol g-1. The modified wood was analyzed by attenuated total reflection IR spectroscopy. Modification with three electronically different benzoates clearly reduced the colonization of the specimen’s surfaces by the blue stain fungus Aureobasidium pullulans but did not fully prevent it. The degree of colonization appeared to decrease with increasing QCO values of the modification agents but apparently did not strongly depend on the additional functionality of the benzoate.
Does How Students Serve Matter? What Characteristics of Service Programs Predict Students’ Social Justice Attitudes?
Authors: Littenberg-Tobias Joshua
Published: November 2014

Volunteering is often touted as a method to educate college students about social justice by providing students with an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. However, many critics have noted that service does not necessarily lead to social justice outcomes and that some forms of service may reinforce students’ negative misconceptions. This analysis estimated the relationship between different service program characteristics and changes in students’ attitudes towards social justice. It found that volunteer programs that were more time-intensive, included reflection, and had a social justice orientation exhibited a stronger relationship with students’ social justice attitudes than other types of volunteer programs. These findings suggest that college students who participate in these types of programs may develop stronger social justice attitudes than students who volunteer through other types of service programs.
Professors’ Influence on Students’ Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes in the Classroom
Authors: Emmanuel Glory , Delaney Harold
Published: November 2014

This article reviews how psychology research has defined beliefs, values, and attitudes (BVAs); how they relate to each other; and how they may be influenced, especially in the academic setting. The purpose of this article is to (a) describe the nature of and the interrelationships between BVAs, (b) discuss their relevance to the academic environment, and (c) explore how the knowledge and understanding of the role of BVAs may enhance student learning. One area of influence is the nature of a power differential. The presence of a power differential may influence individuals of a lower stratum to alter their BVAs so that they are more closely aligned to their respected superior. One example of this power differential is the professor-student relationship. Focus will be directed to how the BVAs of undergraduate college students may be influenced by the classroom setting as nurtured by the professor.
Childhood obesity and eating behaviour
Authors: Obregón Ana María , Pettinelli Paulina P. , Santos Jose Luis
Published: November 2014

The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased substantially in the recent decade as a result of the reduction in physical activity and the availability of high-fat and high-energy-density foods which the paediatric population faces daily. Although children are highly exposed to these foods, there is a wide variation in body weight, suggesting the presence of different patterns of response to an “obesogenic” environment. This wide variability from the point of view of eating behaviour involves a number of social issues (e.g., food availability, cost) as well as genuine behavioural traits such as the response to satiety, energy compensation, eating rate, responsiveness to food, food reward and dietary preferences. This article reviews the main physiological variables related to energy intake affecting eating behaviour in the paediatric population.
Turner syndrome patients with bicuspid aortic valves and renal malformations exhibit abnormal expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)
Authors: Jevalikar Ganesh S. , Zacharin Margaret , White Mary , Yau Steven W. , Li Winnie , Ijspeert Charlotte , Russo Vincenzo C. , Werther George A. , Sabin Matthew A.
Published: November 2014

We analyzed mRNA expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in patients with Turner syndrome (TS) and examined its association with phenotypic features.

XIAP mRNA expression levels were investigated in 98 patients with TS in total RNA extracted from blood leucocytes by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Levels of XIAP mRNA were significantly lower in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV; n=13) than those without (log XIAP –1.17±0.3 vs. –0.94±0.2, p=0.002). Significantly higher expression of XIAP mRNA was seen in patients with a mosaic karyotype and renal malformations (log XIAP –0.79±0.3 vs. –1.0±0.3, p=0.03). No correlations were seen between XIAP and other manifestations.

Abnormal expression of XIAP may be an important underlying mechanism in the development of BAV and renal malformations in TS. However, abnormal XIAP mRNA expression, as determined from peripheral mononuclear cells, does not appear to explain all the somatic and visceral stigmata of TS.
Multilingualism in European workplaces
Authors: Gunnarsson Britt-Louise
Published: November 2014

This state-of-the-art article includes a review of past and recent studies on multilingualism at work in European environments. One aim is to provide the reader with a cross-cultural picture of workplace studies on various languages in Europe, another to discuss both positive and problem-based accounts of multilingualism at work. The overview covers studies on workplace interaction in multilingual regions in Europe, on English as a lingua franca workplaces, on cross-cultural encounters in global businesses, and on workplaces with workforce diversity. The conditions for workplace discourse in Europe have been influenced by a series of changes taking place in recent decades. Globalization and technological advances have created new types of cross-cultural networks, at the same time as political changes and turmoil have led to migration and new and more complex multilingual workplaces throughout Europe. In the discussion section, the scope is enlarged and workplace discourse is related to various contextual frameworks. Finally, some key topics for future studies are sketched.