bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Standardized Telephone Interview Instrument
Authors: Lawlor Mary C.
Published: December 2014

Although survey research methods have been accepted in the scientific community, applications of telephone interview methods in occupational therapy research and program evaluation studies remain limited. The benefits of telephone interview methods include high response rates, ability to ask exploratory questions, cost-effectiveness, and ability to branch questions to subsets of a study population. Through the process of standardizing research instruments and administration procedures, the reliability of data collected by telephone can be increased substantially. The evaluation of an interview instrument is a critical aspect of study design. Details of an evaluation study and strategies to enhance the process of assessing interview instruments are provided.
‘Verbal Strategies’ Used by Occupational Therapists in Direct Client Encounters
Authors: Allison Heather , Strong Jenny
Published: December 2014

Verbal interaction with clients is a major component of most occupational therapy interventions, yet there is a paucity of occupational therapy literature which has examined the ways therapists use verbal communication in practice. Communication accommodation is a verbal stance in which the speaker appropriately attunes his or her interaction in response to another person in order to enhance relationships and increase communicative efficiency. In this qualitative study the awareness of a group of occupational therapists regarding the use of communication accommodation was examined. Methods by which they determined the need to accommodate their speech and specific accommodation strategies they used in verbal interaction with clients were recorded.
Validity of the TEMPA: A Measurement Instrument for Upper Extremity Performance
Authors: Desrosiers Johanne , Hebert Rejean , Dutil Elisabeth , Bravo Gina , Mercier Louisette
Published: December 2014

Motivated by the important role played by the upper extremities in daily activities and the limitations of existing tests for measurement of upper extremity performance for the elderly, an evaluation instrument, the TEMPA, was developed. Reliability studies having been previously reported, this study investigates two types of validity for the TEMPA. Concurrent validity was tested by examining the instrument's agreement with two tests measuring similar concepts: the Action Research Armtest (ARA) and the Box and Block Test (B&BT). The TEMPA's construct validity was simultaneously explored by testing two hypotheses relating the concept of upper limb performance to that of functional independence. One hundred four men and women, aged between 60 and 94 years old, with various living arrangements and presenting different types of upper limb impairment, participated in the study. The TEMPA correlated significantly with the ARA and the B&BT. Correlation with independence was significantly higher with the TEMPA than with the ARA.
Therapist-Child Interaction during Sensory Integration Treatment: Development and Testing of a Research Tool
Authors: Coster Wendy , Tickle-Degnen Linda , Armenta Lisa
Published: December 2014

Although Ayres (1972) identified the interaction between therapist and child as an essential feature of successful sensory integration treatment, this aspect of the treatment process has not been examined in efficacy studies to date. In part, this omission may be explained by the lack of adequate measurement tools for this purpose. This paper reports on the development and reliability testing of the Challenge Coding System, a quantitative research tool designed to examine the collaboration of therapist and child in the sensory integration treatment process. Data from three studies are reported that collectively demonstrate that important aspects of the therapeutic interaction can be measured reliably. Potential uses of the new instrument in research are discussed.
Compliance in Wearing Wrist Working Splints in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Agnew Patricia J. , Maas Frederick
Published: December 2014

Two consecutive studies on patient compliance with wearing wrist splints were done to identify factors contributing to compliance. For the first study, questionnaires regarding splint-wearing habits were completed by 265 arthritic patients who had received any type of wrist splint made by occupational therapists. Perceived benefits of splinting and discomfort in wearing splints were identified as the major determining factors in compliance, which was found to be about 75%. Appearance of splints was a minor factor. The second study, involving 130 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, used a new, more comfortable splint design and focused on educating patients and therapists about the benefits of splinting. One year later, all patients who had received the new working splint completed questionnaires on compliance and splint-wearing habits. Compliance remained the same, and again perceived benefit from splinting was the major factor determining compliance. Discomfort in wearing the working wrist splints was negligible in the second study.
Is More Always Better? Optimal Amounts of Feedback in Learning to Calibrate Sensory Awareness
Authors: Jarus Tal
Published: December 2014

Contrary to predictions from early views on motor learning, recent studies have shown that reduction of the relative frequency of feedback regarding the success in achieving a goal (knowledge of results = KR) depresses performance during acquisition; whereas, in retention and transfer tests, an inverse relationship is found between performance and KR. The present study investigated the effect of reduced relative frequency of KR on the ability to calibrate kinesthetic awareness of 90 healthy young and older subjects. Across three task versions of kinesthetic acuity, practice conditions of 100% KR were compared with 33% equally spread and 33% faded practice conditions. The results of this study show that reduced relative KR frequency depressed the performance of the older subjects but raised the performance of the younger subjects in the acquisition phase. In retention, reduced relative KR frequency produced more effective performance than 100% KR, with no difference between the two age groups or the two 33% KR frequency conditions. These results seem to imply that treatment of patients on the ability to calibrate sensory awareness is benefited by providing these patients with KR at a low frequency.
Cross-Cultural Assessment of Functional Ability
Authors: Magalhães Lívia C. , Fisher Anne G. , Bernspång Birgitta , Linacre John M.
Published: December 2014

Culture and environment are known to influence performance of activities of daily living. Few functional assessments currently used in rehabilitation address the issue of cultural validity or relevance of the tasks that are used for assessment purposes. The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) addresses this problem by allowing the client to chose assessment tasks that are more relevant in their daily lives.

We investigated the cross-cultural validity of the AMPS by contrasting test performance in subjects from two countries: the United States and Sweden. Data on 589 North American and Swedish subjects were submitted to Rasch analysis, and the results supported the validity of the AMPS in each country. Of the 35 AMPS items, only one item, Endures, differed significantly between the two samples. Overall item stability across samples indicated that the results obtained in both countries could be compared in a valid and meaningful way.
Comparison of Patient Education Methods: Effects on Knowledge of Cardiac Rehabilitation Principles
Authors: Thomas Julie Jepsen
Published: December 2014

Patient education is an important component of cardiac rehabilitation. It is also a portion of most other therapeutic interventions provided by occupational therapists. This study compared two methods for delivering patient education for inpatients recovering from coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. The traditional intervention was therapist-directed, whereas the collaborative intervention used shared control by the therapist and patients for structuring patient education sessions. When viewed as a whole, the two methods did not result in significantly different levels of knowledge of rehabilitation principles. However, a pretesting effect resulted in a significant difference in knowledge on the basis of whether or not subjects took a pretest, and this condition also interacted with group assignment. These relationships are explored with a recommendation that occupational therapists study whether pretesting effects can be used in a deliberate fashion to improve learning during patient education.
Development of a Novel Instrument for Occupational Therapy of Assessment of the Physical Environment in the Home—A Methodologic Study on “The Enabler”
Authors: Iwarsson Susanne , Isacsson Åke
Published: December 2014

Occupational therapy assessment of the physical environment in the home in relation to the functional capacity of an individual is essential prior to environmental adaptations to reduce handicap. Standardized methods for research and clinical use are in great demand. To introduce and develop a new instrument for occupational therapy assessment, the novel ideogram “The Enabler” was translated into Swedish and revised. It was first tested in practice by occupational therapists in primary health care. After further revisions of “The Enabler” and pre-teaching of raters, each of 30 individuals in their home environments was assessed by two independent raters. Reliability was evaluated using the kappa statistic. After only a few lessons in advance, the raters were able to administer the assessment in practice in a reliable way, agreement between raters was very good to good, k̄ = 0.68–0.87. The Swedish revised version of “The Enabler” is a useful tool for occupational therapy home evaluation and research.
Enhancing Occupational Performance through Occupationally Embedded Exercise: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Lin Keh-Chung , Wu Ching-Yi , Tickle-Degnen Linda , Coster Wendy
Published: December 2014

Occupation or purposeful activity is the unique historical root of occupational therapy and is thought to enhance health and prevent disability. Nelson's (1988) recent conceptual framework of occupation consolidates the beliefs of occupational therapy. One focus for empirical research and theoretical inquiry is the relationship between occupational form and occupational performance. This article critically analyzes this important part of the Nelson model and meta-analytically summarizes findings of the empirical studies that have examined this relationship. Results of the meta-analysis showed a substantial relationship of occupational form to occupational performance (weighted mean effect size r=0.50) in support of the proposition of the Nelson model that occupation can be analyzed in terms of the relationship between occupational form and occupational performance. The impact of potential moderators on the study findings is explored. Implications for occupational therapy theory and practice are discussed.
Interrater Reliability of the Handwriting Speed Test
Authors: Wallen Margaret , Bonney Mary-Ann , Lennox Lyn
Published: December 2014

The Handwriting Speed Test (HST), a standardized, norm-referenced test, was developed to provide an objective evaluation of the handwriting speed of school students from approximately 8 to 18 years of age. Part of the test development involved an examination of interrater reliability. Two raters scored 165 (13%) of the total 1292 handwriting samples. Using intraclass correlation coefficients, the interrater reliability was found to be excellent (ICC=1.00, P<0.0001). The process of examining interrater reliability resulted in modification to the scoring criteria of the test. Excellent interrater reliability provides support for the HST as a valuable clinical and research tool.
Stability of Maximal Static Forces of the Thumb Exerted in Different Directions
Authors: Bourbonnais D. , Carrier L. , Lepage Y.
Published: December 2014

The objective of the study was to verify the stability of two consecutive force measurements, using a multidirectional dynamometer for the thumb, in order to determine whether there is a visuomotor learning or fatigue effect. The maximal static forces (MSF) exerted at the proximal phalanx of the thumb were obtained in 23 normal female participants aged 21 to 28 years. Two measurements of the MSFs in eight directions covering 360°, at increments of 45°, were examined for both the dominant and nondominant hand using visual feedback. A three-way analysis of variance with repeated measures (factors: direction-trial-handedness) showed a single significant interaction observed between the factors of direction and trial. Because no significant main effect for factor handedness was observed, the data regarding this factor were pooled. Further analysis using t-tests indicated that the MSFs were not significantly different between trials and that the MSFs exerted in directions with abduction were lower than those exerted in adduction. It is concluded that stable measurements of the thumb's strength are obtained within two consecutive trials and that neither visuomotor learning nor fatigue affect the measurements.
Comparing Individuals with and without Mental Illness Using the Daily Activities Checklist
Authors: Brown Catana
Published: December 2014

This study of the Daily Activities Checklist examined an aspect of construct validity, distinguishing differences between groups, specifically investigating differences in activity engagement in individuals with different types of mental illness (schizophrenia and mood disorders) and individuals without mental illness. The Daily Activities Checklist includes subscales of self-care, community living skills, socialization, and quality of performance. Individuals with schizophrenia (N=19), individuals with mood disorders (N=16), and individuals without mental illness (N=20) completed the Daily Activities Checklist every day for a one-week period. An ANCOVA with age as a covariate was used to examine differences in scores across the three groups. Individuals with mental illness scored lower than individuals without mental illness on the total score and all but one subscale of the Daily Activities Checklist. There was no difference between individuals with schizophrenia and individuals without mental illness on the quality subscale scores. Individuals with schizophrenia scored lower than individuals with mood disorders on the self-care subscale and the total score. These results support the usefulness of the Daily Activities Checklist in evaluating engagement in daily activities.
Issues Related to the Translation of Measurement Scales: A Comparison of Versions of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale
Authors: van Kuyk-Minis Marie-Antoinette H. , Liu Lili
Published: December 2014

As international collaborations increase, occupational therapists are becoming aware of the advantages of using consistent measures to compare outcomes of assessments across cultures. However, the translation of a measurement tool from one language to another may present issues that have to be addressed. This paper examines the advantages and issues related to the use of one tool, the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS). It meets the goals of the World Health Organization (WHO, 1980, 1993), and it appears to meet the purpose of users in several countries, thereby eliminating the need to develop a new tool. Instead, the AIMS has been translated into several languages. This paper examines three translated versions of the AIMS and discusses the issues related to the process of translation of the tool.
Use of Passenger Vehicles by Older People with Disabilities
Authors: Steinfeld Edward , Tomita Machiko , Mann William C. , DeGlopper William
Published: December 2014

The goal of this study was to identify the range of problems faced by frail older people in using private passenger vehicles and to identify how assistive technology and selection of vehicles may reduce those problems. Research activities included a review of existing research, a review of assistive technology for vehicle use, four focus group sessions, and a survey of 101 older people with disabilities. The findings of the research indicated that frail older people had significant problems both as drivers and as passengers. Although they are reluctant to self-report driving problems, they did report many problems entering and exiting vehicles. Forty percent of those surveyed reported difficulty getting their legs in and out. The study identified many ways that occupational therapists can assist frail older people and their caregivers in using passenger vehicles. It also identifies gaps in research, vehicle design, and assistive technology that need to be addressed.
Contrasting Occupational Forms: Effects on Performance and Affect in Patients Undergoing Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Thomas Julie Jepsen , Vander Wyk Susan , Boyer Jenelle
Published: December 2014

This study investigates whether patients undergoing Phase II cardiac rehabilitation perform differently during materials-based, imagery-based, and rote exercise-based occupational forms. Numbers of lower extremity movements, heart rate changes, duration of self-determined recovery period, and affective response served as dependent variables. In a repeated measures design, 15 individuals with cardiac dysfunction were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 counterbalanced orders of conditions. Results indicated that participants performed significantly more repetitions during the materials-based condition (a ball kicking game) than when imagining participating in the game or when performing a rote exercise. The additional repetitions were achieved without undue cardiac stress. No differences were found among the conditions for the other variables. Occupational therapists working in cardiac rehabilitation may want to consider the positive effects of an occupational approach when reconditioning those with cardiac dysfunction.
Electrochemical behaviour of X80 pipeline steel with alumina coating
Authors: Huang M. , Zhang M-X. , Wang Y. , Zhang P. , Xu A-J.
Published: December 2014

X80 pipeline steel was firstly aluminised at a relative low temperature then treated by a microarc oxidation process. Electrochemical behaviour of X80 pipeline steel before and after the combined treatment was evaluated by electrochemical tests in different solution. Results show that ceramics coating composed of α-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3 can be obtained on the surface of X80 pipeline steel by the combined treatment. In neutral 3·5% NaCl solution and alkaline solution (pH = 9), X80 pipeline steel with ceramics coating shows a higher corrosion potential and a lower corrosion current density than pure steel and the X80 pipeline steel treated by one-step aluminising. However, aluminising coating presents a better corrosion protection for X80 pipeline steel than that of ceramic coating in acidic solution with pH = 5. γ-Al2O3 is considered as the main reason for the corrosion resistance degradation of ceramic coating in acidic solution.
Effects of twin-block appliance on the anatomy of pharyngeal airway passage (PAP) in class II malocclusion subjects
Authors: Ghodke Swapnil , Utreja Ashok Kumar , Singh Satinder Pal , Jena Ashok Kumar
Published: December 2014

Background

The use of functional appliances for the correction of retrognathic mandible is very common in orthodontics. Similar appliances known as oral appliances are also frequently used in adults for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many studies have reported improvement of pharyngeal airway passage (PAP) dimensions following functional appliance therapy in children and oral appliance therapy in adults. There is only one study in the literature that discussed the effect of oral appliance therapy on posterior pharyngeal wall thickness (PPWT) among subjects with OSA. The effect of functional appliance therapy on PPWT has never been investigated. Thus the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of twin-block appliance on pharyngeal airway passage (PAP) dimensions and posterior pharyngeal wall thickness (PPWT) in class II malocclusion subjects with retrognathic mandibles.

Methods

Thirty-eight class II malocclusion subjects in the age range of 8 to 14 years with mandibular retrusion were divided into a treatment (n = 20) and control (n = 18) group. Mandibular retrusion in the treatment group subjects was corrected by twin-block appliance. The effect of twin-block appliance on PAP and PPWT dimensions were evaluated from lateral cephalograms recorded prior-to and after 6 months of appliance therapy in the treatment group subjects and the changes were compared with the changes in the control group subjects. Student’s t-test was used for statistical analysis; P-value of 0.05 was considered a statistically significant level.

Results

The depth of the oropharynx was increased significantly in the treatment group subjects (P < 0.001) as compared to the control group subjects (P < 0.05). The depth of the hypopharynx increased significantly in treatment group subjects (P < 0.01). The PPWT at the level of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were maintained in the treatment group subjects; whereas in control group subjects, the PPWT was further reduced although the changes were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Correction of mandibular retrusion by twin-block appliance in class II malocclusion subjects increased the PAP dimensions and maintained the pre-treatment thickness of posterior pharyngeal wall.
Efficacy and Safety Data of Subsequent Entry Biologics Pertinent to Nephrology Practice: A Systematic Review
Authors: Marin Judith Genevieve , Leung Marianna , Lo Clifford , Tsao Nicole W , Martinusen Daniel J
Published: December 2014

Background:

Subsequent entry biologics (SEBs) may soon be a reality in Canadian nephrology practice. Understanding the worldwide experience with these agents will be valuable to Canadian clinicians.

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy and safety data between SEBs used in nephrology practice and their reference biologic.

Design:

Systematic review.

Sources of information:

Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Review of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

Patients:

Adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods:

Our systematic review follows the process outlined by Cochrane Reviews. For efficacy data, all randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs and observational trials in nephrology practice were included. For safety data, case series, case reports, review articles in nephrology practice and pharmacovigilance programs were included as well.

Results:

Only epoetin SEBs trials were published in the literature. Ten studies involving three different epoetin SEBs (epoetin zeta, HX575 and epoetin theta) were included. The mean epoetin dose used did not differ significantly between the SEBs and the reference product. For epoetin zeta and epoetin theta, the mean hemoglobin levels achieved in the studies were similar between the SEBs and the reference epoetin. The HX 575 studies reported a mean absolute change in hemoglobin within the predefined equivalence margin, when compared with the reference biologic. In terms of safety data, 2 cases of pure-red-cell aplasia were linked to the subcutaneous administration of HX 575. Otherwise, the rate of adverse drug reactions was similar when epoetin SEBs were compared with the reference biologic.

Limitations:

Our analysis is limited by the paucity of information available on SEB use in nephrology with the exception of epoetin SEBs. Methodological flaw was found in one of the epoetin zeta studies which accounted for 45% of pooled results.

Conclusions:

Little clinical difference was found between epoetin SEBs and the reference product. Although not deemed clinically important, the financial implication of a possible dose difference between epoetin zeta and reference product should be considered in pharmacoeconomic studies. Ongoing trials are expected to address the risk of pure-red-cell aplasia with HX 575.
A stable and practical implementation of least-squares reverse time migration
Authors: Zhang Yu , Duan Lian , Xie Yi
Published: December 2014

By adapting reverse time migration (RTM) and demigration as the migration and modeling operators to maximize the crosscorrelation between the simulated and the acquired seismic data, we introduced a new practical least-squares RTM (LSRTM) scheme and derived a steepest descent method in seeking the optimal image. Through synthetic and real data experiments, we determined that the proposed LSRTM provided high-quality images with balanced amplitudes, improved focusing, and enhanced resolution. The method was also capable of removing free surface ghosts caused by towed streamer acquisition, filling the structures and reducing crosstalk noise associated with simultaneous shooting.
Acoustic and elastic modeling by optimal time-space-domain staggered-grid finite-difference schemes
Authors: Ren Zhiming , Liu Yang
Published: December 2014

Staggered-grid finite-difference (SFD) methods are widely used in modeling seismic-wave propagation, and the coefficients of finite-difference (FD) operators can be estimated by minimizing dispersion errors using Taylor-series expansion (TE) or optimization. We developed novel optimal time-space-domain SFD schemes for acoustic- and elastic-wave-equation modeling. In our schemes, a fourth-order multiextreme value objective function with respect to FD coefficients was involved. To yield the globally optimal solution with low computational cost, we first used variable substitution to turn our optimization problem into a quadratic convex one and then used least-squares (LS) to derive the optimal SFD coefficients by minimizing the relative error of time-space-domain dispersion relations over a given frequency range. To ensure the robustness of our schemes, a constraint condition was imposed that the dispersion error at each frequency point did not exceed a given threshold. Moreover, the hybrid absorbing boundary condition was applied to remove artificial boundary reflections. We compared our optimal SFD with the conventional, TE-based time-space-domain, and LS-based SFD schemes. Dispersion analysis and numerical simulation results suggested that the new SFD schemes had a smaller numerical dispersion than the other three schemes when the same operator lengths were adopted. In addition, our LS-based time-space-domain SFD can obtain the same modeling accuracy with shorter spatial operator lengths. We also derived the stability condition of our schemes. The experiment results revealed that our new LS-based SFD schemes needed a slightly stricter stability condition.
Regional seismicity: A potential pitfall for identification of long-period long-duration events
Authors: Caffagni Enrico , Eaton David , van der Baan Mirko , Jones Joshua P.
Published: December 2014

Long-period long-duration (LPLD) events are tremorlike signals that have been observed during monitoring of hydraulic-fracture treatment programs. LPLD events have been interpreted to reflect slow deformation processes on fractures or faults that are misoriented for reactivation with respect to the present-day stress field. Regional earthquakes could easily be mistaken for LPLD events because both are characterized by similar frequency content ([Formula: see text]) and duration ([Formula: see text]). Using data from a 10.5-month continuous downhole deployment of a 15-Hz geophone array in a tight-sand gas field in western Canada, we compared recordings of small earthquakes with previously published LPLD events. We determined that regional earthquakes can show similar waveform characteristics to LPLD events, underscoring the importance of distinguishing regional earthquake signals from LPLD events to ensure robust interpretation of reservoir deformation processes.
High-Resolution Seismic Hazard Analysis in a Complex Geological Configuration: The Case of the Sulmona Basin in Central Italy
Authors: Villani Manuela , Faccioli Ezio , Ordaz Mario , Stupazzini Marco
Published: December 2014

This work proposes a novel approach for probabilistic seismic hazard analyses (PSHA) in the near field of active earthquake faults, in which deterministically computed ground motion scenarios, replacing empirically predicted ground motion values, are introduced. In fact, the databases of most ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) tend to be insufficiently constrained at short distances and data may only partially account for the rupture process, seismic wave propagation and three-dimensional (3-D) complex configurations. Hence, herein, 3-D numerical simulations of a Mw = 6.4 earthquake rupture of the Sulmona fault in Central Italy, are carried out through the spectral element code GeoELSE ( f < 2.5 Hz), and the results are introduced in a PSHA, exploiting the capabilities of CRISIS2008 code. The SH results obtained highlight the combined effects of site, basin, and topographic features, and provide a “high-resolution” representation of the hazard in the Sulmona Basin, particularly at long periods. Such representation is expected to be more realistic than those based simply on a GMPE.
Commentary on FEMA P-807 for Retrofit of Wood-Frame Soft-Story Buildings
Authors: Maison Bruce , McDonald Brian , McCormick David , Schotanus Marko , Buckalew Jonathan
Published: December 2014

The FEMA P-807 guideline titled Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Multi-Unit Wood-Frame Buildings with Weak First Stories is a new approach for building retrofit. It goes beyond current building codes and standards by quantifying performance in probabilistic terms. The authors performed an independent review of P-807, and the resulting commentary herein covers five topics: (1) building lateral force-drift (backbone) curves, (2) building interstory drift limits, (3) lateral strength requirements, (4) collapse safety margins, and (5) site class effects. It was concluded that P-807 may be an efficient way for relative ranking and selection of retrofit designs—but it has questionable accuracy for predicting actual building performance (i.e., the probability that a particular seismic intensity will result in a meaningful state of damage for a specific building).
Transcending Area Studies
Authors: Ghazal Amal N.
Published: December 2014

The area studies model is an impediment to the historical analysis of linkages and connections not governed by its geographical and conceptual boundaries. Its shortcomings are even more pronounced in the historiography of the modern period, when interactions and exchanges between different communities have changed dramatically, in both scale and scope. In the region loosely defined as the Middle East, the problem is further compounded by the collapse of the Ottoman order and the erection of state borders. The framework of methodological nationalism tied to those borders has been productive of certain kinds of histories and not others. In this intervention, Ghazal takes the case of Ibadis, their geographic distribution, political activism, and patterns of communication, to showcase the shortcomings of area studies as a model of historical analysis. A more viable alternative to spatially bounded analytical frames, Ghazal proposes, is the network.
Caste, Ethnicity, and the Politics of Arabness in Southern Arabia
Authors: Limbert Mandana E.
Published: December 2014

Limbert’s essay explores the notion of Arabness. It argues that Indian Ocean experiences, histories, and debates present an alternative perspective to the one dominant in Egypt, Iraq, and the Levant. In particular, it suggests that even as late as the twentieth century, Arabness in the Arabian Peninsula and Indian Ocean circuit, which had a different history from that of Northern Arabia, was conceived more as a caste-like or class notion than an ethnic or racial one. Certainly, at specific moments and in particular contexts, there is overlap between the caste and ethnic notions and, certainly, neither should be considered essential to identity in the Middle East. Nevertheless, Limbert contends, it is through attention to the Middle East’s margins—that is, in this case, the Indian Ocean—that we might better understand the various meanings of, and shifts in, the notion of Arabness.
Threshold Effects in Online Group Buying
Authors: Wu Jiahua , Shi Mengze , Hu Ming
Published: December 2014

This paper studies two types of threshold-induced effects: a surge of new sign-ups around the time when the thresholds of group-buying deals are reached, and a stronger positive relation between the number of new sign-ups and the cumulative number of sign-ups before the thresholds are reached than afterward. This empirical study uses a data set that records the intertemporal cumulative number of sign-ups for group-buying deals in 86 city markets covered by Groupon, during a period of 71 days when Groupon predominantly used “a deal a day” format for each local market and posted the number of sign-ups in real time. We find that the first type of threshold effect is significant in all product categories and in all markets. The second type of threshold effect varies across product categories and markets. Our results underscore the importance of considering product and market characteristics in threshold design decisions for online group buying.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2015 .

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Collaboration is the key
Authors: Cox John
Published: December 2014

In his latest column, Professor John Cox reflects on the inspirational International Marcé Society conference in September, and his career working alongside health visitors.
Westward Ho! The evolution of maritime piracy in Nigeria
Authors: Otto Lisa
Published: December 2014

Since 2008 the international community has come together amid mounting pressure to take action towards tackling the pirate menace off the Somali coast that has posed a multi-pronged threat to global economic, strategic and security interests. However, piracy has also been occurring
in the Gulf of Guinea, specifically in Nigeria, and has officially overtaken the Gulf of Aden as the primary piracy hotspot. This article seeks to investigate piracy in Nigeria by tracing its evolution and crosschecking this against the legal definition thereof under international law. It
seeks to contextualize the phenomenon with discussion on the nature of the Nigerian state and the legacy of oil in Nigeria. Further, the article establishes piracy in the Gulf of Guinea as unique, by illustrating the differences between piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the Gulf of Aden. By
summarizing the range of efforts designed to counter piracy in West Africa, the article is able to provide relevant prescriptions.
Use of microalgae for the removal of environmental pollutants
Authors: Usmani Mursaleen , Sultana Hafsa
Published: December 2014

In this mini review it is to focus that how can pollutants be removed from the environment by utilizing microalgae which are deliberately increasing and causing hazardous effects to our environment. Microalgae are sunlight-driven cell factories that convert carbon dioxide to potential biofuels, foods, feeds and high-value bioactives. Various types of pollutants continuously causing damage to the environment and after a long-term observation it is found that there is a best option of using microalgae in different techniques for reducing environmental pollutants. Since, versatile species of microalgae has been a part in reduction and removal of environmental pollutants as we observed in different bioremmedial techniques such as in waste water treatment plants, heavy metal removal techniques, bio-degradation of azo-dyes, phenol and other organic aromatic compounds which are dangerous to the environment. It is reappraised that one of microalgae specie which is named as chlorella vulgaris is found to be very effective in removing of heavy metals, waste water treatment and also in biodegradation of azo-dyes. This article basically explained the usefulness of using microalgae for the remediation of pollutants.
LOOMing possibilities: Learning APA style the self-paced way
Authors: Hood Carra Leah
Published: December 2014

The author created a month-long APA course as a Local Open Online Module because there was demand for such a course among faculty and students across the college and so that all faculty and students could have access to it. This LOOM is fully customizable, can be used in full or in part, and resources can be added to the LOOM or downloaded. The module includes a pre and post-test assessment. In this article, the author shares the process to create the LOOM and various faculty/student uses of the LOOM. The author also discusses the ways in which this LOOM, the first such module at Stockton, might lead to creating and sharing other teaching tools/learning modules -- and the implications of doing so for writing instruction.
Inverting a non-major’s biology class: Using video lectures, online resources, and a student response system to facilitate deeper learning
Authors: Lloyd Jayson Elliott
Published: December 2014

Using pre-recorded video lectures, online resources, and a student response system (iClicker), instructors attempted to facilitate deeper learning in a non-major’s biology class. Following an inverted classroom format, students viewed lecture videos and completed online activities prior to face-to-face meetings with instructors. During face-to-face (traditional “lecture”) time, instructors tested student knowledge and guided students in group activities. Using a quasi-experimental design, researchers compared student performance on a comprehensive final exam with student performance from a previous semester. An independent sample t test indicated that students engaged in the inverted instructional model (N = 73, M = 74.49, SD = 12.54) performed better than students engaged in a traditionally model of instruction (N = 76, M = 70.32, SD = 12.19), t(147) = 2.06, p = 0.02. The effect size for this analysis (d = 0.33) represents a small effect according to Cohen (1988). Researchers also performed a chi-square test of goodness-of-fit to determine if grade distributions from the inverted model differed from the traditional model. Grade distributions from the inverted model were significantly different, X2 (5, N=100) = 24.85, p < .05.
The Sound [sans] the Fury”: The efficacy of SoundCloud Audio feedback in the writing classroom
Authors: McKittrick Megan , Mitchum Catrina , Spangler Sarah
Published: December 2014

This study reports on student perceptions of the use of SoundCloud, a web-based, audio recording application, for instructor-student feedback and peer-peer feedback. Results from self-report survey data indicate positive reactions to SoundCloud feedback from their instructors as well as their peers. Implications of these results are presented, including student comprehension of their evaluations, as well as their sense of community. This study responds to the importance of improving current educational practices in ways that engage students, as well as the need to test the potential of new technologies.
Using student feedback and professor-developed multimedia to improve instructor presence and student learning
Authors: Young II William Albert , Hicks Brett H. , Villa-Lobos Danielle , Franklin Teresa J.
Published: December 2014

This paper explores the use of Professor-Developed Multimedia Content (PDMC) in online, distance education to build a community of inquiry (CoI) through enhanced social presence and real-time, student-driven, adaption of the learning content. The foundation of higher education has long been, developing curriculum to meet educational objectives. Most often faculty relies on assessment information gained at the end of each course. Then assessments, formative and summative, are re-designed based on student feedback/data from end of course surveys and educational materials such as textbooks, articles, and test banks are updated with newer editions. In the distance-learning environment, PDMC provides a creative, innovative, and interactive ways to engage the student for real-time learning. Still, the ability to target PDMC materials to the correct sub-sections of our classroom cohort can produce a richer, more immerse learning experience and perhaps become the closet recreation of in-seat, traditional classroom learning in a distance/online environment. By using PDMC with corresponding surveys, educators can obtain real-time data and metrics to alter content in the classroom immediately, and develop media content welcoming sub-sets of learners with desired content based on learning needs, desires, and feedback.
Does consumer preference exceed initially indicated wishes? The case of dessert topping
Authors: BOROVŠAK Katarina , GELLYNCK Xavier , De PELSMAEKER Sara , KUHAR Aleš
Published: December 2014

Success of a new food product on the market is strongly related to how good that product is adapted to consumers’ preferences, wishes, expectations and needs. This paper shows the importance of consumer studies including consumer sensory tests for product prototype optimization on the case of an innovative sweet topping made from well-known Slovenian wine Teran. Empirical study was made combining two stages, first the exploratory qualitative research with focus groups and questionnaire and second a test for new food prototype with consumer sensory techniques. The results of the exploratory research were very encouraging and perceived market potential was substantial. However, when more precise and objective research techniques were applied, obtained managerial recommendation critically differ. Application of the consumer sensory tests, namely preference test and JAR (just about right) test, disconfirmed high expectations from the exploratory phase and showed that chocolate flavour is the main driver of liking the topping.
Evaluation of horse personality based on constitutional characteristics
Authors: DEBELJAK Nataša , ZUPAN Manja
Published: December 2014

The analysis of horse personality is an important topic in horse breeding. Knowledge of personality enables proper training for a horse, which leads to a better animal welfare. Horse personality can be graded according to four methods: 1) questionnaire-based personality assessment method, 2) personality assessment based on heart rate, 3) and behavioural tests and 4) method of grading the personality by viewing constitutional characteristics. Most widely used is the questionnaire-based method and the method with behavioural tests. The methods with heart rate and constitutional characteristics are showing some potential but more work needs to be done to ensure reliability and to improve results interpretation. This paper presents a short review of the mentioned methods and provides preliminary results of a pilot study where we used the method of grading the personality by focusing on constitutional characteristics of animals´ heads. The method was tested on three Lipizzaner horses. Features of the head of the horses were explained by following the recommendations of Tellington Jones in Taylor (2009). The obtained results were compared to personality grades, provided by horse coaches in a questionnaire. Results matched the questionnaire grades in gelding 77 % while in the mares 80 % and 47 %. Horse personality assessment focusing on constitutional characteristics of horses has a great potential as a reliable method, but more work is needed to be acceptable for a practical use.
The strategy of the development of farms that are engaged in egg production
Authors: KLOPČIČ Marija , PODRŽAJ Barbara , HOLCMAN Antonija
Published: December 2014

The aim of the study was to find out conditions and characteristics of Slovenian farms that are engaged in egg production as well as their future strategic plans. The results were obtained with questionnaires that were sent to 87 farmers but 50 were properly answered and returned. Besides egg production most farmers are engaged in other agricultural and non-agricultural activities. The main objective of farmers is sufficient income and production of quality and safety animal products. The differences among groups of farmers are presented according to system of egg production (organic / other systems), model of production (specialization / various agricultural and non-agricultural activities) and expected egg production in future (enlarged production / unchanged production).
Singing well-becoming: Student musical therapy case studies
Authors: Murphey Tim
Published: December 2014

Much research supports the everyday therapeutic and deeper socialneurophysiological influence of singing songs alone and in groups (Austin, 2008; Cozolino, 2013; Sacks, 2007). This study looks at what happens when Japanese students teach short English affirmation songlet-routines to others out of the classroom (clandestine folk music therapy). I investigate 155 student-conducted musical case studies from 7 semester-long classes (18 to 29 students per class) over a 4-year period. The assignments, their in-class training, and their results are introduced, with examples directly from their case studies. Each class published their own booklet of case studies (a class publication, available to readers online for research replication and modeling). Results show that most primary participants enjoyed spreading these positive songlets as they became “well-becoming agents of change” in their own social networks. “Well-becoming” emphasizes an agentive action or activity that creates better well-being in others, an action such as the sharing or teaching of a songlet. The qualitative data reveals a number of types of well-becoming such as social and familial bonding, meaning-making, teaching-rushes, and experiencing embodied cognition. The project also stimulated wider network dissemination of these well-becoming possibilities and pedagogical insights.
Criteria for evaluation and guidelines for land use planning in terms of sustainable urban development
Authors: Ostojic Irena , Glazar Tadej
Published: December 2014

Sustainable spatial development is a generally accepted objective and principle in spatial planning. It is implemented mainly by regulations in the sectors for management of natural resources, but not comprehensively in implementing regulations for urban space management. One of the most important instruments of spatial planning at local level is land use, for which there is no comprehensive framework of implementing measures for achieving sustainable spatial objectives in urban areas. In accordance with the review and critical analysis of literature, there are four measures presented in the paper: protection of natural resources and reduction of environmental-climate risks, compact urban structure, mixed-use and accessibility of urban functions. The review and analysis have shown that the listed measures enable sustainable development of urban areas, but only if they are planned and implemented in accordance with supporting physical, social and economic elements of urban space. In the conclusion, indicators which can assess the level of sustainability in land use design are presented and guidelines for restructuring land use in existing settlement areas are described.