bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precarious work and precarious workers: Towards an improved conceptualisation
Authors: Campbell Iain , Price Robin
Published: June 2016

Discussion of the implications of precarious work for individual workers remains hesitant and often confused. A clear conceptualisation would separate out five analytical levels: precariousness in employment, precarious work, precarious workers individually and as an emerging class, and precarity as a general condition of social life. To illustrate the need to avoid slippage between the concepts of precarious work and precarious workers, we present one ‘theory-relevant’ example – full-time secondary school students in Australia who hold part-time jobs in the retail sector. Their part-time jobs are indeed precarious but the negative effects on the student-workers are modest, both because participation in precarious work is limited (moderate weekly hours and intermittent work within the framework of a brief stage of the life course) and because many (though not all) of the associated risks are cushioned by structural forces such as access to alternative income sources and career paths. At the same time, however, a longitudinal perspective reveals that the same group of student-workers faces major risks in the future, as a result of increasingly insecure labour markets. Reflections on this example help to identify conceptual tools that can be applied to a wide range of other examples of precarious work.
Perceptions of “Natural” and “Additive-Free” Cigarettes and Intentions to Purchase
Authors: O’Connor Richard J. , Lewis M. Jane , Adkison Sarah E. , Bansal-Travers Maansi , Cummings K. Michael
Published: June 2016

In August 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to cigarette manufacturers promoting brands as “natural” or “additive-free” because of concerns that such marketing claims might mislead consumers into believing that these brands are less dangerous to smoke than others. The current study examined consumer beliefs about the relative harms of “natural” cigarettes, and whether these beliefs influenced perceptions of advertising and purchase intentions when participants were shown an advertisement for American Spirit cigarettes. Data were collected using a web-based survey conducted in 2013 among 3,006 U.S.-based web panel members aged 15 to 65 years. Ratings of “natural” cigarette health risks (i.e., misperceptions) differed by sex, race, education, smoking status, and age. Controlling for perceived risks of other cigarette types, never smokers ( B = −0.31, p < .001) and ever/former smokers ( B = −0.15, p = .002) had significantly fewer misperceptions of “natural” cigarettes than current smokers. Current smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 17.8), believing the ad was truthful (OR = 1.18), and having more misperceptions about “natural” cigarette health risks (OR = 1.13) were independently associated with greater purchase intention. Consumers perceived cigarettes marketed as “natural” or “additive-free” as less harmful, and this influenced their perceptions of advertising claims and intention to purchase, controlling for other factors. These findings underscore Food and Drug Administration’s recent warning letters.
Nonlinear thermo- electro-mechanical dynamic response of shear deformable piezoelectric sigmoid functionally graded sandwich circular cylindrical shells on elastic foundations
Authors: Nguyen Dinh Duc
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we study the nonlinear dynamic response of higher order shear deformable sandwich functionally graded circular cylindrical shells with outer surface-bonded piezoelectric actuator on elastic foundations subjected to thermo-electro-mechanical and damping loads. The sigmoid functionally graded material shells are made of the metal–ceramic–metal layers with temperature-dependent material properties. The governing equations are established based on Reddy’s third-order shear deformation theory using the stress function, the Galerkin method and the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. Numerical results are given to demonstrate the influence of geometrical parameters, material properties, imperfection, elastic foundations, and thermo-electro-mechanical and damping loads on the nonlinear dynamic response of the shells. Accuracy of the present formulation is shown by comparing the results of numerical examples with the ones available in literature.
Cost of Medications Recommended by Canadian Acne Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: Czilli Tiffany , Tan Jerry , Knezevic Sanja , Peters Colin
Published: June 2016

Background:

Acne affects a large proportion of the Canadian population and has psychosocial and financial consequences.

Objective:

We provide cost information for treatments recommended by the Canadian acne guidelines.

Methods:

Highest level recommendations were selected for 3-month usage cost.

Results:

Three-month estimated treatment costs were as follows: topical retinoids ($14.40-$73.80), benzoyl peroxide (BPO; $6.75), fixed-dose BPO-clindamycin ($40.95-$44.10) and BPO-adapalene ($73.80), oral antibiotics ($25.20 for tetracycline 250 mg qid; $52.20 and $52.74 for doxycycline 50 mg bid and 100 mg od, respectively), and hormonal therapy ($26.46-$37.80 for ethinyl estradiol [EE] 0.030 mg/drospirenone 3mg and $75.60-108.99 for EE 0.035 mg/cyproterone acetate 2 mg). Oral isotretinoin 3-month costs ranged from $393.96 to $478.80.

Conclusions:

Awareness of costs of recommended treatments may facilitate improved outcomes by increasing procurement and adherence.
Risky Bodies, Drugs and Biopolitics
Authors: Vrecko Scott
Published: June 2016

While there has been a significant amount of scholarship done on health and risk in relation to public health and disease prevention, relatively little attention has been paid to therapeutic interventions which seek to manage risks as bodily, and biological, matters. This article elucidates the distinct qualities and logics of these two different approaches to risk management, in relation to Michel Foucault’s conception of the two poles of biopower, that is, a biopolitics of the population and an anatomo-politics of the human body. Using a case study of contemporary addiction biomedicine, the article examines the development and deployment of treatments for addiction that seek to reduce the risks of relapse to drug use, and relates this case to other risk-reducing (but non-curative) medications, particularly cholesterol-reducing medications. The notion of a ‘disease of risk’ is developed in order to identify a range of medical conditions that bear a family resemblance, insofar as they are pharmaceutically managed with risk-reducing medications, and bound up within what is described as a contemporary ‘risk anatomo-politics’.
Corporeal Commodification and Women’s Work
Authors: Haw Jennie
Published: June 2016

Private cord blood banking is the practice of paying to save cord blood for potential future use. Informed by the literature on corporeal commodification and feminist theories, this article analyses women’s work in banking cord blood. This article is based on in-depth interviews with 13 women who banked in a private bank in Canada. From learning about cord blood banking to collecting cord blood and transporting it to the private bank’s laboratory, women labour to ensure that cord blood is successfully banked. Private cord blood banking involves the overlap or insertion of commercial practices, and relations with clinical practices and relations that may cause tensions and confusion for women and clinical practitioners. Moreover, private banking reinforces and is reinforced by an ‘intensive mothering’ ideology. This article shows that corporeal commodification is not confined to a laboratory and the work of experts but extends into women’s everyday lives.
EDTITRATE (Emergency Department Telemedicine Initiative to Rapidly Accommodate in Times of Emergency)
Authors: Tolia Vaishal , Castillo Eddie , Guss David
Published: June 2016

Objective

Emergency Department (ED) patient volumes are unpredictable, which can result in service delays and patients leaving without care. We initiated a programme of emergency physician (EP) telepresence in the ED with the objectives of assessing feasibility, safety, patient and provider acceptance, and throughput time.

Methods

This was a prospective convenience study. Patients presenting to the ED during operation of the study who were planned for placement in the waiting room were considered for enrolment. A faculty EP conducted patient evaluations via telepresence with confirmatory evaluation by the onsite faculty EP prior to disposition. Patient care was either taken to completion by the telemedicine EP or initiated and handed off to the onsite team. Measures included patient demographics, triage class (ESI 1–5), throughput time and a single question satisfaction survey (rating 1–5, 5 most favourable) completed by patients, registered nurses and EPs. Patients were called within 3 days and the electronic health record reviewed at 7 days looking for unscheduled visits and adverse events.

Results

In total, 130 patients were enrolled. Mean triage class was 3.9 with a median throughput of 150 minutes (IQR = 116.5, 206). Non-telemedicine patients during the same time period with similar triage classes had a median throughput of 287 minutes (IQR = 199, 408). Mean satisfaction scores were: patient 4.91, nurse 4.75, onsite EP 4.47 and telemedicine EP 4.79. There was one potential misdiagnosis and no adverse events.

Conclusion

Patient evaluation by EP via telepresence is feasible, safe, readily accepted by patients and providers and associated with reduced throughput time.
Feasibility and effect of in-home physical exercise training delivered via telehealth before bariatric surgery
Authors: Baillot Aurélie , Boissy Patrick , Tousignant Michel , Langlois Marie-France
Published: June 2016

Optimal physical activity (PA) interventions are needed to increase PA in individuals with severe obesity, and optimize the results of bariatric surgery (BS). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effect of Pre-Surgical Exercise Training (PreSET) delivered in-home via telehealth (TelePreSET) in subjects awaiting BS. Six women following the TelePreSET were compared to the women from a previous study (12 performing the PreSET in a gymnasium and 11 receiving usual care). In-home TelePreSET (12-weeks of endurance and strength training) was supervised twice weekly using videoconferencing. Physical fitness, quality of life, exercise beliefs, anthropometric measures and telehealth perception were assessed before and after 12-weeks. Satisfaction was evaluated with questionnaires at the end of the intervention. The TelePreSET participants attended 96% of the exercise sessions, and were very satisfied by the TelePreSET. The baseline telehealth perception score was high, and increased significantly after the intervention. The TelePreSET group significantly increased their physical fitness compared to the usual care group. No significant change was noted in other outcomes. The TelePreSET is feasible and seems effective to improve the physical fitness of women awaiting BS. Further studies are needed to confirm beneficial effects of this innovative mode of delivery.
Training with rhythmic beat gestures benefits L2 pronunciation in discourse-demanding situations
Authors: Gluhareva Daria , Prieto Pilar
Published: June 2016

Recent research has shown that beat gestures (hand gestures that co-occur with speech in spontaneous discourse) are temporally integrated with prosodic prominence and that they help word memorization and discourse comprehension. However, little is known about the potential beneficial effects of beat gestures in second language (L2) pronunciation learning. This study investigates the impact of beat gesture observation on the acquisition of native-like speech patterns in English by examining the effect of a brief training with or without beat gestures on participants’ ratings of accentedness. In a within-participants, pre-/post-test design, participants (undergraduate students learning English as a foreign language) watched a training video in which an L2 instructor gave spontaneous responses to discourse prompts. The prompts belonged to one of two categories (easy and difficult), and were presented by the instructor either with or without accompanying beat gestures. Participants’ own answers to the prompts were recorded before and after training and evaluated by five native speaker judges. The results of the comparison between the participants’ pre-training and post-training speech samples demonstrated that beat gesture training significantly improved the participants’ accentedness ratings on the set of difficult (more discourse-demanding) items. The results of the study support the role of beat gestures as highlighters of rhythmic information and have implications for pronunciation instruction practices.
Vocabulary acquisition through cloze exercises, sentence-writing and composition-writing: Extending the evaluation component of the involvement load hypothesis
Authors: Zou Di
Published: June 2016

This research inspects the allocation of involvement load to the evaluation component of the involvement load hypothesis, examining how three typical approaches to evaluation (cloze-exercises, sentence-writing, and composition-writing) promote word learning. The results of this research were partially consistent with the predictions of the hypothesis: the two writing tasks with greater involvement load led to significantly better word learning than cloze-exercises with lower load, while composition-writing was significantly more effective than sentence-writing despite the same involvement load according to the matrix of the original model. Such results are explained from the perspectives of information organization and pre-task planning, based on which evaluation induced by cloze-exercises is suggested to be allocated with ‘moderate evaluation’ as it involves no use of chunking, hierarchical organization or pre-task planning, evaluation induced by sentence-writing with ‘strong evaluation’ as it involves chunking and pre-task planning at the sentence level, and evaluation induced by composition-writing with ‘very strong evaluation’ for it involves chunking, hierarchical organization and pre-task planning at the composition level.
Constructing two phonological systems: A phonetic analysis of /p/, /t/, /k/ among early Spanish–English bilingual speakers
Authors: Brown Earl K. , Copple Mary T.
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions:

Many early Spanish-English bilingual speakers in the USA learn Spanish as their first language at home and English in school. This paper seeks to elucidate whether these speakers develop a separate phonological system for English and, if so, the role of primary and secondary cues in the development of the second language (L2) system.

Design/methodology/approach:

The phonetic realization of the voiceless stops /p/, /t/, /k/ is analyzed among three groups: early Spanish-English bilinguals; L1 English speakers who are late learners of Spanish; and L1 Spanish speakers who are late learners of English. The participants ( N = 15) engaged in a reading task and a conversation task in each language during a single recording session.

Data and analysis:

1578 tokens of /p/, /t/, /k/ were extracted and analyzed using acoustic software. Voice onset time in milliseconds and center of gravity in Hertz were analyzed, and monofactorial and multifactorial analyses were performed to determine the role of linguistic background.

Findings/conclusions:

Evidence is found of two phonological systems among early bilingual speakers, with varying degrees of assimilation to the phonological systems of the native speakers of each language.

Originality:

We argue that early bilinguals construct their L2 system of /p/, /t/, /k/ in English based on the primary cue of voice onset time rather than the secondary cue of center of gravity, as they are accustomed to noticing differences in voice onset time in Spanish and because the center of gravity of /p/, /t/, /k/ in English is more variable than voice onset time, and therefore represents a more variable and less predictable cue for early bilinguals as they construct their L2 system.

Significance/implications:

This paper contributes to the literature on the construction of phonological systems and to research detailing the speech of early Spanish-English bilinguals.
Negotiating agency: Amish and ultra-Orthodox women’s responses to the Internet
Authors: Neriya-Ben Shahar Rivka
Published: June 2016

This study explores how women in two devout religious communities cope with the Internet and its apparent incompatibility with their communities’ values and practices. Questionnaires containing both closed and open-ended questions were completed by 82 participants, approximately half from each community. While their discourses included similar framings of danger and threat, the two groups manifested different patterns of Internet use (and nonuse). Rigorous adherence to religious dictates is greatly admired in these communities, and the women take pride in manipulating their status in them. Their agency is reflected in how they negotiate the tension inherent in their roles as both gatekeepers and agents-of-change, which are analyzed as valuable currencies in their cultural and religious markets.
Policing immigrants: Fear of deportations and perceptions of law enforcement and criminal justice
Authors: Becerra David , Wagaman M Alex , Androff David , Messing Jill , Castillo Jason
Published: June 2016

This study examined the relationship between the fear of deportation and perceptions of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the willingness to report crimes among Latinos in the US. Understanding the relationship between increased immigration enforcement and fear of deportation may promote public safety by improving the relationship between the police and Latino communities.

Findings

Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses of the data found that participants who had a greater fear of deportation reported: (1) less confidence that police would not use excessive force (p < .01); (2) less confidence that police would treat Latinos fairly (p < .05); (3) a lower likelihood of reporting crimes (p < .05); and (4) less confidence that the courts would treat Latinos fairly (p < .01).

Applications

Social work practitioners can help address this issue and improve the relationship between law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the Latino community by: delivering cultural competence training for police and criminal justice personnel; educating Latinos about how to protect their rights when interacting with police and the criminal justice system; and by advocating for immigration reform that can help improve public safety and reduce fear in Latino communities.
Career barriers for social work students in China
Authors: Guo Yu
Published: June 2016

The current research aimed to develop a multi-dimensional scale on the career barriers of social work undergraduates in China. In Study 1, an open-ended survey ( N = 202) and group discussion ( N = 6) among social work undergraduates were conducted, which generated 37 items on career barriers. Based on these items, a scale was developed in Study 2 through a survey study among another sample of Chinese undergraduates majoring in social work ( N = 415).

Findings

Results from principal component analysis revealed a three-factor structure underlying these items (attitudinal barriers, normative barriers, and control barriers). It was also found that attitudinal barriers and normative barriers served as significant predictors for satisfaction with academic major and occupational intention. Satisfaction with academic major also mediated the relations between these two types of career barriers and occupational intention. Results related to the predictive validity of control barriers were mixed.

Applications

These findings carry both theoretical and practical implications for career education and career counseling practices. This research developed a scale on career barriers for Chinese undergraduates majoring in social work. In career counseling practice, this instrument may serve as a tool to identify individuals' specific career barriers, and may guide counselor's further intervention for clients.
Family caregivers’ reports of hospitalizations and emergency department visits in community-dwelling individuals with dementia
Authors: Benner Megan , Steiner Victoria , Pierce Linda L
Published: June 2016

Individuals with dementia in the United States have higher rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits compared to those without. This descriptive study examined the frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department visits among community-dwelling individuals with dementia, reasons for hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and caregivers’ actions to prevent these events. Family caregivers ( n = 63) from education/support groups offered through Alzheimer’s Association chapters in western Ohio completed a survey. Twenty-two percent of caregivers reported that their care recipient stayed overnight in the hospital and 30% reported that their care recipient visited the emergency department at least once in the past three months. The most frequent reasons for hospitalization and emergency department visits, such as urinary tract infections and fall-related injuries, were potentially avoidable. Caregivers reported giving medications, seeking healthcare services, and obtaining home care services, as the most frequently used preventive actions. Family caregivers of individuals with dementia should be provided substantive education about preventable hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
Piezofilm yarn sensor-integrated knitted fabric for healthcare applications
Authors: Atalay Asli , Atalay Ozgur , Husain Muhammad D , Fernando Anura , Potluri Prasad
Published: June 2016

Continuous measurement of cardio-respiratory signals offers various kinds of information valuable for the diagnosis of disease and management of the disease process. The article reports the development of the Piezofilm yarn sensor for healthcare applications, and investigates its performance by monitoring cardio-respiratory signals of human body over an extended period of time. Piezofilm yarn sensor was developed by embedding the thin PVDF strips within the textile yarn. The working mechanism of the Piezofilm yarn sensor is based on voltage generation due to the applied stress. In order to deploy the Piezofilm yarn sensor in the application environment, it was integrated into the knitted textile fabric and then sewn to form belt to be placed at the chest wall and wrist area. The raw signals were acquired through the Piezofilm lab amplifier, National Instrument data acquisition device and SignalExpress software. Fast Fourier Transform analysis was performed to calculate the average cardio-respiratory signal frequencies. Based on Fast Fourier Transform analysis, an additional signal-processing step was added to eliminate the unwanted mechanical interference and body signals by using an Infinite Impulse Response band pass filter. The Piezofilm yarn sensor embedded sensing fabric was able to measure both respiratory rate and heart beat rate under static and dynamic conditions. The wrist area measurements for heart beat signals were found to be more uniform in comparison to the chest area measurements. Apart from the general healthcare, this sensing fabric could also be used in studies related to biorhythms, sports, detection of sleep apnea and heart problems.
Methodological K/nots: Designing Research on the Enforcement of Labor Standards
Authors: Mirchandani Kiran , Vosko Leah F. , Soni-Sinha Urvashi , Perry J. Adam , Noack Andrea M. , Hall Rebecca Jane , Gellatly Mary
Published: June 2016

This article traces methodological discussions of a multidisciplinary team of researchers located in universities and community settings in Ontario. The group designed and conducted a research project on the enforcement of labor standards in Ontario, Canada. Discussions of methodological possibilities often began with “nots”—that is, consensus on methodological approaches that the team collectively rejected. Out of these discussions emerged suggestions and approaches through which we navigated dilemmas in research design. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the following: (a) epistemological tensions around mixed methods and the politics of mixing, (b) the attempt to capture the relationships between research and its impact, and, (c) the need to develop interviews which both establish respondents as knowers, and simultaneously focus on that which is unsaid/normalized.
“It’s Always Good to Ask”: A Mixed Methods Study on the Perceived Role of Sexual Health Practitioners Asking Gay and Bisexual Men About Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse
Authors: Bacchus Loraine J. , Buller Ana Maria , Ferrari Giulia , Brzank Petra , Feder Gene
Published: June 2016

Development of joint displays is a valued approach to merging qualitative and quantitative findings in mixed methods research. This study aimed to illustrate a case series mixed methods display and the utility of using mixed methods for broadening our understanding of domestic violence and abuse. Using a convergent design, 532 gay and bisexual men participated in a Health and Relationship Survey in a U.K. sexual health service and 19 in an interview. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and integrated at the level of interpretation and reporting. There were inconsistencies in perceptions and reports of abuse. Men were supportive of selective enquiry for domestic violence and abuse by practitioners (62.6%; 95% confidence interval = 58.1% to 66.7%) while being mindful of contextual factors.
Untangling the Meanings of Justice: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Holder Robyn L.
Published: June 2016

This article explores the application of prospective and retrospective elements of enquiry at different time points in longitudinal mixed methods research. It discusses how the method facilitates shifts in the dominance of quantitative and qualitative approaches and focuses attention on change and on interpretation. The article presents exploratory research designed to untangle different meanings of justice from the perspective of men and women who have been victims of violence and who then became involved in a criminal justice process. Both individual- and group-level analyses are used to show justice as a multidimensional phenomenon that unfolds and opens in context as well as over time. However, how best to report complex findings from longitudinal mixed methods research remains a challenge.
A Clinical Scoring System for Distinguishing Patients With Coincident Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Among Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Koh Justin , Azari Kodi K. , Benhaim Prosper
Published: June 2016

Background: Coincident carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes present a diagnostic challenge, exacerbated by the limitations of nerve conduction study (NCS) for confirming cubital tunnel syndrome. This study develops a diagnostic scoring system, the Koh-Benhaim (KB) score, to identify patients with coincident compression neuropathies. Methods: A retrospective review of 515 patients was performed from patients surgically treated for carpal and/or cubital tunnel release. These patients were divided as patients with isolated carpal tunnel syndrome (n = 337) or coincident carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes (n = 178), then characterized according to demographics, medical history, physical examination, and NCS results. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of coincident neuropathy. A clinical score was constructed by integerizing regression coefficients of predictive factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for each iteration of the score. Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated to identify the best cutoff value. Results: Decreased intrinsic muscle strength, decreased ulnar sensation, positive elbow flexion test, positive cubital tunnel Tinel’s sign, and abnormal NCS result were selected. The cutoff value for high risk of coincident compression was 3 points: positive predictive value, 82.9% and specificity, 93.4%. Model performance was very good—ROC area under the curve of 0.917. Conclusions: A KB score of 3 or greater represents high risk of coincident cubital tunnel compression. The variables involved are routinely used to assess the cubital tunnel, and all component factors of the KB score were of equivalent clinical weight in assessing patients with potential coincident compression neuropathy.
The value of combined elevation of D-dimer and neopterin as a predictive parameter for early stage acute mesenteric ischemia: An experimental study
Authors: Coskun Ali Kagan , Halici Zekai , Oral Akgun , Bayir Yasin , Deniz Ferhat , Caycı Tuncer , Mentes Oner , Oz Bilgehan Savas , Harlak Ali , Yigit Taner , Kozak Orhan , Peker Yusuf
Published: June 2016

Background

The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia is variable. Early diagnosis is important for reducing the mortality and morbidity rates.

Aim

This experimental study aims to investigate the diagnostic utility of D-dimer and neopterin as a marker for the early stage of acute mesenteric ischemia caused by occlusion of superior mesenteric artery.

Methods

The levels of D-dimer and neopterin were measured using an animal acute mesenteric ischemia model in 21 male rabbits. Superior mesenteric artery occlusion (Group 1, n = 14) and control (Group 2, n = 7) groups were identified. Blood samples at different times are collected from each rabbits. Blood samples from superior mesenteric artery occlusion group were taken 30 min after anesthesia but before laparotomy, 1, 2, and 3 h after superior mesenteric artery ligation. Blood samples from control group were taken 1 h before, 1 and 3 h after anesthesia and laparotomy. The D-dimer and neopterin levels of each blood sample were measured.

Results

The probability of acute mesenteric ischemia was found to be 36 times higher when the D-dimer level was over 0.125 ng/L, whereas the probability was 19.2 times higher when the neopterin level was over 1.25 nmol/L.

Conclusions

In this experimental study, the combined elevation of two significant markers, D-dimer and neopterin, may be helpful for the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia.
Placement of a 6 mm, fully covered metal stent for main pancreatic head duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis: a pilot study (with video)
Authors: Ogura Takeshi , Onda Saori , Takagi Wataru , Kitano Masayuki , Sano Tastsushi , Okuda Atsushi , Miyano Akira , Masuda Daisuke , Takeuchi Toshihisa , Fukunishi Shinya , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: June 2016

Background:

Temporary stent placement is widely performed for pancreatic duct stenosis due to chronic pancreatitis. A fully covered self-expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) has a larger diameter, and therefore longer stent patency, and the effect of expansion of the main pancreatic duct stricture may be obtained. However, if stent migration upstream occurs, stent removal is extremely difficult. In addition, because of the diameter gap between the FCSEMS and the main pancreatic duct, stent-induced ductal change may occur. To prevent these adverse events, the technical feasibility, safety and efficacy of the placement of a novel 6 mm diameter FCSEMS with a long suture, to facilitate its removal in cases of stent migration upstream, were evaluated in a pilot study.

Methods:

Between December 2014 and August 2015, symptomatic chronic pancreatitis patients with abdominal pain and a main pancreatic head duct stricture were enrolled. Stent placement for main pancreatic duct stricture was performed under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) guidance and stent removal was performed within 6 months.

Results:

A total of 13 patients were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Metal stent insertion was successfully performed in all patients and clinical success was high (12/13, 92%). As adverse events, stent migration upstream was seen in two patients. Another 11 patients successfully underwent stent removal without any adverse events. During follow up (median 258 days), 2 patients still underwent pancreatic duct stenting because of continuing main pancreatic duct stricture.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this novel FCSEMS is acceptable for stent placement in cases of chronic pancreatitis with a main pancreatic duct stricture.
Closure of gastrointestinal defects with Ovesco clip: long-term results and clinical implications
Authors: Donatelli Gianfranco , Cereatti Fabrizio , Dhumane Parag , Vergeau Bertrand Marie , Tuszynski Thierry , Marie Christian , Dumont Jean-Loup , Meduri Bruno
Published: June 2016

Background:

The Over-The-Scope Clip (OTSC®, Ovesco Endoscopy GmbH, Tübingen, Germany) is an innovative clipping device that provides a strong tissue grasp and compression without provoking ischemia or laceration. In this retrospective study we evaluated immediate and long-term success rates of OTSC deployment in various pathologies of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Methods:

A total of 45 patients (35 female, 10 male) with an average age of 56 years old (range, 24–90 years) were treated with an OTSC for GI defects resulting from a diagnostic or interventional endoscopic procedure (acute setting group) or for fistula following abdominal surgery (chronic setting group). All procedures were performed with CO2 insufflation.

Results:

From January 2012 to December 2015 a total of 51 OTSCs were delivered in 45 patients for different kinds of GI defects. Technical success was always achieved in the acute setting group with an excellent clip adherence and a clinical long-term success rate of 100% (15/15). Meanwhile, considering the chronic setting group, technical success was achieved in 50% of patients with a long-term clinical success of 37% (11/30); two minor complications occurred. A total of three patients died due to causes not directly related to clip deployment. Overall clinical success rate was achieved in 58% cases (26/45 patients). A mean follow-up period of 17 months was accomplished (range, 1–36 months).

Conclusion:

OTSC deployment is an effective and minimally-invasive procedure for GI defects in acute settings. It avoids emergency surgical repair and it allows, in most cases, completion of the primary endoscopic procedure. OTSC should be incorporated as an essential technique of today’s modern endoscopic armamentarium in the management of GI defects in acute settings. OTSCs were less effective in cases of chronic defects.
Capacitación-acción participativa: una experiencia de 24 años en las comunidades rurales de Oaxaca, México
Authors: Ysunza Alberto M. , Diez-Urdanivia Silvia , Pérez-Gil Sara E.
Published: June 2016

Resumen:

En este artículo presentamos el proyecto de capacitación llevado a cabo en comunidades de la sierra y costa de Oaxaca, México, desde 1991, por el Centro de Capacitación Integral para Promotores Comunitarios (CECIPROC). La decisión de hacer este trabajo en Oaxaca responde a que ese estado ocupa uno de los primeros lugares de marginación y de desnutrición en menores de 5 años. El objetivo es describir un modelo de capacitación y compartir parte de las experiencias derivadas, tanto del modelo como del trabajo realizado en las distintas áreas (nutrición y alimentación, salud comunitaria, ecología y etnobotánica, y educación y organización), por promotores mujeres y hombres en sus comunidades.

La experiencia obtenida en 24 años muestra la factibilidad técnica y social del proyecto en el ámbito de la salud, el reconocimiento social del proyecto del CECIPROC como un organismo civil que ha aportado alternativas como solución a la problemática de salud, el hacer suyo el proyecto por algunos promotores y los diferentes obstáculos a los que se ha enfrentado. Enfatizamos el hecho de que la situación socioeconómica y política prevaleciente en el estado de Oaxaca es una limitante para el buen desarrollo de los programas colectivos de salud, e insistimos en la necesidad de compartir nuestras experiencias para que puedan ser utilizadas en la planificación y ejecución de otros proyectos.
Preparing for citizenship: Bring back John Dewey
Authors: Pring Richard
Published: June 2016

The paper traces the development of citizenship in the curriculum in England since the 1960s, emerging particularly from the Crick report. It argues for lessons to be learnt from John Dewey’s ‘Democracy and education’, the centenary of which is being celebrated this year.
Treatment of porcine bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis with anticoagulation
Authors: Hamamoto Masaki , Kobayashi Taira , Ozawa Masamichi , Yoshimura Kosuke
Published: June 2016

A 70-year-old man underwent mitral valve replacement using a porcine bioprosthesis for infective endocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed thickened leaflets with increased transprosthetic pressure gradient and new regurgitation, 6 months after surgery. He was followed up medically with the diagnosis of early valve degeneration. He ultimately presented with worsening orthopnea 13 months after surgery. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed an immobile round mass attached to the ventricular aspect of the leaflets, which hampered valve opening, suggesting bioprosthetic valve thrombosis. Anticoagulation with heparin and warfarin were effective and transthoracic echocardiography showed normal transprosthetic pressure gradient and disappearance of regurgitation 2 months later.
Natural Treatments for Fissure in Ano Used by Traditional Persian Scholars, Razi (Rhazes) and Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Authors: Derakhshan Ali Reza
Published: June 2016

Most cases of chronic fissure do not respond to medical treatment. Razi and Ibn Sina were 2 of the best-known scientists of ancient Persia. The purpose of this study was to find out new scientific evidence in modern medicine about their recommendations, in order to find certain clues to conduct useful researches in the future. First, treatments of anal fissure mentioned by Razi and Ibn Sina were reviewed. Then, literature search was made in electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Management of anal fissure according to Razi’s and Ibn Sina’s practices is done based on 3 interventions: lifestyle modifications, drug treatments, and manual procedures. Almost all remedies suggested by Razi and Ibn Sina have shown their effects on fissure in ano via several mechanisms of action in many in vitro and in vivo studies; Still there is lack of human studies on the subject.
Models of Corporate Social Responsibility: Comparison, Evolution and Convergence
Authors: Kanji Repaul , Agrawal Rajat
Published: June 2016

The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has witnessed various interpretations since its inception. Even though the present era of CSR has been significantly reassuring, there is an urgent need to understand the primary role of CSR. In order to do so, it becomes necessary to study the evolution of the concept of CSR over the years. This research compares the models of CSR on the basis of certain accepted indices, arguably the most relevant ones in this context, and establishes a line of evolution—not a temporal convergence but a thematic convergence of the same—thus concluding that the idea of CSR is gradually moving towards a consolidated form. There is a stark difference between the conception and the practical implementation of a model. Although several models have been proposed and modified since the 1950s, the question still remains whether an evolutionary line can be established as far as their practicability is concerned. Each organization or nation, as a whole, follows different strategies to implement CSR activities. The strategies differ mainly due to varied perspectives about whether to put social benefits on the forefront or financial profits. Another question that arises consequently is: are these initiatives based on universally accepted social policies or are they governed by the evolving models of CSR? This research explores this very question by looking at the practical implementations of the CSR models and examines their optimality. It also investigates the proposition of probable thematic convergence of CSR.
Are Stars Worth Following? Measuring the Target Price Predictive Ability of Star Analysts in an Emerging Market
Authors: Sayed Samie Ahmed
Published: June 2016

This article investigates whether star analysts, identified as the best stock pickers by Thomson Reuters’ StarMine Awards, have superior target price forecasts than non-star analysts in an emerging market. The difference between star and non-star analysts is the former’s use of attention-seeking tactics by issuing aggressive target price forecasts. Empirical results indicate that the performance of star analysts is not significantly different from that of non-star analysts in the short term or at the end of the forecast horizon. However, star analysts have better short-term performance than non-star analysts for a sub-set of technology-driven, high-growth stocks which have higher liquidity and rapid incorporation of information. In essence, star-analysts have better short-term predictive ability than non-star analysts for stocks with higher trading volume and better flow of information. The key finding of this study is that investors in emerging markets like India have limited advantage in following target price forecasts issued by star analysts.
The Dynamics of Revenue Diversification and Efficiency of Banks in India
Authors: Sarkar Sanjukta
Published: June 2016

This article attempts to understand how income diversification influences efficiency of scheduled commercial banks in India across ownership and over crises periods. We explore two competing hypotheses prevalent in the literature—strategic focus and conglomeration. Input-oriented technical and pure technical efficiency scores are calculated using data envelopment analysis following two approaches in the literature—intermediation and operating. We find support for the conglomeration hypothesis under the intermediation approach while the strategic focus hypothesis holds under the operating approach regarding influence of revenue diversification on both types of efficiency. Furthermore, foreign banks indulge in higher revenue diversification in the post-crisis period and, therefore, report greater efficiency as compared with their domestic counterparts. These results have important policy ramifications for regulators and supervisors.
Road Behavior and Culture: A Statistical Review
Authors: Dumetz Jérôme
Published: June 2016

The article attempts to establish a correlation between socially relevant behavior (using driving behavior as an example) and cultural dimensions indicators. The statistical correlation method was used to test several hypothesis based on Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s model of cultural dimensions. Among the first results, it appears that display of emotions does not seem to be linked to road behavior; however, a clear correlation exists between road fatalities and the cultural acceptance of rules by the drivers. Service companies working in the automobile sphere, such as insurance companies, should take into account the cultural influence upon drivers’ behavior when calculating premiums.
Black Nationalist Tendencies and Their Association with Perceived Inefficacy of the Civil Rights Movement and of Black Elected Officials
Authors: Brown Tony N. , Duncan Ebony M. , Kettrey Heather Hensman
Published: June 2016

This study addressed whether black nationalist tendencies explain why some blacks in 1980 perceived that the civil rights movement and black elected officials failed to improve the black community’s standing, including their own life chances. Those holding positions consistent with black nationalism argue, among other things, that racial integration, political participation, and alignment with white interests could not ultimately produce racial parity. Instead, they support (cultural, social, economic, and political) separatism, constant vigilance, and community uplift as tactics for engineering racial parity. Using data from a nationally representative survey of the black population collected 35 years ago, the authors measured black nationalist tendencies using six indicators: (1) agreement that blacks should vote for black candidates, (2) agreement that blacks should shop in black-owned stores, (3) agreement that black men should not date white women, (4) support for forming a black political party, (5) the presence of black literature and/or art in respondents’ homes, and (6) a sense of common fate. The authors found that these indicators associated significantly with perceived inefficacy of the civil rights movement and of black elected officials. However, the associations’ directions and strength often varied appreciably. The authors call for future research that characterizes black nationalist tendencies and investigates their contemporary interpersonal and sociopolitical implications.
Inequalities in Parental Spending on Young Children
Authors: Kornrich Sabino
Published: June 2016

This article investigates inequality in parental spending on young children over the period from 1972 to 2010. I find increased spending among parents at the top of the income distribution but little change among parents at the bottom of the income distribution. The gap in spending is equally attributable to increased spending on center-based care for preschool-age children and spending on enrichment goods and activities. The article examines potential causes of increased spending, including income, parental education, and wife’s work status, using decomposition analysis. Results indicate that higher incomes are the largest cause of the increased gap in spending but that increases in wife’s earnings, college completion, and wife’s work hours are also important for growth in spending.
The State of Abstracts in Educational Research
Authors: Curran F. Chris
Published: June 2016

Background:

There is a well-documented divide between education research and practice. In 2004, Mosteller, Nave, and Miech argued for a focus on the research abstract, particularly structured abstracts, to improve the translation of research into practice. Since their call, no study has systematically examined the quality of abstracts in education research or the degree to which structured abstracts are utilized.

Purpose:

This study addresses two questions. First, what are the characteristics of the research abstracts required by journals in the field of education research? Second, to what extent do research abstracts in the field of education research contain the basic components of a research study?

Data:

Original data are drawn from the top 150 education research journals. Data include the instructions to authors regarding abstracts for each journal (n = 150) and a random sample of abstracts (n = 189).

Methods:

Journal instructions and abstracts were coded. Codes included whether they were structured and whether they included components of a research study, such as the data or findings.

Results:

A nontrivial proportion of abstracts fail to include important components of a research study. More than one in three lacked information regarding the background, and a similar proportion lacked information on conclusions. Over one quarter omitted information regarding the data, and a similar proportion lacked information on methodology. Only 7% of the top 150 journals explicitly require a structured abstract.

Conclusions:

The quality of abstracts in educational research could be improved. Suggestions for improving abstracts, such as shifting toward structured abstracts, are offered.