bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing hypothetical versus non-hypothetical methods for measuring willingness to pay in a food context
Authors: Martínez-Carrasco Laura , Brugarolas Margarita , Martínez-Poveda Africa , Ruiz-Martínez Juan J.
Published: December 2015

Choosing a valid procedure to measure willingness to pay (WTP) is crucial for designating optimum price policies or for evaluating the demand for new products. This study compares two methods for obtaining WTP in a food context: a random nth price auction and an open-ended contingent valuation (CV) question. Participants were regular salad tomato buyers of Alicante and they were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. The products about which they would show their WTP were traditional tomato varieties. Both treatments were divided into three stages: in the first stage the only available information was a reference price for the tomatoes. In stages 2 and 3 we revealed the local origin and the organic grown of the tomatoes respectively. Our results show that in the auction the percentage of participants willing to pay the same or more than the reference price was between 20 and 30%. In the CV method this percentage was between 40 and 65%. The mean WTP in the auction, considering the whole of the individuals, was situated between 1.90 and 2.13 €/kg. These same results obtained through the CV were situated between 2.54 and 3.21 €/kg. The results confirmed the findings of previous papers in which the hypothetical bias of CV was clarified because it yields higher values for WTP than the auction, especially when referring to the number of individuals willing to pay more. Additionally, hedonic price models were estimated for the prices obtained by both methods with the result that in all the models, WTP was directly related to the price paid for the latest purchase of tomatoes.
Book Review: The Study on the Entry Timing of Foreign Banks from the Perspective of Real Option
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: December 2015

Foreign banks have become an indispensable part of China’s banking. The branches and the business are becoming more. The researches about the foreign banks have been very rich, but most of them concentrate on “Why” “How” “Where” foreign banks enter, but those about “When” are very neglected and therefore very few. But the timing (that is “when”) is not the same as the motivation (that is ‘Why’). Even if a bank has the motivation to enter China, but the timing of entry is not certain. But only the foreign banks have entered China, it can influence China’s economy. Therefore timing of entry is very important. In this book, the entry timing of foreign banks into China is studied detailed and may be helpful to the decision of foreign banks, Chinese local banks and the supervisor.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Duran Kevin
Published: December 2015

International Business Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated.
International Business Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please find the application form and details at http://www.ccsenet.org/reviewer and e-mail the completed application form to ibr@ccsenet.org.
The Effects of the Structure of the Board of Directors on the Performance of Small to Medium Scale Enterprises
Authors: Zehir Cemal , Keskin Halit , Tanriverdi Haluk , Yasan Ayhan
Published: December 2015

On the subject of the effects of the Board of Directors on the performance of the company, written articles have generally been limited to listed companies. The effects of the Board of Directors and their respective structure on the performance of the company consist of a subject matter that has been frequently researched in the literature by means of various different methods. In this particular study, the existence of the Board of Directors in SME’s and, if present, the effects of these in the performance of the company have been researched. In this context, a field research has been conducted with the search model by means of a simple random sampling. In addition, a poll has been performed on a one on one basis comprising a total of 703 voluntary companies that have a status of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) from several cities around Turkey, of which 204 operate in manufacturing, 347 in service and 152 both in manufacturing and service. The resulting data has been put together and analyzed. On the other hand, the poll that has been applied to the companies is composed of four sections, which consist of the complementary statistics, the decision making and resource generating capacity of the board of directors, the authority of the board of directors over the management processes and, lastly, the performance of the company.

As a result of the study, it has been observed that the companies with a board of directors in SME’s demonstrate a higher performance when compared to the companies without a board of directors. Furthermore, the education levels of the members that take part in a board of directors have a positive effect on the performance, whereas the companies with a board of directors that have elected their chief executive officer have a positive effect on the performance of the company which is significantly higher than that of the board of directors where the president is nominated in accordance with the amount of shares that a member holds. Moreover, it has been proven that the structure and characteristics of a board of directors affect the performance of the company in a positive manner.
Engaging Students in Survey Design and Data Collection
Authors: Sole Marla A.
Published: December 2015

By piloting their own survey on texting while driving, students learn that only unambiguous questions can produce credible results.
Reasoning and Sense Making Begins with the Teacher
Authors: Keazer Lindsay M. , Menon Rahul S.
Published: December 2015

Action research leads a classroom teacher to a new approach and a new role.
Teaching in a World with PhotoMath
Authors: Webel Corey , Otten Samuel
Published: December 2015

As new computation technologies become available, algebra teachers can choose to ban them, limit their use, or use them as an opportunity to reevaluate learning goals.
Integrating Modeling Steps into the High School Curriculum
Authors: Wendt Ted , Murphy Kevin
Published: December 2015

Textbook word problems can be modified to change the way the questions are posed without changing the prerequisite content.
Understanding Algebra Graphs Using SmartGraphs
Authors: MacKenzie Jessica Ulcickas , Zucker Andy , Staudt Carolyn J.
Published: December 2015

SmartGraphs software allows students to interact with graphs as part of multipage activities.
Summation Formulas Involving Polynomials
Authors: Chu Tom N.
Published: December 2015

Direct proofs for the sum of squares, the sum of cubes, and the sum of fourth powers use visualization to teach the identities.
Brotherly Love
Authors: Bair Sherry L.
Published: December 2015

Solutions to an April 2015 problem about video game swapping are discussed, and the procedures used with problem solving are explored.
David R. Wallace. Election of the Lesser Son: Paul’s Lament-Midrash in Romans 9-11
Authors: Garroway Joshua
Published: December 2015

No abstract is available.
Donald E. Wagner and Walter T. Davis, Eds. Zionism and the Quest for Justice in the Holy Land
Authors: Cathey Robert , Moses Jay
Published: December 2015

No abstract is available.
DEN PEDAGOGISKE FILOSOFIENS OPPDRAG
Authors: Strand Torill
Published: December 2015

Today, philosophy of education comes forward as diverse, many-faceted and numerous engagements with issues and problems concerning both the fields of philosophy and education. But what is the vital mission of contemporary philosophers of education, and how is this mission justified? Through a tentative reading of Alain Badiou’s ethic and philosophical manifestos, I here hope to throw some lights on these questions. To do so, I clarify Badiou’s epistemic and ontological positions and discuss the relevance of his “ethic of truths” and “democratic materialism”. To what degree may Badiou inform the potential topicality and relevance of a philosophy of education of and for the present?
Deweys bevidsthedsbegreb
Authors: Kauffmann Oliver
Published: December 2015

John Dewey has played a major role for philosophy of education and for educational theory as such. This paper deals with Dewey’s conception of consciousness, an issue which is rarely dealt with. It is claimed that Dewey’s thoughts on this issue are original and has actuality in the light of recent attempts to understand cognition and consciousness as intimately related to the subject’s interaction with the environment.

 
Rousseau i våre hjerter
Authors: Løvlie Lars
Published: December 2015

This essay broaches pedagogical key themes in Rousseau’s writings, primarily sourced from Émile, a book that 250 years after its first publication offers up a strikingly relevant critique of the current neo-liberal politics of schooling in the Western world. Rousseau was a keen observer of human folly, a sharp critic of Enlightenment culture, and an imaginative author with an acute sense of the vagaries of mind and feeling. I recount how he treats feelings, particularly the inner voice of conscience, as a core element in education. His idea of “negative pedagogy” is a lasting contribution to educational thinking in general and highly relevant for our discussion today about self-regulation and discipline in education. Rousseau’s idea about authenticity leads directly to the question of individual character and the relation between self-love and amour-propre. Here we are presented to a positive pedagogy, which is to foster the first and to foil the second. After having touched the conflict between theory and practice in Rousseau’s own life, I observe that the woman in Émile’s life, Sophie, comes forth as naturally healthy person, fit to face society’s temptations, while Émile in comparison must be protected from its harms by his well-meaning tutor until he turns 15. In a longer section I present the pedagogical paradox, which says that you cannot force a child to be independent. Rousseau interestingly disregards the paradox, which seems to cast doubt on his reputation as a radical reformer of modern pedagogy.

 
Negativ opdragelse og negation af opdragelse. Émiles aktualitet i forhold til en kritisk teori om pædagogik
Authors: Gruschka Andreas
Published: December 2015

Rousseau's exposition of negative education in Émile is explored through its relation to the concept of a negative theory of education developed by the author as a continuation of some crucial insights of early critical theory. Thus, the essay elaborates different aspects of negation and negativity in relation to educational theory and practice. The author defends thereby the actuality of Rousseau's philosophy of education for a critical understanding of the modern phenomenon of educationalization.

 
Evidence-Based Practice: On the Function of Evidence in Practical Reasoning
Authors: Kvernbekk Tone
Published: December 2015

There is a vast literature on evidence-based practice (EBP) in education. What function does evidence have in practical deliberations toward decisions about what to do? Most writers on EBP seem to think of evidence largely as quantitative data, serving as a foundation from which practice could and should be directly derived. In this paper I argue that we are better served by according a different and more indirect function to evidence in practical reasoning. To establish this claim I employ Toulmin’s model of argumentation. On this model the evidence-as-foundation view amounts to evidence as data/grounds. The model also offers a different function for evidence, as backing of the warrant, and I argue in this paper that this is a more adequate understanding of the function of evidence in practical reasoning
”En sværm af skyer, som skal tænkes” – en diskussion af kultur, kunst og æstetik
Authors: Johansen Martin Blok , Morsing Ole
Published: December 2015

These days there are many diﬀerent understandings and deﬁnitions of the term aesthetics. Sometimes it is regarded as identical to the pleasing or the sensual, other times it has a more workaday meaning, being associated with e.g. a well-stocked lunch table. The common denominator, however, is that aesthetics is understood as something that can be recorded in the real world, having been assigned an independent existence.
The concept has thus undergone ‘ontological dumping’, by which we understand that an analytical concept has become a “thing in the world”, i.e. an epistemological state has been transformed into an ontological state. The problem with this is that what can potentially be used to understand has instead turned into something to be understood. In the endeavour not to downgrade the epistemological dimension in favour of the experiential dimension, we attempt in this article to re-establish aesthetics as an analytical concept: Something to be seen with – instead of something that is seen. In addition, we put it into perspective alongside culture and art, which we feel has undergone the same ontological dumping. The article concludes with some reﬂections on the implications this may have for educational practice. As its theoretical springboard, the article takes the philosopher Jean-François Lyotard, drawing its exemplary material from the Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgård.
En bergsoniansk pædagogik?
Authors: Borum Peter
Published: December 2015

Taking as a point of departure three basic assumptions in Henri Bergson – (A) that consciousness forms part of a pragmatic and of a reﬂ exive circuit; (B) that the formation of bodily habits and of contents of consciousness has an irreducible morphogenetical duration; (C) that a basic asymmetry subsists between the given and the non-given, between knowledge and non-knowledge – some consequences of this asymmetry are sketched out: (1) that learning is rythmical, (2) that knowledge (savoir) and ability (pouvoir/savoir-faire) are stratiﬁed, (3) that the creative process is of central pedagogical importance, (4) that ideas of utility are unable to providea motivation for learning. The diﬀerence between linguistic and mathematical understanding is then outlined. From the irreducible morphogenetical duration, the maxims ‘as early and as much as possible’ are deduced,
as well as the notion that curricula cannot aim entirely at applicability. Finally a notion of pedagogical seduction is presented, as well as a “founding aporia” (René Thom) for pedagogy: between problematization and automatization, seduction and interest, knowledge and ability.
Mediating Influences: Problematising facilitated digital self-representation
Authors: Vivienne Sonja
Published: December 2015

While Digital Storytelling has been lauded as an exemplary model of participatory cultural citizenship (particularly in initiatives for and with marginalised people), many mediating influences make ‘authentic’ self-representation far from straightforward. In this article, I consider some of these mediating influences, from both theoretical and practical perspectives, and underline their regulatory and constitutive nature. While some of these mediating influences are timeworn and pre-date digital technology, others are perpetuated and amplified, as is the case in networked personal storytelling disseminated online. I draw on some well-established strategies derived from anthropology and narrative practices to propose a new purpose for old tools. These tools support the nuanced and sensitive facilitation of both face-to-face and online Digital Storytelling workshops as well as the curation of web spaces in which they eventually circulate. I argue that making complex mediating influences visible to participants affords redress of the inherent social and technical privileges of institutions, facilitators and platforms. Finally, I consider the implications of these strategies for voice, marginalised identity, cultural citizenship and social change.
Counterpublics in the age of mediatisation: Local responses to Femen in the Arab world
Authors: Darmoni Kaouthar , Witschge Tamara
Published: December 2015

In this paper we analyse the impact of the mediatised strategy of the global protest group Femen. In addition to the concept of mediatisation, we employ the concept of counterpublics and find that Femen have limited impact in the Arab world due to a lack of embedment in local communities. We show how mediatisation of protest can hamper the dual function of counterpublic discourse and action. By focusing primarily outwardly and adopting dominant media logics (outwardly focused, interpublic discourse), Femen’s protest strategies result in a sensational and top-down message. This is not embedded in a conversation with local communities (the inwardly focused intrapublic function of counterpublic discourse) and as such results in much resistance in the Arab world. Moving beyond an analysis of Femen’s message to include local Arab responses, our analysis allows us insight into the lived experiences of mediatised protest, which suggest that Femen’s antagonistic actions foster alienation rather than empowerment.
Mediatizing Shame: Posthumanitarianism and Participatory Development Ethics in Radi-Aid’s Activist Awareness Campaigns
Authors: Reestorff Camilla Møhring
Published: December 2015

This article studies the Norwegian Students and Academics’ International Assistance Fund’s (SAIH) hoax advocacy campaign, Radi-Aid. The paper distinguishes between advocacy campaigns that are designed as fund-raising and awareness campaigns targeted at changing political attitudes towards humanitarianism. The article argues that Radi-Aid is a mediatized activist awareness campaign that negotiates participatory development ethics. The focus is thus on Radi-Aid’s engagement in an ethics that explores the functionality of celebrities and lifestyle posthumanitarianism and the participation of local communities. While posthumanitarianism might simply be dismissed, for instance, through notions of low engagement participation such as clicktivism and lifestyle activism, the article argues that Radi-Aid is itself a form of posthumanitarianism. This posthumanitarianism is crucial because it works as a form of détournement that simultaneously shames participants and makes existent humanitarian communities present to one another and turns them into political collectives. As such, Radi-Aid can be interpreted as a reconfiguration of posthumanitarianism that offers the shamed a remedy by means of the participatory development ethics.
Human rights and the sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV – a literature review
Authors: Kumar Shubha , Gruskin Sofia , Khosla Rajat , Narasimhan Manjulaa
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Even as the number of women living with HIV around the globe continues to grow, realization of their sexual and reproductive health and human rights remains compromised. The objective of this study was to review the current state of knowledge on the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women living with HIV to assess evidence and gaps.

Methods

Relevant databases were searched for peer‐reviewed and grey literature. Search terms included a combination of MeSH terms and keywords representing women, HIV/AIDS, ART, human rights, sexual and reproductive health. We included both qualitative and quantitative literature published in English, French, or Spanish between July 2011 and December 2014.

Results and discussion

The search yielded 2228 peer‐reviewed articles, of which 40 met the inclusion criteria in the final review. The grey literature search yielded 2186 documents of which seven met the inclusion criteria in the final review. Of the articles and documents reviewed, not a single peer‐reviewed article described the explicit implementation of rights in programming, and only two documents from the grey literature did so. With one possible exception, no articles or documents were found which addressed rights comprehensively, or addressed the majority of relevant rights (i.e. equality; non‐discrimination; participation; privacy and confidentiality; informed decision making; availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality (3AQ) of services individually or in their totality; and accountability). Additional findings indicate that the language of rights is used most often to describe the apparent neglect or violation of human rights and what does exist only addresses a few rights in the context of a few areas within sexual and reproductive health.

Conclusions

Findings from this review suggest the need to better integrate rights into interventions, particularly with attention to provider training, service delivery, raising awareness and capacity building among the community of women living with HIV. Further research is urgently needed to support the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV, to identify what works and to inform future programming and policies to improve care, treatment and support for women living with HIV.
Tuberculosis: opportunities and challenges for the 90–90–90 targets in HIV‐infected children
Authors: Rabie Helena , Frigati Lisa , Hesseling Anneke C , Garcia‐Prats Anthony J
Published: December 2015

Introduction

In 2014 the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS defined the ambitious 90–90–90 targets for 2020, in which 90% of people living with HIV must be diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed should be on sustained therapy and 90% of those on therapy should have an undetectable viral load. Children are considered to be a key focus population for these targets. This review will highlight key components of the epidemiology, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in HIV‐infected children in the era of increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and their relation to the 90–90–90 targets.

Discussion

The majority of HIV‐infected children live in countries with a high burden of TB. In settings with a high burden of both diseases such as in sub‐Saharan Africa, up to 57% of children diagnosed with and treated for TB are HIV‐infected. TB results in substantial morbidity and mortality in HIV‐infected children, so preventing TB and optimizing its treatment in HIV‐infected children will be important to ensuring good long‐term outcomes. Prevention of TB can be achieved by increasing access to ART to both children and adults, and appropriate provision of isoniazid preventative therapy. Co‐treatment of HIV and TB is complicated by drug‐drug interactions particularly due to the use of rifampicin; these may compromise virologic outcomes if appropriate corrective actions are not taken. There remain substantial operational challenges, and improved integration of paediatric TB and HIV services, including with antenatal and routine under‐five care, is an important priority.

Conclusions

TB may be an important barrier to achievement of the 90–90–90 targets, but specific attention to TB care in HIV‐infected children may provide important opportunities to enhance the care of both TB and HIV in children.
Patching the gaps towards the 90–90–90 targets: outcomes of Nigerian children receiving antiretroviral treatment who are co‐infected with tuberculosis
Authors: Chamla Dick D , Asadu Chukwuemeka , Davies Abiola , de Wagt Arjan , Ilesanmi Oluwafunke , Adeyinka Daniel , Adejuyigbe Ebun
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Nigeria has a high burden of children living with HIV and tuberculosis (TB). This article examines the magnitude of TB among children receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART), compares their ART outcomes with their non‐TB counterparts and argues that addressing TB among children on ART is critical for achieving the 90–90–90 targets.

Methods

This was a facility‐based, retrospective analysis of medical records of children aged <15 years who were newly initiated on ART between 2011 and 2012. Structured tools were used to collect data. STATA software was used to perform descriptive, survival and multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 1142 children with a median age of 3.5 years from 20 selected facilities were followed for 24 months. Of these, 95.8% were assessed for TB at ART initiation and 14.7% had TB. Children on ART were more likely to have TB if they were aged 5 years or older (p<0.01) and had delayed ART initiation (p<0.05). The cotrimoxazole and isoniazid prophylaxes were provided to 87.9 and 0.8% of children, respectively. The rate of new TB cases was 3 (2.2–4.0) per 100 person‐years at six months and declined to 0.2 (0.06–1.4) per 100 person‐years at 24 months. TB infection [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 4.3; 2.3–7.9], malnutrition (aHR: 5.1; 2.6–9.8), delayed ART initiation (aHR: 3.2; 1.5–6.7) and age less than 1 year at ART initiation (aHR: 4.0; 1.4–12.0) were associated with death. Additionally, patients with TB (aHR: 1.3; 1.1–1.6) and children below the age of 1 at ART initiation (aHR: 2.9; 1.7–5.2) were more likely to be lost to follow‐up (LFU).

Conclusions

Children on ART with TB are less likely to survive and more likely to be LFU. These risks, along with low isoniazid uptake and delayed ART initiation, present a serious challenge to achieving the 90–90–90 targets and underscore an urgent need for inclusion of childhood TB/HIV in global plans and reporting mechanisms.
Sequencing paediatric antiretroviral therapy in the context of a public health approach
Authors: Boerma Ragna S , Boender T Sonia , van Hensbroek Michael Boele , Rinke de Wit Tobias F , Sigaloff Kim CE
Published: December 2015

Introduction

As access to prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT) efforts has increased, the total number of children being born with HIV has significantly decreased. However, those children who do become infected after PMTCT failure are at particular risk of HIV drug resistance, selected by exposure to maternal or paediatric antiretroviral drugs used before, during or after birth. As a consequence, the response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in these children may be compromised, particularly when non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are used as part of the first‐line regimen. We review evidence guiding choices of first‐ and second‐line ART.

Discussion

Children generally respond relatively well to ART. Clinical trials show the superiority of protease inhibitor (PI)‐ over NNRTI‐based treatment in young children, but observational reports of NNRTI‐containing regimens are usually favourable as well. This is reassuring as national guidelines often still recommend the use of NNRTI‐based treatment for PMTCT‐unexposed young children, due to the higher costs of PIs. After failure of NNRTI‐based, first‐line treatment, the rate of acquired drug resistance is high, but HIV may well be suppressed by PIs in second‐line ART. By contrast, there are currently no adequate alternatives in resource‐limited settings (RLS) for children failing either first‐ or second‐line, PI‐containing regimens.

Conclusions

Affordable salvage treatment options for children in RLS are urgently needed.
Multipotent versus differentiated cell fate selection in the developing Drosophila airways
Authors: Matsuda Ryo , Hosono Chie , Samakovlis Christos , Saigo Kaoru
Published: December 2015

Developmental potentials of cells are tightly controlled at multiple levels. The embryonic Drosophila airway tree is roughly subdivided into two types of cells with distinct developmental potentials: a proximally located group of multipotent adult precursor cells (P-fate) and a distally located population of more differentiated cells (D-fate). We show that the GATA-family transcription factor (TF) Grain promotes the P-fate and the POU-homeobox TF Ventral veinless (Vvl/Drifter/U-turned) stimulates the D-fate. Hedgehog and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling cooperate with Vvl to drive the D-fate at the expense of the P-fate while negative regulators of either of these signaling pathways ensure P-fate specification. Local concentrations of Decapentaplegic/BMP, Wingless/Wnt, and Hedgehog signals differentially regulate the expression of D-factors and P-factors to transform an equipotent primordial field into a concentric pattern of radially different morphogenetic potentials, which gradually gives rise to the distal-proximal organization of distinct cell types in the mature airway.
Reverse plasma motion driven by moderately screened rotating electric field in an electrodeless plasma thruster
Authors: Ohnishi Naofumi , Nomura Ryosuke , Nakamura Takahiro , Nishida Hiroyuki
Published: December 2015

A reversely-induced azimuthal current has been found in two-dimensional particle simulations with moderately screened rotating electric field (REF) though an ideally penetrating REF drives a “positive” azimuthal current following rotating E × B drifts. This brings us an alternative acceleration concept, called a negative-moving response (NMR) acceleration, of the helicon plasma under practical conditions using a converging magnetic field because the internal electric potential, formed by the plasma response against the external field, drives the “negative” azimuthal current. Under realistic experimental conditions, e.g., a magnetic field of 0.2 T, AC frequency of <100 MHz, and AC voltage of <1000 V, the resultant thrust can be estimated at an observable level of >0.1 mN with the NMR acceleration. Moreover, the reverse REF is more favorable to the NMR acceleration than the conventional forward one because the reverse field produces a Lissajous acceleration in the converging magnetic field.
Preparation of mixed bismuth and iron thin films by pulsed laser deposition using powder targets
Authors: Kawasaki Hiroharu , Ohshima Tamiko , Yagyu Yoshihito , Ihara Takeshi , Tanaka Yuki , Suda Yoshiaki
Published: December 2015

Bismuth iron garnet (Bi3Fe5O12) thin films, for use in magnetic optics, were prepared by a pulsed laser deposition method using Bi and Fe mixed powder targets in oxygen gas. The deposition rate of the film strongly depended on the target mixture. The X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results suggest that the prepared films were not Bi3Fe5O12 but Bi-rich films, because of the lower melting temperature of Bi (544 K) compared with that of Fe (1811 K).
Measuring online social bubbles
Authors: Nikolov Dimitar , Oliveira Diego F.M. , Flammini Alessandro , Menczer Filippo
Published: December 2015

Social media have become a prevalent channel to access information, spread ideas, and influence opinions. However, it has been suggested that social and algorithmic filtering may cause exposure to less diverse points of view. Here we quantitatively measure this kind of social bias at the collective level by mining a massive datasets of web clicks. Our analysis shows that collectively, people access information from a significantly narrower spectrum of sources through social media and email, compared to a search baseline. The significance of this finding for individual exposure is revealed by investigating the relationship between the diversity of information sources experienced by users at both the collective and individual levels in two datasets where individual users can be analyzed—Twitter posts and search logs. There is a strong correlation between collective and individual diversity, supporting the notion that when we use social media we find ourselves inside “social bubbles.” Our results could lead to a deeper understanding of how technology biases our exposure to new information.
Proteção intelectual através da indicação geográfica “Chã de Jardim” do artesanato em folha da bananeira (musa sp.) no Estado da Paraíba
Authors: França Everaldo De , Fernandes Lucia Regina R. de Moraes Valente
Published: December 2015

A construção de um Sistema de Indicação Geográfica Brasileiro tem sido pautada por uma variedade ampla de bens, envolvendo desde produtos industriais e agrícolas, serviços e até artesanato. Levando em consideração características sociais, culturais e geográficas, bem como a constituição étnica da população de Areia, no Estado da Paraíba, é de se supor o vasto conhecimento local que suas comunidades acumularam, e que procuram incorporar nas suas práticas cotidianas. Uma das práticas artesanais passíveis de proteção por Indicação Geográfica diz respeito ao uso do caule da bananeira (Musa sp.) como matéria prima para a fabricação de produtos manufaturados como bolsas, quadros, luminárias, pastas para eventos, utensílios para cozinha etc. O registro de IG para este tipo de atividade pode valorizar o conhecimento local sobre o uso sustentável da biodiversidade e promover as tradições culturais de Areia, trazendo melhorias para as comunidades envolvidas e, consequentemente, incrementando o desenvolvimento regional. O nome geográfico a ser protegido para o artesanato é “Chã de Jardim”. Sugere-se que este nome seja protegido por Indicação de Procedência em vista da reputação dos produtos artesanais locais.

Código JEL | O33; Q56; R11.
O problema do emprego em Palmas-PR: uma proposta de rompimento do ciclo vicioso
Authors: Schlemper Alexandre Luiz
Published: December 2015

Neste estudo se apresenta uma breve análise sobre a condição de desenvolvimento do município de Palmas-PR a partir de um diagnóstico da dinâmica do emprego. Para tal, são levantados aspectos da distribuição do emprego por atividades econômicas, rotatividade e migração interna. A metodologia aplicada utilizou como fontes dados secundários de emprego junto ao CAGED e entrevistas. O diagnostico é de que existe um problema de alta rotatividade de emprego, fundamentalmente, na indústria madeireira de chapas de compensado, migrando a mão de obra, sazonalmente, para as atividades temporárias da colheita da maçã e da batata, mas, retornando, posteriormente, para a indústria. Este ciclo vicioso é avaliado pela teoria da causação circular cumulativa, de Gunnar Myrdal, a partir da qual também se apresentam sugestões para a sua quebra, de forma a convertê-lo em ciclo virtuoso. As propostas apresentadas fundamentam-se na oportunidade de construção de um planejamento participativo, conduzido pelo movimento da sociedade civil organizada, chamado Palmas Desenvolvida, e na atuação do Instituto Federal do Paraná em suas atividades de ensino, pesquisa e extensão, promovendo novas atividades econômicas propulsoras do desenvolvimento local.

Código JEL | J61; O15; R38.
A indústria fumageira e o mercado de trabalho de Santa Cruz do Sul-RS
Authors: Cadoná Marco André
Published: December 2015

O artigo analisa como dinâmicas regionais de desenvolvimento condicionam a organização dos mercados de trabalho. Tomando como referência empírica um levantamento realizado no segundo semestre de 2013 junto a duzentos e setenta e dois trabalhadores de Santa Cruz do Sul, no Rio Grande do Sul, atenta-se para o modo como as particularidades regionais contribuem para a definição das formas de uso da força-de-trabalho. Santa Cruz do Sul mantém um histórico e dependente vínculo com a indústria fumageira, cuja organização da produção tem entre suas características a “sazonalidade”: todos os anos, entre janeiro e junho/julho, o tabaco produzido pelos agricultores chega para ser processado e as indústrias contratam trabalhadores temporários (“safristas”); a partir de julho/agosto, quando a indústria fumageira entra num “período de entressafra”, apenas os trabalhadores efetivos permanecem vinculados, sendo os “safristas” desligados. Assim, em Santa Cruz do Sul, muitos trabalhadores vivenciam uma situação de aleatoriedade no mercado de trabalho, pois alternam, anualmente, tempos de atividade e “tempos de inatividade”.

Código JEL | J43; J64; O18.
Surgical Sutures - A Review
Authors: Goel Amit
Published: December 2015

A good suturing goes a long way in aesthetic as well as effective wound closure. Selection of material varies with the tissue requirements. The sutures have evolved considerably over the years and are classified according to their origin, material used, number of filaments and thickness. In this article the characteristics and uses of various sutures used in ophthalmic surgery shall be discussed.
Neovascular Glaucoma – A Review
Authors: Sharma Pallavi , Agarwal Neetu , Choudhry Reena M.
Published: December 2015

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a potentially blinding clinical condition, where delayed diagnosis or poor management can result in complete loss of vision. In managing NVG, it is essential to treat both the elevated intraocular pressure (IOР) and the underlying cause of disease. The objective of this review is to discuss its etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features and management.
First priority in managing NVG should be to try preventing its development by appropriate treatment of the causative diseases. Since NVG Is a secondary glaucoma, a thorough knowledge about the varied etiologies and meticulous methods of examination along with high index of suspicion is a must. Blindness caused due to NVG is totally preventable if diagnosis is made in early stages and such patients are aggressively treated along with frequent follow up. Detailed clinical examination including slit lamp evaluation, IOР measurement, gonioscopy, dilated retinal evaluation with 90D and 20D lenses and Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (wherever required) is a must in all cases with identifiable risk factors. In established cases of PDR, pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) with or without intravitreal anti-VEGF Is the procedure of choice to prevent NVG. Mainstay of medical treatment is to reduce aqueous production. In refractory cases requiring surgical intervention, the results have improved significantly with use of antifibrotic agents during trabeculectomy and evolution of tube shunts. The introduction of anti-VEGF agents in the management of NVG has proved to be a benchmark in both prevention and treatment of this disease.
Prevention and early diagnosis is the key to reduce visual loss caused by this devastating disease. Though the treatment of NVG still remains a challenge, the advent of anti-fibrotic agents, tube shunts and anti-VEGFs has revolutionized its management and promises relatively better outcomes.
Microbiological Safety of Using Eye Drops After One Month: Contamination is A Rule or Mere Regulation ?
Authors: Virani Shalini , Rewri Parveen , Vyas Anamika
Published: December 2015

Objective:

The study was aimed to assess microbial contamination of the eye drop solution after using for one month.

Design:

A prospective study of the sterility of sixty multi-drop residual eye drops was done. Eye drops were collected from the rural based patients, after at least one month of use. All the eye drop bottles were de-labeled and coded and sent for microbiological evaluation. Only eye drop solution was examined for contamination.

Results:

None of the eye drop had any qualitative or quantitative evidence of growth after 14 days of incubation on various culture media.

Conclusion:

The eye drops can be used without fear of microbiological contamination for at least six weeks after opening the vial irrespective of its contents and presence of preservatives.
Post Partum Pituitary Apoplexy presenting as isolated Third Cranial Nerve Palsy : A Case Report
Authors: Sharma Mukta , Prashar Aditi , Tuli Rajeev
Published: December 2015

Pituitary apoplexy is a potential life threatening endocrine emergency caused by an acute ischemic or haemorrhagic vascular accident involving the pituitary adenoma or the adjacent pituitary gland. Patients may present with headache, double vision or rapidly worsening visual field defects. MRI plays an Important role in the diagnosis. We present a case report of post partum patient presenting with diplopia and sudden onset ptosis right eye. MRI revealed acute bleed in the pituitary gland. She was managed conservatively and the condition resolved.
Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A New Frontier in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Gadkar Amit , Chandra Parijat , Kumar Atul
Published: December 2015

Optical coherence tomography, a non-invasive imaging technique is an indispensable tool in the armamentarium of modern day ophthalmologists. With evolution in technology, modern day OCT machines (swept source OCT) are able to provide high resolution images of vitreous, retina, choroid and sclera simultaneously. As a better understanding of various retinal disorders was obtained with the use of OCT, the need for refinement of vitreo-retinal surgery utilizing intra-operative OCT was felt. While earlier versions of intra-operative OCT were hand held, the newer versions are fully integrated with microscope (MIOCT). MIOCT provides spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) images while performing the surgery on heads up display. MIOCT has been found to be useful in the management of various disorders such as macular hole, epiretinal membrane, vitreomacular traction syndrome, vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment. However the present day intraoperative OCT machines have several limitations, which need to be sorted out before they can be incorporated in the daily practice.
Recent Advances in Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in thin Corneas
Authors: Gupta Deepa , Sachdev Ritika , Sachdev Mahipal
Published: December 2015

Corneal collagen crosslinking has been a breakthrough in keratoconus management since its inception as it offers stabilization of the progressive ectasia. However, the limitation of its use in thin corneas (< 400 microns) is a limiting factor and various methods have been devised to overcome this shortcoming. Modifications like application of hyposmolar riboflavin, transepithelial collagen cross-linking (CXL) and customized epithelial debridement have been tried but have limited clinical data. Contact lens assisted and SMILE lenticule assisted CXL are new entrants for application on the thin corneas. The article highlights the various modifications employed in tackling thin corneas in CXL.
Robotic Systems in Ophthalmology
Authors: Bhambhwani Vishaal
Published: December 2015

The use of robotic systems has developed extensively in various surgical subspecialties. This article attempts to provide an overview of the applications of these systems in the field of ophthalmology. The robotic surgical platforms available for ophthalmic use are discussed with their inherent advantages and disadvantages, including the da Vinci and the IRISS (Intraocular Robotic Interventional and Surgical System). The potential for complete automation of ophthalmic surgical procedures in the recent future makes the field of robotics an exciting development.
Let’s Talk In Frequencies
Authors: Dewan Taru , Malik Praveen Kumar
Published: December 2015

Humans as a race tend to restrict their faculties to their perceived areas of expertise or interest. Doctors tend to leave mechanics of phacoprocedure to physicists and keep working with improvisation of techniques rather than providing an insight on technology. It is time to revisit the science behind phacoemulsification and stop taking things as they were comprehended decades ago. The frequency range of current phacoemulsification machines is a limiting factor. This article evolves with thought provoking questions supported by encouraging preliminary studies paving the path in a new direction.
How much does it rain over land?
Authors: Herold N. , Alexander L. V. , Donat M. G. , Contractor S. , Becker A.
Published: December 2015

Despite the availability of several observationally constrained data sets of daily precipitation based on rain gauge measurements, remote sensing, and/or reanalyses, we demonstrate a large disparity in the quasi‐global land mean of daily precipitation intensity. Surprisingly, the magnitude of this spread is similar to that found in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). A weakness of reanalyses and CMIP5 models is their tendency to over simulate wet days, consistent with previous studies. However, there is no clear agreement within and between rain gauge and remotely sensed data sets either. This large discrepancy highlights a shortcoming in our ability to characterize not only modeled daily precipitation intensities but even observed precipitation intensities. This shortcoming is partially reconciled by an appreciation of the different spatial scales represented in gridded data sets of in situ precipitation intensities and intensities calculated from gridded precipitation. Unfortunately, the spread in intensities remains large enough to prevent us from satisfactorily determining how much it rains over land.
Nonstorm loss of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt
Authors: Katsavrias Ch. , Daglis I. A. , Turner D. L. , Sandberg I. , Papadimitriou C. , Georgiou M. , Balasis G.
Published: December 2015

We report observations of electron Phase Space Density (PSD) dropout and evidence that supports the loss mechanism of magnetopause shadowing and outward radial diffusion during a nonstorm period characterized by persistently positive values of the SYM‐H index. On 14 April 2013 an electron PSD dropout of 2 orders of magnitude was observed at the nightside magnetosphere by the Van Allen Probes. The magnetopause shadowing was associated with a strong pulse attributed to the arrival of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection. It is shown, for the first time in detail, that significant losses to the magnetosheath may occur even in the absence of significant reconnection and magnetic storm activity. Signatures of substorm injections that penetrate the outer belt and enhance the low‐energy electrons were also observed right after the interplanetary pressure pulse. Moreover, particle measurements from THEMIS constellation also show a PSD depletion in the dayside magnetosphere.
Interpersonal Deception Theory
Authors: Burgoon Judee K. , Buller David B.
Published: December 2015

Interpersonal deception theory (IDT) explains the process and outcomes of deception in interpersonal conversations. It focuses on intentional, strategic communication behaviors by interacting senders and receivers in conversations, as well as the involuntary behavior that arises from their affective reactions and cognitions. Articulated are its core assumptions and a series of interconnected propositions that model the entire deception process. Evaluation, criticisms, and future research directions pertaining to the theory are presented.
Tumor‐Targeted Multimodal Optical Imaging with Versatile Cadmium‐Free Quantum Dots
Authors: Liu Xiangyou , Braun Gary B. , Zhong Haizheng , Hall David J. , Han Wenlong , Qin Mingde , Zhao Chuanzhen , Wang Meina , She Zhi‐Gang , Cao Chuanbao , Sailor Michael J. , Stallcup William B. , Ruoslahti Erkki , Sugahara Kazuki N.
Published: December 2015

The rapid development of fluorescence imaging technologies requires concurrent improvements in the performance of fluorescent probes. Quantum dots have been extensively used as an imaging probe in various research areas because of their inherent advantages based on unique optical and electronic properties. However, their clinical translation has been limited by the potential toxicity especially from cadmium. Here, a versatile bioimaging probe is developed by using highly luminescent cadmium‐free CuInSe2/ZnS core/shell quantum dots conjugated with CGKRK (Cys–Gly–Lys–Arg–Lys) tumor‐targeting peptides. This probe exhibits excellent photostability, reasonably long circulation time, minimal toxicity, and strong tumor‐specific homing property. The most important feature of this probe is that it shows distinctive versatility in tumor‐targeted multimodal imaging including near‐infrared, time‐gated, and two‐photon imaging in different tumor models. In a glioblastoma mouse model, the targeted probe clearly denotes tumor boundaries and positively labels a population of diffusely infiltrating tumor cells, suggesting its utility in precise tumor detection during surgery. This work lays a foundation for potential clinical translation of the probe.