bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a Hospital-wide High-Flow Nasal Cannula Protocol on Clinical Outcomes and Resource Utilization of Bronchiolitis Patients Admitted to the PICU
Authors: Riese Jeffrey , Fierce Jamie , Riese Alison , Alverson Brian K.
Published: December 2015

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the association of the introduction of a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) protocol with clinical outcomes and hospital charges of infants with bronchiolitis initially admitted to the PICU.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective, nonrandomized, preintervention-postintervention study of infants with bronchiolitis initially admitted to the PICU for HFNC. We compared patients admitted in the 24 months before and after protocol initiation for HFNC use on the general wards. The primary outcome assessed was length of hospital stay (LOS), and the secondary outcomes included total hospital charges, intubation, and 30-day readmission. We conducted bivariate analysis using χ2 test for categorical variables and Student’s t test or Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables.

RESULTS:

Two hundred and ninety patients were admitted to the PICU on HFNC; 120 patients were admitted before and 170 admitted after the introduction of HFNC use on the general wards. Comparing the 2 groups, the median LOS was significantly reduced (4 days vs 3 days; P < .001), as was the median total hospital charges ($12 257 vs $9337; P < .001). After starting HFNC use on the wards, 30% of patients initially admitted to the PICU were ultimately transferred to the wards while still on HFNC. There was no difference in intubation rate or 30-day readmission between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

For bronchiolitis patients initially admitted to the PICU, initiating a guideline for HFNC use on the general pediatric wards is associated with reduced total hospital LOS and total hospital charges, with no difference in intubation rates or 30-day readmission.
A Comparison of Parents of Healthy Versus Sick Neonates: Is There a Difference in Readiness and/or Success in Quitting Smoking?
Authors: Boykan Rachel , Messina Catherine R.
Published: December 2015

OBJECTIVES:

Study objectives were to compare smoking cessation rates between parents in the newborn nursery (NBN) versus the NICU and compare acceptance of referral to the New York State Smoker’s Quitline (NYSSQL) between the 2 units. Secondary aims were to identify opportunities for improved smoking cessation interventions with parents of newborns.

METHODS:

From January through December 2013, smoking parents/caregivers of infants in the NBN and NICU (n = 226) completed a 34-item questionnaire. For those who accepted electronic referral to the NYSSQL, participation/outcome data and questionnaire data were matched. Relationships were examined using the χ2 test of independence.

RESULTS:

The majority of respondents had cut back (56%) or quit (36%) prenatally. Seventy-nine percent of NBN parents accepted referred to the NYSSQL versus 53% of NICU parents; odds ratio = 3.31 (1.48–7.40; P < .01). At 7- to 8-month follow-up (n = 35): 11 of 28 (NBN) versus 0 of 7 (NICU) quit, 11 of 28 (NBN) versus 5 of 7 (NICU) cut back, 6 of 28 (NBN) versus 2 of 7 (NICU) did not quit/cut back (P = .13). Significantly more mothers (80%; 16/20) compared with fathers (46%; 6/13) quit/cut back, 20% (4/20) of mothers versus 54% (7/13) of fathers did not quit/cut back (P = .04). Exclusive formula-feeding rates were higher in this cohort of smokers surveyed than in all parents of infants admitted to the NBN/NICU for the same year (45% vs 13%).

CONCLUSIONS:

In this study population, parents of healthy newborns were more receptive to quitline referrals than parents of infants admitted to the NICU.
Topics in Neonatal Informatics: Essential Functionalities of the Neonatal Electronic Health Record
Authors: Dufendach Kevin R. , Lehmann Christoph U.
Published: December 2015

Despite the increased use of electronic health records (EHRs), many pediatricians use EHRs that do not contain pediatric functionalities, and no recent attempts to define neonatal functionalities have been made to date. This article describes the fundamental functionalities required in an EHR to provide safe and effective care to neonates, including neonatal data requirements and appropriate display of neonatal data; the need for the mother-infant dyad in the EHR; neonatology-specific scores; and special considerations for medication ordering, nutrition, newborn screening, transitions of care, and documentation. Many EHRs currently lack the functionalities required to provide safe and effective care to neonates. Neonatologists must lobby for better tools to ensure quality and safety for their patients.
Nutritional Management of the Infant With Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Curtiss Jennifer , Zhang Huayan , Griffiths Pamela , Shepherd Edward G. , Lynch Susan
Published: December 2015

Optimal nutrition and growth in patients with severe, established bronchopulmonary dysplasia are complex and require an understanding of the factors and challenges that affect this population. Most publications have reported weight gain as the primary outcome because of ease of measurement, accuracy, and repeatability. There is, however, increasing evidence that linear growth is better correlated with long-term development and pulmonary outcomes. In addition, factors such as stress, inflammation, respiratory support and stability, and medication exposures have a direct influence on achieving nutritional success in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. This article reviews concepts related to these challenges and provides recommendations for achieving successful nutrition in this population.
The Family Perspective on Hospital to Home Transitions: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Solan Lauren G. , Beck Andrew F. , Brunswick Stephanie A. , Sauers Hadley S. , Wade-Murphy Susan , Simmons Jeffrey M. , Shah Samir S. , Sherman Susan N. ,   on behalf of the H2O Study Group
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Transitions from the hospital to home can be difficult for patients and families. Family-informed characterization of this vulnerable period may facilitate the identification of interventions to improve transitions home. Our objective was to develop a comprehensive understanding of hospital-to-home transitions from the family perspective.

METHODS:

Using qualitative methods, focus groups and individual interviews were held with caregivers of children discharged from the hospital in the preceding 30 days. Focus groups were stratified based upon socioeconomic status. The open-ended, semistructured question guide included questions about communication and understanding of care plans, transition home, and postdischarge events. Using inductive thematic analysis, investigators coded the transcripts, resolving differences through consensus.

RESULTS:

Sixty-one caregivers participated across 11 focus groups and 4 individual interviews. Participants were 87% female and 46% nonwhite; 38% were the only adult in their household, and 56% resided in census tracts with ≥15% of residents living in poverty. Responses from participants yielded a conceptual model depicting key elements of families’ experiences with hospital-to-home transitions. Four main concepts resulted: (1) “In a fog” (barriers to processing and acting on information), (2) “What I wish I had” (desired information and suggestions for improvement), (3) “Am I ready to go home?” (discharge readiness), and (4) “I’m home, now what?” (confidence and postdischarge care).

CONCLUSIONS:

Transitions from hospital to home affect the lives of families in ways that may affect patient outcomes postdischarge. The caregiver is key to successful transitions, and the family perspective can inform interventions that support families and facilitate an easier re-entry to the home.
The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for Children With Special Educational Needs
Authors: Lipkin Paul H. , Okamoto Jeffrey ,   the COUNCIL ON CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES and COUNCIL ON SCHOOL HEALTH, Norwood Kenneth W. , Adams Richard C. , Brei Timothy J. , Burke Robert T. , Davis Beth Ellen , Friedman Sandra L. , Houtrow Amy J. , Hyman Susan L. , Kuo Dennis Z. , Noritz Garey H. , Turchi Renee M. , Murphy Nancy A. , Allison Mandy , Ancona Richard , Attisha Elliott , De Pinto Cheryl , Holmes Breena , Kjolhede Chris , Lerner Marc , Minier Mark , Weiss-Harrison Adrienne , Young Thomas
Published: December 2015

This Clinical Report was reaffirmed October 2019.

The pediatric health care provider has a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of children and adolescents in all settings, including early intervention (EI), preschool, and school environments. It is estimated that 15% of children in the United States have a disability. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act entitles every affected child in the United States from infancy to young adulthood to a free appropriate public education through EI and special education services. These services bolster development and learning of children with various disabilities. This clinical report provides the pediatric health care provider with a summary of key components of the most recent version of this law. Guidance is also provided to ensure that every child in need receives the EI and special education services to which he or she is entitled.
An illustrated checklist of Malpighiaceae from the Chapada dos Veadeiros region, Goiás, Brazil
Authors: Sebastiani Renata , Francener Augusto , Da Silva Cintia Vieira , De Almeida Rafael Felipe
Published: December 2015

An updated checklist of Malpighiaceae from the Chapada dos Veadeiros region, Goiás, Brazil, is presented. We recorded 78 species of this family of plants, which represent a higher diversity than previously reported for the region. About one third of all the Malpighiaceae species recorded for the Cerrado are found within the area, which shows the important role of the Chapada dos Veadeiros region in the conservation of this family in Central Brazil.
The Role of Information Management in the Assessment of Grammar in L2 Academic Writing
Authors: Neumann Heike
Published: December 2015

Information management of discourse – the ability of a writer to use linguistic forms to organize and present information in a written text – is a key component of second language (L2) ability models in the language assessment literature (e.g., Canale & Swain, 1980; Weigle, 2002), but Purpura’s (2004) language ability model developed specifically for assessment purposes is the only one that considers it to be part of the ability to use grammar accurately and meaningfully when producing a text in an L2. The current study investigated whether L2 academic writing teachers consider information management of discourse as an assessment criterion when assessing grammar in L2 academic texts. Fourteen students in an academic English as a second language writing course at an English-medium university in Canada and their teacher participated in this case study. Students’ essay exam scripts were collected, and the Theme-Rheme progression (TRP) patterns and links (Daneš, 1974) as well as the distribution of new and given information (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2004) in these essays were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients between the teacher-assigned grammar grade and the results from the TRP and information distribution analyses were calculated. The findings indicate that information management of discourse indeed forms part of the assessment criteria for grammar in academic writing for the teacher in this study. The implications of this finding for L2 writing pedagogy are discussed.
Using the Developmental Path of Cause to Bridge the Gap between AWE Scores and Writing Teachers’ Evaluations
Authors: Ma Hong , Slater Tammy
Published: December 2015

Supported by artificial intelligence (AI), the most advanced Automatic Writing Evaluation (AWE) systems have gained increasing attention for their ability to provide immediate scoring and formative feedback, yet teachers have been hesitant to implement them into their classes because correlations between the grades they assign and the AWE scores have generally been low. This begs the question of where improvements in evaluation may need to be made, and what approaches are available to carry out this improvement. This mixed-method study involved 59 cause and effect essays collected from English language learners enrolled in six different sections of a college level academic writing course and utilized theory proposed by Slater and Mohan (2010) regarding the developmental path of cause. The study compared the results of raters who used this developmental path with the accuracy of AWE scores produced by Criterion, an AWE tool developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS), and the grades reported by teachers. Findings suggested that if Criterion is to be used successfully in the classroom, writing teachers need to take a meaning-based approach to their assessment, which would allow them and their students to understand more fully how language constructs cause and effect. Using the developmental path of cause as an analytical framework for assessment may then help teachers assign grades that are more in sync with AWE scores, which in turn can help students gain more trust in the scores they receive from both their teachers and Criterion.
Approaches to Assessing Student Writing and Writing Programs in the Age of Accountability
Authors: Melzer Dan
Published: December 2015

Reviews of: Very like a whale: The assessment of writing programs Edward M. White, Norbert Elliot, and Irvin Peckham (2015) ISBN-13: 978-0-87421-985-2. Pp. 202. Assessing and improving student writing in college Barbara E. Walvoord (2014) ISBN-13: 978-1-118-55736-5. Pp. xiii + 119.
Writing Assessment
Authors: Lockwood Jane
Published: December 2015

Guest editorial
Delayed Efficacy After Treatment With Lenalidomide or Thalidomide in Patients With Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma
Authors: Kiesewetter Barbara , Troch Marlene , Mayerhoefer Marius E. , Dolak Werner , Simonitsch-Klupp Ingrid , Raderer Markus
Published: December 2015

Background.

The immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) thalidomide and lenalidomide have both been tested for treatment of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, with lenalidomide, in particular, showing promising activity. However, long-term results are missing. Because of the late-onset remissions registered in individual patients, we have systemically analyzed the patients treated with IMiDs at our institution for long-term results.

Methods.

Within the present retrospective analysis, we identified 25 patients who had been treated with lenalidomide (n = 18) or thalidomide (n = 7) and were available for long-term assessments of outcome. All patients were followed up according to a standardized follow-up protocol.

Results.

Of the 25 patients, 7 (28%) experienced delayed-onset responses without further treatment (thalidomide, n = 2; lenalidomide, n = 5). In 4 patients (16%), the initial outcome switched to a better result (partial remission [PR] to complete remission [CR], n = 1; stable disease [SD] to PR, n = 1; SD to CR, n = 1; and PD to CR, n = 1) after a median time of 19.5 months (range, 10.9–32.0). Furthermore, 2 patients showed ongoing shrinkage of the target lesion for 47.4+ and 43.5+ months, respectively, and 1 patient had durable disease stabilization for 16.2+ months. The median time to the best response for all responding patients (13 of 25; 53%) was 7.3 months (interquartile range [IQR], 5.6–22.5). After a median follow-up of 46 months (IQR, 32.0–58.5), 23 of 25 patients (92%) were alive.

Conclusion.

Our findings suggest that late-onset remissions might be a common phenomenon in the use of IMiDs for the treatment of MALT lymphoma. Thus, sufficient follow-up time after treatment before the initiation of further therapy appears crucial to assess the full effect of therapy and avoid unnecessary overtreatment.
The European Medicines Agency Review of Brentuximab Vedotin (Adcetris) for the Treatment of Adult Patients With Relapsed or Refractory CD30+ Hodgkin Lymphoma or Systemic Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: Summary of the Scientific Assessment of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
Authors: Gravanis Iordanis , Tzogani Kyriaki , Hennik Paula , Graeff Pieter , Schmitt Petra , Mueller-Berghaus Jan , Salmonson Tomas , Gisselbrecht Christian , Laane Edward , Bergmann Lothar , Pignatti Francesco
Published: December 2015

Background.

On October 25, 2012, a conditional marketing authorization valid throughout the European Union (EU) was issued for brentuximab vedotin for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30+ Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). For HL, the indication is restricted to treatment after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or after at least two previous therapies when ASCT or multiagent chemotherapy is not a treatment option.

Materials and Methods.

Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a CD30-directed monoclonal antibody (recombinant chimeric IgG1) that is covalently linked to the antimicrotubule agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). Binding of the ADC to CD30 on the cell surface initiates internalization of the MMAE-CD30 complex, followed by proteolytic cleavage that releases MMAE. The recommended dose is 1.8 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every 3 weeks.

Results.

Brentuximab vedotin as a single agent was evaluated in two single-arm studies. Study SG035-003 included 102 patients with relapsed or refractory HL. An objective response was observed in 76 patients (75%), with complete remission in 34 (33%). Study SG035-004 included 58 patients with relapsed or refractory sALCL. An objective response was observed in 50 patients (86%), with complete remission in 34 (59%). The most frequently observed toxicities were peripheral sensory neuropathy, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, neutropenia, vomiting, pyrexia, and upper respiratory tract infection.

Conclusion.

The present report summarizes the scientific review of the application leading to approval in the EU. The detailed scientific assessment report and product information, including the summary of the product characteristics, are available on the European Medicines Agency website (http://www.ema.europa.eu).
Suitability of Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease for Renal Transcatheter Arterial Embolization
Authors: Suwabe Tatsuya , Ubara Yoshifumi , Mise Koki , Ueno Toshiharu , Sumida Keiichi , Yamanouchi Masayuki , Hayami Noriko , Hoshino Junichi , Kawada Masahiro , Imafuku Aya , Hiramatsu Rikako , Hasegawa Eiko , Sawa Naoki , Takaichi Kenmei
Published: December 2015

In patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), massive renal enlargement is a serious problem. Renal transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) can reduce renal volume (RV), but effectiveness varies widely, and the reasons remain unclear. We investigated factors affecting renal volume reduction rate (RVRR) after renal TAE in all 449 patients with ADPKD who received renal TAE at Toranomon Hospital from January of 2006 to July of 2013, including 228 men and 221 women (mean age =57.0±9.1 years old). One year after renal TAE, the RVRR ranged from 3.9% to 84.8%, and the least squares mean RVRR calculated using a linear mixed model was 45.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 44.2% to 46.8%). Multivariate analysis using the linear mixed model revealed that RVRR was affected by the presence of large cysts with wall thickening (regression coefficient [RC], −6.10; 95% CI, −9.04 to −3.16; P<0.001), age (RC, −0.82; 95% CI, −1.03 to −0.60; P<0.001), dialysis duration (RC, −0.10; 95% CI, −0.18 to −0.03; P<0.01), systolic BP (RC, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.59; P<0.001), and the number of microcoils used for renal TAE (RC, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.86; P<0.001). Significantly more microcoils were needed to achieve renal TAE in patients with younger age and shorter dialysis duration. In conclusion, cyst wall thickening had an important effect on cyst volume reduction. Renal TAE was more effective in patients who were younger, had shorter dialysis duration, or had hypertension, parameters that might associate with cyst wall stiffness and renal artery blood flow.
Welfare Evaluation in a Heterogeneous Agent Model: How Representative is the CES Representative Consumer?
Authors: Tito Maria D.
Published: December 2015

The present paper investigates the impact of asymmetric price changes on welfare in a model with heterogeneous consumers. I consider consumer heterogeneity á la Anderson et al. (1992). The standard welfare equivalence between the CES representative consumer and the discrete choice model breaks down in presence of asymmetric price changes. In fact, asymmetric variation in prices produce differential gains among heterogeneous consumers. I show that there exists no feasible Kaldor-Hicks income transfer such that the gains are equally redistributed. Intuitively, in presence of decreasing marginal utility, aggregation creates an insurance mechanism: the CES representative consumer softens the impact of price changes reallocating consumption among the available varieties. Individual consumers, instead, purchase a single product and do not internalize the effects of changes in prices of other available varieties. This result suggests that only symmetric policy-induced price c hanges minimize the utility losses across heterogeneous consumers.
The Random Walks between Pseudo-Specific DNA Sites as Model of the Facilitated Diffusion of DNA-Binding Proteins
Authors: Сибатов Р.Т. , Sibatov R.T.
Published: December 2015

The facilitated diffusion of a regulatory protein in the process of searching for a specific target site on the DNA molecule is considered. On the basis of
the hypothesis of ballistic motion of the protein between scatterings of pseudo-specific sites, we proposed a phenomenological model of one-dimensional
translocation of the protein along DNA. Combining this approach with the model of discrete random walks we were able to get the relationships between
the mean first passage time and such characteristics as the binding energy, the mean free path length between pseudo-specific sites, the speed of protein
movement and the temperature. These dependencies allow revealing the thermal and energetic optima, at which minimum values of searching time are achieved.
Modeling of Processes of Photosynthesis and Photorespiration of C3-Plants
Authors: Журавлева В.В , Zhuravleva V.V.
Published: December 2015

The article describes a mathematical model of photosynthesis and photorespiration of C3-plants in the natural environment. The model
is sort of physiological one because it takes into account the effect of nitrogen deficiency on the intensity of these processes. A generating solution
describing, according to the constructed model, the dynamics of the processes of photosynthesis and photorespiration of C3-plants was
found. It is proved that the obtained solution is an asymptotic approximation of the solution of the dynamic system and is sufficient for the calculation
of the total daily rate of photosynthesis with satisfactory accuracy (for the problems of forecasting the yield). The results of numerical experiments with
daily model of photosynthesis are presented which confirm that the model adequately reflects the daily dynamics of the intensities of the processes of
photosynthesis and photorespiration of C3-plants in sowing.
Povezanost zdravstvenega absentizma in temperamenta zaposlenih v javni upravi [Correlation between Sickness Absenteeism and Temperament of Employees in the Public Administration]
Authors: Buzeti Jernej , Bilban Marjan , Stare Janez
Published: December 2015

Vzroki za nastanek zdravstvenega absentizma so številni in med eno od skupin vzrokov uvrščamo tudi skupino dejavnikov, ki so vezani na posameznika oziroma njegove osebnostne lastnosti. Članek se osredotoča na vidik povezanosti zdravstvenega absentizma s temperamentom in predstavlja rezultate raziskave v slovenski javni upravi. Rezultati raziskave (februar 2015) kažejo, da so bili v povprečju najmanj dni začasno odsotni z dela zaposleni, katerih prevladujoči temperament je kolerik (8,6 dni) in flegmatik (8,7 dni), ki jih je sicer tudi največ med zaposlenimi v javni upravi; nekoliko več dni so bili začasno odsotni zaposleni s temperamentom sangvinika (10,8 dni), največ pa melanholiki (15,8 dni). Na podlagi rezultatov raziskave ugotavljamo, da v skupnem številu dni zdravstvenega absentizma statistično značilnih razlik med posameznimi zaposlenimi glede na njihov temperament ne moremo potrditi. Lahko pa potrdimo statistično značilno povezanost v skupnem povprečnem številu pogostosti zdravstvenega absentizma med zaposlenimi glede na njihov temperament.The causes that lead to sickness absenteeism are numerous. Among the groups of the causes there is a set of factors tied to the individual or his/her personality traits. The article focuses on the aspect of the correlation between sickness absenteeism and temperament and presents the results of the research carried out in the public administration in Slovenia. The results of the research (February 2015) show that on average the employees who were temporarily absent from work for the fewest days were those with dominant temperament choleric (8.6 days) or phlegmatic (8.7 days), who also account for the largest number of employees in the public administration; those with a sanguine temperament were temporarily absent for slightly more days (10.8 days), while melancholics were absent for the largest number of days (15.8 days). On the basis of the results of the research, we find that in the total number of days of sickness absence we are unable to confirm statistically significant differences between individual employees with regard to their temperament. We can, however, confirm a statistically significant correlation in the overall average number of frequencies of sickness absenteeism among employees with regard to their temperament.
Environmental Taxation: New Evidence for Energy Taxes
Authors: Grdinić Maja , Klun Maja , Kotnik Žiga
Published: December 2015

The intensity of exploitation of natural resources has increased over the past decades, making environmental protection policy one of the most important priorities of government institutions. Various economic instruments, including taxation, may help policy makers in the EU meet environmental targets, among them a more secure and competitive green economy in Europe. The focus of this paper is on empirically investigating the direct effect of environmental taxes and the indirect effect of environmental expenditures sourced from environmental taxes on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the energy sector. The research applied the panel data analysis method to selected EU member states for the 1995–2010 period. The results show that the direct effect of environmental taxes on GHG emissions in the sector energy is statistically significant and negative. The indirect effects of environmental taxes resulting from environmental expenditures in the industrial and governmental sectors were found to be even stronger than the direct effect of taxes alone.
Coordination for Policy in Transition Countries: Case of Croatia
Authors: Musa Anamarija , Petak Zdravko
Published: December 2015

The formulation and implementation of public policy depends on the coordination capacities. In recent decades the need for coordination has increased due to the fragmentation caused by NPM reforms, decentralisation processes, the proliferation of the cross-cutting issues, as well as increased globalisation, Europeanisation, and professionalization. The coordination problem in Croatian administration, similarly to other transition countries, is critically important but understudied. This paper is based on a preliminary research on coordination in Croatian public administration with regard to policy formulation and implementation of three policies – regional development policy, anticorruption policy and e-government policy, based on the interviews conducted with higher civil servants and public officials. A special emphasis is given to the role which various actors play in coordination, as well as the structures Government employs in order to coordinate. The research shows that the development of coordination instruments in Croatia suffers from inefficiencies and is greatly influenced by politically driven considerations.
Characteristics of Youth Dating Violence and Risk Factors in Mexico: An Analysis From a National Sample
Authors: Acharya Arun Kumar
Published: December 2015

Dating violence is a significant issue affecting today’s youth and can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic, racial, and religious backgrounds, and it occurs in heterosexual, gay, and lesbian relationships. This study examines and identifies the different types of dating violence, and their associated risk factors in Mexico considering the data from a national sample. In 2007, the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Information (INEGI) conducted a nationwide survey of youth (15-24 years old), to address the problem of dating violence among these demographic group. The survey was conducted in all 32 states of Mexico, which included 4,147 males and 3,807 females. Results indicate that young females in Mexico suffered different types of dating violence from their counterpart. It also found that dating violence has a greater impact on the health status of girls. In addition, this study shows that dating violence has led many young females toward substance abuse.
Child Accident/Injury Prevention in Risk Society: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Campbell Maxine Mary , Cowley Natalie
Published: December 2015

Unintentional injury is now the principle cause of child death in developed nations, and the prevention of it has become a key focus of health professionals. This paper presents a sociological/philosophical enquiry into child accident prevention discourse and its implications for practice. With a critical distillation of major child accident prevention literature spanning the last two decades, significant findings, recommendations and themes are identified. It is observed which preventative measures have been deemed successful, with the placement of strategies into the appropriate ‘E’ category - education, engineering, enforcement, and environment. This process demonstrates the difficulties with and paradoxes inherent in the notion of accident prevention and buttresses a central hypothesis: that the child accident or injury in risk society is simultaneously predictable and random; knowable at a statistical level but enigmatic at an individual one. The accident, previously configured as unpredictable and inexplicable, has become wholly subject to risk society’s raison d’etre, the laws of probability, and is thus rendered predictable and preventable on a magnified scale.
The Refugee in Europe
Authors: Mautz Christoph
Published: December 2015

This paper suggests a theoretical and methodological heuristics for the analysis of the specific situation of asylum seekers in Europe with the focus on reception centers in Germany. It should be shown that the situation of asylum seekers in Europe can be conceived as a result from translation relations between global and local political and juridical targets of the European refugee regime, the organization reception centers and formations of groups between the asylum seekers. 
Eficacia de un entrenamiento en Funciones Ejecutivas sobre las Habilidades Matemáticas Básicas y la Conciencia Fonológica en niños de Educación Infantil
Authors: Durán-Bouza Montserrat , Álvarez-Pedreira Tamara , Fernández-Abella Raquel , González-Acuña Alejandra
Published: December 2015

El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue llevar a cabo un entrenamiento en Funciones Ejecutivas (FE) para comprobar sus efectos sobre las Habilidades Matemáticas Básicas (HMB) y la Conciencia Fonológica (CF) en niños de Educación Infantil (EI). La investigación se realizó a lo largo de tres fases: una de evaluación previa a la intervención, una segunda fase en la que implementó un entrenamiento en FE, y finalmente una fase de evaluación al finalizar el entrenamiento. Este entrenamiento se aplicó por separado a dos grupos de 6 niños de 6º curso de EI (un grupo TIC y un grupo en lápiz y papel) que recibieron igual tratamiento. Los resultados mostraron mejoras tanto en HMB como en CF en ambos grupos.
Trastorno de la comunicación social (pragmático): ¿síndrome o síntoma?
Authors: González Mónica , Rivas Rosa María , López Santiago
Published: December 2015

La pragmática es un elemento clave en la comunicación al analizar cómo los hablantes producen enunciados en un determinado contexto. La pragmática considera los elementos extralingüísticos que determinan el uso del lenguaje. Regula, por tanto, el uso del lenguaje en función de la relación que se establece entre el enunciado, el contexto y los interlocutores. Las dificultades pragmáticas repercuten en la comunicación social funcional eficaz del sujeto que las padece, en su participación social, en sus relaciones y logros. Dentro de las alteraciones pragmáticas pueden existir dificultades comunicativas diversas, verbales o no, que limitan y deterioran la comunicación comprensiva y expresiva con propósitos sociales y que afectan a la adaptación hacia el contexto comunicativo, al seguimiento de las normas conversacionales y a la comprensión del lenguaje no explícito, que se tipifican, en el DSM-5, como Trastorno de la comunicación social (TCS). Se trata de un trastorno poco conocido y resulta ser, además, el menos preciso de todos los trastornos de la comunicación, debido a que sus manifestaciones no se observan dentro de dimensiones objetivables y medibles como la semántica o la fonología, sino que se evidencian dentro de la heterogeneidad y amplitud que se delimitan en la interacción social, implicando a las habilidades sociales y a la adaptación de la conducta. La imprecisión actual del TCS es evidente. A esta imprecisión cabe añadir el hecho de que el perfil de dificultades pragmáticas podría variar, pues podría involucrar la existencia de diferentes subtipos de dificultad pragmática. Hay propuestas que consideran al TCS como síntoma, frente a otras que le confieren una entidad gnoseológica propia. Para clarificar esta situación se hace un estudio bibliográfico de las publicaciones que versan sobre el TCS (años 2000-2014) en el WOS. Los resultados obtenidos, tras analizar los artículos seleccionados, muestran que las dificultades pragmáticas repercuten en la comunicación social del sujeto que las padece. La problemática con la pragmática es, en un gran número de estudios, encuadrada como sintomatología de otros trastornos, principalmente dentro de TEA e TEL. Los límites entre TCS e TEL y/o TEA son difusos. Este hecho se define por una fuerte comorbilidad entre el trastorno de la comunicación social y otros trastornos, tales como el TEL y el TEA que es necesario concretar a través de diagnósticos fiables y objetivos de las futuras investigaciones.
Síndrome X fráxil, os inicios da comunicación e a linguaxe
Authors: López-González Beatriz , Pernas-Cortiñas María Lorena
Published: December 2015

A síndrome X fráxil é un trastorno xenético debido á mutación dun xen que produce unha proteína necesaria para o desenvolvemento cerebral. Pola súa incidencia considérase a primeira causa de diversidade funcional mental hereditaria. Algunhas das característas que poden presentar as persoas que presenta esta síndrome son: afectación intelectual, falta de atención, hiperactividade, ansiedade e humor inestable... As persoas con Síndrome X fráxil acostuman a presentar dificultades na adquisición da linguaxe e fala. No presente traballo exponse unha intervención logopédica realizada cun cativo de seis anos con Síndrome X fráxil que carece de linguaxe e estratexias de comunicación o cal fai que presente un gran número de problemas de comportamento en diferentes ámbitos. O obxetivo xeral deste traballo é coñecer a repercusión do emprego destas estratexias na comunicación do cativo. Os obxectivos específicos son : Coñecer os beneficios que se poden acadar ao longo do tempo coa combinación deste tipo de intervencións, identificar as repercusións no desenvolvemento xeral do suxeito e dilucidar a influencia destas intervencións no comportamento. Pártese dunha avaliación inicial na que se recolle o estado de desenvolvemento do neno facendo especial fincapé nos aspectos relativos à comunicación, socialización, comportamento... A continuación deséñase e impleméntase un programa de intervención ao longo de doce meses empregando diferentes tipos de extratexias para facilitar a adquisición da comunicación e linguaxe. Este programa conta con diferentes vías de intervención motivadoras con signos e pictogramas apoiadas en estratexias desenroladas en contorna natural. Para rematar cunha avaliación final na que se identifican os avances acadados ao longo deste período. Os resultados sinalan que este tipo de intervencións aumentan as posibilidades de comprensión da contorna mellorando a adquisición de habilidades comunicativas. Pódese concluir dicindo que este tipo de metodoloxía permiten unha aprendizaxe funcional moito mais áxil e significativa nunha contorna menos estructurada e máis motivante.
Los fonemas, las sílabas y los morfemas como unidades de procesamiento ortográfico en el proceso lector de alumnos de Educación Infantil
Authors: Vieiro-Iglesias Pilar , Fernández-Garrido Ángela , Gómez-Taibo Mª Luisa , García-Real Teresa
Published: December 2015

En este trabajo se ha estudiado la influencia de los fonemas, sílabas y morfemas en etapa infantil como condicionantes en el acceso al léxico ortográfico. Para ello, se ha seleccionado una muestra de 16 sujetos procedentes de una clase de 3º de Educación Infantil, todos ellos lectores iniciados. Para determinar si poseían un nivel adecuado de elocución y comprensión del lenguaje, aspectos necesarios para formar parte del estudio, se les aplicó la prueba ELCE, y posteriormente las pruebas PSL y BLOC, para medir el conocimiento y el uso de fonemas, sílabas y morfemas dentro de la palabra. Se llevó a cabo un estudio de tipo correlacional, donde se encontró una correlación significativa entre las variables de morfosintaxis y las de fonología, y una correlación positiva entre las distintas variables de fonología y las de morfología. Así, la principal conclusión hallada en este estudio es que las unidades subléxicas se presentan como habilidades previas al acceso de la lectoescritura (acceso al léxico ortográfico) favoreciendo a su vez el aprendizaje y consolidación de los aspectos lectoescritores en esta etapa.
Relación entre funciones ejecutivas y conciencia fonológica en autismo: un estudio de caso
Authors: Ares-Comba Yolanda
Published: December 2015

La conciencia fonológica ha sido catalogada en las últimas décadas como una de las mejores evidencias del aprendizaje lector. Si bien existe abundante literatura que nos muestra la relación entre la conciencia fonológica y la adquisición de la lectura y la escritura, la interpretación de esta relación es tema central de controversias. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue llevar a cabo un entrenamiento en funciones ejecutivas con el fin de comprobar si se produce una mejora en la memoria de trabajo, la velocidad de procesamiento y la conciencia fonológica en un caso de trastorno del espectro autista (TEA). En el estudio participó un niño de 7 años de edad diagnosticado de TEA desde los 3 años. El trabajo se llevó a cabo a lo largo de tres fases: una fase de evaluación previa a la intervención, una fase de entrenamiento en funciones ejecutivas en donde se llevaron a cabo tareas que trabajaban entre otras funciones: la memoria de trabajo, la atención visual, la inhibición conductual, la secuenciación y planificación; y finalmente, una tercera fase de evaluación posterior a la intervención. Los datos resultantes del entrenamiento en funciones ejecutivas, muestran una mejora en la conciencia fonológica, la memoria de trabajo y la velocidad de procesamiento, es decir, en las principales variables objeto de estudio. Analizando los resultados obtenidos se puede destacar la importancia de incluir un entrenamiento de estas características como parte de la intervención en los TEA para mejorar principalmente su conciencia fonológica y así mejorar su proceso de adquisición lectora. Este hecho repercutiría de forma positiva en los futuros aprendizajes de los niños/as diagnosticados con este trastorno. Se recomienda llevar a cabo una intervención a lo largo del curso académico con el fin de fortalecer los resultados obtenidos y garantizar la generalización de los resultados.
Perspetivas de avaliação das aprendizagens, no ensino básico
Authors: Santos Teresa Jesus Correia Paulino , Alves Maria Palmira
Published: December 2015

Esta comunicação apresenta os resultados de um estudo, em que se identificam as perspetivas de alunos do 2º e 3º ciclo do ensino básico e de professores sobre a avaliação das aprendizagens. De uma conceção bastante redutora passou-se para uma conceção mais sistémica e abrangente com a sistemática apreciação do mérito e do valor dos objetos avaliados a incluir professores, projetos, currículos, programas, materiais, ensino ou políticas, com vista a uma melhoria sustentada de todos os dispositivos, nomeadamente, os relativos às aprendizagens dos alunos. Na articulação entre a avaliação, ensino e aprendizagem é possível colocar a avaliação ao serviço da aprendizagem. O estudo, de natureza quantitativa (Moreira, 2006) constitui um processo sistemático de recolha de dados observáveis e quantificáveis, tem como objetivo de compreender as relações entre a aprendizagem, a avaliação e o ensino. Realizado num agrupamento de escolas, localizado na região Norte de Portugal, foi elaborado um questionário para os alunos (n=237) e outro para professores (n=53). Para o tratamento dos dados recorremos ao programa estatístico SPSS à estatística descritiva para a sua análise. Os resultados revelam que os alunos sentem que os seus professores desenvolvem formas de organização do trabalho criando um ambiente propício à aprendizagem e incutem nos alunos hábitos de estudo e de trabalho autónomo. Reconhecem que os professores promovem uma autoavaliação organizada dos alunos, informam regularmente os alunos sobre os progressos nas aprendizagens e promovem estratégias diferenciadas através de processos interativos de aprendizagem. Estes resultados mostram que os professores são capazes de construir dinâmicas contextualizadas, valorizando a avaliação formativa.
Avaliação das aprendizagens – conceções e práticas seguidas por professores de matemática
Authors: Fahe Adelaide , Pires Manuel Vara
Published: December 2015

Os discursos e os debates sobre a avaliação das aprendizagens no ensino superior em São Tomé e Príncipe ainda não constituem um fenómeno de atualidade educativa, contrariamente ao que se vive nos ensinos básico e secundário do país e em todos os níveis de ensino em outros cantos do mundo. O trabalho que se apresenta, constituindo um estudo pioneiro sobre a temática realizado no âmbito de uma dissertação do mestrado em ensino das ciências, procura identificar e analisar conceções e práticas de avaliação das aprendizagens de dois professores de matemática do ensino superior. Para isso, elegeram-se questões norteadoras da investigação em três dimensões principais: (i) Que conceções revelam os professores de matemática sobre a avaliação? Quais as perceções que estes professores apresentam sobre as formas de avaliar a aprendizagem de seus alunos na disciplina de matemática?; (ii) Que práticas de avaliação esses professores seguem na sala de aulas? Que estratégias, técnicas e instrumentos de avaliação usam?; e (iii) Que fatores condicionam as suas práticas avaliativas? Que fatores incidem positiva ou negativamente na ação ao elaborar, organizar e desenvolver a sua atividade avaliativa?. Almejando contribuir para a reflexão sobre as práticas de avaliação desenvolvidas no ensino superior, este estudo decorre da convicção de que as mudanças nas práticas pedagógicas ocorrem sustentadas na reflexão crítica dos professores sobre as mesmas e sobre os contextos em que interagem, conduzindo-os a um melhor entendimento das suas ações e das teorias que lhes estão subjacentes. Neste sentido, discute-se, então, o conceito de avaliação e destaca-se a evolução das conceções e práticas avaliativas, passando-se de uma avaliação predominantemente classificatória para práticas avaliativas integradas no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, assumindo uma natureza formativa e reguladora, tanto para o professor, como para o aluno. Para uma melhor compreensão da temática, segue-se uma abordagem metodológica de natureza qualitativa através de dois estudos de casos. A triangulação dos dados recolhidos através de questionários, entrevistas e análise de instrumentos de avaliação, revela que os professores refletem, nos seus discursos, conceções quase idênticas e associadas a uma avaliação para a aprendizagem. Na análise dos seus discursos sobre os conceitos, finalidades e os principais papéis desempenhados no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, a avaliação é vista como reguladora deste processo. Mas, atendendo aos instrumentos de avaliação mais utilizados (teste escrito), aos momentos em que são realizados e ao tratamento dado aos resultados obtidos pelos alunos, as práticas dos participantes estão mais próximas de uma avaliação da aprendizagem, reforçando a sua função classificativa. Como  principais fatores condicionantes das práticas avaliativas, os professores participantes destacam os alunos, as condições de trabalho e o próprio professor.
As consequências das avaliações externas em larga escala no trabalho docente
Authors: Borges Edna Martins , Sá Virgínio Isidro Martins de
Published: December 2015

A partir de resultados preliminares de pesquisa de campo com professores da rede pública estadual de Minas Gerais/Brasil, no âmbito da pesquisa de Doutorado na Faculdade de Educação da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, o artigo discutirá as consequências das avaliações externas em larga escala para o trabalho docente. Inicialmente, serão analisados os principais eixos das reformas educacionais da década de 1980 e 1990 e as condições que favoreceram a sua expansão na América Latina e, particularmente, no Brasil. Serão apresentadas as características do Sistema de Avaliação da Educação Básica (SAEB) e do Sistema Mineiro de Avaliação da Educação Básica (SIMAVE), e os seus impactos no trabalho docente. Na fundamentação teórica, serão trabalhados os conceitos de regulação, accountability e qualidade da educação. Por fim, serão abordados: a importância da avaliação como estratégia de monitoramento das políticas públicas; os cuidados necessários com os usos dos resultados; a melhoria do sistema de divulgação dos seus dados e a necessidade de outras estratégias da parte dos gestores educacionais para a avaliação dos sistemas de ensino.
Influence of Cinepazide Maleate on Vascular Endothelial Function of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Niu Jiaming , Ma Zhaoling
Published: December 2015

Objective: To study influence of cinepazide maleate on vascular endothelial function of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: 150 cases of patients with acute myocardial infarction were divided into the observation group and the control group, two groups were treated by conventional therapy about acute myocardial infarction, the observation group added 5%GS250 mL + cinepazide maleate 160 mg IV drip q.d, the control group added 5%GS250 mL IV drip q.d, the treatment course were 3 weeks, changes of vascular endothelial function and the blood serum no level before and after treatment were detected. Result: vascular endothelial function after treatment in observation group were obviously improved than that before treatment (p = 0.03) , blood serum no level was obviously increased (p ﹤ 0.05); about 3 weeks after treatment, vascular endothelial function in the observation group was obviously better than that of the control group (p = 0.04), the blood serum no level of the observation group was obviously higher than that of the control group (p ﹤ 0.05). Conclusion: Cinepazide maleate remarkably improves vascular endothelial function of patients with acute myocardial infarction.