bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Risk Associated With Urinary Excretion of 8-oxoGuo, a Biomarker for RNA Oxidation, in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kjær Laura K. , Cejvanovic Vanja , Henriksen Trine , Petersen Kasper M. , Hansen Torben , Pedersen Oluf , Christensen Cramer K. , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Gerds Thomas A. , Brandslund Ivan , Mandrup-Poulsen Thomas , Poulsen Henrik E.
Published: October 2017

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular mortality risk remains high among patients with type 2 diabetes. Oxidative stress indicated by high urinary excretion of the biomarker for RNA oxidation, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo), is associated with an increased risk of death in newly diagnosed and treated patients. We assessed whether 8-oxoGuo is associated with specific cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Urinary biomarkers for nucleic acid oxidation were measured in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥60 years (n = 1,863), along with biochemical measurements, questionnaire findings, and Central Person Registry information to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for log2-transformed RNA oxidation using Cox regression.

RESULTS

During the 5-year follow-up, 173 of 1,863 patients had died (9.3%), including 73 patients who died of cardiovascular disease (42.2%). Doubling of RNA oxidation was associated with an HR of all-cause mortality of 2.10 (95% CI 1.63–2.71; P < 0.001) and an HR of cardiovascular death of 1.82 (95% CI 1.20–2.77; P = 0.005) after multiple adjustments. The 5-year absolute risks (ARs) of all-cause mortality (AR 13.9 [95% CI 10.8–17.0] vs. AR 6.10 [95% CI 4.00–8.30]) and cardiovascular mortality (AR 5.49 [95% CI 3.44–7.55] vs. AR 3.16 [95% CI 1.59–4.73]) were approximately two times higher in the highest quartile of RNA oxidation than in the lowest quartile.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that high RNA oxidation is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. Targeting oxidative stress via interventions with long-term follow-up may reveal the predictive potential of the biomarker 8-oxoGuo.
MODELO DE ANÁLISIS DE LA VULNERABILIDAD PSICOSOCIAL EN LA GESTIÓN DEL RIESGO DE DESASTRES
Authors: Zapa Pérez Katia Lucia , Navarro Carrascal Oscar , Rendón Rivera Albeiro Rendón Rivera
Published: October 2017

En la problemática de los desastres, y más aún, en la reducción de la vulnerabilidad, existen vacíos en el conocimiento sobre los factores o variables psicosociales que juegan un rol importante en la forma como las personas identifican, evalúan e interpretan los riesgos. El objetivo de este artículo consiste en desarrollar un modelo de análisis de la vulnerabilidad ante el riesgo de desastres por fenómenos naturales o socio-naturales desde un enfoque psicosocial; para tal fin, se propone una definición de la vulnerabilidad psicosocial y se analiza la influencia de las variables psicosociales sobre la vulnerabilidad de una población en particular. El modelo se desarrolla a través de cuatro variables: percepción del riesgo, representaciones sociales del riesgo, implicación personal, estrategias de afrontamiento (coping), apego al lugar y proximidad espacial. En este estudio se seleccionaron 257 participantes de sectores aledaños a la parte baja de la cuenca de la quebrada “El Barro”, donde ocurrió una avenida torrencial en el 2005, y del sector de Niquía del Municipio de Bello – Colombia. Los resultados muestran la influencia directa entre las variables psicosociales (correlaciones positivas y significativas); particularmente, una importante correlación entre la implicación personal y el coping activo. Esencialmente se concluye, primero, el modelo propuesto es pertinente desde el punto de vista conceptual y metodológico; segundo, la percepción a la acción frente a los riesgos incide significativamente en las estrategias de afrontamiento orientadas a la solución de problemas; tercero; la experiencia previa de desastres influye de manera positiva sobre las variables psicosociales.
Clinical analysis of acute cerebrovascular disease accompanying brain-heart syndrome
Authors: Zhao Weidong , Hou Hongxia
Published: October 2017

Acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD) induced cardiovascular dysfunction, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia and heart failure and so on, which is defined as brain syndrome. Brain syndrome will cause not only cerebrovascular disease prolonged, but also sometimes can result in death. Our department admitted and analysed 22 cases of acute cerebrovascular disease induced brain heart syndromes, in order to achieve early diagnosis, correct treatment, reduce the rate of death from December in 2008 to November in 2009.
Political Circumstances in Albania from 1920 to 1924
Authors: Lutfiu Skender
Published: October 2017

The events that marked the period 1920-1924 are undoubtedly those of an interior character such as the Congress of Lushnja and the Vlora War (1920), the parliamentary elections (1921 and 1923), the June uprising (1924), etc. while the external ones are undisputed the recognition of Albania and its borders at the London Conference (9 December 1921) and its admission to the League of Nations (1921). The democratic system imposed by the Congress of Lushnja, proved to be ineffective. That is, because it didn’t bring political and economic stability in the country, but on the contrary caused instability in large proportions, all because of the coup d’etat and the numerous uprisings that characterized the period 1920-1922. When the armed political struggle in Albania intensified, nationalist and moderate concepts were created in the Albanian politics. During this period, the Albanian political scene was divided into several political views through North-South contradictions, Muslim-Christian, Zogu-Noli, Conservative-Liberal, and so on. This diversity of religious, regional, political and conceptual character led to political rivalry within the Albanian leadership in Albania over the 1920-1924 period, in the name of democratic principles, even with non-democratic means. By thus creating not only a serious political climate, but also an attempt for radical changes in the country's government, such as the June Uprising of 1924.
Public Health Aspects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Patients Who Have Experienced a Car Accident
Authors: Zafirova Beti , Topuzovska Sonja , Zhivadinovik Julija , Andonova Marija
Published: October 2017

The main aim of this research was to show the public health aspects of the emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder patients (PTSD) following a traffic accident.
TS Corpus Project: An online Turkish Dictionary and TS DIY Corpus
Authors: Sezer Taner
Published: October 2017

TS Corpus is a free and independent project that aims building Turkish corpora, NLP tools and linguistic datasets. Since 2011, 10 corpora, various NLP tools, a large dataset and an online dictionary has been released. This paper focuses on the “online dictionary” and “ TS do-it-yourself corpus” released by the project. The dictionary data is based on TDK (Turkish Language Society) Contemporary Dictionary. However, the dictionary published serves many enhanced functions at user interface level. But, the main importance of the study is about the results presented to the users upon their queries; the presentation of collocations and tri-grams of the key word searched for. The collocations are harvested from a large Turkish corpus, +760 million tokens and the tri-grams were generated from Turkish Wikipedia pages. The do-it-yourself corpus (TS DIY Corpus), allows users to build their own corpora, modify or delete the uploaded texts and run queries. Users may run queries in different modes, such as “as is”, “starting/ending with” or including; besides advanced query option allows users to run queries with part-of-speech tags and lemmas. The results are given in KWIC (keyword in context) format. Various text classification options such as pubdate, author, domain, genre etc. could be selected during corpus creation. As the number of available Turkish corpora is limited, TS DIY Corpus is applicant to be a useful, well-known and largely used software for the scholars and researchers who wants to use a Turkish corpus or study over Turkish texts of their own.
The Scents of the Child, Memory and Children’s Books: Alternative Perspectives in Culture and Teaching Methodology
Authors: Papadopoulou Smaragda
Published: October 2017

This study reflects on theories and practices of scented/smelly books as a fact which could give new perspectives in writing for children and creating children’s books. This impact can be an alternative methodological tool for children’s learning at school. Smell has very high retention rate in the learning process that influences the memory of a story and the impact to children’s imagination and experience in the world around. This forgotten value at school textbooks can be re-examined from specialists. Scented books as a teaching strategy and a methodological tool reveal how children can represent memories and express themselves effectively in a language class with the help of using smelly books. In our study we expected children to remember the main or essential points as a bottom-line of story plots when scents were involved between the child and the book. Perfume literacy in children’s book and the e-book industry refer as theoretical components in our study and are described in detail. It is true that civilization has cost people a valuable sense. A nose alphabet could also arrange things in different perspectives for young children.
The Journey to the Centre of Uncertainty: Narrative Styles in Nabokov's Pnin
Authors: Milovanović Milica
Published: October 2017

Such a devoted lepidopterist was Vladimir Nabokov that he transferred his passion onto his narrative principles as well, changing the literary devices in his works the same way a butterfly flies from one flower to another. This is especially evident in Pnin, a novel comprised of a number of vignettes and viewpoints. According to Paunović, those styles include the omniscient narrator, the first person narrator and the third kind of a narrator – the one who is neither the protagonist nor the author. He also claims that the shifting perspective is deliberate and that it aims to show that the reality is not such a sure and undeniable category – Pnin has his own version of it, as well as the narrator, and it is up to the reader to choose the one he likes best, or even better, to create his own.
Student Protagonism: the Use of Webquest as a Methodological Strategy in Teaching History
Authors: Manini Luiz Carlos Ferraz , Rossetto Alessandra Dedeco Furtado
Published: October 2017

The teaching of history is strongly marked by the concern of building, beyond the factual knowledge, a critical conscience in the students. Alongside this, we live in a reality marked by the intense information flow, available through the new information technologies, particularly the internet. In this way, the following problem arises: how to combine this great amount of information with the construction of a critical conscience, based on reliable information? The present case study searches through the use of WebQuests, a strategy that favors the teaching-learning relationship, to support the development of reflection and criticism of both the teacher and the student. Since it allows the teacher to select the resources available in the world-wide web, being able to make possible the contact with instructional materials to the research group involved in this case, students of the second grade of the High School. I selected those that will in fact contribute to the construction of a trustworthy knowledge that stimulates the critical sense when comparing diverse sources and materials, in the midst of an active learning process. According to this teaching-learning perspective, teachers are no longer the main knowledge depository and become methodological consultants and mediators of knowledge. The research is defined as a descriptive and analytical qualitative study, based on a private school in the city of Londrina (Brazil). As a result, it will be verified if the students, after the use of WebQuests, understand the importance of conducting research in so-called trusted places, in addition to perceiving the contributions of the WebQuest in the classroom, validating it.
Moral Reasoning Among Croatian Students of Different Academic Orientations
Authors: Tokić Andrea , Nikolić Matilda
Published: October 2017

Previous studies demonstrated that different academic contexts could have different effects on moral development, i.e. in most cases formal education enhances moral reasoning, but sometime erodes it (for example for medical students). The aim of this study was to examine differences in moral reasoning among students of different academic disciplines (health care, law, social sciences and humanities). In research participated 386 students (Mage=23,12): 154 law students, 55 nursing students, 123 other social sciences students, a 53 humanities students. Participants took Test of Moral Reasoning (TMR) (Proroković, 2016) which measures index of moral reasoning (in range from 0 to 1), and idealistic orientations (humanistic and conservative). The results showed that there was no difference in the moral reasoning index among students of different academic orientations. Furthermore, students of different academic disciplines differed in the humanistic orientation in a way that students of social studies were more humanistically oriented than law students. Some of the possible explanations for the lack of differences with regard to academic orientations is that overall stimulating environment that college provides is perhaps more important for moral reasoning development than specific academic contexts. Findings of this study are consistent with the findings of some of the previous studies.
Participatory Approach in Project Management and Developement in Developing Countries
Authors: Awa Awa Julius
Published: October 2017

Community development and management in most developing countries especially in Africa has been retarded because the main participants which are the local people have been left out or neglected in the implementation of developmental projects by either governments or some developmental agencies Whereas, participatory approach is a method of conceiving projects in which all the stake holders have a say in decision making which has greatly been the canker-worm of developing countries. They are various types of participatory approaches which may include Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Participatory Assessment Monitoring and Evaluation (PAME) which could be analyzed as appropriate approach in realizing Community’s effort in developing countries and stresses the need for integration, participation and empowerment. With the application of these principles, the integration of various stake holders will enhances cross ‘sectoral’ harmonization of developmental objectives as well as increased coordination between agencies involved in the developmental process. Participation on its part gives the opportunity for consultation with those most directly affected which most at times are rural dwellers in developing countries; hence increasing the level of involvement of local people in the development process (Storey, 1999) and gives community members to take part in identifying priority areas, decision making and vulnerable groups to participate effectively in community development.
Reconsidering Desire: The Multi-Disciplinary Imperative
Authors: Earl James
Published: October 2017

In this paper, I will argue that the subject of human desire, and specifically erotic desire, can best be explored with a multi-disciplinary approach in the Humanities, from the standpoints of philosophy and psychotherapy, among others. Using desire as the example, I will then propose a model of cross disciplinary understanding of subjects, which might be used in many other areas of human concern. The tripartite model I propose, including elements of psychology, politics and philosophy, will, I hope, be of use to both theorists and practitioners in various fields. I also intend that the specific treatment here of erotic desire, using this model, will be of immediate interest to both philosophers and psychotherapists. The motivation behind this paper is a keen enthusiasm for what might be characterized as a European Continental, as opposed to Anglo-American, tradition of ‘blurring the disciplinary boundaries’– in particular between philosophy and psychotherapy. I am an academic philosopher, and a practicing psychotherapist.
Transcultural Poetics: Dissolving Borders in the Poetry of Li-Young Lee
Authors: Ezzeldin Hend Hamed
Published: October 2017

:In a world characterized by a loss of direction, an absence of hope, and a disbelief in spirituality, a world that disrespects differences, obliterates human relations, and undermines emotions, man tends to lose faith in humanity. Amidst this debris of human fragmentation and disconnectedness, Li-Young Lee ventures to reach the whole world by transcending time and space, appealing to the metaphysical, and excluding the cultural. This research paper aims to highlight Li-Young Lee’s endeavors at creating tight bonds between himself and the rest of the world by unifying the dichotomies of the self and the other, interlacing a web of mutuality to embrace the entire universe. Lee calls into question the separation between beginning and end, birth and death, past and future, man and woman, and body and mind attempting to create a universal dialogue reflecting transcultural hybridity. To attain his goal, Lee depends on his memories to write poetry that is deeply personal but is universal in its appeal. Borders dissolve and language opens up to become the go-between the self and the other, giving meaning to what is invisible and evanescent.
The Role of High School in Managing Conflicts that Generate Violence between Albanian Teenagers in Rural Areas
Authors: Brahja Eljana
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study is to determine the role of high school in managing conflicts between teenagers in the rural areas between Tirana and Elbasan. Conflicts among teenagers are always present. They can happen in families, at school, and in the community, but our focus will be the conflicts generated in school premises. It is concerning that teenagers are seeing school as a battlefield where they can fight away from their parents' eyes. The research will shed light on how the aid offered by the high school social services, impact teenagers’ conflict management. This study uses Psychoanalytic, Humanist and Behavioral Directions to explain the source of violent behavior among students in schools located in rural areas. The study is based on the Positive Paradigm. The research method used for collecting data is the quantitative one. The population of this study is the teenagers of high schools located in rural areas between Tirana and Elbasan. The sample of the study is the students of "Krrabë" and "Ibrahim Hasmema" high schools and the instrument used is the sociological questionnaire. Data analysis will show whether teenage conflicts exist and how schools located in rural area manage these conflict cases. The document argues that conflicts between teenagers are present at school premises and the latest rarely use the social services provided at their school. The teachers' staff should be trained on identifying young people who tend to conflict and to have violent behavior. Teachers should be also trained on the ways to treat those teenagers who are victims of violence.
Religious Tolerance, Gender Equality and Bellicose Attitudes: A Comparative Study of Three Educational Systems in Pakistan
Authors: Nazar Nazia , Österman Karin , Björkqvist Kaj
Published: October 2017

The study explores differences between Pakistani students from three types of schools regarding religious tolerance, views on gender equality, and bellicose attitudes towards India. A questionnaire was filled in by 285 girls and 300 boys, 15−17 years of age (mean age identical for both = 15.8, SD = 0.8), from three different types of schools (Urdu Medium, English Medium, and Madrassas). Significant differences were found: students attending English Medium schools differed most from other students. They scored highest on religious tolerance and gender equality, and lowest on bellicose attitudes towards India, while students attending Madrassas scored lowest on gender equality. Especially girls from the Madrassas scored lower than all other students on religious tolerance, and highest on bellicose attitudes. Madrassa students experienced themselves as victims of religious intolerance more often than others. Religious tolerance and positive attitudes towards gender equality were highly correlated.
Regional Integration in the Horn of Africa: Some Findings
Authors: Yitay Binyam , Thobejane Tsoaledi
Published: October 2017

In the Horn of Africa there is a regional bloc that comprises eight countries namely Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda. The appellation of the organisation is called IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development). It was established in 1986, yet it could not bring a desired result. Even the least form of integration i.e. Free Trade Area (FTA) could not achieve. So that this paper will probe the challenges associated with the regional integration agenda of IGAD. This paper is an excerpt from a study conducted by the author regarding IGAD. Thus the paper will present the findings of the said study. The study used qualitative approach for data collection. Interview with IGAD officers has been conducted to know the cause for the failure of IGAD’s integration process. IGAD lacks both financial and human capacity to fulfil its objectives, absence of regional institutions (such as Bank of IGAD) worsen the situation, emerging and subsequent security threats such as terrorism, pastoral conflict, tense relationship among member states, undermining of the informal trade remains the road block of regional integration.
Impact of Time Management on Personal Development of Master’s Degree Students
Authors: Ekaterine Gulua , Natalia Kharadze
Published: October 2017

In juvenile age time management has significant impact on the personal development abilities not only in current period, but throughout the life. Goal of the work is to establish the reasonability of Master’s degree students’ development and correctness of distribution of their time proceeding from scheduled goals on the basis of Master’s degree students’ time budget analysis. According to individual priorities the personal development depends on reasonably formed balance between physical, spiritual, vocational, social, mental, emotional development and in no circumstances on absolute disregard of one or another factor. At consequent life stages an even development of the individual has an impact on his (her) physical, mental health and working capacity. 523 Master’s degree students of Georgian State University in the capital and regions were subjects of research. Study of 48% of time budget of active students of biggest Georgian university actually gives us detailed picture of state-of-the-art. To what extent do students perceive this stage of their personal development? Time management characteristics directly or indirectly show us, to what extent student are able to control their own development and balance the life. Do they comprehend short-term, long-term goals and plans, or not? How do they distribute their time at work, during study, when resting, doing sports, sleeping, when satisfying their cultural and spiritual requirements or accomplishing short-term or long-term plans? How much time do they lose senselessly during a day, what is their nutrition regime and sleeping schedule? Conclusions and future forecasts obtained on the basis of research contain important and relevant information and recommendations not only for individuals of specific groups, but also in general, on functioning of systems regulating various spheres, especially education and labor.
Local Referendum – mechanism of the participative democracy
Authors: Ușvat Laviniu Florin
Published: October 2017

In this study we have theoretically and practically approached the institution of the local referendum. Therewith, the European life of Romania has compelled us to view aspects of the institution within the legislation and practice of other European states, such as France and Italy. We have found as appropriate this analysis due to the fact that the local referendum, whose involvement in the local or regional communities’ life is more and more visible. In our country the local referendum benefits from a thorough regulation, even if the legislative frame in which the institution is framed is perfectible. In practice, in the last years a multiplication of the local referendums may be observed, in its forms prescribed by law, which proves that the young Romanian democracy has learned to use this mechanism of the participative democracy. The performed compared law analysis has allowed us to also make a comparison, outlined in the conclusions of the study, between what happens to the referendum in other European states, and how the Romanian people understood, through its legislator, to legislate the local referendum and especially how to apply it.
Being Young, Being NEET - A Pedagogical Reflection about Young Adult’s Condition in Italy
Authors: Sciannamea Roberta
Published: October 2017

The paper takes in consideration major international research in the field of adult education, critical pedagogy and sociology of education and work, trying to explore the category of “NEET” (Young people Not in Education, Employment or Training) and some of the basic but critical questions that revolve around it. Who are those people? What are their needs and aspirations? What kind of vision do they have about their future? How are these visions affected by “the discourses we live by”? What can pedagogy and education do to help them redefining their life? Questions then becomes practical: what can services do to identify “NEETs” and give them specific forms of aid that can help them in redefine their missed lives? In order to answer these questions, the paper illustrates as an example a social dreaming session that had been carried out inside a Social service with the aim to find successful measures to help those young adults to redesign their reality and approach differently with the world of work. The paper concludes by presenting social dreaming as a possible solution of integration and auto-formation and emphasizes that keeping the attention on people’s life histories and desires can be the key to engage young adults and find a way to support them in their personal growth.
Students' Cultural Background as a Determinant of Various Categories of Social Behaviour
Authors: Alić Amel , Cerić Haris , Habibović Sedin
Published: October 2017

The aim of this research was to assess in which way the cultural background of students should be taken into account working with students as well as the adjustments of school activities by the school management, and what differences are possible to be noticed in regard to their cultural background. The empiric part of the research covered the sample of students of United World College in Mostar, comprising of 124 examinees coming from total of 47 different countries, but wider part of the research covered and comparisons with 67 students of Gymnasia Mostar, in total, the sample consisting of 191 examinees. In this piece of work, only the results considering the characteristics of students of United World College Mostar. Employing of Hofstede's operationalization’s of national cultures, the students have been, in respect to culture they come from, grouped according to established dimensions: Individualism – Collectivism, Power Distance index, Uncertainty Avoidance index and Masculinity vs. Femininity. Within separate dimensions the comparisons have been carried out regarding to the level of expressed social distance toward the others, level of empathy, intercultural sensibility, locus of control and the assertion of parental control and emotionality dimension. Using t-test, and descriptive statistics, differences between the students have been stated regarding to considered criteria variables, while Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for variable being in linear relation.
Critical Reflections Concerning the Concept of Participation in Social Intervention and Research
Authors: Almeida Helena Neves de
Published: October 2017

In processes oriented towards social change and transformation, the specification of different concepts and levels of participation is an important intellectual and epistemic challenge. Critical questioning of participation in social intervention and research is fundamental for structuring a common understanding and a grammar for intervention, which supports, in theory, the construction of a type of architecture of participation, that is, a conceptual network that sets the parameters for the evaluation of participation. The concept of participation, used so frequently in a populist way, can adapt as easily to objectives of regulation, as to social transformation, and can be subordinate to such divergent paradigms of social intervention such as task-centered interventions, the building of opportunities for development and the processes which aim to improve personal and social decision-making. One of the major goals of participation is to increase the power of individuals and collective decision-making. Beyond this individual and micro-level dimension, it reveals processes of co-construction of social alternatives and structures of opportunity on the meso level (the community) and the macro level (the political instance). Thus, participation in the present day constitutes a strategic axis for social intervention and research. It is necessary to reflect about it. How to operationalize participation? How important is the way it tackles and develops participation in research and transformative social intervention?
O alcoolismo nas organizações: estudo do caso da TAP
Authors: Lucas Sara Alexandra , Fernandes Alexandra
Published: October 2017

Entende-se por alcoolismo, num sentido amplo, o problema social determinado pelo consumo excessivo de álcool num grupo (Freixa e Soler Insa, 1981, citado por Gual, 2006). O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas encontra-se profundamente enraizado na cultura ocidental em geral e na mediterrânica em particular, (Ruiloba, J.V., 2006) estando de certa forma relacionado com indivíduos do sexo masculino e que trabalham, normalmente, na construção civil, função pública e forças armadas (Morel, A. 2001). O abuso de drogas e álcool são o maior dos problemas no local de trabalho. Provocam a mais baixa das produtividades e a taxa mais alta de absentismo (Megia, L., 1995). Quando, no meio laboral, aparece um disfuncionamento ligado ao álcool, instala-se a camuflagem dos erros cometidos ou das falhas graves - esta atitude agrava o problema (Ouvrard, 1996). Relativamente ao álcool a empresa deve centrar-se na obtenção de condições para a sua regressão de modo a aumentar a segurança no trabalho (UGT, 1995). No âmbito da higiene e segurança no trabalho, iremo-nos debruçar sobre a problemática do alcoolismo nas organizações, por ser um tema que consideramos ter cada vez mais importância, pois são os trabalhadores que sustentam a base da organização. Através da UCS - Cuidados Integrados de Saúde, S.A. - criada pela TAP em 1995, iremos apresentar o caso dos trabalhadores da TAP, explicando a dimensão do problema, as medidas que tomam. Finalmente, serão abordadas as barreiras que os trabalhadores encontram no regresso do pós-tratamento.
A satisfação laboral e a confiança organizacional em três empresas de tecnologias da informação: um estudo exploratório
Authors: Malheiro João , Veloso Ana
Published: October 2017

A satisfação com o trabalho tem importantes repercussões ao nível do desempenho individual e da organização. A confiança organizacional tem sido estudada enquanto modelo explicativo da tomada de risco e aparece ligada a comportamentos adaptativos, melhorias na comunicação e desempenho, aumentando ainda o número de respostas efetivas para a crise, reduzindo o conflito prejudicial e facilitando a formação de grupos de trabalho ad hoc (Rousseau et al., 1998). Para além disso, tem vindo a ser identificada como um ingrediente chave para o aumento de eficácia organizacional, aumentando a vantagem na competição pelo talento, satisfação, estabilidade e bem-estar dos membros de uma organização. Tendo como base a associação positiva encontrada por Belpalme (2008) e Callaway (2008), abordámos, do ponto de vista de associação e predição, a relação entre a satisfação com o trabalho e a confiança organizacional. Para esta investigação adotámos o modelo de confiança de Mayer e colaboradores (1995). Na definição de satisfação, ancorámos o presente estudo na teoria da discrepância de Locke (1984, cit. in Ferreira et al., 2001) e como modelo, adotámos o modelo de satisfação por fatores de Spector (1997). Foram utilizados dois questionários, o Job Satisfaction Survey, por nós adaptado, e o Questionário de Confiança Organizacional (Projeto FCT PTDC/PSI/74509/2006), em três empresas de Tecnologias da Informação sediadas em Braga, num total de 140 respostas. Os procedimentos de adaptação da medida de satisfação são apresentados. Os resultados sugerem uma ligação entre a satisfação e a confiança e seus antecedentes. Os dados sugerem não haver necessidade de inclusão da dimensão "Propensão para confiar". A satisfação apresenta correlações significativas com os antecedentes de confiança Benevolência/Integridade e Competência. Estes correlacionam-se entre si, sugerindo que as avaliações dos indivíduos relativamente a estas dimensões não são independentes entre si. Este estudo reforça a crescente ideia de existir uma relação positiva entre a satisfação e a confiança, esclarecendo que alguns dos aspetos da satisfação podem prever a confiança e seus antecedentes, ao contrário de outros, em que esta relação não se observa. As características psicométricas do IST são animadoras, havendo a necessidade de o validar cuidadosamente, por forma a conferir ao mesmo uma maior capacidade de generalização e confiança nos resultados.
Research Fundamentals: The Research Question, Outcomes, and Background
Authors: Majid Umair
Published: October 2017

This first article in a three-part series on research fundamentals describes the purpose and importance of writing a re-search protocol a priori to the research study and discusses three components of a research protocol for a clinical, quantitative research study. These components include the research question, outcomes and the background section including a literature review. By using the author’s personal experience in writing and editing research protocols for international, peer-reviewed journals, and reviewing the literature on writing high quality research manuscripts, proto-cols and proposals, this three-part series provides a guideline for undergraduate researchers interested in publishing their research protocol in the Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Sciences and Technology (URNCST) Journal.
Konstruksi Alat Ukur Mindset
Authors: Sembiring Tessalonika
Published: October 2017

Mindset merupakan keyakinan seseorang (self belief) yang terentang dalam sebuah skala, satu sisi merupakan growth mindset dan sisi lainya adalah fixed mindset (Dweck & Leggett, 1988). Meyakini bahwa kualitas yang kita miliki sudah baku merupakan fixed mindset, sedangkan growth mindset didasarkan pada keyakinan (belief) bahwa kualitas dasar adalah hal yang dapat dikembangkan melalui usaha. Mindset seseorang akan memengaruhi ia dalam menyikapi bakat, kecerdasan serta karakternya. Hal tersebut menggambarkan bagaimana pentingnya mindset dalam menentukan kemajuan dan perkembangan potensi seseorang, namun di Indonesia penelitian terkait mindset dan alat ukurnya masih belum banyak dikembangkan. Alat ukur yang disusun didasarkan pada teori Mindset - Carol Dweck (2006), dan diujicobakan pada 145 responden (Mahasiswa Fakultas Psikologi Universita Kristen Maranatha berusia 18-20 tahun). Uji validitas yang dilakukan berkaitan dengan Construct Validity, dengan cara mengkorelasikan skor yang diperoleh pada masing-masing item pertanyaan dengan skor total responden. Uji Reabilitas dilakukan dengan teknik Alpha Chonbach. Berdasarkan uji coba dihasilkan Alat Ukur Mindset versi Bahasa Indonesia yang terdiri dari 30 item yaitu 15 item growth mindset (nilai r hitung item sebesar 0,403 s/d 0.687 dan koefisien reliabilitas sebesar 0,837) dan 15 item fixed mindset (nilai r hitung item sebesar 0.311 s/d 0.519 dengan koefisien reliabilitas sebesar 0,811). Kata kunci : Mindset, Growth Mindset, Fixed Mindset, alat ukur mindset.
Muscular Dystrophy with Ribitol-Phosphate Deficiency: A Novel Post-Translational Mechanism in Dystroglycanopathy
Authors: Kanagawa Motoi , Toda Tatsushi
Published: October 2017

Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness. In the early 2000s, a new classification of muscular dystrophy, dystroglycanopathy, was established. Dystroglycanopathy often associates with abnormalities in the central nervous system. Currently, at least eighteen genes have been identified that are responsible for dystroglycanopathy, and despite its genetic heterogeneity, its common biochemical feature is abnormal glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan. Abnormal glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan reduces its binding activities to ligand proteins, including laminins. In just the last few years, remarkable progress has been made in determining the sugar chain structures and gene functions associated with dystroglycanopathy. The normal sugar chain contains tandem structures of ribitol-phosphate, a pentose alcohol that was previously unknown in humans. The dystroglycanopathy genes fukutin, fukutin-related protein ( FKRP), and isoprenoid synthase domain-containing protein ( ISPD) encode essential enzymes for the synthesis of this structure: fukutin and FKRP transfer ribitol-phosphate onto sugar chains of alpha-dystroglycan, and ISPD synthesizes CDP-ribitol, a donor substrate for fukutin and FKRP. These findings resolved long-standing questions and established a disease subgroup that is ribitol-phosphate deficient, which describes a large population of dystroglycanopathy patients. Here, we review the history of dystroglycanopathy, the properties of the sugar chain structure of alpha-dystroglycan, dystroglycanopathy gene functions, and therapeutic strategies.
Item development process and analysis of 50 case-based items for implementation on the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination
Authors: Park In Sook , Suh Yeon Ok , Park Hae Sook , Kang So Young , Kim Kwang Sung , Kim Gyung Hee , Choi Yeon-Hee , Kim Hyun-Ju
Published: October 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of items on the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination by developing and evaluating case-based items that reflect integrated nursing knowledge.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study to develop new case-based items. The methods for developing test items included expert workshops, brainstorming, and verification of content validity. After a mock examination of undergraduate nursing students using the newly developed case-based items, we evaluated the appropriateness of the items through classical test theory and item response theory.Results: A total of 50 case-based items were developed for the mock examination, and content validity was evaluated. The question items integrated 34 discrete elements of integrated nursing knowledge. The mock examination was taken by 741 baccalaureate students in their fourth year of study at 13 universities. Their average score on the mock examination was 57.4, and the examination showed a reliability of 0.40. According to classical test theory, the average level of item difficulty of the items was 57.4% (80%–100% for 12 items; 60%–80% for 13 items; and less than 60% for 25 items). The mean discrimination index was 0.19, and was above 0.30 for 11 items and 0.20 to 0.29 for 15 items. According to item response theory, the item discrimination parameter (in the logistic model) was none for 10 items (0.00), very low for 20 items (0.01 to 0.34), low for 12 items (0.35 to 0.64), moderate for 6 items (0.65 to 1.34), high for 1 item (1.35 to 1.69), and very high for 1 item (above 1.70). The item difficulty was very easy for 24 items (below −2.0), easy for 8 items (−2.0 to −0.5), medium for 6 items (−0.5 to 0.5), hard for 3 items (0.5 to 2.0), and very hard for 9 items (2.0 or above). The goodness-of-fit test in terms of the 2-parameter item response model between the range of 2.0 to 0.5 revealed that 12 items had an ideal correct answer rate.Conclusion: We surmised that the low reliability of the mock examination was influenced by the timing of the test for the examinees and the inappropriate difficulty of the items. Our study suggested a methodology for the development of future case-based items for the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination.
Current issues and areas for improvement in the Korean Dental Hygienist National Licensing Examination: an expert Delphi survey among dental hygienists
Authors: Hwang Yoon-Sook , Kang Hyun-Sook , Kim Soo-Hwa , Moon Hee-Jung , Lee Sun-Mi , Jung Jae-Yeon , Hwang Su-Jeong , Ha Jung-Eun
Published: October 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate current issues and areas for improvement in the Korean Dental Hygienist National Licensing Examination (KDHNLE) through an expert Delphi survey.Methods: A Delphi survey was conducted from May through August 2016 in Korea. This Delphi survey included 20 persons representing the field of dental hygiene (7 groups from various dental hygiene-related organizations). The Delphi survey was administered through e-mail as 3 rounds of questionnaire surveys regarding the issues facing the KDHNLE and potential solutions to those challenges. The primary Delphi survey was an open questionnaire. In each round, subjects’ responses were categorized according to the detailed themes of their responses. The minimum value of the content validity ratio of the survey results was determined by the number of panels participating in the Delphi survey.Results: Issues facing the KDHNLE were identified from the results of the Delphi survey. The following 4 items had an average importance score of 4.0 or higher and were considered as important by over 85% of the panels: the failure of the practical test to reflect actual clinical settings, the focus of the practical test on dental scaling, the gap between the items evaluated on the national examination and actual practical work, and insufficiency in strengthening the expertise of licensed dental hygienists. The following items were suggested for improvement: more rigorous rater training, adjustment of the difficulty of the licensing examination, the introduction of a specialized dental hygienist system, and more rigorous refresher training for licensed dental hygienists.Conclusion: Based on the above results, the KDHNLE should be improved according to the core competencies of dental hygienists, including on-site clinical practice experience.
Unmet needs in health training among nurses in rural Chinese township health centers: a cross-sectional hospital-based study
Authors: Mo Yan , Hu Guijie , Yi Yanhua , Ying Yanping , Huang Huiqiao , Huang Zhongxian , Lin Jiafeng
Published: October 2017

Purpose: Maintaining a sufficient and competent rural nursing workforce is an important goal of the Chinese health delivery system. However, few studies have investigated the health training status or conducted a needs assessment of rural Chinese nurses during this time of great transformations in health policy. This study was conducted to explore the current health training status of nurses working in rural Chinese township health centers (THCs) and to ascertain their perceived needs.Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered structured questionnaire was conducted among 240 THC nurses in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China from March 2014 to August 2014. The survey questionnaire was adapted from the Second Chinese Survey of Demographic Data and Training Demand for Health Professionals in THCs developed by the Ministry of Education.Results: The nurses in THCs were young, with a low educational level. Their perceived needs for health training included further clinical studies at city-level hospitals to improve their skills and theoretical studies at medical universities in emergency medicine and general practice. Overall, 71.9% of the nurses with a secondary technical school background expected to pursue junior college studies, and 68.5% of the nurses with a junior college education expected to pursue a bachelor’s degree. A decentralized program with theoretical studies at medical universities and practical studies at county hospitals was regarded as feasible by 66.9% of the respondents.Conclusion: Health-training programs for nurses in Chinese THCs must be improved in terms of coverage, delivery mode, and content. A decentralized degree-linked training program in which medical universities and city hospitals collaborate would be an appropriate mode of delivery.
Does the acceptance of hybrid learning affect learning approaches in France?
Authors: Marco Lionel Di , Venot Alain , Gillois Pierre
Published: October 2017

Purpose: Acceptance of a learning technology affects students’ intention to use that technology, but the influence of the acceptance of a learning technology on learning approaches has not been investigated in the literature. A deep learning approach is important in the field of health, where links must be created between skills, knowledge, and habits. Our hypothesis was that acceptance of a hybrid learning model would affect students’ way of learning.Methods: We analysed these concepts, and their correlations, in the context of a flipped classroom method using a local learning management system. In a sample of all students within a single year of study in the midwifery program (n= 38), we used 3 validated scales to evaluate these concepts (the Study Process Questionnaire, My Intellectual Work Tools, and the Hybrid E-Learning Acceptance Model: Learner Perceptions).Results: Our sample had a positive acceptance of the learning model, but a neutral intention to use it. Students reported that they were distractible during distance learning. They presented a better mean score for the deep approach than for the superficial approach (P< 0.001), which is consistent with their declared learning strategies (personal reorganization of information; search and use of examples). There was no correlation between poor acceptance of the learning model and inadequate learning approaches. The strategy of using deep learning techniques was moderately correlated with acceptance of the learning model (rs= 0.42, P= 0.03).Conclusion: Learning approaches were not affected by acceptance of a hybrid learning model, due to the flexibility of the tool. However, we identified problems in the students’ time utilization, which explains their neutral intention to use the system.