bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vedic Sutras
Authors: Sengupta Diganta , Chaudhuri Atal
Published: May 2016

Any arithmetic operation roots down to the four elementary processes, namely addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Of these four, multiplication and division happen to be highly resource intensive in terms of memory requirement and execution time. It has been evolved that available ancient Vedic sutras for solving complex arithmetic operations when reorganized as computer algorithms provide a paradigm shift in both memory requirement and speed. Our proposed Vedic sutra based algorithms handle decimal number system instead of conventional binary numbers which eliminates BCD to binary conversion and vice versa, further accelerating the desired process. This chapter focuses primarily on a few Vedic Sutras and their effectiveness in optimizing BCD multiplication and BCD division and also provides substantial statistical data in support.
Speech processing and production in two-year-old children acquiring isiXhosa: A tale of two children
Authors: Pascoe Michelle , Rossouw Kate , Fish Laura , Jansen Charne , Manley Natalie , Powell Michelle , Rosen Loren
Published: May 2016

We investigated the speech processing and production of 2-year-old children acquiring isiXhosa in South Africa. Two children (2 years, 5 months; 2 years, 8 months) are presented as single cases. Speech input processing, stored phonological knowledge and speech output are described, based on data from auditory discrimination, naming, and repetition tasks. Both children were approximating adult levels of accuracy in their speech output, although naming was constrained by vocabulary. Performance across tasks was variable: One child showed a relative strength with repetition, and experienced most difficulties with auditory discrimination. The other performed equally well in naming and repetition, and obtained 100% for her auditory task. There is limited data regarding typical development of isiXhosa, and the focus has mainly been on speech production. This exploratory study describes typical development of isiXhosa using a variety of tasks understood within a psycholinguistic framework. We describe some ways in which speech and language therapists can devise and carry out assessment with children in situations where few formal assessments exist, and also detail the challenges of such work.Keywords: psycholinguistic assessment; phonology; psycholinguistic framework; naming; repetition; auditory discrimination
The psychometric properties of a workplace boredom scale (DUBS) within the South African context
Authors: Van Wyk Sumarie M. , De Beer Leon T. , Pienaar Jaco , Schaufeli Wilmar B.
Published: May 2016

Orientation: Boredom at work has been shown to be a concern for individuals and organisations. At the time of this research, no validated scale was available to measure and investigate workplace boredom within the South African context.Research purpose: To determine the psychometric properties of the Dutch Boredom Scale (DUBS) within the South African context. Motivation for the study: No reliable and valid scale for workplace boredom was available in South Africa at the time of the current research. Boredom at work has been found to affect organisations negatively in other countries. Insights are needed into workplace boredom and how it affects the outcomes of organisations in South Africa. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional research approach was utilised. A random convenience sample (N = 490) was obtained from organisations within the manufacturing and logistics sector. In order to validate the DUBS, the factor structure, construct validity (convergent and discriminant validity) and scale reliability were investigated. A mediation model was also tested with structural equation modelling to ascertain predictive validity.Main findings: The results showed that the one-factor structure of the DUBS could be confirmed and that this factor had acceptable reliability. In terms of convergent validity, all of the item indicators loaded significantly on the workplace boredom construct, and the relationship between workplace boredom and work underload revealed that they were positively correlated with medium effect size. Furthermore, work engagement and organisational commitment were correlated negatively in terms of practical significance with workplace boredom. A structural mediation model showed that work underload was significantly and positively associated with boredom, which in turn had significant negative relations to both work engagement and organisational commitment. No significant direct relations were found from work underload to either work engagement or organisational commitment. Instead, bootstrapping showed that there was an indirect-only relationship from work underload to work engagement and organisational commitment through workplace boredom – indicating full mediation.Practical/managerial implications: Management should not neglect workplace boredom, as results indicate that it may adversely impact work engagement and organisational commitment. Therefore, workplace boredom should be a concern not only for individuals, but also for the organisation at large.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the limited research available on workplace boredom in South Africa by providing evidence of acceptable psychometric properties for a workplace boredom scale.
Failure of Femoral Access to Electrophysiological Evaluation Due to Aplasia of the Inferior Vena Cava
Authors: Parahuleva Mariana S. , Burgazli Mehmet , Soydan Nedim , Franzen Wolfgang , Guttler Norbert , Erdogan Ali
Published: May 2016

We report an interesting case of a man with a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) with left azygos vein who underwent electrophysiological evaluation. Further evaluation revealed congenital dilated azygos vein, while a segment connecting the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the hepatic vein and right atrium was missing. The azygos vein drained into the superior vena cava, and the hepatic veins drained directly into the right atrium. The patient did not have congenital anomalies of the remaining thoracoabdominal vasculature.
Viviendas loft en Basilea. Suiza
Authors: Buchner Bründler Architekten Estudio
Published: May 2016

Durante sus estudios, los arquitectos adquieren dos parcelas adyacentes de tamaño similar. Se planea un nuevo proyecto de edificación autogestionado que evidencie la necesidad de renovación generalizada de las estructuras existentes. Los compradores potenciales posibilitarán la realización del proyecto. El área que rodea a la propiedad se caracteriza por bloques muy estrechos en el perímetro de la manzana. La hilera de casas de la calle Colmarer tiene la misma anchura que el patio del bloque en que se encuentran las propiedades.
Área residencial Sevogel en Basilea. Suiza
Authors: Buchner Bründler Architekten Estudio
Published: May 2016

Un edificio residencial de cuatro pisos frente a la calle y una casa en el patio de manzana de dos pisos forman parte de los inmuebles de un barrio residencial de clase media con estructuras de los dos últimos siglos. El edificio frontal se construyó en 1930, con amplios apartamentos para la clase media. El patio del edificio, de 1860, contiene los establos y se conserva en el nuevo desarrollo de la estructura que da a la calle. El proyecto de conversión trataba en detalle temas espaciales y temporales. Se interpretó el lenguaje arquitectónico del lugar y se desarrolló mediante intervenciones contemporáneas.
Edificio residencial y comercial Volta Zentrum en Basilea. Suiza
Authors: Buchner Bründler Architekten Estudio
Published: May 2016

El proyecto de la autopista Nordtangente prevé una reordenación del desarrollo urbano en la calle Volta. El plan de desarrollo del área regula la relevancia funcional y el desarrollo volumétrico de cada parcela en construcción. Se construirá un centro con zona comercial conectada en el emplazamiento del Volta Zentrum. La comisión de estudio incluye soluciones para el diseño de las inmediaciones además del diseño del edificio.
Casa en Kahlstrasse Basilea. Suiza
Authors: Buchner Bründler Architekten Estudio
Published: May 2016

El barrio de Paulus se caracteriza por su estilo histórico y sus viviendas de estilo Jugendstil. En su límite, la calle Kahlstrasse está compuesta por hileras de casas adosadas dispuestas de forma repetitiva, de origen más reciente y de diseño sencillo. En la propiedad hay una villa, desplazada por un lado por la edificación vecina, que apenas da forma al lugar por su volumen cúbico sencillo. La clienta quiere construir una casa para vivir en su vejez. El análisis ha demostrado que el edificio existente no se puede adaptar a sus necesidades, por lo que un nuevo edificio reemplazará a la villa.
INFLUENCE OF PHASE MORPHOLOGY AND FILLER DISTRIBUTION IN NR/BR AND NR/SBR BLENDS ON FRACTURE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: Wunde Matthias , Klüppel Manfred
Published: May 2016

The filler distribution and the amount of interphase are determined for carbon black (CB) filled blends of natural rubber (NR) with butadiene rubber (BR) and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) and compared with fatigue crack propagation rates under pulsed excitation. A viscoelastic model is used to separate the contributions of the different polymer phases and the interphase to the total dissipated energy G″ during dynamic straining. The filler amount in any phase can be calculated from the increase of the energy dissipation. For NR/SBR blends a higher filler load of the SBR phase and the interphase and a lower filling of the NR phase are identified. In contrast NR/BR blends show a very low filled BR phase and higher filling of the NR phase and the interphase. The carbon black distribution also depends on mixing procedures. Through a batch mixing procedure, in which the filler is previously mixed in the NR only and then blended with BR, the filler transfer from NR to BR increases the filling of the BR phase. The phase morphological results deliver information for a better understanding of crack propagation in CB filled NR/BR and NR/SBR blends. The fracture behavior differs significantly if NR is successively replaced by BR or SBR, respectively. A less pronounced effect is found for the variation of mixing procedure, although it seems that the more heterogeneous filler distribution with a high amount of CB in NR of the batched samples delivers slightly reduced crack propagation rates.
Tips and Tricks in Creation of Forearm Arteriovenous Fistulae
Authors: Bourquelot Pierre , Pirozzi Nicola
Published: May 2016

Forearm arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a direct anastomosis between the radial artery and the cephalic vein or the ulnar artery and the basilic vein, which are small-caliber vessels. The surgical technique must be precise to avoid postoperative stenosis of the anastomosis which may result in early thrombosis or nonmaturation. In our experience, microsurgery and preventive hemostasis are two major contributions to creation of forearm AVF. Using these techniques, construction of a radial-cephalic fistula was possible in 78% of children in our hospital, with 60% secondary patency rates at 4 years. In a personal unpublished series, 69% of the first arteriovenous angioaccess of adult patients were forearm fistulae, with 63% and 91% primary and secondary 1-year patency rates, respectively. Finally, 68% primary patency and 96% secondary patency rates at 1 year were reported by Pirozzi et al. in adults with an internal diameter of <1.6 mm in the radial artery.
Can the use of psychoactive drugs in the general adult population be estimated based on data from a roadside survey of drugs and driving?
Authors: Gjerde Hallvard , Normann Per T. , Mørland Jørg
Published: May 2016

A roadside survey of drugs and driving was performed in south-eastern Norway in 2005-6. Samples of saliva from a total of 10,503 drivers above 20 years of age were analysed, and the results were weighted for under- and over-sampling compared to the population distribution in the study area. Weighted results were compared with data on dispensed prescriptions of zopiclone, codeine and diazepam at Norwegian pharmacies in the same area and with self-reported use of cannabis. When using roadside data to estimate drug use, the use of medicinal drugs was under-estimated by 17-59% compared to amounts dispensed. One of the main reasons for the under-estimation may be that a large proportion of the users of psychoactive medicinal drugs are not frequent drivers. For cannabis, self-reported data corresponded approximately to the estimated prevalence range. The results indicate that roadside surveys cannot be used for accurate estima tions of drug use in the population, but may provide minimum figures.
Trends in amphetamine and benzodiazepine use among drivers arrested for drug impaired driving in Norway 2000-2009
Authors: Bogstrand Stig Tore , Middelkoop Gerrit , Christophersen Asbjørg S.
Published: May 2016

The patterns of drug use among drivers suspected for driving under the influence of non-alcohol drugs have changed over the past ten years. The aim of this study was to describe trends in single substance prevalence and total prevalence of benzodiazepines and amphetamines in blood samples from apprehended drivers, and compare findings with statistics of drug seizure by year. The sample represented totally 39935 apprehended drivers, varying from about 3500 to 4800 each year between 2000 and 2009. The study found that after 2002 the prevalence of benzodiazepine has ranged from 52 to 57% among all apprehended drivers. There have been major changes in single substance prevalence, and the changes are similar to the changes in benzodiazepine seized by the police. There was no significant changes in the prevalence of amphetamines from 2000 to 2009 (35-43%), but the most prevalent stimulant has shifted from amphetamine to methamphetamine in both police seizures and blood samples from apprehended drivers. A combination of benzodiazepines and amphetamines was commonly detected in samples from apprehended drivers.
Alcohol and cannabis use in Norway during the period 1995-2009
Authors: Bye Elin K. , Østhus Ståle
Published: May 2016

The description of alcohol and cannabis use in the period 1995-2009 is based on data from five sets of surveys. Sales figures for alcohol consumption are also included. Alcohol sales in Norway increased by 40 per cent during the period 1995-2009, from 4.8 to 6.7 litres of pure alcohol per inhabitant aged 15 years and over. This increase largely reflects a sharp increase in the sale of wine. Also when taking into account unregistered alcohol consumption, the consumption of alcohol increased considerably in Norway during the period in question. The increased alcohol consumption seems to be due to an increase in moderate alcohol consumers and/or an increase in situations involving moderate alcohol consumption. Population surveys indicate that there has been an increase in the proportion who drink alcohol and in the proportion of people who drink relatively often, but the increased drinking frequency is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in the proportion who often drink until they are intoxicated. On average, men drink more often and greater quantities than women, with the exception of wine. The proportion who drink alcohol at least twice a month or more has increased in all age groups, and the increase has been particularly marked among those above the age of 50. Despite a reduction in consumption among young people in recent years, consumption and drinking until intoxicated are still widespread. Young girls drink alcohol as often as boys and are equally often intoxicated. As for cannabis, there was an increase in the age group 15-20 years in the second half of the 1990s, followed by a decrease and stagnation since the turn of the millennium. There was little or no difference between boys and girls in the 15-20 age group in the use of cannabis, while among young adults, far more men than women reported that they had used cannabis
Forgiftninger ved norske somatiske sykehus i 2008
Authors: W. Skjerdal Jartrud , Haga Christian , Muan Berit , Bergan Ingvild Iuell , Andrew Erik
Published: May 2016

Bakgrunn: Rundt 12 000 personer innlegges på somatiske sykehus i Norge med akutte forgiftninger hvert år. Hensikten med denne studien var å skaffe mer detaljert informasjon om epidemiologiske forhold rundt de akutte forgiftningene.Materiale og metode: Studien bygger på epikriser fra 2008 vedrørende akutte forgiftninger behandlet ved somatiske sykehus. Epikrisene ble sendt til Giftinformasjonen på frivillig basis.Resultater: Studien omfattet 2301 epikriser fra 31 sykehus. Omtrent like mange kvinner som menn ble behandlet for akutte forgiftninger. Det var flest kvinner blant pasientene med psykiatriske lidelser og selvskadingsproblemer. Det var flest menn med rusrelaterte forgiftninger. Etanol var vanligste forgiftningsagens, av legemidler var paracetamol hyppigst involvert. Totalt sett var det flere forgiftninger med legemidler som hovedagens enn med etanol og narkotika til sammen. Alvorlige forgiftninger forekom i 9% av tilfellene, og materialet omfattet 5 dødsfall.Fortolkning: Til tross for visse metodologiske svakheter gir denne første nasjonale epikrisestudien av forgiftningspasienter et verdifullt bidrag til kunnskapen om forgiftningsmønsteret i Norge. Forgiftninger er årsak til mange sykehusinnleggelser, men for de fleste pasientene er det medisinske utfallet tilfredsstillende. De fleste akutte forgiftningene er forbundet med rusmisbruk og psykiatriske lidelser. Det er behov for mer pålitelig og mer detaljert informasjon angående forgiftningssituasjonen i Norge.
Kvalitetsindikatorer innen tannhelse i Norge og Norden
Authors: Wilberg Maren Mathiesen
Published: May 2016

Mål for kvalitetsindikatorene er å belyse kvaliteten av tjenestene, gi styringsinformasjon og bidra til forbedring. Kvalitetsindikatorene som er i bruk i Norge publiseres på fylkesnivå med god kvalitet på dataene. Denne statistikken gir også mulighet for epidemiologisk forskning. De nordiske kvalitetsindikatorene gir mindre mulighet for sammenlignbarhet og analysering da de er basert på ulike datakilder og innsamlingsmetoder. Det er fotnote til hver indikator om hvordan dataene er fremskaffet i hvert land, og her fremkommer ulikheter i datakildene. Arbeidet med utvikling og forbedring av både de norske og de nordiske kvalitetsindikatorene er kontinuerlig. Det er ønskelig med flere indikatorer som kan måle eller gi en indikasjon på kvalitet på tannhelsetjenester. Mange punkter kan per i dag ikke måles på grunn av mangelfull datakvalitet og få rapporteringskrav for privat tannhelsetjeneste.Wilberg MM. Quality indicators in dental health in Norway and the Nordic countries. Nor J Epidemiol 2012; 22 (1): 55-58.ENGLISH SUMMARYQuality indicators are used to provide management information and contribute to improvement. The quality indicators used in Norway are based on sound data and published at the county level. This statistic allows for epidemiological research. The Nordic quality indicators provide less opportunity for comparability and analysis because there are a lot of different data collection methods. The footnote to each indiator on how the data is provided in each country shows the differences in data sources. Development and improvement of both the Norwegian and Nordic quality indicators is a continuous process. More indicators that can measure or give an indication of the quality of dental services are desirable. Many items can not currently be measured due to sub-optimal data quality and little reporting requirements for private dental services.
Forord - Aldring og eldres helse - flere aktive og sunne år?
Authors: - -
Published: May 2016

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Epidemiology of stroke in the elderly in the Nordic countries. Incidence, survival, prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Engstad Torgeir , Engstad Tora Torgersen , Viitanen Matti , Ellekjær Hanne
Published: May 2016

Objective: To review what is known at present with respect to incidence, survival, risk factors and prevalence among the elderly stroke patients in the Nordic countries.Method: This article is based mainly on literature identified through search engines (Mc Master Plus, Cochrane Library, Medline and PubMed), restricted to first-ever stroke in Nordic population-based studies and having applied to the standard WHO definition, a prospective study design and no upper age limit.Results: Data from the Nordic countries show an incidence rate of 1250 to 1796/100 000 in the age group 75-84, and 1628 to 2234 in those above 85 years. The incidence rates are higher among men, but women are expected to contribute more to incident cases due to their higher life expectancy. If the age-specific incidence of stroke remains stable, the proportion of stroke patients aged 80 years and older may reach 50% in a few decades. The elderly stroke patients have a higher 30-days case fatality, and a higher risk of dependency. Better treatment of stroke patients has improved the survival over the last two decades. The prevalence is expected to increase due to the decrease in lethality, a slower fall in incidence and a higher proportion of elderly. Cardiovascular risk factors increase with age. Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke mortality in the elderly. Cardioembolic stroke due to atrial fibrillation is the most common stroke subtype in the elderly. Lifestyle risk factors are less prevalent in the older stroke patients.Conclusion: The growing proportion of elderly stroke patients is a major challenge for future stroke care. The elderly stroke patients have a different risk factor profile compared to younger stroke patients. Treatment should focus on regaining independency. The age-specific epidemiology of stroke needs to be studied further in large studies in order to plan for future health care.
Viktigheten av fysisk aktivitet og trening blant eldre
Authors: Lohne-Seiler Hilde , Torstveit Monica Klungland
Published: May 2016

Regelmessig fysisk aktivitet er viktig for eldres helse. Sammenhengen mellom en fysisk aktiv livsstil og helsegevinster som forebygging av sykdom, opprettholdelse av uavhengighet og økt livskvalitet er godt dokumentert (ACSM's Position Stand 1998; Spirduso & Cronin, 2001; Taylor et al., 2004). Hensikten med denne oversiktsartikkelen er derfor å redegjøre for viktigheten av regelmessig fysisk aktivitet og trening i aldringsprosessen, samt utdype sammenhengen mellom en fysisk aktiv livsstil og fysisk funksjon blant eldre. Basert på en nasjonal multisenterstudie (Anderssen et al., 2009), tilfredsstilte 20% voksne og eldre (20-85 år) de nasjonale anbefalinger om 30 minutter med daglig fysisk aktivitet. Kun 12% i den eldste aldersgruppen (80-85 år) tilfredsstilte anbefalingene. Totalt fysisk aktivitetsnivå, målt ved hjelp av akselerometer, ble redusert med økende alder, hvor de eldste (80-85 år) hadde 50% lavere aktivitetsnivå sammenlignet med de yngste (65-69 år) (Lohne-Seiler et al., 2012). Fra 25-års alder reduseres utholdenhet og muskelstyrke med 10% per 10 år dersom individet er inaktiv (Heath et al., 1981; Wilmore, 1991). Systematisk utholdenhets- og styrketrening ser derimot ut til å redusere tapet med inntil halvparten, det vil si en reduksjon tilsvarende 5% per 10 år hos fysisk aktive individer (Heath et al., 1981). Eldre individer ser ut til å ha de samme treningsinduserte effekter som yngre, det vil si at man får effekt av økt aktivitet uansett alder, og da også lik prosentvis fremgang (Hagberg et al., 1989). Studier har vist at det er mulig å øke maksimalt oksygenopptak og maksimal muskelstyrke med inntil 10-20% i løpet av en 12 ukers intervensjon (Hagberg et al., 1989; Reeves et al., 2003; Lohne-Seiler et al, in press). Da muskelstyrke ser ut til å ha en sterk sammenheng med individets funksjonsevne/mobilitet, er det viktig å kunne tilrettelegge for systematisk styrketrening for eldre for på den måten å oppnå økt muskelstyrke og derigjennom økt funksjon, forebygge fall, og økt uavhengighet i hverdagen (De Vos et al., 2005). Basert på resultatene fra den nasjonale kartleggingen av fysisk aktivitetsnivå blant norske eldre, er det nå viktig å utvikle og igangsette tiltak som kan få norske eldre mer fysisk aktive. Videre forskning trengs derfor for bedre å forstå hva som karakteriserer de minst fysisk aktive eldre og de som er mest fysisk aktive. Slik kunnskap vil være til hjelp ved utvikling av hensiktsmessige fysisk aktivitetsintervensjoner tilrettelagt for denne gruppen. Et annet aspekt er å se på effekten av kostnadseffektive intervensjonsprogrammer, som bør ha som målsetting å inkludere en stor populasjon eldre til økt fysisk aktivitet. Dette vil være formålstjenlig for både individ og samfunn
Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies – epidemiology, risk factors and biomarkers
Authors: Auning Eirik , Rongve Arvid , Aarsland Dag
Published: May 2016

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) are common and debilitating dementia syndromes accompanied by Parkinsonism and a range of other psychiatric, sleep and autonomic disturbances. Disease mechanisms are unknown, but aggregated Lewy bodies containing alpha-synuclein are believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis. Point-prevalence of dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD) is approximately 30%, and the majority develop dementia as the disease progresses. Recent studies suggest that 25-30% of non-demented PD patients have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 15-20% already have it at the time of the diagnosis. PD-MCI is a strong predictor of PDD. There are few welldesigned epidemiological studies of DLB, but available evidence suggests that 15-20% of the total dementia population have DLB. Predicting future cognitive impairment is a priority, but the pre-dementia stage of DLB is essentially unexplored. Promising biomarkers are being researched, but, given the complexity of this disease, a multimodal approach is more likely to permit diagnostic precision in the future.
Delirium – a common condition associated with negative outcome in the elderly
Authors: Juliebø Vibeke , Krogseth Maria , Neerland Bjørn Erik , Watne Leiv Otto , Wyller Torgeir Bruun
Published: May 2016

Delirium (“acute confusional state”), characterized by an acute decline in attention and cognition, is a common clinical syndrome in elderly patients. The prevalence of delirium increases with age, and is highest among hospitalized older patients. A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library limited to the period 2000-2012 was conducted.The antecedent of delirium is often multifactorial, the development involving a complex interrelationship between a vulnerable patient with predisposing factors and exposure to precipitating events. Important predisposing factors include high age, cognitive impairment, comorbidity, sensory impairment, and low Body Mass Index (BMI). Infections, cardiovascular events, trauma/fracture, surgery, stroke, metabolic abnormalities, and dehydration, are all recognized as precipitating factors.Delirium is associated with negative outcomes like cognitive decline, increased morbidity and mortality, and should be prevented. Prevention and treatment of delirium is multifactorial and multidisiplinary, focusing on the treatment of factors precipitating and maintaining the delirium. No pharmacological treatment has so far demonstrated significant efficacy. The knowledge of risk factors and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involved remains scarce, and further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms and thereby develop targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
The 21th Norwegian Conference on Epidemiology
Authors: - -
Published: May 2016

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Type 2 diabetes genes – Present status and data from Norwegian studies
Authors: Hertel Jens K. Hertel , Johansson Stefan , Midthjell Kristian , Nygård Ottar , Njølstad Pål R. , Molven Anders
Published: May 2016

The worldwide rise in prevalence of type 2 diabetes has led to an intense search for the genetic risk factors of this disease. In type 2 diabetes and other complex disorders, multiple genetic and environmental factors, as well as the interaction between these factors, determine the phenotype. In this review, we summarize present knowledge, generated by more than two decades of efforts to dissect the genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes. Initial studies were either based on a candidate gene approach or attempted to fine-map signals generated from linkage analysis. Despite the detection of multiple genomic regions proposed to be linked to type 2 diabetes, subsequent positional fine-mapping of candidates were mostly inconclusive. However, the introduction of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), applied on thousands of patients and controls, completely changed the field. To date, more than 50 susceptibility loci for type 2 diabetes have been detected through the establishment of large research consortia, the application of GWAS on intermediary diabetes phenotypes and the use of study samples of different ethnicities. Still, the common variants identified in the GWAS era only explain some of the heritability seen for type 2 diabetes. Thus, focus is now shifting towards searching also for rare variants using new high-throughput sequencing technologies. For genes involved in the genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes the emerging picture is that there are hundreds of different gene variants working in a complex interplay influencing pancreatic beta cell function/mass and, only to a lesser extent, insulin action. Several Norwegian studies have contributed to the field, extending our understanding of genetic risk factors in type 2 diabetes and in diabetes-related phenotypes like obesity and cardiovascular disease.
The Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD) as a data source for diabetes research
Authors: Berg Christian , Strøm Hanne
Published: May 2016

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Helseøkonomisk evaluering ved Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter for helsetjenesten
Authors: Hagen Gunhild , Wisløff Torbjørn , Klemp Marianne
Published: May 2016

På grunn av begrensede ressurser kan ikke alle nye metoder som er effektive bli introdusert i helsevesenet. Det er derfor nødvendig å prioritere mellom disse nye metodene.Helseøkonomiske evalueringer kan være et nyttig verktøy for å synliggjøre kostnader og helseeffekter knyttet til ulike metoder. Helseøkonomiske evalueringer er en integrert del av de fleste medisinske metodevurderinger (HTAs) utført av Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter for helsetjenesten (Kunnskapssenteret). Disse helseøkonomiske evalueringene er vanligvis basert på modeller som bruker forskjellige typer publiserte data for å beregne forventede kostnader og helseeffekter knyttet til ulike behandlingsalternativer.I denne artikkelen presenterer vi noe av det metodiske grunnlaget for økonomiske evalueringer utført ved Kunnskapssenteret. Vi beskriver hvordan vi går fram for å sette opp en slik modell og diskuterer noen av de ulike typer av data som er nødvendige. En egen seksjon på følsomhetsanalyser og usikkerhetsaspekter er gitt på slutten, og dette kobles til et annet mulig resultat av helseøkonomiske evalueringer: kostnadseffektiviteten av å utføre ny forskning.Hagen G, Wisløff T, Klemp M. Health economic evaluation at the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services (NOKC). Nor J Epidemiol 2013; 23 (2): 157-164.ENGLISH SUMMARYDue to resource constraints, all new interventions that are effective cannot be introduced into the health care system. Hence, it is necessary to prioritize between these new interventions.Health economic evaluations can be a useful tool to illustrate the costs and health outcomes associated with different treatment options. Health economic evaluations are an integral part of most health technology assessments (HTAs) performed by the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services (NOKC). These health economic evaluations are usually based on models that synthesize different types of published data, in order to calculate the expected costs and health outcomes associated with different diagnostic or treatment options.In this article we present parts of the methodological basis for economic evaluations conducted at NOKC. We describe how to set up a decision model and discuss some of the different types of data required. A special section on sensitivity and uncertainty aspects are given at the end, providing a link to a second output from health economic evaluations: cost-effectiveness of conducting new research.
Preface
Authors: - -
Published: May 2016

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study
The background of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study
Authors: Irgens Lorentz M.
Published: May 2016

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Why did we start the MoBa study?
Authors: Bakketeig Leiv S.
Published: May 2016

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The Language and Learning study (SOL): Study profile and results so far
Authors: Mari Vaage Wang , Schjølberg Synnve
Published: May 2016

Language development is associated with cognitive, social and behavioral performance. A healthy language development is crucial for everyday functioning both during childhood and in adulthood. Language impairment is considered one of the most common neurodevelopmental impairments in children. The language and learning study (SOL) is a platform for multiple language projects. The main aim of SOL is to provide the best possible knowledge base for understanding causes and developmental trajectories of language impairments. Our results so far include knowledge about developmental trajectories of normal language development as well as developmental impairments. Additionally a number of risk and protective factors have been studied.
A biobank of primary teeth within the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) per 2014: A resource for the future
Authors: Tvinnereim Helene Meyer , Lygre Gunvor Bentung , Haug Kjell , Schreuder Patricia , Klock Kristin
Published: May 2016

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) is a prospective population-based cohort study including more than 100,000 pregnancies and following the children through childhood, using questionnaires and collecting biological samples. The aim of MoBa is to test specific aetiological hypotheses by estimating the association between exposure and disease, aiming at prevention. A biobank for exfoliated primary teeth collected from the children participating in MoBa has been established (MoBaTooth Biobank). Samples of tooth tissues from the primary dentition can give information about exposure to toxic and essential elements through foetal life and early infancy. Prenatally and postnatally formed tooth tissues permanently document early exposures unlike other biomarkers, as teeth form incrementally at a known rate. Results from tooth analyses will be coupled to corresponding information in the multiple questionnaires and data from analysis of other biological samples collected by MoBa. Invitations to donate one or more teeth are sent to all mothers/children in the period 2008-2016, when the child is 6¾ years old. By November 2014 21,748 participants had been recorded into the MoBaTooth database donating altogether 28,272 teeth (1.3 teeth per child). The response rate was 24%, but there is a lag of more than one year in the response. Data from the tooth biobank can supply MoBa with important additional information on the uptake of trace elements during foetal life and early infancy. This information can illuminate causal factors of health and disease in the future.
Maternal alcohol consumption in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) – Research opportunities
Authors: DeRoo Lisa A.
Published: May 2016

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) is a valuable resource for the study of the effects of maternal alcohol consumption. MoBa’s strengths include a population-based sample of over 107,000 pregnancies, concurrent and retrospective assessment of maternal prenatal and postnatal alcohol consumption, and prospective follow-up for pregnancy and child outcomes. Direct questions were asked on the frequency, dose and timing of maternal alcohol consumption. Screening tools including the T-ACE and partial Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index were used to identify women at risk for drinking during pregnancy. Comprehensive information on potential confounders was collected including maternal medical history, reproductive history, smoking, and other substance use. The detailed alcohol data allow the differentiation between non-binge and binge-level drinking, important for studying different thresholds of exposure. The availability of maternal and infant DNA enables the study of genetic differences in alcohol metabolism. Besides conventional analyses, sibship studies of differentially exposed siblings can be conducted among the offspring of over 15,000 women who participated in the study for more than one pregnancy. Although there are low levels of social disadvantage in Norway (poverty increases the risk of harms from prenatal drinking), binge drinking is a common pattern of consumption and previous studies found that drinking alcohol during pregnancy is not uncommon. Here, I provide a brief review of prenatal alcohol literature and measurement issues, describe MoBa alcohol variables, and discuss how MoBa can contribute to maternal alcohol research within the context of Norway.
Introduction
Authors: - -
Published: May 2016

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Teaching Poetry in Korean Language Classes
Authors: Roh Jaemin
Published: May 2016

This article illustrates how literature was incorporated into the curricula of Korean language classes and reports the effects it had on students and instructors. Poetry, a genre of literary text, was chosen because of its brevity and rhythmic nature, which allows students to gain immediate access to Korean authors' original writings. The intent was to build a more authentic curriculum that empowers students as authors and as intellectual thinkers in the target language from the outset to bridge the gap between the existing language curricula and literature curricula. The results from the first-year classes show that poetry lessons inspired students to creatively use Korean as a thinking tool and that students directly applied learned expressions for everyday objects and concrete verbs in their poetry writing. Students from the second year reported that the process of reading, understanding, and writing poems added a new dimension of meaningful exercises to the existing curriculum and that the poetry project increased an understanding of Korean society in its historic contexts. After studying poetry for 2 years, students not only developed an ability to appreciate poetry in the context of Korean culture and history, but also appreciated the complexity and depth of the creative writing process.
Manufacturing “Football Realism” in the Studio Era
Authors: Buehler Branden
Published: May 2016

Drawing upon material from the Warner Bros. Archives, this article examines the production, marketing, and reception of football films released during the classical Hollywood era—specifically focusing on efforts by the studio to create and market “realistic” football action. First, the paper briefly discusses the marketing and reception of two typical football movies from the period, College Coach and Over the Goal, to argue that the public expected football scenes to resemble live games and that the studio acknowledged this desire by attempting to market their football sequences as “realistic.” Then, the paper examines two of the best-known football movies from the period, Knute Rockne, All American and Jim Thorpe—All-American, and documents how the films’ producers attempted to ensure the movies met these standards for “football realism,” whether that meant casting college football players as extras, enlisting a football-savvy crew, or using newsreel footage during gameplay sequences.
Tempering the Dichotomous Flame: Social History, Cultural History, and Postmodernism(s) in the Journal of Sport History, 1974–2014
Authors: Linden Andrew D.
Published: May 2016

In the June 2014 issue of the Journal of American History, which includes a forum titled “State of the Field: Sports in American History,” Amy Bass argues that, as many humanities-based disciplines adopted tenets of cultural history, sport history did not. Based on over a decade of debate about social, cultural, and postmodernist paradigms, Bass’s assertion illuminates continuing historiographical arguments about epistemology and theory in sport history. In this article, I respond to these discussions by analyzing 405 full-length articles in the Journal of Sport History from the first issue in 1974 through the end of 2014. Drawing on philosopher R. Scott Kretchmar’s caution against “dualisms [and] dichotomies” in sport scholarship, I argue for a holistic understanding of sport history, rather than the dichotomous historiography present over the past decade.
Factors Affecting Customers’ Satisfaction of Mobile Phone Subscribers: An Empirical Study on Mobile Telecommunication Industry in Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Netai Kumar , Islam Md. Rashidul , Hoque Asif Ul
Published: May 2016

In today’s complex business environment, identification of factors affecting customer satisfaction is one of the paramount concerns for the marketing scholars and marketers. This study seeks to explore customer satisfaction and its influencing factors on the mobile telecommunication industry in Bangladesh. As per BTRC, the numbers of mobile phone subscribers are more than 134 million at the end of December, 2015 in Bangladesh. Due to the stiff competition, companies are trying to capture the maximum market share by introducing different new packages, promotional offers and value added services to satisfy the customer’s needs, wants and demands. The existing literature suggests factors such as, price, network quality, product diversity and facilities for the subscribers influence customers’ satisfaction on mobile telecommunication industry. The results of this study signify that all of the identifying factors are significantly and positively correlated with overall customer satisfaction level of Bangladeshi mobile telecom industry. The findings of this study suggest that mobile operators should develop appropriate strategies by taking into consideration of their strengths in satisfying their subscribers as well as by overcoming of their weaknesses by learning from each other services.
Do ownership Concentration and Leverage Influence Firms’ Value? Evidence from Panel Data in Jordan
Authors: AL Najjar Dana M.
Published: May 2016

Elevating firm performance to optimal levels in order to maximize the firm value has been one of the concerns in corporate finance, due to the challenges accompanied with the failure in corporate control that led to successive financial scandals in the last decade worldwide. Hence, this study extends previous researches that were interested in the investigations of the effect of the key ownership structures in the emerging markets, by depending mainly on panel data analysis applied on a sample that consists of 83 non-financial firms listed at Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) during the period 2005-2013; to form two firm’s value equations by relying on two dependent variables which are; Return on Assets (ROA), and Market to Book value (M/B). Regarding the explanatory variables there are four indicators representing various measures of ownership concentration depending mainly on the percentages of shares held by block holders in firms. In addition, the control variables in the two models consists of indicators for leverage; size, tangibility, business risk, and liquidity. The empirical findings are consistent with many prior studies that were applied on both Jordan and many emerging markets; in that, the concluding remarks support the existence of relationship between corporate concentration, leverage and firm’s value.
Predictors of Attitudinal Outcomes in Mobile Advertising in Sri Lanka: An Emerging Market
Authors: Silva Vilasini De , Yan Jun
Published: May 2016

Mobile media has been rapidly evolving in the market with novel technological features. It has captured the advertising field in a revolutionary manner. Unlike in developed countries mobile media is less popular in developing countries. This study has been designed to explore the Sri Lankan consumers’ attitudes towards mobile advertising. Self-administrative questionnaire was applied to collect data and 413 valid responses were gathered. The results show that, i) Demographics (age, family income) and ii) Experience with internet advertisements are predictors of attitude towards mobile advertising. Experience with internet advertisements has significant moderating effect on attitude on mobile advertising.
Is Social Marketing Experiencing an Identity Crisis?
Authors: Silva Edson Coutinho da , Mazzon José Afonso
Published: May 2016

This article aims to discuss the crisis of identity and ethical issues addressed to social marketing and understand its current proposal. This is a critical paper built from researches of several publishing material such journals and books on social marketing in order to know why social marketing principles are misrepresented. It was possible to find numerous concepts addressed to social marketing, like cause related marketing, societal marketing, social responsibility, green marketing and institutional advertising. Three criticisms are emerging in social marketing: lack of focus on strategies; clear goals of organisation of the campaign producers; and the unethical pattern of the professionals. Social marketing is an alternative for improving services in social campaigns aiming at getting better results. The main purpose of social marketing is the behaviour change any other purposes do not concern social marketing. These misunderstandings about social marketing are increasingly producing misrepresentations regarding its principles.
Transcendental Phenomenology: Overlooked Methodology for Marketing Research
Authors: Martirano Melissa M.
Published: May 2016

When marketing researchers select their methodology, two main choices are open to them: qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative has long been associated with scientific, empirical research based on statistics and numerical comparisons, considered by some marketing analysts to be objective and empirical. Qualitative methods are favored for “soft” social science and humanities research as a means to explore human opinions and perceptions through first-hand experience. Thus there has been a longstanding problem of pursuing qualitative research that is considered as free from bias and accurate as its quantitative counterpart. One philosopher who set out to imbue qualitative methodology with the same credibility given quantitative was Edmund Husserl, an early 1900s German philosopher. He developed transcendental phenomenology as a methodology that could explore experiences with the same objectivity as quantitative styles via surpassing the preconceptions of the researcher through use of a primordial fugue state called epoché. Although researcher would use qualitative tools such as interviews and questionnaires, inquiries would be formulated and analyzed free from preconceptions and bias, processed via bracketing of the most common responses. Husserl’s writings were hard to decipher and not as readily adapted to research as other qualitative methods, including hermeneutic phenomenology, which includes researcher input. Nevertheless, if used properly, even for such unlikely-seeming research projects as those dealing with marketing, transcendental phenomenology can produce valid and reliable results yielding valuable information for philosophical purists capable of rigor and discipline.