bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The antecedents of leadership development practices in SMEs: The influence of HRM strategy and practice
Authors: Garavan Thomas , Watson Sandra , Carbery Ronan , O’Brien Fergal
Published: July 2015

This article explores leadership development in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We investigate determinants of the adoption of leadership development practices in established SMEs expecting human resource management (HRM)-strategy fit, human resource (HR)/leadership expertise and the existence of gaps in leadership capability to influence both the presence and intensity of leadership development practices. We found that all three variables positively related to both measures of adoption. The attitudes of owner-managers towards development mediated the HRM-strategy fit–adoption relationship. The theory and practice implications of our findings are evaluated.
Examining Weibo posting anxiety among well-educated youth in China
Authors: Li Li , Lin Trisha T.C.
Published: July 2015

This study extends the application of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to investigate the nature of Weibo posting anxiety and its determinants (i.e., micro-blogging self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and prior experience) among well-educated youth in China. Analyzing semi-structured interviews with Chinese Weibo users, this study identified four dimensions of microblogging posting anxiety, including social-, writing-, technology-, and safety-related anxiety. Fear of receiving negative evaluation from offline friends and leaking personal information to unknown/dangerous readers were the main reasons for their Weibo posting anxiety. Prior experiences of obtaining undesirable comments and disappointing feedback were found to create negative outcome expectations of Weibo usage (e.g., deteriorating self-presentation and causing misunderstanding), which may indirectly induce Weibo posting anxiety. However, self-efficacy did not play a significant role in generating anxious reactions towards Weibo posting. Theoretically, this study uses an SCT analytical lens to enhance the understanding of Weibo posting anxiety among Chinese users. Practically, the findings provide insights to services operators and system designers about users’ anxiety in using social media like Weibo so as to improve the service and boost the usage. Note: An oral presentation of this article was made at the 2014 annual meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), Montreal, Canada.
Influence of illusory kinesthesia by vibratory tendon stimulation on acute pain after surgery for distal radius fractures: a quasi-randomized controlled study
Authors: Imai Ryota , Osumi Michihiro , Morioka Shu
Published: July 2015

Objectives:

We investigated the effects of inducing an illusion of motion by tendon vibration on sensory and emotional aspects of pain and range of motion in patients with fractures of the distal radius.

Design:

A quasi-randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Kawachi General Hospital, Japan.

Subjects:

A total of 26 patients with fractures of the distal radius were distributed quasi-randomly to either the illusory kinesthesia group ( n = 13) or control group ( n = 13).

Intervention:

The intervention was performed on seven consecutive days from postoperative Day 1. Evaluation was performed at seven days, one month, and two months after the surgery.

Main measures:

Data were collected for pain at rest, movement pain, the pain catastrophizing scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and range of motion.

Results:

The illusory kinesthesia group reported improved pain at rest ( p < 0.001), movement pain ( p < 0.001), pain catastrophizing scale ( p < 0.001), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( p < 0.01), and range of motion ( p < 0.05) compared with the control group at seven days, one month, and two months after the surgery. The mean (SD) score of the visual analogue scale of pain at rest was 51.3 (16.8) at one day and 4.2 (4.7) at seven days in the illusory kinesthesia group, and 56.8 (22.1) at one day and 35.5 (16.2) at seven days in the control group.

Conclusion:

Illusory kinesthesia group improves the sensory and emotion aspects of pain in patients with fractures of the distal radius.
Systematic review of adjunct therapies to improve outcomes following botulinum toxin injection for treatment of limb spasticity
Authors: Mills Patricia Branco , Finlayson Heather , Sudol Malgorzata , O’Connor Russell
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To determine the quality of evidence from randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of adjunct therapies following botulinum toxin injections for limb spasticity.

Data sources:

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials electronic databases were searched for English language human studies from 1980 to 21 May 2015.

Study selection:

Randomized controlled trials assessing adjunct therapies postbotulinum toxin injection for treatment of spasticity were included. Of the 268 studies screened, 17 met selection criteria.

Data extraction:

Two reviewers independently assessed risk of bias using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and graded according to Sackett’s levels of evidence.

Data synthesis:

Ten adjunct therapies were identified. Evidence suggests that adjunct use of electrical stimulation, modified constraint-induced movement therapy, physiotherapy (all Level 1), casting and dynamic splinting (both Level 2) result in improved Modified Ashworth Scale scores by at least 1 grade. There is Level 1 and 2 evidence that adjunct taping, segmental muscle vibration, cyclic functional electrical stimulation, and motorized arm ergometer may not improve outcomes compared with botulinum toxin injections alone. There is Level 1 evidence that casting is better than taping, taping is better than electrical stimulation and stretching, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy is better than electrical stimulation for outcomes including the Modified Ashworth Scale, range of motion and gait. All results are based on single studies.

Conclusion:

There is high level evidence to suggest that adjunct therapies may improve outcomes following botulinum toxin injection. No results have been confirmed by independent replication. All interventions would benefit from further study.
The effectiveness of behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity participation in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sangelaji Bahram , Smith Catherin M , Paul Lorna , Sampath Kesava Kovanur , Treharne Gareth J , Hale Leigh Anne
Published: July 2015

Objective:

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to illustrate whether people with multiple sclerosis engage in more physical activity following behaviour change interventions.

Data resources:

MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, EMBASE and PEDro were searched from their inception till 30 April 2015.

Trial selection:

Randomized and clinical controlled trials that used behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis were selected, regardless of type or duration of multiple sclerosis or disability severity.

Data extraction:

Data extraction was conducted by two independent reviewers and the Cochrane Collaboration’s recommended method was used to assess the risk of bias of each included study.

Results:

A total of 19 out of 573 studies were included. Focusing on trials without risk of bias, meta-analysis showed that behaviour change interventions can significantly increase physical activity participation (z = 2.20, p = 0.03, standardised main difference 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 1.22, 3 trials, I2 = 68%) (eight to 12 weeks’ duration). Behaviour change interventions did not significantly impact on the physical components of quality of life or fatigue.

Conclusion:

Behaviour change interventions provided for relatively short duration (eight to 12 weeks) may increase the amount of physical activity people with multiple sclerosis engage in, but appear to have no effect on the physical components of quality of life and fatigue. Further high quality investigations of the efficacy of behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity participation that focus on dose, long-term impact and method of delivery are warranted for people with multiple sclerosis.
Protein microarray with horseradish peroxidase chemiluminescence for quantification of serum α-fetoprotein
Authors: Zhao Yuanshun , Zhang Yonghong , Lin Dongdong , Li Kang , Yin Chengzeng , Liu Xiuhong , Jin Boxun , Sun Libo , Liu Jinhua , Zhang Aiying , Li Ning
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To develop and evaluate a protein microarray assay with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) chemiluminescence for quantification of α-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

A protein microarray assay for AFP was developed. Serum was collected from patients with HCC and healthy control subjects. AFP was quantified using protein microarray and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Serum AFP concentrations determined via protein microarray were positively correlated ( r = 0.973) with those determined via ELISA in patients with HCC ( n = 60) and healthy control subjects ( n = 30). Protein microarray showed 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity for HCC diagnosis. ELISA had 83.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Protein microarray effectively distinguished between patients with HCC and healthy control subjects (area under ROC curve 0.974; 95% CI 0.000, 1.000).

Conclusion

Protein microarray is a rapid, simple and low-cost alternative to ELISA for detecting AFP in human serum.
The match between everyday technology in public space and the ability of working-age people with acquired brain injury to use it
Authors: Malinowsky Camilla , Larsson-Lund Maria
Published: July 2015

Introduction

In today's society, the access to and use of everyday technology, such as cell phones and internet-based services, can be claimed as a condition for participation in many tasks in everyday life. This study aims to determine and compare levels of perceived access to and difficulties in the use of common everyday technologies in public space, among people with acquired brain injury compared with controls.

Methods

The perceived access to and difficulty in the use of 14 everyday technologies were investigated in a sample with acquired brain injury ( n = 59; returned to work, n = 28; not returned to work, n = 31) and matched controls ( n = 52) using the everyday technology use questionnaire.

Findings

Perceived access to the everyday technologies was generally high. The potential to use each of the everyday technologies independently or with minor difficulties significantly differed between controls and persons with acquired brain injury in eight of the 14 everyday technologies. In particular, difficulties were found among those persons with acquired brain injury who had not returned to work.

Conclusion

People with acquired brain injury perceive that they have access to everyday technologies commonly used in public space, but the everyday technology difficulty is not always satisfactorily matched to their ability to use it. To enable participation in society, it is important to consider both the accessibility and usability of everyday technology.
Review of Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading
Authors: Pogatschnik Cassandra , Steiger Ezra
Published: July 2015

Preoperative carbohydrate‐containing clear liquids (usually composed of approximately 12% carbohydrate predominantly in maltodextrin form) have provided benefits for the surgical population and further have been included in the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society's recommendations as part of a multimodal approach to reduce surgical patients' length of stay and complication rates. Carbohydrate metabolism is greatly affected by the fed state, which is activated by preoperative carbohydrate fluids given up to 2 hours prior to surgery in contrast to the traditional midnight preoperative fast. Carbohydrate‐rich fluids have been proven to enhance patient comfort prior to surgery and have been theorized to reduce insulin resistance, reducing patient catabolism, with a positive impact on perioperative glucose control and muscle preservation. This practice is further hypothesized to support the ERAS goals of reducing both complication rate and length of stay. Preoperative carbohydrate fluid loading is difficult to prove, as the degree of surgical procedure and postoperative pathways are likely more reflective of patient outcome. The use of carbohydrate‐loading protocols warrants further adequately blinded, placebo‐controlled studies, including the use of variable surgical techniques, reproduction of the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic technique measurements, investigation of ideal carbohydrate fluid composition, and the use of similar surgeries in comparison. Preoperative carbohydrate loading is just one of the many strategies linked to the success of ERAS protocols.
A visual servo-based teleoperation robot system for closed diaphyseal fracture reduction
Authors: Li Changsheng , Wang Tianmiao , Hu Lei , Zhang Lihai , Du Hailong , Zhao Lu , Wang Lifeng , Tang Peifu
Published: July 2015

Common fracture treatments include open reduction and intramedullary nailing technology. However, these methods have disadvantages such as intraoperative X-ray radiation, delayed union or nonunion and postoperative rotation. Robots provide a novel solution to the aforementioned problems while posing new challenges. Against this scientific background, we develop a visual servo-based teleoperation robot system. In this article, we present a robot system, analyze the visual servo-based control system in detail and develop path planning for fracture reduction, inverse kinematics, and output forces of the reduction mechanism. A series of experimental tests is conducted on a bone model and an animal bone. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the robot system. The robot system uses preoperative computed tomography data to realize high precision and perform minimally invasive teleoperation for fracture reduction via the visual servo-based control system while protecting surgeons from radiation.
Conversational practices promoting a discourse of agency for adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Antaki Charles , Crompton Rebecca J
Published: July 2015

In a qualitative study of 50 hours of videotapes of interactions between staff and adults with intellectual disabilities, in two different service environments, we identified conversational practices that arguably promoted – or failed to promote – a discourse of service-users’ personal agency in how they carried out everyday activities. Staff could treat the service-user as an autonomous, self-directed social individual by (a) casting the activity in which they were engaged as being located in a meaningful overall framework, (b) designing their turns at talk as suggestions and requests for the service-user to follow as a matter of choice and (c) implying a joint purpose shared between service-user and a larger group in which he or she was a stakeholder. We discuss these findings in light of recent developments in the drive to empower service-users who have intellectual disabilities.
Through ‘seas never before sailed’: Portuguese government discursive legitimation strategies in a context of financial crisis
Authors: Fonseca Pedro , Ferreira Maria João
Published: July 2015

This article aims to discuss the discursive legitimation strategies used by the Portuguese government to legitimate its political action between 2011 and 2014 in the context of the financial, economic and social crisis and the implementation of a three-year bailout programme and consequent austerity policies. Drawing from Critical Discourse Analysis for discussing discursive legitimation strategies, we selected eight political discourses delivered by the Portuguese Prime Minister and organised his discursive legitimation strategies into four main categories: (1)‘state of exception’, (2) blame allocation, (3) no alternative options and the appeal to emotions and (4) effectiveness. We conclude that, between 2011 and 2014, the Portuguese Prime Minister, through the ‘state of exception’ narrative and blame allocation strategies, sought to impose and legitimate governmental political action as the only viable option to overcome the crisis, as well as to reify the idea that austerity policies were the correct path to ensure a sustainable growth and to build a dynamic, prosperous and fair country.
Exploring Intercultural Pedagogy
Authors: Ghazarian Peter G. , Youhne Mia S.
Published: July 2015

International faculty mobility raises important questions about the relationship between culture and teaching in higher education. As international faculty members adjust to new cultural expectations, they may alter their teaching styles. This study uses survey data to examine the teaching styles of international faculty members in South Korea. The study considers whether international faculty assimilate into Confucian heritage classroom culture by testing the hypothesis that formal authority and expert teaching styles will correlate positively with the number of semesters an international faculty member has taught in South Korea. However, the results reject this hypothesis. The findings elucidate teaching styles used by international faculty members in Korea and provide a platform for further investigation into intercultural pedagogy in higher education.
The Culturally Diverse Nursing Student
Authors: Clary Muronda Valerie
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to discuss the facilitators and barriers to the retention and graduation of the culturally diverse nursing student using the social ecological model (SEM).

Design:

Literature review.

Method:

A review of the literature was conducted and the SEM was used to evaluate the facilitators and barriers to the success of culturally diverse nursing students.

Findings:

The SEM is an appropriate means to evaluate the facilitators and barriers to the retention and success of the culturally diverse nursing student. Researchers link health disparities in marginalized populations with diversity of the health care workforce. Consequently, the SEM provides a multidimensional view of the problem of focus, while providing a guide for the development for sustainable solutions to address the issues. Additional research is necessary using a social determinant of health model such as the SEM to facilitate dialogue and change in current retention strategies.
Academic Learning Teams in Accelerated Adult Programs
Authors: Favor Judy K. , Kulp Amanda M.
Published: July 2015

This article reports adult students’ ( N = 632) perceptions of long-functioning academic learning teams in accelerated online and on-campus business cohort groups in six constructs: attraction to team, performance expectation alignment, workload distribution, intra-team conflict, preference for teamwork, and impact on learning. Comparisons between students in online and on-campus programs revealed, regardless of degree or delivery model, a majority of adult students preferred individual work and did not believe teams positively affected their learning. These perspectives were more distinct among students in online programs.
Perceptions of Competence and the European Economic Crisis
Authors: Chiozza Giacomo , Manzetti Luigi
Published: July 2015

This study provides micro-level evidence for the new theories of accountability under globalization. We analyze the micro-level logic that underpins political accountability in democratic countries with highly globalized economies. We contend that voters discount current economic conditions in evaluating incumbent leaders if they perceive the incumbent leader moving the country in the right direction. We test this argument with survey data from eight European countries in 2012, while controlling for potential alternative explanations associated with pocketbook, sociotropic, and clarity-of-responsibility factors. We find that valence considerations related to future directions in the country sustain positive evaluations of leaders’ performance even in the face of negative evaluations of the economy.
Assessing Calling in Chinese College Students
Authors: Zhang Chunyu , Herrmann Anne , Hirschi Andreas , Wei Jia , Zhang Jinfu
Published: July 2015

Research suggests that perceiving a calling toward a particular career is relatively frequent among college students in Western cultures. However, little is known about how this applies to other cultural contexts. This study assessed the perception of career as a calling in the Chinese culture. Study 1 reports the development of the Chinese Calling Scale (CCS), based on a sample of 788 Chinese college students, and identifies three dimensions of a calling: altruism, guiding force, and meaning and purpose. Measurement invariance of the CCS across gender is supported. In Study 2, the convergent and criterion validity of the CCS is examined based on a sample of 387 college students. The CCS is strongly related to an existing calling measure and moderately related to life meaning and life satisfaction. Study 3 examines the relation between calling, hope, life meaning, life satisfaction, and career decidedness among 518 college students. The findings reveal that hope significantly mediated the relation of calling with career decidedness, life meaning, and life satisfaction. In summary, this study provides a new scale to assess calling in Chinese culture and is the first to explore how calling relates to dispositional hope.
Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the microbiological, biochemical characteristics of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Li Xiu-xia , Tian Xin , Li Jian-rong
Published: July 2015

Using thermal processing (TP) treatment (100 ℃, 1–8 min) as a control, the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP, 200–500 MPa, 2.5–20 min) on the microbiological and biochemical characteristics of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were investigated. The results showed that the efficiency of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) inactivation and log reduction of total plate count (TPC) by HHP treatment were all significantly lower than by TP treatment ( p < 0.05). The rate of inactivation for TPC and PPO all increased with the increase of HHP pressure and holding time ( p < 0.05). The inactivation of PPO was in accordance with a first-order kinetics with the HHP treating time. Hardness of HHP-treated samples at the pressure of 300–500 MPa was higher than TP-treated samples, while the yield loss of HHP treatment was significantly lower than with TP treatment ( p < 0.05), long time and high pressure of HHP treatment turned the appearance of shrimps slightly pink.
Gel properties of sutchi catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) surimi as affected by selected washing process and number of washing cycles
Authors: Priyadarshini Bhargavi , Majumdar Ranendra K , Parhi Janmejay , Maurya Pradip K , Roy Deepayan , Saha Apurba
Published: July 2015

The gel properties of sutchi catfish surimi prepared by conventional washing and alkaline–saline washing method were studied for four washing cycles. Decrease (p < 0.05) in myoglobin content was found in alkaline washing process compared to conventional washing at each washing cycle. The highest hardness, breaking force and deformation was observed in gels prepared from alkaline–saline washing method. Whiteness in conventional washed surimi gels increased non-significantly (p < 0.05) compared to alkaline–saline-washed surimi gels. Protein bands on Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the protein extractability was more in alkaline–saline washing and disappearance of bands in conventional washing method was observed between 116 and 45 kDa indicating less yield of protein.
Multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis followed by optic neuritis in a child with gluten sensitivity
Authors: Ching BH , Mohamed AR , Khoo TB , Ismail HIHM
Published: July 2015

Multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis (MDEM) followed by optic neuritis (ON) has been described as a new entity in recent years. Gluten encephalopathy has also been recognized as a neurological manifestation of celiac disease. Accurate diagnosis of both is important due to the therapeutic implications. We report a girl presenting with recurrent encephalopathic polyfocal demyelinating episodes followed by optic neuritis, and a clinical history suggestive of gluten sensitivity. She had persistently high ESR, neutrophilia, and tested positive for anti-MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein) antibody. She responded well to methylprednisolone in each relapse, and achieved remission for a year after azathioprine was added.
The effect of oral immunomodulatory therapy on treatment uptake and persistence in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Warrender-Sparkes Matthew , Spelman Tim , Izquierdo Guillermo , Trojano Maria , Lugaresi Alessandra , Grand’Maison François , Havrdova Eva , Horakova Dana , Boz Cavit , Oreja-Guevara Celia , Alroughani Raed , Iuliano Gerardo , Duquette Pierre , Girard Marc , Terzi Murat , Hupperts Raymond , Grammond Pierre , Petersen Thor , Fernandez-Bolaños Ricardo , Fiol Marcela , Pucci Eugenio , Lechner-Scott Jeannette , Verheul Freek , Cristiano Edgardo , Van Pesch Vincent , Petkovska-Boskova Tatjana , Moore Fraser , Kister Ilya , Bergamaschi Roberto , Saladino Maria Laura , Slee Mark , Barnett Michael , Amato Maria Pia , Shaw Cameron , Shuey Neil , Young Carolyn , Gray Orla , Kappos Ludwig , Butzkueven Helmut , Kalincik Tomas , Jokubaitis Vilija ,   on behalf of the MSBase study group
Published: July 2015

Objective:

We aimed to analyse the effect of the introduction of fingolimod, the first oral disease-modifying therapy, on treatment utilisation and persistence in an international cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

MSBASIS, a prospective, observational sub-study of the MSBase registry, collects demographic, clinical and paraclinical data on patients followed from MS onset ( n=4718). We conducted a multivariable conditional risk set survival analysis to identify predictors of treatment discontinuation, and to assess if the introduction of fingolimod has altered treatment persistence.

Results:

A total of 2640 patients commenced immunomodulatory therapy. Following the introduction of fingolimod, patients were more likely to discontinue all other treatments (hazard ratio 1.64, p<0.001) while more patients switched to fingolimod than any other therapy (42.3% of switches). Patients switched to fingolimod due to convenience. Patients treated with fingolimod were less likely to discontinue treatment compared with other therapies ( p<0.001). Female sex, country of residence, younger age, a high Expanded Disability Status Scale score and relapse activity were all independently associated with higher rates of treatment discontinuation.

Conclusion:

Following the availability of fingolimod, patients were more likely to discontinue injectable treatments. Those who switched to fingolimod were more likely to do so for convenience. Persistence was improved on fingolimod compared to other medications.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: long-term safety and efficacy of rituximab in Caucasian patients
Authors: Radaelli M , Moiola L , Sangalli F , Esposito F , Barcella V , Ferrè L , Rodegher M , Colombo B , Fazio R , Martinelli V , Comi G
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To assess the long-term benefit-risk profile of repeated courses of rituximab in Caucasian patients affected by neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and related disorders, in everyday clinical practice.

Methods:

This is a prospective observational study performed at San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. From February 2006, we recruited 21 patients affected by NMO and NMO spectrum of disorders (NMOSD) whom underwent at least one cycle of intravenous (i.v.) rituximab and then were followed for at least 2 years.

Results:

At a mean follow-up time of 48 months, we observed a significant reduction of the annualized relapse rate (ARR), from 2.0 to 0.16 ( p < 0.01); and of the median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), from 5.5 to 4.0 ( p < 0.013). There were 12 patients (57%) who remained disease free during the follow-up period. Five patients (24%) reported mild hematological adverse events. Serious infectious adverse events were reported by another four patients: These were all wheelchair bound at the beginning of their rituximab treatment.

Conclusions:

A fixed treatment scheme of rituximab, with re-treatment every 6 months, was efficacious for NMO and NMOSD, with a good safety profile; however, to obtain an even better benefit-risk ratio, close monitoring of CD19+ B cells should be performed before the re-treatment of patients with high-level disability, concomitant leukopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia.
Participant experiences in a smartphone-based health coaching intervention for type 2 diabetes: A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Pludwinski Sarah , Ahmad Farah , Wayne Noah , Ritvo Paul
Published: July 2015

Introduction

We investigated the experience of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who participated in an intervention in which the key elements were the provision of a smartphone and self-monitoring software. The interviews focused on use of a smartphone and the effects on motivation for health behavior change.

Methods

This was a qualitative evaluation of participants in a larger T2DM self-management randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted at the Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) in Toronto, Canada (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02036892). The study is based on semi-structured interviews ( n = 11) that were audio taped and analyzed with a thematic analytic approach. The RCT compared the effectiveness of six months of smartphone-based self-monitoring and health coaching with a control group who received health coaching without internet or smartphone-based assistance.

Results

Qualitative data analyses resulted in derivation of four major themes that describe participant experience: (a) ‘smartphone and software’, describes smartphone use in relation to health behavior change; (b) ‘health coach’ describes how client/health coach relationships were assisted by smartphone use; (c) ‘overall experience’ describes perceptions of the overall intervention; and (d) ‘frustrations in managing chronic conditions’ describes difficulties with the complexities of T2DM management from a patient perspective.

Discussion

Findings suggest that interventions with T2DM assisted by smartphone software and health coaches actively engage individuals in improved hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) control.
Using TV white space spectrum to practise telemedicine: A promising technology to enhance broadband internet connectivity within healthcare facilities in rural regions of developing countries
Authors: Chavez Afton , Littman-Quinn Ryan , Ndlovu Kagiso , Kovarik Carrie L
Published: July 2015

The following correspondence provides an overview of TV White Space (TVWS) technology, regulations, and potential applications to the health care sector. This report also introduces “Project Kgolagano,” a Botswana-based initiative representing the first endeavour to utilize TVWS internet connection for practising telemedicine. TV “white space” refers to the previously unused, wasted spectrum within TV radiofrequency channels that can now be leveraged to obtain broadband internet access. TVWS represents a less costly, faster, and farther-reaching internet connection that is a promising option for connecting the previously unconnected populations of remote and underserved areas. The Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, Microsoft, Botswana Innovation Hub, Vista Life Sciences, and Global Broadband Solutions have partnered together to bring TVWS wireless broadband access to healthcare facilities in poorly connected regions of Botswana (Lobatse, Francistown, Maun, Gaborone) in order to improve healthcare delivery and facilitate telemedicine in dermatology, cervical cancer screening, and family medicine (HIV/AIDS, TB, general adult and pediatric medicine).
Prenatal diagnosis and telemedicine consultation of fetal urologic disorders
Authors: Rabie Nader Z , Canon Stephen , Patel Ashay , Zamilpa Ismael , Magann Everett F , Higley Jared
Published: July 2015

In Arkansas, telemedicine is used commonly in obstetrics through Antenatal and Neonatal Guidelines, Education and Learning System (ANGELS), the existing statewide telemedicine network. This network is used primarily for tele-ultrasound and maternal-fetal medicine consultation. This study is a retrospective case series, describing all the patients who had a prenatally diagnosed urologic anomaly that required prenatal urologic consultation. From 2009–2013, approximately 1300 anomalies were recorded in the Arkansas Fetal Diagnosis and Management (AFDM) database, 14% of which were urologic anomalies. Twenty-six cases required prenatal urologic consultation, 25 of which were conducted via telemedicine. Teleconsultation allowed patients to combine maternal-fetal medicine and urologic consultations in one visit, saving time and effort and ultimately, for most patients, providing reassurance that delivery could be accomplished locally with postnatal follow-up already arranged. While there are several studies reporting the use of telemedicine for various subspecialty consultations, to our knowledge, this is the first to describe the use of telemedicine for prenatal urology consultation. Future research could randomize patients prospectively to allow comparison of both the outcomes as well as the patient experience.
Speed and accuracy of mobile BlackBerry Messenger to transmit chest radiography images from a small community emergency department to a geographically remote referral center
Authors: Scheuermeyer Frank , Grunau Brian , Cheyne Jay , Grafstein Eric , Christenson Jim , Ho Kendall
Published: July 2015

Background

Small emergency departments (EDs) may rely on radiologists at remote centers for interpretations of chest radiographs (CXRs). We investigated systematic transmission of CXR images from a small ED to a geographically remote referral center using the mobile BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) application.

Methods

Investigators obtained de-identified CXR images of consecutive ED patients via mobile phone camera. Each CXR image, along with a brief clinical history, was sent via BBM to an emergency physician located at a remote referral site, and the receiving physician replied via BBM to confirm reception. All communications, image generation, and image analysis was conducted on mobile phones. The primary outcome was the proportion of BBMs received within two minutes of sending; the secondary outcome was the proportion of BBM replies to the sending physician within five minutes. Image accuracy—comparing the radiologist’s interpretation with the receiving emergency physician’s interpretation—was estimated using predefined criteria.

Results

Of 1281 consecutive ED patients, 231 (18.0 %) had CXRs obtained, 320 CXRs were analyzed and 611 BBMs sent. All BBMs (100.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 99.4–00.0) arrived within two minutes; 595 BBMs (97.4%, 95% CI 95.8–98.4) were replied to within five minutes. Of the 58 CXRs with abnormalities requiring intervention, there were 55 concordances (overall agreement 94.2%, 95% CI 85.9–98.3; kappa 0.95, 95% CI 0.89–1.0)

Conclusion

Systematic transmission of CXR images from a small ED to a remote large center using mobile phones may be a safe and effective strategy to rapidly communicate important patient information.
Testing the CIE system for mesopic photometry in a threshold detection experiment
Authors: Bodrogi P , Schiller Ch , Khanh TQ
Published: July 2015

Results from a mesopic threshold detection experiment using static, quasi-monochromatic, 2° incremental detection targets were used to test the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) recommended system for mesopic photometry based on visual performance. An experimental apparatus was built to produce different mesopic backgrounds (four different spectral compositions at two different luminances, 0.1 cd/m2 and 1.0 cd/m2) on which the targets were projected at different eccentricities (2.65° and 10°). The CIE system was tested by two methods, variability of mesopic threshold contrast for different target chromaticities and trend analysis for mesopic threshold contrast plotted against background mesopic luminance. The mesopic threshold contrast did not remain constant among the different target centroid wavelengths within a given viewing condition. The inter-observer variability of the mesopic contrast threshold dataset was considerable.
School and the future: How teachers and teacher education are articulated in the political debate
Authors: Forssell Anna
Published: July 2015

To Govern in the name of the future is considered to be an essential part of policy-making in education. In Sweden, this is particularly evident in the political and public rhetoric used in debates on modern schooling and educational reform. However, this is not merely a national phenomenon; rather, educational governance in the name of the future is largely a global phenomenon that can be found in text and talk worldwide. These national and global narratives express ideas, hopes and visions of the future society and the school of tomorrow, but also the demands of and expectations from different actors on educational arenas. In this article I draw attention to the education policy debate in the Swedish Parliament during the period 2001-2010, with a certain focus on the debates about teacher education. The aim of the paper is to discuss how the future society is expressed in Swedish policy debate in times of changing conditions and demands of education mainly represented by knowledge-based economies and the increasing globalization of society.
Cultivating Swedishness? Examples of imagined kinship during the first half of the 20th century
Authors: Thomasson Adrian
Published: July 2015

Different representations of ‘Swedishness’ , as expressions of altered kinds of imagined kinship in the Swedish educational system during the first half of the 20th century, are discussed. It is argued that even though the curriculum changed, from a more religious one focusing on fostering loyalty and moral commitment to ‘God, the King and the Motherland’, to a scientific one emphasizing the cultivation of critical rational thinking, the framework was (and remains) the nation-state and a belief in the superiority of one’s country and an exclusive concern for one’s own country.
Educating European citizenship: Elucidating assumptions about teaching civic competence
Authors: Bengtsson Anki
Published: July 2015

In recent years, the idea of the contribution of education to citizenship has been reinitiated. The purpose of this paper is to investigate constructions of citizenship as they are articulated in European policy documents on teacher education. It is indicated that the normative form of active citizenship is put into play through the individual and her or his actions, which is centred on learning. Drawing on Foucault’s analytic approach to problematization and Foucauldian methods of analysing policy problematizations of a certain problem, this study draws attention to the discourse of active citizenship and technologies of accountability that are utilized to shape teaching civic learning. It is suggested that citizenship is constructed as a learning problem, which motivates young people in school to reflect on their skills and competences. It is also from these capacities that their attitudes towards cultural diversity are assumed to be developed. Thus, in the formation of citizenship, emphasis is laid on the individual’s capacity for learning, which is also mobilized in narratives of the construction of Europe.
Teacher trainers’ and trainee teachers’ understanding towards the curriculum philosophy regarding soft skills embedment in the Malaysian Institute of Teacher Education
Authors: Hassan Aminuddin , Maharoff Marina , Abiddin Norhasni Zainal , Ro’is Ihsan
Published: July 2015

The embedment of soft skills into education programs in higher education is closely related to the curriculum philosophy brought by the respective institutions. The soft skills are embedded through understanding belief systems and practices among the teacher trainers. Furthermore it provides an insight into the curriculum philosophy on how to implement soft skills embedment. Therefore, this study aimed to understand teacher trainers’ understanding and teaching practice in embedding soft skills while teaching core courses for the Bachelor of Teaching Program (PISMP) at the Malaysia Institute of Teacher Education (IPG). This understanding is necessary in order to resolve the misunderstanding that embedding soft skills are burdensome for the teacher trainers and that it is only documented without being practiced. The case study methodology was used through a qualitative approach. Five teacher trainers with different backgrounds and teaching experience participated as respondents. The findings resulted in improved understanding on teacher trainers’ understanding about soft skills embedment and how the actual process of embedding soft skills occurred. The results of this study allow those involved in the development of student-teachers' soft skills to generate ideas to develop models for soft skills embedment that are in line with the interpretation of PISMP soft skills.
Numerical simulation and experimental research of a flexible caudal fin by piezoelectric fiber composite
Authors: Guan Yuan-Lin , Li Hua-Feng , Yang Xi-Xin , Peng Han-Min
Published: July 2015

A flexible caudal fin made of the macro fiber composites and the carbon fiber orthotropic composite was investigated by the numerical simulations and the experiments. First, a three-dimensional numerical simulation procedure was adopted to research the torsion propulsion mode of the caudal fin and the impact of the water for the structural torsion frequency of the caudal fin. Then, a two-dimensional unsteady fluid computational method was used to analyze the hydrodynamic performance with the periodic swing of the caudal fin on the torsion mode. Based on the simulation results, the flow field was demonstrated and discussed. The interaction between the caudal fin and the water was explained. Finally, the laser vibrometer system was built to verify the torsion propulsion mode. Meanwhile, the application of the caudal fin was realized on the torsion propulsion, and the measured system was established to demonstrate the performance of the caudal fin. The established simulation procedures and experimental methods in this study may provide guidance to the fins made of the composite materials during the structural design and the investigation of the flow field characteristics with the movement of the fins.
Computational fluid dynamics simulation of subcooled flow boiling in vertical rectangular 2-mm narrow channel
Authors: Yang Lixin , Guo Ang , Zhang Wang
Published: July 2015

This work proposes and discusses a new wall boiling model for a 2-mm narrow rectangular channel with a copper heating surface at atmospheric pressure. The model includes a wall heat flux partitioning model and several sub-models that compute active nucleation site density, bubble departure diameter, and bubble departure frequency. This wall boiling model was developed based on our previous experimental work on narrow channel flow in order to account for the unique thermal-hydraulics that occur under these specific conditions. The model was implemented in CFX code to simulate the subcooled flow boiling in a narrow channel with a two-fluid model; we also considered the onset of nucleate boiling. The new model has been validated by the experimental data. Compared to the default model that had been developed in CFX code, the new model provides better predictions of the distribution of wall temperature in the 2-mm narrow channel.
Boiling Lines and Lightning Sketches: Process and the Animated Drawing
Authors: Torre Dan
Published: July 2015

Animation has often involved some degree of drawing, but ‘boiling’ and animated sketching are two unique forms of drawn animation that overtly foreground the process of drawing. In this article, the author looks at these two specific approaches to drawn animation, paying special attention to the history, process, and evolutionary qualities of animated sketching; he focuses on the processes and material essence of the ‘boiling’ image. Both of these approaches produce forms that are at once immobile and mobile and, within this dichotomy of movement, the process of drawing is further accentuated. These will be discussed in light of broader discussions of the theory and process of animation and drawing. Additionally, these discussions will be set against a (somewhat informal) backdrop of process philosophy in an effort to further underscore the importance of the drawing process in the production and presentation of these two methods of animation.
The Impact of Simulated Nature on Patient Outcomes
Authors: Pati Debajyoti , Freier Patricia , O’Boyle Michael , Amor Cherif , Valipoor Shabboo
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To examine whether incorporation of simulated nature, in the form of ceiling mounted photographic sky compositions, influences patient outcomes.

Background:

Previous studies have shown that most forms of nature exposure have a positive influence on patients. However, earlier studies have mostly focused on wall-hung nature representations. The emergence of simulated nature products has raised the question regarding the effects of the new product on patient outcomes.

Methods:

A between-subject experimental design was adopted, where outcomes from five inpatient rooms with sky composition ceiling fixture were compared to corresponding outcomes in five identical rooms without the intervention. Data were collected from a total of 181 subjects on 11 outcomes. Independent sample tests were performed to identify differences in mean outcomes.

Result:

Significant positive outcomes were observed in environmental satisfaction and diastolic blood pressure (BP). Environmental satisfaction in the experimental group was 12.4% higher than the control group. Direction of association for diastolic BP, nausea/indigestion medication, acute stress, anxiety, pain, and environmental satisfaction were consistent with a priori hypothesis. A post hoc exploratory assessment involving patients who did not self-request additional pain and sleep medication demonstrated confirmatory directions for all outcomes except Systolic BP, and statistically significant outcomes for Acute Stress and Anxiety—Acute Stress and Anxiety levels of the experimental group subjects was 53.4% and 34.79% lower, respectively, than that of the control group subjects.

Conclusion:

Salutogenic benefits of photographic sky compositions render them better than traditional ceiling tiles and offer an alternative to other nature interventions.
Statin use in prediabetic patients: rationale and results to date
Authors: Kei Anastazia , Rizos Evangelos C. , Elisaf Moses
Published: July 2015

Prediabetes increases the risk for new-onset diabetes mellitus in patients receiving statins and this risk is dose- and time- dependent. Explanations for the conversion of a predisposed individual to diabetes are ambiguous including reductions in ubiquinone and adiponectin levels. However, the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus is far outweighed by the statin-induced considerable decrease in cardiovascular events. Thus, prediabetic patients at high cardiovascular risk should not be denied high-dose statin therapy due to the small increase in the risk of developing diabetes since statins, especially at higher doses, cause greater reductions in cardiovascular events compared with standard statin doses. Moreover, lifestyle modification or even antidiabetic drugs are highly recommended in these individuals.