bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic revision of the family Hoplitomerycidae Leinders, 1984 (Artiodactyla: Cervoidea), with the description of a new genus and four new species
Authors: VAN DER GEER ALEXANDRA A. E.
Published: August 2014

Six species of the cervoid genus Hoplitomeryx are currently recognized from the Late Miocene sites of Gargano and Scontrone, in Italy: H. matthei Leinders, 1984, H. apruthiensis Mazza & Rustioni, 2011, H. apulicus Mazza & Rustioni, 2011, H. falcidens Mazza & Rustioni, 2011, H. magnus Mazza & Rustioni, 2011, and H. minutus Mazza & Rustioni, 2011. These species are interpreted as members of an anagenetic series in these two localities, which are considered as part of the same bioprovince but with different geological ages. Comparative analysis of postcranial, dental, and cranial material from Hoplitomerycidae resulted in the reinterpretation of this current taxonomic arrangement. Two distinct genera can be distinguished. The new genus Scontromeryx is restricted to Scontrone (Early Tortonian) and is characterised by the presence of second upper and lower premolars and the absence of a nasal (median) horn. Hoplitomeryx is restricted to Gargano (Middle and/or Late Tortonian), and is characterized by the loss of the second premolar and presence of a nasal horn. Both genera are characterized by orbital appendages in some species, but the morphology of these appendages differs between the genera. Six species can be recognized for Scontromeryx gen. n.: S. minutus (type species), S. falcidens, S. apulicus, S. apruthiensis, S. magnus (new combinations) and the newly described S. mazzai sp. n.. Hoplitomeryx is represented by the H. matthei (type species) and 3 newly described species H. devosi sp. n., H. macpheei sp. n. and H. kriegsmani sp. n.. These two multispecies assemblages are best explained as independent adaptive radiations with the two genera as sister taxa. There is no evidence that the two localities were connected during the Late Miocene.
The genus Anahita from Wuyi Mountains, Fujian, China, with description of one new species (Araneae: Ctenidae)
Authors: LI ZHIYUE , JIN CHI , ZHANG FENG
Published: August 2014

The family Ctenidae is represented by 40 genera and 490 species in the world, distributed mainly in America, Africa and Asia. Sixty-three species have been recorded from Asia (Jäger 2012), however, only nine species in four genera (Anahita Karsch, 1879; Ctenus Walckenaer, 1805; Leptoctenus L. Koch, 1878 and Sinoctenus Marusik, Zhang & Omelko, 2012) have been reported from China (Platnick 2014). The genus Anahita was established by Karsch in 1879 for the type species A. fauna Karsch, 1879. Silva (2003) found that all species in the genus can be recognised by the absence of the retrolateral tibial apophysis and the presence of a hyaline area in the female epigynum. Jäger (2012) reviewed Asian Anahita, illustrated the type species according to the new materials, transferred four species from the genus Ctenus to Anahita and described one new species. Presently, this genus contains 27 species, among them five species are recorded from China (Platnick 2014): A. fauna Karsch, 1879; A. maolan Zhu, Chen & Song, 1999; A. samplexa Yin, Tang & Gong, 2000; A. jianfengensis Zhang, Hu & Han, 2011 and A. jinsi Jäger, 2012 (Jäger 2012; Yin et al. 2000; Zhang et al. 2011; Zhu et al. 1999).
Review and phylogeny of the geniculata group, genus Chinavia (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), with notes on biogeography and morphological evolution
Authors: GENEVCIUS BRUNO C. , SCHWERTNER CRISTIANO F.
Published: August 2014

Chinavia is one of the most diverse genera of Pentatomidae, comprising 80 species distributed in the Afrotropical, Neartic and Neotropical regions. Some groups of species have been proposed in the literature based on morphological similarities or phylogenetic analyses. The geniculata group was proposed to include C. geniculata, C. gravis and C. nigritarsis. However, eleven other species of Chinavia share somatic and genital characteristics with C. geniculata, C. gravis and C. nigritarsis, which allows hypothesizing the monophyly among these 14 species. In spite of the recent contributions to aspects of biology, immature stages and species catalogs in Chinavia, the definition of monophyletic groups within the genus and the establishment of boundaries among its species are essential to understand its diversity and to test hypotheses on biogeography and evolutionary biology. In this study we review the taxonomy of the geniculata group, test its monophyly and propose a phylogenetic hypothesis for the group. We discuss the phylogenetic relationships from a geographical perspective, and provide insights about morphological evolution.
Review of the species of the genus Serrapinnus Malabarba, 1998 (Teleostei: Characidae: Cheirodontinae) from the rio Tocantins-Araguaia basin, with description of three new species
Authors: MALABARBA LUIZ R. , JEREP FERNANDO C.
Published: August 2014

Species of the genus Serrapinnus from the rio Tocantins-Araguaia basin are revised and three new species are described. Serrapinnus aster new species is diagnosed by the presence of scimitar-shaped ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays of mature males forming a semicircle and by the presence of 7–9 cusps on the premaxillary teeth; S. lucindai new species is distinguished from its congeners by the presence of a higher number of ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays (17 to 19); and S. tocantinensis new species differs from the remaining species of the genus by the elongation of the unbranched dorsal and pelvic-fin rays into filaments in mature males. Serrapinnus sterbai is recognized as broadly distributed in the Tocantins-Araguaia basin and is redescribed based on specimens from across its entire distribution. A key for the cheirodontines occurring in the Atlantic drainages of northeastern Brazil, from the rio Tocantins-Araguaia to the rio Paraguaçú is provided.
A new species of Endecous Saussure, 1878 (Orthoptera, Gryllidae) from northeast Brazil with the first X1X20 chromosomal sex system in Gryllidae
Authors: ZEFA EDISON , REDü DARLAN RUTZ , DA COSTA MARIA KÁTIA MATIOTTI , FONTANETTI CARMEM S. , GOTTSCHALK MARCO SILVA , PADILHA GIOVANNA BOFF , SILVA ANELISE FERNANDES E , MARTINS LUCIANO DE P.
Published: August 2014

In this paper we describe a new species of Luzarinae cricket collected from the cave “Gruta de Ubajara, municipality of Ubajara, State of Ceará, Brazil, highlighting phallic sclerites morphology and chromosome complement as diagnostic characters. We presented meiotic and mitotic characterization in order to define the karyotype with 2n = 12 + X1X2♂/12 + X1X1X2X2♀. This represents the first record of X1X20 chromosomal sex system in Gryllidae.
Symmetric Instability in the Outflow Layer of a Major Hurricane
Authors: Molinari John , Vollaro David
Published: August 2014

A set of 327 dropsondes from the NOAA G-IV aircraft was used to create a composite analysis of the azimuthally averaged absolute angular momentum in the outflow layer of major Hurricane Ivan (2004). Inertial instability existed over a narrow layer in the upper troposphere between the 350- and 450-km radii. Isolines of potential and equivalent potential temperature showed that the conditions for both dry and moist symmetric instability were satisfied in the same region, but over a deeper layer from 9 to 12 km. The radial flow maximized at the outer edge of the unstable region. The symmetrically unstable state existed above a region of outward decrease of temperature between the cirrus overcast of the storm and clear air outside. It is hypothesized that the temperature gradient was created as a result of longwave heating within the cirrus overcast and longwave cooling outside the cloudy region. This produced isentropes that sloped upward with radius in the same region that absolute momentum surfaces were flat or sloping downward, thus creating symmetric instability. Although this instability typically follows rather than precedes intensification, limited numerical evidence suggests that the reestablishment of a symmetrically neutral state might influence the length of the intensification period.
The abject failure of drug prohibition
Authors: Wodak AM Alex
Published: August 2014

For more than 50 years, like most other countries Australian drug policy relied heavily on law enforcement: politicians emphasised criminal justice measures and the overwhelming majority of government expenditure in response to drugs was allocated to drug law enforcement. Yet during the last half-century, drug markets expanded and became more dangerous. Even worse, deaths, disease, crime, corruption and violence increased substantially. Evidence that supply control is effective is scant yet there is abundant evidence of its serious adverse effects. The limited data available show that drug law enforcement is not cost-effective. However, ample data confirm that drug treatment and harm reduction are effective and cost-effective. Although the heroin shortage in Australia since 2000 is one of the most pronounced and protracted decreases in heroin supply worldwide, there is little evidence that Australian drug law enforcement contributed significantly. International leaders declare increasingly that the international drug control system has failed comprehensively. For many producer and transit countries, the cost of drug prohibition has been devastating. The academic debate about drug policy is now largely over. A number of countries have begun searching for politically feasible alternatives. Whether it is fair and just for the majority of a community to punish those with a minority taste in drugs is the most fundamental question in drug policy and the case for doing so is weak. Drug prohibition has proved to be an expensive way of making a bad problem worse: its major success has been as a political strategy.
Reconsidering the Simple View of Reading in an Intriguing Case of Equivalent Models
Authors: Wagner Richard K. , Herrera Sarah K. , Spencer Mercedes , Quinn Jamie M.
Published: August 2014

Recently, Tunmer and Chapman provided an alternative model of how decoding and listening comprehension affect reading comprehension that challenges the simple view of reading. They questioned the simple view’s fundamental assumption that oral language comprehension and decoding make independent contributions to reading comprehension by arguing that one component of oral language comprehension (vocabulary) affects decoding. They reported results from hierarchical regression analyses, exploratory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling to justify their conclusion. Their structural equation modeling results provided the strongest and most direct test of their alternative view. However, they incorrectly specified their simple view model. When correctly specified, the simple view of reading model and an alternative model in which listening comprehension affects decoding provide identically good fits to the data. This results from the fact that they are equivalent models. Although Tunmer and Chapman’s results do not support their assertion that a model in which oral language comprehension affects decoding provides a better fit to their data, the presence of equivalent models provides an ironic twist: The mountain of evidence that supports the simple view of reading provides equivalent support to their alternative interpretation. Additional studies are needed to differentiate these two theoretical accounts.
Exploring the Multimodality of EFL Textbooks for Chinese College Students: A Comparative Study
Authors: Liu Xiqin , Qu Dianning
Published: August 2014

To explore the multimodality of two representative EFL textbook series for Chinese college students, their visual and verbal semiotic modes were compared. The target textbooks are Experiencing English and New Century College English. Through multimodal discourse analysis, the study aims to shed some light on how to develop high-quality multimodal EFL textbooks. The main findings are: (1) EE and NCCE are similar in the fact that their representative multimodal texts are visually-verbally coherent and both demonstrate prominent features for intersemiotic semantic relations; (2) their differences are EE displays a higher degree of interpersonal intersemiotic complementarity and multimodality facilitates the realization of different modern educational concepts — constructivism in EE and humanism in NCCE; and (3) such differences are related to or may partially result from the differences in the language difficulty of textbooks and English proficiency of target learners. As a pioneering attempt to probe into the possible relationship between multimodality and modern educational concepts in EFL textbooks, the study shows the importance of properly arranging the different modes in a double-page spread. It also suggests that EFL textbook compilers consider the learners’ English proficiency and appropriately employ the variety and number of multimodal resources to achieve optimal intersemiotic complementarity.
Collaboration Between L2 and Content Subject Teachers in CBI: Contrasting Beliefs and Attitudes
Authors: Lo Yuen Yi
Published: August 2014

As content-based instruction (CBI) programmes involve certain degrees of integration of second language (L2) and content learning, collaboration between L2 and content subject teachers has been strongly advocated. Whether this type of teacher collaboration can be successfully implemented will depend on many factors, one of which is teacher beliefs and attitudes. This study compares the beliefs and attitudes of L2 teachers with those of content subject teachers regarding their roles in CBI and cross-curricular collaboration. Data collected from the 261completed questionnaires, complemented with six semi-structured interviews, administered to teachers in Hong Kong secondary schools which practise CBI, show that the two groups of teachers have significantly different beliefs about their roles concerning language teaching in CBI. Even though they generally believe in the effectiveness of collaboration, they perceive some potential problems and are not fully committed to it. Such findings have important implications for the feasibility of cross-curricular collaboration, which is a practice often advocated to facilitate L2 learning in CBI. The findings can also shed light on teacher education in CBI.
Evaluating urban regeneration: An assessment of the effectiveness of physical regeneration initiatives on run-down industrial sites in the Netherlands
Authors: Ploegmakers Huub , Beckers Pascal
Published: August 2014

Despite the widespread use of physical improvements as a strategy to regenerate deprived and run-down urban areas, there is only limited evidence on the precise impact of these kinds of regeneration activities. A number of conceptual and methodological problems that impinge on all evaluations of regeneration policies have constrained the required evidence base. This paper evaluates the impact of publicly funded physical improvements of run-down industrial sites in the Netherlands and seeks to address several of these challenges; namely, selecting appropriate comparison areas, attributing change to specific interventions, access to small-scale, longitudinal data and selecting outcomes congruent with policy goals and rationales. Pooled data from various sources provide us with information on regeneration initiatives and other site characteristics for more than half of all sites in the country. Propensity score matching enables us to systematically compare economic outcomes related to regeneration policy goals between sites that have been subjected to regeneration and those that have not. The results of this study suggest that physical regeneration of industrial sites has a negligible effect on economic outcomes that are related to the most commonly articulated policy goals: the increase of employment, of firm numbers, of property values and of the intensity of land use on these sites. These findings add to a small but growing body of work that investigates the economic impact of regeneration programmes that fund physical investments on commercial and industrial areas.
Simple Nutrition Screening Tool for Pediatric Inpatients
Authors: White Melinda , Lawson Karen , Ramsey Rebecca , Dennis Nicole , Hutchinson Zoe , Soh Xin Ying , Matsuyama Misa , Doolan Annabel , Todd Alwyn , Elliott Aoife , Bell Kristie , Littlewood Robyn
Published: August 2014

Background: Pediatric nutrition risk screening tools are not routinely implemented throughout many hospitals, despite prevalence studies demonstrating malnutrition is common in hospitalized children. Existing tools lack the simplicity of those used to assess nutrition risk in the adult population. This study reports the accuracy of a new, quick, and simple pediatric nutrition screening tool (PNST) designed to be used for pediatric inpatients. Materials and Methods: The pediatric Subjective Global Nutrition Assessment (SGNA) and anthropometric measures were used to develop and assess the validity of 4 simple nutrition screening questions comprising the PNST. Participants were pediatric inpatients in 2 tertiary pediatric hospitals and 1 regional hospital. Results: Two affirmative answers to the PNST questions were found to maximize the specificity and sensitivity to the pediatric SGNA and body mass index (BMI) z scores for malnutrition in 295 patients. The PNST identified 37.6% of patients as being at nutrition risk, whereas the pediatric SGNA identified 34.2%. The sensitivity and specificity of the PNST compared with the pediatric SGNA were 77.8% and 82.1%, respectively. The sensitivity of the PNST at detecting patients with a BMI z score of less than −2 was 89.3%, and the specificity was 66.2%. Both the PNST and pediatric SGNA were relatively poor at detecting patients who were stunted or overweight, with the sensitivity and specificity being less than 69%. Conclusion: The PNST provides a sensitive, valid, and simpler alternative to existing pediatric nutrition screening tools such as Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP), Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional status and Growth (STRONGkids), and Paediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) to ensure the early detection of hospitalized children at nutrition risk.
Prevalence and Contents of Advance Directives in Patients Receiving Home Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Bui Gloria T. , Edakkanambeth Varayil Jithinraj , Hurt Ryan T. , Neutzling Kari A. , Cook Katlyn E. , Head Debra L. , Mueller Paul S. , Swetz Keith M.
Published: August 2014

Background: Ethical issues may arise with patients who receive home parenteral nutrition (HPN) and have a change in their overall health status. We sought to determine the extent of advance care planning and the use of advance directives (ADs) by patients receiving HPN. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of the medical records of adult patients newly started on HPN at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2012, to determine the prevalence and contents of their ADs. Results: A total of 537 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean (SD) age at commencement of HPN was 52.8 (15.2) years, and 39% (n = 210) were men. Overall, 159 patients (30%) had ADs. Many mentioned specific life‐prolonging treatments: cardiopulmonary resuscitation (44 [28%]), mechanical ventilation (43 [27%]), and hemodialysis (19 [12%]). Almost half mentioned pain control (78 [49%]), comfort measures (65 [41%]), and end‐of‐life management of HPN (76 [48%]). Many also contained general statements about end‐of‐life care (no “heroic measures”). The proportion specifically addressing end‐of‐life management of HPN (48%) was much higher than that previously reported in other populations with other life‐supporting care such as cardiac devices. The primary diagnosis or the indication for HPN was not correlated with whether or not the patient had an AD (P = .07 and .46, respectively). Conclusion: Although almost one‐third of the patients had an AD, less than half specifically mentioned HPN in it, which suggests that such patients should be encouraged to execute an AD that specifically addresses end‐of‐life management of HPN.
More than post-election cabinets: Uncertainty and the “magnitude of change” during Italian government bargaining
Authors: Curini Luigi , Pinto Luca
Published: August 2014

The existence of political uncertainty has been identified in the literature as one of the main determinants of cabinet bargaining delays. Still, practically all studies on the topic expect uncertainty to play a relevant role only during the immediate post-election period, ignoring the variety of different government experiences, especially in countries characterized by a high cabinet turnover in the between-elections period, such as Italy. To overcome this shortcoming, we estimate the “magnitude of change” in the bargaining environment as a determinant of bargaining delays, taking into account partisan, ideological and institutional variations that can happen across two subsequent formation processes. Our results help to better explain the variance in the Italian government bargaining experience throughout almost 70 years of history. Moreover, once we control for the effect of such changing circumstances, the relevance of the timing of negotiations disappears.
The roots of trust in local government in western Europe
Authors: Fitzgerald Jennifer , Wolak Jennifer
Published: August 2014

When people say that they trust local authorities, is it simply because they have generalized trust in national government? Or is trust in local government rooted in distinctive considerations, connected to the character of local communities and the balance of power across levels of government? We explore how trust in local and national government differs across individuals and across countries in western Europe. We find that people trust local government for different reasons than those that drive trust in national government. Cross-national differences in levels of trust in government reflect the character of national institutions. While both proportional representation systems and federal systems are power-sharing designs, each has distinctive consequences for trust. When opportunities for voice in local government are high, as in decentralized systems, people report greater trust in local government. When opportunities for voice in national government are limited, as in majoritarian systems, people report lower trust for national government and higher trust in local government.
Can Visionary Leaders be Role Models for Collaborative Style of Conflict Handling among Teams in IT Organizations?
Authors: Pathardikar Avinash D. , Sahu Sangeeta
Published: August 2014

The behaviour pattern of visionary leaders (VL) towards handling of conflict is investigated in this article. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) results of a self-reported survey among 206 professionals from Indian information technology (IT) based organizations, holding leadership roles show that the behaviour patterns of VL such as risk-taking and ability to generate set of feelings of we-ness among the members contributed significantly towards collaborating style. The demographic factor experience has a significant influence on this style. This paper sheds light on the importance of visionary leadership in reaching win-win situation during conflict resolution through risk-taking and generating a feeling of togetherness can be developed and encouraged through assessment centres for greater integrity at workplace.
Testing Ben Graham’s Stock Selection Criteria in Indian Stock Market
Authors: Singh Jaspal , Kaur Kiranpreet
Published: August 2014

Using the data on stocks listed on Bombay Stock Exchange for the period spanning from 1996 to 2010, the present study intends to examine the profitability of stock selection criteria of Benjamin Graham in Indian capital market. The different risk–reward combinations of the criteria and the minimum number of principles to be followed by a stock have been examined using one sample T-test, Sharpe ratio and capital asset pricing model (CAPM). The results make it evident that all the risk-reward combinations can be used safely by investors in order to extract excess returns except the combination of discount to net current asset value (NCAV) and current ratio and the combination of high dividend yield and low leverage. Such stocks have lesser chances of growth in future and excessively blocked inventory reduces the operating efficiency of the business. Furthermore the stocks meeting any four rules of the criteria can yield excess returns to investors if such stocks are held for the period of 24 months.
Gay Men at Midlife
Authors: Hajek Christopher
Published: August 2014

This study draws on interview data, a grounded theoretical methodology, and social identity theory concepts to explore how early midlife gay men manage their age identities through the use of linguistic labels, intragenerational talk among peers, and intergenerational talk with younger gay men. Face-to-face, semistructured interviews were conducted with 40 ethnically and socioeconomically diverse early midlife gay men (aged 40-53) in four U.S. cities. Men discussed conversations between themselves and gay men in their 20s, as well as the nature of their age identities. Open and axial coding of the men’s intra- and intergroup language use and other communicative behavior—with attention to accompanying motivations for engaging in such talk and nonverbal expression—revealed a new grounded theory of social identity management. Similarities and extensions to social identity theory were discussed, as were the theory’s implications for understanding gay midlife.
The Concept of Active Consciousness in Marcien Towa
Authors: Bâ Cheikh Moctar
Published: August 2014

It is a question of seeing through the study of certain philosophical positions of Marcien Towa how philosophical activity is an experience of freedom, an active consciousness in motion. Indeed, in Marcien Towa, freedom is the result of a process of rediscovery of self that animates the subject aware of its existence in the world. The unveiling of the essence of me is a necessity or an imperative whose effectiveness is the result of questioning the essence of the self that is reborn from its treating myself as a goal, as a consciousness of freedom. This is where there is reconciliation of the self with itself, the advent of a new subject that can take care of themselves as free and autonomous entity and that supports his destiny.
The aesthetics of Utopia
Authors: Howells Richard
Published: August 2014

This article combines critical, visual and aesthetic theory to argue that the very act of design is a Utopian process. Crucially, the Utopian dimension is not simply a matter of subject matter or utility. Rather, it lies in the act of formal arrangement and composition, and therefore can apply to visual texts with no apparent subject matter at all. The argument is grounded in Ernst Bloch’s critical theory of Utopia, which sees Utopia as a process rather than a destination. It is illustrated with a case study of Navajo weaving, in tandem with an analysis of Navajo creation mythology. It concludes by arguing that we need to go beyond creation theory to a critical theory of creativity. Utopia is not something that we can delegate either to nature or to the supernatural because, as Bloch declares in The Spirit of Utopia, ‘Life has been put into our hands’.
Towards a new romanticism
Authors: Pierce April Elisabeth
Published: August 2014

This essay addresses Jacques Derrida’s theory of metaphor, as it has been handed to literary theory and continental philosophy. Our aim is to reassess the relationship between metaphor and metaphysics, using two distinct critical lenses. We will contrast Derrida’s influential position to an anachronistic author – Giambattista Vico (1668–1744). Vico initiated what is now (retrospectively) called the romantic theory of metaphor, but the details of his theory are missing from current discussions. For this reason, Vico’s view is given closer attention. Two new concepts are introduced: mute metaphor and heroic metaphor. These terms help specify precisely how metaphor can be conceived as a process of consciousness rather than a grammatical rule or grammatical exception. Finally, it is suggested that Vico’s theory is preferable to Derrida’s. Vico’s vision of metaphorical language is more fruitful and less problematic than Derrida’s, both methodologically and terminologically. The romanticism espoused by Vico also suggests itself to new modes of contemporary research concerning the purpose and function of metaphor within language.
The fatigue damage mesomodel for fiber-reinforced polymer composite lamina
Authors: Zhang Wenjiao , Zhou Zhengong , Zheng Ping , Zhao Shuyuan
Published: August 2014

This study deals with the modeling of the behavior of fiber-reinforced composite laminas under fatigue loading. On the basis of continuum damage mechanics, the non-linear cumulative damage model is developed and established on the mesoscale of the elementary layer. Three damage failures are taken into account: brittle behavior in the fiber direction, elastoplastic damage behavior under shear and transverse tension stress. Meanwhile, the couple effect of damage anisotropy between transverse and shear directions in-plane is considered. The failure criterion is presented and proved as an accurate approach to predict fatigue life of composite unidirectional lamina. The results of the fatigue damage model are obtained by a numerical simulation method, and the step value of cyclic iteration is discussed to acquire the predictive life range. Finally, the results of prediction agree well with the relative experimental data.
Addressing Learning Disabilities With UDL and Technology
Authors: Hall Tracey E. , Cohen Nicole , Vue Ge , Ganley Patricia
Published: August 2014

CAST created Strategic Reader, a technology-based system blending Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) in a digital learning environment to improve reading comprehension instruction. This experimental study evaluates the effectiveness of Strategic Reader using two treatment conditions for measuring progress (online vs. offline). Using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, strong evidence is found that students using the online tool experience significant growth in comprehension scores. The difference in score growth in the online versus offline conditions is especially large for students with learning disabilities (LDs): Only in the online progress monitoring condition do LD students experience a statistically significant score increase. In addition, students with LDs report being substantially more engaged by (and with) Strategic Reader, finding many aspects of the tool differentially more helpful than their general education peers. In sum, the results provide promising paths for both curricular design and further research in the design of digital environments.
A dialogical conception of concepts
Authors: Larraín Antonia , Haye Andrés
Published: August 2014

Classical psychology and philosophy have conceived of thinking as being intimately related to concepts. According to predominant psychological theories, concepts are the building blocks of propositional thought. Although important authors such as William James and Lev Vygotsky offered alternative accounts of concepts, they have been largely ignored. This is particularly surprising in the case of sociocultural theories, which have not elaborated further on this important aspect of psychological life. This article seeks to explore these alternative theorizations on concepts in order to contribute to an understanding of concepts as processes that unfold through speech according to social dynamics. We also discuss some aspects of the theory of discourse of Bakhtin and Vološinov, in order to study the implications of a dialogical theory for the conception of concepts. We propose to conceive concepts as generic generalization processes that unfold through discourse in response to others’ generalizations.
The ontology of the “in-between” and the genetic legacy in psychology
Authors: Baerveldt Cor
Published: August 2014

A true psychology of language and self requires a radically dialogical ontology that goes beyond the dialectics of self and other and the logic of me–other exchange. Bertau’s notion of the in-between and Lipari’s notion of interlistening are highly suggestive of such a dialogical ontology. This article attempts to connect those notions to a history of genetic thought going back to Goethe’s Lebensphilosophie. Following the implications of this tradition leads to a different interpretation of Vygotsky’s work on thinking and concept formation than the one offered by Larraín and Haye. The article concludes by evoking Merleau-Ponty in further support of an ontology of the in-between that reveals expression both in its generativity and in its depth. With an allusion to Karsten, genuine depth can be seen as expressed precisely through a refraction of the self as expression and the self as expressed.
On movements of language—within self, of self, about self, and between selves: Commentary on language and self
Authors: Bandlamudi Lakshmi
Published: August 2014

Experiences acquire meaning and gain significance through narration and narratives do not mechanically signify experiences. The nature of visualization and understanding of self and the world around us is revealed in the genres through which we narrate. Human activity cannot be conducted without language and our activities are diverse. Subsequently, the manner in which language is used is also varied. Therefore, from thinking to speaking to writing to listening, we are dealing with an ever-evolving self in linguistic transactions with ever-shifting others. The language used is equally dialogic. The articles in this issue deal primarily with “movements of language”—within self, of self, about self, and between selves—to show the creative potential of the self and the generative capacity of language. In this commentary, I engage in a dialogue with the articles in this issue, bringing perspectives from Indian philological and philosophical traditions.
Writing: Movements of the self
Authors: Karsten Andrea
Published: August 2014

This article presents analyses of excerpts from a study on writing conducted in a dialogical perspective. The study’s material was collected by the auto-confrontation method: writers were videotaped during their work and afterwards confronted with their writing activities. Microanalysis of the material attends to how inner dialogues during writing are “refracted” (Voloshinov) in auto-confrontation. Bakhtin’s notion of the chronotope (time-and-space) as the main tool of analysis helps to discern the changing contexts and position constellations utterances are valid for. It thus sheds light on the positioning movements performed by the writing selves through language. The analyses show various utterance movements traversing the chronotopes involved, ranging from refractions of movements between the writers’ inner dialogues and their texts to retrospective imperatives with a developmental potential. This “dialogical volume” of speech activity presenting itself in writing can contribute to our understanding of the interplay of language and the self.
Reading as a language event of the self: In conversation with Bertau, Lipari, and Karsten
Authors: Lysaker Judith T.
Published: August 2014

This commentary explores selected ideas presented in the special issue on language and the self and considers them in terms of reading. Bertau’s notions of the in-between and sharedness, Lipari’s description of the polychronic, polymodal, and polyphonic qualities of language events, and Karsten’s description of the cross chronotope relationships between self-positions during writing are discussed. Using a case analysis of a young child’s wordless picture book reading, this set of ideas is used to illuminate reading as a dialogic, relational event of the self, one that depends on the use of social imagination as a critical part of the meaning-making process.
Ethical conflicts and the process of reflection in undergraduate nursing students in Brazil
Authors: Ramos Flávia Regina Souza , Brehmer Laura Cavalcanti de Farias , Vargas Mara Ambrosina , Trombetta Ana Paula , Silveira Luciana Ramos , Drago Laila
Published: August 2014

Background:

Nursing students on clinical placements as part of their professional training are routinely faced with situations involving ethical conflicts. The initial act of perceiving a situation as causing an ethical dilemma is the result of both the students’ personal values, drawn from their culture and families, and of the professional knowledge and values that they have acquired through training and experience.

Objectives:

Nursing students’ experiences on clinical placements in primary care settings were investigated in order to identify situations that they perceived as involving ethical conflict and describe the elements they took into consideration during their decision-making processes in these situations.

Methods:

The research design was qualitative descriptive case study. Around 50 students from three different intakes to a nursing degree answered a questionnaire and discussed it in focus groups.

Ethical considerations:

The study was designed in accordance with the principles guiding research with human beings and was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee.

Results:

Synthesised into two principal axes: (a) ethical conflicts in primary care, linked with the domains of working processes, professional nursing ethics and human and social rights and (b) students’ decision-making processes – realisation, reflection and intervention.

Conclusion:

The student nurses saw themselves both as actors and spectators in situations involving ethical problems and demanding moral deliberation, demonstrating the ability to base their arguments soundly. They tended to emphasise the possibilities offered by dialogue and that different ethical values must be respected to find fair solutions to ethical problems.
Enteral nutrition in end of life care
Authors: Greenberger Chaya
Published: August 2014

Providing versus foregoing enteral nutrition is a central issue in end-of-life care, affecting patients, families, nurses, and other health professionals. The aim of this article is to examine Jewish ethical perspectives on nourishing the dying and to analyze their implications for nursing practice, education, and research. Jewish ethics is based on religious law, called Halacha. Many Halachic scholars perceive withholding nourishment in end of life, even enterally, as hastening death. This reflects the divide they perceive between allowing a fatal disease to naturally run its course until an individual’s vitality (life force or viability) is lost versus withholding nourishment for the vitality that still remains. The latter they maintain introduces a new cause of death. Nevertheless, coercing an individual to accept enteral nourishment is generally considered undignified and counterproductive. A minority of Halachic scholars classify withholding enteral nutrition as refraining from prolonging life, permitted under certain circumstances, especially in situations where nutritional problems flow directly from a fatal pathology. In the very final stages of dying, moreover, there is a general consensus that enteral nourishment may be withheld, providing that this reflects the dying individuals’ wishes. In the event of enteral nourishment becoming a source of overwhelming discomfort, two Halachic ethical mandates would come into conflict: sustaining life by providing nourishment and alleviating suffering. As in all moral conflicts, these would have to be resolved in practice. This article presents the issue of enteral nourishment as it unfolds in Halacha in comparison to secular and other religious perspectives. It is meant to serve as a foundation for nurses to reflect on their own practice and to explore the implications for nursing practice, education, and research. In a world that remains broadly religious, it is important to sensitize health practitioners to the similarities and differences among religions and between secular and religious approaches to ethical issues.
The effect of ethics training on students recognizing ethical violations and developing moral sensitivity
Authors: Baykara Zehra Gocmen , Demir Sevil Guler , Yaman Sengul
Published: August 2014

Background:

Moral sensitivity is a life-long cognitive ability. It is expected that nurses who work in a professional purpose at “curing human beings” should have a highly developed moral sensitivity. The general opinion is that ethics education plays a significant role in this sense to enhance the moral sensitivity in terms of nurses’ professional behaviors and distinguish ethical violations.

Aim:

This study was conducted as intervention research for the purpose of determining the effect of the ethics training on fourth-year students of the nursing department recognizing ethical violations experienced in the hospital and developing ethical sensitivity.

Methods:

The study was conducted with 50 students, with 25 students each in the experiment and control groups. Students in the experiment group were provided ethics training and consultancy services. The data were collected through the data collection form, which consists of questions on the socio-demographic characteristics and ethical sensitivity of the students, Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the observation form on ethical principle violations/protection in the clinic environment. The data were digitized on the computer with the SPSS for Windows 13.0 program. The data were evaluated utilizing number, percentile calculation, paired samples t-test, Wilcoxon test, and the McNemar test.

Results:

The total Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire pre-test score averages of students in the experiment group were determined to be 93.88 ± 13.57, and their total post-test score averages were determined to be 89.24 ± 15.90. The total pre-test score averages of students in the control group were determined to be 91.48 ± 17.59, and their total post-test score averages were determined to be 97.72 ± 19.91. In the study, it was determined that the post-training ethical sensitivity of students in the experiment group increased; however, this was statistically not significant. Furthermore, it was determined that the number of ethical principle protection/violation observations and correct examples provided by students in the experiment group were higher than the control group and the difference was statistically significant.

Ethical considerations:

Written permission and ethical approval were obtained from the university where the study was conducted. Written consent was received from students accepting to participate in the study.

Conclusion:

As a result, ethics education given to students enables them to distinguish ethical violations in a hospital and make a proper observation in this issue.
Ideology diffusion and the role of accounting: A Gramscian approach to understanding China’s transition from 1949 to 1957
Authors: Xu Lina , Cortese Corinne , Zhang Eagle
Published: August 2014

Using Gramsci’s concept of hegemony, the aim of this article is to explore the role of ideology diffusion in creating and maintaining Mao’s political hegemony during the period 1949 to 1957, and to consider how accounting practices were reflected in this period of transition in China. In particular, we provide an understanding of how accounting systems have changed under the influence of various political ideologies in China, being the New Democracy and the socialist ideology adopted from the Soviet Union, by considering the relationships and struggles between organic and traditional intellectuals that Gramsci has theorized. We find that the diffusion of political ideologies is reflected in the accounting systems used in these particular periods of transition.
Decisions, Decisions
Authors: Miranda Martina L.
Published: August 2014

This article examines critical issues related to teacher decision-making in early childhood music classrooms. Through the story of one teacher’s experience, we take a closer look at specific criteria to guide decision-making, and strategies to deepen awareness of young children’s needs in the music classroom and guide instructional choices.
Identification of fully coupled anisotropic plasticity and damage constitutive equations using a hybrid experimental–numerical methodology with various triaxialities
Authors: Yue ZM , Soyarslan C , Badreddine H , Saanouni K , Tekkaya AE
Published: August 2014

A hybrid experimental–numerical methodology is presented for the parameter identification of a mixed nonlinear hardening anisotropic plasticity model fully coupled with isotropic ductile damage accounting for microcracks closure effects. In this study, three test materials are chosen: DP1000, CP1200, and AL7020. The experiments involve the tensile tests with smooth and notched specimens and two types of shear tests. The tensile tests with smooth specimens are conducted in different directions with respect to the rolling direction. This helps to determine the plastic anisotropy parameters of the material when the ductile damage is still negligible. Also, in-plane torsion tests with a single loading cycle are used to determine separately the isotropic and kinematic hardening parameters. Finally, tensile tests with notched specimens and Shouler and Allwood shear tests are used for the damage parameters identification. These are conducted until the final fracture with the triaxiality ratio η lying between 0 and [Formula: see text] (i.e. [Formula: see text]). The classical force–displacement curves are chosen as the experimental responses. However, for the tensile test with notched specimens, the distribution of displacement components is measured using a full field measurement technique (ARAMIS system). These experimental results are directly used by the identification methodology in order to determine the “best” values of material parameters involved in the constitutive equations. The inverse identification methodology combines an optimization algorithm which is coded within MATLAB together with the finite element (FE) code ABAQUS/Explicit. After optimization, good agreement between experimental and numerically predicted results in terms of force–displacement curves is obtained for the three studied materials. Finally, the applicability and validity of the determined material parameters are proved with additional validation tests.
Optical image encryption based on S-box transformation and fractional Hartley transform
Authors: Hussain Iqtadar
Published: August 2014

A novel technique for image encryption is established based on a two-dimensional generalization of a one-dimensional fractional Hartley transform that has been redefined in recent times in exploration of its inverse transform. The author encrypts the image by two fractional orders and random phase codes and substitution box transformation. Computer simulations are also presented to verify the possibility of the proposed scheme.