bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
African Philosophy in Pursuit of an African Renaissance for the True Liberation of African Women
Authors: Sesanti Simphiwe
Published: April 2016

The African liberation struggle fought against two intertwined forces, colonization and colonialism. The former implied physical occupation and dispossession of Africans’ land, while the latter implied destruction of their culture. While “political independence” succeeded in an artificial and superficial sense in granting space for African cultural reclamation, this success presented little or no joy in restoring the dignified space that African women enjoyed in pre-colonial Africa. African women — in spite of the granting of “independence” and “freedom”— continue to be denied their freedom in African communities, and relegated to a second-class citizen status. I argue that if freedom is to have any significant meaning for Africans, it must prioritize the African cultural reclamation that puts African women in the center. This can and will be possible when Africans interrogate African philosophical assumptions about women’s “place” in traditional Africa. A thorough exercise in this regard will assist in giving meaning to an African renaissance that will secure liberation not only for African men but also for women.
Suburbanisation, homeownership aspirations and urban housing: Exploring urban expansion in Dar es Salaam
Authors: Andreasen Manja H , Agergaard Jytte , Møller-Jensen Lasse
Published: April 2016

This paper offers an exploration of urban expansion from the point of view of the individual residents buying land, settling and living in new, rapidly growing peripheral settlements of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The findings suggest that the demand for affordable housing is the primary motivation for residents moving to the periphery. The demand for self-built, owner-occupier housing is especially significant initially, while the demand for non-ownership housing increases in importance later in the process. Income-related motives, on the other hand, are strikingly absent from settlement considerations. Urban residents settle in the periphery, even though income-generation is often tied to working somewhere else, namely in the central parts of the city. The paper proposes that the processes of urban expansion depicted in this study are usefully conceptualised as suburbanisation processes, though it is a type of suburbanisation that has some peculiarities given the particular context, where expansion happens informally and largely unguided by planners.
Do invitations for cervical screening provide sufficient information to enable informed choice? A cross-sectional study of invitations for publicly funded cervical screening
Authors: Kolthoff Sie Karen , Hestbech Mie Sara , Jørgensen Karsten Juhl , Brodersen John
Published: April 2016

Objective

To investigate whether invitations for publicly funded cervical screening provide sufficient information to enable an informed choice about participation.

Design

Cross-sectional study using a checklist of 23 information items on benefits and harms from cervical screening and the risks related to cervical cancer.

Material

Invitations to publicly funded cervical screening in 10 Scandinavian and English-speaking countries.

Setting

Ten Scandinavian and English speaking countries.

Participants

Sixteen screening units representing 10 Scandinavian and English speaking countries.

Main outcome measures

Number of information items presented in invitations for cervical screening.

Results

We contacted 21 coordinating units from 11 countries and 20 (95%) responded. Of these, four units did not issue invitations, but the remaining 16 coordinating units in 10 different countries supplied a sample. The invitations for cervical screening were generally information poor and contained a median of only four out of 23 information items possible (17%), ranging from 0 to 12 (0–52%). The most important harms of cancer screening, overdiagnosis and overtreatment, were typically downplayed or unmentioned. The same applied to other important harms, such as false-positive results and the psychological consequences from an abnormal test result. The majority of invitations took a paternalistic approach. While only two invitations (17%) included a pre-assigned appointment date, eight (70%) of the invitations contained strong appeals for participation.

Conclusions

Invitations to cervical cancer screening were information poor and biased in favour of participation. This means that informed choice is not possible, which is in conflict with modern requirements for personal involvement in medical decisions.
How do 5-year-olds understand questions? Differences in languages across Europe
Authors: Sauerland Uli , Grohmann Kleanthes K. , Guasti Maria Teresa , Anđelković Darinka , Argus Reili , Armon-Lotem Sharon , Arosio Fabrizio , Avram Larisa , Costa João , Dabašinskienė Ineta , de López Kristine , Gatt Daniela , Grech Helen , Haman Ewa , van Hout Angeliek , Hrzica Gordana , Kainhofer Judith , Kamandulytė-Merfeldienė Laura , Kunnari Sari , Kovačević Melita , Kuvac Kraljević Jelena , Lipowska Katarzyna , Mejias Sandrine , Popović Maša , Ruzaite Jurate , Savić Maja , Sevcenco Anca , Varlokosta Spyridoula , Varnava Marina , Yatsushiro Kazuko
Published: April 2016

The comprehension of constituent questions is an important topic for language acquisition research and for applications in the diagnosis of language impairment. This article presents the results of a study investigating the comprehension of different types of questions by 5-year-old, typically developing children across 19 European countries, 18 different languages, and 7 language (sub-)families. The study investigated the effects of two factors on question formation: (a) whether the question contains a simple interrogative word like ‘who’ or a complex one like ‘which princess’, and (b) whether the question word was related to the sentential subject or object position of the verb. The findings show that there is considerable variation among languages, but the two factors mentioned consistently affect children’s performance. The cross-linguistic variation shows that three linguistic factors facilitate children’s understanding of questions: having overt case morphology, having a single lexical item for both ‘who’ and ‘which’, and the use of synthetic verbal forms.
Intraoperative imaging to detect coronary stenosis in no-angiography patients
Authors: Di Giammarco Gabriele , Marinelli Daniele , Foschi Massimiliano , Di Natale Maurilio , Tancredi Fabrizio , Di Mauro Michele
Published: April 2016

Sometimes, patients scheduled for cardiac operations other than coronary artery bypass may be unsuitable for preoperative coronary angiography. We routinely use intraoperative high-resolution epicardial ultrasound to select the proper target for the graft and to check graft anastomosis integrity. We describe 3 patients who could not undergo preoperative coronary angiography for different reasons. In all cases, we discovered significant stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery, which required bypass grafting. Intraoperative verification by transit-time flow measurements confirmed the significant stenosis detected by imaging.
The Development of Self-Control in Late Adolescence: An Analysis of Trajectories and Predictors of Change Within Trajectories
Authors: Jo Youngoh , Armstrong Todd
Published: April 2016

Gottfredson and Hirschi argue that parenting is the primary source of self-control. Research on the etiology of self-control has provided partial support for this proposition. Studies have shown parenting is an important determinant of self-control; however, research has also shown that other social and biological/genetic factors also influence the development of self-control. The current study contributes to the literature by examining the possibility that sources of self-control may vary across subgroups, which exhibit different developmental patterns of self-control. Analyses are based on 6-year panel data from a sample of South Korean youths. The results indicate that youths are clustered into three subgroups showing stable, increasing, and decreasing levels of self-control over time. Similarities/differences in the relationships among family, school, peer, and community variables and self-control appeared across the subgroups. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.
Migraine and incidence of ischemic stroke: A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Peng Kuan-Po , Chen Yung-Tai , Fuh Jong-Ling , Tang Chao-Hsiun , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: April 2016

Background

The association between migraine and the incidence of ischemic stroke varies in different subgroups of patients. We aimed to clarify this association using a population-based database.

Method

A nationwide cohort study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Two cohorts were extracted: a neurologist-diagnosed migraine cohort, and a non-headache, propensity score-matched comparison cohort. All participants were enrolled in this study between 2005 and 2009, and were followed through the end of 2010, death, or the occurrence of ischemic stroke. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a Cox proportional hazards model to compare the between-group risks.

Results

Both cohorts ( n = 119,017 each) were followed for a mean period of 3.6 ± 1.3 years. A total of 744 migraine patients (429,741 person-years) and 617 matched comparison individuals (436,141 person-years) developed ischemic stroke during the research period. Compared to the comparison cohort, patients with migraine were at an increased risk of ischemic stroke (aHR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.12–1.38, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by age and sex revealed the highest risk in women aged ≤ 45 years (aHR: 3.44, 95% CI: 2.20–5.39, p < 0.001), especially among those with migraine with aura (aHR: 4.58, 95% CI: 2.45 – 8.56, p < 0.001). A trend for increased stroke risk was observed in men aged ≤ 45 years (aHR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.96–2.48, p = 0.075).

Conclusion

Migraine is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, especially in younger (age ≤ 45 years) women with migraine with aura. The trend toward ischemic stroke in younger men merits further exploration.
Assessment of alternative disposal methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal solid waste in India
Authors: Yedla Sudhakar , Sindhu NT
Published: April 2016

Open dumping, the most commonly practiced method of solid waste disposal in Indian cities, creates serious environment and economic challenges, and also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The present article attempts to analyse and identify economically effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal solid waste. The article looks at the selection of appropriate methods for the control of methane emissions. Multivariate functional models are presented, based on theoretical considerations as well as the field measurements to forecast the greenhouse gas mitigation potential for all the methodologies under consideration. Economic feasibility is tested by calculating the unit cost of waste disposal for the respective disposal process. The purpose-built landfill system proposed by Yedla and Parikh has shown promise in controlling greenhouse gas and saving land. However, these studies show that aerobic composting offers the optimal method, both in terms of controlling greenhouse gas emissions and reducing costs, mainly by requiring less land than other methods.
The Effects of a Combined Academic and Personal Counselling Initiative for Post-Secondary Student Retention
Authors: Bilodeau Cynthia , Meissner John
Published: April 2016

This study investigated the effectiveness of a combined academic and personal counselling initiative on student performance and emotional well-being outcomes of 289 at-risk students at a Canadian University. Criterion for risk included academic struggles, mental health distress, or both. The program was developed to be tailored to individual needs, and students participated in weekly counselling sessions over the course of 1 academic year. Results showed significant overall increases in student grade point average (GPA), academic functioning, and mental health well-being, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in addressing the differential needs of students. Implications of the results are discussed.
The Diversity of Decarceration: Examining First-Year County Realignment Spending in California
Authors: Lin Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2016

In recent years, California has dramatically restructured its correctional system through a policy called “Realignment,” which shifts responsibility over thousands of offenders from the state to its counties. To help manage this influx, the state allocated US$2 billion through 2014 to the counties. Counties have used these funds in different ways. Some have adhered to Realignment’s intended focus on evidence-based programming, whereas others have focused on expanding enforcement and custodial capacities. I analyze first-year (2011-2012) county Realignment budgets to identify political, economic, and criminal justice factors that explain different spending emphases. Using quantitative and comparative methods, I find that counties focus on enforcement spending because of pressing local needs related to crime and justice, and counties focus on services spending when sheriffs—key figures in Realignment administration—are politically secure. These findings have practical implications for correctional policies in California, and for other states that seek to reduce their prison populations.
The Ocean Run: Stage, Cast, and Performance in a Public Park Basketball Scene
Authors: DeLand Michael
Published: April 2016

This article investigates the production and re-production of a recurring pickup basketball game at a public park in Santa Monica, California. I argue that it is best understood as a recurring “scene”—an ecologically shaped, biographically significant, interactionally accomplished, and narratively organized pattern of social life—colloquially known as the “Ocean Run.” Drawing on Kenneth Burke’s dramatism, I suggest that the scene is constituted by the interrelation of the park’s socioecological landscape (“stage”), the diverse personal meanings that players construct through their participation (“cast”), and the practical work of re-creating the scene through situated interactions (“performance”). The park stage facilitates a sense of intimacy for players with very different personal relationships to each other and to the scene. Those players then actively mix themselves up, re-creating the scene through an “improvisational” style of team formation. Place, people, and action are dialectically related in the patterning of public life. This method of analysis is replicable in a wide variety of public scenes and sets up concrete grounds for comparison and theoretical generalizability.
Pulling Back the Curtain: Examining the Backstage Gendered Dynamics of Storytelling in the Undocumented Youth Movement
Authors: Cabaniss Emily
Published: April 2016

This article examines the backstage process by which undocumented youth activists developed and implemented an emotionally evocative storytelling strategy in their efforts to bring about social change. Using participant observation and in-depth interviews with members of the DREAM Act Movement, I show how they carefully cultivated and refined their storytelling performances through interaction. I also show how hegemonic gender expectations—and the stigma of victimization—complicated their efforts. Because they believed the best stories showed audiences what it felt like to be undocumented, this explicitly expressive tactic caused problems for men who had to overcome cultural expectations that they control their emotions and for women who worried about being perceived as weak if they showed too much vulnerability. I argue that their solution—the creation of a gendered division of emotional labor—ultimately reinforced the gender order. By revealing how the process of storytelling can simultaneously challenge and exacerbate inequalities, my research expands our knowledge of the potentials and limitations of narrative approaches to social change.
Gaps Between Actual and Preferred Career Paths Among Professional Employees
Authors: Biron Michal , Eshed Ravit
Published: April 2016

Organizations are increasingly opting to offer alternative career paths to the traditional managerial ladder (particularly, a technical ladder). Although research has mainly focused on differences between the managerial and technical paths with regard to rewards and prestige, our study focuses on gaps between employees’ actual (current) and preferred career paths, that is, being on the technical path while preferring the managerial path and vice versa. We examine how employees experiencing career path gaps compare with employees experiencing career path fit, in terms of self-rated performance and burnout. The results, based on data from 210 professional employees working in four global high-technology companies, suggest that performance levels are lowest among employees who are currently on the technical career path but would prefer the managerial path, whereas burnout levels are lowest among employees experiencing career path fit. Furthermore, among employees experiencing the former, career path gap, performance is lower when supervisor support is high.
Taking climate change seriously: An analysis of op-ed articles in Spanish press
Authors: Domínguez Martí , Lafita Íngrid , Mateu Anna
Published: April 2016

In this article, we study the evolution of opinion genres regarding climate change in three Spanish newspapers ( El País, El Mundo, and ABC). Analyzing the op-ed articles in these newspapers, we observe a significant change in the evolution of opinion. While denialism was very present in conservative press in 2007, 7 years later it is almost absent from El Mundo, and its presence in ABC is much lower and inactive: this shows that scientific consensus has prevailed over time and Spanish denialism has weakened, exclusively supported by political arguments by the most conservative parties.
Pentagon Performance Model of Indian MFIs
Authors: Balammal Aruna , Madhumathi R. , Ganesh M.P.
Published: April 2016

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) extend financial and related services to the poorest population with an ultimate objective of poverty alleviation. Microfinance industry has seen an impressive growth in the past decade, although debates have stirred in recent years regarding their role and impact on society. Excessive profit making by MFIs retarded the desired social impact, thus, providing evidence for mission drift from the social objective of poverty alleviation to profit generation. The mission drift was evident during the microfinance crisis of 2010, which is marked as the critical stage in the history of Indian microfinance. In 2010, a spate of client suicides brought bad reputation for the sector and created funding and liquidity issues. Against the backdrop of crisis, the study intends to examine multi-dimensional performance of MFIs and the enabling factors for the year 2010–2012. The Pentagon performance model was proposed to capture the multi-dimensional performance. An empirical evaluation of the MFI performance for the year 2010 and subsequent years would render a clear picture on the rise and fall of the industry.
Modeling and analysis of piezoelectric cantilever-pendulum system for multi-directional energy harvesting
Authors: Xu Jiawen , Tang Jiong
Published: April 2016

Piezoelectric cantilevers are widely used in vibration energy harvesting. Simple cantilever-based harvesters are mostly unidirectional. In this article, we develop a cantilever-pendulum system that can harvest vibratory energy of excitations from an arbitrary direction. The new design consists of a traditional piezoelectric cantilever with a pendulum attached to the tip. It is shown analytically and experimentally that with proper parametric combination this system can induce modal energy interchange between beam vibration and pendulum motions due to 1:2 internal resonance, which ultimately yields multi-directional energy harvesting by a single cantilever. The underlying mechanisms of this design are analyzed in detail.
Analysis of axisymmetric indentation of functionally graded piezoelectric coating or substrate systems under an insulator indenter
Authors: Liu Tie-Jun , Zhang Chuanzeng , Wang Yue-Sheng
Published: April 2016

Axisymmetric indentation problem of a rigid perfect electrical insulator indenter on a functionally graded piezoelectric coating bonded to a piezoelectric substrate is investigated. The electromechanical properties of the functionally graded piezoelectric coating are assumed to vary as an exponential function along the thickness direction. The technique of the Hankel integral transform is applied to reduce the indentation problem to a singular integral equation. The numerical methods are developed and applied to compute the contact pressure for a cylindrical indenter and a spherical indenter. The effects of the material property gradient on the contact pressure, contact region, indentation depth, and electrical potential are analyzed. The numerical results are also obtained for the indentation responses of three different piezoelectric substrates.
Synchronized bias-flip interface circuits for piezoelectric energy harvesting enhancement: A general model and prospects
Authors: Liang Junrui
Published: April 2016

Piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) systems, as a kind of electromechanically coupled system, are composed of two essential parts: the piezoelectric structure and the power conditioning interface circuit. Previous studies have shown that the energy harvesting capability of a piezoelectric generator can be greatly enhanced by up to several hundred percent by using synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI) interface circuits, the most extensively investigated family of synchronized bias-flip interface circuits. After SSHI, some other bias-flip circuit topologies, which utilize active approaches for PEH enhancement, have been proposed sporadically. Yet, how active is active enough for harvesting as much energy as possible was not clear. This paper answers this question through the generalization and derivation of existing bias-flip solutions. The study starts by analyzing the energy flow in existing featured interface circuits, including the standard energy harvesting (bridge rectifier) circuit, parallel-SSHI, series-SSHI, pre-biasing/energy injection/energy investment scheme, etc. A synchronized multiple bias-flip (SMBF) model, which generalizes the bias-flip control and summarizes the energy details in these circuits, is then proposed. Based on the topological and mathematical abstraction, the optimal bias-flip (OBF) strategy towards maximum harvesting capability is derived. A case study on the series synchronized double bias-flip (S-S2BF) circuit shows that the potential of the PEH interface circuits can be fully released by using the OBF strategy. The proposed SMBF model and OBF strategy set the theoretical foundation and provide a new insight for future circuit innovations towards more powerful PEH systems.
The Experiences of Young Adult Offenders Who Completed a Drug Court Treatment Program
Authors: Moore Kathleen A. , Barongi Melissa M. , Rigg Khary K.
Published: April 2016

Although there has been a proliferation of studies on the effectiveness of drug court programs, these studies are largely quantitative in nature. Little is known about the experiences of persons who participate in drug court. In this study, we aimed to fill this knowledge gap by exploring experiences of young adults who completed an adult drug court treatment program. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted, typed into a word-processing program, and then entered into a data analysis software program. Using grounded theory strategies, analysis revealed several emergent themes, which are presented chronologically to provide a narrative of study participants’ experiences before, during, and after the program. Findings provide insights on how participants perceive drug courts and experiences that might facilitate or impede completion of drug court programs. Our findings are particularly important for drug court professionals as they attempt to develop appropriate recommendations for best practices and new policy initiatives.
A Systematic Review of Patient Safety Measures in Adult Primary Care
Authors: Hatoun Jonathan , Chan Jeffrey A. , Yaksic Enzo , Greenan Mary Alexis , Borzecki Ann M. , Shwartz Michael , Rosen Amy K.
Published: April 2016

Safety measure development has focused on inpatient care despite outpatient visits far outnumbering inpatient admissions. Some measures are clearly identified as outpatient safety measures when published, yet outcomes from quality improvement studies also may be useful measures. The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify published articles detailing safety measures applicable to adult primary care. A total of 21 articles were identified, providing specifications for 182 safety measures. Each measure was classified into one of 6 outpatient safety dimensions: medication management, sentinel events, care coordination, procedures and treatment, laboratory testing and monitoring, and facility structures/resources. Compared to the multitude of available inpatient safety measures, the number of existing adult primary care measures is low. The measures identified by this systematic review may yield further insight into the breadth of safety events causing harm in primary care, while also identifying areas of patient safety in primary care that may be understudied.
Development of a primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large-cell T-cell lymphoma during treatment of multiple sclerosis with fingolimod
Authors: Papathemeli Despoina , Gräfe Ronald , Hildebrandt Uwe , Zettl Uwe K , Ulrich Jens
Published: April 2016

Background:

The appearance of solid tumors und lymphomas during treatment with fingolimod was observed in studies and has been described in case reports.

Objective:

To report a case of primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large-cell T-cell lymphoma during treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) with fingolimod.

Methods:

Case study.

Results:

Our patient developed a lymphoma a few weeks after initialization of therapy with fingolimod; 5 weeks after discontinuation of treatment the lesions resolved.

Conclusion:

Causality of fingolimod is indicated by the fact that the skin lesions appeared after commencement of treatment and resolved after discontinuation of therapy. This case serves as a reminder of the potential side effects of fingolimod.
The Hispanic health paradox: From epidemiological phenomenon to contribution opportunities for psychological science
Authors: Ruiz John M. , Hamann Heidi A. , Mehl Matthias R. , O’Connor Mary-Frances
Published: April 2016

Similar to non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos experience a range of psychosocial and physical health challenges, including high rates of poverty, neighborhood segregation, discrimination, poor healthcare access, and high rates of obesity, diabetes, and undiagnosed and late-stage diagnosed diseases. Despite such risks, Hispanics generally experience better physical health and lower mortality than non-Hispanic Whites, an epidemiological phenomenon commonly referred to as the Hispanic or Latino health paradox. With the basic phenomenon increasingly well-established, attention now turns to the sources of such resilience. The current aims are to briefly examine the epidemiological paradox and highlight potential sociocultural resilience factors that may contribute to the paradoxical effects. We conclude with presentation of a framework for modeling sociocultural resilience and discuss future directions for psychological contributions.
Design of a safety operational envelope protection system for the pitch angle of a submarine
Authors: Park Jong-Yong , Kim Nakwan
Published: April 2016

Submarines have a safety operating envelope, the boundary of which is closely related to structural limits and the safety of crew. An envelope protection system guarantees that the submarine does not exceed the boundary, which reduces the frequency of operational accidents and mission time. In this article, an envelope protection system for the pitch angle is designed for a submarine. The envelope protection system consists of limit detection and limit avoidance. Limit detection is designed using a dynamic trim algorithm, and command limiting is used for the limit avoidance. An artificial neural network is adopted for on-line learning and modeling uncertainty compensation, and a linear quadratic regulator is employed to stabilize the error dynamics. A submarine maneuvering simulation program developed from the experimental data is used to validate the designed envelope protection system. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the envelope protection system.
Detection of Neuroinflammation in a Rat Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Using [18F]DPA-714 PET Imaging
Authors: Thomas Clément , Vercouillie Johnny , Doméné Aurélie , Tauber Clovis , Kassiou Michael , Guilloteau Denis , Destrieux Christophe , Sérrière Sophie , Chalon Sylvie
Published: April 2016

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can lead to delayed cerebral ischemia, which increases the rate of morbidity and mortality. The detection of microglial activation may serve as a biomarker for the identification of patients at risk of this deleterious consequence. We assessed this hypothesis in a rat model of SAH in which the exploration of neuroinflammation related to microglial activation was correlated with the degree of bleeding. We used the rat filament model and evaluated (at 48 hours postsurgery) the intensity of neuroinflammation using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) tracer [18F]DPA-714, quantitative autoradiography with [3H]PK-11195, and SAH grade by postmortem brain picture. High SAH grades were strongly and positively correlated with in vivo PET imaging of TSPO in the cortex and striatum. In addition, a positive correlation was found in the cortex in TSPO, with densities determined by imaging and autoradiographic approaches. Qualitative immunofluorescence studies indicated that overexpression of TSPO was linked to astrocytic/microglial activation. In this model, PET imaging of TSPO using [18F]DPA-714 appeared to be a relevant index of the degree of bleeding, indicating that this imaging method could be used in human patients to improve the management of patients with SAH.
Directions for Public Sociology: Novel Writing as a Creative Approach
Authors: Watson Ashleigh
Published: April 2016

This article presents a creative direction for public sociology: novel writing. Narrativity is embedded within much contemporary sociological work, and sociologists and novelists share a number of complementary approaches for understanding and interpreting the social world. This article argues that novel writing presents sociologists with a process and medium through which they can expand their work for a more public, engaging, affective, and panoramic sociology. Here, the historical development of sociological thought is considered as well as the recent progress of public sociology. Three key strengths of sociological novels are presented: promoting public sociology and interlocutor engagement; transforming knowledge exchange from mimetic to sympractic communication; and addressing issues of scope. Two recent sociological novels are discussed: Blue by Patricia Leavy and On The Cusp by David Buckingham, both published in 2015. Finally, two linked aspects for (thinking about) writing sociological fiction are explored: the concept of glocality and the methodology of ethnography. Employing creative mediums such as novels as public sociology may cultivate a wider, affective public engagement with significant academic ideas such as the sociological imagination. Sociological novels work to bring the local and global into dialogue, and may help achieve the scope and panoramic depth that sociology requires.
The Quantitative Relationship Between ISO 15197 Accuracy Criteria and Mean Absolute Relative Difference (MARD) in the Evaluation of Analytical Performance of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Systems
Authors: Pardo Scott , Simmons David A.
Published: April 2016

The relationship between International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accuracy criteria and mean absolute relative difference (MARD), 2 methods for assessing the accuracy of blood glucose meters, is complex. While lower MARD values are generally better than higher MARD values, it is not possible to define a particular MARD value that ensures a blood glucose meter will satisfy the ISO accuracy criteria. The MARD value that ensures passing the ISO accuracy test can be described only as a probabilistic range. In this work, a Bayesian model is presented to represent the relationship between ISO accuracy criteria and MARD. Under the assumptions made in this work, there is nearly a 100% chance of satisfying ISO 15197:2013 accuracy requirements if the MARD value is between 3.25% and 5.25%.
Improved Balance Confidence and Stability for Elderly After 6 Weeks of a Multimodal Self-Administered Balance-Enhancing Exercise Program
Authors: Hafström Anna , Malmström Eva-Maj , Terdèn Josefine , Fransson Per-Anders , Magnusson Måns
Published: April 2016

Objective: To develop and assess the efficacy of a multimodal balance-enhancing exercise program (BEEP) designed to be regularly self-administered by community-dwelling elderly. The program aims to promote sensory reweighting, facilitate motor control, improve gaze stabilization, and stimulate continuous improvement by being constantly challenging. Method: Forty participants aged 60 to 80 years performed 6 weeks of BEEP training, on average for 16 min four times weekly, in a randomized one-arm crossover design. Results: One-leg standing time improved 32% with eyes open (EO), 206% with eyes closed (EC) on solid surface, and 54% EO on compliant surface ( p < .001). Posturography confirmed balance improvements when perturbed on solid and compliant surfaces with EO and EC ( p ≤ .033). Walking, step stool, and Timed Up and Go speeds increased ( p ≤ .001), as did scores in Berg Balance and balance confidence scales ( p ≤ .018). Discussion: Multimodal balance exercises offer an efficient, cost-effective way to improve balance control and confidence in elderly.
What are the effects of nature conservation on human well-being? A systematic map of empirical evidence from developing countries
Authors: McKinnon Madeleine C. , Cheng Samantha H. , Dupre Samuel , Edmond Janet , Garside Ruth , Glew Louise , Holland Margaret B. , Levine Eliot , Masuda Yuta J. , Miller Daniel C. , Oliveira Isabella , Revenaz Justine , Roe Dilys , Shamer Sierra , Wilkie David , Wongbusarakum Supin , Woodhouse Emily
Published: April 2016

Background

Global policy initiatives and international conservation organizations have sought to emphasize and strengthen the link between the conservation of natural ecosystems and human development. While many indices have been developed to measure various social outcomes to conservation interventions, the quantity and strength of evidence to support the effects, both positive and negative, of conservation on different dimensions of human well-being, remain unclear, dispersed and inconsistent.

Methods

We searched 11 academic citation databases, two search engines and 30 organisational websites for relevant articles using search terms tested with a library of 20 relevant articles. Key informants were contacted with requests for articles and possible sources of evidence. Articles were screened for relevance against predefined inclusion criteria at title, abstract and full text levels according to a published protocol. Included articles were coded using a questionnaire. A critical appraisal of eight systematic reviews was conducted to assess the reliability of methods and confidence in study findings. A visual matrix of the occurrence and extent of existing evidence was also produced.

Results

A total of 1043 articles were included in the systematic map database. Included articles measured effects across eight nature conservation-related intervention and ten human well-being related outcome categories. Linkages between interventions and outcomes with high occurrence of evidence include resource management interventions, such as fisheries and forestry, and economic and material outcomes. Over 25 % of included articles examined linkages between protected areas and aspects of economic well-being. Fewer than 2 % of articles evaluated human health outcomes. Robust study designs were limited with less than 9 % of articles using quantitative approaches to evaluate causal effects of interventions. Over 700 articles occurred in forest biomes with less than 50 articles in deserts or mangroves, combined.

Conclusions

The evidence base is growing on conservation-human well-being linkages, but biases in the extent and robustness of articles on key linkages persist. Priorities for systematic review, include linkages between marine resource management and economic/material well-being outcomes; and protected areas and governance outcomes. Greater and more robust evidence is needed for many established interventions to better understand synergies and trade-offs between interventions, in particular those that are emerging or contested.

Registration CEE review 14-012
A systematic review of objective burn scar measurements
Authors: Lee Kwang Chear , Dretzke Janine , Grover Liam , Logan Ann , Moiemen Naiem
Published: April 2016

Background

Problematic scarring remains a challenging aspect to address in the treatment of burns and can significantly affect the quality of life of the burn survivor. At present, there are few treatments available in the clinic to control adverse scarring, but experimental pharmacological anti-scarring strategies are now beginning to emerge. Their comparative success must be based on objective measurements of scarring, yet currently the clinical assessment of scars is not carried out systematically and is mostly based on subjective review of patients. However, several techniques and devices are being introduced that allow objective analysis of the burn scar. The aim of this article is to evaluate various objective measurement tools currently available and recommend a useful panel that is suitable for use in clinical trials of anti-scarring therapies.

Methods

A systematic literature search was done using the Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane databases. The identified devices were then classified and grouped according to the parameters they measured.

The tools were then compared and assessed in terms of inter- and intra-rater reproducibility, ease of use and cost.

Results

After duplicates were removed, 5062 articles were obtained in the search. After further screening, 157 articles which utilised objective burn scar measurement systems or tools were obtained. The scar measurement devices can be broadly classified into those measuring colour, metric variables, texture, biomechanical properties and pathophysiological disturbances.

Conclusions

Objective scar measurement tools allow the accurate and reproducible evaluation of scars, which is important for both clinical and scientific use. However, studies to evaluate their relative performance and merits of these tools are scarce, and there remain factors, such as itch and pain, which cannot be measured objectively. On reviewing the available evidence, a panel of devices for objective scar measurement is recommended consisting of the 3D cameras (Eykona/Lifeviz/Vectra H1) for surface area and volume, DSM II colorimeter for colour, Dermascan high-frequency ultrasound for scar thickness and Cutometer for skin elasticity and pliability.
Tumoral Vitamin D Synthesis by CYP27B1 1-α-Hydroxylase Delays Mammary Tumor Progression in the PyMT-MMTV Mouse Model and Its Action Involves NF-κB Modulation
Authors: Li Jiarong , Luco Aimée-Lee , Ochietti Benoît , Fadhil Ibtihal , Camirand Anne , Reinhardt Timothy A. , St-Arnaud René , Muller William , Kremer Richard
Published: April 2016

Biologically active vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol or 1,25(OH)2D) is synthetized from inactive prohormone 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) by the enzyme CYP27B1 1-α-hydroxylase in kidney and several extrarenal tissues including breast. Although the development of breast cancer has been linked to inadequate vitamin D status, the importance of bioactive vitamin D production within tumors themselves is not fully understood. To investigate the role of tumoral vitamin D production in mammary epithelial cell progression to breast cancer, we conducted a Cre-loxP-mediated Cyp27b1 gene ablation in the mammary epithelium of the polyoma middle T antigen-mouse mammary tumor virus (PyMT-MMTV) mouse breast cancer model. Targeted ablation of Cyp27b1 was accompanied by significant acceleration in initiation of spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis. In vivo, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, cell cycle progression, and survival markers were up-regulated in tumors by Cyp27b1 ablation, and apoptosis was decreased. AK thymoma (AKT) phosphorylation and expression of several components of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), integrin, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways were increased in Cyp27b1-ablated tumors compared with nonablated controls. In vitro, 1,25(OH)2D treatment induced a strong antiproliferative action on tumor cells from both ablated and nonablated mice, accompanied by rapid disappearance of NF-κB p65 from the nucleus and segregation in the cytoplasm. In contrast, treatment with the metabolic precursor 25(OH)D was only effective against cells from nonablated mice. 25(OH)D did not inhibit growth of Cyp27b1-ablated cells, and their nuclear NF-κB p65 remained abundant. Our findings demonstrate that in-tumor CYP27B1 1-α-hydroxylase activity plays a crucial role in controlling early oncogene-mediated mammary carcinogenesis events, at least in part by modulating tumoral cell NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation.
Η Θεωρία της Πολλαπλής Νοημοσύνης ως κινητήριος δύναμη ενεργοποίησης και μαθησιακής εξέλιξης στην Ανοικτή και εξ Αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευση με την αξιοποίηση των ΤΠΕ
Authors: Λιγούτσικου Έφη , Κουτσούμπα Μαρία , Κουστουράκης Γεράσιμος , Λιοναράκης Αντώνης
Published: April 2016

Η ανοικτή και εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση (ΑεξΑΕ) με τις δυνατότητες που επαγγέλλονται οι τεχνολογίες της πληροφορίας και της επικοινωνίας (ΤΠΕ), συνηγορούν σε μια αλματώδη ανάπτυξη της εκπαιδευτικής διαδικασίας και σε μια επακόλουθη επαυξημένη ενίσχυσή της με πρόσθετες εναλλακτικές επιλογές εναρμονισμένες τόσο με τις τρέχουσες κοινωνικό-πολιτικές εξελίξεις αλλά και με την ταυτότητα της κουλτούρας της ψηφιακής εποχής, όσο και με τις απαιτήσεις μιας πολυαισθητηριακής και πολυθεματικής προσέγγισης της μάθησης που συνειρμικά παραπέμπουν στη Θεωρία της Πολλαπλής Νοημοσύνης του Gardner. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι να διερευνηθεί εάν και με ποιο τρόπο η πολυμορφική ΑεξΑΕ δύναται στη σημερινή εποχή των ΤΠΕ να σχετιστεί με τη Θεωρία της Πολλαπλής Νοημοσύνης του Gardner. Για τον σκοπό αυτό διερευνώνται η πολυμορφία και η πολλαπλότητα που διέπουν την ΑεξΑΕ στη βάση της Θεωρίας της Πολλαπλής Νοημοσύνης του Garder με βασικό πυρήνα αναφοράς την αντίστοιχα πολλαπλή ενεργοποίηση και περαιτέρω μαθησιακή εξέλιξη των εκπαιδευομένων στους χώρους της ΑεξΑΕ με την αξιοποίηση των ΤΠΕ. Από την ανάλυση διαπιστώθηκε η ύπαρξη εφαπτόμενων σημείων ανάμεσα στην πολυμορφική διάσταση της ΑεξΑΕ, ως εκπαιδευτικής και μαθησιακής διεργασίας, και στη Θεωρία Πολλαπλής Νοημοσύνης που ενισχύεται μέσω της συσχέτισης των διαδικτυακών/ψηφιακών μέσων και της δυνητικής πολυδιάστατης ανάπτυξης των εκπαιδευομένων.
Ευρωπαϊκό ή Αμερικανικό στυλ ΜΥ για την εξΑΜ; Η περίπτωση του ευρωπαϊκού μαθησιακού υλικού του Ελληνικού Ανοικτού Πανεπιστημίου
Authors: Τριβέλλα Λαμπρινή
Published: April 2016

Αυτή η μελέτη σκοπεύει να τονίσει τη διαφορά ανάμεσα στο ευρωπαϊκό και το αμερικανικό στυλ δημιουργίας μαθησιακού υλικού στην εξ αποστάσεως μάθηση καθώς επίσης και να αναδείξει την βαθύτερη σχέση μεταξύ τους.
Πρώτα από όλα, αναφέρεται η σημαντικότητα του μαθησιακού υλικού για την εξ αποστάσεως μάθηση και κατ'επέκταση για τα εξ αποστάσεως συστήματα εκπαίδευσης. Κατόπιν, αναδεικνύονται ορισμένα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά του μαθησιακού υλικού σύμφωνα με το ευρωπαϊκό στυλ δημιουργίας του. Επίσης, σχολιάζεται εν συντομία η σχέση των μαθητευόμενων και του μαθησιακού υλικού, του οποίου η δημιουργία σχετίζεται και με τα διαφορετικά χαρακτηριστικά, τις διαφορετικές εμπειρίες, δεξιότητες και την ήδη-αποκτηθείσα γνώση του μαθητευομένου.
Επιπροσθέτως, αναλύονται ορισμένα θεμελιώδη σημεία σύγκλισης και απόκλισης μεταξύ αυτών των δύο προσεγγίσεων δημιουργίας μαθησιακού υλικού. Παρουσιάζονται παραδείγματα συγκεκριμένου υλικού που αναδεικνύουν ορισμένα βασικά πλεονεκτήματα και μειονεκτήματα των δύο προσεγγίσεων που επιλέχθηκαν από την Ελλάδα και την Αμερική. Στο τέλος, παραθέτονται ορισμένα συμπεράσματα και προτάσεις με αφορμή τη συγκριτική παρουσίαση δύο συγκεκριμένων πακέτων ΜΥ. Το συγκεκριμένο υλικό είναι οι Τέχνες Ι του προπτυχιακού προγράμματος των ελληνικών πολιτισμικών σπουδών της σχολής ανθρωπιστικών σπουδών του Ελληνικού Ανοικτού Πανεπιστημίου Πάτρας και αντίστοιχα η επισκόπηση της δυτικής τέχνης Ι, του προπτυχιακού προγράμματος της Ιστορίας της Τέχνης της σχολής ανθρωπιστικών σπουδών του Athabasca university of Canada.
e-mandoulides και Αντίστροφη Τάξη: δεδομένα από τα δύο πρώτα έτη εφαρμογής
Authors: Χατζάκης Δημήτριος
Published: April 2016

H παρούσα ανακοίνωση αποτελεί μια συμβολή στη μελέτη της σχολικής εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης στην Ελλάδα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, θα εξετάσουμε το πώς φαίνεται να εφαρμόζεται η Αντίστροφη Τάξη (Flipped Classroom) στα Εκπαιδευτήρια Μαντουλίδη στη Β’ και Γ’ Γυμνασίου μέσα από τις απαντήσεις που έδωσαν διδάσκοντες και διδασκόμενοι στα ερωτηματολόγια στα οποία κλήθηκαν να απαντήσουν από τον ίδιο τον φορέα κατά τα σχολικά έτη 2012-2013 και 2013-2014. Από το συγκεκριμένο υλικό προκύπτει ότι η εφαρμογή της Αντίστροφης Τάξης στο συγκεκριμένο εκπαιδευτικό ίδρυμα παρουσιάζει διάφορα θετικά στοιχεία όπως ότι τα βιντεομαθήματα που παρέχονται στα πλαίσια της Αντίστροφης Τάξης βοηθούν στην κατανόηση του μαθήματος. Από την άλλη πλευρά, δε φαίνεται να έχουν ενταχθεί ακόμα σε επαρκή βαθμό στη διδακτική πράξη, αφού η πλειοψηφία των μαθητών δήλωσε ότι τα παρακολουθεί μόνο όταν αυτό ζητείται από τον διδάσκοντα, δεν τα παρακολουθεί αν δεν έχει χρόνο και ότι η παράδοση του μαθήματος δε φαίνεται να έχει αλλάξει σε σημαντικό βαθμό λόγω της Αντίστροφης Τάξης. 
A basic understanding of dysphagia in neuroscience nursing
Authors: Waterhouse Catheryne
Published: April 2016

The term dysphagia is used to describe difficulties with swallowing food, liquids, saliva and medication; it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates due to lower respiratory tract infections, dehydration and malnutrition. Dysphagia can be a serious consequence of a brain injury or other neurological conditions. It is essential that neuroscience nurses possess the knowledge and skills to detect the signs and symptoms of dysphagia and are sufficiently competent to perform a routine bedside dysphagia screen to minimise recognised complications and optimise patient care. This article reviews what makes a normal and ‘safe’ swallow and identifies some simple management strategies that can be used in the clinical area to improve care.