bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of asthma in children: case report and literature review
Authors: Tortajada-Girbés Miguel , Moreno-Prat Miriam , Ainsa-Laguna David , Mas Silvia
Published: September 2016

Background:

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is an uncommon disorder. It is rarely reported in paediatric patients and may be accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema. It is usually benign and self-limiting, with only supportive therapy being needed, but severe cases may require invasive measures. Asthma exacerbations have classically been described as a cause of SPM. However, detailed descriptions in asthmatic children are scarce. We aimed at improving the current understanding of the features of SPM and subcutaneous emphysema, and outcomes, by means of a case report and a systematic review.

Methods:

For the systematic review a literature search was performed in PubMed to identify reported cases of SPM in asthmatic children.

Results:

The case a 10-year-old asthmatic girl with SPM is reported. The patient received an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2 agonist, in addition to sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with eventual control of asthma symptoms. Review: A total of 114 published cases were found since 1995, most of them in teenagers; no sex differences were observed. Clinical presentation was associated with an asthma exacerbation in a number of cases. Other presenting features were chest pain, dyspnoea, cough, and particularly acute swelling of the face, neck, and upper chest. Subcutaneous emphysema was present in most patients. Overall, three cases of pneumothorax and two cases of pneumorrhachis were reported. Therapy was mainly based on supportive care, rest, oxygen therapy, analgesics, steroids, and bronchodilators. All patients recovered spontaneously, in spite of a small initial increase in SPM in a few cases.

Conclusions:

Early identification of patients at risk of SPM would avoid the high number of under-diagnosed cases. Patients should be treated not only with supportive therapy but also with measures to achieve control of the underlying cause (such as poorly controlled asthma).
Association Between Concussion and Lower Extremity Injuries in Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Gilbert Frances C. , Burdette G. Trey , Joyner A. Barry , Llewellyn Tracy A. , Buckley Thomas A.
Published: September 2016

Background:

Concussions have been associated with elevated musculoskeletal injury risk; however, the influence of unreported and unrecognized concussions has not been investigated.

Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between concussion and lower extremity musculoskeletal injury rates across a diverse array of sports among collegiate student-athletes at the conclusion of their athletic career. The hypothesis was that there will be a positive association between athletes who reported a history of concussions and higher rates of lower extremity injuries.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

Student-athletes (N = 335; 62.1% women; mean age, 21.2 ± 1.4 years) from 13 sports completed a reliable injury history questionnaire. Respondents indicated the total number of reported, unreported, and potentially unrecognized concussions as well as lower extremity injuries including ankle sprains, knee injuries, and muscle strains. Chi-square analyses were performed to identify the association between concussion and lower extremity injuries.

Results:

There were significant associations between concussion and lateral ankle sprain ( P = 0.012), knee injury ( P = 0.002), and lower extremity muscle strain ( P = 0.031). There were also significant associations between reported concussions and knee injury ( P = 0.003), unreported concussions and knee injury ( P = 0.002), and unrecognized concussions and lateral ankle sprain ( P = 0.001) and lower extremity muscle strains ( P = 0.006), with odds ratios ranging from 1.6 to 2.9.

Conclusion:

There was a positive association between concussion history and lower extremity injuries (odds ratios, 1.6-2.9 elevated risk) among student-athletes at the conclusion of their intercollegiate athletic careers.

Clinical Relevance:

Clinicians should be aware of these elevated risks when making return-to-participation decisions and should incorporate injury prevention protocols.
Imagined communities, the online sphere, and sport: The Internet and Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club fans as a case study
Authors: Levental Orr , Galily Yair , Yarchi Moran , Tamir Ilan
Published: September 2016

The Internet, particularly social media, has enhanced civic movements’ ability to communicate and organize their activities. This study addresses this issue in the realm of sports and examines fans’ online interaction while analyzing different platforms Hapoel Tel Aviv FC fans use (websites, forums, Twitter, and Facebook), especially during their 2011–2012 protest against the team’s owner. Findings indicate that technology enables fans to create and distribute information and organize beyond just official team activities and platforms. These trends are more salient in times of a protest.
Reflecting on the Nigerian Media, Elections, and the African Democracy
Authors: Oboh Godwin Ehiarekhian
Published: September 2016

This article examines how the media could enhance the conduct of elections. It also discusses the implications of the 2007 elections on public assessment of Nigerian democracy. The outcome of the 2007 elections was particularly worrisome following the electoral irregularities that occurred during the elections. The internal and the external observers that monitored the elections noted these irregularities, which were later confirmed by the Nigerian Judiciary when the results of the elections earlier approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission were later canceled by the court. The article used the content analysis approach to review the Nigerian press coverage of the elections and used the social responsibility media theory to argue why the media should support the government to conduct free and fair elections. The findings reveal that although the media gave adequate publicity to the elections, the public and the private media disagreed regarding the credibility of the results of the elections. The public media supported the Federal Government’s position in the elections, insisting that the elections were free and fair, notwithstanding the report by the Election Observation Mission that confirmed that the elections were rigged. The article recommends among other things, that the Nigerian press should report more objectively on election activities.
Interactionist Qualitative Research as a Semiotic Mediation Activity
Authors: Yamagata-Lynch Lisa C. , Skutnik Anne L. , Garty Erin , Do Jaewoo
Published: September 2016

In this article, we introduce qualitative research from an interactionist perspective. We specifically explore qualitative research itself as a semiotic process with associated actions. This enables researchers to make sense of human interactions in the world rather than solely focusing on semiotic analysis of qualitative data. We introduce Peirce’s semiotics and Vygotsky’s mediated action as tools for conceptualizing qualitative research in a semiotic mediation process. Understanding qualitative research as a semiotic mediation can help social scientists better understand their own role in research, while vicariously gaining experiences about human interactions that they later present to others.
Wicked Overseers
Authors: Steinmetz Kevin F. , Schaefer Brian P. , Henderson Howard
Published: September 2016

In recent times, several tragic events have brought attention to the relationship between policing and racial/ethnic minorities in the United States. Scholars, activists, and pundits have clamored to explain tensions that have arisen from these police-related deaths. The authors contribute to the discussion by asserting that contemporary policing in America, and its relationship to racial inequality, is only the latest chapter in a broader historical narrative in which the police constitute the front line of a race- and class-stratified social order. In other words, contemporary criminal justice and race struggles are a legacy of colonialism. This essay begins with a brief overview of colonialism before turning toward dissecting the contemporary colonial character of policing African American urban ghetto communities in four parts. First, the emergence of ghettos as internal colonies is described. Second, mechanisms are given that propelled the mass entry of police into ghetto spaces, with particular attention given to the war on drugs, broken-windows and order-maintenance policing, and police militarization. Third, the authors explore how contemporary policing acts to manage the colonized through police stops, searches, and other practices. Finally, the relationship between American policing practices and cultural denigration of African Americans is described.
Childhood obesity in relation to poor asthma control and exacerbation: a meta-analysis
Authors: Ahmadizar Fariba , Vijverberg Susanne J.H. , Arets Hubertus G.M. , de Boer Anthonius , Lang Jason E. , Kattan Meyer , Palmer Colin N.A. , Mukhopadhyay Somnath , Turner Steve , Maitland-van der Zee Anke H.
Published: September 2016

To estimate the association between obesity and poor asthma control or risk of exacerbations in asthmatic children and adolescents, and to assess whether these associations are different by sex.

A meta-analysis was performed on unpublished data from three North-European paediatric asthma cohorts (BREATHE, PACMAN (Pharmacogenetics of Asthma medication in Children: Medication with Anti-inflammatory effects) and PAGES (Pediatric Asthma Gene Environment Study)) and 11 previously published studies (cross-sectional and longitudinal studies). Outcomes were poor asthma control (based on asthma symptoms) and exacerbations rates (asthma-related visits to the emergency department, asthma-related hospitalisations or use of oral corticosteroids). Overall pooled estimates of the odds ratios were obtained using fixed- or random-effects models.

In a meta-analysis of 46 070 asthmatic children and adolescents, obese children (body mass index ≥95th percentile) compared with non-obese peers had a small but significant increased risk of asthma exacerbations (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03–1.34; I2: 54.7%). However, there was no statistically significant association between obesity and poor asthma control (n=4973, OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.99–1.53; I2: 0.0%). After stratification for sex, the differences in odds ratios for girls and boys were similar, yet no longer statistically significant.

In asthmatic children, obesity is associated with a minor increased risk of asthma exacerbations but not with poor asthma control. Sex does not appear to modify this risk.
Impairment of Wnt11 function leads to kidney tubular abnormalities and secondary glomerular cystogenesis
Authors: Nagy Irina I. , Xu Qi , Naillat Florence , Ali Nsrein , Miinalainen Ilkka , Samoylenko Anatoly , Vainio Seppo J.
Published: September 2016

Background

Wnt11 is a member of the Wnt family of secreted signals controlling the early steps in ureteric bud (UB) branching. Due to the reported lethality of Wnt11 knockout embryos in utero, its role in later mammalian kidney organogenesis remains open. The presence of Wnt11 in the emerging tubular system suggests that it may have certain roles later in the development of the epithelial ductal system.

Results

The Wnt11 knockout allele was backcrossed with the C57Bl6 strain for several generations to address possible differences in penetrance of the kidney phenotypes. Strikingly, around one third of the null mice with this inbred background survived to the postnatal stages. Many of them also reached adulthood, but urine and plasma analyses pointed out to compromised kidney function. Consistent with these data the tubules of the C57Bl6 Wnt11
−/−
mice appeared to be enlarged, and the optical projection tomography indicated changes in tubular convolution. Moreover, the C57Bl6 Wnt11
−/−
mice developed secondary glomerular cysts not observed in the controls. The failure of Wnt11 signaling reduced the expression of several genes implicated in kidney development, such as Wnt9b, Six2, Foxd1 and Hox10. Also Dvl2, an important PCP pathway component, was downregulated by more than 90 % due to Wnt11 deficiency in both the E16.5 and NB kidneys. Since all these genes take part in the control of UB, nephron and stromal progenitor cell differentiation, their disrupted expression may contribute to the observed anomalies in the kidney tubular system caused by Wnt11 deficiency.

Conclusions

The Wnt11 signal has roles at the later stages of kidney development, namely in coordinating the development of the tubular system. The C57Bl6 Wnt11
−/−
mouse generated here provides a model for studying the mechanisms behind tubular anomalies and glomerular cyst formation.
Mechanisms of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell function
Authors: Spees Jeffrey L. , Lee Ryang Hwa , Gregory Carl A.
Published: September 2016

The past decade has seen an explosion of research directed toward better understanding of the mechanisms of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) function during rescue and repair of injured organs and tissues. In addition to delineating cell–cell signaling and molecular controls for MSC differentiation, the field has made particular progress in defining several other mechanisms through which administered MSCs can promote tissue rescue/repair. These include: 1) paracrine activity that involves secretion of proteins/peptides and hormones; 2) transfer of mitochondria by way of tunneling nanotubes or microvesicles; and 3) transfer of exosomes or microvesicles containing RNA and other molecules. Improved understanding of MSC function holds great promise for the application of cell therapy and also for the development of powerful cell-derived therapeutics for regenerative medicine. Focusing on these three mechanisms, we discuss MSC-mediated effects on immune cell responses, cell survival, and fibrosis and review recent progress with MSC-based or MSC-derived therapeutics.
Multilayer approach to minimax theorems
Authors: Lin Yen-Cherng , Lai Hang-Chin
Published: September 2016

In this research, a multihierarchical methodology works by taking a whole intersection property to establish a fixed point theorem. Using such a whole intersection property to let multihierarchical procedures of set-valued mappings can work on a Hausdorff topological vector space. Some examples are proposed in order to illustrate our theory.
Vitamin D-Mediated Hypercalcemia: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Authors: Tebben Peter J. , Singh Ravinder J. , Kumar Rajiv
Published: September 2016

Hypercalcemia occurs in up to 4% of the population in association with malignancy, primary hyperparathyroidism, ingestion of excessive calcium and/or vitamin D, ectopic production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], and impaired degradation of 1,25(OH)2D. The ingestion of excessive amounts of vitamin D3 (or vitamin D2) results in hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria due to the formation of supraphysiological amounts of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] that bind to the vitamin D receptor, albeit with lower affinity than the active form of the vitamin, 1,25(OH)2D, and the formation of 5,6-trans 25(OH)D, which binds to the vitamin D receptor more tightly than 25(OH)D. In patients with granulomatous disease such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis and tumors such as lymphomas, hypercalcemia occurs as a result of the activity of ectopic 25(OH)D-1-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) expressed in macrophages or tumor cells and the formation of excessive amounts of 1,25(OH)2D. Recent work has identified a novel cause of non-PTH-mediated hypercalcemia that occurs when the degradation of 1,25(OH)2D is impaired as a result of mutations of the 1,25(OH)2D-24-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (CYP24A1). Patients with biallelic and, in some instances, monoallelic mutations of the CYP24A1 gene have elevated serum calcium concentrations associated with elevated serum 1,25(OH)2D, suppressed PTH concentrations, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, and on occasion, reduced bone density. Of interest, first-time calcium renal stone formers have elevated 1,25(OH)2D and evidence of impaired 24-hydroxylase-mediated 1,25(OH)2D degradation. We will describe the biochemical processes associated with the synthesis and degradation of various vitamin D metabolites, the clinical features of the vitamin D-mediated hypercalcemia, their biochemical diagnosis, and treatment.
Poor maternal nutrition and accelerated postnatal growth induces an accelerated aging phenotype and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle of male rats
Authors: Tarry-Adkins J. L. , Fernandez-Twinn D. S. , Chen J. H. , Hargreaves I. P. , Neergheen V. , Aiken C. E. , Ozanne S. E.
Published: September 2016

‘Developmental programming’, as a consequence of suboptimal in-utero and early environments can be associated with metabolic dysfunction in later life, including increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and predisposition of older men to sarcopenia. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning these associations are poorly understood. Many conditions associated with ‘developmental programming’ are also known to be associated with the aging process. We therefore utilized our well-established rat model of low-birth weight and accelerated postnatal catch-up growth (termed ‘recuperated’) in this study to establish the effects of suboptimal maternal nutrition on age-associated factors in skeletal muscle. We demonstrated accelerated telomere shortening (a robust marker of cellular aging) as evidenced by reduced frequency of long telomeres (48.5-8.6kb) and increased frequency of short telomeres (4.2-1.3kb) in vastus-lateralis muscle from aged recuperated offspring compared to controls. This was associated with increased protein expression of the DNA damage repair marker 8-oxoguanine-glycosylase (OGG1) in recuperated offspring.

Recuperated animals also demonstrated an oxidative stress phenotype, with decreased citrate synthase activity, increased electron-transport complex activities of complex I, complex II-III and complex IV (all markers of functional mitochondria), increased xanthine oxidase (XO), p67phox and Nuclear-factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NF-κB). Recuperated offspring also demonstrated increased antioxidant defense capacity with increased protein expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), Catalase and heme oxygenase-1 (HO1), all of which are known targets of NF-κB and may be upregulated as a consequence of oxidative stress. Recuperated offspring also had a pro-inflammatory phenotype as evidenced by increased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL1β) protein levels. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, an accelerated aging phenotype in skeletal muscle in the context of developmental programming. These findings may pave the way for suitable interventions in at-risk populations.
Upregulation of the Nr2f1-A830082K12Rik gene pair in murine neural crest cells results in a complex phenotype reminiscent of Waardenburg syndrome type 4
Authors: Bergeron Karl-F. , Nguyen Chloé M. A. , Cardinal Tatiana , Charrier Baptiste , Silversides David W. , Pilon Nicolas
Published: September 2016

Waardenburg syndrome is a neurocristopathy characterized by a combination of skin and hair depigmentation, and inner ear defects. In the type 4 form, these defects show comorbidity with Hirschsprung disease, a disorder marked by an absence of neural ganglia in the distal colon, triggering functional intestinal obstruction. Here, we report that the Spot mouse line – obtained through an insertional mutagenesis screen for genes involved in neural crest cell (NCC) development – is a model for Waardenburg syndrome type 4. We found that the Spot insertional mutation causes overexpression of an overlapping gene pair composed of the transcription-factor-encoding Nr2f1 and the antisense long non-coding RNA A830082K12Rik in NCCs through a mechanism involving relief of repression of these genes. Consistent with the previously described role of Nr2f1 in promoting gliogenesis in the central nervous system, we further found that NCC-derived progenitors of the enteric nervous system fail to fully colonize Spot embryonic guts owing to their premature differentiation in glial cells. Taken together, our data thus identify silencer elements of the Nr2f1-A830082K12Rik gene pair as new candidate loci for Waardenburg syndrome type 4.
Practical aspects of compression therapy – Update 2016
Authors: Heyer K. , Protz K.
Published: September 2016

Compression therapy is a complex form of therapy. It requires equally practical abilities and theoretical knowledge, as well as an understanding of available materials and the methods in question. All these mentioned aspects of today’s practical compression therapy show deficits.

This article shows the current status of treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers in Germany. Based on this, strategies are described, which aim to improve the status of information of the patients, the expertise of the users and the further spread of modern and specialized materials.

It is possible and appropriate to better the individual status of treatment of patients through further qualification of carers. This should include the proper usage of materials and methods.
Treatment of infantile haemoangioma – Update 2016
Authors: Mangatter A. , Ruef P.
Published: September 2016

Aim Complicated infantile hemangioma need early, safe and effective treatment. The aim of this study was to provide greater insight into systemic and topical propranolol treatment efficacy and side effects.

Methods We report our retrospective experiences of 207 paediatric patients treated with systemic propranolol and of 148 paediatric patients treated with propranolol gel topically photographed and analysed with a specific hemangioma score.

Results Propranolol treatment was successful in >99 % of the patients. The hemangioma score showed a significant decrease during systemic treatment (8.3 ± 3.3 at beginning and 1.5± 1.4 after 6 months) and during topical treatment (4.2 ± 1,6 at beginning and 2.2 ± 1.3 after three months). Systemic treatment did not show any differences when distributed according to different localizations or to the patient`s ages. During topical propranolol treatment relevant serum levels were not determined. Relevant side effects that may have made it necessary to discontinue the treatment were not observed. However, there was a statistically significant reduction in heart rate but not in mean arterial blood pressure during the first six in-hospital systemic drug applications.

Conclusion Systemic propranolol treatment is highly effective and nearly always safe. Topical treatment with propranolol gel (off-label) is suitable for specific hemangioma in addition to cryotherapy and systemic treatment with propranolol. These findings provide highly valuable information on this drug treatment for complicated infantile hemangioma in infants.
Reality of outpatient care with medical compression stockings
Authors: Marshall M. , Murena-Schmidt R. , Doppel W. , Hahn S. , Schwahn-Schreiber C.
Published: September 2016

Background The mediven observational study demonstrated that outpatient prescription of medical compression stockings (MCS) is not sufficiently guided by the medical needs of venous patients. In this follow-up analysis, we therefore evaluated the frequency of prescriptions of MCS and donning aids. Moreover, we asked whether MCS are differentially prescribed according to the patients’ CEAP classification and BMI.

Results Approximately one third of patients did not receive a prescription for a second pair of MCS at the beginning of the study and approximately one third of patients were not given a six-monthly repeat prescription. Moreover, donning aids were only rarely prescribed. These factors had an impact on compliance, since high MCS wearing frequencies were associated with both frequent MCS re-prescriptions and, at least for patients aged 61 years or above, prescription of donning aids. Prescribed MCS were mostly of light MCS quality, irrespective of the patient’s CEAP and BMI. Importantly, improvements of the CEAP classification of patients in CEAP category C3 occurred more frequently with medium and firm MCS qualities (BMI >25: 30.9 %; <25: 41.7 %) than with light MCS qualities (BMI >25: 22.4 %; <25: 13.3 %). In obese patients, constriction furrows occurred less frequently when medium or firm MCS qualities were used.

Conclusion With regard to the number and type of MCS prescriptions, there is still significant need for improvement. If required by the patients’ medical needs, medium and firm MCS qualities should be considered to a much greater extent.
Institutional Barriers to Growth: Entrepreneurship, Human Capital and Institutional Change
Authors: Eesley Charles
Published: September 2016

Prior research often focuses on how many entrepreneurial firms are created, rather than on institutions that encourage specific types of firms or entrepreneurs. This paper identifies institutional changes that reduce barriers to growth as an important factor influencing the propensity of individuals to start a business. The findings suggest that the impact of lower barriers to growth is shaped by the extent of the reduction in barriers to growth and the level of human capital of the individual. Only a large reduction in barriers to growth has a stronger impact in increasing the likelihood of founding at higher levels of human capital. I capitalize on two reforms lowering barriers to growth as natural experiments. One reform, in 1988, only slightly lowered barriers to growth. The second reform, in 1999, more strongly lowered barriers to growth with an amendment to the Chinese constitution reversing regulations that favored firms with foreign investors. This made it easier for domestic entrepreneurs to compete. I collected data through a survey of 2,966 alumni who graduated from a top Chinese university. Results show that reducing the institutional barriers to growth differently affects college-educated individuals with different levels of human capital.
A INFLUÊNCIA DAS VARIÁVEIS AMBIENTAIS E ORGANIZACIONAIS NO DESEMPENHO DE STARTUPS
Authors: Miranda Juliana Queirós , Santos Júnior Carlos Denner , Dias Alexandre Teixeira
Published: September 2016

Os novos negócios de base inovadora e tecnológica, e as startups têm conferido  uma alavancagem para a economia dos países. Apesar disso, as startups estão mais suscetíveis a fracassarem devido à sua vulnerabilidade inicial, considerando que enfrentam mais riscos, possuem menos recursos e têm pouca legitimidade. Dessa forma, identificou-se a relevância em analisar os fatores que influenciam no desempenho das startups através de variáveis ambientais e organizacionais e suas relações entre si e com o desempenho desses negócios inovadores. Desenvolveu-se assim um modelo teórico com base nas duas principais correntes téoricas da literatura de estratégia empresarial, isto é, considerando os fatores internos à organização e externos de seu ambiente. O método utilizado foi o levantamento (survey), enviado para mais de 700 startups em todo o Brasil, obtendo uma amostra válida de 92 respondentes. A análise dos dados foi baseada na modelagem de equações estruturais, realizada por meio do software SmartPLS. Os resultados indicaram ausência de significância estatística nas hipóteses analisadas, indicando que não há relação entre as variáveis ambientais e organizacionais e o desempenho das startups, potencialmente contribuindo para as teorias utilizadas e que, normalmente, foram desenvolvidas através da análise de grandes empreendimentos. Esta pesquisa busca, assim, contribuir para os estudos organizacionais, ao apresentar uma diferença relacionada com o desempenho no contexto das startups.
EMPREENDEDORISMO SOCIAL: ESTUDO BIBLIOMÉTRICO SOBRE A PRODUÇÃO NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL
Authors: Gaiotto Sergio Augusto Vallim
Published: September 2016

Este estudo realizou um mapeamento da produção científica nacional e internacional do período compreendido entre 2010 e 2015 sobre empreendedorismo social. O presente trabalho emprega métodos bibliométricos para analisar bases de dados científicas, e apresenta dados acerca da quantidade de artigos publicados e de periódicos encontrados; autores que mais publicaram; autores mais citados; temas recorrentes relacionados ao empreendedorismo social e métodos de pesquisa mais utilizados. Diante dos resultados, foi possível verificar que a produção científica geral sobre o tema proposto apresentou um declínio em 2014, seguido por um crescimento em 2015. Além disso, nota-se a predominância de publicações norte-americanas, enquanto as publicações nacionais encontram-se em fase de consolidação teórica, buscando bases conceituais para que possam contribuir e se tornar relevantes para este campo do conhecimento.
La accesibilidad en las realidades de la vida cotidiana: La Pedagogía Social en la construcción del derecho a una educación inclusiva
Authors: Gradaille Pernas Rita , Caride Gómez José Antonio
Published: September 2016

Los Derechos Humanos representan un marco común para el desarrollo de las comunidades y las personas en condiciones de libertad, justicia e igualdad; por ello, es necesario implementar estrategias que—desde la Pedagogía-Educación Social—promuevan una mayor accesibilidad en el ejercicio al derecho a la educación. Se trata de garantizar—poniendo énfasis en una visión ampliada de la educación—las mismas oportunidades en la vida cotidiana para todas las personas, construyendo una educación que sea verdaderamente inclusiva: no sólo un método o principio pedagógico, sino también un modo alternativo de vivir la formación, de atender a la diversidad y de comprometer las enseñanzas y los aprendizajes con la vida cotidiana.
Sobolev homeomorphisms with gradients of low rank via laminates
Authors: Faraco Daniel , Mora-Corral Carlos , Oliva Marcos
Published: September 2016

Let

Ω
⊂

ℝ
n

{\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^{n}}

be a bounded open set. Given

2
≤
m
≤
n

{2\leq m\leq n}

, we construct a convex function

u
:

Ω
→
ℝ

{u\colon\Omega\to\mathbb{R}}

whose gradient

f
=

∇
⁡
u

{f=\nabla u}

is a Hölder continuous homeomorphism, f is the identity on

∂
⁡
Ω

{\partial\Omega}

, the derivative Df has rank

m
-
1

{m-1}

a.e. in Ω and Df is in the weak

L
m

{L^{m}}

space

L

m
,
w

{L^{m,w}}

. The proof is based on convex integration and staircase laminates.
Accuracy of leg alignment measurements from antero-posterior radiographs
Authors: Khare Rahul , Jaramaz Branislav
Published: September 2016

After a knee replacement procedure, postoperative radiological assessment is carried out to evaluate outcome and predict procedure success. For this assessment, long-standing load-bearing antero-posterior radiographs are used to carry out manual identification of anatomic landmarks. These landmarks are subsequently used to estimate leg alignment. The positions of the landmarks in the radiographs are affected by the patient pose and the X-ray projection center. Although there is some past work exploring the impact of patient pose on the landmarks in the radiographs, there is no previous work on the impact of the X-ray projection center on the estimated leg alignment. In this work, we carried out a study of the impact of patient foot rotation, and X-ray projection center on landmark measurement errors, and estimation of leg alignment. In this evaluation, landmarks were first identified in three-dimensional computed tomography scans. Digitally reconstructed radiographs were then obtained from these scans under varying rotation and projection centers. Subsequently, landmarks were manually identified in these radiographs and leg alignment was estimated from these landmarks. We found that foot rotation leads to increased errors in certain landmarks. We also found that variations in the X-ray projection center do not lead to significant (p<0.01) errors in landmark measurements. Also, errors as large as 13.1 mm for the femoral knee center and 13.6 mm for the lateral malleolus led to a maximum error of 1.46° for the femoral mechanical axis and 0.66° for the tibial mechanical axis.
Growth Prospects for Advanced and Emerging Market Economies
Authors: Salvatore Dominick
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the reasons for the slow growth in the advanced countries since the recent global financial crisis, the slowdown in growth or recession in emerging market economies, the danger that the world may be drifting toward a new global financial crisis, and that it may face even secular stagnation. The paper concludes that growth is likely to remain slow for the rest of this decade in advanced countries and to continue to decline in emerging market economies. It also examines the danger that with interest rates at the zero-bound level in advanced nations, a new financial bubble may be in the making as investors, in search of returns, undertake excessively risky investments, and that this may lead to a new global financial crisis. It is not certain, however, that the world is facing secular stagnation and, if so, that a new massive fiscal stimulus (as advocated but some) would prevent it or correct it.
Two-weighted norm inequalities of singular integral operators on weighted Morrey spaces
Authors: Ye Xiao Feng , Wang Teng Fei
Published: September 2016

Suppose that

L

p
,
κ

⁢

(
w
)

{L^{p,\kappa}(w)}

is a weighted Morrey space in

ℝ
n

{\mathbb{R}^{n}}

.
We establish two-weighted norm inequalities on weighted Morrey spaces for Hilbert and Riesz transforms.
Moreover, with the assumption

p
>
n

{p>n}

, the C-Z singular integral operator is also established for two-weighted norm inequalities on weighted Morrey spaces.
Interprofessional health care - field of study with future and challenges / Interprofessionelle Versorgung – Ein Studiengebiet mit Zukunft und Herausforderungen
Authors: Hollweg Wibke , Beck Eva-Maria , Schulenburg Katrin , Trock Silke , Räbiger Jutta , Kraus Elke , Borde Theda
Published: September 2016

Background

At Alice Salomon University in Berlin, the project «Healthcare Professionals - Bachelor for Interprofessional Healthcare and Management» aims at developing a joint online, part-time study course for nursing staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.

Objectives

Based on innovative learning modules, the study course aims at improving inter-professional cooperation in healthcare, thus enhancing the quality of care for patients.

Questions

Do executives and professionals see a need for action with regard to interprofessional healthcare? How can employers support part-time students attending the study course alongside employment? Which requirements should the study course meet in terms of contents and structure to balance studies and employment?

Methods

Quantitative online survey among executives and professionals using questionnaires. A descriptive approach was employed to evaluate the quantitative data statistically.

Results

The executives› survey confirmed a definite need for enhanced skills acquired through higher education and revealed a strong wish for more interprofessional cooperation than what is commonly practiced in healthcare today. Innovative study formats and cooperation on the part of the employers are necessary to balance work and studies.

Discussion

The challenge now is conceptualizing a study course that promotes the online development of interprofessional and scientific skills, imparts future-oriented and practice-relevant contents and is flexible to accommodate the needs of employed, part-time students.
Spatial Pricing in Uncontested Procurement Markets: Regulatory Implications
Authors: Sesmero Juan
Published: September 2016

This study derives a general characterization of the misalignment between socially and privately optimal spatial pricing in an uncontested procurement market. In doing so it clarifies the link between firm-gate price markdown (pricing the input below its marginal value product at the firm’s location) and spatial price discrimination (varying markdown by distance). We subsequently examine the implications of our results for regulatory prescriptions. Our analysis reveals that, in the absence of regulation, increased firm-gate price markdown is necessarily accompanied by intensified spatial price discrimination, and that discrimination is always conducted against nearby producers. We find that if regulation targets price markdown at the firm gate, then spatial price discrimination is also inhibited resulting in welfare gains. In contrast, directly targeting spatial price discrimination (as generally prescribed by enacted and proposed legislation) cannot attain a first best, and may in fact result in efficiency losses relative to the unregulated equilibrium.
Abstract Entities in a Presentist World
Authors: Filomeno Aldo
Published: September 2016

How can a metaphysics of abstract entities be built upon a metaphysics of time? In this paper, I address the question of how to accommodate abstract entities in a presentist world. I consider both the traditional metaontological approach of unrestricted fundamental quantification and then ontological pluralism. I argue that under the former we need to impose two constraints in the characterization of presentism in order to avoid undesired commitments to abstract entities: we have to characterize presentism as a thesis only about the concrete, and we also need to avoid the widely held distinction between tensed and tenseless senses of existence. Under ontological pluralism, instead, I argue that we can naturally accommodate any view of abstract objects in a presentist world.
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility—A Personal Philosophy for Communicating Science in Society
Authors: Zehr E. Paul
Published: September 2016

Many think that communicating science is a necessary and rewarding activity. Yet finding compelling, relevant, and timely points of linkage between challenging scientific concepts and the experiences and interests of the general public can be difficult. Since science continues to influence more and more aspects of daily life and knowledge, there is a parallel need for communication about science in our society. Here I discuss the“middle-ground hypothesis”using popular culture for science communication and applying the“FUNnel model,”where popular culture is used as a lead-in and wrap-up when discussing science. The scientific knowledge we find in our hands does not belong to us—we just had it first. We can honor that knowledge best by sharing it as widely as possible using the most creative means at our disposal.
Should Pediatric Practices Have Policies to Not Care for Children With Vaccine-Hesitant Parents?
Authors: Alexander Kenneth , Lacy Tomas A. , Myers Angela L. , Lantos John D.
Published: September 2016

One of the most divisive issues in pediatrics today concerns the proper response by pediatricians to parents who refuse routine childhood immunizations for their children. Many pediatricians refuse to care for such families. Others continue to provide care and continue to try to convince parents that the benefits of immunizations far outweigh the risks. Two of the most powerful arguments in favor of dismissing such parents are as follows: (1) their refusal suggests such lack of trust in the physicians’ recommendations that it undermines the basis for a meaningful physician–patient–parent relationship; and (2) unimmunized children present an unacceptable risk to other children in the physicians’ waiting rooms. This article examines those arguments.
A Discourse on Food Security of India
Authors: Pangannavar Arjun Y. , Pangannavar Hemavathi S.
Published: September 2016

This paper analyses the demand and supply of food in the context of food security in India so as to understand the domestic policies needed to control food problems and food inflation. First, we could consider supply side policies needed to ensure that the rising demand can be met and food inflation controlled. Concerted action will be needed to increase agricultural yields, given that cropped land will be hard to increase. These include improving irrigation facilities, better seeds, improved cold storage and transportation facilities, reallocation of land from cereals and pulses to vegetables and fruits, etc. Second, we estimate food demand in India by categories such as cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meat using consumption data available under different studies. Our analysis shows that the structure of demand by food category is in the process of undergoing significant changes with rising income levels, and that the demand for fruits, vegetable, cooking oils, dairy products, and meat will increase by 60–75 per cent over the next 10 years, while demand for cereals will increase only 10 per cent, and that for pulses will decline slightly. Finally, we discuss the food security issues and required measures to be followed by the government for ensuring food security in future.
Primary School Students’ Cognitive Styles and Their Achievement in English as a Foreign Language
Authors: Khodadady Ebrahim , Bagheri Nader , Charbgoo Zeinab
Published: September 2016

This study explored the relationship between cognitive styles and achievement in English as a foreign language (EFL). To this end, the Goodenough-Harris Drawing Test, consisting of draw a woman test (DAWT) and draw a man test (DAMT), was administered to 658 grade two, three and four students who had registered in Imam Reza primary schools in Mashhad, Iran. The DAWT and DAMT were marked by two raters and averaged to have a more comprehensive measure of the students’ conceptualization of human figure called draw a person test (DAPT). The mean score on the DAPT was utilized to assign the participants to field-dependent and field-independent groups. The participants’ scores on the oral and written examinations held in the middle and end of school year were also obtained from their schools and averaged to get a total test score as an indicator of EFL achievement. The correlational analysis of the data established a significant relationship between cognitive styles and oral and total EFL achievement. Neither the field-dependent nor field-independent genus of cognitive styles related to the achievement. The independent samples ttest, however, showed that the field-independent primary school students’ EFL achievement was significantly higher than their FD counterparts. The results are discussed and suggestions are made for future research.
How Can EFL Teachers Help EFL Learners Improve Their English Pronunciation?
Authors: Gilakjani Abbas Pourhosein , Sabouri Narjes Banou
Published: September 2016

One of the important parts of foreign language teaching and learning is English pronunciation because it impacts learners' communicative competence and performance. Lack of pronunciation skills reduces learners’ self-confidence and limit their social interactions. EFL teachers can help their learners obtain the necessary skills of pronunciation they need for effective communication. In this paper, the researchers define the term pronunciation, explain the importance of pronunciation, declare the goals of English pronunciation, state the aspects of English pronunciation, elaborate the reason of integrating pronunciation in EFL classes, express techniques for teaching English pronunciation, and mention implications for the learning and teaching of English pronunciation. The review of literature indicates that EFL teachers play a vital role in improving the learners’ pronunciation skill.
The Study of Learners’ Educational Level and Their Knowledge of True Cognate Words in Iran
Authors: Izadpanah Siros , Hatemi Maryam , Asadi Fatemeh
Published: September 2016

Our purpose of the study was to determine the learners’ educational level and their knowledge of true cognate words. 385 had been selected from 3,789 statistical population participated in 2014–2015 at three levels of associate, bachelor, and master of Islamic Azad University as well as teachers of English in English educational institutions in Zanjan (Iran). The participants’ age was between from 18 to 52. The materials were 45 words of true cognate words from 500 words by doing CVR (content validity ratio) and CVI (content validity index) (Lawshe’s table with the index of 88% and 82% respectively). ANOVA (Analysis of variance) was used for studying the effect of educational level on the rate of awareness. The results showed there is no significant difference between the awareness of Associate diploma (A.D.), Bachelor of art (B.A.), and Master of art (M.A.) levels, but there is a significant difference between the level of awareness of teachers group and the other groups in true cognate words. Our result showed that all of them were weak in recognizing true cognate words. It also suggested the mean of true cognates recognized by the students based on educational level had increased trend.
How to Integrate English Language Teaching and Academic Study in Chinese-foreign Joint Bachelor’s Degree Programmes in Local Universities: The Case of Hubei Engineering University
Authors: Feng Qian
Published: September 2016

This paper made a statistical analysis on the basis of some data coming from a survey in Hubei Engineering University. It discussed about problems in Chinese-foreign Joint Bachelor’s Degree Programmes in Local Universities. Based on EngestrÖm’s activity theory, it further provided some suggestions by focusing on integrating English language teaching and academic study. It expected to bring the outcome (in EngestrÖm’s ending point of the model) of harmony and unity of teachers’ life world, vision of curriculum and classroom activities.
Some Insights into Iran’s English Curriculum Based on Iran’s Major Policies
Authors: Ebrahimi Fateme , Sahragard Rahman
Published: September 2016

The study aimed to investigate Iran national curriculum, foreign language part. The curriculum analyzed according to major documents of Iran; 20-year Iran’s vision plan and Comprehensive map of science. Moreover, it was analyzed based on current issues in language teaching. The qualitative study reached at some setback in curriculum. Curriculum centered on language teaching without appropriate culture, while aim of major documents was non-stop communication with world. As a result, there were some weak points toward national curriculum.
Hyperbolic secant lens with a slit for subwavelength light focusing
Authors:   Image Processing Systems Institute of the Russian Academy of Science, Nalimov A. , Kotlyar V. ,   Image Processing Systems Institute of the Russian Academy of Science
Published: September 2016

A modeling by FDTD method shown, that binary photonic crystal secant hyperbolic micro lens made of Si (n0 = 3,47), with size of 2×5 mm with a slit width of 50 nm and length of 250 nm focuses TM-polarized flat wave in a focal spot near exit surface of lens. Focal spot FWHM size is λ/23, diffractive efficiency of the lens is 44%, and the focal intensity is 10 times more then the intensity of the incident light.
Analysis of the axial distribution of a tightly focused beam with different polarizations
Authors:   Image Processing Systems Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, Khonina S. , Ustinov A. ,   Image Processing Systems Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: September 2016

The paper analyzes an axial distribution of the tightly focused laser beam with different polarizations. The beam is presented as a superposition of the vortex phase functions. An analytical solution for the each component of the electric field is obtained for the incident beam narrowed by a ring aperture of arbitrary width. Approximate analytical estimates for the axial distribution in elementary functions have been obtained also. This makes to easily analyze the nature of the intensity along the optical axis. The influence of weighted superposition of vortex phase functions in the incident beam and the type of polarization on the relative contributions of the different components of the electric field in the focal region of the optical axis is numerically investigated.