bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doubly Robust Estimator for Indirectly Standardized Mortality Ratios
Authors: Daignault Katherine , Saarela Olli
Published: September 2017

Routinely collected administrative and clinical data are increasingly being utilized for comparing quality of care outcomes between hospitals. This problem can be considered in a causal inference framework, as such comparisons have to be adjusted for hospital-specific patient case-mix, which can be done using either an outcome or assignment model. It is often of interest to compare the performance of hospitals against the average level of care in the health care system, using indirectly standardized mortality ratios, calculated as a ratio of observed to expected quality outcome. A doubly robust estimator makes use of both outcome and assignment models in the case-mix adjustment, requiring only one of these to be correctly specified for valid inferences. Doubly robust estimators have been proposed for direct standardization in the quality comparison context, and for standardized risk differences and ratios in the exposed population, but as far as we know, not for indirect standardization. We present the causal estimand in indirect standardization in terms of potential outcome variables, propose a doubly robust estimator for this, and study its properties. We also consider the use of a modified assignment model in the presence of small hospitals.
Volume Averaged Equations for Mass Transport and Reaction for In-Situ Combustion
Authors: Aguilar-Madera Carlos G. , Cazarez-Candia Octavio , Valdés-Parada Francisco J.
Published: September 2017

In-situ combustion (ISC) is an oil recovery technique where many phenomena can take place simultaneously such as: chemical reactions, phase change, heat transfer, mass transport, thermodynamic equilibrium, and so on. Each one of these phenomena may have important contributions over the ISC behavior at any scale of interest as lab-scale, inter-wells or reservoir-scale. In this work, a mass transport study is presented. Firstly, the appropriate phase and interface governing equations at pore-scale are set up. Later, the volume averaged equations valid at macroscale are rigorously derived using the volume averaging method (VAM). The theoretical analysis is general and applies for typical oil-water-gas-rock systems found in petroleum reservoirs, and for any number of chemical species distributed in the phases. The model also allows the existence of several heterogeneous and homogeneous chemical reactions. From this general point of view, the volume averaged equations governing species and phase mass transport at macroscale, along its closure scheme to predict the effective transport parameters, are presented. We have clearly identified the length scale constraints and assumptions that support our derivations. In future works, we shall expand the range of applicability of the model by relaxing some of these assumptions. To demonstrate the applicability of the average models, we numerically predicted the longitudinal mass dispersion of oxygen for passive and reactive mass transport problems at lab-scale. The general trends of theoretical results are in concordance with previous works.
Simulation Model of a Production Facility of Agaricus bisporus Mycelium for Decision-Making Support
Authors: Latorre-Biel Juan Ignacio , Jiménez Emilio , Pérez Mercedes , Leiva F.J. , Martínez E. , Blanco J.
Published: September 2017

Sustainability and efficiency are key factors in agro-food industry, since the success of companies in this sector relies on the achievement of these objectives. Decision-making support may contribute decisively to this task. A model for a production facility of mycelium of the mushroom variety of Agaricus bisporus is described. This model has been developed using the paradigm of the Petri nets and can be integrated in a decision support tool for performing structural analysis with the purpose of identifying certain features, such as feasible deadlocks. A complementary and promising possibility consists of using the model for performance evaluation by simulation of the behavior of the system in combination with the outcome of a life cycle assessment. This approach allows developing a what-if analysis or an optimization process to seek for good or quasi-optimal decisions taking into account financial, as well as environmental issues, among other possibilities.
How L2 learners of French and English express modality using verbal means: A crosslinguistic and developmental study
Authors: Leclercq Pascale , Edmonds Amanda
Published: September 2017

This study describes and analyzes how native and non-native speakers express modality using verbal means during oral retellings. Participants included native speakers of French and English, as well as English-speaking learners of French and French-speaking learners of English at three levels of language proficiency. All participants performed the same short film retelling, which was then transcribed and analyzed in terms of modalization. Results show that all groups use verbal modal means, although rates, meanings and types of modal forms used vary across the two languages, and especially as a function of second language proficiency.
Fetal death: an extreme manifestation of maternal anti-fetal rejection
Authors: Lannaman Kia , Romero Roberto , Chaiworapongsa Tinnakorn , Kim Yeon Mee , Korzeniewski Steven J. , Maymon Eli , Gomez-Lopez Nardhy , Panaitescu Bogdan , Hassan Sonia S. , Yeo Lami , Yoon Bo Hyun , Jai Kim Chong , Erez Offer
Published: September 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine the association between chronic placental inflammation and amniotic fluid (AF) markers of maternal anti-fetal rejection as well as the presence of microorganisms in the AF fluid of patients with fetal death.

Study Design:

This cohort study included 40 patients with fetal death whose placentas were examined for chronic inflammatory lesions and whose AF chemokine ligand (CXCL)10 and interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations were determined by immunoassays. AF was processed for bacteria, mycoplasmas and viruses using cultivation and molecular microbiologic techniques (i.e. PCR-ESI/MS).

Results:

(1) The most prevalent placental findings were maternal vascular underperfusion (63.2%, 24/38), followed by chronic inflammatory lesions (57.9%, 22/38); (2) chronic chorioamnionitis (18/38) was three times more frequent than villitis of unknown etiology (6/38); (3) an elevated AF CXCL10 concentration (above the 95th centile) was present in 60% of the cases, and a receiver operating characteristics (ROC)-derived cut-off of 2.9 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 75% in the identification of chronic placental inflammatory lesions; (4) only five cases had microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, and the presence of microorganisms did not correlate with chronic placental inflammation.

Conclusion:

In women with unexplained fetal death, there is an association between elevated AF CXCL10 and chronic placental inflammatory lesions. Therefore, we conclude that a subset of patients with fetal death may have endured a breakdown of maternal-fetal tolerance, which cannot be attributed to microorganisms in the amniotic cavity.
Facts and misconceptions on the Palaearctic existence of the striped ground squirrel
Authors: Kryštufek Boris , Stanciu Cătălin , Ivajnšič Danijel , Cherkaoui Sidi Imad , Janžekovič Franc
Published: September 2017

The striped ground squirrel has a wide distribution in the Ethiopian region but is restricted to a small isolated area in Palaearctic Africa. This fragment was first recorded in the late 1940s in the Souss Valley (Morocco), however, not a single new observation has been published in the following decades. In September 2016 we surveyed the Souss Valley and found squirrels at 43 sites within the triangle between Agadir–Taroudant–Tiznit. Occupied sites were not distributed at random but occurred between an altitude of 45–254 m and on a substrate with coarse texture containing >65% sand. The vast majority of the sites with squirrels (69%) were classified as suburban, cultivated or both. Habitat suitability was estimated by applying geographically weighted logistic regression analysis. The influence of local predictor variables varied across the study area indicating the heterogeneous effects on the determination of the occurrence of the species. The modelled highly suitable habitat area for the striped ground squirrel in Morocco covers almost 690 km2 and only marginally overlaps the range for the species reported in the literature.
Using Eminent Domain for Economic Development: Does it Increase Private Sector Employment?
Authors: Turnbull Geoffrey , Salvino Robert , Tasto Michael
Published: September 2017

Although controversial, local and state governments draw on broad interpretations of the Fifth Amendment takings clause to justify using eminent domain for economic development. Previous studies examine such uses from the perspective of property rights and the scope and size of government. This paper addresses the fundamental question: Do states that grant local governments liberal eminent domain powers actually enjoy greater economic growth? This paper estimates how liberal eminent domain laws affect private sector employment growth across states while controlling for national trend and industry mix effects. The results clearly show that allowing local governments to use eminent domain for economic development does not lead to more private sector jobs.
Confidence intervals for heritability via Haseman-Elston regression
Authors: Sofer Tamar
Published: September 2017

Heritability is the proportion of phenotypic variance in a population that is attributable to individual genotypes. Heritability is considered an important measure in both evolutionary biology and in medicine, and is routinely estimated and reported in genetic epidemiology studies. In population-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS), mixed models are used to estimate variance components, from which a heritability estimate is obtained. The estimated heritability is the proportion of the model’s total variance that is due to the genetic relatedness matrix (kinship measured from genotypes). Current practice is to use bootstrapping, which is slow, or normal asymptotic approximation to estimate the precision of the heritability estimate; however, this approximation fails to hold near the boundaries of the parameter space or when the sample size is small. In this paper we propose to estimate variance components via a Haseman-Elston regression, find the asymptotic distribution of the variance components and proportions of variance, and use them to construct confidence intervals (CIs). Our method is further developed to obtain unbiased variance components estimators and construct CIs by meta-analyzing information from multiple studies. We demonstrate our approach on data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).
Staying over-optimistic about the future: Uncovering attentional biases to climate change messages
Authors: Beattie Geoffrey , Marselle Melissa , McGuire Laura , Litchfield Damien
Published: September 2017

There is considerable concern that the public are not getting the message about climate change. One possible explanation is “optimism bias,” where individuals overestimate the likelihood of positive events happening to them and underestimate the likelihood of negative events. Evidence from behavioral neuroscience suggest that this bias is underpinned by selective information processing, specifically through a reduced level of neural coding of undesirable information, and an unconscious tendency for optimists to avoid fixating negative information. Here we test how this bias in attention could relate to the processing of climate change messages. Using eye tracking, we found that level of dispositional optimism affected visual fixations on climate change messages. Optimists spent less time (overall dwell time) attending to any arguments about climate changes (either “for” or “against”) with substantially shorter individual fixations on aspects of arguments for climate change, i.e., those that reflect the scientific consensus but are bad news. We also found that when asked to summarize what they had read, non-optimists were more likely to frame their recall in terms of the arguments “for” climate change; optimists were significantly more likely to frame it in terms of a debate between two opposing positions. Those highest in dispositional optimism seemed to have the strongest and most pronounced level of optimism bias when it came to estimating the probability of being personally affected by climate change. We discuss the importance of overcoming this cognitive bias to develop more effective strategies for communicating about climate change.
Stability of phenolic content of some herbal infusions and their antioxidant activity following in vitro digestion
Authors: Celep Engin , Akyuz Selin , İnan Yigit , Yesilada Erdem
Published: September 2017

Herbal infusions are among the most widely consumed beverages throughout the world. Their popularity arises due to not only their pleasant aroma and taste, but also their high phenolic content and antioxidant activity. A vast number of in vitro studies revealed their high phenolic content, together with strong antioxidant activity. However, the majority of them seem to ignore some important physiological parameters, such as bioavailability or bioaccessibility. The present study was planned to evaluate the stability of phenolic content and antioxidant activities of seven most widely preferred herbal infusions. A stimulated version of gastrointestinal infusion was added to the study for comparative purposes. The results indicated the loss of both phenolic content and antioxidant activity of herbal infusions after being submitted to digestion.
Literalität und Institution
Authors: Grund-Wittenberg Alexandra
Published: September 2017

Von grundlegender Bedeutung für die Erforschung der Literaturgeschichte Israels ist die Vertiefung von Einsichten in lebensweltliche Kontexte und Motive von Verschriftungsprozessen. Der Beitrag diskutiert die verschiedenen methodischen Zugänge hierzu: kulturgeschichtliche Einsichten, Kenntnisse aus den Umweltkulturen, biblische Belege und außerbiblische Zeugnisse aus dem antiken Israel / Palästina. Er skizziert die wesentlichen Einsichten dieser Zugänge und erörtert ihre Möglichkeiten und Grenzen.
Varying Aperture Long Slot (VALS), a Method for Studying Grout Penetrability into Fractured Hard Rock
Authors: Ghafar Ali Nejad , Sadrizadeh Sasan , Magakis Konstantinos , Draganovic Almir , Larsson Stefan
Published: September 2017

This paper presents the design, manufacturing, and assembly of a new laboratory apparatus for investigation of grout filtration tendency and penetrability into rock fractures. The method makes it possible to examine grout samples composed of a wide range of cements and additives/admixtures with different water-to-solid ratios. The apparatus can be used to investigate the influence of different parameters on grout penetrability. Examples of these parameters include the cement particle size/distribution curves/chemical compositions, and the type and ratio of additives/admixtures that provide a variety of setting/hardening times, and rheological and strength properties. The grouting operation into the rock fractures is replicated using an artificial slot with 4-m-long constrictions varying from 230 to 10 µm, and selective inlet and outlet. The apparatus can also accommodate grouting experiments under both static and dynamic pressure conditions up to 1,500 kPa to study their influence. Illustrative results are also provided.
Controlling Plasma Nitriding of Ferrous Alloys
Authors: Roliński E. , Sharp G.
Published: September 2017

The control of plasma nitriding relies on the ability to effect the transfer of nitrogen species into the cathode. Those species are either N+ ions implanted into the cathode or adsorbed nascent nitrogen atoms, coming from decomposed N2+ and NHx+ radicals or from FeN clusters of sputtered iron atoms deposited on its surface. The latter contribute also to the formation of the dusty plasma, which may have negative consequences when processing complex geometry parts, especially those made of stainless steels. Control of the sputtering intensity is accomplished by using modern pulse plasma generators, allowing for a variable duty cycle, as well as for the setting of voltage and/or current at a specific level. Therefore, proper balancing of the energy input between plasma and the furnace radiation in hot-wall systems is extremely important. Plasma density is responsible for the formation of the active nitrogen species and has a direct effect on the thickness of the compound layer (CL), or depth of the diffusion layer (DL), if CL is not formed. Flow rate of the gases containing nitrogen has no effect on their absorption by the cathode in a very broad range and has no effect on formation of a nitrided layer, although precise control of the flow rate may have some benefits because the absorption rate of nitrogen changes during the cycle affecting characteristics of glow discharge. Partial pressure of nitrogen has a direct effect on the amount of nitrogen in the cathode surface and thickness of the compound layer. The best applications for plasma nitriding include stainless-steel products processed in a very broad range of temperatures, sintered PM products, parts requiring partial treatment, stamping dies, and many others.
Genomic Relatedness Strengthens Genetic Connectedness Across Management Units
Authors: Yu Haipeng , Spangler Matthew L , Lewis Ronald M , Morota Gota
Published: September 2017

Genetic connectedness refers to a measure of genetic relatedness across management units (e.g., herds and flocks). With the presence of high genetic connectedness in management units, best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) is known to provide reliable comparisons between estimated genetic values. Genetic connectedness has been studied for pedigree-based BLUP; however, relatively little attention has been paid to using genomic information to measure connectedness. In this study, we assessed genome-based connectedness across management units by applying prediction error variance of difference (PEVD), coefficient of determination (CD), and prediction error correlation r to a combination of computer simulation and real data (mice and cattle). We found that genomic information (G) increased the estimate of connectedness among individuals from different management units compared to that based on pedigree (A). A disconnected design benefited the most. In both datasets, PEVD and CD statistics inferred increased connectedness across units when using G- rather than A-based relatedness, suggesting stronger connectedness. With r once using allele frequencies equal to one-half or scaling G to values between 0 and 2, which is intrinsic to A, connectedness also increased with genomic information. However, PEVD occasionally increased, and r decreased when obtained using the alternative form of G, instead suggesting less connectedness. Such inconsistencies were not found with CD. We contend that genomic relatedness strengthens measures of genetic connectedness across units and has the potential to aid genomic evaluation of livestock species.
Parent-Provider Miscommunications in Hospitalized Children
Authors: Khan Alisa , Furtak Stephannie L. , Melvin Patrice , Rogers Jayne E. , Schuster Mark A. , Landrigan Christopher P.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Miscommunications lead to medical errors and suboptimal hospital experience. Parent-provider miscommunications are understudied.

OBJECTIVES:

(1) Examine characteristics of parent-provider miscommunications about hospitalized children, (2) describe associations among parent-provider miscommunications, parent-reported errors, and hospital experience, and (3) compare parent and attending physician reports of parent-provider miscommunications.

METHODS:

Prospective cohort study of 471 parents of 0- to 17-year-old medical inpatients in a pediatric hospital between May 1, 2013 and October 1, 2014. At discharge, parents reported parent-provider miscommunication and type (selecting all applicable responses), overall experience, and errors during hospitalization. During discharge billing, the attending physicians (n = 52) of a subset of patients (n = 217) also reported miscommunications, enabling comparison of parent and attending physician reports. We used logistic regression to examine characteristics of parent-reported miscommunications; McNemar’s test to examine associations between miscommunications, errors, and top-box (eg, “excellent”) experience; and generalized estimating equations to compare parent- and attending physician-reported miscommunication rates.

RESULTS:

Parents completed 406 surveys (86.2% response rate). 15.3% of parents (n = 62) reported miscommunications. Parents of patients with nonpublic insurance (odds ratio: 1.99; 95% confidence interval: 1.03–3.85) and longer lengths of stay (odds ratio: 1.12; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.23) more commonly reported miscommunications. Parents reporting miscommunications were 5.3 times more likely to report errors and 78.6% less likely to report top-box overall experience (P < .001 for both). Among patients with both parent and attending physician surveys, 16.1% (n = 35) of parents and 3.7% (n = 8) of attending physicians reported miscommunications (P < .001). Both parents and attending physicians attributed miscommunications most often to family receipt of conflicting information.

CONCLUSIONS:

Parent-provider miscommunications were associated with parent-reported errors and suboptimal hospital experience. Parents reported parent-provider miscommunications more often than attending physicians did.
Pediatric Training Faculty and Resident Perceptions on Teaching High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care: A Multi-Institutional Study
Authors: King Brian C. , DiPace Jennifer , Naifeh Monique , Hammad Hoda , Gerber Linda M. , Abramson Erika
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

High-value, cost-conscious care (HVCCC) is care that promotes optimal patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary costs. Teaching to promote HVCCC is essential, yet little research has assessed the dual perspectives of residents and faculty on this topic. Our aim was to investigate pediatric resident and faculty perspectives of HVCCC training and role modeling to more effectively promote curriculum and faculty development on this subject.

METHODS:

Pediatric residents and teaching faculty in 2 academic medical centers were surveyed during the 2015–2016 academic year. Questions addressed comfort with HVCCC, current teaching practices, barriers to teaching HVCC, and desired curriculum. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, and Fisher’s exact or χ2 tests were used to assess for associations between responses. Institutional review board approval was obtained at both participating institutions.

RESULTS:

We received responses from 51% of faculty (128 of 249) and 60% of residents (73 of 123). Most faculty and residents agreed that HVCCC training is important, but only 26% of residents (18 of 69) felt comfortable practicing HVCCC. Faculty and residents identified lack of training or knowledge (50%, 61 of 121 and 53%, 37 of 70, respectively) and lack of hospital support (73%, 88 of 121 and 69%, 47 of 68, respectively) as the largest barriers. Of residents, >85% (60 of 69) reported a lack of attending physician role modeling. Most faculty (83%, 102 of 123) desired faculty development.

CONCLUSIONS:

Residents and faculty agree that HVCCC is important and that training institutions have a responsibility to address it. However, most residents were not comfortable with HVCCC. Faculty development in HVCCC as well as hospital support for access to pricing data will be key for programs to develop effective resident training in this area.
Antibiotic Use by Pediatric Residents: Identifying Opportunities and Strategies for Antimicrobial Stewardship
Authors: Shukla Prateek J. , Behnam-Terneus Maria , Cunill-De Sautu Beatriz , Perez Geovanny F.
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the antibiotic prescribing practices of pediatric residents and assess how they acquire knowledge leading to prescribing behaviors.

METHODS:

We performed a cross-sectional electronic survey of all pediatric residents at the Children’s National Medical Center and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, assessing antibiotic prescribing patterns for common pediatric infections, use of antibiograms, and factors influencing antibiotic choice.

RESULTS:

Eighty-five surveys (45%) were returned complete and included in the analysis. Increased deviations from clinical guideline recommendations were observed for antibiotic treatments of sinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia as compared with otitis media and group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Only 57% of residents reported having used antibiograms. General pediatric inpatient attending physicians were identified as the most influential source for house staff antibiotic knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS:

Results illustrate the need for better promotion and integration of clinical guidelines with antibiograms when developing antibiotic education programs for residents in training. In addition, pediatric hospitalists should play an active role in the implementation of these programs and can provide valuable insight into the development of educational programs in conjunction with graduate medical education divisions.
Approach to Hypertriglyceridemia in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Valaiyapathi Badhma , Sunil Bhuvana , Ashraf Ambika P.
Published: September 2017

Hypertriglyceridemia is increasingly identified in children and adolescents, owing to improved screening and higher prevalence of childhood obesity. Hypertriglyceridemia can result from either increased triglyceride (TG) production or reduced TG clearance. The etiologic origin can be primary (genetic) or secondary, but it is often multifactorial. Management is challenging because of the interplay of genetic and secondary causes and lack of evidence-based guidelines. Lifestyle changes and dietary interventions are most important, especially in hypertriglyceridemia associated with obesity. Dietary restriction of fat remains the mainstay of management in primary hypertriglyceridemia. When fasting TG concentration is increased above 500 mg/dL (5.65 mmol/L), fibrates may be used to prevent pancreatitis. Omega-3 fatty acids are often used as an adjunctive therapy. When the fasting TG concentration is less than 500 mg/dL (5.65 mmol/L) and if the non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level is above 145 mg/dL (3.76 mmol/L), statin treatment can be considered.
Fortalezas y debilidades del concepto polisémico de “competencias”
Authors: Climént Bonilla Juan B.
Published: September 2017

Mediante los procesos de globalización en curso, la corriente a favor del fomento de las competencias ha cobrado progresiva presencia en medios académicos y laborales de muchas naciones. El principal propósito de este artículo es profundizar en el conocimiento de las fortalezas (ventajas) y debilidades (desventajas) de las propiedades comunes a una amplia variedad de significados atribuidos al término “competencias”. La investigación —de carácter cualitativo— parte del análisis de una muestra fundamentada de 22 definiciones, del propio término, que fueron publicadas en un periodo de 40 años (de 1973 a 2013) por igual número de autores. En torno al concepto polisémico de las competencias, se observa la existencia de diez propiedades esenciales inherentes a su naturaleza; a saber: estructura, contexto, concepción, enfoque de formación, proceso de habituación, referencia a valores, dimensión, etapa de la vida, temporalidad y paradigma epistemológico. Se asume que el conocimiento de estas propiedades permite ponderar las fortalezas y debilidades de los acercamientos a las competencias de individuos y grupos, desde diferentes puntos de vista y para distintos fines, lo cual eleva las probabilidades de éxito de iniciativas de formación bajo condiciones particulares.
Creencias de madres y docentes sobre el aprendizaje de la lectoescritura en Educación Preescolar
Authors: Palos Toscano María Úrsula , Ávalos Latorre María Luisa , Flores Escobar Francisco , Montes Delgado Roberto
Published: September 2017

El aprendizaje de la lectoescritura es un logro primordial que plantea todo sistema educativo, constituye un prerrequisito importante en el desarrollo de habilidades cognitivas complejas que permiten a las personas hacer frente a exigencias de la vida cotidiana. Este estudio parte de la idea de que en el desarrollo de dicho aprendizaje las interacciones en la casa y en la escuela desempeñan un papel decisivo, por lo que se propuso analizar las creencias que madres de familia y docentes formulan respecto de la educación preescolar y cómo estas influyen en el desarrollo de habilidades para la lectoescritura y la competencia lectora. Mediante un abordaje cualitativo, se describe el punto de vista de los participantes respecto a la finalidad de la Educación Preescolar y sobre la manera en que esta la involucra. Los hallazgos permiten afirmar que la visión del jardín de niños como espacio de entretenimiento y cuidado ha sido superada; sin embargo, respecto a los procesos de lectoescritura existe confusión y una tendencia a reducirlos simplemente a la decodificación. Finalmente, el estudio destaca la importancia de identificar y desarrollar modelos que favorezcan estos procesos y se discute la necesidad de que las madres de familia colaboren corresponsablemente para asegurar el acceso y participación exitosa en iniciativas que impulsen el desarrollo de habilidades para la lectoescritura
Prospectiva para la educación costarricense. Una oportunidad de transformar el sistema educativo para el Siglo XXI
Authors: Meléndez Rojas Raudin Esteban
Published: September 2017

En el presente ensayo se describe la posibilidad de aplicar el pensamiento prospectivo como una alternativa estratégica para construir el sistema educativo costarricense en el siglo XXI. En primer lugar, se aportan breves reflexiones sobre el estado actual de la educación en Costa Rica y su visión a largo plazo. Luego, se explica cómo el desarrollo de las nuevas tecnologías influye en el sistema educativo. Posteriormente, se aportan definiciones conceptuales sobre la gama de estudios del futuro, específicamente sobre la prospectiva. Se asume la idea de que la prospectiva es una disciplina que posee un conjunto de métodos, procesos y sistemas que permiten diseñar posibles escenarios futuros deseables para el cambio social y que pueden ser aplicados al ámbito educativo. Seguidamente, se exponen una serie de razones que justifican la necesidad de aplicar el análisis prospectivo a la educación costarricense, debido a que nuestro sistema educativo se encuentra fundamentado en valores, enfoques y una legislación inspirada en el pasado y sin una imagen que amplié la gama de alternativas de futuro. De esos apartados se derivan una serie de reflexiones generales sobre el tema expuesto. En general, se concluye que Costa Rica requiere de una visión a largo plazo en educación, la cual contemple, de forma creativa e innovadora, cómo debería de ser nuestro sistema educativo, que propicie las capacidades para competir con base en la tecnología, la innovación, la creatividad y la productividad, en armonía con el medio ambiente
Estudio exploratorio de validación del cuestionario “conductas observables en niñas y niños escolares con manifestaciones de inatención, hiperactividad/impulsividad”
Authors: Monge Rodríguez Melania , Parrales Rodríguez Sonia
Published: September 2017

La población escolar con manifestaciones de inatención e hiperactividad/impulsividad presenta compromisos en procesos cognitivos de tipo ejecutivo, los cuales tienen repercusiones en la funcionalidad del individuo tanto a nivel cognitivo como emocional y conductual. El “Cuestionario de conductas observables en niñas y niños con manifestaciones de inatención, hiperactividad e impulsividad” (CONMIHI), se construyó con el objetivo de facilitar a las y los docentes de Educación Primaria, un instrumento que facilitara la identificación de indicadores conductuales correlacionados con cinco procesos cognitivos de tipo ejecutivo como son: autorregulación, inhibición, memoria de trabajo, control atencional y volición. Para ello se llevó a cabo una investigación de tipo cuantitativo con una perspectiva descriptiva, tipo encuesta, dirigida a docentes de Educación Primaria costarricense. El tipo de muestra fue no probabilístico y participaron 158 docentes de 15 centros educativos ubicados en ocho cantones de Costa Rica. El objetivo principal fue llevar a cabo una validación de dicho cuestionario CONMIHI. El alfa de Cronbach fue 0,943. El análisis factorial mostró 16 factores que explicaron el 72% de la varianza acumulada. Las comunalidades reproducidas indicaron que 68 de los 72 ítems del cuestionario logran reproducir el 60% de la variabilidad inicial. Estos resultados temporales de validación y confiabilidad muestran puntajes muy favorables, por lo que se recomienda replicar el estudio a una muestra más representativa, de manera que el instrumento pueda utilizarse para la identificación de los procesos cognitivos de tipo ejecutivo que subyacen a los indicadores conductuales presentes en el estudiantado y que se les pueda brindar el abordaje pedagógico correspondiente.
El test de Bender y las dificultades de aprendizaje en matemática de los estudiantes con necesidades especiales de la ciudad de Puno, Perú
Authors: Chui Betancur Heber Nehemias , Yabar Miranda Percy Samuel , Valdivia Yabar Silvia Verónica , Arista Santisteban Sara María
Published: September 2017

El presente artículo abordó el grado de correlación entre el nivel de aprendizaje y la maduración visomotriz en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes con necesidades especiales de las Instituciones Educativas Niño Jesús de Praga y Nuestra Señora de Copacabana de la ciudad de Puno, a fin de comprobar el aporte predictivo de la edad de maduración visomotora en el aprendizaje de la matemática. Se aplicó una ficha de análisis documental de los niveles de aprendizaje en matemática y el denominado test de Bender, esto para evaluar la edad de maduración visomotriz a una muestra compuesta por 38 estudiantes. Los resultados muestran que 22 estudiantes de la primera Institución Educativa tienen una edad cronológica de 12,70 años en promedio (DE=3,71 años), y la edad promedio de maduración visomotriz para el aprendizaje es igual a 4 años (DE=0,55 años). Asimismo, se mostró que 16 estudiantes de la segunda Institución Educativa tienen una edad cronológica de 12,83 años en promedio (DE=3,00 años), y la edad promedio de maduración visomotriz para el aprendizaje es igual a 3,68 años (DE=0,60 años). Estos resultados evidencian la existencia de una correlación r=0,70 positiva y significativa entre los niveles de aprendizaje en matemática y la edad de maduración visomotriz para el aprendizaje, esto significa que los niveles de aprendizaje de la matemática dependen de la maduración visomotora. Consecuentemente es necesario implementar el cálculo de la edad de maduración en la diversificación curricular para que los servicios educativos sean adecuados y pertinentes para los estudiantes con necesidades especiales.
Policy responses to problematic video game use: A systematic review of current measures and future possibilities
Authors: Király Orsolya , Griffiths Mark D. , King Daniel L. , Lee Hae-Kook , Lee Seung-Yup , Bányai Fanni , Zsila Ágnes , Takacs Zsofia K. , Demetrovics Zsolt
Published: September 2017

Background and aims

Empirical research into problematic video game playing suggests that overuse might cause functional and psychological impairments for a minority of gamers. Therefore, the need for regulation in the case of video games (whether governmental or self-imposed) has arisen but has only been implemented in a few countries around the world, and predominantly in Asia. This paper provides a systematic review of current and potential policies addressing problematic gaming.

Methods

After conducting a systematic search in the areas of prevention, treatment, and policy measures relating to problematic Internet and video game use, papers were selected that targeted problematic gaming policies (N = 12; six in English and six in Korean). These papers served as the basis of this review.

Results

Policies were classified into three major groups: (i) policy measures limiting availability of video games (e.g., shutdown policy, fatigue system, and parental controls), (ii) measures aiming to reduce risk and harm (e.g., warning messages), and (iii) measures taken to provide help services for gamers. Beyond the attempt to classify the current and potential policy measures, the authors also tried to evaluate their efficiency theoretically and (if data were available) empirically.

Discussion and conclusions

Overall, it appears that although several steps have been taken to address problematic video game playing, most of these steps were not as effective as expected, or had not been evaluated empirically for efficacy. The reason for this may lie in the fact that the policies outlined only addressed or influenced specific aspects of the problem instead of using a more integrative approach.
End of Life Care: What is Important for Me and for Us
Authors: Matthews Pia
Published: September 2017

This article reviews some recent UK strategy and policy documents about building a “national choice offer” to enable end of life care to be delivered at home, and encouraging the formation of supportive communities. Notably, with the implicit assumption that planned choice is sufficient for end of life care, the contribution of healthcare chaplaincy is neglected. The article explores the implications for healthcare chaplains, how chaplains can help to build up compassionate communities, and some practical aspects of community support for those of faith and no faith through initiatives for parish support.
Locum Life in Spiritual Health Care – Is It for Me? Is It for You?
Authors: Harrison Gail
Published: September 2017

This article is a brief consideration from an individual perspective about locum spiritual care practice gained from experience working in psychiatric and geriatric units, emergency departments and neurological disease wards. The article addresses questions such as, “What is it like being a locum?” “What are some of the issues for the locum practitioner, the organization, the field of spiritual care?” Locum work in the spiritual care field is not new, but the ongoing professional development of spiritual care as a recognized professional discipline requires it to be carefully examined in the light of best practice spiritual care in the healthcare sector. A version of this personal reflection was originally presented at the Spiritual Care Australia national conference, “Inspiration in Diversity: The Shifting Sands of Spiritual Care” (SCA, Melbourne 2016).
Numerical simulation of low temperature on plastic runway of cement base
Authors: Hong Wang , Weitao Zheng , Haifeng He
Published: September 2017

Surface polyurethane materials in sports venues, which have good elasticity, high strength, excellent wear resistance and fine damping capacity, easily crack in winter. These cracks will affect their service performance for applications in sports. In this study, the temperature and stress distribution in cement concrete base layers in sports venues was investigated. A transient, two-dimensional finite-element model was built to predict the transient temperature distributions at various depths in a plastic runway of cement concrete base using the Ansys software. The results show that the temperature change almost occurs in the surface polyurethane layer. The low thermal conductivity of the polyurethane layer will be helpful for temperature distribution across the layer in winter. It should be realized to control or decrease the crack’s appearance in the plastic runway. Ultimately, the model is aimed at providing runway engineers with an efficient computational tool that attempts to increase the prediction accuracy of temperature in plastic runways of cement concrete base layer in cold regions for more reliable runway design.
Development of geo-tagging video app to assist road development projects in the Philippines
Authors: May Adam , Wilson Gary , Pym Andrew
Published: September 2017

The Philippines consists of over 7000 separate islands, of which around 2000 are populated. In a drive to promote economic growth and prosperity, the government, together with the World Bank, is investing heavily in road building. In order to realise the strategic vision for this road investment programme, the following major challenges were identified. (a) The Philippines road network is extensive yet fragmented, and falls under the responsibility of many levels of government. (b) There is currently no comprehensive mapping of the road network. (c) Historically, road investment has been opaque and highly politicised, with poor governance and corruption undermining delivery. Good financial governance without visibility or transparency is almost impossible to achieve. Smartphones were chosen as the tool to provide the required levels of accountability needed for large-scale infrastructure investment projects. Using the built-in video recording and global positioning system capabilities of these widely available devices, the major investors were able to see exactly where and why road building is needed and to monitor how their money is spent. This innovative solution has proven to be a success and is now being considered as the template for how similar investments can be monitored in countries of a similar nature.
Techniques of Translating A Watchful Distance by Zhou Guoping in China
Authors: Liu Min
Published: September 2017

Chinese philosophical literature is rarely introduced to foreign countries (Pohl, 1999, p. 303). Zhou Guoping, as a contemporary philosopher and essayist, has created essays with both depth and readability, and thus his works are deemed to be worthy of translation. This article aims to elaborate on the translator’s techniques for transferring Zhou Guoping’s famous collection of essays A Watchful Distance. Divided into four sections, this article uses actor-network theory as its theoretical framework and analyses the translator’s position in translation activities from sociocultural perspective, gives corresponding translating techniques to problems related to creativity, conventionalised expressions, utterances and Chinese cultural elements in this book, and draws a conclusion upon the relationship between cultural homogeneity and corresponding translating techniques underpinned by actor-network theory. By discussing specific translating techniques used for Zhou’s book, this article fills up the gap in the transfer techniques of A Watchful Distance to overseas cultures. However, the limitation lies in that the number of Zhou’s works studied are restricted.
The Improvement of Fiction Prose Study as a Teaching Material Based on Makassar Local Wisdom Integrated with Mobile Learning at FKIP Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar
Authors: Haslinda Haslinda , Tang Muhammad Rafi , Syamsuri Andi Sukri
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this research was to produce the prototype of fiction prose study as the valid, effective, and practical teaching material based on Makassar local wisdom integrated with mobile learning. It applied research and development (R&D) by using Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluation (ADDIE) method. The samples of this research were from the students of Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar. Technique of data collection included test, questionnaires, observations, interviews, and documentation. The data were analyzed by qualitative descriptive and descriptive statistics. The finding of this research was the fiction prose study as a valid teaching material based on Makassar local wisdom integrated with mobile learning reviewed from its contents, presentation, graphic, language, and technology source. It was proven from the result of preliminary field test which indicated the teaching material as in high validation category. Similarly, the results of main field test and operational field test showed the same category as well. In conclusion, the teaching material was effective to improve students’ understanding related to the values of Makassar local wisdom along with their learning result. It was also a practical material referred to its implementation and management in learning process.
Application of Discourse Interaction Data Analysis System in Teaching Evaluation for TCSOL
Authors: Song Fei
Published: September 2017

With the development of the Chinese language teaching all over the world, there is an increasing demand for TCSOL. However, there is no pure data-driven and highly automated teaching evaluation mode so far. Hence the paper learn and improve Flanders’ Interaction Analysis System, in order to establish a set of Discourse Interaction Data Analysis System (DIDAS) and selects a typical Lesson of volunteer Chinese teachers in the Confucius Institute to make confirmatory analysis, and finally proves that the system is workable for the teaching evaluation of TCSOL and is suitable for promoting their self-teaching evaluation, so as to achieve the purpose of enhancing teaching quality.
On Chinglish in English Study of Vocational College Students in Leshan City, Sichuan, China
Authors: Zhou Ye
Published: September 2017

In this fast-changing and globalized world, English study is more and more important for Chinese college students. Nevertheless, the differences between English and Chinese and the influence of mother tongue have caused great trouble in English study of Chinese college students, especially vocational college students. Among the problems, Chinglish is the most serious one which hinders them in making progress in English study. The author has carried out a study in Leshan Vocational and Technical College about vocational college students’ Chinglish problem. Hopefully, the paper is to help vocational college students to avoid Chinglish and further to provide some advice for English teaching and learning in colleges and universities, on the basis of the findings of the study like the types and causes of Chinglish.
An Analysis of Factors Influencing Transmission of Internet Memes of English-speaking Origin in Chinese Online Communities
Authors: Yang Siyue
Published: September 2017

Meme, as defined in Dawkins' 1976 book 'The Selfish Gene', is "an idea, behaviour or style that spreads from person to person within a culture". Internet meme is an extension of meme, with the defining characteristic being its spread via Internet. While online communities of all cultures generate their own memes, owing to the colossal amount of content in English and the long & widespread adoption of Internet across all strata of society in English-speaking countries, the vast majority of high-impact and well-documented memes have their origin in English-speaking communities. In addition to their spread in the original culture sphere, some of these prominent memes have also crossed the cultural boundaries and entered the parlance of Chinese Internet communities. This paper seeks to give a brief introduction to Internet memes in general, and explore the factors that control and/or facilitate a meme’s ability to enter Chinese communities.