bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drivers of Destination Competitiveness in Tourism
Authors: Knežević Cvelbar Ljubica , Dwyer Larry , Koman Matjaž , Mihalič Tanja
Published: December 2015

Debates about competitiveness and productivity are practically unexplored with respect to tourism. This article posits a productivity-related measure—total tourism contribution to GDP per employee in tourism—in order to examine destination competiveness. Comprehensive results based on a destination competitiveness model are obtained by analyzing tourism-specific and wider economy-based competitiveness factors. These are represented by six destination competitiveness factors measured by 55 indicators for 139 destinations over the period 2007–2011. Study findings demonstrate that tourism-specific factors, such as Tourism Infrastructure and Destination Management, are the major competitiveness drivers in developing countries, while destination competitiveness in developed countries depends on the tourism-specific factor of Destination Management as well as on wider economic conditions such as General Infrastructure, Macro-Environment, and Business Environment. The study offers a novel approach in the operationalization and estimation of a theoretically grounded and empirically validated tourism competitiveness model and discusses the implications for tourism policy.
Women with Disability and Reproductive Rights: Deconstructing Discourses
Authors: Vaidya Shubhangi
Published: December 2015

This article examines the experiences of disabled women in the context of sexuality and motherhood. Disability is a highly stigmatised identity and women with disability are viewed as asexual, dependent, in need of care, and therefore incapable of performing the culturally approved ‘womanly’ role of a sexual partner and nurturing mother. This article cites a range of cross-cultural studies that demonstrate how disabled women engage with sexuality and procreation. It examines how patriarchal social structures regulate the sexuality and fertility of women with disabilities and define and construct their humanity and personhood. It argues for a nuanced approach that respects the rights of women with disabilities to bodily integrity and personal dignity and at the same time takes cognisance of their need for support and assistance while making decisions about their bodies and lives.
The Public Distribution System in Bihar: An Assessment of the Coupon System
Authors: Pankaj Ashok K.
Published: December 2015

The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in India plays an important role in providing food grains to the poor at subsidised prices. However, it has not been very successful in accomplishing its objective in many states. To make the distribution of cereals more effective, Bihar replaced the ration card with a new instrument of delivery in 2008—a 12-page booklet of coupons to be given annually to beneficiaries. This study, based on a panel survey conducted in 18 villages across three districts of Bihar, evaluates the new system. It argues that the innovation has been successful on four counts: power relations have changed between beneficiaries and powerful dealers of fair price shops through which food grains are distributed; leakages have reduced; beneficiaries have been empowered by making information available; and demand-side pressure from below has been generated on supply-driven distribution channels. This article attributes the better distribution of food grains since 2008 in the state to political expediency, administrative measures and to the coupon system, even though administrating it is much more challenging. Finally, the essay argues that the TPDS in the state needs a complete overhaul, as a piecemeal approach, such as introducing the coupon system, has a limited impact.
Understanding Predatory Organised Crime through Network Governance Theory
Authors: Ruth Terrance , Matusitz Jonathan , Wan Thomas T. H.
Published: December 2015

The objective of this article is twofold: first, to examine the meaning of predatory organised crime (POC), which is defined according to the network governance theory, and, second, to identify the key elements that POC groups need in order to start, grow and expand. POC is a type of organised crime that occurs mostly in developing countries and that feeds on fraud, financial blackmail and shakedowns. This practice imposes heavy financial costs and physical dangers on legal businesses and represents the most detrimental hindrances to the economic growth. The network governance theory helps explain the necessity of flexible organisational structures in a global, fast-changing world. A key finding in this analysis is that POC groups tend to be successful, thanks to network governance; they practice a form of co-ordination characterised by informal social systems rather than by bureaucratic structures within groups and formal contractual relationships between them.
Looking into Injustices in India
Authors: Saxena K.B.
Published: December 2015

Harsh Mander, Looking Away: Inequality, Prejudice and Indifference in New India, New Delhi, Speaking Tiger, 2015, 464 pp., ₹ 495, ISBN 9789385288005 (Paperback with flaps).
Book Review: Sho Kuwajima, Muslims, Nation and the World: Life and Thought of Abul Hashim, Leader of the Bengal Muslim League
Authors: Malik Urba
Published: December 2015

Sho Kuwajima, Muslims, Nation and the World: Life and Thought of Abul Hashim, Leader of the Bengal Muslim League, Delhi, LG Publishers, 2015, 230 pp., ₹ 595, ISBN 978-93-83723-05-8.
Book Review: Priya Kuriyan, Larissa Bertonasco and Ludmilla Bartscht (eds), Drawing the Line: Indian Women Fight Back
Authors: Jainer Namita
Published: December 2015

Priya Kuriyan, Larissa Bertonasco and Ludmilla Bartscht (eds), Drawing the Line: Indian Women Fight Back, New Delhi, Zubaan Publishers, 2015, 162 pp., ₹ 695, ISBN 9789384757106.
The Media Assignment: Enhancing Psychology Students’ Ability to Apply Their Knowledge of Psychology
Authors: Lawson Timothy J.
Published: December 2015

In this study, I explore whether a media assignment, similar to that used by Rider (1992), increased introductory psychology students’ ability to apply their knowledge of psychological concepts to examples of real-world events. Students collected examples from the popular media that illustrated either operant-or classical-conditioning concepts. Afterward, they took a quiz that contained factual and applied multiple-choice questions on these concepts. Students who collected examples of operant-conditioning concepts performed better than other students on quiz questions designed to assess their ability to apply their knowledge of operant conditioning. However, students who collected examples of classical-conditioning concepts did not outperform other students on applied classical-conditioning questions. Media assignments may enhance students’ learning and their ability to apply course knowledge to real-world events.
Forty Years of Introductory Psychology: An Analysis of the First 10 Editions of Hilgard et al.'s Textbook
Authors: Griggs Richard A. , Jackson Sherri L.
Published: December 2015

In this study, we analyzed the first 10 editions of Hilgard et al.'s (see Appendix A) introductory psychology textbook, covering the period from 1953 through 1992. We extended the period of analysis of introductory psychology books from Webb's (1991) examination of the three editions of Boring, Langfeld, and Weld's text (1935, 1939, 1948) to the present. In addition to completing a content analysis similar to that used by Webb, we completed an analysis of several objective variables (taken from Weiten's, 1988, analysis of introductory psychology texts) and addressed some reference list and citation questions. In addition, we compared our results with those from an analysis by Weiten and Wight (1992) of samples of popular texts from each of the 4 relevant decades.
A “Handy” Way to Introduce Research Methods
Authors: Johnson David E.
Published: December 2015

Research on the relation between handedness and mortality sometimes reveals that older left-handed individuals are underrepresented in the population (Coren & Halpern, 1991; Porac & Coren, 1981). This relation provides an engaging vehicle for introducing research methods in a variety of courses. Specifically, students attempt to explain why handedness is related to mortality after viewing a graphical representation of this relation. While explaining the relation, students address many issues that are essential for understanding the research process.
An Interdisciplinary, Computer-Centered Approach to Active Learning
Authors: Misale Judi M. , Gillette David H. , Delmas Robert C.
Published: December 2015

This article describes a computer-assisted, interdisciplinary course in decision making developed to promote student participation, critical thinking, and enhanced decision making through the use of interactive experimental paradigms. The course uses Macintosh computers for simple data entry and presentation, for more complex calculations and extended graphics, and for stimulus presentation and data collection. Students experience firsthand 20 psychology and economics exercises that illustrate a range of biases and heuristics known to affect decision making and that allow for examination and evaluation of students’ decision-making tactics.
Students’ Basic Philosophical Assumptions in History of Psychology: A Measure and Teaching Tool
Authors: Cox Brian D.
Published: December 2015

Many psychology students initially have difficulty with the philosophical character of the typical history of psychology course. One way to introduce students to psychology's philosophical roots is to survey their assumptions on the nature of mind, emotion, and behavior. This article describes and gives examples of a 50-item Likert-scale questionnaire concerning the positions of many philosophers, biologists, and psychologists that are typically covered in the class. This article also presents data from three history of psychology classes and suggestions for using the measure as a teaching tool.
Teaching Ethics and Test Standards in a Psychological Testing Course: A Test Taker's Bill of Rights
Authors: Rogers T. B.
Published: December 2015

Difficulties encountered teaching test standards and ethical principles in an undergraduate testing class are noted. A method of reorienting this complex material to be of increased relevance to students is suggested as a means of resolving some of these difficulties. The Test Taker's Bill of Rights that emerged from this reorganization is a novel and effective way of discussing, teaching, and selecting material for this course. This bill helps prepare students to read, understand, and evaluate this important information.
Challenging Sexual Stereotypes: An Interview With
Authors: Muehlenhard Charlene L. , Hammerle Gordon
Published: December 2015

Gordon Hammerle (GH), a Professor of Psychology at Adrian College (Adrian, MI), conducted the first interview for The Generalist's Comer. He chose sexuality and gender issues as his focus and recruited Charlene Muehlenhard (CM) as our first research specialist. Dr. Muehlenhard is the President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. An Associate Professor of Psychology and Women's Studies at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS), she has written or coauthored numerous articles on sexual aggression and sexual communication patterns.
Chirp-Coded Ultraharmonic Imaging with a Modified Clinical Intravascular Ultrasound System
Authors: Shekhar Himanshu , Huntzicker Steven , Awuor Ivy , Doyley Marvin M.
Published: December 2015

Imaging plaque microvasculature with contrast-enhanced intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) could help clinicians evaluate atherosclerosis and guide therapeutic interventions. In this study, we evaluated the performance of chirp-coded ultraharmonic imaging using a modified IVUS system (iLab™, Boston Scientific/Scimed) equipped with clinically available peripheral and coronary imaging catheters. Flow phantoms perfused with a phospholipid-encapsulated contrast agent were visualized using ultraharmonic imaging at 12 MHz and 30 MHz transmit frequencies. Flow channels with diameters as small as 0.8 mm and 0.5 mm were visualized using the peripheral and coronary imaging catheters. Radio-frequency signals were acquired at standard IVUS rotation speed, which resulted in a frame rate of 30 frames/s. Contrast-to-tissue ratios up to 17.9 ± 1.11 dB and 10.7 ± 2.85 dB were attained by chirp-coded ultraharmonic imaging at 12 MHz and 30 MHz transmit frequencies, respectively. These results demonstrate the feasibility of performing ultraharmonic imaging at standard frame rates with clinically available IVUS catheters using chirp-coded excitation.
Living Apart Together and Cohabitation Intentions in Great Britain
Authors: Coulter Rory , Hu Yang
Published: December 2015

A growing number of studies examine how, why, and when people form and maintain living apart together (LAT) relationships. Although this literature shows that LAT is a diverse and ambiguous practice, little is known about whether people live apart together in particular ways under distinct constellations of life course circumstances. Moreover, it is unclear how intentions to convert LAT into cohabitation are configured by life trajectories. Drawing on data from an unprecedentedly large survey of people in LAT partnerships, we construct a fourfold typology of individuals in LAT relationships and show that each of the identified profiles is characterized by a distinctive position in the life course and different cohabitation intentions. These results indicate that LAT is a flexible way to practice partnership within the context of life course circumstances.
The Vicious Cycle
Authors: Svider Peter F. , Chen Michael , Burchhardt Daniela , O’Brien Priyanka S. , Shkoukani Mahdi A. , Zuliani Giancarlo F. , Folbe Adam J.
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Although prevention of head injuries through helmet use is widespread, there has been a paucity of inquiry and publicity regarding the potential for facial injury stemming from cycling. Our objectives included estimating the incidence of emergency department (ED) visits for bicycle‐related facial trauma among the pediatric population and detailing injury patterns.

Study Design and Setting

Analysis of a nationwide database.

Methods

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, offered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, was accessed for ED visits related to bicycle‐related facial trauma among individuals 21 years old and younger. These data were used to estimate national incidence and examine patient demographics and injury characteristics.

Results

From 2010 to 2014, there were 5420 entries extrapolating to an estimated 178,457 ED visits for pediatric bicycle‐related facial trauma. Median age was 8 years, and 71.9% of patients were male. Lacerations (63.1%), abrasions/contusions (27%), and fractures (7%) were most common, with fractures dramatically increasing in prevalence with age. Nasal fractures were the most common fracture type. Injury patterns varied by age.

Conclusion

Bicycle‐related facial trauma is prevalent among the pediatric population, with nearly 180,000 visits to EDs between 2010 and 2014. Soft tissue injuries predominated among all age groups, although fractures increased significantly with age. Knowledge of injury patterns described may be a useful adjunct assisting history, examination, and decision making regarding the use of medical imaging. There is a clear void in inquiry regarding the use of facial protection, reinforcing the need for further study into prevention and efforts to raise public awareness among youth.
Bringing Deleuze and Guattari down to Earth through Gregory Bateson: Plateaus, Rhizomes and Ecosophical Subjectivity
Authors: Shaw Robert
Published: December 2015

Perhaps because of their dismissal of him as living ‘une carrière à l’américaine’, there have been few attempts to explore the relationship between the work of Gregory Bateson and that of Deleuze and Guattari. This paper offers two ways in which we might do this. First, it explores the concepts, such as plateau of intensity and rhizome, which migrate from Bateson into Capitalism and Schizophrenia. This helps focus on this text as an attempt to create and imagine non-schismogenic forms of social relation. Here, the earthliness of this work is a necessary ‘grounding’ for the plateaus that Deleuze and Guattari seek to develop. Second, this paper builds on this by looking at Guattari’s concept of ecosophical subjectivity, arguing that Bateson is crucial for the ‘ethico-political’ dimensions of this work. It concludes with the claim that as a key influence on their work, exploring Bateson in relation to Deleuze and Guattari can open up new understandings of the ‘earthliness’ of their ideas.
Gadofosveset-enhanced magnetic resonance venography in patients with venous pathology of the lower limbs – Comparison of diagnostic image quality and inter-rater variability with gadobutrol venography and computed tomography venography
Authors: Åkesson Michael , Lehti Leena , Höglund Peter , Åkeson Per , Wassélius Johan
Published: December 2015

Purpose

This study was performed to compare the diagnostic quality of Gadofosveset-enhanced magnetic resonance venography with Gadobutrol-enhanced magnetic resonance venography and computed tomography venography for the deep veins of the lower extremities in patients with iliocaval venous pathology.

Materials and methods

Diagnostic capability and image quality were assessed by two independent readers. Inter-reader variability was analyzed by unweighted and quadratic weighted Cohen’s kappa values.

Results

The diagnostic capability was equal to or higher in the Gadofosveset group for all examined vessel segments compared with both control groups. The image quality score was significantly higher for the Gadofosveset group compared to both control groups. Inter-reader variability expressed by quadratic weighted Cohen’s kappa value (k) showed less variability in the Gadofosveset group compared to the control groups.

Conclusion

Our results show that Gadofosveset-enhanced magnetic resonance venography is a reliable technique in clinical routine practice, with image quality superior to both Gadobutrol-enhanced magnetic resonance venography and computed tomography venography.
A novel mechanism of neuroprotection: Blood glutamate grabber
Authors: Castillo José , Loza María Isabel , Mirelman David , Brea José , Blanco Miguel , Sobrino Tomás , Campos Francisco
Published: December 2015

Glutamate excitotoxicity is a primary contributor of ischemic neuronal death and other cellular components of the neurovascular unit. Several strategies have been developed against glutamate excitotoxicity, however none of them have not shown positive results in the clinical practice so far. Nowadays, the concept of blood/brain glutamate grabbing or scavenging is well recognized as a novel and attractive protective strategy to reduce the excitotoxic effect of excess extracellular glutamate that accumulates in the brain following an ischemic stroke. The main advantage of this novel therapeutic strategy is that it occurs in the blood circulation and therefore does not affect the normal brain neurophysiology, as it has been described for other drug treatments used against glutamate excitotoxicity. In this work we report all experimental data from the beginning of our studies, focused on stroke pathology, and we describe new findings about the potential application of this therapy. Future clinical trials will allow to know the real efficacy of this novel therapeutic strategy in stroke patients.
A spatiotemporal theory for MRI T2 relaxation time and apparent diffusion coefficient in the brain during acute ischaemia: Application and validation in a rat acute stroke model
Authors: Knight Michael J , McGarry Bryony L , Rogers Harriet J , Jokivarsi Kimmo T , Gröhn Olli HJ , Kauppinen Risto A
Published: December 2015

The objective of this study is to present a mathematical model which can describe the spatiotemporal progression of cerebral ischaemia and predict magnetic resonance observables including the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water and transverse relaxation time T2. This is motivated by the sensitivity of the ADC to the location of cerebral ischaemia and T2 to its time-course, and that it has thus far proven challenging to relate observations of changes in these MR parameters to stroke timing, which is of considerable importance in making treatment choices in clinics. Our mathematical model, called the cytotoxic oedema/dissociation (CED) model, is based on the transit of water from the extra- to the intra-cellular environment (cytotoxic oedema) and concomitant degradation of supramacromolecular and macromolecular structures (such as microtubules and the cytoskeleton). It explains experimental observations of ADC and T2, as well as identifying the rate of spread of effects of ischaemia through a tissue as a dominant system parameter. The model brings the direct extraction of the timing of ischaemic stroke from quantitative MRI closer to reality, as well as providing insight on ischaemia pathology by imaging in general. We anticipate that this may improve patient access to thrombolytic treatment as a future application.
Direct voxel-based comparisons between grey matter shrinkage and glucose hypometabolism in chronic alcoholism
Authors: Ritz Ludivine , Segobin Shailendra , Lannuzel Coralie , Boudehent Céline , Vabret François , Eustache Francis , Beaunieux Hélène , Pitel Anne L
Published: December 2015

Alcoholism is associated with widespread brain structural abnormalities affecting mainly the frontocerebellar and the Papez’s circuits. Brain glucose metabolism has received limited attention, and few studies used regions of interest approach and showed reduced global brain metabolism predominantly in the frontal and parietal lobes. Even though these studies have examined the relationship between grey matter shrinkage and hypometabolism, none has performed a direct voxel-by-voxel comparison between the degrees of structural and metabolic abnormalities. Seventeen alcoholic patients and 16 control subjects underwent both structural magnetic resonance imaging and 18F-2-fluoro-deoxy-glucose-positron emission tomography examinations. Structural abnormalities and hypometabolism were examined in alcoholic patients compared with control subjects using two-sample t-tests. Then, these two patterns of brain damage were directly compared with a paired t-test. Compared to controls, alcoholic patients had grey matter shrinkage and hypometabolism in the fronto-cerebellar circuit and several nodes of Papez’s circuit. The direct comparison revealed greater shrinkage than hypometabolism in the cerebellum, cingulate cortex, thalamus and hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus. Conversely, hypometabolism was more severe than shrinkage in the dorsolateral, premotor and parietal cortices. The distinct profiles of abnormalities found within the Papez’s circuit, the fronto-cerebellar circuit and the parietal gyrus in chronic alcoholism suggest the involvement of different pathological mechanisms.
Targeting of astrocytic glucose metabolism by beta-hydroxybutyrate
Authors: Valdebenito Rocío , Ruminot Iván , Garrido-Gerter Pamela , Fernández-Moncada Ignacio , Forero-Quintero Linda , Alegría Karin , Becker Holger M , Deitmer Joachim W , Barros L Felipe
Published: December 2015

The effectiveness of ketogenic diets and intermittent fasting against neurological disorders has brought interest to the effects of ketone bodies on brain cells. These compounds are known to modify the metabolism of neurons, but little is known about their effect on astrocytes, cells that control the supply of glucose to neurons and also modulate neuronal excitability through the glycolytic production of lactate. Here we have used genetically-encoded Förster Resonance Energy Transfer nanosensors for glucose, pyruvate and ATP to characterize astrocytic energy metabolism at cellular resolution. Our results show that the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate strongly inhibited astrocytic glucose consumption in mouse astrocytes in mixed cultures, in organotypic hippocampal slices and in acute hippocampal slices prepared from ketotic mice, while blunting the stimulation of glycolysis by physiological and pathophysiological stimuli. The inhibition of glycolysis was paralleled by an increased ability of astrocytic mitochondria to metabolize pyruvate. These results support the emerging notion that astrocytes contribute to the neuroprotective effect of ketone bodies.
Crossed cerebellar diaschisis in patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarction: Occurrence and perfusion characteristics
Authors: Sommer Wieland H , Bollwein Christine , Thierfelder Kolja M , Baumann Alena , Janssen Hendrik , Ertl-Wagner Birgit , Reiser Maximilian F , Plate Annika , Straube Andreas , von Baumgarten Louisa
Published: December 2015

We aimed to investigate the overall prevalence and possible factors influencing the occurrence of crossed cerebellar diaschisis after acute middle cerebral artery infarction using whole-brain CT perfusion. A total of 156 patients with unilateral hypoperfusion of the middle cerebral artery territory formed the study cohort; 352 patients without hypoperfusion served as controls. We performed blinded reading of different perfusion maps for the presence of crossed cerebellar diaschisis and determined the relative supratentorial and cerebellar perfusion reduction. Moreover, imaging patterns (location and volume of hypoperfusion) and clinical factors (age, sex, time from symptom onset) resulting in crossed cerebellar diaschisis were analysed. Crossed cerebellar diaschisis was detected in 35.3% of the patients with middle cerebral artery infarction. Crossed cerebellar diaschisis was significantly associated with hypoperfusion involving the left hemisphere, the frontal lobe and the thalamus. The degree of the relative supratentorial perfusion reduction was significantly more pronounced in crossed cerebellar diaschisis-positive patients but did not correlate with the relative cerebellar perfusion reduction. Our data suggest that (i) crossed cerebellar diaschisis is a common feature after middle cerebral artery infarction which can robustly be detected using whole-brain CT perfusion, (ii) its occurrence is influenced by location and degree of the supratentorial perfusion reduction rather than infarct volume (iii) other clinical factors (age, sex and time from symptom onset) did not affect the occurrence of crossed cerebellar diaschisis.
Neurovascular coupling in humans: Physiology, methodological advances and clinical implications
Authors: Phillips Aaron A , Chan Franco HN , Zheng Mei Mu Zi , Krassioukov Andrei V , Ainslie Philip N
Published: December 2015

Neurovascular coupling reflects the close temporal and regional linkage between neural activity and cerebral blood flow. Although providing mechanistic insight, our understanding of neurovascular coupling is largely limited to non-physiological ex vivo preparations and non-human models using sedatives/anesthetics with confounding cerebrovascular implications. Herein, with particular focus on humans, we review the present mechanistic understanding of neurovascular coupling and highlight current approaches to assess these responses and the application in health and disease. Moreover, we present new guidelines for standardizing the assessment of neurovascular coupling in humans. To improve the reliability of measurement and related interpretation, the utility of new automated software for neurovascular coupling is demonstrated, which provides the capacity for coalescing repetitive trials and time intervals into single contours and extracting numerous metrics (e.g., conductance and pulsatility, critical closing pressure, etc.) according to patterns of interest (e.g., peak/minimum response, time of response, etc.). This versatile software also permits the normalization of neurovascular coupling metrics to dynamic changes in arterial blood gases, potentially influencing the hyperemic response. It is hoped that these guidelines, combined with the newly developed and openly available software, will help to propel the understanding of neurovascular coupling in humans and also lead to improved clinical management of this critical physiological function.
Altered GABAA receptor density and unaltered blood–brain barrier [11C]flumazenil transport in drug-resistant epilepsy patients with mesial temporal sclerosis
Authors: Froklage Femke E , Postnov Andrey , Yaqub Maqsood M , Bakker Esther , Boellaard Ronald , Hendrikse N Harry , Comans Emile FI , Schuit Robert C , Schober Patrick , Velis Demetrios N , Zwemmer Jack , Heimans Jan J , Lammertsma Adriaan A , Voskuyl Rob A , Reijneveld Jaap C
Published: December 2015

Studies in rodents suggest that flumazenil is a P-glycoprotein substrate at the blood–brain barrier. This study aimed to assess whether [11C]flumazenil is a P-glycoprotein substrate in humans and to what extent increased P-glycoprotein function in epilepsy may confound interpretation of clinical [11C]flumazenil studies used to assess gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors. Nine drug-resistant patients with epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis were scanned twice using [11C]flumazenil before and after partial P-glycoprotein blockade with tariquidar. Volume of distribution, nondisplaceable binding potential, and the ratio of rate constants of [11C]flumazenil transport across the blood–brain barrier (K1/k2) were derived for whole brain and several regions. All parameters were compared between pre- and post-tariquidar scans. Regional results were compared between mesial temporal sclerosis and contralateral sides. Tariquidar significantly increased global K1/k2 (+23%) and volume of distribution (+10%), but not nondisplaceable binding potential. At the mesial temporal sclerosis side volume of distribution and nondisplaceable binding potential were lower in hippocampus (both ∼−19%) and amygdala (both ∼−16%), but K1/k2 did not differ, suggesting that only regional gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor density is altered in epilepsy. In conclusion, although [11C]flumazenil appears to be a (weak) P-glycoprotein substrate in humans, this does not seem to affect its role as a tracer for assessing gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor density.
Geographies of humanitarian violence
Authors: Lopez Patricia J , Bhungalia Lisa , Newhouse Léonie S
Published: December 2015

Violence and humanitarianism are conventionally understood to be in opposition to one another. And yet, humanitarianism is also deeply entangled with violence—not only in tending to the after effects of human or natural catastrophe, but, at times, also (re)producing and perpetuating ongoing conditions of violence. Taking up Weizman's notion critiquing “lesser evil” solutions to human suffering, we extend the exploration of humanitarian interventions to the structural and symbolic violences enacted through the institutions, mechanisms, instruments, and “moral technologies” that are mobilized in the governance of people and spaces deemed in “need.” At the same time we attend to the thresholds within humanitarian forms of engagement where slippage into assaultive violence condenses—often through the spatial policing of circulation, the drive toward legibility, and/or opaque processes of conditional vetting. These moments and spaces shed light on the multiple, hierarchical visions of humanity that animate humanitarianism.
Becoming Indian
Authors: McDonald Douglas
Published: December 2015

William Broome was the last British judge to remain in judicial service in India, and the only one to have been appointed to a High Court after independence. Despite having come to India as an officer of the Indian Civil Service (ICS), Broome remained in India after independence, marrying an Indian woman, raising his children as Hindus and taking Indian citizenship in 1958. As a judge of the Allahabad High Court, Broome adopted an expansive interpretation of fundamental rights under the Constitution of India and played a pivotal role in the case of Raj Narain v. Indira Gandhi. The article examines Broome’s defiance of British racial attitudes during the Raj, his career as a judge in independent India and his significance in Indian history, including his ties to Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. This article argues that the lives and service of British judges in independent India, including William Broome, exemplify continuity between the colonial justice system and the judiciary of independent India.
Archaeological Landscape of Ancient Mathura in Relation to Its Art Workshops
Authors: Gupta Vinay Kumar
Published: December 2015

Mathura is well known as a great archaeological site and art centre, but due to lack of detailed information about the various find-spots and the corresponding archaeological landscape, sometimes it is difficult to form a complete idea of the subject. The present article intends to identify all the find-spots based on my intensive field work in and around the Mathura city. A similar study can also be pursued for the entire area of the Braj region but the article is limited here to the ancient city only. The earliest settlement of Mathura is situated on the banks of river Yamuna and that has now taken the form of lofty mounds. It dates back to the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) period and has continued till the recent times. The first extension of the city occurs during the Northern Black Painted Ware (NBPW) times which, in some part, coincides with the Mauryan period. During the succeeding centuries a large number of sites come into existence outside the fortification of the ancient city and these have provided a great number of sculptures and related material. Most of the times, the scholar’s viewpoint about Mathura is derived based on these findings. The article talks about the relationship of these findings with the overall archaeological scenario of the city and the relationship various peripheral sites enjoy in ration to the urban town. A lot of emphasis is given to the nature of these sites and then the article attempts to form a proper idea of the ancient landscape of ancient Mathura and also about its relationship with art workshops.
Determination of void statistics and statistical representative volume elements in carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepregs
Authors: Zhang Danning , Heider Dirk , Gillespie John W
Published: December 2015

Void consolidation of high-performance thermoplastic composites strongly depends not only on average void content but also on the distributions of void size, shape, and location within the prepreg materials. High-resolution 3-D X-ray microcomputed tomography shows that voids in carbon/poly(ether ether ketone) (AS4/APC2) prepreg are rodlike with major axis along the fiber axial direction. In order to accurately characterize the void microstructure, a detailed study was conducted to quantify the statistical distribution of void content, void length, equivalent void diameter, and void aspect ratio. Resolution of 1.48 μm/pixel provided a balance of measurement accuracy and inspection time. Suitable statistical distribution functions were found to describe the void length, diameter, and aspect ratio. For each void property, a sub-statistical representative volume element (SRVE) was determined. The SRVE of the overall void microstructure is defined as the maximum dimensions of the sub-SRVEs. In case of AS4/APC2 tape, the SRVE was found to be 6.1 mm in length (fiber direction), 27 mm in width (transverse to fiber direction), and 0.18 mm of full prepreg thickness.
Acute macular neuroretinopathy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lee D H , Lee S C , Kim M
Published: December 2015

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is a rare disorder that presents with abrupt visual change with wedge-shaped or flower-like lesions pointing towards the fovea. Ischemic insults to the retinal capillary plexus may be important for development of this disease. While many case reports have been published on AMN, none have described AMN in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we report a case of AMN associated with newly-diagnosed SLE. We speculate that in patients with lupus flares, immune complex-mediated vascular injury and microvascular thrombosis may disrupt the deep retinal capillary network, causing ischemic damages to the outer retina and leading to the development of AMN. AMN can develop in patients with lupus flares, and must be considered as an SLE-associated ophthalmologic complication. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of AMN associated with SLE.
Efficiency Assessment Parameters of Public Sector Banks in India
Authors: Singh Poonam , Singh Kanhaiya
Published: December 2015

In today’s complex and more competitive banking structure and environment, only efficient banks will survive. This has become more significant in view of the increased pace of globalization and liberalization more particularly after 1991 when the financial liberalization process was initiated in India followed by more stress on globalization in 2000. The consolidation of the banks has been receiving attention of the government and the central bank of the country. However, there remain some practical aspects which are hindrances to this process. In this article an attempt has been made to analyze public sector banks’ efficiency though the scaling technique, as prescribed efficiency indicators of banks while keeping in view the size of the bank. It is observed during the analysis that only a few of the banks are close to high efficiency and rest lie on a satisfactory efficiency level. In addition, to assess the degree of correlation among various efficiency parameters, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) technique has been used for measuring the efficiency of banks in a more realistic manner. It was further observed that there is a significant relation among return on assets (ROAs), spread and profit per employee.
A Tamil-speaking Heroine
Authors: V. Nakassis Constantine
Published: December 2015

Most actresses who play heroine roles in the contemporary Tamil film industry are not considered, by audiences or industry insiders, to be either ethnolinguistically Tamil or competent Tamil speakers. Drawing on interviews with industry insiders in and audiences of the Tamil film and television industries, this article interrogates discourses that take up this absence and non-identity within Tamil cinema. I show how these discourses ambivalently turn on—that is, mobilize and problematize—the historical stigma of cinema and, relatedly, its gendered performative semiotics, as well as a Dravidianist politics of language, gender, and ethnolinguistic identity. The article traces out the political contours of this stigmatic performativity and the culturalist identity claims that are made through appeal to it. I focus, in particular, on how this identity politics of the image comes to be articulated and contested in a recent reality television program devoted to finding a Tamil-speaking heroine. As I show, the tensions and contradictions that underlie this televisual attempt point to the productively fraught relationship between cinema, gender, vision, language, and regional Tamil identity in a post-television, post-liberalization context.
A longitudinal study of health outcomes for people released from prison in Fiji: the HIP-Fiji project
Authors: Kinner Stuart A , Winter Rebecca , Saxton Kate
Published: December 2015

Objective:

To examine the health of prisoners and ex-prisoners in Fiji, including risk behaviours, service access and HIV status.

Methods:

Longitudinal study of 198 men and women recruited prior to release from prison in Fiji, interviewed in the weeks preceding release, and again 1 and 4 months post-release. Dried blood spot samples taken at baseline were tested for HIV.

Results:

Eighty percent of participants completed at least one follow-up interview. The prevalence of HIV was low (1%), despite evidence of widespread STI and BBV risk behaviours. A history of risky substance use was normative and more than a third reported high psychological distress prior to release. Fewer than one in four reported accessing health care within a month of release from prison.

Conclusions:

The health needs of this population are significant but differ in important ways from those of incarcerated populations in other countries. Further research is needed to inform evidence-based care for prisoners and ex-prisoners in Pacific Island nations.
Conversations between anthropology and psychiatry: drawing out the best from interdisciplinarity in global mental health
Authors: Rosso Buckton Amanda
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

Conversations between anthropologists and psychiatrists have led to new theoretical trajectories, research agendas and clinical practices as social scientists and medical practitioners forged new understandings about the interaction of culture, personhood and illness. However, the demands of global mental health, coupled with health service provision requirements, mean that mental health interventions set up with the best intentions can fail to take into account the knowledge and expertise that social sciences can contribute to a programme’s success. In this paper, I reflect on conversations between an anthropologist and mental health professionals in direct reference to data analysis of an AusAID mental health capacity-building programme undertaken in the Pacific region.

Conclusions:

Social and cultural perspectives embedded within programmes can provide richer, more contextualised interventions. In drawing on the combined expertise of anthropology and psychiatry, new taken-for-granted reference points embedding cultural approaches form the basis for delivery of global mental health programmes. These perspectives include: Locating mental health programmes within development critiques Situating the subjects of development within contextualised settings, acknowledging and respecting local knowledge, understandings and practices A focus on interdisciplinarity as the basis for future practice in global mental health projects.
Rich Country, Poor People: the challenges of providing psychiatric services in the public and the private sectors in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Muga Florence
Published: December 2015

Objective:

To describe some of the challenges in the provision of psychiatric services in Papua New Guinea.

Conclusion:

Many of the challenges faced when providing mental health care are not clinical in nature, but rather a combination of social, cultural, economic and infrastructural factors that hinder the adequate provision of, and access to, psychiatric services in Papua New Guinea.
Capacity building for Pacific Island countries: the challenges and benefits of developing a postgraduate clinical training programme
Authors: Chang Odille A , Allen Myrielle M , Pandit Balram
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

To describe the development of a postgraduate clinical training programme in mental health for the Pacific region by the Fiji National University (FNU), the challenges and benefits.

Conclusions:

The establishment of FNU’s one-year full-time postgraduate diploma in mental health (PGDMH) has resulted in graduates across the Pacific in all three main regions of Oceania trained as frontline practitioners in mental health. Most of the graduates hold key mental health positions in their respective countries. The PGDMH provides culturally relevant and sensitive training in settings and with resources similar to the graduates’ homelands. Challenges relate mainly to the sustainability of the programme, selection of candidates, addressing the needs of stakeholders and teaching in an evolving, under-resourced mental health service. The ongoing challenge continues to be the maintenance of a symbiotic co-existence that results in mutual benefits for both the University and stakeholders without jeopardizing the integrity of the programme or the independence of the University.
Burden of mental and substance use disorders in Indigenous Australians and Oceania
Authors: Charlson Fiona J , Erskine Holly E
Published: December 2015

Objective:

Mental and substance use disorders are responsible for significant health loss across the globe. In this review, the burden of disease attributable to mental and substance use disorders in Indigenous Australians and Pacific Island countries was described and compared.

Methods:

For Indigenous Australians, findings from the burden of disease and injury study by Begg and colleagues1 were summarised. These were then compared to the findings of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010,2 which reported results for Oceania, a region consisting of Pacific Island countries. Results for mental and substance use disorder burden were described in terms of disability-adjusted life years, years lived with disability and years of life lost to due to premature mortality.

Results:

Mental and substance use disorders were the leading cause of non-fatal burden (i.e. disability) in both Indigenous Australia and Oceania. Furthermore, in Oceania mental and substance use disorders are projected to cause more disability than all communicable diseases combined by 2050.

Conclusion

Mental and substance use disorders contribute significantly to health loss for both Indigenous Australians and Pacific Island populations. These findings indicate a substantial need to prioritise these disorders in terms of policy, services and research.
Mental health issues from rising sea level in a remote coastal region of the Solomon Islands: current and future
Authors: Asugeni James , MacLaren David , Massey Peter D , Speare Rick
Published: December 2015

Objective:

There is little published research about mental health and climate change in the Pacific, including Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands has one of the highest rates of sea-level rise globally. The aim of this research was to document mental health issues related to sea-level rise for people in East Malaita, Solomon Islands.

Method:

A cross-sectional study was carried out in six low-lying villages in East Malaita, Solomon Islands. The researcher travelled to villages by dugout canoe. In addition to quantitative, closed-ended questions, open-ended questions with villagers explored individual and community responses to rising sea level.

Results:

Of 60 people asked, 57 completed the questionnaire. Of these, 90% reported having seen a change in the weather patterns. Nearly all participants reported that sea-level rise is affecting them and their family and is causing fear and worry on a personal and community level. Four themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: experience of physical impacts of climate change; worry about the future; adaptation to climate change; government response needed.

Conclusion:

Given predictions of ongoing sea-level rise in the Pacific it is essential that more research is conducted to further understand the human impact of climate change for small island states which will inform local, provincial and national-level mental health responses.