bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L’Enceinte Sacrée et les origines de Byblos
Authors: Chanteau Julien
Published: April 2018

L’Enceinte Sacrée de Byblos présente la double singularité d’être à la fois le monument le plus central de la ville mais aussi le plus ancien, son premier état ayant été daté de la période de l’Énéolithique récent (milieu du IVe millénaire). Ce sanctuaire est perçu comme l’unique témoin architectural de la transformation, sous l’effet d’un phénomène de croissance économique, du village préhistorique de Byblos en une véritable métropole méditerranéenne, conformément au paradigme évolutionniste d’un développement ressenti comme progressif et continu. L’objet de cet article est de démontrer, par l’analyse couplée de sa stratigraphie et de son architecture, que l’Enceinte Sacrée ne saurait remonter avant la première moitié du IIIe millénaire et que son premier état est contemporain de la création de la cité de Byblos, la ville devant être comprise comme une création ex nihilo, certes fondée sur un village protohistorique, mais sans continuité aucune entre les deux agglomérations.
Une statuette ou un vase en forme de déesse-hippopotame dans le Palais royal d’Ougarit
Authors: Matoïan Valérie
Published: April 2018

Les études portant sur les objets découverts dans le Palais royal d’Ougarit ont permis, au cours des quinze dernières années, d’approfondir nos connaissances sur la culture matérielle palatiale du Levant Nord au Bronze récent et de révéler nombre de pièces inédites (RSO XIII, XVI, XVII). Notre regard portera ici sur une statuette (ou vase) en céramique, mise au jour en 1951, dont la plastique évoque l’image de la déesse-hippopotame égyptienne. Nous nous interrogerons sur l’interprétation fonctionnelle et symbolique de cette œuvre remarquable — dont la présence dans le Palais royal peut être rapprochée de celle d’autres objets, pièces importées d’Égypte et créations levantines influencées par les productions égyptiennes — et sur l’apport de cette découverte à l’étude de la diffusion des représentations de la déesse-hippopotame en Méditerranée orientale au IIe millénaire av. J.-C.
Chapiteaux corinthiens d’époque romaine à Tyr
Authors: Kahwagi-Janho Hany
Published: April 2018

De nombreux chapiteaux corinthiens en marbre importé se trouvent sur le site de Tyr-cité. Ils appartiennent à différentes séries connues et répertoriées, qui ont leurs origines dans les ateliers pergaméno-éphésiens et dans ceux d’Aphrodisias. Trois ensembles sont présentés dans cet article. Le premier est celui des chapiteaux de la basilique thermale. Il possède des caractéristiques courantes dans la Méditerranée orientale, qui permettent de les dater du début du iie s. apr. J.-C. Le deuxième ensemble a la particularité d’avoir des chapiteaux aux feuilles dentelées dont l’un comporte, de surcroît, des feuilles fouettées par le vent (caractère rare pour les chapiteaux corinthiens « normaux »). La datation de ces chapiteaux (fin du iie s.) permet de les classer parmi les premiers de leur genre. Dans le troisième ensemble, qui provient sans doute du monument octogonal du site (Secteur 4), un seul chapiteau est étudié. Il fait partie des séries normales tardives (début iiie s.) qui ont des feuilles recourbées à la place des hélices. Tout comme deux chapiteaux du deuxième ensemble, il est l’un des rares chapiteaux figurés répertoriés au Liban.
The interface between writing and art: the seals of Tepe Gawra
Authors: Schmandt-Besserat Denise
Published: April 2018

L’article traite de l’influence de l’écriture sur l’art de la période urbaine dans le Proche-Orient ancien. J’analyse les compositions – comment les images sont organisées – sur les sceaux de Tepe Gawra, 5500-2000 av. J.‑C. Je note que  : A) les sceaux qui précèdent l’écriture portent des figures tête-bêche ou pêle-mêle qui ne montrent aucune action réciproque  ; B) avec les compositions linéaires empruntées à l’écriture, la glyptique de l’époque protohistorique commence à lier les figures de simples compositions narratives, limitées à deux personnages  ; C) à l’époque historique, la glyptique imite la syntaxe et les déterminatifs de l’écriture pour créer des scènes narratives complexes. Je crédite l’écriture de ce changement conceptuel illustré par le passage des compositions d’images répétées, qui ne savaient qu’évoquer une idée, aux scènes narratives, ainsi que de l’évolution des compositions considérées globalement, à celles qui étaient «  lues » analytiquement.
À propos du poste de garde du palais royal d’Ougarit
Authors: Bordreuil Pierre
Published: April 2018

À partir du cylindre RS 17.025, on propose d’interpréter le mot dlt comme le point de contrôle de l’accès au palais royal d’Ougarit.
L’image et le contexte : nouvelle étude des panneaux figuratifs incrustés de Mari
Authors: Couturaud Barbara
Published: April 2018

Mari a fourni le plus grand nombre de fragments d’incrustations figurées au Proche-Orient. Ces incrustations en coquille formaient des compositions à thématique militaire ou cérémonielle. Les panneaux ne sont plus conservés et seuls des fragments d’incrustations nous sont parvenus, nous privant de l’intégralité des scènes. À partir du corpus de Mari, nous proposons d’étudier à nouveau ces panneaux figuratifs incrustés et leur place au sein de la culture matérielle des sociétés proche-orientales du Bronze ancien, sur la base d’une analyse iconographique et archéologique. De là émerge une nouvelle définition de ces objets : mettant en scène la classe dominante de la cité, garante de l’ordre social, ces panneaux sont destinés à évoquer bien plus qu’à narrer des événements. À travers la représentation de cérémonies sociales, cultuelles ou de scènes de bataille, ils deviennent alors un vecteur par lequel cette classe assure sa légitimité, dans les lieux mêmes où elle exerce son pouvoir, palais ou temples de la ville.
Notes d’archéologie et d’architecture orientales 17 - De la strate à la « couche architecturale » : réexamen de la stratigraphie de Tuttub/Khafadjé
Authors: Margueron Jean-Claude
Published: April 2018

À la suite de l’analyse présentée dans NAAO 16, qui avait conduit à diminuer le nombre des strates urbaines admises jusqu’à présent, la même méthode est cette fois appliquée à la stratigraphie habituellement admise du temple de Sin qui prolonge la cité vers l’est : les couches architecturales définies en NAAO 16 s’y retrouvent de façon identique et permettent de définir quatre temples de Sin au lieu des dix définis lors de la fouille. Une restitution de Sin D (anciennement Sin IX) est proposée à la fin de l’analyse.
Institutional Arrangements in Public Utilities and Public Management
Authors: Ermishina Anna V.
Published: April 2018

Since the early 2000s a policy of attracting private operators to public utilities, which should help to increase productivity, reduce costs, and as a result, reduce utility prices, has taken place in Russia. The aim of the chapter is to identify the relationship between institutional arrangements and efficiency of water and sewer services. Statistical and cluster analysis was applied to empirical data on water utilities in the 13 largest cities in Russia. There were the differences in the level and dynamics of prices and other indicators for water supply and sewer services in the group of public utilities and public-private water utilities.
Spatiality, Clustering, and the Agglomeration Economies of Scale
Authors: Mazongonda Simbarashe Show , Chirisa Innocent
Published: April 2018

This chapter is based on a study that tests the realities of agglomeration economies of scale due to clustering of small-scale manufacturing firms of the informal type in Zimbabwe. Little has been studied on how the informal sector thrives on agglomeration economies of scale in developing countries. Despite this lack of research, this chapter acknowledges the existence of strong networks among small-scale manufacturers in urban Zimbabwe. These linkages, contrary to practices within large-scale manufacturers, are cemented by strong ties of entrepreneurialism. With big manufacturers, the ties are usually worker-based and less defined along entrepreneurial lines. Using spatial statistical approach, the test revealed that tool sharing, output-input relationship, employment creation, and sharing of knowledge economies of scale are also evident in developing countries.
Levels of Social Disparity in a Shrinking Setting
Authors: Khavarian-Garmsir Amir Reza , Pourahmad Ahmad , Hataminejad Hossein , Farhoodi Rahmatollah
Published: April 2018

With increasing prevalence, severity, persistence, and geographical incidence, cities have faced shrinkage during the past half century. Urban planners have paid special attention to shrinking cities. The concept of urban shrinkage has turned into a fixed base of research for many urban studies. While urban planning debates of recent years have mainly focused on the economic and environmental dimensions of shrinking cities, social dimensions are usually neglected despite their importance. This chapter aims at the socio-spatial differences and the relationship between the negative rate of population growth and the level of social development in the shrinking cities of Khuzestan province as an oil-rich province in Iran. The results show that there are great differences among the shrinking cities in terms of social factors, and surprisingly, the cities that have experienced more shrinkage have more social development.
Smart Healthcare
Authors: Rajkumar R.
Published: April 2018

Internet of things is a revolutionary domain, when we use it for the wellness of people in a smart way. As of now, the cost to implement IoT-enabled services is very high. So, this chapter introduces a cost effective and a reliable system to monitor patients at home and in hospitals with the help of IoT. The monitored details of a person can be drawn at any time with the help of an android app, which can produce output at real-time. The processed data are stored in the UBIDOTS cloud server, and the patients' needs can be met in time as well lives saved during critical cases with the help of the system proposed in this chapter.
White Light Emitting Phosphors for Solid State Lighting
Authors: V. Sivakumar , R. Marikumar , S. Kasturi , S. Satish Kumar
Published: April 2018

Phosphor materials are an integral and important part in the white light generation in LEDs and have participated in the global warming reduction significantly. In this chapter, the authors focus on different types of phosphor materials belonging to a family of apatites, fluoroapatites, silicates, oxides, phosphates, and borates with different crystal structures. The detailed investigations on their crystal chemical structure, synthesis, and photoluminescence properties are briefly discussed. The improved optical properties make the phosphor potential candidate for smart panel displays and white light emitting diodes (including solid state lighting). The crystal structure has a great influence on the chemical and luminescence properties of any phosphor; hence, a great change of activator ion (Eu2+, Ce3+, Mn2+, and Tb3+) concentrations can be achieved in the phosphor performances. The chapter correlates the structure-compositions-property of the phosphor materials with special emphasis on white LEDs.
Fabrication of Orthotic Calipers With Epoxy-Based Green Composite
Authors: Kumari Nisha , Kumar K.
Published: April 2018

The concern towards environmental issues and the need for more polymer-based composites has extended its collection towards polymer composites strengthened with natural fillers. The main aim of the chapter is to make the side metallic sticks (called braces, where aluminum alloys are being used) of orthotic calipers with epoxy-based composite reinforced with coir dust as filler. Its mechanical behavior together with density, tensile and three-point bending are observed and compared with the existing aluminum-based calipers components after validating the experimental as well as virtual results. Virtual testing is done using 3D software CREO and analysis is done with the help of ANSYS workbench. It is seen that the strength and stiffness of epoxy-based composite with natural fillers is more than that of presently used aluminum alloy. The microstructure of the composites is considered to summarize the general filler distribution in the matrix using scanning electron microscope.
Use of Mobile Devices in Science Education in a Brazilian Public School Located in a Region of High Social Vulnerability
Authors: Silva Isabela , Lotthammer Karen Schmidt , Silva Karmel , Viegas Loren Mattana , Marcelino Zeni , Silva Juarez B , Bilessimo Simone
Published: April 2018

This chapter aims to present a case study about the use mobile devices as a tool to practice in science classes in subjects related to the parts of the human body and digestive system. This case study was carried out with 24 students of the fifth grade of a public school located in a region of high social vulnerability of the city of Araranguá, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in partnership with the Laboratory of Remote Experimentation (RexLab). For the practice, the following applications were used: Human Body Systems 3D, Human Anatomy and Puzzle Anatomy. At the end, students were asked to respond to a questionnaire about the level of satisfaction related to the use of tablets in the classroom. Through the answers, a positive reaction related to the integration of digital technologies in the classroom was perceived, characterizing, thus, an assertive opportunity to continue the use of mobile devices in the school environment, giving an improvement in the quality of teaching of the sciences provided by the applications, considering the benefits of digital inclusion.
Backstepping Control for Synchronizing Fractional-Order Chaotic Systems
Authors: Boubellouta Amina
Published: April 2018

In this chapter, one develops a fuzzy adaptive backstepping control-based projective synchronization scheme of a class of uncertain fractional-order nonlinear systems with unknown external disturbances. In each step, an uncertain nonlinear function is online modeled via a fuzzy logic system, and a virtual control term is determined based on the fractional Lyapunov stability. At the final step, a fuzzy adaptive control law ensuring the convergence of the projective synchronization error as well as the stability of the closed-loop control system is derived. Numerical simulations given at the end of this chapter confirm well the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Novel Cryptography Technique via Chaos Synchronization of Fractional-Order Derivative Systems
Authors: Tene Alain Giresse , Kofane Timoleon Crépin
Published: April 2018

Synchronization of fractional-order-derivative systems for cryptography purpose is still exploratory and despite an increase in cryptography research, several challenges remain in designing a powerful cryptosystem. This chapter addresses the problem of synchronization of fractional-order-derivative chaotic systems using random numbers generator for a novel technique to key distribution in cryptography. However, there is evidence that researchers have approached the problem using integer order derivative chaotic systems. Consequently, the aim of the chapter lies in coding and decoding a text via chaos synchronization of fractional-order derivative, the performance analysis and the key establishment scheme following an application on a text encryption using the chaotic Mathieu-Van Der Pol fractional system. In order to improve the level of the key security, the Fibonacci Q-matrix is used in the key generation process and the initial condition; the order of the derivative of the responder system secretly shared between the responder and the receiver are also involved. It followed from this study that compared to the existing cryptography techniques, this proposed method is found to be very efficient due to the fact that, it improves the key security.
Securing SDN-Enabled Smart Power Grids
Authors: Ghosh Uttam , Chatterjee Pushpita , Shetty Sachin
Published: April 2018

Software-defined networking (SDN) provides flexibility in controlling, managing, and dynamically reconfiguring the distributed heterogeneous smart grid networks. Considerably less attention has been received to provide security in SDN-enabled smart grids. Centralized SDN controller protects smart grid networks against outside attacks only. Furthermore, centralized SDN controller suffers from a single point of compromise and failure which is detrimental to security and reliability. This chapter presents a framework with multiple SDN controllers and security controllers that provides a secure and robust smart grid architecture. The proposed framework deploys a local IDS to provide security in a substation. Whereas a global IDS is deployed to provide security in control center and overall smart grid network, it further verifies the consequences of control-commands issued by SDN controller and SCADA master. Performance comparison and simulation result show that the proposed framework is efficient as compared to existing security frameworks for SDN-enabled smart grids.
The experience of aggression by female teachers in the workplace
Authors: Van der Merwe D. S. , Myburgh C. P.H. , Poggenpoel M.
Published: April 2018

South Africa is a country with exceptionally high levels of frustration and trauma. Research shows that a third of all people in South Africa are exposed to some kind of violence. This causes insecurity and fear, which creates high levels of stress. High stress levels fuels aggression in the workplace. It was observed that female teachers often experience aggression in the workplace. This has a negative effect on their overall sense of well-being as well as their mental health. A purposive sample was selected through two private schools in Gauteng, South Africa, and consisted of eight female teachers. Data was collected by means of in-depth phenomenological interviews, field notes, naive sketches and observation. One central question was posed to the purposefully selected participants: What is your experience of aggression in your workplace? Thematic coding was used to analyse the data. Three themes were identified: different perceptions influenced female teachers' experience of aggression; the pressure in the school system formed an integral part of the experience of aggression and the experienced effect of aggression on the female teachers.
Perceptions of nurse educators regarding the implementation of the occupational specific dispensation at a selected nursing college in Limpopo Province
Authors: Mcur M. D.N. , Mulaudzi Fhumulani M.
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nurses regarding the implementation of the occupation-specific dispensation (OSD) in a selected nursing college in Limpopo province. A qualitative approach was used with a purposive sampling method for the selection of 12 voluntary participants who had worked for more than five years and been subjected to the implementation of OSD. In-depth interviews were conducted and data analysed according to Tesch's method. The perceptions of nurse educators were shared through participants' responses to a central research question. Participants expressed different responses, both positive and negative. The findings of this study demonstrated: high expectations, unfair treatment in relation to the implementation, and reactions to introduction of OSD. Participants also identified envisaged ways of improving the situation through the identification of ways to correct the problems. This study recommended that management ensure that nurse educators' remuneration packages are competitive with those of similar professions in the clinical setting. Recognition of nurse educators' additional qualifications, long-service experiences and rural allowance reviews in nursing education should be taken into consideration urgently.
Violence against nurses in the southern region of Malawi
Authors: Banda Chimwemwe K. , Mayers Pat , Duma Sinegugu
Published: April 2018

Purpose: To investigate and describe the nature and extent of violence against nurses and the perceived effects thereof on nurses in the southern region of Malawi.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study in which 190 questionnaires were sent out to nurses from five facilities, 112 were returned completed (60% response rate). The five facilities included two central hospitals, one psychiatric hospital and two health care centres.Results: 86% of the respondents agreed that violence against nurses is a problem in Malawi. The prevalence of violence for the five facilities in the preceding 12 months was 71% (CI 61%–79%) and was highest at the psychiatric hospital (100%). The types of violence experienced include verbal abuse (95%), threatening behaviours (73%), physical assaults (22%), sexual harassments (16%) and other (3%). Perpetrators of violence were: patients (71%); patients' relatives (47%); and work colleagues (43%). Nurses reacted to incidents of violence by reporting to managers, telling their friends, crying, retaliating, or ignoring the incident. Most (80%) nurses perceived that violence has psychological effects on them, which consequently affects their work performance and make them lose interest in the nursing profession.Conclusions: Workplace violence against nurses exists in Malawi and it affects nurses psychologically; may result in poor work performance; and may be a causative factor in the attrition of nurses from the nursing profession. The study recommends that health facilities should adopt policies aimed at minimizing violence against nurses to create motivating and safe working environment for nurses.
Seven year overview (2007—2013) of ethical transgressions by registered healthcare professionals in South Africa
Authors: Nortje Nico , Hoffmann Willem
Published: April 2018

A move has taken place internationally in the delivery and “consumption” of health care where if clients and patients (health care consumers) hold the opinion that the health care professionals/providers' behaviour has had a negative effect, impact or outcome on them, they may lodge a complaint with the relevant health professional regulatory body. Ethical transgressions of health care providers can generally be clustered into the following three categories: a) Competence and conduct with clients (e.g. abandonment, sexual intimacies, dishonesty, disclosure of information); b) Business practices (e.g. billing, reports, documentation); and c) Professional practice (e.g. referral upon termination, obtaining appropriate potential employment opportunities, nonprofessional relationships).The primary objective of this study was to analyse the ethical transgressions of registered members of the twelve professional boards in the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in the period 2007 to 2013. A mixed methods approach was followed in this study which specifically focused on a historical research approach. The results indicate that the boards with the highest number of transgressions per the registered practitioners were firstly the Medical and Dental practitioners, closely followed by the Optometry and Dispensing Opticians Board. The predominantly complaint made against members of both these boards was for fraudulent conduct (collectively totalling to 85% of all fraudulent cases during the period) and included actions such as charging for non-rendered services, issuing false statements and submitting fraudulent medical aid claims. Cognisance needs to be taken that the South African public will increasingly demand better services and that since they are being better informed via the media of their rights and have access to a broader database of knowledge (rightly or wrongly so the internet) practitioners' opinions will not necessarily be accepted outright and that they (the public) will challenge it accordingly. This raises the concern that practitioners need to take on the responsibility to communicate with their patients/clients in order to educate them and keep them informed.
Paramedics' experiences of financial medicine practices in the pre-hospital environment. A pilot study
Authors: Vincent-Lambert Craig , Jackson Richard-Kyle
Published: April 2018

Background: The term “financial medicine” refers to the delivery of health-related services where the generation of financial gain or “profit” takes precedence over the provision of care that is reflective of evidence-based best practice. The practicing of financial medicine includes over-servicing and overbilling, both of which have led to a sharp rise in the cost of health care and medical insurance in South Africa. For this reason, the practicing of financial medicine has been widely condemned both internationally and locally by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and allied Professional bodies.Objectives: This qualitative pilot study explored and described the experiences of South African Paramedics with regard to the practicing of financial medicine in the local pre-hospital emergency care environment.Method: A sample of South African Paramedics were interviewed either face-to-face or telephonically. The interviews were audio recorded and transcripts produced. Content analysis was conducted to explore, document and describe the participants' experiences with regard to financial medicine practices in the local pre-hospital environment.Results: It emerged that all of the participants had experienced a number of financial medicine practices and associated unethical conduct. Examples included Over-servicing, Selective Patient Treatment, Fraudulent Billing Practices, Eliciting of kickbacks, incentives or benefits and Deliberate Time Wasting.Conclusion: The results of this study are concerning as the actions of service providers described by the participants constitute gross violations of the ethical and professional guidelines for health care professionals. The authors recommend additional studies be conducted to further explore these findings and to establish the reasons for, and ways of, limiting financial medicine practices in the South African emergency care environment.
Relation of socio-economic status to the independent application of self-care in older persons of South Africa
Authors: Rabie Tinda , Klopper Hester C. , Watson Martha J.
Published: April 2018

Background: Many older persons in South Africa (SA) are affected by a poor socio-economic status, leading to an increase in the use of the public healthcare sector. However, the public healthcare sector is burdened by high volumes of patients and long waiting periods. As a result, professional nurses in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities are not able to spend enough time on proper physical examinations and assessment of needs, including health education and support to older persons to help them apply independent self-care.Aim: To determine if the socio-economic status of older persons affects their ability to apply self-care independently without support from professional nurses in the PHC facility.Design: Quantitative, descriptive research design.Methods: Older persons (N = 198; n = 192 respondents) were asked to complete the Appraisal of Self-care Agency (ASA-A) and Exercise of Self-care Agency (ESCA) questionnaires. Seven self-care deficits were identified through deductive logic after analysis of the two questionnaires. These seven self-care deficits were compared to the socio economic status of the same sample.Results: Seven self-care deficits were identified after analysis of the ASA-A and ESCA questionnaires. One self-care deficit was found to have a relationship with the socioeconomic status of the older persons.Conclusions: Low literacy levels of older persons with a low socio-economic status affect their ability to apply self-care independently without the support from a professional nurse in the PHC facility. Data analysis of the ASA-A and ESCA revealed that these older persons suffer from a “lack of knowledge and ability to acquire knowledge with regard to self-care” which had a relationship with the socio-economic status of older persons with specific reference to low literacy levels and poverty. Implications for practice: More attention should be given to older persons with a low socioeconomic status as their ability to apply self-care independently without the support from a professional nurse is limited. This would lead to less frequent visits to PHC facilities by older persons for minor ailments, decrease healthcare costs, relieve overcrowding in PHC facilities and prevent possible unintentional self-neglect.
Short-term effects of simultaneous cardiovascular workout and personal music device use on the outer hair cell function of young adults
Authors: Vinck Bart , Freeman Jessica , Soer Maggi
Published: April 2018

Background: Recreational noise exposure, including personal music device use (PMD), has become a growing public health concern, as it may potentially result in the development of hearing difficulties.Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the differential impact and short-term effects of simultaneous cardiovascular workout and PMD use on the outer hair cell (OHC) function of young adults.Method: A quantitative research approach was followed. In this study a pre-test post-test approach was used and twelve subjects participated in three 1 h testing conditions with altered variables including: (i) exposure to PMD use in isolation, (ii) exposure to cardiovascular workout in isolation, and (iii) simultaneous exposure to the latter mentioned. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were conducted pree and post exposure for each testing condition as primary indicator of cochlear responses. The process consisted of a cycling procedure through the preset stimulus frequency sequence, measuring the 2f₁—f₂ (75—70 dBSPL) and constructing a plot of DPOAE levels as a function offrequency.Results: Individual testing conditions did not result in statistically significant changes of the DPOAE response, however a significantly different profile in the DPOAE response level increase/decrease for the higher frequencies (6—8 kHz) was obtained when comparing the different sessions. Exposure to cardiovascular workout condition in isolation indicated a clear trend of an increased DPOAE response level between the pre-exposure and post exposuretesting from 2 kHz to 8 kHz with a maximum increase at 6 kHz. Both the music-only condition and the combined condition resulted in a clear trend of decreased DPOAE response amplitudes between the pre-exposure and post-exposure testing for the higher frequencies.Conclusion: Findings support the notion of a clear effect of cardiovascular workout with and without music exposure on the OHC function at higher test frequencies, as measured by DPOAEs. Decreased DPOAE amplitudes between 2 kHz and 8 kHz were observed with music exposure and the opposite effect was observed for cardiovascular workout in isolation.
Accessing antiretroviral therapy for children: Caregivers' voices
Authors: Williams Margaret , Van Rooyen Dalena R.M. , Ricks Esmeralda J.
Published: April 2018

Despite efforts to scale up access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), particularly at primary health care (PHC) facilities, antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to be out of reach formany human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive children in sub-Saharan Africa. In resource limited settings decentralisation of ART is required to scale up access to essential medication. Traditionally, paediatric HIV care has been provided in tertiary care facilities which have better human and material resources, but limited accessibility in terms of distance for caregivers of HIV-positive children. The focus of this article is on the experiences of caregivers whilst accessing ART for HIV-positive children at PHC (decentralised care) facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The target population comprised caregivers of HIV-positive children. Data were collected by means of indepth individual interviews, which were thematically analysed. Guba's model was usedto ensure trustworthiness. Barriers to accessing ART at PHC clinics for HIV-positive children included personal issues, negative experiences, lack of support and finance, stigma and discrimination. The researchers recommend standardised programmes be developed and implemented in PHC clinics to assist in providing treatment, care and support for HIV positive children.
Mental health nurses' attitudes toward self-harm: Curricular implications
Authors: Shaw David G. , Sandy Peter T.
Published: April 2018

Background: Self-harm is an old problem but increasing in incidence. It has important consequences for the individual concerned, the health care system, and can impact the well-being of staff. Extensive prior research has adopted a quantitative approach, thereby failing to explore in detail the perspective of mental health nurses. The literature also neglects secure mental health settings.Methods: The study aimed to explore the attitudes of mental health nurses toward service users who self-harm in secure environments, and to inform mental health curriculum development. It was conducted in a large forensic mental health unit, containing medium and low secure facilities, to the west of London, UK. A qualitative multi-method approach was adopted, underpinned by interpretative phenomenological analysis. Data were obtained from mental health nurses using individual interviews and focus groups, and analysis followed a step-by-step thematic approach using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Results: Nurses' attitudes toward self-harm varied but were mainly negative, and this was usually related to limited knowledge and skills. The results of the study, framed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, led to the development of a proposed educational model entitled ‘Factors Affecting Self-Harming Behaviours’ (FASH).Conclusion: The FASH Model may inform future curriculum innovation. Adopting a holistic approach to education of nurses about self-harm may assist in developing attitudes and skills to make care provision more effective in secure mental health settings.
Use of online interactive tools in an open distance learning context: Health studies students' perspective*
Authors: Maboe Kefiloe A.
Published: April 2018

Background: Open distance learning (ODL) institutions provide educational challenges with specific reference to the training of nurses. They have adopted online technologies to facilitate teaching and learning. However it is observed that most nurses do not use or minimally use tools such as a discussion forum for online interaction to facilitate teaching and learning.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine how the discussion forum as an online interactive tool be used in an ODL institution to enhance student-to-student and student-to-lecturer online interactions.Design: Quantitative and descriptive in nature.Method: No sampling was done. An online questionnaire was sent to all 410 second and third years Health Services Management students around the world registered with a specific ODL institution during the second semester. Eighty seven students responded to the questionnaire. Data analysis was done quantitatively and descriptively in the form of diagrams.Results: The findings indicated that 84.9% of students own computers, and 100% own cellular phones, but only 3.8% participated in online discussion forum. Some students indicated that they were technologically challenged. Some lecturers interact minimally online and are not supportive to them. The institution does not give them the support they need to acquire the necessary skills to utilise these technologies.Conclusion: The article suggests that lecturers, active interaction in an online discussion forum as a way of supporting students, are fundamental to effective teaching and learning.The university should consider providing intensive mentoring to students to enable them to utilise the available technologies optimally.
Effect of personal and work stress on burnout, job satisfaction and general health of hospital nurses in South Africa
Authors: Khamisa Natasha , Peltzer Karl , Ilic Dragan , Oldenburg Brian
Published: April 2018

The majority of studies to date have focused on the effects of work stress in the nursing environment, with the effect of personal stress in nursing being less explored. This study sought to determine whether personal stress is a more significant predictor of burnout, job satisfaction and general health than work stress. Of the 1200 nurses randomly selected to participate in the study, 895 agreed to complete six questionnaires over 3 weeks. Data was analysed using hierarchical multiple linear regression. Findings revealed that personal stress is a better predictor of burnout and general health than job satisfaction, which is better predicted by work stress. The findings of this study could inform potential solutions to reduce the impact of personal and work stress on burnout, job satisfaction and general health. Coping strategies and staffing strategies need to be evaluated within developing contexts such as South Africa to as certain their effectiveness.
Developing, implementing and evaluating a simulation learning package on post-partum haemorrhage for undergraduate midwifery students in KwaZulu-Natal*
Authors: Amod Hafaza B. , Brysiewicz Petra
Published: April 2018

Background: The training of undergraduate midwifery students to identify and manage post-partum haemorrhage, is an essential skill in midwifery.Aim: The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a simulation learning package (SLP) on post-partum haemorrhage for undergraduate midwifery students using high fidelity simulation without risks to real-life patients.Methods: An exploratory sequential mixed methodology was used in this study. The study was made up of three phases namely; the development, implementation and evaluation of the learning package. The research participants were fourth year baccalaureate of nursing midwifery students and midwifery experts involved in teaching midwifery. Data was collected using an evaluation checklist for experts, a student satisfaction survey and focus group sessions. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS Version 23.0 and the qualitative data was analysed using content analysis as described by Graneheim and Lundman(2004).Results: The evaluation checklist for experts revealed that the developed SLP was considered suitable for undergraduate students. It encouraged active learning, teamwork and accommodated diverse learning styles. The package was easy to use and offered opportunities for student feedback.The student satisfaction survey revealed that the pre-simulation support received was adequate and helpful, and the post simulation outcomes showed that using high fidelity simulation improved clinical skills, knowledge, critical thinking, self-confidence and satisfaction.The focus group sessions revealed that the SLP was an innovative and interactive method of learning; it improved the student's perception of their clinical competence, stimulated critical thinking and increased self-confidence.Conclusion: A simulation learning package, that uses high fidelity simulation, can be an innovative and interactive method to teach midwifery emergencies.
Investigating the adequacy of physics textbooks used in Nigeria secondary schools for conceptual understanding with new physics curriculum in view
Authors: Chukwunenye Joy Nkiruka , Ihekwaba Chinyere Ngozi , Akano Benedict Ubawike
Published: April 2018

This study investigated the adequacy of the physics textbooks in use in Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria using Owerri municipal as case study. Five research questions guided the study. The sampled textual materials were the three recommended physics textbooks. Twenty six physics teachers from ten public secondary schools in Owerri municipal, Imo State were used. The evaluation of these text books were carried out using the 8 – point quantitative approach to content evaluation of science text books (QACEST) and teacher’s perception rating scales (TPRS). The 8 – point QACEST was used to answer research questions 1 to 4 while research question 5 was answered using teacher’s perception rating scale The result  revealed that while all the text books were adequate in terms of content and study questions inadequacies exist in some of the texts in the areas of learning activities, illustrations and teacher’s perception. This simply implies that no single text books have completely met the requirements of the new physics curriculum. However, teachers should not adhere to a particular text book but rather should expose their student to a variety of text books depending on the goal or aim of the lessons.Keywords: Investigating, Adequacy, Text book, conceptual understanding
Alternative economic policy under a regime with inflation targeting, primary surpluses and a floating exchange rate: an analysis for developing economies
Authors: Moreira Ricardo Ramalhete
Published: April 2018

Inflation targeting, primary surpluses and a floating exchange rate under supply and exchange-rate shocks can combine to create deleterious effects on the economic dynamic. This paper reports on computer simulation experiments using a dynamic and stochastic model that can incorporate different restrictions. In general, the data show that under supply and exchange-rate shocks, a better method for minimising social loss includes flexible inflation targeting, counter-cyclical primary surpluses and capital control without eliminating the floating exchange rate.
Monetary policy and the punch bowl: the case for quantitative policy and wage growth targeting*
Authors: Palley Thomas I.
Published: April 2018

Federal Reserve Chairman William McChesney Martin famously declared that the Federal Reserve ‘is in the position of the chaperone who has ordered the punch bowl removed just when the party was really warming up.’ This paper uses the punch bowl metaphor to analyse how the Federal Reserve can improve monetary policy so as to deliver shared prosperity with greater financial stability. The problem is the party starts earlier on Wall Street than Main Street, so the Fed may remove the punch bowl before the party reaches Main Street. Ensuring Main Street attends the party requires a new recipe for the punch, new serving rules, and a new punch master. Additionally, there is a deeper problem that the current neoliberal growth model has the economy addicted to monetary punch. Resolving that requires a cure that goes beyond the punch bowl.
The Brutal Geographies of Yar Khan
Authors: Alexander Wendy
Published: April 2018

This article attempts an experimental mode to ply the depths of a text’s relationship with its circumstances of production. Deploying an immersive praxis, the analysis aims to activate the autonomy of the short story ‘The Quest of Yar Khan’ through a rich engagement with its materiality, particularly its named geography. Revealing the text’s context in this way offers an opportunity to refresh the view of South Asia in peri-Federation Australia, a circumstance of which this short story is part.
Meaghan Morris Thing
Authors: Hardie Melissa
Published: April 2018

Certainly, when people say to me, as they often have done, ‘I can’t remember anything afterward,’ I think, Great, that’s the point! The work is not there to be repeated or identified with, but something works on you.Adam Phillips1

‘Ironically,’ Meaghan Morris writes, ‘no text is more bleached of cultural particularity than the one which relentlessly theorizes “difference” without ever once stumbling over some stray material fact—a poem, a press photo, a snatch of TV news—that could, in its everyday density, take “theory” by surprise.’2 Ecstasy and Economics itself pops up as a ‘stray material fact’ that took me by surprise as a student more than two decades ago, and it still does. First, consider its surprising contents page: it dedicates what it terms ‘American essays’ to the late Australian poet John Forbes, a pairing at face value as surprising as the pairing of ecstasy and economics. That surprise extends to the pun of its cover photograph, a parody of Max Dupain’s 1937 photo The Sunbaker by Anne Zahalka, an image which recalibrates the photograph’s late Modern complexion by substituting a bleached and blurry beach surround for the deep shadows of the original. This image feels as historical now as the Dupain’s earlier subtlety of tone; Ecstasy and Economics analyses that ‘bleaching’ itself, the ‘stumbling’ into theory (as John Mowitt would say) where the unexpected ‘stray material fact’ renews analysis against sheer stultification.3 In the case of its cover photo the stray fact is hue, shade, distinction: a head of red hair whose capacity to surprise installs difference as surprise.
Searching for Meaghan (Morris)
Authors: Grossberg Lawrence
Published: April 2018

I am delighted to be here celebrating the unique career of Meaghan Morris, who is, after all, not just a precious intellectual partner (and sometimes mentor) but also a deeply valued friend.1 As it turned out, the invitation to speak at an event honouring Meaghan on the occasion of her retirement provided the pressure I needed to write something I have been trying to write—and postponing—for decades. Why try for so long? Because she is, in my opinion, one of the most original and dedicated practitioners of cultural studies. Why try for so long? Because I could never find a comfortable way of doing it. I would try identifying some representative sample, some set of exemplary texts, that would enable me to make visible the commonalities and diversities that define the singularity of her analytic practice, the contextuality of her political thematic and the trajectory of her career. Every time I thought I had settled on the texts, I would remember another of my favourites, or Meaghan would send me a new one, inevitably shattering my selection and the comfortable assumptions I had made about how to ‘read’ them.
The sensitivity of Alpine summer convection to surrogate climate change: an intercomparison between convection-parameterizing and convection-resolving models
Authors: Keller Michael , Kröner Nico , Fuhrer Oliver , Lüthi Daniel , Schmidli Juerg , Stengel Martin , Stöckli Reto , Schär Christoph
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Climate models project an increase in heavy precipitation events in response to greenhouse gas forcing. Important elements of such events are rain showers and thunderstorms, which are poorly represented in models with parameterized convection. In this study, simulations with 12 km horizontal grid spacing (convection-parameterizing model, CPM) and 2 km grid spacing (convection-resolving model, CRM) are employed to investigate the change in the diurnal cycle of convection with warmer climate. For this purpose, simulations of 11 days in June 2007 with a pronounced diurnal cycle of convection are compared with surrogate simulations from the same period. The surrogate climate simulations mimic a future climate with increased temperatures but unchanged relative humidity and similar synoptic-scale circulation. Two temperature scenarios are compared: one with homogeneous warming (HW) using a vertically uniform warming and the other with vertically dependent warming (VW) that enables changes in lapse rate.The two sets of simulations with parameterized and explicit convection exhibit substantial differences, some of which are well known from the literature. These include differences in the timing and amplitude of the diurnal cycle of convection, and the frequency of precipitation with low intensities. The response to climate change is much less studied. We can show that stratification changes have a strong influence on the changes in convection. Precipitation is strongly increasing for HW but decreasing for the VW simulations. For cloud type frequencies, virtually no changes are found for HW, but a substantial reduction in high clouds is found for VW. Further, we can show that the climate change signal strongly depends upon the horizontal resolution. In particular, significant differences between CPM and CRM are found in terms of the radiative feedbacks, with CRM exhibiting a stronger negative feedback in the top-of-the-atmosphere energy budget.