bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spiritual Climate and Its Impact on Learning in Teams in Business Organizations
Authors: Pandey Ashish , Gupta Rajen K. , Kumar Praveen
Published: May 2016

Learning in an organization takes place at the individual, group and organizational levels. There is an upsurge of interest among researchers in issues of collective learning. Spirituality at work, also a multi-level phenomenon, manifests at both the individual and the collective levels. Spirituality at work is about search for meaning or higher purpose, connectedness and transcendence. Spirituality is recognized as a major factor in learning at the individual level. However, the expression and impact of spirituality need to be examined at the collective level. The present research addresses this conceptual and empirical gap using the concept of spiritual climate and examines its impact on learning in teams. This relationship is proposed based on theories of learning in teams, flow, social learning and levels of learning. Various aspects of spiritual climate are found to have positive association with learning in teams in the present study. These findings have theoretical and practical implications on organization development, corporate social responsibility and learning at workplace.
Dalits and Non ‐Dalits
Authors: Purushotham P.W. , Margaret P. Prameela
Published: May 2016

“If Untouchability is not eradicated, Hindu Religion will be perished”

Mahatma Gandhi
Self‐Empowerment In Siddalingaiah's Ooru Keri: A Study
Authors: Bharathiraja S.
Published: May 2016

Autobiography has been a popular genre of Dalit Literature. It places an authenticity of experiences of Dalits in the Indian Orthodox Hindu Caste System. Siddalingaiah is one of India's foremost Dalit writers. Born in Magadi in southern Karnataka, he studied in a village school and went to Bangalore to acquire M.A., and Plz.D degrees. His autobiographic novel Ooru Keri accounts how the author got self‐empowerment from the low socio‐economic status and protested against injustice and affirmed Dalit self-respect tlirouglz lzis writings.
Partition of India and the Scheduled Castes of Bengal
Authors: Barman Rup Kumar
Published: May 2016

Studies on partition of India in 1947 and its ln;products like migration of refugees and their rehabilitation, post-independent nation building processes in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and other issues related to the partition are increasing day by day. Historiography of partition of India is thus now a very big matter of historical studies for the students, scholars and teachers of modem histon; of the Indian subcontinent. Partition of India in the East i.e. Bengal; has thus drawn wide attention of the scholars. We can broadly categorize the partition related historical works into Jew groups such as ‐(i)studies on political aspects of partition including provincial politics and communalism, (ii) historiography of forced migrations and refugee rehabilitations, (iii) studies on violence and gender related issues, (iv) partition memories ,etc. In these studies the marginal social groups like the Scheduled Castes, however, have been sadly neglected. Although in the recent years some scholars have paid little attention to the plights of the Scheduled Caste refugees but many aspects of impact of partition on the Scheduled Castes are yet to be properly reconstructed. In this paper an attempt has been made to review the historical studies on the partition of India especially on the partition of Bengal in 1947; Here I have also highlighted the location of the East Bengali Scheduled Caste refugees in the historiography of partition of Bengal.
Empowering Periphery from Below
Authors: Ram Ronki
Published: May 2016

This paper argues that Dalit identity formation processes in contemporary East Punjab can easily be perceived in mutifaceted activites being undertaken by an all-pervasive and potent agency of Dalit Deras especially Ravidass Deras. These Deras over the last few years have been making concerted efforts towards occupying easily available distinct Dalit space in the peripheries of the villages of this borderland state of North India. Ravidass Deras have been seen as centres off ast emerging Dalit religious domain in the otherwise religion dominated society of Punjab where till recently Dalits were invariably considered as part of one or the other mainstream religion in the state. But the fast expanding constituency of such Deras among Dalits and their consequent confrontation with the dominant religion in the state forced some of the groups within Dalit communities of the region to seek and establish their separate Dalit identity basically based on their indigenous religious ethos deeply rooted in the egalitarian teachings of sant Ravidass of the famous North Indian Bhakti movement, who they reverently consider Guru (mentor/perceptor).
Dalits in Catholic Church of South India
Authors: Jose Justin Pallickal , V Vinod C. , Sultana A. Shahin
Published: May 2016

We examined the Caste induced discrimination of Dalit Christians with a specials emphasis on the social position of Dalit women. Using multi‐stage probability sampling procedure, 210 Catholic Christians of Dalit origin were selected from rural areas of Tamil Nadu in South India. The interviews were conducted by using structured interview schedule that contained socio demographic variables and patterns of discrimination. First, an increasing gender gap against women was observed when educational grades went up in lower educational grades with a sudden fall from higher secondan; level onwards. Most Dalit Catholics were unskilled daily wage earners irrespective of gender while it was further increased for women. Extremely limited numbers of Dalits were self employed while it was further limited for women. Second, Dalit Christians were faced with high level of perceived and actual discriminations, religious distancing and restricted social interaction with dominant Caste Christians. Finally, the study concludes that social interaction act as a critical context by which dominant castes induces, maintain and reinforce caste dominance on religious and social life of Dalit Christians.
Pattern and Determinants of Social Exclusion in Schools Among Children of Scavenger Community at Primary Level Education in India
Authors: Singh Vikram
Published: May 2016

Untouchability inhibits scavengers from accessing facilities in housing, marriage, employment, education, and general social interaction— divisions that are reinforced through economic boycotts and physical violence. Members of the community are forced to perform tasks deemed too “polluting” or degrading for non‐Dalits. The children of manual scavengers are vulnerable to discrimination in their schools, where they are forced to perform cleaning and scavenging work, and where discrimination undermines all aspects of their education and often cause them to drop out of school altogether because of their caste. In this paper, an attempt is made to explore the question of educational status among scavengers at first hand and to understand the concerned issue at depth and in relation to their double marginalisation and exclusion in Society which also affects their educational aspirations and becomes a matter of grave concern amongst them.
Sexual Identity and Psychosocial Disabilities of Transgender Women in India
Authors: Jose Justin P. , V. Vinod C.
Published: May 2016

From an interdisciplinary perspective, this paper conceptualizes a new psychosocial model of social exclusion of the male‐to‐female trans‐gender in India. The core assumption postulates in this model is that the sexual identity as a discredited and stigma inducing social identity oft rans gender women, induces selfp erceived and enacted stigmatization. Thus, the perceived and enacted stigma results in both perceived and actual experience of discrimination in basic social institutions such as families, communities and in society. This was found to result in a range of psychosocial disabilities imposed by transgender themselves, by their own families, community and other social institutions. This would in turn lead to social isolation and exclusion of trans gender women. Further, the paper discusses the theoretical, clinical and practice implications of this proposed model in detail.
Dalitisation of Civil Society
Authors: Bargi Drishadwati
Published: May 2016

My article will look at the role played by civil society, educational institutions etc in maintaining inequality based on caste. It will try to locate the change that has come up in the constitution of civil society with the arrival of cyberspace on the one hand and the greater visibility of Dalit identity politics on the other. Focusing on the workings of the portal called Round Table Indw and the recent debate surrounding the essay “The Doctor And The Saint” by Arundhati Roy, I shall attempt to delineate the way this debate is attempting to challenge the power‐knowledge‐representation nexus and also ironically moving towards a ghettoisation of the Ambedkarite struggle.
Rhabdochlamydia spp. in an Oregon raptor
Authors: Jouffroy Sophie J. , Schlueter Andrew H. , Bildfell Robert J. , Rockey Daniel D.
Published: May 2016

PCR-based approach was used to examine the rate of Chlamydia positivity in raptors from wild bird rehabilitation centers in Oregon. Three of 82 birds were identified as positive for Chlamydia with this PCR. Sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA from 2 of these birds confirmed the presence of DNA from phylum Chlamydiae. One bird was positive for Chlamydia psittaci in both choanal and cloacal swabs. The second bird, a louse-infested red-tailed hawk, had evidence of choanal colonization by “ Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia” spp. Our study describes evidence of this Chlamydia-like organism in the United States. This survey also suggests that the carriage rate of C. psittaci is low in raptors in Oregon wild bird rehabilitation centers, and that care must be taken in the design of PCR primers for phylum Chlamydiae such that colonization by insect endosymbionts is not mistaken for an infection by known chlamydial pathogens.
Piezoelectric energy harvesting with a nonlinear energy sink
Authors: Zhang Yu , Tang Lihua , Liu Kefu
Published: May 2016

This article presents a novel piezoelectric energy-harvesting device. Different from the existing designs in the literature, the proposed device is based on the principle of nonlinear energy sink in order to achieve simultaneous broadband energy harvesting from the nonlinear energy sink and vibration suppression for the primary structure. First, the concept of the proposed design is described. Subsequently, system modeling and parameter identification are addressed. The performance of the apparatus under transient responses is examined through both numerical simulation and experimental study. The results show that the proposed apparatus behaves similarly as the nonlinear energy sink with the following features: 1:1 resonance, targeted energy transfer, initial energy dependence, and so on. Broadband voltage output is achieved when the nonlinear energy sink is activated.
Design and modeling of a flexible longitudinal zigzag structure for enhanced vibration energy harvesting
Authors: Zhou Shengxi , Chen Weijia , Malakooti Mohammad H , Cao Junyi , Inman Daniel J
Published: May 2016

The use of piezoelectric materials for vibration energy harvesting at low frequencies is challenging and requires innovative structural design. Here, a flexible longitudinal zigzag structure is developed to enhance energy harvesting at low-frequency ambient vibrations. The proposed structure is composed of orthogonal beams which enable vibration energy harvesting in two directions. A theoretical model based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory is formulated to study the dynamic response of the structure under free vibrations. The free vibration analysis demonstrates that low operating frequencies can be obtained by increasing the number of, and/or the length of, beams in the proposed structure. To validate the accuracy of the developed theoretical model, finite element analysis is performed using ANSYS. On verification of the model’s accuracy, the piezoelectric effect of the active beams is considered in the model to evaluate the energy harvesting performance of the proposed flexible longitudinal zigzag structure. Numerical results demonstrate that the output voltage and the working frequency of these energy harvesting structures can be tailored through simply altering the number of beams. Overall, the results indicate that the proposed structure is capable of efficient energy conversion at low frequencies, which makes them suitable for a wide range of working conditions.
Medication Complexity, Medication Number, and Their Relationships to Medication Discrepancies
Authors: Patel Chirag H. , Zimmerman Kristin M. , Fonda Jennifer R. , Linsky Amy
Published: May 2016

Background: Medication reconciliation to identify discrepancies is a National Patient Safety Goal. Increasing medication number and complex medication regimens are associated with discrepancies, nonadherence, and adverse events. The Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) integrates information about dosage form, dosing frequency, and additional directions. Objective: This study evaluates the association of MRCI scores and medication number with medication discrepancies and commissions, a discrepancy subtype. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of a convenience sample of 104 ambulatory care patients seen from April 2010 to July 2011 within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Primary outcomes included any medication discrepancy and commissions. Primary exposures included MRCI scores and medication number. Multivariable logistic regression models associated MRCI scores and medication number with discrepancies. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves provided discrepancy thresholds. Results: For the 104 patients analyzed, the median MRCI score was 25 (interquartile range [IQR] = 14-43), and the median medication number was 8 (IQR = 5-13); 60% of patients had any discrepancy, whereas 36% had a commission. In adjusted analyses, patients with MRCI scores ≥25 or medication number ≥8 were more likely to have commissions (odds ratio [OR] = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.41-9.41; OR = 4.51, 95% CI = 1.73-11.73, respectively). The unadjusted ROC threshold for commissions was 36 for MRCI (sensitivity, 59%; specificity, 82%) and 9 for medication number (sensitivity 68%; specificity 67%). Conclusion: Patients with either MRCI scores ≥25 or ≥8 medications were more likely to have commissions. Given equal performance in predicting discrepancies, the efficiency and simplicity of medication number supports its use in identifying patients for intensive medication review beyond medication reconciliation.
Antithymocyte Globulin Induction Therapy in Liver Transplant
Authors: Petite Sarah E. , Bollinger Jessica E. , Eghtesad Bijan
Published: May 2016

Objective: To review the use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) induction therapy in liver transplant recipients. Data Sources: A MEDLINE literature search (inception to March 2016) was conducted using the search terms rabbit antithymocyte globulin, liver transplantation, and induction. References from extracted sources were further searched for any relevant, missed data sources. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language randomized and observational studies were included. Data Synthesis: A total of 9 studies were included in this review evaluating rATG’s use for induction therapy. All studies were single-center analyses. rATG induction is utilized to delay calcineurin inhibitor initiation and to minimize or avoid steroids. Patients receiving rATG induction tended to have improved renal function compared with patients not receiving induction. Overall, rejection rates tended to be lower in recipients administered rATG. Regimens varied in each study, with most recipients receiving 2 to 3 doses of induction therapy. Conclusions: rATG induction therapy may lead to improved renal function and lower rejection rates following liver transplant. The use of this medication can help avoid unwanted adverse effects from other immunosuppression agents. Because of the potential benefits with this induction agent, rATG may have a larger role in induction therapy for liver transplant recipients.
The Impact of Supervised Filial Therapy Training on Attitude, Knowledge, and Skills
Authors: Lindo Natalya A. , Opiola Kristie , Ceballos Peggy L. , Chen Szu Yu , Meany-Walen Kristin K. , Cheng Yi Ju , Barcenas Gustavo , Reader Emily , Blalock Sarah
Published: May 2016

Research in filial therapy has provided strong support for its efficacy in improving parent–child relationships. While studies have extensively examined the impact of filial therapy training on parent and child participants, to date, no study has examined the training experiences of filial therapists. Using a mixed methodological approach, we examined the impact of supervised filial therapy training on graduate counseling students’ play therapy attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Twenty-three students voluntarily participated in the study. We conducted paired-sample t-tests to evaluate the impact of a filial therapy course on students’ scores on the Play Therapy Attitude–Knowledge–Skills Survey. From pretest to posttest, there were statistically significant improvements and a large effect size on students’ scores in the knowledge and skills subscales. To gain a deeper understanding of participants’ experiences and explore their perceptions of the supervised filial training, we also utilized individual interviews. Participants discussed their reactions to leading a filial therapy group and participating in supervision. They also described the impact of the training on their beliefs about parents, children, and the dynamics of parent–child relationships. We discuss limitations and implications of the study.
Keeping Neuronal Cargoes on the Right Track: New Insights into Regulators of Axonal Transport
Authors: Miller Kenneth G.
Published: May 2016

In neurons, a single motor (dynein) transports large organelles as well as synaptic and dense core vesicles toward microtubule minus ends; however, it is unclear why dynein appears more active on organelles, which are generally excluded from mature axons, than on synaptic and dense core vesicles, which are maintained at high levels. Recent studies in Zebrafish and Caenorhabditis elegans have shown that JIP3 promotes dynein-mediated retrograde transport to clear some organelles (lysosomes, early endosomes, and Golgi) from axons and prevent their potentially harmful accumulation in presynaptic regions. A JIP3 mutant suppressor screen in C. elegans revealed that JIP3 promotes the clearance of organelles from axons by blocking the action of the CSS system (Cdk5, SAD Kinase, SYD-2/Liprin). A synthesis of results in vertebrates with the new findings suggests that JIP3 blocks the CSS system from disrupting the connection between dynein and organelles. Most components of the CSS system are enriched at presynaptic active zones where they normally contribute to maintaining optimal levels of captured synaptic and dense core vesicles, in part by inhibiting dynein transport. The JIP3-CSS system model explains how neurons selectively regulate a single minus-end motor to exclude specific classes of organelles from axons, while at the same time ensuring optimal levels of synaptic and dense core vesicles.
Modeling of a non-local stimulus for bone remodeling process under cyclic load: Application to a dental implant using a bioresorbable porous material
Authors: Giorgio Ivan , Andreaus Ugo , Scerrato Daria , Braidotti Piero
Published: May 2016

In this paper, a numerical method based on finite elements is used to study the phenomena of resorption and growth of bone tissue and resorption of the biomaterial in the neighborhood of a dental implant fixture of the type IntraMobil Zylinder. The mechanical stimulus that drives these processes is a linear combination of strain energy and viscous dissipation. To simulate the implant, an axisymmetric model has been used from the point of view of the geometry; the material behavior is described in the poro-visco-elastic frame. The external action is represented by a load variable with sinusoidal law characterized by different frequencies. Investigated aspects are the influence of the load frequency and of the lazy zone on the remodeling process.
Optimization and performance evaluation of the IDR iterative Krylov solver on GPUs
Authors: Anzt Hartwig , Kreutzer Moritz , Ponce Eduardo , Peterson Gregory D , Wellein Gerhard , Dongarra Jack
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we present an optimized GPU implementation for the induced dimension reduction algorithm. We improve data locality, combine it with an efficient sparse matrix vector kernel, and investigate the potential of overlapping computation with communication as well as the possibility of concurrent kernel execution. A comprehensive performance evaluation is conducted using a suitable performance model. The analysis reveals efficiency of up to 90%, which indicates that the implementation achieves performance close to the theoretically attainable bound.
Moving Sounds, Controlled Borders
Authors: Back Les
Published: May 2016

This article reviews some of the key political interventions by black and Asian theorists on the migrant experience and the politics of culture. Stressing the political dimensions of this work, it argues for a reconnection to the interventions made by Stuart Hall and Paul Gilroy who introduced a repertoire of theoretical tools to understand migration, new ethnicities and multiculture. A case study of an anti-racist musical project based in Kent during the early 2000s is used to illustrate this argument. This initiative brought Asian dance music DJs from east London together with Czech and Polish Roma musicians and culminated in the making of a CD called Asylum. The article documents how the CD provided a resource used in anti-racist education in predominantly white schools in Kent. It argues that music is politically important because it can challenge the way migration and identity is understood and offer alternative expressions of multiculture and belonging. The article also stresses musical culture’s capacity to organize social life differently in a way that bridges cultural differences and establishes a shared form of likeness and commonality.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ Overlying Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: McGowan Maria A. , Helm Matthew F. , Tarbox Michelle B.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neoplasm that has exhibited an exponential increase in incidence in the past 3 decades. Combined MCC and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC/MCC) is an uncommon variant of MCC that exhibits worse prognosis than pure MCC.

Objective:

To describe the clinical presentation, dermoscopy, and histology of an unusual subtype of combined SCC/MCC.

Methods and Results:

A 73-year-old white woman presented with an ulcerated and violaceous 10-mm plaque on her right jawline that had been present for 2 to 3 months. On dermoscopy, the lesion was predominantly milky pink to red with peripheral crusting and large-caliber polymorphous vessels. Histology revealed SCC in situ above and adjacent to MCC. The tumor was excised with clear margins, and sentinel lymph node scintography was negative for nodal involvement.
Dwelling Together
Authors: Murphy Melissa Anna
Published: May 2016

Human dwelling in cities produces traces in outdoor spaces, particularly in residential neighborhoods. An essential part of dwelling is acting on one’s environment, establishing meaning and identity. These processes are challenged in cities by diversity, vying uses, and various regulations. This article suggests that expressing and encountering otherness in urban space extends through the material traces left by spatial users, communicating social information. Drawing empirically upon actor network theory’s relational approach of association, three studies are used to demonstrate that traces are important in urban space due to what they impart regarding user intentions, local interpretations, physical possibilities, and controls. Comparing traces found in three differently managed cases, the study opens up the question of how regulation and thorough upkeep may affect the expression of diversity in urban residential spaces.
An international review of autism knowledge assessment measures
Authors: Harrison Ashley J , Slane Mylissa M , Hoang Linh , Campbell Jonathan M
Published: May 2016

Autism spectrum disorder-specific knowledge deficits contribute to current disparities in the timing and quality of autism spectrum disorder services throughout the United States and globally. This study conducted a systematic review of Western and International literature to examine measures used to assess autism spectrum disorder knowledge. This review identified 44 unique autism spectrum disorder knowledge measures across 67 studies conducted in 21 countries. Measures used in each study were evaluated in terms of psychometric strength. Of the 67 studies reviewed, only 7% were rated as using a measure with strong psychometric support compared to 45% that were rated as using a measure with no reported psychometric support. Additionally, we examined content overlap and subdomains of autism spectrum disorder knowledge assessed (e.g. etiology, symptoms) and cross-cultural adaptation procedures utilized in the field. Based on these findings, the need for a cross-culturally valid and psychometrically sound measure of autism spectrum disorder knowledge is discussed and recommendations for improving current assessment methods are presented, including suggestions for measure subdomains.
Fragmentation in Australian Commonwealth and South Australian State policy on mental health and older people: A governmentality analysis
Authors: Oster Candice , Henderson Julie , Lawn Sharon , Reed Richard , Dawson Suzanne , Muir-Cochrane Eimear , Fuller Jeffrey
Published: May 2016

Mental health care for older people is a significant and growing issue in Australia and internationally. This article describes how older people’s mental health is governed through policy discourse by examining Australian Commonwealth and South Australian State government policy documents, and commentaries from professional groups, advocacy groups and non-governmental organisations. Documents published between 2009 and 2014 were analysed using a governmentality approach, informed by Foucault. Discourses of ‘risk’, ‘ageing as decline/dependence’ and ‘healthy ageing’ were identified. Through these discourses, different neo-liberal governmental strategies are applied to ‘target’ groups according to varying risk judgements. Three policy approaches were identified where older people are (1) absent from policy, (2) governed as responsible, active citizens or (3) governed as passive recipients of health care. This fragmented policy response to older people’s mental health reflects fragmentation in the Australian policy environment. It constructs an ambiguous place for older people within neo-liberal governmental rationality, with significant effects on the health system, older people and their carers.
Measurement of radon concentration levels in Pakistan: An overview
Authors: Matiullah  , Muhammad Wazir
Published: May 2016

Radon is known to be a major source of public radiation exposure which could lead to increased incidence of lung cancer. Besides its health hazards, it also has potential geological, industrial and nuclear applications. In this context, radon measurements studies have been extensively conducted and reported all over the world. Keeping in view the importance of radon measurement levels, different research groups in Pakistan have also carried out and reported numerous studies since last several decades. However, these studies were scattered which were compiled and reported in 2008. Since then, considerable data have been reported for different cities/areas of Pakistan. The main objectives of the present article are to overview and compile these studies that will serve as baseline data for the radon levels in Pakistan.
Secondary extremity compartment syndrome after traumatic cardiac arrest
Authors: MacKay Emily J , Nunn Andrew M , Cannon Jeremy W , Martin Niels D
Published: May 2016

The objective of this case report is to investigate the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and surgical management of secondary extremity compartment syndrome. This case-based review documents the development of secondary extremity compartment syndrome in the setting of high-volume fluid resuscitation for a hemorrhagic cardiac arrest complicated by a global ischemia-reperfusion injury. A 21-year-old male presented with traumatic, hemorrhagic cardiac arrest. Following a resuscitative thoracotomy, massive transfusion and return of spontaneous circulation, the patient underwent damage control surgery. Over the first 48 h following the injury, the patient developed progressive diffuse interstitial edema ultimately culminating in compartment syndrome of the remaining three uninjured extremities as well as both uninjured gluteal compartments. The patient underwent bilateral lower extremity, thigh, gluteal, and right upper extremity compartment fasciotomies, with the left lower extremity being the single, traumatically injured extremity. To our knowledge, this is the only case of secondary extremity compartment syndrome in which bilateral gluteal compartments and bilateral thigh compartments were involved in addition to the bilateral upper and right lower extremities. The goal of this case report is to examine the pathophysiology of the development of secondary extremity compartment syndrome, with an emphasis on early recognition and surgical intervention.
Reluctantly governed: The struggles of early educators in a professional development course that challenged their teaching in a high-stakes neo-liberal early education context
Authors: Brown Christopher P , Weber Natalie Babiak , Yoon Yeojoo
Published: May 2016

This article documents the pedagogical and practical struggles of a sample of early educators in a large urban school district in the USA who engaged in a professional development course which offered them alternative conceptions of teaching that critically questioned the norms and practices of their high-stakes neo-liberal early education system. Examining the evolution of some of these teachers’ conceptions and practices illuminates the challenges that exist in attempting to address culturally relevant issues with students in a highly scripted and surveilled teaching context. It also reveals three key issues that early educators, teacher educators, and those who advocate for early childhood education should consider when developing and/or enacting alternative conceptions of teaching in similar neo-liberal early education environments.
Tracking brand positioning for an emerging destination: 2003 to 2015
Authors: Pike Steven , Gentle Jane , Kelly Louise , Beatson Amanda
Published: May 2016

Surprisingly, there have been few published studies monitoring a destination’s brand image over time. This temporal aspect of destination image is an important gap in the literature, given consensus around the role perceptions play in consumers’ decision making, and the ensuing emphasis on imagery in destination branding collateral. Whereas the majority of published destination image studies have been in the form of a snapshot of perceptions at one point in time, this paper presents findings from a survey implemented four times between 2003 and 2015. Brand image is the core construct in any modelling of destination branding performance, which has emerged as a relatively new field of research in the past decade. Using the consumer-based brand equity hierarchy, the project has benchmarked and monitored destination brand salience, image and resonance for an emerging regional destination, relative to key competitors, in the domestic Australian market; and the survey instrument has been demonstrated to be reliable in the context of short break holidays by car. What is particularly interesting to date is that there has been relatively little change in the market positions of the five destinations, in spite of over a decade of branding marketing communications by the regional tourism organisations and their stakeholders, and more recently, the mass of user-generated travel content on social media. The project did not analysis the actual marketing communications for each of the destination marketing organisations. Therefore, an important implication is that irrespective of the level of marketing undertaken, the destination marketing organisations seem to have had little control over the perceptions held in their largest market during this time period. Therefore, it must be recognised that any improvement in perceptions will likely take a long period of time, and so branding needs to be underpinned by a philosophy of a long-term financial investment as well as commitment to a consistency of message over time, which given the politics of destination marketing organisation decision making represents a considerable challenge.
Categorical regularization: Discussion of article by Tutz and Gertheiss
Authors: Agresti Alan
Published: May 2016

This is a discussion of the article ’Regularized Regression for Categorical Data’ by Tutz and Gertheiss. As part of the discussion, I raise some questions that may suggest future research work.
Exploring experience and perspectives of foreign-born direct care workers in dementia care: Accounts of Korean American personal care aides caring for older Korean Americans with dementia symptoms
Authors: Lee Sang E , Casado Banghwa Lee , Hong Michin
Published: May 2016

This focus group study explored experience of Korean American personal care aides caring for older Korean Americans with dementia symptoms. Personal care aides described dementia caregiving as challenging, demanding and stressful, yet they cared for their clients with love and affection, particularly with jeong (i.e., a Korean cultural concept of love, affection, sympathy, and bondage). They learned about dementia mostly through their caregiving experience and expressed their need and strong desire to learn more about dementia. They felt for family struggle and observed family conflict and filial obligation. They advocated the value of personal care aides’ involvement in dementia care. This study revealed a pressing need for dementia training for personal care aides and called for an outreach effort to recruit and train direct care workers with potential of providing culturally competent care for traditionally underserved ethnic minorities.
Jealousy Protest
Authors: Hart Sybil L.
Published: May 2016

In this article, nascent jealousy’s ultimate foundation is theorized as an adapted psychological mechanism that evolved in the environment of evolutionary adaptedness (EEA) to prepare 1-year-olds for defending against premature weaning upon the closely spaced birth of a sibling. This position rests on evidence that nascent jealousy is expressed through jealousy protest, a constellation of caregiver-directed protests and bids for exclusive attention, and evidence that its onset occurs at approximately 9 months of age. Given that the period of human gestation is 9 months, we propose that jealousy protest’s form and timing were compelled by the possibility that the end of an infant’s first year could be met by competition with a newborn sibling. That possibility placed infants at risk of malnutrition and mortality due to entailing the loss of exclusive access to mother’s milk, while infants were at an age when they were still heavily reliant on breast milk for survival. At this juncture, threat posed by the birth of a sibling was compounded by conditions of the EEA, where the sole viable source of breast milk was an infant’s mother, and her supply of milk was sufficient for sustaining only one child at a time. We conclude by offering suggestions for future research and discuss implications for the theory of parent–offspring conflict as a foundation of adaptations in children.
Identification of the acoustic response in the irrotational near-field of an excited subsonic jet
Authors: Crawley Michael , Kuo Ching-Wen , Samimy Mo
Published: May 2016

Analysis and understanding of the noise generation processes in high-speed, high-Reynolds number jets are hampered by the broad range of turbulent scales and the disparate fluctuation intensities of the acoustic response hidden under the hydrodynamic source. Towards providing insight into these processes, the irrotational near-field of an unheated, Mach 0.9 jet is decomposed into its constitutive hydrodynamic and acoustic components using three separate filters in the present work. Previous work had decomposed the full near-field pressure signal into its hydrodynamic and acoustic components using a linear filter in Fourier space. The presence of numerical artifacts in the results prompted the current study, in which a new algorithm is developed to filter the pressure field in wavelet space. Results from the new method are then compared against those obtained using the standard Fourier-based algorithm, as well as another algorithm based upon the empirical mode decomposition. The ability of the wavelet-based algorithm to decompose the broadband irrotational pressure field into its constitutive components, as well as to identify and extract individual events, is found to be superior to that of the other two decomposition methods.
Development of an Individualized Yoga Intervention to Address Fatigue in Hospitalized Children Undergoing Intensive Chemotherapy
Authors: Diorio Caroline , Celis Ekstrand Amanda , Hesser Tanya , O’Sullivan Cathy , Lee Michelle , Schechter Tal , Sung Lillian
Published: May 2016

Purpose. Fatigue is an important problem in children receiving intensive chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Exercise may be an effective intervention for fatigue. Individualized yoga represents an ideal intervention because it can be tailored according to an individual child’s needs. Little is known about how to structure a standardized yoga program for intensivelytreated children. Therefore, this study describes the development of a yoga program and an approach to monitoring sessions suitable for hospitalized children receiving intensive chemotherapy or HSCT. Methods. The yoga program was designed to increase mobility in hospitalized children and to provide children with relaxation techniques that could be used independently in a variety of environments. The program was founded on 4 key tenets: safety, adaptability, environmental flexibility, and appeal to children. We also developed quality and consistency assurance procedures. Results. A menu format with a fixed structure was selected for the yoga program. Each yoga session contained up to 6 sections: breathing exercises, warmup exercises, yoga poses, balancing poses, cool-down poses, and final relaxation. Yoga instructors selected specific yoga poses for each session from a predetermined list organized by intensity level (low, moderate, or high). Monitoring procedures were developed using videotaping and multirater adjudication. Conclusion. We created a standardized yoga program and an approach to monitoring that are now ready for incorporation in clinical trials. Future work should include the adaptation of the program to different pediatric populations and clinical settings.
Effect of parameters on local stress field in single-lap bolted joints with the interference fit
Authors: Jiang Jiefeng , Bi Yunbo
Published: May 2016

From the interference fit bolt installation to tensile loading stage in single-lap joint with a hi-lock bolt, the stress and strain fields were studied experimentally and numerically. A three-dimensional finite element model was generated to simulate the experimental setup, which was validated using the experimental data. The fatigue behavior of the bolted joint is influenced by the local stress fields on the faying surface near the holes in single-lap joints. Therefore, with the aim to improve design awareness, the effects of the parameters on the local stress fields were investigated by means of finite element simulation. With an increase in the interference fit size, the occurred position of the maximum stress values on the upper plate faying surface moves away from the hole edge gradually. As the clamping force or friction coefficient increases, the position of larger stress area is changed to the side of bearing load from the transverse direction. The lap geometry of the bolted joint as well as the amplitude of tensile load has apparent impact on the maximum stress value.
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathway, life stress, and chronic multi-site musculoskeletal pain
Authors: Generaal Ellen , Milaneschi Yuri , Jansen Rick , Elzinga Bernet M , Dekker Joost , Penninx Brenda WJH
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) disturbances and life stress, both independently and in interaction, have been hypothesized to induce chronic pain. We examined whether (a) the BDNF pathway (val66met genotype, gene expression, and serum levels), (b) early and recent life stress, and (c) their interaction are associated with the presence and severity of chronic multi-site musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

Cross-sectional data are from 1646 subjects of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. The presence and severity of chronic multi-site musculoskeletal pain were determined using the Chronic Pain Grade (CPG) questionnaire. The BDNF val66met polymorphism, BDNF gene expression, and BDNF serum levels were measured. Early life stress before the age of 16 was assessed by calculating a childhood trauma index using the Childhood Trauma Interview. Recent life stress was assessed as the number of recent adverse life events using the List of Threatening Events Questionnaire.

Results

Compared to val66val, BDNF met carriers more often had chronic pain, whereas no differences were found for BDNF gene expression and serum levels. Higher levels of early and recent stress were both associated with the presence and severity of chronic pain ( p < 0.001). No interaction effect was found for the BDNF pathway with life stress in the associations with chronic pain presence and severity.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the BDNF gene marks vulnerability for chronic pain. Although life stress did not alter the impact of BDNF on chronic pain, it seems an independent factor in the onset and persistence of chronic pain.
Reduced acute nociception and chronic pain in Shank2−/− mice
Authors: Ko Hyoung-Gon , Oh Seog-Bae , Zhuo Min , Kaang Bong-Kiun
Published: May 2016

Autism spectrum disorder is a debilitating mental illness and social issue. Autism spectrum disorder patients suffer from social isolation, cognitive deficits, compulsive behavior, and sensory deficits, including hyposensitivity to pain. However, recent studies argued that autism spectrum disorder patients show physiological pain response and, in some cases, even extremely intense pain response to harmless stimulation. Recently, Shank gene family was reported as one of the genetic risk factors of autism spectrum disorder. Thus, in this study, we used Shank2− /− (Shank2 knock-out, KO) mice to investigate the controversial pain sensitivity issue and found that Shank2 KO mice showed reduced tactile perception and analgesia to chronic pain.
Information management for aged care provision in Australia: development of an aged care minimum dataset and strategies to improve quality and continuity of care
Authors: Davis Jenny , Morgans Amee , Burgess Stephen
Published: May 2016

Background:

Efficient information systems support the provision of multi-disciplinary aged care and a variety of organisational purposes, including quality, funding, communication and continuity of care. Agreed minimum data sets enable accurate communication across multiple care settings. However, in aged care multiple and poorly integrated data collection frameworks are commonly used for client assessment, government reporting and funding purposes.

Objective:

To determine key information needs in aged care settings to improve information quality, information transfer, safety, quality and continuity of care to meet the complex needs of aged care clients.

Method:

Modified Delphi methods involving five stages were employed by one aged care provider in Victoria, Australia, to establish stakeholder consensus for a derived minimum data set and address barriers to data quality.

Results:

Eleven different aged care programs were identified; with five related data dictionaries, three minimum data sets, five program standards or quality frameworks. The remaining data collection frameworks related to diseases classification, funding, service activity reporting, and statistical standards and classifications. A total of 170 different data items collected across seven internal information systems were consolidated to a derived set of 60 core data items and aligned with nationally consistent data collection frameworks. Barriers to data quality related to inconsistencies in data items, staff knowledge, workflow, system access and configuration.

Conclusion:

The development an internal aged care minimum data set highlighted the critical role of primary data quality in the upstream and downstream use of client information; and presents a platform to build national consistency across the sector.
Concerns and hopes about outsourcing decisions regarding health information management services at two teaching hospitals in Semnan, Iran
Authors: Kahouei Mehdi , Farrokhi Maryam , Abadi Zahra Nasr , Karimi Arefe
Published: May 2016

Background:

Changes in health programs in Iran have led to an increase in administrative costs. One cost-saving option available to hospital administrators is to outsource administrative services.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the attitudes of hospital staff towards outsourcing health information management services in advance of a decision being taken, to assist healthcare organisations to assess the potential benefits and challenges of outsourcing such services.

Method:

Six hundred and four clinical and allied health employees in two hospitals in Iran, who had had prior experience with outsourcing hospital services, responded to a survey designed to measure staff attitudes towards outsourcing health information management services, based on their perceptions of potential costs and benefits for the organisation and their own employment prospects. A 16-item attitude scale, developed by the researchers, was used in the study and demographic data were also collected.

Results:

Summary statistics showed that approximately one third of the sample (34.53%) had a negative view of outsourcing, one third (35.16%) had a positive view, and 30.31% were neutral. An exploratory factor analysis of items on the attitude scale identified three underlying constructs, labelled: data security and management; workplace environment; and staff and customer satisfaction. One item (concern about the impact of outsourcing on staffing levels) did not load on any of the factors. A separate analysis of this single item showed a significant relationship between the sex of participants and their views on the impact of outsourcing on the number of hospital staff employed (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

While results of this study indicated that staff in hospitals surveyed held both positive and negative views of outsourcing, a large number of staff in these hospitals (a third of the total sample) had reservations about the skills of outside providers to securely manage hospital data, and did not consider that outsourcing health information management services would be positive for the organisation, their working environment or for staff and patient satisfaction. These findings have important implications for healthcare organisations planning to outsource health information services. Further research that focuses on communication skills of senior managers and their ability to provide team leadership is needed, as is research into the impact of geographical location and current market forces that impact on outsourcing tasks.