bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing Forgiveness Interventions
Authors: Recine Ann C.
Published: December 2014

The Nursing Interventions Classification system includes forgiveness facilitation as part of the research-based taxonomy of nursing interventions. Nurses need practical guidance in finding the type of intervention that works best in the nursing realm. Five meta-analyses of forgiveness interventions were reviewed to illuminate best practice. The only studies included were meta-analyses of forgiveness interventions in which the authors calculated effect size. Forgiveness interventions were shown to be helpful in addressing mental/emotional health. Components of effective interventions include recalling the offense, empathizing with the offender, committing to forgive, and overcoming feelings of unforgiveness. The meta-analyses showed that people receiving forgiveness interventions reported more forgiveness than those who had no intervention. Forgiveness interventions resulted in more hope and less depression and anxiety than no treatment. A process-based intervention is more effective than a shorter cognitive decision-based model. Limitations of the meta-analyses included inconsistency of measures and a lack of consensus on a definition of forgiveness. Notwithstanding these limitations, the meta-analyses offer strong evidence of what contributes to the effectiveness of forgiveness interventions. The implications of the studies are useful for designing evidence-based clinical forgiveness interventions to enhance nursing practice.
Forward kinematics analysis of parallel mechanisms with restricted workspace
Authors: Geng Mingchao , Zhao Tieshi , Wang Chang , Chen Yuhang , Li Erwei
Published: December 2014

The iterative search method (Newton-Raphson or Quasi-Newton) is an important numerical method for solving the forward kinematics problem of parallel mechanisms. But there may be a failure when the iterative search method solves the forward kinematics problems of a class of mechanisms, whose workspace is restricted. The extreme displacement singularity in the limbs is one reason for the workspace restriction. An equivalent method is proposed to remove the extremely displacement singularity in the limbs, and the forward kinematics solutions of two representative 6 degree of freedom mechanisms are given to illustrate the mechanism equivalence. For the coupled fewer degree of freedom mechanisms, the coupled motion is another reason for the workspace restriction. The virtual mechanism method and modified Jacobian matrix method are applied to solve the forward kinematics problems of this class of mechanisms. Numerical examples are given to validate the theories proposed above.
Is palaeoecology a ‘special branch’ of ecology?
Authors: Bjune Anne E , Grytnes John-Arvid , Jenks Cathy R , Telford Richard J , Vandvik Vigdis
Published: December 2014

Palaeoecology and ecology have a lot in common. However, the two disciplines have evolved almost separately, leading to an ongoing debate on how to link them better, as both would undoubtedly benefit from a higher degree of cross-fertilisation of ideas, research insights and questions. In this paper, we explore similarities and differences in the two branches of ecology over the past 40 years by assessing the publication output from an unusually large cohort of ‘academic siblings’ – researchers in ecology and palaeoecology who all share one of the strongest career-shaping influences on researchers; their supervisor. This was made possible by John Birks’ long and active career within ecology and palaeoecology, and his supervision of a large number of students in both fields ( n = 12 and 21, respectively). Among them, John Birks’ academic progeny has published 934 papers in the international peer-reviewed literature. We collected information on the year, titles, keywords and journals of all these publications and used these data to assess the extent of, and find potential explanations for, the historical and present-day separation of ecology and palaeoecology. Despite considerable thematic overlap, there is a real and possibly widening division between the two branches that is visible both at the scale of individual research careers, journals and papers. We argue that rather than being unique to the relationship between palaeoecology and ecology, this reflects trends for thematic and methodological specialisation evident across the research landscape. We propose that both individual researchers and journals would benefit from, and can contribute to, closing the gaps developing between various ‘special branches’ in science. A good title, an informative abstract, a careful and thought-through selection of keywords and a focus on readability and avoidance of jargon will likely improve readership and impact both within one’s own ‘special branch’ and beyond.
Taxon selection using statistical learning techniques to improve transfer function prediction
Authors: Juggins Steve , Simpson Gavin L , Telford Richard J
Published: December 2014

Transfer functions are widely used in palaeoecology to provide quantitative environmental reconstructions using biological proxies. Most models use all but the rarest taxa present in the training set, even though many may be unrelated to the environmental variable of interest. We hypothesise that retaining such non-informative taxa will reduce model robustness and present a method for variable selection motivated by the statistical learning algorithm in random forests. We apply our species-pruning algorithm into weighted averaging (WA) and maximum likelihood calibration of response curves (MLRCs), and compare results of boosted regression trees (BRTs) using artificial and real datasets. Results from the artificial data show that WA is particularly sensitive to the influence of both non-informative taxa and secondary environmental variables in the training set or fossil assemblage, and that BRTs are relatively immune to these effects. Furthermore, species-pruned WA and MLRCs offer substantial improvements over all-species models when the training set includes non-informative taxa but does not guard against confounding effects when species have bi- or multivariate responses to the primary and one or more secondary variables. Tests with a limited set of examples of real data indicate that BRTs, MLRCs or species-pruned models have no apparent advantage over WA. We discuss possible reasons for this contradiction and suggest that more tests are needed to properly evaluate BRTs and species-pruned models.
Nothing to complain about? Residents’ and relatives’ views on a “good life” and ethical challenges in nursing homes
Authors: Bollig Georg , Gjengedal Eva , Rosland Jan Henrik
Published: December 2014

Background:

Nursing home residents are a vulnerable population. Most of them suffer from multi-morbidity, while many have cognitive impairment or dementia and need care around the clock. Several ethical challenges in nursing homes have been described in the scientific literature. Most studies have used staff members as informants, some have focused on the relatives’ view, but substantial knowledge about the residents’ perspective is lacking.

Objective:

To study what nursing home residents and their relatives perceive as ethical challenges in Norwegian nursing homes.

Research design:

A qualitative design with in-depth interviews with nursing home residents, and focus-group interviews with relatives of nursing home residents. The digitally recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Analysis was based on Interpretive Description.

Participants and research context:

A total of 25 nursing home residents from nine nursing homes in Norway, and 18 relatives of nursing home residents from three of these nursing homes.

Ethical considerations:

This study was reported to and approved by the Regional Ethics Committee in Oslo, Norway.

Findings and discussion:

The main ethical challenges in Norwegian nursing homes from the residents’ and relatives’ perspective were as follows: (a) acceptance and adaptation, (b) well-being and a good life, (c) autonomy and self-determination, and (d) lack of resources. The relationship with the staff was of outmost importance and was experienced as both rewarding and problematic. None of the residents in our study mentioned ethical challenges connected to end-of-life care.

Conclusion:

Residents and relatives experience ethical challenges in Norwegian nursing homes, mostly connected to “everyday ethical issues.”
Non-therapeutic intensive care for organ donation
Authors: Camut Stéphanie , Baumann Antoine , Dubois Véronique , Ducrocq Xavier , Audibert Gérard
Published: December 2014

Background and Purpose:

Providing non-therapeutic intensive care for some patients in hopeless condition after cerebrovascular stroke in order to protect their organs for possible post-mortem organ donation after brain death is an effective but ethically tricky strategy to increase organ grafting. Finding out the feelings and opinion of the involved healthcare professionals and assessing the training needs before implementing such a strategy is critical to avoid backlash even in a presumed consent system.

Participants and methods:

A single-centre opinion survey of healthcare professionals was conducted in 2013 in the potentially involved wards of a French University Hospital: the Neurosurgical, Surgical and Medical Intensive Care Units, the Stroke Unit and the Emergency Department. A questionnaire with multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question was made available in the different wards between February and May 2013.

Ethical considerations:

The project was approved by the board of the Lorraine University Diploma in Medical Ethics.

Results:

Of a total of 340 healthcare professionals, 51% filled the form. Only 21.8% received a specific education on brain death, and only 18% on potential donor’s family approach and support. Most healthcare professionals (93%) think that non-therapeutic intensive care is the continuity of patient’s care. But more than 75% of respondents think that the advance patient’s consent and the consent of the family must be obtained despite the presumed consent rule regarding post-mortem organ donation in France.

Conclusion:

The acceptance by healthcare professionals of non-therapeutic intensive care for brain death organ donation seems fairly good, despite a suboptimal education regarding brain death, non-therapeutic intensive care and families’ support. But they ask to require previously expressed patient’s consent and family’s approval. So, it seems that non-therapeutic intensive care should only remain an ethically sound mean of empowerment of organ donors and their families to make post-mortem donation happen as a full respect of individual autonomy.
Entrepreneurial Failure as a Threshold Concept
Authors: Bolinger Alexander R. , Brown Kory D.
Published: December 2014

Some curricular elements are threshold concepts that involve “troublesome knowledge,” not because they are difficult for students to comprehend per se, but because they are challenging for students to fully appreciate. In this article, we suggest that entrepreneurial failure is a threshold concept in entrepreneurship courses because students may get so fixated on failure’s economic costs that they neither fully appreciate the social and emotional costs nor recognize the potential benefits of failure to entrepreneurs. In a multiphase empirical study, we explore the effects of entrepreneurial experiences on how students categorize and conceptualize entrepreneurial failure. We find that students with entrepreneurial experiences provide more complex, multicategorical descriptions of failure and are more likely to represent the useful aspects of failure in their descriptions. Our findings highlight the role of experiences in facilitating students’ understanding of the threshold concept of entrepreneurial failure and suggest that entrepreneurship educators can leverage student experiences to promote more complex representations that account for both the costs and benefits of failure.
Screening for Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Authors: Alpert Patricia T.
Published: December 2014

The financial and human cost of diabetes is rising such that one in every five health care dollars is spent to treat this disease. This major public health concern needs to be addressed in the most efficacious manner to curtail the human carnage from the resulting consequences of this disease. It seems prudent that health care focus on preventing type 2 diabetes through screening and treatment of prediabetes. The purpose of this column is to assess the movement toward the prevention of diabetes.
Disavowing ‘That Guy’
Authors: Bergstrom Kelly , Fisher Stephanie , Jenson Jennifer
Published: December 2014

Using Goffman’s ‘keys and frames’ as an analytical framework, this article explores depictions of massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) players in newspaper coverage, popular media ( South Park and The Big Bang Theory), and Web-based productions ( The Guild and Pure Pwnage) and player reactions to these largely stereotypical portrayals. Following this discussion, we present data from a longitudinal study of MMOG players, focusing on our study’s unintentional provoking of participants to react to (and ultimately reject) these stereotypes in their survey responses. We argue this is of particular interest to researchers studying MMOG players or members of other heavily satirized communities, as these stereotypes influence the ways study participants practice identity management and frame their own gaming practices, even in the context of an academic study that was explicitly not about addiction or the negative effects of digital game play.
Children with autism spectrum disorders who do not develop phrase speech in the preschool years
Authors: Norrelgen Fritjof , Fernell Elisabeth , Eriksson Mats , Hedvall Åsa , Persson Clara , Sjölin Maria , Gillberg Christopher , Kjellmer Liselotte
Published: December 2014

There is uncertainty about the proportion of children with autism spectrum disorders who do not develop phrase speech during the preschool years. The main purpose of this study was to examine this ratio in a population-based community sample of children. The cohort consisted of 165 children (141 boys, 24 girls) with autism spectrum disorders aged 4–6 years followed longitudinally over 2 years during which time they had received intervention at a specialized autism center. In this study, data collected at the 2-year follow-up were used. Three categories of expressive language were defined: nonverbal, minimally verbal, and phrase speech. Data from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II were used to classify expressive language. A secondary objective of the study was to analyze factors that might be linked to verbal ability, namely, child age, cognitive level, autism subtype and severity of core autism symptoms, developmental regression, epilepsy or other medical conditions, and intensity of intervention. The proportion of children who met the criteria for nonverbal, minimally verbal, and phrase speech were 15%, 10%, and 75%, respectively. The single most important factor linked to expressive language was the child’s cognitive level, and all children classified as being nonverbal or minimally verbal had intellectual disability.
Effects of acute angiotensin II on ischemia reperfusion injury following myocardial infarction
Authors: Mann Sarah , Bajulaiye Akinyemi , Sturgeon Kathleen , Sabri Abdelkarim , Muthukumaran Geetha , Libonati Joseph R.
Published: December 2014

Myocardial infarction (MI) induces cardiac remodeling. This may increase the susceptibility of the infarcted heart to subsequent ischemic events. While chronic angiotensin II blockade is cardioprotective post-MI, the acute effects of angiotensin II in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR) remains unclear. In the present study, we tested whether angiotensin II administration altered recovery of left ventricular (LV) function to IR in hearts from sham and MI rats. Echocardiography, LV pressure-volume relationships, and IR performance were established in subsets of sham ( N = 27) and MI hearts ( N = 41). IR was conducted in red-cell-perfused Langendorff hearts (60 minutes of low-flow ischemia; 30 minutes of reperfusion) during vehicle or angiotensin II infusions (10−7 M). MI hearts were dilated and had reduced fractional shortening and blunted systolic elastance ( p < 0.05). Despite systolic dysfunction in MI, functional recovery to IR was similar to sham. Angiotensin II significantly worsened IR performance in sham ( p < 0.05), but not MI. The effect of angiotensin II on in vitro cardiomyocyte survival under various pH conditions was also tested. Acidosis increased cardiomyocyte death and angiotensin II potentiated this effect. We conclude that IR performance is similar between sham and MI hearts and that MI hearts are resistant to angiotensin II-induced cardiac dysfunction in response to IR.
Organizational design correlates of entrepreneurship: The roles of decentralization and formalization for opportunity discovery and realization
Authors: Foss Nicolai J , Lyngsie Jacob , Zahra Shaker A
Published: December 2014

Extant research offers relatively little insight into the organizational design correlates of entrepreneurship in established firms. We argue on theoretical grounds that the same organizational designs support the realization as well as the discovery of opportunities. Specifically, decentralized structures are associated with opportunity realization as well discovery, and this effect is reinforced by formalization. Decentralization gives managers the discretion and autonomy needed to recognize and realize opportunities, while formalization enables the standardization and codification of actions and processes. To test these ideas, we use a data-set based on paired responses from 474 Danish firms operating in several industries for our analyses. We find that decentralization and formalization have direct, positive, and significant associations with opportunity realization. We also address how these organizational design variables are related to opportunity discovery. We find similar effects. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our reasoning and results, such as implications for the idea in the innovation and organizational learning literatures that optimal performance over time requires that firms either vacillate between organizational designs or adopt ambidextrous designs.
Beyond Today’s Video Game Rating Systems
Authors: Felini Damiano
Published: December 2014

The current classification systems for video games are first attempts at protecting children from the real or imaginary influence of potentially harmful contents. These systems, however, are based on questionable principles, for two reasons. First, analyzing the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) and the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) from a pedagogical point of view, one cannot but notice that they are inherently flawed by contradictions and confusion of different perspectives. Second, these contradictions increase the difficulty for parents who buy video games to understand the rating. This is a considerable drawback, as parents and child caregivers should be the primary targets of such rating systems. This article offers a critical examination of the European PEGI and the North American ESRB rating systems, and, starting from this analysis, suggests improvements that could make video game rating systems more appropriate in terms of their function as parental guidance.
Russian Overlords, Vodka, and Logoffski
Authors: Goodfellow Catherine
Published: December 2014

This article explores the attitudes of EVE Online players toward their Russian counterparts. Popular community opinion paints Russian players as aggressive, cliquish and hostile, and as cheats who exploit the game in order to make (real-world) money. The article also analyzes the ways in which Russian pilots challenge, subvert, and discuss these attitudes. Two key arguments are presented. First, that although perceptions of Russian EVE players are often negative, these discourses in EVE are complicated by the fact that aggression, organization, and tight player groups are prerequisites for success within the game. Second, the opinions and agency of Russian players are highlighted. By examining both Russian- and English-language discussions, we see that rather than being silent victims of discrimination, or economic migrants “ruining” the game for other players, Russian pilots inhabit a complex space in a community engaged in two-way dialogue about culture, ethnicity, and play practices in EVE.
The biology behind PI3K inhibition in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Ortiz-Maldonado Valentín , García-Morillo Marcial , Delgado Julio
Published: December 2014

Phosphoinositide 3′-kinase (PI3K) is a key component of both chronic active and tonic B-cell receptor-signalling pathways. As such, PI3K inhibitors have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for diverse lymphoid malignancies, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Multiple in vitro experiments and clinical trials have shown efficacy of these agents across all prognostic subgroups with a favourable toxicity profile. Moreover, in vitro studies suggest that combinations with monoclonal antibodies and/or other immune strategies could enhance the effect of PI3K inhibition.
Making Real the Dream of Education for All Through Open Schooling and Open Universities in Ghana
Authors: Tagoe Michael A.
Published: December 2014

Although the last three decades have witnessed astronomical increases in enrollment in basic education, the challenges of access, equity, and quality continue to confront countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, education sector policies and reforms have been unable to deal with low transition rates from primary to junior high schools, from junior high schools to senior high schools, and from senior high schools to tertiary level. Children and young students who are unable to continue fail to reenter because of the absence of complementary or alternative pathways. The old paradigm of physical expansion continues to dominate policies of access. Although several developed and developing countries have used open schooling and open universities to widen access, the success of these programs has been found on strong policies, commitment of government, and huge investment in technology. Indeed, the future lies with open schooling and open universities.
Understanding Female Inactivity in Malta
Authors: Azzopardi Rose Marie , Bezzina Frank
Published: December 2014

This empirical study is based in Malta, a small island state with the highest rate of economically inactive women in the European Union (EU). Using a random sample of 402 inactive female homemakers, the responses to a telephone survey revealed that (a) this inactive group is motivated by aspects of social and economic well-being and to a lesser extent by aspects of personal and professional development; (b) work hindrances include low wages, family responsibilities, and a dependency on social security contributions/benefits; (c) the intention to work in the future is significantly associated with work motives, work hindrances, and demographic variables, resulting in an overall holdout accuracy of 84.8%; and (d) the respondents would be encouraged to work if there are more supportive/flexible work structures available for working mothers, equal opportunities for women at the workplace, and employment opportunities through in-work benefits that make work pay (particularly for those aged 40+, with limited skills and with low work intensity). The findings are discussed, and the study concludes by providing four policy recommendations aimed at addressing the present shortcomings of the Maltese labor market.
“Keeping It Together, Keeping Their Heads Above Water”
Authors: Collins Rachael , Pooley Julie Ann , Taylor Myra F.
Published: December 2014

Assessing the well-being of postpartum mothers is an important aspect of postnatal nursing care. For this reason, Child Health Nurses (CHNs) are charged with the responsibility of identifying postpartum mothers who do/not manifest resilient behavioral qualities. However, little is known about CHNs’ conceptualization of resilience or how they assess resilience in postpartum mothers. This exemplar study addressed this knowledge shortfall by conducting semi-structured interviews with eight practicing CHNs. The study’s findings reveal that although CHNs’ conceptual understanding of resilience is congruent with current theoretical thinking, some variance does exist in the ways in which CHNs assess postpartum resilience, particularly, in relation to CHNs’ use of intuitive assessment techniques to appraise the critical maternal postpartum coping qualities of adaptation, responsiveness, self-confidence, and social connectedness.
The Influence of Autistic Features on Identity Development in Emerging Adults
Authors: Ratner Kaylin , Berman Steven L.
Published: December 2014

Due to the relatively common presence of autistic features in the general population, this research explores how identity develops in those with varying degrees of social limitations. Interpersonal functioning is at the cornerstone of both identity and autism; therefore, this study set out to bridge a current gap in research by investigating the relationship between psychosocial identity and autistic features. A sample of adult university students ( N = 602) completed measures of autistic traits, identity exploration and commitment, identity distress, and existential anxiety. Autistic features were positively related to identity exploration, identity distress, and existential anxiety, and negatively related to identity commitment. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for enhancing identity-oriented programs aimed at fostering positive youth development through the application of treatment modalities traditionally used to treat individuals with social impairment.
Correlation between ductile-to-brittle transition behaviour and twinning in ferritic stainless steel
Authors: Gao F. , Yu F.-X. , Misra R. D. K. , Liu H.-T. , Liu Z.-Y.
Published: December 2014

In this work, the 18Cr–2Mo ferritic stainless steel was treated with and without warm rolling at 573 K with 66.5 reduction after conventional hot rolling process. It was shown that ductile-to-brittle transition behaviour could be closely related to deformation twinning and parameters affecting critical temperature for twinning would also inevitably affect ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. This correlation between ductile-to-brittle transition behaviour and twinning was in good agreement with the Cottrell–Petch model. A lowered transition temperature and an improved toughness after introducing warm rolling process and corresponding annealing process could be mainly explained in terms of refining the recrystallised grains and reducing the volume fraction of grains having orientations favourable for twinning, which decrease the critical temperature at which twins form.
Critical Assessment 12: Prospects for reduced activation steel for fusion plant
Authors: Gorley M. J.
Published: December 2014

The development of new, high performance reduced activation materials is increasingly recognised as one of the key enabling technologies required for the advancement of civil fusion power. Reduced activation steels are considered the leading materials for fusion reactor blanket structural materials. The manufacturing technologies and database for the current leading reduced activation steels have reached a state of maturity where basic design and implementation can be addressed. However, there remain concerns with these materials due to an incomplete irradiation database and because of their limited operational temperature window. The requirements of these steels along with various proposed methods to improve reduced activation steels are critically assessed, and some indications given on future paths for progress.
Horizontal transfer of aligned Si nanowire arrays and their photoconductive performance
Authors: Zhang Dalin , Cheng Gong , Wang Jianquan , Zhang Chunqian , Liu Zhi , Zuo Yuhua , Zheng Jun , Xue Chunlai , Li Chuanbo , Cheng Buwen , Wang Qiming
Published: December 2014

An easy and low-cost method to transfer large-scale horizontally aligned Si nanowires onto a substrate is reported. Si nanowires prepared by metal-assisted chemical etching were assembled and anchored to fabricate multiwire photoconductive devices with standard Si technology. Scanning electron microscopy images showed highly aligned and successfully anchored Si nanowires. Current-voltage tests showed an approximately twofold change in conductivity between the devices in dark and under laser irradiation. Fully reversible light switching ON/OFF response was also achieved with an I
ON/I
OFF ratio of 230. Dynamic response measurement showed a fast switching feature with response and recovery times of 10.96 and 19.26 ms, respectively.
Incidence, Presentation, and Prognosis of Malignancies in Ataxia-Telangiectasia: A Report From the French National Registry of Primary Immune Deficiencies
Authors: Suarez Felipe , Mahlaoui Nizar , Canioni Danielle , Andriamanga Chantal , Dubois d'Enghien Catherine , Brousse Nicole , Jais Jean-Philippe , Fischer Alain , Hermine Olivier , Stoppa-Lyonnet Dominique
Published: December 2014

Purpose

Biallelic mutations in ATM cause ataxia-telangiectasia (AT), a rare inherited disease with a high incidence of cancer. Precise estimates of the risk, presentation, and outcomes of cancer in patients with AT need to be addressed in large series.

Patients and Methods

In this large retrospective cohort, 69 patients with cancers (24.5%) were identified among 279 patients with AT. Centralized review was performed on 60% of the lymphomas. Incidence rates were compared with the French population, and risk factors were analyzed.

Results

Eight patients developed acute leukemias (including four T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias), 12 developed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), 38 developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), three developed T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), and eight developed carcinoma at a median age of 8.3, 10.6, 9.7, 24.2, and 31.4 years, respectively (P < .001). The majority of NHLs were aggressive B-cell NHL. Epstein-Barr virus was associated with all of the HLs and 50% of the NHLs. Overall survival was shorter in patients with AT who developed cancer compared with those who did not develop cancer (15 v 24 years, respectively; P < .001). Survival was improved in patients who achieved a major response to treatment (3.46 v 0.87 years for major v minor responses, respectively; P = .011). Immunodeficiency was associated with increased risk of cancer. ATM mutation type was associated with a difference in survival in the entire cohort but not with cancer incidence or cancer survival.

Conclusion

B-cell NHL, HL, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia occur at a high rate and earlier age than carcinomas in AT. T-PLLs are rarer than initially reported. Prognosis is poor, but patients may benefit from treatment with an improved survival.
Dmrt5 Controls Corticotrope and Gonadotrope Differentiation in the Zebrafish Pituitary
Authors: Graf Martin , Teo Qi-Wen Elizabeth-Raye , Sarusie Menachem Viktor , Rajaei Flora , Winkler Christoph
Published: December 2014

Dmrt transcription factors control sex determination or sex-specific differentiation across all invertebrate and vertebrate species, in which they have been studied so far. In addition to important functions in the reproductive system, also nongonadal roles have been assigned to several dmrt family members. One example is dmrt5, which was shown to guide neurogenesis in the forebrain of some vertebrates including fish. Here we show that in zebrafish, dmrt5 is also expressed adjacent to the pituitary anlage and later in the anterior pars distalis in which it organizes differentiation of endocrine cells. We find that pituitary induction, cell survival, proliferation, and early lineage specification in the pituitary is independent of dmrt5. Instead, dmrt5 is required for terminal differentiation of corticotropes and gonadotropes. Gene knockdown and mutant analysis revealed that dmrt5 promotes corticotrope differentiation via tbx19 expression, whereas it prevents gonadotrope differentiation in the anterior pars distalis. In dmrt5 morphants and mutants, reduced corticotrope numbers may result in irregular positioning and reduced maintenance of lactotropes. In conclusion, our study establishes a novel function for dmrt5 for cell differentiation in the anterior pituitary. Intriguingly, its effect on gonadotrope numbers defines a first nongonadal role for a dmrt family member that appears crucial for the activity of the reproductive system.
Erratum: Linear Projections and Successive Minima
Authors: Soulé Christophe
Published: December 2014

The proof of Proposition 1 and Theorem 2 in [3] is incorrect. Indeed, Sections 2.5 and 2.7 in [3] contain a vicious circle: the definition of the filtration Vi, 1 ≤ i ≤ n, in Section 2.5 of that article depends on the choice of the integers ni, when the definition of the integers ni in Section 2.7 depends on the choice of the filtration (Vi). Thus, only Theorem 1 and Corollary 1 in [3] are proved. In the following we will prove another result instead of [3, Proposition 1].
Nonclassical Minds and Indeterminate Survival
Authors: Williams J. Robert G.
Published: December 2014

Revisionary theories of logic or truth require revisionary theories of mind. This essay outlines nonclassically based theories of rational belief, desire, and decision making, singling out the supervaluational family for special attention. To see these nonclassical theories of mind in action, this essay examines a debate between David Lewis and Derek Parfit over what matters in survival. Lewis argued that indeterminacy in personal identity allows caring about psychological connectedness and caring about personal identity to amount to the same thing. The essay argues that Lewis's treatment of two of Parfit's puzzle cases—degreed survival and fission—presuppose different nonclassical treatments of belief and desire.
On the Very Idea of Direction of Fit
Authors: Frost Kim
Published: December 2014

Direction of fit theories usually claim that beliefs are such that they “aim at truth” or “ought to fit” the world and desires (or intentions) are such that they “aim at realization” or the world “ought to fit” them. This essay argues that no theory of direction of fit is correct. The two directions of fit are supposed to be determinations of one and the same determinable two-place relation, differing only in the ordering of favored terms. But there is no such determinable because of ineliminable asymmetries between the way that beliefs “aim at truth” and the way that desires (or intentions) “aim at realization.” This essay traces the ills of direction of fit theory to a misunderstanding of Anscombe and proposes a cure that distinguishes theoretical and practical thought by appeal to a distinction between thought in the form of a state and thought in the form of an event.
What is an advanced midwifery practitioner?
Authors: Boden Sue , Pritchard Gill , Noble Wendy , Walsh Denis , Allen Rose , Walker Jean , Page Lesley , Jones Kath , Bick Debra
Published: December 2014

The advanced practitioner in midwifery should be conversant with current available evidence as a basis for evidence based professional practice, i.e. have a basic knowledge of the foundations of research-based practice and be familiar with methods of gaining quick access to research data.
UKCC statement on practice nurses
Authors: Bell Kathie , Williams Maureen , Noble Wendy
Published: December 2014

We have read with interest the recent articles by Jill Steene (Vol. 4(7) 1996, p.368) and Catherine McCormick (Vol. 4(8) 1996, p.407). The UK Central Council (UKCC) position statement on practice nurses and their role in antenatal care (April 1996) provided clarification on what involvement they may have. As well as protecting the public the position statement created a foundation for local guidelines to enable practice nurses to clearly understand their own professional boundaries. Why then is there so much confusion?
Infectious respiratory disease in non-HIV immunocompromised patients
Authors: José Ricardo J , Dickey Burton F , Brown Jeremy S
Published: December 2014

This review summarizes current knowledge regarding frequently encountered infectious respiratory complications in adult immunocompromised hosts (excluding those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection). It discusses the clinical approach to these patients, the usual patterns of disease and the most important pathogens.
Non-infectious respiratory disease in non-HIV immunocompromised patients
Authors: José Ricardo J , Faiz Saadia A , Dickey Burton F , Brown Jeremy S
Published: December 2014

This review summarizes current knowledge regarding frequently encountered non-infectious respiratory complications in adult immunocompromised hosts (excluding those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection). In particular it will discuss complications of transplantation and of primary immunodeficiencies.
Local complications of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Upchurch Emma
Published: December 2014

Acute pancreatitis is seen commonly on the surgical take. It can be complicated by the development of pseudocysts and necrosis. This review discusses each of these in turn and outlines the different management strategies now on offer.
Why practitioners resent academic writing
Authors: Barkho Leon
Published: December 2014

This editorial note focuses on why practitioners complain about academic writing. It starts with how important it is for media and journalism academics to write lively and in a lucid way to be clearly understood by their peers and the people they research. It highlights research about the correlation between the way we think and the way we write. It provides a few samples of what the author sees as poor academic writing. It discusses the impact digital and free and open access publishing is having on academic content and writing. It ends with a few suggestions.
Making news from a local bar: A linguistic ethnography of the authoring, recontextualization and reframing of a news story
Authors: Franck Maarten Charles J.
Published: December 2014

Most studies of news writing focus on what happens inside the newsroom. This study focuses on an interrelated sequence of processes involving one clearly ‘located’ authoring practice outside of the newsroom, followed by its recontextualization and some reframing. A correspondent working for a news agency decided to write one story and not to write another while working from a local bar. His decisions were made on the basis of a ‘news value’ equation with regard to ‘unusualness’ and ‘negativity’. They were also made from an economic perspective. The fact that he was working from a bar did not hinder the correspondent’s work habits too much. Because of his smartphone he was able to be given an assignment, inform himself of what had happened, write an article and send it in to the news desk without having to leave his seat. Subsequently, the correspondent’s text was (quickly) taken over by online news media and recontextualized from different deictic centres, resulting in a number of small changes. Only in one instance was it uncertain, though highly likely, that the correspondent’s article was used as a source. This is the only instance in which new information was added and in which the elite frame of the story was abandoned. Thus the article traces the genesis and meaning trajectory of a news story in a digital environment.
Reflections of neo-Ottomanist discourse in Turkish news media: The case of The Magnificent Century
Authors: Arsan Esra , Yldrm Yasemin
Published: December 2014

Starting from the 2000s, when the neo-liberal conservative AKP (Justice and Development Party) came to power in Turkey, the neo-Ottomanist idea and identity became more visible as a political discourse in the public sphere. Increased use of neo-Ottomanist references, especially within the past ten years, has also appeared through popular cultural products such as books, feature films, TV commercials and TV series. Redefining the concept of Turkish nationalism and Turkish–Islamic synthesis within the neo-Ottomanist context, these products transferred these Ottomanist references into the popular arena. These attempts are not always welcomed by the AKP due to disagreements about the definition of Turkish conservatism and have sparked criticism. In this study, press coverage of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan’s neo-Ottomanist reaction and criticism towards the very content of a TV series, titled Muhteem Yüzyl/The Magnificent Century (Tims Productions, Star TV, 2011–14), has been analysed. The research sample consisted of three national dailies, Cumhuriyet, Radikal and Yeni afak, and the newspapers were examined using the method of content analysis. As a result, it can be argued that the sample newspapers have supported different ideological backgrounds around the discussions and speculations regarding the The Magnificent Century.
Innovative writing of the twenty-first century: Multimedia journalism and education
Authors: Becker Beatriz , de Castro Laura Maia
Published: December 2014

The emergence of innovative ways of narrative extensions in the twenty-first century is a landmark of contemporary media writing. These experiences integrate in a complex way multiple texts to create a narrative so broad that it does not fit in a single media. In journalistic production the current feedback of audiovisual content from television and from the Internet in the construction of the news represents the most innovative expression of events referred to as Multimedia Reports on websites from different countries such as the Argentine Clarín.com, the Spanish El Mundo, and the Brazilian portal Universo Online (UOL). This work presents a mapping of those inventive news formats, questioning whether the incorporation of multimedia contributes to more diverse reports of social facts. It also proposes a reflection on journalism education, discussing the importance of providing to the students opportunities to think about journalism as a form of knowledge and to make more creative and critical news in their training of future professionals.
The changing nature of environmental discourse: An exploratory comparison of environmental journalists and bloggers
Authors: Tandoc Jr. Edson C. , Takahashi Bruno
Published: December 2014

In this study we present an exploratory comparison of environmental journalists and environmental bloggers. Using a web survey, we compared environmental journalists and bloggers across a range of different variables that the literature shows matter in understanding the environmental discussions that they produce. This study offers important insights about the people behind the mediated messages we get about the environment. We found that environmental journalists and environmental bloggers are similar and different at the same time. They have the same level of concern and perceived knowledge about the environment. But they also conceive of different roles in society and source their information differently. We discuss the implications of these findings on the evolving nature of environmental reporting and discourse.
Reversing declines in minority journalists: A community-based approach in East Palo Alto
Authors: Madison Ed
Published: December 2014

Media organizations in many parts of the world seek to have their staffs reflect the make-up of the communities they serve. In April 2011, the American Society of News Editors (ASNE) reported that the number of journalists of colour working in newspaper and online newsrooms declined for the third consecutive year. Findings revealed that while minorities represent 36% of the US population, they account for only 12.79% of journalists working in newspaper newsrooms (ASNE 2011). This qualitative study investigates the unique approach underway in East Palo Alto, designed to alter a backward-sliding trend in the numbers of minorities entering the journalism profession. Through field observations and one-on-one interviews with programme participants, instructors and advisors, this study examines how academic and extracurricular choices made while in high school can affect students’ perceptions about possible futures. Specifically, it looks at the efficacy of an off-campus approach to altering a school’s dominant culture.
‘And when everyone is super […] no one will be’: The limits of American Exceptionalism in The Incredibles
Authors: Meinel Dietmar
Published: December 2014

The Incredibles (Bird, 2004) envisions a society in which superheroes are prohibited from using their superhuman abilities. The struggle for recognition of this ‘marginalized’ group has been deemed a simplistic representation of ‘an Ayn Randian or scientologist notion of the special people who must resist social pressures to suppress their superpowers in order to fit in with the drab masses’ (Halberstam 2011: 47).

This fleeting assessment of the Pixar film captures the exceptionalist logic underlying its narrative: A ‘tyranny of the majority’ denies individuals their due recognition, and these individuals find strength and courage by forming a ‘voluntary association’. The Incredibles, thus, mirrors the logic of American Exceptionalism as portrayed by Alexis de Tocqueville in his Democracy in America (1835). My article will explore these core themes of exceptionalism and critically assess their intersection with discourses of whiteness and gender in The Incredibles. My article will, furthermore, unearth the establishment of a neo-liberal social order as a fundamental element of the film narrative to examine the links between neo-liberalism, exceptionalism and identity politics. As I will demonstrate, the prevalence of the neo-liberal ideology in The Incredibles eventually dismantles the hegemonic logic of American Exceptionalism.

My article, therefore, explores the lasting significance of American Exceptionalism within contemporary film and demonstrates its conflicting, unstable relations to neo-liberalism. In this sense, The Incredibles offers a rarely acknowledged example of the contradictory nature of the dominant ideologies of American Exceptionalism and neo-liberalism to suggest novel insights into their critique.
A mutation in the STAT1 DNA-binding domain associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis
Authors: Faitelson Yoram , Bates Andrea , Shroff Manohar , Grunebaum Eyal , Roifman Chaim M. , Naqvi Ahmed
Published: December 2014

Introduction: The transcription factor Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) is a key element in many of the signalling cascades involved in immune system function. Different mutations in STAT1 are associated with heterogeneous clinical phenotypes that range from early fatality due to overwhelming infection to limited involvement of the mucus membrane with recurrent Candida infections. Multiple genes related to immune function have been associated with the development of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), but the association between STAT1 mutation and HLH has not been described in detail.

Methods: We report the genetic background of a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) as well as an unusual clinical course.

Results: In this study we describe a patient with a mutation in the STAT1 DNA-binding domain and a history of CMC who developed a refractory and fatal case of HLH despite having bone marrow transplantation.

Conclusion: We describe a patient with refractory and fatal HLH who was found to have a mutation in the DNA-binding domain of STAT1.

Statement of novelty: The association of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis with HLH.