bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Assessment of Religious Threats to Security and Survival of Democracy in Nigeria: A Case Study of the Incessant Killings of Igbos in Some Selected Northern States
Authors: Chukwu Christian Chima 
Published: February 2015

AbstractReligious threats continue to pose a real threat to security and survival of the nascent democracy in Nigeria, especially with the widespread and incessant killings of Igbos in some selected Northern States. Bombs explode regularly, killing huge numbers of people, especially at crowded squares in these states. Igbos who, dominate the Northern commercial landscape, have in their large numbers have been one of the worst hit. And one of the more notorious groups, the Boko Haram, the ultraviolent Islamic militant group that condemns western education, has always accepted responsibility for the killings. Their unwholesome activities which, have been impacting negatively on the various segments of society; creating the psychological basis for arbitrariness are compounded by the intense use of State authority by an effective minority of the Northern extraction to cover up and dismiss these detestable killings and abuses as being only the maturation of long festering extremist impulses that run deep in the social reality of Northern Nigeria, while doing nothing to halt the incessant atrocities against Igbos, as if they are responsible for the decades of failed government and elite delinquency finally ripening into social chaos therein. Thus, the main thrust of this paper is to assess religious threats to security and democracy in Nigeria with special focus on the incessant killings of Igbos. To achieve the purpose of this study, four research hypotheses and two theories, the Strain and differential association theories are used as theoretical framework to guide the study. Literatures related to the variables are reviewed including the adoption of the survey research and the construction of a four-point Likert type questionnaire to elicit information from a total of 290 respondents who constituted the data for the research. To test the hypotheses, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis Statistical technique was employed. The findings show among others that the group, Boko Haram itself, is an effect and not a cause; a symptom of decades of failed government and elite delinquency in Northern Nigeria and queries the rationale why Igbos should be sacrificed to correct the failings of the Northern elite. In addition, the paper also finds out that religious threat is a clog to the corporate existence of Nigeria despite democratization. As a result, this study recommends that the Federal Government should brace up to whatever are the grievances of the Boko Haram with a view to seeing how its members can be persuaded to renounce their warring posture, allow peace to reign in order to save the country's nascent democracy. Finally, the paper concludes that since Nigeria is a pluralist society, the Government through the mass media should enlighten the people on the essence of peaceful co-existence so as to engender national integration and save the country's nascent democracy.
Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS): Testing Cross-cultural Transferability of CQS in Ukraine
Authors: Johnson R. Boyd , Buko Svitlana 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe article examines the cross-cultural transferability of widely accepted cross-cultural assessment tool using research conducted in Ukraine - the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS), insights from the American and Ukrainian researchers who translated and adapted the instrument in Ukraine. Within the qualitative focus group study researchers look at the peculiarities of CQS perceptions by the Ukrainian audience sample and identify barriers of these perceptions, peculiarities of perceptions of citizens of Ukraine regarding cross-cultural interaction.
The Social Competence of Police Cadets as Sociology Conception
Authors: Kiikov Vitalii 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to clarify the definition of social competence and its application in police practice, introduction of the police officer social competence structure, the subsequent description of its components. The efficiency in problems solving, which police officer encounter in daily service, as well as the quality of cooperation between police and community directly depends on the level of social competence development, the interiorization of social norm and values in personality structure of police officer, such as tolerance, respect of human rights, motivation for social interaction, culture of communication, social intelligence, emotionally-volitional stability etc. Therefore, the objectives of educative work in police high school have to include the purposeful formation of social competence as a requirement of contemporary democratic society. Another aspect of social competence formation in police cadets through educational means is utilization of moral potential of education, which is essential in rapidly changing societies for efficient socialization of such professional group as police officers.
Macedonia Faculties’ Students - “Chrisi Avgi” (Right Party) Followers’ Critique on the Greek Educational Policy
Authors: Evagelia Kalerante 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe present paper is involved with the Pedagogical faculties’ students’ critique on the current educational system as it has been altered after 1981. The research was carried out utilizing both quantitative and qualitative tools. Students-voters participated in the interviews whereas active voters were difficult to be located to meet the research requirements. The dynamics of the specific political party is based on a popular profile in terms of standpoints related to economic, social and political issues. The research findings depict the students’ strong wish for a change of the curricula and a turn towards History and Religion as well as an elevation of the Greek historic events, as the History books that have been written and taught at schools over the past years contributed to the downgrading of the Greek national and cultural identity. There is also a students’ strong belief that globalization and the immigrants’ presence in Greece have functioned in a negative way against the Greek ideal. Therefore, an overall change of the educational content could open the path towards the reconstruction of the moral values and the Greek national identity.
Issues of Citizenship, National Identity and Political Socialization in Singapore: Implications to the Singapore Education System
Authors: Reyes Vicente Chua 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis inquiry attempts to address the question: How has the Singapore city-state used its education system in integrating three important cornerstones of nation-building? Using selected data from the National Orientations of Singaporeans Survey complemented by policy documents, this article explores three specific questions: (1) How is citizenship education pursued? (2) How is national identity forged? And (3) How is political socialization engendered? The inquiry concludes with challenges that the Singapore education system faces as it tries to address its nation-building project
Sacred Grove of Punyagiri Hill, Vizianagaram District, AP, India: Ecological And Sociological Study
Authors: Rao D. Srinivasa , Rao G.M. Narasimha 
Published: February 2015

Sacred groves are important repositories of rare endangered endemic plants and floral diversity that have been conserved by the local people or communities in a sustainable manner. Sri Umakotilingeswara Swami Temple is a famous Siva Kshetra located in Vizianagaram district of the Andhra Pradesh, India. This holy shrine is situated in the Punyagiri hills, 4 kms away from the Srungavarapu Kota and 62 kms away from the Visakhapatnam (a coastal city of Andhra Pradesh). Two study sites were selected, one was in the sacred grove region another was in forest region. Line transects were used for collection of data on species richness and diversity of the flora. Density and basal area were more in the sacred grove region than the nearby forest region. Some important medicinal and valuable plants were reported in this region, plants such as Saraca asoca (Roxb.), Diospyros peregryna (L.), Sterculia urens (Roxb.), Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.), Ficus relisiosa (L.), Strublus aspera (L.), Chloroxylon swietenia (L.), Firmiana colorata (Roxb.), Albizia odoratissima (L.), Dalbergia paniculata (Roxb.), Dalbergia sisso (Roxb.), Azadiricta indica A. Juss., Diospyros chloroxylon (L.), Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.), Mangifera indica (L.), Eucalyptus globulesv(Labelle), Bombax ceieba (L.), Aegle marmelos, Ailanthus excelsa and some important pteridophytes and Bryophytes were reported in the sacred forest of the Punyagiri hills. Extension of the temple buildings and other developmental activities may be threat to the sacred groves. Invasion by the exotic weeds may further degrade the structure and composition of the sacred forests as a whole.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i1.12176 International Journal of Environment Volume-4, Issue-1, Dec-Feb 2014/15, page: 30-47
Needle Stick Injuries, Sharp Injuries and other Occupational Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids among Health Care Workers in a general hospital in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Musa Sanjin , Peek-Asa Corinne , Young Tracy , Jovanović Nina 
Published: February 2015

Correction: On 2nd January 2018, the following authors were added to the online version of this article: Corinne Peek-Asa, Tracy Young and Nina Jovanović. They were always on the PDF of the article. The editor apologises for this error.Background: Professional exposures of health care workers (HCW) to potentially infective blood and body fluids presents a serious health threat, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV transmission. This study was conducted to assess the risk for and reporting of needlestick injuries, sharp injuries and other occupational exposures of health care workers in a large healthcare center in Sarajevo.Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2013. The study target population included all hospital health care workers who had a high potential for exposure. The estimated sample size was 48 physicians, 132 nurses/technicians and 30 auxiliary personnel. Results: During their career, 124 (63.3%) HCW reported exposures to blood and body fluids. In total, needle stick injuries (66.1%) were the most common source of exposure, followed by contact with intact skin (12.1%) and cut with sharp object (11.3%). Only 43 (35.5%) reported any of these exposures to health authorities during their career. The odds of exposure to needle stick injuries and other occupational exposures to blood and bodily fluids were significantly higher among medical nurses/techicians (AOR=4.98, 95%CI=1.52-16,1) and auxillary (AOR=4.30, 95%CI=1.07-17.34) personnel when compared to physicians. HCW in the operation room, intervention ambulance and laboratory (AOR=3.73, 95%CI=1.43-9.72) had higher odds of exposure than workers in the ambulatory departments.Conclusions: Needlestick Injuries, Sharp Injuries and other Occupational Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids among health care workers are underestimated hazard. Especialy, for HCW who work in operation room/interventional ambulance. There is a need for preventive programs for HCW and further work on the establishment of an effective surveillance system.
Treatment of Adults With Accommodative Esotropia Using Implantable Collamer Lenses
Authors: Shi Minghua , Jiang Haixiang , Ye Yingjia , Chen Bifeng 
Published: February 2015

Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the implantation of an implantable collamer lens (ICL) for accommodative esotropia in adults.

Methods:
From May 2011 to May 2012, 3 adults with complete accommodative esotropia underwent ICL implantation with 12 months of follow-up. Inclusion criteria included having an appropriate anterior chamber depth and endothelial cell count, and hyperopia that was not typically responding well to corneal refractive surgery. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, refraction, eye position, corneal endothelial cell count, intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth, and complications (intraoperative and postoperative) were observed.

Results:

Cycloplegic refraction changed from 6.04 ± 0.53 preoperatively to 0.41 ± 0.21 postoperatively (t = 38.9,
P
< .001). Before surgery, the average esotropia at near (without glasses) was 25 prism diopters (range: 20 to 30 prism diopters). After surgery, all patients achieved orthophoria or microesophoria. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity at distance and near significantly increased (
P
< .05), best-corrected visual acuity at near did not change significantly (
P
= .36), and best-corrected visual acuity at distance improved significantly (
P
= .03). The average decline in corneal endothelium cell density was 10.3% and remained stable during the follow-up period. One patient complained of glare when driving at night after surgery and this phenomenon gradually disappeared after 3 months. No other intraoperative and postoperative complications, such as ICL-related iris depigmentation, atrophy, glaucoma, or cataracts (partial or complete), were observed.

Conclusions:
The preliminary results of this small case study demonstrated that the use of ICL implantation to treat accommodative esotropia in adults was effective and safe; however, a larger scale study is necessary.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2015;52(1):31–36.]
Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Associated With No Light Perception
Authors: Brown Gary C. , Basha Mahdi M. , Brown Melissa M. 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To study eyes with no light perception (NLP) occurring secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Records of consecutive patients with neovascular AMD seen during a 10-year period were reviewed to ascertain which patients had NLP due to neovascular AMD.

RESULTS:

Ten of 1,150 patients (0.9%) with neovascular AMD had NLP in one eye (study eye) from neovascular AMD. All 10 patients had bilateral neovascular AMD. Each study eye had a large macular disciform scar and 360° peripapillary subretinal fibrovascular tissue. Seven of nine (78%) study eyes had optic disc pallor, versus none of eight fellow eyes (
P
= .04). Mean fellow eye vision was 20/231, ranging from 20/50 to NLP (
P
= .006 vs study eyes). No seeing fellow eye had choroidal neovascularization encircling the optic disc (
P
= .0004).

CONCLUSION:
NLP from neovascular AMD is associated with 360° peripapillary subretinal fibrosis. This fibrosis may cause chronic ischemic optic neuropathy contributing to extinguished vision.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2015;46:229–234.]
Delayed Expulsive Choroidal Hemorrhage After Penetrating Keratoplasty
Authors: Joag Madhura G. , Galor Anat , Karp Carol L. 
Published: February 2015

The authors report a case of a late-onset spontaneous choroidal hemorrhage in a patient with a corneal transplant that resulted in rupture of the keratoplasty wound and expulsion of ocular contents. This case is important because it highlights the predisposing factors of a delayed-onset choroidal hemorrhage including anticoagulant therapy, advanced age, glaucoma, and hypertension.[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.2015;46:289–292.]
Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome: Postoperative Functional and Anatomic Outcomes
Authors: Bottos Juliana , Elizalde Javier , Rodrigues Eduardo B. , Farah Michael , Maia Mauricio 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To analyze a variety of vitreomacular traction (VMT) morphologies to establish a major classification that better reflects the preoperative predictive factors of postoperative visual and anatomic outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Thirty-six eyes submitted to vitrectomy surgery were categorized with a VMT pattern (V- or J-shaped) and diameter (focal < 1,500 µm or broad > 1,500 µm) based on optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS:

The researchers compared different classifications of VMT. Despite similar postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) values
(P
= .393), cases with focal VMT had greater visual improvement
(P
= .027) because the preoperative BCVA was significantly lower in the focal group
(P
= .007). However, the BCVA improvements did not differ between the groups regarding the classic VMT morphologic patterns
(P
= .235).

CONCLUSION:
Postoperative outcomes and macular disorders are closely related to VMT size. The adhesion diameter (focal or broad VMT) and not the classic VMT morphologic pattern (V- or J-shaped) may better predict the postoperative anatomic and functional outcomes.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2015;46:235–242.]
Considering Photodynamic Therapy as a Therapeutic Modality in Selected Cases of Dome-Shaped Macula Complicated by Foveal Serous Retinal Detachment
Authors: Arapi Ilir , Neri Piergiorgio , Mariotti Cesare , Gesuita Rosaria , Pirani Vittorio , Freddo Francesco , Lutaj Pajtim , Giovannini Alfonso 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To study the role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a therapeutic modality in myopic patients with dome-shaped macula (DSM) associated with foveal serous retinal detachment (SRD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Retrospective interventional case series. The medical records of 10 consecutive myopic patients (10 eyes) with DSM associated with subfoveal SRD and treated with PDT were reviewed. Visual gain and loss were considered as increasing or decreasing of two or more lines of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), respectively, and eyes with fluid resolution were deemed responsive to PDT.

RESULTS:

All eyes underwent several PDT treatments, with a median of three and a median follow-up time of 15.5 months. At final follow-up, six eyes (60%) showed complete resolution of the foveal SRD. The baseline hypocyanescent macular area observed during late indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) frames was significantly lower in the group of patients who responded to PDT and had an increase of at least two Snellen lines in BCVA (
P
= .01).

CONCLUSION:
Data suggest that myopic eyes associated with DSM and foveal SRD may be responsive to PDT, showing total resolution of fluid accumulation and positive BCVA changes if baseline ICGA findings show evidence of a limited hypocyanescent macular area.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2015;46:217–223.]
A Quantitative Evaluation of the Posterior Segment of the Eye Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Carotid Artery Stenosis: a Pilot Study
Authors: Sayin Nihat , Kara Necip , Uzun Fatih , Akturk Ibrahim Faruk 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the posterior segment of the eye using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Prospective study enrolling 25 patients with ICA stenosis (study group) and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals (control group). Macular choroidal thickness (CT) was measured at the fovea; other CT measurements were taken 1,000 µm away from the fovea in the nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior regions by enhanced-depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT). The thicknesses of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macula, and ganglion cell complex (GCC) were measured with SD-OCT. Correlations between the CT values and the degree of ICA stenosis were also evaluated.

RESULTS:

Mean macular CT values in the study group were significantly thinner than those of the control groups for all quadrants (
P
< .05). There was no significant correlation between the degree of ICA stenosis and the CT values. Moreover, the mean thicknesses of the RNFL, macula, and GCC did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:
The results suggest that CT decreases in patients with ICA stenosis compared with age-matched healthy individuals, whereas the RNFL, macular, and GCC thicknesses are comparable.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2015;46:180–185.]
Early Evolution of the Vitreomacular Interface and Clinical Efficacy After Ocriplasmin Injection for Symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion
Authors: Meyer Jacob C. , Shah Gaurav K. , Blinder Kevin J. , Waheed Nadia K. , Reichel Elias , Stalmans Peter , Singer Michael , Tewari Asheesh 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To determine early evolution of the vitreomacular interface and clinical efficacy and safety profile after ocriplasmin treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Retrospective, multicenter, observational case series. Patients with vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) confirmed on optical coherence tomography (OCT) received a single intravitreal ocriplasmin injection. Changes in the vitreomacular interface were evaluated by spectral-domain OCT. Adverse events were monitored at all visits.

RESULTS:
Of 22 patients treated with ocriplasmin, 14 (64%) had VMA resolution, with six (43%) achieving VMA release within the first week. Eight patients (36%) showed improvement in visual acuity (VA) of at least two Snellen lines. Rate of VMA resolution was 79% for VA less than 20/40 and 38% for VA of 20/40 or greater. Safety findings include changes in the ellipsoid layer (n = 3) and transient increases in subretinal fluid (n = 6).

CONCLUSION:
Ocriplasmin was effective for VMA resolution, with a rapid onset of action. Patients with worse baseline VA showed a higher VMA resolution rate.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2015;46:209–216.]
Comparison of Retinal Thicknesses Measured Using Swept-Source and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Devices
Authors: Tan Colin S. , Chan Joel C. , Cheong Kai Xiong , Ngo Wei Kiong , Sadda SriniVas R. 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To compare retinal thicknesses measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and spectral-domain (SD) OCT devices.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
In a cohort study of 76 healthy eyes and 21 eyes with high myopia, mean retinal thicknesses in ETDRS subfields were compared between OCT scans obtained from the Topcon DRI OCT-1 (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan), Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), and Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA).

RESULTS:

Central retinal thickness measurements differed significantly among the three OCT devices (Spectralis: 271 µm; Cirrus: 254 µm; DRI OCT-1: 238 µm;
P
< .001), with mean differences ranging from 15.6 µm to 37 µm. Intraclass correlation coefficients were at least 0.94 for any pair of machines. Similar results were observed in all nine ETDRS subfields. In all sectors, retinal thickness measurements obtained using the 3-D and radial scans of the SS-OCT were similar (mean differences: 0.7 to 3.8 µm).

CONCLUSION:
Retinal thickness measurements obtained from DRI OCT-1 and SD-OCT are different and should be accounted for when comparing results of OCT scans from different devices.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2015;46:172–179.]