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This paper focuses on both Masaryk's theoretical concepts and practical endeavours to establish independent democratic sates in Central Europe after World War I. Masaryk's ideas developed from his theoretical knowledge, his knowledge of history, as well as from his political experience as a parliamentary deputy. At the centre lay his belief that the existence of nations as multilayered, integrated entities was an important condition for the development of democracy, provided that smaller nations were respected by larger ones and would be given sufficient space and autonomy to develop properly. The general acceptance of democratic and humanitarian values and principles would guarantee an end to the traditional expansionism of larger nations at the expense of the freedom, standards and dignity of smaller nations. Attention is also focused on Masaryk's extensive activities during the First World War regarding the independence of democratic states in Central Europe.

North American universities are encouraged to increase opportunities for undergraduate research experiences (UREs). To this end, many universities offer directed studies courses (DSCs) which are 1-2 semester long courses involving one-on-one instruction, with a focus on student-led independent research. Building on the understanding of dynamics generally related to UREs, this paper seeks to compare the motivations, benefits, and barriers specifically related to DSCs from student, instructor, and administrator perspectives. Based on a set of qualitative focus group discussions at a small undergraduate liberal arts institution, we present the similarities and differences in these perspectives and recommend a set of best practices for DSCs. All three groups reported motivations for engaging in a DSC that addressed working with a particular student or instructor, assistance with graduate school preparation, and meeting program requirements. In terms of perceived benefits of DSCs, both students and instructors indicated the mentoring relationship and practical outcomes arising from DSCs. Students recognized the benefits of developing research skills, but stressed the motivation and benefit of independent learning more than was found in other studies. Instructors focused on benefits of research engagement and relationship building. The major challenges to participating in DSCs were workload and time (all groups), unprepared students and lack of guidelines (instructors and administrators), and the oral presentation requirement and lack of information about DSCs (students). Based on these results, we suggest increased clarity in DSC expectations, consistent standards of quality, and promoting research processes common to the DSC’s home discipline.

La exposición a eventos traumáticos es un tema poco estudiado en Puerto Rico. Trescientos setenta estudiantes matriculados en programas doctorales de psicología clínica y medicina en universidades privadas de la isla completaron el Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ por sus siglas en inglés), versión en español. La muestra estudiada reportó un alto nivel de exposición a eventos traumáticos (98.9%). Los hombres exhibieron un mayor nivel de exposición en comparación con las mujeres, aunque la exposición es alta en ambos grupos. Con excepción del estado civil, no hubo asociación significa- tiva entre las variables sociodemográficas y estar expuesto a este tipo de experiencias. Los eventos traumáticos más comunes fueron los desastres naturales, la muerte súbita y eventos que amenazan la vida o integridad física de seres queridos. Es necesario el estudio empírico sobre este tema para conocer la magnitud de la problemática y fundamentar empíricamente las alternativas de servicio.

This paper examines Masaryk's central notions concerning the importance of religion in the life of individuals and societies. It also looks at Masaryk's view of the difference between the official dogmatic Christianity of the Catholic Church and early Christianity, which according to Masaryk remained the best thing that religion offered due to its non-dogmatic nature, its emphasis on morality and its marked rationality. Masaryk also made important connections between basic Christian principles and the struggle for democracy and social justice.

Recent research has linked some forms of skin cancer with ultraviolet radiation from constant sun exposure. Outdoor workers represent an ‘at risk’ group as daily exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is a necessary part of their occupations. This study assessed changes in beliefs, knowledge and behaviours of outdoor workers in North Queensland towards skin cancer. A total of 40 outdoor workers participated in the study. A quasi-experimental repeated measures design with a treatment and control group was used. Subjects in the treatment group were exposed to an educational intervention explaining the danger of skin cancer and ways that the disease could be prevented. Results indicated that in comparison to the control group, subjects who received the educational intervention reported greater levels of sun protection behaviour, had increased knowledge about the disease and reported changes in their beliefs concerning skin cancer. Changes were assessed by using a sun safety questionnaire. Results of this research are of value to the Queensland Cancer Fund, Government Health Promotion Departments and numerous companies that employ outdoor workers in the tropics.

This paper investigates the formation of social networks in the Latino communities of Los Angeles and Miami. In order to better understand how Latino immigrants adapt to the host society, this article offers a comparative analysis of the interactions within the different Latino communities and puts forward their role on the formation of social networks among Latino immigrants in these cities. The results show that social networks are highly dependent on the dynamics within the Latino communities as well as the urban context; these networks, their strength, and development differ in Los Angeles and Miami based on factors such as socioeconomic status, levels of segregation and ethnic concordance among the Latino communities.

Background: At the request of French public authorities, the Institute of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety has assessed the radiological situation of a house built on uranium ore residues in Haute-Vienne and the health risks induced from exposure to radon for all occupants. Classified as a lung carcinogen by the World Health Organization, radon is a proven cause of lung cancer in case of regular inhalation over a long period, and the risk increases with cumulative exposure., Methods: Radon exposure was reconstructed for various standard profiles of house occupancy. A risk model derived from a European epidemiological study was used to calculate the lifetime probability of death from lung cancer according to these standard profiles., Results: Risk assessment of the occupants of the house highlighted the following main findings. For a resident school child having been exposed to radon from birth to the age of 7, the lifetime relative risk (LRR) was estimated at 5. For last adult and young adult residents having lived more than 10years in the house, the probability of death from lung cancer was in the same order of magnitude as that of a regular cigarette smoker, with a LRR from 10 to 13 and a lifetime probability of death from lung cancer between 3 and 4%. If these individuals smoked regularly, in addition to being exposed to radon, this probability would be between 6 and 32% (supposing an additive or multiplicative interaction)., Conclusion: For former occupants (non-smokers) having been exposed 10years during childhood, the LRR was two-fold lower. For children having been in day care in the house, the increased probability of death from lung cancer was low, with a LRR lower than 2. Supposing, as in adults, that the risk decreases beyond 30years after the end of radon exposure, the increase was almost zero for former occupants exposed during childhood and during day care, with a LRR close to 1., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has largely evolved over the past two decades. One important finding is that medical treatment appears under used. Invasive procedure are reserved to patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical treatment. Indications for implantable cardiac defibrillator are still debated. A global and multidisciplinary approach of the patient and of his family is mandatory.

The authors report a case of acute urinary retention due to a knot in the the catheter, in a patient performing self-catheterization. They describe a simple technique for emergency relief of retention, by creating additional apertures in the catheter, and then discuss the preventive measures of this type of complication.