Search

In this paper I attempt to trace the semiotic path of meaning experience from "nothing" into "something". Traditional communication studies are problematic in 1. focusing on the message to the effect of ignoring the communicators; 2. choosing to overlook how yet-to-be signs acquire meanings in the communicative moments; and 3. tending to assume a "natural science" attitude toward the studied phenomenon so that embodied consciousness is either sidetracked or psychologized. Taking communicology as both the theory and methodology, I first describe the semiotic network in which blank paper, a nonconventional sign, acquires its signness in a specified communicative event. Then, I look inward to the relation of consciousness and embodiment. Finally, I argue that communication is such a life-world moment wherein non-expression is collectively constituted as a form of expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Inpatient falls among older adults are a relentless problem, and extant inpatient fall prevention research and interventions lack the older adults' perspectives and experiences of their own fall risk in the hospital. Theory‐guided research is essential in nursing, and the purpose of this paper was to describe the process of developing a theoretical framework for a phenomenological nursing study exploring older adults' lived experiences of being at risk for falling in the hospital. Method: Based on philosophical nursing underpinnings, the Health Belief Model (HBM) was selected as the theoretical model. The limitations of the model led to expansion of the model with established concepts associated with accidental falls among older adults. Results: The HBM was selected as the guiding model due to its ability to capture a broad range of perceptions of a health threat. The HBM was expanded with the concepts of embarrassment, independence, fear of falling, dignity and positivity effect. The addition of these concepts made the theoretical framework more applicable to age‐related developmental behaviours of older adult and more applicable to nursing research. Conclusion: The Expanded HBM theoretical framework may guide future nursing research to develop fall prevention interventions to decrease fall rates among hospitalized older adults. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the literature is abundant on hand therapy assessment and treatment of nonsurgical thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA), clarity and uniformity are meager, making it a desirable diagnosis to establish expert consensus. This study aimed to ascertain if consensus exists for the assessment and treatment of nonsurgical management of thumb CMC OA in the hand therapy clinical setting. This was a consensus paper via the modified Delphi approach. A modified Delphi method was used to determine consensus among an expert panel, including hand therapists and hand surgeons, via two online surveys. A consensus paper steering committee (from the American Society of Hand Therapist's research division) designed the surveys and analyzed responses. Consensus was established as 75% agreement among the expert panel. Demographic information was collected from the expert panel. The expert panel included 34 hand therapists and seven hand surgeons. The survey response rates were 93.6% for the first survey and 90.2% for the second survey. Consensus recommendations were classified according to the World Health Organization categorization. These included evaluating the body structures for clinical signs/clinical testing and body functions for pain, range of motion for palmar abduction, radial abduction, opposition, and thumb metacarpal phalangeal flexion/extension, and grip and tripod pinch strength. Further consensus recommendations were for the assessment of function using a region-specific, upper extremity patient-reported outcome measure (activity and participation), environmental factors, outcome expectation, and illness perception within the patient's unique environmental and social contexts. Treatment recommendations included the use of an orthosis during painful activities, a dynamic stability program (stable C posture, release of tight adductors, and strengthening of stabilizers), patient education, joint protection techniques, adaptive equipment, and functional-based intervention. The findings describe the consensus of a group of experts and provide a clinical reference tool on the hand therapy assessment and treatment of nonsurgical thumb CMC joint OA. • A consensus paper using a modified Delphi process to determine consensus on non-surgical assessment and treatment of thumb CMC OA. • Assessment recommendations: evaluate clinical signs/testing, pain, thumb range of motion grip and tripod pinch, a region-specific PROM, environmental factors, outcome expectation, and illness perception. • Treatment: orthosis during painful activities as needed, a dynamic stability program, patient education, joint protection techniques, adaptive equipment, and functional based intervention. • Findings provide a clinical reference tool on hand therapy assessment and treatment of non-surgical CMC joint OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study investigates the views of contemporary Muslim jurists about withdrawing treatment of the terminally ill. Its aim is threefold. Firstly, it analyses jurists' views concerning core themes within the process of withdrawing treatment. Secondly, it provides insight into fatwas about withdrawing treatment. Thirdly, it compares these views with current medical standards in Europe and the Atlantic world on withdrawing treatment. The data consisted of six papers by Muslim jurists presented at the conference of the Islamic Fiqh Council in 2015. We conducted a directed content analysis (DCA) through a predetermined framework and compiled an overview of all previous fatwas referred to in the papers, which are also analysed. The results show that the general consensus is that if health cannot be restored, treatment may be withdrawn at the request of the patient and/or his family or on the initiative of the doctor. The accompanying fatwa emphasizes the importance of life-prolonging treatment if this does not harm the patient. It becomes apparent in the fatwa that the doctor has the monopoly in decision-making, which is inconsistent with current medical standards in Europe. Managing disclosure in view of the importance of maintaining the hope of Muslim patients may challenge the doctor's obligation to share a diagnosis with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controversy over vaccines, which has recently intensified following the COVID-19 pandemic, provokes heated debates, with both advocates and opponents raising allegations of bias and fraud in research. Researchers whose work raises doubts about the safety of certain vaccines claim to be victims of discriminatory treatment aimed at suppressing dissent, including the unjustified retraction of their published research. Such practices have previously been discussed in other controversial fields in science (e.g., AIDS, the environment, and water fluoridation) but not in the field of vaccines. The purpose of this study was to analyze, for the first time, the subjective views of researchers whose papers were retracted. Study participants are active researchers, most with international reputations in their respective fields. They perceived retraction as a means of censoring and silencing critical voices with the aim of preserving the pro-vaccination agenda of interested parties. Participants also reported additional measures aimed at harming them personally and professionally. These findings point to the need for a fair, open, and honest discourse about the safety of vaccines for the benefit of public health and the restoration of trust in science and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: A critical discussion comparing Newtonian science and complexity science as the philosophical basis for suicide research and its impact on suicide knowledge development and clinical practice. Design: Discussion paper. Data Sources: A review of literature on suicide research and complexity science ranging from 2000 to 2022. Implications for Nursing: Suicide research based on a Newtonian worldview can have negative consequences for suicide knowledge development and can permeate nursing practice in ways that take away from addressing the complex needs of patients, their families and healthcare teams. Conclusion: A Newtonian worldview as a philosophical basis for research is insufficient for the study of a phenomenon as complex as suicide. A complexity science approach is better suited to the study of suicide given the multiple, interrelated, emerging factors that can contribute to a person's decision to end their own life. Impact Suggestions are provided as to how a complexity science approach to the research of suicide can inform useful knowledge development that better meets the needs of individuals facing suicidality and their families. Researchers, healthcare administrators and nurses providing care to those struggling with suicidality can benefit from adopting a complexity science worldview in addressing this multifaceted phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on how adopted adults who have reunited with at least one birth family member experienced identity shifts related to their original birth certificates (OBCs). Framed by the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), 50 adopted adults discussed their experiences related to their OBCs and how their identities are connected to this symbol through three of the layers of CTI, the personal, enacted, and relational layers. Participants discussed the presence of an ambiguous and unsolvable identity that interpenetrated with their other identity layers. Findings extend CTI to include an additional layer for adoptees – phantom identity – which can explain the life adoptees would have lived had they not been adopted. This identity was salient for participants as it manifested in ways such as expressing frustration with obstacles in gaining access to their OBC and refocusing their professional life to support other adopted adults. Moreover, findings offer implications for the examination into current adoption record practices in the United States, additional state mutual consent registries, and increased access to adoption-competent counselors for adoptees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its mission to optimise the quality of patient care and the level of clinician training within the fields of biotherapy, the BioTherapeutics, Education and Research (BTER) Foundation and its Maggot Therapy Competency Committee identified qualities and achievements assessed to be the minimum standards that health care professionals should attain in order to be deemed competent in maggot therapy. The set of six standards were selected to reflect the same high degree of professionalism that is used by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education for assessing other medical specialists, but with an emphasis on the principles and practice of maggot therapy. For each domain in which competency is expected, the rationale has been explained, specific competencies have been articulated, and methods for demonstrating or evaluating those competencies have been suggested. Applicable to any clinician applying maggot dressings professionally, these recommendations should assist those who wish to identify, assess, or achieve competency in maggot therapy. Specifically, these six competencies include: (1) knowledge about wound care in general and maggot therapy in particular; (2) skill in general patient care, to a level commensurate with their professional role; (3) ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, and the general public; (4) professional and ethical behaviour; (5) ability to deliver systems‐based health care; (6) incorporation of continuing education and quality improvement into their practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the concerns on the quality of scientific papers writing. Topics include the benefits of improved scientific paper writing for the researchers and on the progress of science, the factors that influence better writing and the rules that will boost the impact of a paper through the reinforcement of attitude toward scientific literature.

Background Mothers who have children removed from their care often have complex needs. These women have poor health outcomes and are dying earlier than their peers from preventable and amenable causes. Yet there is little known about how health care services might mitigate these risks. This study aimed to listen to the voices of women who had children removed from their care to understand their experiences of health and healthcare. Methods We used a narrative approach to collect and analyse interview data with six mothers who had experienced child removal in England. Each participant was asked to reflect on their life and main health challenges. Results Three narrative subplots were developed to consolidate experiences of unmet health need: (i) 'on paper you're normal': narratives of complex need, (ii) 'in my family, everyone had issues': narratives of whole family need and (iii) 'I'm still mummy, no matter where they are': narratives of maternal identity and health. Conclusions Findings highlight limitations within current systems of support, including a culture of distrust and women falling between the gaps of services. Women's narratives illustrate opportunities for health intervention, especially immediately following child removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents details on the character of political leader Stephen F. Austin as implied in the 'Papers Concerning Robertson's Colony in Texas' (PCRCT) by Malcolm D. McLean. Objective of McLean in writing the book; Betrayal of Austin of his colleagues; Impact of PCRCT on the history of Texas.

The article discusses the author's opinions on how long law school exam answers, court briefs, and other legal compositions should be as of May 2014, focusing on various legal scholarship standards in terms of law-review articles and footnotes. The attitudes of American law professors are mentioned, along with the concept that good ideas do not have to be explained by long answers and multiple pages of text. Readability and the value of short papers are also examined.

Although explicit measures of doping attitude are widely used, they are susceptible to bias due to social desirability. The current computerized measures of implicit attitudes are time-consuming and based on expensive software solutions. Recently, paper-and-pencil (p&p) Implicit Association Tests (IAT) have been developed, making it possible to test several participants simultaneously, anywhere, and with no need of computerized equipment and software. The present series of studies aimed at developing a French version of a p&p IAT to measure athletes' attitudes toward doping (Chan et al., 2017): the IAT-Dop. Four studies, including 212 participants (Mage = 25.49, SD = 5.73), followed Bardin et al. (2016) and Boateng et al. (2018) validation recommendations: (a) development of a preliminary version of the IAT-Dop based on the proposal of Chan's tool (2017), (b) dimensionality and criterion validity tests demonstrating the structure of the p&p version, (c) test-retest reliability, and (d) first approach to construct validity. The results showed that the IAT-Dop was able to measure implicit attitudes toward doping and was stable across time. Significant correlations between the computerized and p&p versions confirmed the construct validity. The p&p IAT-Dop showed several advantages over the computerized version (Lemm et al., 2008), including lower cost and ease of administration. By offering accurate measures and an easier, faster, and cheaper way to measure doping attitudes, this tool should contribute to the better assessment and understanding of the mechanisms related to doping, and it might be a useful new indicator in the evaluation of prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To discuss the risks that heteronormative assumptions play in prostate cancer care and how these may be addressed. Background There is international evidence to support the case that LGBT patients with cancer are less likely to report poor health or self-disclose sexual orientation. Gender-specific cancers, such as prostate cancer, require particular interventions in terms of supportive care. These may include advice about side-effect management (such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction), treatment choices and social and emotional issues. In this paper, we discuss and analyse the heteronormative assumptions and culture that exist around this cancer. We argue that this situation may act as a barrier to effective supportive care for all Lesbian women, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual patients, in this case men who have sex with men. [Correction added on 21 September 2017, after first online publication: The first sentence of the Background section has been revised for clarity in this current version.] Design Theoretical exploration of heteronormativity considered against the clinical context of prostate cancer. Methods Identification and inclusion of relevant international evidence combined with clinical discussion. Results This paper posits a number of questions around heteronormativity in relation to prostate cancer information provision, supportive care and male sexuality. While assumptions regarding sexual orientation should be avoided in clinical encounters, this may be difficult when heteronormative assumptions dominate. Existing research supports the assertion that patient experience, including the needs of LGBT patients, should be central to service developments. Conclusion Assumptions about sexual orientation should be avoided and recorded accurately and sensitively, and relational models of care should be promoted at the start of cancer treatment in an appropriate manner. These may assist in reducing the risks of embarrassment or offence to nonheterosexual patients, or to professionals who may adopt heteronormative assumptions. Relevance to clinical practice Having an awareness of the risks of making heteronormative assumptions in clinical practice will be useful for all health professionals engaged in prostate cancer care. This awareness can prevent embarrassment or upset for patients and ensure a more equitable provision of service, including men with prostate cancer who do not identify as heterosexual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's insight on the knowledge of sociologist Hans Joas concerning the Aristotelian concept of practical wisdom or phronesis as the foundation for creativity. He mentions that his book "The Creativity of Action," explores his different perceptions about creativity. He adds that phronesis is related to the situation without given solution by reflecting on experiences and principles. He says that Joas perceive creativity as expression, production, and revolution.

Han, Miller, and Snow have written three thoughtful critiques of the VIA Classification of Strengths and Virtues. In this response, I emphasize five points. First, I suggest the concept of practical wisdom may be understood in terms of three VIA strengths: prudence, judgment, and perspective. Second, recognizing that the VIA Classification is a structural model of individual traits, rather than a moral theory, can address some concerns about the model, including its failure to account for the unity of the virtues. Third, I review a three-virtue model that has emerged in recent research on the VIA strengths may provide essential elements for a taxonomy of virtue. Fourth, I raise several issues associated with the application of the VIA Classification to moral education. Finally, though the model demonstrates substantial generalizabilty across Westernized populations, research in traditional indigenous cultures remains insufficient. I conclude with a series of questions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although studies have examined the antecedents and consequences of sales force control (SFC) systems, little research investigates how different SFC elements interact or work together to affect salespeople behaviors and customer outcomes. Drawing on a diverse literature, this study hypothesizes interactive influence of three formal control elements (i.e., output, activity, and capability) on two customer-directed sales behaviors (i.e., problem solving and opportunism), which subsequently affect customer relationship outcomes. Using data collected from matched business-to-business buyer-seller dyads in China, the authors find that output and activity controls reduce both problem solving and opportunism when used together. Output and capability controls synergistically enhance problem solving and reduce opportunism, whereas activity and capability controls interact to reduce problem solving and increase opportunism. In addition, sales behaviors have significant effects on customer relationship satisfaction, which in turn affects customer share of wallet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author focuses on the German psychoanalyst Wolfgang Loch's paper "Drives and objects – observations on the origins of the emotional object world." It mentions that the paper offers information about the theory of the establishment of the psychical reality of internal objects and the psychical space. It also mentions that emotional theory was also appeared in the book "Beyond the Pleasure Principle."

While tolerance is recognised as important, especially to diverse societies, understanding tolerance poses complexities, both theoretically and in practical application. Tolerance is relevant in different social contexts, yet these pose distinct challenges to measurement. Thus, understanding the measurement of tolerance is important. This study provides a systematic review of tolerance scales, with the procedure based on the PRISMA statement. The initial collection of over 1600 papers through the systematic review process yielded a set of 11 papers. These papers trace the development of tolerance scales to encompass distinct social contexts over time, including political, cultural, ethnic and racial, racial and religious, gender and sexual, and social. Correspondingly, the approaches reflect particular challenges relevant to these domains for understanding and measuring tolerance. In contrast, some recent contributions aim to develop broader, less context-specific means to assess tolerance. Notwithstanding the breadth of articles included, this systematic review yielded articles that covered only selected Western-centric geographies: this indicates the opportunity for further research to access and integrate non-English-language articles to broaden the geographical and cultural perspectives on tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Following years of sustained pressure on the UK health service, there is recognition amongst health professionals and stakeholders that current models of healthcare are likely to be inadequate going forward. Therefore, a fundamental review of existing social models of healthcare is needed to ascertain current thinking in this area, and whether there is a need to change perspective on current thinking. Method Through a systematic research review, this paper seeks to address how previous literature has conceptualized a social model of healthcare and, how implementation of the models has been evaluated. Analysis and data were extracted from 222 publications and explored the country of origin, methodological approach, and the health and social care contexts which they were set. Results The publications predominantly drawn from the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and Europe identified five themes namely: the lack of a clear and unified definition of a social model of health and wellbeing; the need to understand context; the need for cultural change; improved integration and collaboration towards a holistic and person-centred approach; measuring and evaluating the performance of a social model of health. Conclusion The review identified a need for a clear definition of a social model of health and wellbeing. Furthermore, consideration is needed on how a model integrates with current models and whether it will act as a descriptive framework or, will be developed into an operational model. The review highlights the importance of engagement with users and partner organizations in the co-creation of a model of healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on the topic of euthanasia/voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Topics include emphasising the disparity in support between responses of medical and nursing staff and highlighting the low support rate of high impact specialists; and showing a wide range of personal attributes, social relationships, professional experiences, and intellectual endeavours.

Background: The essence of humanism in medicine and health care is relationships-caring relationships between clinicians and patients. While raising concerns regarding professional-patient boundaries has positively contributed to our understanding and prevention of potentially harmful boundary violations, there is controversy about which types of relationships, caring acts, and practices are acceptable versus cross boundary lines.Objective: To examine primary care physicians' practices and attitudes regarding acts that have been questioned as potentially "inappropriate" or "unethical" crossing of professional-patient boundaries.Design: Surveys conducted via in-person polling or electronic and mailed paper submissions from April 2016 to July 2017. We calculated descriptive statistics and examined associations with practices and attitudes using logistic regression.Participants: Random sample of all US primary care physicians who treat adult patients; convenience sample of attendees at medicine grand rounds presentations.Main Measures: Outcomes were self-reported practices and attitudes related to giving patients rides home, paying for patients' medication, helping patients find jobs, employing patients, going to dinner with patients, and providing care to personal friends.Key Results: Among 1563 total respondents, 34% had given a ride home, 34% had paid for medications, 15% helped patients find a job, 7% had employed a patient, 10% had dinner with patients, and 59% provided care to personal friends. A majority disapproved of dinner with a patient (75%) but approved of or were neutral on all other scenarios (61-90%).Conclusions: The medical profession is quite divided on questions related to drawing lines about appropriate boundaries. Contrary to official and widespread proscriptions against such practices (with exception of dinner dates), many have actually engaged in such practices and the majority found them acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is based on the linguistic meaning of extremism, which is defined by the dimension and the end of the middle, which shows that in every hypothesis or theory, in each constant or variable in which the eyes and positions are divided into three main axes, two extremes and a moderate medium whose attributes are proven And the decision and moderation in thought and behavior, and by adopting the advantages in both parties , and the rejection of the negatives in them, and as the distance from the center increases attitudes and trends negative and turbulent; because they lost this distance to the medium until reaching the end of the parties On the other hand, the extremes in the negative attitudes increase or decrease according to the distance between them and the center . The division in this equation is threefold, but the negatives in the extreme left, and the corresponding ones by cons in the extreme right will be generated by the fourth - party outside of all of this equation; because it rejects all axes altogether, it is my view to the middle of the eye charge and inaction, and to the party yen opposite of the eye negatives and evil, and here lies the danger of this kind great harm, and this What the researcher will try to prove in his folds These papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For automated quayside container cranes, accurate measurement of the three-dimensional positioning and attitude of the container spreader is crucial for the safe and efficient transfer of containers. This paper proposes a high-precision measurement method for the spreader's three-dimensional position and rotational angles based on a single vertically mounted fixed-focus visual camera. Firstly, an image preprocessing method is proposed for complex port environments. The improved YOLOv5 network, enhanced with an attention mechanism, increases the detection accuracy of the spreader's keypoints and the container lock holes. Combined with image morphological processing methods, the three-dimensional position and rotational angle changes of the spreader are measured. Compared to traditional detection methods, the single-camera-based method for three-dimensional positioning and attitude measurement of the spreader employed in this paper achieves higher detection accuracy for spreader keypoints and lock holes in experiments and improves the operational speed of single operations in actual tests, making it a feasible measurement approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This brief article examines the community services delivered to youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a Southern Californian city as a way to better understand ASD service provision and service attitudes. Specific goals of the study were to identify the services being delivered within the area, and how the use, perceived evidence, and value attached to these services mapped onto recent systematic ASD service reviews. Forty-six providers completed the ASD Strategies and Interventions Survey (ASD-SIS), which consisted of 21 treatment strategies and 22 interventions packages commonly used with children with ASD. Participants: (1) indicated each treatment strategy and intervention package they use, and (2) rated the perceived evidence and value of each treatment strategy and intervention package they endorsed using. Results demonstrated that a variety of treatment strategies and intervention packages, both with and without an established evidence base, were reportedly being delivered to youth with ASD through community-based agencies. Additionally, a large number of providers reported not knowing the evidence of many treatment strategies and intervention packages. Finally, although no relationship was found between evidence base and use, perceived evidence, and value for treatment strategies, providers reported significantly higher use, perceived evidence, and value for established intervention packages. Results demonstrate the need to more effectively disseminate strategies that can support providers in selecting services to deliver to youth with ASD, and underscore the need to better understand the community service landscape on a larger scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether questionnaires measuring psychosocial constructs related to low back pain (LBP) that were originally designed for adults are suitable for adolescents, and if paper and web-versions have similar measurement properties. OBJECTIVES: To examine selected psychometric properties for the paper- and web-based Back-Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ-phys) among adults and adolescents in two diverse countries and to determine whether differences existed between countries and pain groups. METHODS: A sample of 156 adults (Hong Kong, n = 75; Australia, n = 81) and 96 adolescents (Hong Kong, n = 61; Australia, n = 35) participated in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Main effects for country and administration mode were observed in adult BBQ scores, where Australian adults reported significantly higher BBQ scores than Hong Kong adults (mean difference (MD); 95% CI: 2.85; 0.96-4.74) and significantly higher scores were recorded on the web mode compared to the paper mode (MD 0.74; 0.10-1.38). Similarly, Hong Kong adults and adolescents reported higher FABQ-phys scores than Australian adults and adolescents (MD; 95% CI: 3.40; 1.37-5.43 and 4.88; 0.53-9.23, respectively). Internal consistency values were mostly acceptable (α⩾0.7). CONCLUSION: Differences exist between cultures for LBP-related beliefs. The BBQ and FABQ-phys have acceptable measurement properties in both administration modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's tips for writing a better scientific paper. These involve style, truth and presentation. He mentions the aim of research papers in presenting outcomes, explicating its importance and placing in the body of knowledge. An overview of the scene for communication between the reader and the writer is also presented.

The present study focuses on the implementation of a self - assessment procedure in a Physics class, extended during a seven weeks period in a European secondary level school. The researchers used three modes of assessment based on paper and pencil, computer-web and mobile devices respectively. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of each mode of assessment on students' motivation and achievement. Analysis of pre- and post-motivation tests revealed a more positive motivational orientation of students towards computers and mobile devices as assessment delivery mediums. Also, student evaluation implemented after the phase of the experimental procedure showed a significant increase in learning achievement for low-achieving students who participated in the mobile-based and computer-based assessment. The positive effects of computers and mobile devices on students' learning motivation suggest that they can be used as a promising alternative to paper and pencil assessment procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A person‐centred approach in the context of health services delivery implies a biopsychosocial model focusing on all factors that influence the person's health and functioning. Those wishing to monitor change should consider this perspective when they develop and use guidelines to stimulate active consideration of the person's needs, preferences and participation in goal setting, intervention selection and the use of appropriate outcome measures. Objective: To develop a position paper that promotes a person‐centred approach in guideline development and implementation. Design, setting and participants: We used three narrative discussion formats to collect data for achieving consensus: a nominal group technique for the Allied Health Steering Group, an Internet discussion board and a workshop at the annual G‐I‐N conference. We analysed the data for relevant themes to draft recommendations. Results: We built the position paper on the values of the biopsychosocial model. Four key themes for enhancing a person‐centred approach in clinical guidelines emerged: (i) use a joint definition of health‐related quality of life as an essential component of intervention goals, (ii) incorporate the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework for considering all domains related to health, (iii) adopt a shared decision‐making method, and (iv) incorporate patient‐reported health outcome measures. The position statement includes 14 recommendations for guideline developers, implementers and users. Conclusion: This position paper describes essential elements for incorporating a person‐centred approach in clinical guidelines. The consensus process provided information about barriers and facilitators that might help us develop strategies for implementing person‐centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It has been recommended that social, health and other relevant professionals work collaboratively to support parents with learning disabilities (LD) and their children. A number of qualitative studies have investigated the experiences of professionals who work with parents with LD. A synthesis of these experiences has not as yet been produced, and therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review how professionals experience working with parents with LD to inform practice guidelines on how parents with LD can be supported most effectively. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic search took place using five databases and 15 peer-reviewed papers were identified based on the relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of each included paper was systematically evaluated. Meta-ethnography was used to synthesise the qualitative data from the identified studies. Findings: The synthesis offered six themes: concerns about knowledge and experience, the importance of and difficulties with available support, the importance of and challenges with liaison with and between professionals, differences in power, conflicting priorities – parents or children?, the personal impact on professionals. Originality/value: The results are discussed in the context of previous research. Recommendations for future research and practice innovation are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented that focuses on issues related to learning disabilities, including participation of people with learning disabilities in end-of-life care research, attitudes of support workers towards the affective and sexual lives of people with intellectual disabilities, and challenges concerning attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder that is often misdiagnosed in people with learning disabilities.

Although these papers by Stuart and Barbara Pizer might initially seem unrelated, I find in them a deep complementarity, presenting an interlocking approach to analytic stance or attitude and analytic process. Both papers are responses to the totalizing nature of knowing that can reduce our ineffable subjectivity to chattel, to be used as spare parts in the service of avoiding the existential agonies of our own vulnerability in the face of death. I see generous involvement as a contemporary formulation of neutrality and as a necessary foundational stance for an analytic process captured eloquently by the notion of moving feeling forward, a process of de-totalizing, of opening a generous experience of the other as an irreducible mystery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 ( HHKA) required schools to make changes to meals provided to children. Rural school districts have limited resources, with increased obesity rates and local food insecurity. In this study we sought to understand the perceptions of rural food service directors and the barriers to implementing the changes. METHODS Food service directors from rural school districts were invited to complete a semistructured telephone interview and online survey. A total of 51 respondents completed both, 6 completed only the online survey, and 16 completed only the telephone interview. Qualitative interview data were analyzed through open thematic coding; descriptive statistics were calculated for the quantitative data. RESULTS Food service directors mostly perceived the changes as negative, challenging, and burdensome. They believed that the changes resulted from concern about childhood obesity, which they did not view as a problem for their students. Diverse challenges were reported related to cost, preparation, and student preference. CONCLUSIONS Food service directors in isolated, rural areas need support to enhance understanding of HHKA requirements, build professional networks to learn from one another, and communicate with students, families, and other stakeholders. Future efforts should focus on changing perceptions and supporting directors in order to make implementation a success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I begin by defending permissivism: the claim that, sometimes, there is more than one way to rationally respond to a given body of evidence. Then I argue that, if we accept permissivism, certain worries that arise as a result of learning that our beliefs were caused by the communities we grew up in, the schools we went to, or other irrelevant influences dissipate. The basic strategy is as follows: First, I try to pinpoint what makes irrelevant influences worrying and I come up with two candidate principles. I then argue that one principle should be rejected because it is inconsistent with permissivism. The principle we should accept implies that it is sometimes rational to maintain our beliefs, even upon learning that they were caused by irrelevant influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To discuss the actual public image of nurses and other factors that influence the development of nurses' self-concept and professional identity. Background Nurses have become healthcare professionals in their own right who possess a great deal of knowledge. However, the public does not always value the skills and competences nurses have acquired through education and innovation. Design Discussion paper. Data sources We identified 1216 relevant studies by searching MEDLINE, CINAHL and Psyc INFO databases in the period 1997-2010. Finally, 18 studies met our inclusion criteria. Discussion The included studies show that the actual public image of nursing is diverse and incongruous. This image is partly self-created by nurses due to their invisibility and their lack of public discourse. Nurses derive their self-concept and professional identity from their public image, work environment, work values, education and traditional social and cultural values. Implications for nursing Nurses should work harder to communicate their professionalism to the public. Social media like the Internet and YouTube can be used to show the public what they really do. Conclusion To improve their public image and to obtain a stronger position in healthcare organizations, nurses need to increase their visibility. This could be realized by ongoing education and a challenging work environment that encourages nurses to stand up for themselves. Furthermore, nurses should make better use of strategic positions, such as case manager, nurse educator or clinical nurse specialist and use their professionalism to show the public what their work really entails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being a novel and useful construct, perhaps prophetically, territoriality has defended itself from adoption by the management research community. However, the topic itself is not to blame and looking back 20 years after publishing the first management article on territoriality, I realize that certain choices I made influenced the direction and impact of my initial publication. In this article, I reflect on my experience trying to launch a new topic (territoriality) into the management field. From this experience, I offer readers ideas that may help successfully launch new constructs. Failure to join other conversations, develop a measure that could be easily adopted by others, and key early tradeoffs I made played a key role in my own failed (slow) launch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community residents are important stakeholders in preserving historic districts. This paper introduces the extended theory of planned behavior to explore the intentions of residents to participate in heritage preservation, and further explains the influencing factors. Seven historic districts in Tianjin are selected as case studies. The results show that the residents' intentions to preserve heritage are positively influenced by three subjective perception factors of heritage preservation attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, as well as two objective situational factors of environmental quality of historic district and policy guidance for heritage preservation. Furthermore, the objective situational factors indirectly influence heritage preservation intentions through the subjective perception factors. Based on these findings, this paper puts forward corresponding suggestions to enhance the heritage preservation intentions of community residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the effectiveness of mixed-mode methodology, this article draws on a study that used both online and paper surveys to collect data on a sample of the over 50 population in a small New England town. Respondents were offered the option of responding online or with a paper survey, an approach that addresses some of the major concerns about using online surveys among groups with limited Internet access while also reducing costs and simplifying data entry. The authors demonstrate that response mode does not have a significant effect on survey answers once demographic variables (such as employment and income) are added to the analysis. In addition, the results from this survey suggest that the Internet is useful as a tool to collect data from those over 50. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Citation is a powerful method for establishing belief. Published statements gain credibility when followed by citations. Citation in its purest form consists of the scholarly connection of authors' ideas and claims to existing literature, yet there are also non-scholarly uses of citation that are best called citation distortions. Unfounded biomedical belief systems arising from citation distortions may become widely accepted as fact. The development of methodology for the study of citation distortions and belief systems regarding scientific claims was recently described. Here, I discuss further the methodological approaches to studying published scientific belief systems and identifying citation distortions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aims to uncover whether or not factors such as national and professional identities and the medium of interaction (i.e., e-mails), affect the way Turkish and British conference organisers begin their Call for Papers for international conferences (CFPIC), and when and how they use inclusive ‘we’ pronouns in messages written in English. The survey also examines if there is a relationship between these three factors and the interpretation of (im)politeness by comparing whether or not writers with different cultural backgrounds, while trying to reach their aim (i.e., collect conference papers), (dis)obey some of the politeness rules proposed by . The corpus for this study consisted of e-mailed CFPIC collected between January 2002 and February 2006. CFPIC were related to areas such as linguistics, foreign/second language education and literature. The findings of the research suggest intricate and dynamic relations between a number of the micro- and macro-contextual factors, and some features of e-mails in English written by members of Turkish and British cultures. It is hoped that the results of this study will contribute to enhancing knowledge in the field of politeness and electronic communication, raising awareness of the relationship between cultural and professional identities and the interpretation of (im)politeness, thus providing valuable insights into intercultural communication conventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

According to the old tradition in ethical theory that Professor von Wright attempts to revive in his paper “Valuations,” value judgments are to be viewed as nothing but expressions of approving or disapproving emotional attitudes. The present paper argues against this view on the grounds that (i) to have an emotional attitude towards an object o does not merely mean to express our liking or disliking of it, but to make a genuine (i.e., true or false) judgment about o; and that (ii) this judgment, and not the emotional attitude o arises in us, is what we are justified to properly call a “value judgement.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In studies of intersectionality, citizenship is a category that is rarely given much attention. When it is, the care it is given is usually limited to demonstrating how the "deserving" are differentiated from the "undeserving" within regimes of rights under the nation-state model. This article works to elucidate the role played by citizenship as status and concept in everyday interactions. I present three undocumented mothers' interactions with out-of-work males of color who are US citizens that reveal the former's understanding of citizenship as active, as something gained through work and involvement in the community. Reading their words through their context and understanding of citizenship, I find that these mothers' statements are not merely appropriations of dominant discourses but rather complex interplays between embodied knowledge and hegemony. While the mothers' discourse of active citizenship sounds like that of liberal, meritocratic citizenship, these women draw upon collectively and spatially informed notions of citizenship that originate in their home countries and migrate with them. This argument complicates notions of racial naturalization as well as analyses that see interethnic conflict as simply an effect of white supremacy. By highlighting a different form of citizenship—one whose ontology is based in active participation in the community in contrast to passive notions prevalent in the US imaginary—I hope to show that citizenship interacts with the categories of race, ethnicity, gender, and class to influence how these are experienced and negotiated in the everyday lives of citizens and noncitizens alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a method for appraising research paper quality eligible for evidence-based design (EBD). It mentions its aims in shifting research findings into the practice of design for architects. It also notes an algorithm and its role in guiding designers in evaluating the degree of evidence.

This article investigates how influential policy advice constructs a stable Congo image and upholds the belief in intervention benefits. By investigating analytical blind spots and the way counter evidence is dealt with, this article shows that current policy papers imagine the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s economy, politics and society in a reductionist way. The economy is seen as criminal, illegal and unproductive. The state is portrayed as weak, despite obvious examples of its influence. Finally, society is seen as dominated by sexual violence. This ‘functional pathologization’ allows for self-referential reasoning about Western interventions, security sector reform for example, and serves as a recipe to perpetuate them. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Comments on methodological issues linked to the alcohol Stroop paradigm in the paper of Sharma, Albery and Cook. Assessment on the attentional bias of drinkers for alcohol-related stimuli; Objections to the card format used in the presentation of the Stroop stimuli; Employment of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test.