1,721,382 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Psychosocial risk and protective factors of early school leaving in Luxembourg: an exploratory case-control study
Get PDFConsidering the individual and socio-economic burden of early school leaving (ESL), the subject has gained primary concern among school professionals, researchers and political stakeholders who aim to gather the phenomenon of ESL and take action. In Luxembourg, since 2003, the ministry of education has systematically traced ESL and implemented targeted school-level interventions that certainly contributed to an overall decline of the national dropout rate. Nonetheless the proportion of young people who remain without any specific occupation after their dropout remained static, whereas the proportion of those who had resumed their education and then dropped out again even increased. These alarming observations challenge the efficiency of exclusively school-based measures and stretch the urge for considering a more holistic and preventive approach in reducing ESL. Furthermore, a significant proportion of adolescents develop a first episode of psychiatric disorder during their transition to adulthood, with incidence rates increasing by age. In this context, a primary objective of the present study was to explore, as a national novelty, prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders among early school leavers registered for the school year 2010/2011. Furthermore, the association between mental health variables as predictor of interest and early school leaving was explored by an incident-cases nationwide case-control study. Selected socio-demographic, school-related and family variables were included in the analyses as they are factors likely to interfere with both educational attainment and mental health. Cases were defined as students who had left the national educational system at some point during the school year 2010/2011 or at year-end but without having graduated. Controls were regularly enrolled students matched on age, gender, school, type of training and educational level. The presented research was jointly initiated by the University of Liège and the Centre for Health Studies of CRP-Santé in Luxembourg. Furthermore, it was part of the so-called PPSM « Prévention et Promotion de la Santé Mentale » mission, an « Interreg IV-A » project aimed at exploring and promoting mental health in the trans-border zone of Saarland (Germany), Lorraine (France), Wallonia (Belgium) and Luxembourg. Funding was granted under the AFR scheme of the « Fonds National de la Recherche ». The study protocol was fully approved by the national research ethics committee (« Comité National d’Ethique de Recherche ») and notified to the national commission for data protection (« Commission Nationale pour la Protection des Données »). Data collection was based on 200 individual interviews (100 in each group) and targeted socio-demographic variables, school experiences, psychiatric syndromes and disorder diagnoses according to DSM IV, problematic internet use and family variables.The present dissertation is divided into 5 main parts including an introduction, scope of the research, a description of the method and the results before finishing with the discussion and conclusion part. These 5 parts are again sub-divided into 15 chapters. The first part (introduction) starts with a brief general overview in chapter 1 illustrating the interregional and the national context of the study. Chapter 2 then describes the organization of the national school system whereas chapter 3 focuses on the core topic by providing a definition of ESL as well as main epidemiological results including national and international dropout statistics and identified school-related risk factors. In addition to school-related determinants, chapter 4 develops the association between mental health and educational attainment by providing an overview of relevant scientific results targeting psychosocial risk factors of ESL. The content of chapter 4 is expanded in a systematic literature review published with BMC Psychiatry.In the light of the previously exposed scientific contributions, part 2 illustrates the scope of the research project. Chapter 5 exposes hypotheses and objectives that had guided this work before raising expected contributions to scientific knowledge and practical implications. The methodology adopted to achieve the aforementioned objectives is presented in part 3 which is sub-divided into two chapters. Chapter 6 defines the case-control design, recruitment and field work procedures, data collection, quality control measures and return of results, whereas statistical analyses and evaluation of missing data are depicted in chapter 7. The detailed study protocol of this thesis had been published in BMC Public Health (cf. appendix 1).The following part consists of 4 different chapters dedicated to presenting the results of this research. Chapter 8 describes the inclusion of early school leavers into the study and evaluates their representativeness compared to the source population composed of all nationally registered school dropouts for the school year 2010/2011. Comparative analyses were run on age, gender, previous ESL, type and level of education. As they did not reveal any significant differences, participants were considered to be representative of the source population. In the same way, regarding the same characteristics, there were no significant differences between participants and non-participants. Chapter 9 illustrates the study sample in terms of socio-demographic background, school experiences, mental health and family functioning and allows to select potential predictor variables, according to a significance level of 20%, to include into subsequent multivariable analyses. Differences between cases and matched controls regarding these variables were explored with univariate conditional logistic regressions. Regarding socio-demographic variables, the decease of a parent was the only variable significantly associated with ESL. At school-level, absenteeism and being late for school were confirmed as potential predictors of ESL. Furthermore, early school leavers had significantly less positive relationships with teachers. They perceived them as less democratic, less cheerful and also less interested in the student as a person. Physical health variables did not significantly differ between cases and controls whereas mental health had a significant impact on ESL. More precisely, early school leavers reported more symptoms of withdrawn, anxiety or depression, somatic complaints without any medical reason, thought problems and aggressive behaviour. Depending on the type of syndrome, the probability of ESL increased by 6 to 20% when the syndrome score increased by one point. Diagnoses for any psychiatric disorder were highly prevalent in both groups with anxiety disorders being the most frequent. As for anxiety, the frequency of mood disorders was similar between cases and controls, but the presence of suicidal intentions was significantly associated with ESL. The same was observed for a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Both groups did not differ on so-called addictive behaviours (alcohol, illicit drugs and problematic internet use). Regarding family functioning, task fulfilment, communication, connectedness, affective expression and shared values were perceived more problematic among early school leavers.Chapter 10 gives an overview of estimated prevalence rates for psychiatric disorders among early school leavers with antisocial personality disorder (19%), alcohol abuse and dependence (14% and 11% respectively), major depressive disorder (13%), agoraphobia (13%) and substance dependence (10%) being predominant diagnoses. Differences between genders were assessed with Chi Square or Fisher’s exact test and observed for the prevalence of panic disorder, agoraphobia, substance abuse and antisocial personality disorder thus confirming the hypothesis of so-called internalizing disorders being more prevalent in women, whereas men more often presented so-called externalizing disorders.After univariate conditional logistic regressions presented in chapter 9, chapter 11 provides results from multivariable logistic regressions with ESL as the outcome of interest and selected predictor variables that were below the 20% significance level in univariate analyses. The models revealed that the likelihood of dropping out of school increased with symptoms of anxiety and depression, absenteeism, poor self-rated school performance and less perceived peer support. An article presenting the results of this work is currently in preparation. The fifth part of the thesis discusses in 4 chapters the main findings in the light of previous literature and in terms of the selected matching criteria. Practical implications and guidelines for prevention strategies are drawn from the final results. The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Ministry of Education or the Centre for Health Studies
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Hypnotic and anxiolytic benzodiazepines: Mortality and addiction risks. Results from a study in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.
Get PDFCette thèse est présentée dans le cadre du Doctorat en Sciences Médicales de l’Université de Liège (ULg). Elle porte sur l’utilisation des benzodiazépines hypnotiques et anxiolytiques, leur probabilité d’évolution vers une dépendance à haut dosage et leur risque de mortalité.La partie générale résume les indications des benzodiazépines, leurs types et leurs particularités. Elle passe en revue les caractéristiques diagnostiques de l’intoxication aiguë et propose une classification clinique de l’usage à problèmes des benzodiazépines. Elle décrit également le sevrage de ces substances et résume les critiques de la recommandation de passer des benzodiazépines aux inhibiteurs sélectifs de la recapture de la sérotonine dans le traitement des troubles anxieux.La partie empirique inclut des données épidémiologiques et propose une définition de la consommation « à haut dosage ». Elle soulève l’hypothèse que des différences existent entre les benzodiazépines, et plus particulièrement entre benzodiazépines anxiolytiques et benzodiazépines hypnotiques. Elle présente les résultats de la recherche faite dans le cadre de cette thèse. Elle esquisse également des données compilées au niveau de la mortalité « toutes causes confondues » associée avec les benzodiazépines et discute les biais probables.La partie réflexive discute des conclusions et actions à prendre à partir des résultats de cette thèse. Elle récapitule les mesures de prévention déjà en vigueur, et énonce des recommandations concrètes. Elle propose des études à faire à l’avenir.This thesis is presented as part of the PhD in Medical Sciences of the University of Liège (ULg). It provides an overview of the use of benzodiazepine hypnotics and anxiolytics, their likelihood of progression to high-dose dependence and their mortality risk. The general section summarizes the indications of benzodiazepines, their types and their characteristics. It reviews the diagnostic features of acute intoxication and provides a clinical classification of the problematic use of benzodiazepines. It also describes the withdrawal of these substances and summarizes the criticisms of the recommendation to move from benzodiazepines to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of anxiety disorders.The empirical section includes epidemiological data and proposes a definition of « high-dose use ». It raises the hypothesis that differences exist between benzodiazepines, especially between anxiolytic and hypnotic benzodiazepines. It presents the results of research done in relation to this thesis. It also outlines the preliminary results of mortality from all-cause associated with benzodiazepines and discusses the likely biases.The discussion debates the findings and actions to be taken on the basis of the results of this thesis. It summarizes the preventive measures already in place and sets out concrete recommendations. It suggests studies to be undertaken in the future
Approche psychognénétique du craving pour l'alcool
No full textCraving is thought to play a predominant role in the persistence of alcohol dependence, which seems to bear a substantial genetic component. Based on previous results highlighting the influence of serotonergic and dopaminergic nerotransmissions in both dependence and craving for alcohol, we investigated the impact of three specific polymorphisms on craving in male abstinent alcohol dependent patients. Our results show that alcohol craving may be influenced by genetic differences in alcohol dependent patients. There seems to be a dual serotonergic and dopaminergic modulation of craving. During acute withdrawal, desire to drink is predominantly influenced by the C1019 allele of the 5-HT1A receptor. Conversely, carrying the A1 allele of the DRD2 increases craving only when patients are no longer hospitalized and protected from drinking cues.Furthermore, we showed that craving partially influenced relapse and that the S allele of the 5-HTTpro, responsible for a 5-HT hypo-functioning, was significantly associated with relapse in abstinent alcohol dependent patients, possibly through intermediate phenotypes such as personality features or lack of behavioral inhibition. Our results may be useful in evaluating and developing novel pharmacogenetic approaches to treat alcohol dependence and one of its core symptoms, namely craving.Le craving semble jouer un rôle prédominant dans la persistance des comportements d’alcoolisation et de rechute chez les sujets alcoolo-dépendants. Cette pathologie semble par ailleurs très nettement influencée par des facteurs d’ordre génétique. Sur base d’études préliminaires illustrant l’influence des neurotransmissions dopaminergique et sérotoninergique dans l’alcoolo-dépendance et le craving pour l’alcool, notre objectif a été d’évaluer l’impact de trois polymorphismes génétiques spécifiques sur le craving chez des patients masculins alcoolo-dépendant sevrés.Nos résultats montrent que le craving est bien influencé par des différences génétiques interindividuelles et qu’une modulation bimodale sérotoninergique et dopaminergique semble s’exercer sur le craving pour l’alcool. Pendant la phase aiguë du sevrage, l’envie de boire est nettement influencée par la présence de l’allèle C du polymorphisme C-1019G du récepteur sérotoninergique 5-HT1A. A l’inverse, la présence de l’allèle A1 du récepteur dopaminergique D2 n’influence le craving qu’à distance du sevrage, lorsque les patients sont à nouveau dans leur milieu habituel et soumis à des stimuli déclanchant une envie de boire.De plus, nous avons pu montrer que le craving influençait partiellement la survenue d’une rechute et que l’allèle court du polymorphisme du promoteur du transporteur de la sérotonine (5-HTTpro) exerçait une influence significative sur la rechute, peut-être au travers de phénotypes intermédiaires de type traits de personnalité ou carence d’inhibition comportementale.Ces résultats pourraient s’avérer utiles dans l’évaluation et le développement de stratégies pharmacogénétiques destinées à traiter l’alcoolo-dépendance et l’un de symptômes les principaux : le craving
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Get PDFWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
koamabayili/VECTRON-author-checklist: VECTRON author checklist
No full textWe have done our best to complete the author checklist relating to the use of animals in the hut study. Note that the objective for the hut study was to evaluate the IRS treatment applications for residual efficacy against Anopheles mosquitoes, including the local An. coluzzii mosquito population. Cows were only used to attract mosquitoes into the huts and no tests were carried out directly on the cows. The author checklist is intended for use with studies where experiments are carried out on animals, which is why we have had such difficulty in completing this for the hut study, as many of the questions do not relate to how the cows were used
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