1,027 research outputs found
Rethinking clinical trials of transcranial direct current stimulation: Participant and assessor blinding is inadequate at intensities of 2mA
Full text linkCopyright @ 2012 The Authors. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and 85 reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The article was made available through the Brunel University Open Access Publishing Fund.Background: Many double-blind clinical trials of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) use stimulus intensities of 2 mA despite the fact that blinding has not been formally validated under these conditions. The aim of this study was to test the assumption that sham 2 mA tDCS achieves effective blinding. Methods:
A randomised double blind crossover trial. 100 tDCS-naïve healthy volunteers were incorrectly advised that they there were taking part in a trial of tDCS on word memory. Participants attended for two separate sessions. In each session, they completed a word memory task, then received active or sham tDCS (order randomised) at 2 mA stimulation intensity for 20 minutes and then repeated the word memory task. They then judged whether they believed they had received active stimulation and rated their confidence in that judgement. The blinded assessor noted when red marks were observed at the electrode sites post-stimulation. Results: tDCS at 2 mA was not effectively blinded. That is, participants correctly judged the stimulation condition greater than would be expected to by chance at both the first session (kappa level of agreement (κ) 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 0.47 p = 0.005) and the second session (κ = 0.77, 95%CI 0.64 to 0.90), p = <0.001) indicating inadequate participant blinding. Redness at the reference electrode site was noticeable following active stimulation more than sham stimulation (session one, κ = 0.512, 95%CI 0.363 to 0.66, p<0.001; session two, κ = 0.677, 95%CI 0.534 to 0.82) indicating inadequate assessor blinding. Conclusions: Our results suggest that blinding in studies using tDCS at intensities of 2 mA is inadequate. Positive results from such studies should be interpreted with caution.GLM is supported by the National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia ID 571090
From sham to reality: Should a wrong be taxed as a right?
No full textHow should a sham be treated for tax purposes? In 1524994 Ontario Ltd. v. M.N.R., the Federal Court of Appeal treated a sham as if it reflected the true agreement between the parties in order to uphold a GST assessment. The result was inconsistent with existing jurisprudence and undesirable. Courts should apply the law to the true facts only, and should not overlook or give effect to a sham in order to achieve the desired juridical consequences. The author reviews the origins and development of the sham doctrine and introduces a three-part typology of sham cases. In situations like 1524994 Ontario Ltd. v. M.N.R., the sham is intended to obtain non-tax benefits from a third-party victim, but in the process triggers unintended tax consequences, which are the subject of litigation. Although the traditional approach in Continental Bank Leasing Corp. v. M.N.R. (under which recharacterization is permissible only if the label attached to a transaction does not reflect its actual legal effect) could result in non-payment of taxes and retention of improperly obtained benefits, the author concludes that this result would be preferable to that of the Federal Court of Appeal judgment. Treating a sham as real, and taxing a wrong as a right (1) will not deter parties from creating shams to obtain non-tax benefits, (2) will violate longstanding principles that tax law be applied with neutrality and equity and without considering its effects, and (3) will increase uncertainty and inconsistency in the case law
SHAM WOMEN.
No full textThe object of this study is to investigate specific sham woman image in art works, and to analyse the treatment of woman as object in art and society. To analyse the general conception of props and sham, look through the cultural history on purpose to find how they were used in practical part of art. The author of this study examines the sham principle in fashion, analyses components of the costume and focuses on phenomenon how the part of the costume can change the person into the sham object. The corset is used as such changing part of the costume. It is chosen as the artistic expression of the practical work of women photographers trying to visualize sham principle. The concept of theoretical part deals with the culture for and (postmodern) culture in the context of the feminist analysis of the representatives of the claims. Also the most popular images of woman in art and the main principles of making these images were discussed in this study. A lot of attention was paid to fashion photography and also graphic design, having an assumption that most important part of graphic design for this study is calendar design. The correlation between art photography and graphic design was used as purpose to expose visualization of sham woman in calendar which was designed especially for this study. Also the relevance for pedagogy and practical adaptation of this study in the fields of art education were evaluated
Dealing with the Emerging Popularity of Sham Trusts
No full textThis article considers the doctrines of sham trusts and alter egos currently causing some controversy among trust lawyers. The author analyses recent decisions of the High Court involving allegations of sham trusts and alter egos and relevant authorities from other jurisdictions and assesses the legitimacy of the concepts in the context of established trusts law. While the author accepts the existence of sham trusts, she advocates for a narrower ambit limiting their application only to ab initio shams and rejects both emerging shams and alter egos. Further, the relevant intention with which sham trusts are concerned is only that of the settlor and there should therefore be no requirement of a common sham intention as a prerequisite to finding a sham trust
The Impact of Sham Feeding with Chewing Gum on Postoperative Ileus Following Colorectal Surgery: a Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Full text link© 2020, The Author(s). Background: Chewing gum as a form of sham feeding is an inexpensive and well-tolerated means of promoting gastrointestinal motility following major abdominal surgery. Although recognised by the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society as one of the multimodal approaches to expedite recovery after surgery, strong evidence to support its use in routine postoperative practice is lacking. Methodology: A comprehensive literature review of all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was performed in the Medline and Embase databases between 2000 and 2019. Studies were selected to compare the use of chewing gum versus standard care in the management of postoperative ileus (POI) in adults undergoing colorectal surgery. The primary outcome assessed was the incidence of POI. Secondary outcomes included time to passage of flatus, time to defecation, total length of hospital stay and mortality. Results: Sixteen RCTs were included in the systematic review, of which ten (970 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The incidence of POI was significantly reduced in patients utilising chewing gum compared to those having standard care (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.39, 0.79, p = 0.0009). These patients also had a significant reduction in time to passage of flatus (WMD − 0.31, 95% CI − 0.36, − 0.26, p < 0.00001) and time to defecation (WMD − 0.47, 95% CI − 0.60, − 0.34, p < 0.00001), without significant differences in the total length of hospital stay or mortality. Conclusion: The use of chewing gum after colorectal surgery is a safe and effective intervention in reducing the incidence of POI and merits routine use alongside other ERAS pathways in the postoperative setting
The ‘pure’ relationship, sham marriages and immigration control
No full textThis is the author pre-print version. The final version is available from Hart Publishing via the link in this record.This chapter investigates the circumstances in which a marriage involving a non- EEA migrant spouse is designated a sham marriage so that residence rights are refused. It analyses the problems of understanding and defining a sham marriage and argues that controls over sham marriages often regulate a much wider range of marriages than those entered for the sole purpose of obtaining residence rights
SHAM TRANSACTIONS AS TRANSACTIONS WITH FLAW IN THE WILL
No full textObjective: to prove that sham transactions should be considered invalid transactions with flaw in the will. Methods: General scientific method of systemic analysis, making it possible to identify the legal nature of sham transactions and to define its place both in the general system of legal facts, and in the system of invalid transactions. Results: the conclusion is justified that sham transactions should be considered invalid transactions with flaw in the will, because when making a sham transaction the parties have both the will and the declaration of the will, but the declaration of the will does not reflect in full the relations and the consequences that the parties intend to generate. Scientific novelty: the author has reviewed the scientific studies of those who attribute sham transactions to the group of invalid deals with the flaw in the content. Basing of the presented analysis, the author gives counter-arguments, which allow to identify the flaw of sham transactions. Taking into account that only legitimate actions are considered to be transactions, it is proposed to change the wording of Article 153 of the Russian Civil Code. Practical value: the theoretical principles formulated in the study can be used in lawmaking, in teaching courses in Civil Law, as well as other special courses
Only sham, so why still valid? : a sham marriage against a background regulation in Poland, Germany and Austria
No full textThe article is a critical assessment of Polish family law, particularly a sham marriage. Currently the Polish Family and Guardianship Code provides for only three types of defects of the marriage declaration of the prospective spouses: lack of consciousness, error as to the identity of the other party and unlawful threat. Article 15(1) of the Polish Family and Guardianship Code does not include an ostensible declaration, which the author considers to be a serious mistake of Polish legislator. It also presents regulation a sham marriage in Germany and Austria. The considerations have led to a conclusion that the legal institution of a sham marriage should be regulated in the Polish Family and Guardianship Code. A regulation of sham marriage also appears to be necessary due to content of the Polish Aliens Act
Access to English in Pakistan: inculcating prestige and leadership through instruction in elite schools
No full textPassport to Privilege: English for Survival in Pakistan
Full text linkThis qualitative study focuses on students, teachers, and administrators in different schools, from high to low SES, perceptions about the importance of English in academic, professional, and social life. Most study participants consider English competence a prerequisite for survival in Pakistan due its symbolic power and pragmatic need in life
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