Perceptions of extremists and deradicalization programs among university students in Kuwait

The increase of terrorism and terrorist organizations such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham throughout the Middle East over the past three years have led to an exponential increase in individuals living outside of the Middle East becoming radicalized. These individuals range from children to adults, both male and female. The current study focuses on the process of deradicalization. While a number of studies have begun exploring this issue with regards to the actual process, this study focuses on the perceptions of deradicalization from the public. The study is a mixed-method design with the quantitative portion being a questionnaire about what the students’ perceptions are toward consequences of convicted individuals in relation to extremists. Much research has been done on citizens’ perceptions toward convicted criminals in countries such as the US and the current study seeks to relate those findings, which suggest that there is a highly negative attitude toward convicted criminals, to the attitudes expressed by the university students in Kuwait toward extremists. The qualitative portion of the study involved an open-ended prompt which gave the participants the chance to discuss and describe their thoughts about whether or not a religious extremist could be rehabilitated and deradicalized. The qualitative portion of the study was the primary focus because it is important for program and policy developers associated with deradicalization to understand what the general public perceives regarding the process. The results for the qualitative portion were divided into two main themes: the first being “change is possible” for extremists and the second being “change is not possible” for extremists. However, an interesting find was the third theme that emerged from both of the first two themes, characterized as “all people should be given a second chance.” The current study aims to add to the research gap regarding the public’s perception of deradicalization in the hopes that future work will be conducted in this area.

A link between radicalisation models and extremist propaganda

This study explores the relationship between extremist propaganda and the process of radicalisation. Two theories of the radicalisation process are explored which include a linear approach and a non-linear approach. The Dabiq magazines published by ISIS were analysed qualitatively to understand the possible link between propaganda and radicalising future ISIS fighters. The findings found that the Dabiq magazines were in line with Sageman’s radicalisation process which is non-linear. All of the magazine issues contained various aspects that fit into the four stages of Sageman’s model which suggests that ISIS is attempting to radicalise future enlistments by using multiple methods within the Dabiq issues

Acoustic Measurements of the Stripe and the Bubble Quantum Hall Phases

We launch surface acoustic waves (SAW) along both the $$and the$$ directions of a Hall bar and measure the anisotropic conductivity in a high purity GaAs 2-D electron system in the Quantum Hall regime of the stripe and the bubble phases. In the anisotropic stripe phase, SAW propagating along the "easy" $$direction sense a compressible behavior (finite resistance) which is seen in standard transport measurement only if current flows along the "hard"$$ direction. In the isotropic bubble phase, the SAW data show compressible behavior in both directions, in marked contrast to the incompressible quantum Hall behavior seen in transport measurements. These results challenge models that assume that both the stripe and the bubble phase consist of incompressible domains and raise important questions about the role of domain boundaries in SAW propagation.Comment: Published version from New Journal of Physic

Scanning X-ray diffraction microscopy of a 6 GHz surface acoustic wave

Surface acoustic waves at frequencies beyond a few GHz are promising components for quantum technology applications. Applying scanning X-ray diffraction microcopy we directly map the locally resolved components of the three-dimensional strain field generated by a standing surface acoustic wave on GaAs with wavelength $\lambda\simeq500\,$nm corresponding to frequencies near 6 GHz. We find that the lattice distortions perpendicular to the surface are phase-shifted compared to those in propagation direction. Model calculations based on Rayleigh waves confirm our measurements. Our results represent a break through in providing a full characterization of a radio frequency surface acoustic wave beyond plain imaging.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Child-related characteristics predicting subsequent health-related quality of life in 8- to 14-year-old children with and without cerebellar tumors: a prospective longitudinal study

BackgroundWe identified child-related determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children aged 8–14 years who were treated for 2 common types of pediatric brain tumors. MethodsQuestionnaire measures of HRQoL and psychometric assessments were completed by 110 children on 3 occasions over 24 months. Of these 110, 72 were within 3 years of diagnosis of a cerebellar tumor (37 standard-risk medulloblastoma, 35 low-grade cerebellar astrocytoma), and 38 were in a nontumor group. HRQoL, executive function, health status, and behavioral difficulties were also assessed by parents and teachers as appropriate. Regression modeling was used to relate HRQoL z scores to age, sex, socioeconomic status, and 5 domains of functioning: Cognition, Emotion, Social, Motor and Sensory, and Behavior. ResultsHRQoL z scores were significantly lower after astrocytoma than those in the nontumor group and significantly lower again in the medulloblastoma group, both by self-report and by parent-report. In regression modeling, significant child-related predictors of poorer HRQoL z scores by self-report were poorer cognitive and emotional function (both z scores) and greater age (years) at enrollment (B = 0.038, 0.098, 0.136, respectively). By parent-report, poorer cognitive, emotional and motor or sensory function (z score) were predictive of lower subsequent HRQoL of the child (B = 0.043, 0.112, 0.019, respectively), while age at enrollment was not. ConclusionsEarly screening of cognitive and emotional function in this age group, which are potentially amenable to change, could identify those at risk of poor HRQoL and provide a rational basis for interventions to improve HRQoL

Botulinum toxin treatment of spasticity in diplegic cerebral palsy : a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of three doses of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A; Dysport®) in 125 patients (mean age 5.2 years, SD 2; 54% male)with dynamic equinus spasticity during walking. Participants were randomized to receive Dysport (10, 20, or 30 units/kg) or placebo to the gastrocnemius muscle of both legs. Muscle length was calculated from electrogoniometric measurements and the change in the dynamic component of gastrocnemius shortening at four weeks was prospectively identified as the primary outcome measure. All treatment groups showed statistically significant decreases in dynamic component compared with placebo at 4 weeks. Mean improvement in dynamic component was most pronounced in the 20 units/kg group, being equivalent to an increase in dorsiflexion with the knee extended at 19°, and was still present at 16 weeks. The safety profile of the toxin appears satisfactory

White Matter Injury and General Movements in High-Risk Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Very preterm infants (birth weight, MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study of 47 preterm infants of 24-30 weeks' gestation, brain MR imaging was performed at term-equivalent age. Infants underwent T1- and T2-weighted imaging for volumetric analysis and DTI. General movements were assessed at 10-15 weeks' postterm age, and neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated at 2 years by using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Ill. RESULTS: Nine infants had aberrant general movements and were more likely to have adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, compared with infants with normal movements. In infants with aberrant movements, Tract-Based Spatial Statistics analysis identified significantly lower fractional anisotropy in widespread white matter tracts, including the corpus callosum, inferior longitudinal and fronto-occipital fasciculi, internal capsule, and optic radiation. The subset of infants having both aberrant movements and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in cognitive, language, and motor skills had significantly lower fractional anisotropy in specific brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant general movements at 10-15 weeks' postterm are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and specific white matter microstructure abnormalities for cognitive, language, and motor delays

Long-term survival after liver transplantation in children with metabolic disorders

Background: Liver transplantation for inherited metabolic disorders aims to save the patient's life when the disorder is expected to progress to organ failure, and to cure the underlying metabolic defect. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 146 pediatric liver transplants (28 metabolic; 118 non-metabolic) performed between 1986 and 2000. Results : Twenty-eight transplants were performed in 24 children with metabolic disease (8 females; 16 males; age range 3 months to 17 yr). Indications included α−1-antitrypsin deficiency (n = 8), two cases each of hyperoxaluria type 1, Wilson's disease, hereditary tyrosinemia type I, citrullinemia, methylmalonic acidemia, and one case each of propionic acidemia, Crigler–Najjar syndrome type I , neonatal hemachromatosis, hemophilia B, Niemann–Pick disease type B, and cystic fibrosis. Eighteen transplants were whole organ grafts and 10 were lobar or segmental. Auxiliary liver transplants were performed in two patients and three received combined liver-kidney transplants. There were three deaths from sepsis, two from chronic rejection, and one from fulminant hepatitis. Seven of 10 patients currently of school age are within 1 yr of expected grade and three who had pretransplant developmental delay have remained in special education. Actuarial survival rates at 5 and 10 yr are 78% and 68%, respectively, with mean follow-up in excess of 5 yr. These results compare favorably to 100 pediatric patients transplanted for non-metabolic etiologies (65% and 61%, respectively) (p= NS). Conclusions : Pediatric liver transplantation for metabolic disorders results in excellent clinical and biochemical outcome with long survival and excellent quality of life for most recipients.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72583/1/j.1399-3046.2002.02009.x.pd

Summarizing activity limitations in children with chronic illnesses living in the community: a measurement study of scales using supplemented interRAI items

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To test the validity and reliability of scales intended to measure activity limitations faced by children with chronic illnesses living in the community. The scales were based on information provided by caregivers to service program personnel almost exclusively trained as social workers. The items used to measure activity limitations were interRAI items supplemented so that they were more applicable to activity limitations in children with chronic illnesses. In addition, these analyses may shed light on the possibility of gathering functional information that can span the life course as well as spanning different care settings.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Analyses included testing the internal consistency, predictive, concurrent, discriminant and construct validity of two activity limitation scales. The scales were developed using assessment data gathered in the United States of America (USA) from over 2,700 assessments of children aged 4 to 20 receiving Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) services, specifically Personal Care Services to assist children in overcoming activity limitations. The Medicaid program in the USA pays for health care services provided to children in low-income households. Data were collected in a single, large state in the southwestern USA in late 2008 and early 2009. A similar sample of children was assessed in 2010, and the analyses were replicated using this sample.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The two scales exhibited excellent internal consistency. Evidence on the concurrent, predictive, discriminant, and construct validity of the proposed scales was strong. Quite importantly, scale scores were not correlated with (confounded with) a child's developmental stage or age. The results for these scales and items were consistent across the two independent samples.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Unpaid caregivers, usually parents, can provide assessors lacking either medical or nursing training with reliable and valid information on the activity limitations of children. One can summarize these data in scales that are both internally consistent and valid. Researchers and clinicians can use supplemented interRAI items to provide guidance for professionals and programs serving children, as well as older persons. This research emphasizes the importance of developing medical information systems that allow one to integrate information not only across care settings but also across an individual's life course.</p

Phonon Pulse Shape Discrimination in SuperCDMS Soudan

SuperCDMS is the next phase of the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment, which measures both phonon and charge signals generated by particle recoils within a germanium target mass. Charge signals are employed both in the definition of a fiducial volume and in the rejection of electron recoil background events. Alternatively, phonons generated by the charge carriers can also be used for the same two goals. This paper describes preliminary efforts to observe and quantify these contributions to the phonon signal and then use them to reject background events. A simple analysis using only one pulse shape parameter shows bulk electron recoil vs. bulk nuclear recoil discrimination to the level of 1:10^3 (limited by the statistics of the data), with little degradation in discrimination ability down to at least 7 keV recoil energy. Such phonon-only discrimination can provide a useful cross-check to the standard discrimination methods, and it also points towards the potential of a device optimized for a phonon-only measurement.Comment: Low Temperature Detector 14 conference proceedings, to be published in a special issue of the Journal of Low Temperature Physic