Toward Internationally Regulated Goods: Controlling the Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons

Contrary to the general trend of trade liberalization, specific goods—such as small arms, drugs, and antiquities—have come under increasing international control in recent decades through a set of international regulatory agreements. This article offers a theoretical framework of government preferences on the international regulation of these goods. Departing from conventional models of trade policy, the theoretical framework introduces negative externalities, rather than protection, as the motivation for restricting trade; it also takes moral concerns into account. I test this framework empirically through an original survey of government views on international small-arms regulation. Based on interviewing officials from 118 countries, the survey reveals a large variation in government preferences that conforms to the theoretical expectations. I employ this variation to explain why the international regulation of small arms is weak, despite the fact that these are the deadliest weapons of all in terms of actual death toll

Virtual knowledge brokering : describing the roles and strategies used by knowledge brokers in a pediatric physiotherapy virtual community of practice

Introduction: Knowledge transfer in pediatric rehabilitation is challenging and requires active, multifaceted strategies. The use of knowledge brokers (KBs) is one such strategy noted to promote clinician behavior change. The success of using KBs to transfer knowledge relies on their ability to adapt to ever-changing clinical contexts. In addition, with the rapid growth of online platforms as knowledge transfer forums, KBs must become effective in virtual environments. Although the role of KBs has been studied in various clinical contexts, their emerging role in specific online environments designed to support evidence-based behavior change has not yet been described. Our objective is to describe the roles of, and strategies used by, four KBs involved in a virtual community of practice to guide and inform future online KB interventions. Methods: A descriptive design guided this study and a thematic content analysis process was used to analyze online KB postings. The Promoting Action on Research in Health Sciences knowledge transfer framework and online andragogical learning theories assisted in the coding. A thematic map was created illustrating the links between KBs' strategies and emerging roles in the virtual environment. Results: We analyzed 95 posts and identified three roles: 1) context architect: promoting a respectful learning environment, 2) knowledge sharing promoter: building capacity, and 3) linkage creator: connecting research-to-practice. Strategies used by KBs reflected invitational, constructivism, and connectivism approaches, with roles and strategies changing over time. Discussion: This study increases our understanding of the actions of KBs in virtual contexts to foster uptake of research evidence in pediatric physiotherapy. Our results provide valuable information about the knowledge and skills required by individuals to fulfill this role in virtual environments

Hasbara 2.0: Israel’s Public Diplomacy in the Digital Age

The Internet has been a counter-public space for Palestinian liberation politics for over a decade, and digital technologies have become an increasingly important tool for solidarity groups across the world. However, the Israeli state and Zionist supporters worldwide are harnessing the same technologies and platforms to mobilize technology primarily to increase pro-Israel sentiments. The aims of this article are to examine hasbara [Israeli public diplomacy] through an exploration of similar diplomacy programmes; to illustrate how social media have affected the basic algorithms of hasbara; and to probe the assertions of hasbara in the light of pro-Palestinian solidarity. Through a study of public diplomacy, this article critically analyzes hasbara as a site of contestation and a method that is hampered by contradictions. On the one hand, there has been a massive growth in hasbara in recent years—indicated by the increase in funding for it and by its professionalized and centralized character; and on the other hand, hasbara has attracted sharp critiques in Israel for its reputed failures. To understand this contradiction, hasbara must be placed within the context of Israel’s settler-colonialism, which sets the state apart from other ‘post-conflict’ states. This article reviews the methods utilized in hasbara, as well as their readjustment in the context of recent wars. Events in 2014 illustrate that hasbara actually destabilizes Israel’s diplomacy. Online journalism and the suppression of solidarity for Palestine together stimulate more criticism and, in turn, help to shift public opinion. Paradoxically, therefore, adjustments (‘hasbara 2.0’) have underlined the image of Israel as a colonial power engaged in violent occupation

Governmental Institutions as Agents of Change: Rethinking American Political Development in the Early Republic, 1787-1835

During the past few years, a new generation of historians have turned their attention to the influence of law, public policy, and public administration in American life in the period between 1787 and 1835. The purpose of this essay is to highlight the contributions of these scholars in the hope that such an inquiry can further the ongoing interdisciplinary dialogue on American political development between historians, political scientists, and historical sociologists

Research review: the role of cytokines in depression in adolescents: a systematic review

Background: While cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression in adults, the potential role in younger age groups such as adolescents is less clear. This article therefore reviews the literature (a) to explore the relationship between cytokines and depression in adolescents, and (b) to examine how cytokines may be related to adolescent depression in the context of other neurobiological theories of depression. Method: A systematic review of the scientific literature on the subject was conducted in February 2013, searching the Web of Knowledge, PubMed (Medline), PsycInfo and Cochrane electronic databases. Results: Eighteen studies were identified measuring both depression or depressive symptoms and cytokines or immune markers in adolescents. Adolescents with depression show age-specific characteristics of the immune and inflammatory system, specifically in NK cell activity and in pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha). In addition, the role of cytokines in adolescent depression is influenced by neurodevelopment, hormonal changes, stress and trauma. Conclusions: There may be differences in the neurobiology of adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) compared with adult MDD. Increased understanding of the role of cytokines in adolescent MDD may lead to improved outcomes in the treatment of adolescent depression

2012 ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS guideline for the diagnosis and management of patients with stable ischemic heart disease

The recommendations listed in this document are, whenever possible, evidence based. An extensive evidence review was conducted as the document was compiled through December 2008. Repeated literature searches were performed by the guideline development staff and writing committee members as new issues were considered. New clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals and articles through December 2011 were also reviewed and incorporated when relevant. Furthermore, because of the extended development time period for this guideline, peer review comments indicated that the sections focused on imaging technologies required additional updating, which occurred during 2011. Therefore, the evidence review for the imaging sections includes published literature through December 2011

Exploring the social construction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

grantor: University of TorontoA social constructionist perspective was used to investigate the experience and meaning of illness for the individual living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Twenty-three persons with COPD were interviewed, and data were analyzed using a modified Grounded theory method. The major findings suggest that COPD has acute and chronic aspects to its illness course. There exist two pre-trajectories. Common to both COPD pretrajectories is the absence of the notion of chronic illness. These pretrajectory phases correspond to the early stage of the disease course. However, individuals with COPD do not acknowledge a chronic illness process. This shapes their response to illness, expectations and coping abilities. It also makes this group, among chronic illnesses, uniquely suited to sick role adoption. The findings of this study served to extend the literature on the illness experience of COPD, and chronic illness. In the thesis recommendations are made for practice and future research.M.Sc

Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities: Implications for Health Policy

This dissertation contains three papers, each on a different aspect of transition to adult healthcare for youth with disabilities. The overall aim of this dissertation research was to identify system level health care transition strategies for youth with disabilities, determine the amount and degree to which Canadian jurisdictions reflect those transition strategies in government posted documents and policy, and to understand the current status of national healthcare transition policy in Canada, the UK, and Australia. The first paper describes the results of a scoping review identifying system level strategies for policy addressing continuity of care and care transitions to adult health care for youth with disabilities. The second paper is an analysis of the match of those system level strategies to current Canadian provincial and territorial government documents and policies related to transitions to adult health care for youth with disabilities. The third paper is an analysis of international alignment and variance between Canada, the UK and Australia with respect to transitions related government policies and direction. Collectively, this dissertation research found that system level strategies in support of continuity of care and transitions to adult health care for youth with disabilities exist. The challenge of achieving effective health care transition for youth with disabilities moving from the paediatric to adult health systems is identified as an area of importance by paediatric and adult health care service providers, clients and families. However, there are considerable variances in government attention and action in addressing the issue of health care transition, and thus, variability in existing policy inclusive of transition strategies across Canada, the UK and Australia. The combined findings of these studies suggest that health system strengthening, in the area of transitions to adult health care for youth with disabilities, should be supported through health policy implementation and/or change. Policy addressing transitions to adult health care for youth with disability could drive change through: (a) bringing awareness to the issue; (b) mitigation of client-specific and system wide impacts of ineffective health care transition; and through (c) the promotion of accountability mechanisms for effective continuity of care for youth with disabilities.Ph.D