How far would you go with him?: Interethnic Romantic and Sexual Encounters and Relations among Men in the Dutch Context

This report seeks to explore the experiences and complications men face romantically and sexually when ethnicity and race are used as focus lenses to reflect upon the participants\u27 past interpersonal interactions. The interviews and analyses within this article reflect the ways in which Dutch ethnic/racial norms and stereotypes shape attraction and desire, and how men who pursue other men romantically and/or sexually negotiate with said external constructions of identity. Research in this paper provides the reader with insight into race relations on an intimate level through the participants\u27 personal narratives, revealing the complexity of Dutch race relations on the most intimate levels. Many may claim that race is not an issue in the Netherlands, but this report proves that although race may no longer be a volatile issue, it and ethnicity are certainly relevant factors in the pursuit of romance and sex between men

Inundative pest control: How risky is it? A case study using entomopathogenic nematodes in a forest ecosystem

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are globally important inundative biological control agents. Their widespread use makes environmental risk assessment important, but very few comprehensive post-application risk assessments have been conducted for EPN. We apply a rigorous risk analysis procedure to the use of EPN applied in a forest ecosystem to suppress the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis). In this synthesis, we provide a quantitative evaluation of five risk categories: (a) establishment, (b) dispersal, (c) host range, (d) direct non-target effects and (e) indirect non-target effects. A low level of risk was identified (35–51 out of a possible total of 125). Species exotic to the clear-fell forest ecosystem (Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis downesi) were accorded a lower overall risk status than native species and strains (Steinernema feltiae), largely as a result of their shorter persistence in the target environment. We conclude that EPN are a low risk viable alternative control for pine weevil compared to the higher risk conventional control using pyrethroid or neonicotinoid insecticides

A review of auditory processing and cognitive change during normal ageing, and the implications for setting hearing aids for older adults

Throughout our adult lives there is a decline in peripheral hearing, auditory processing and elements of cognition that support listening ability. Audiometry provides no information about the status of auditory processing and cognition, and older adults often struggle with complex listening situations, such as speech in noise perception, even if their peripheral hearing appears normal. Hearing aids can address some aspects of peripheral hearing impairment and improve signal-to-noise ratios. However, they cannot directly enhance central processes and may introduce distortion to sound that might act to undermine listening ability. This review paper highlights the need to consider the distortion introduced by hearing aids, specifically when considering normally-ageing older adults. We focus on patients with age-related hearing loss because they represent the vast majority of the population attending audiology clinics. We believe that it is important to recognize that the combination of peripheral and central, auditory and cognitive decline make older adults some of the most complex patients seen in audiology services, so they should not be treated as “standard” despite the high prevalence of age-related hearing loss. We argue that a primary concern should be to avoid hearing aid settings that introduce distortion to speech envelope cues, which is not a new concept. The primary cause of distortion is the speed and range of change to hearing aid amplification (i.e., compression). We argue that slow-acting compression should be considered as a default for some users and that other advanced features should be reconsidered as they may also introduce distortion that some users may not be able to tolerate. We discuss how this can be incorporated into a pragmatic approach to hearing aid fitting that does not require increased loading on audiology services

Reverse doming of the anterior mitral leaflet with severe aortic regurgitation

The normal anatomic relation of the anterior mitral leaflet to the left ventricular outflow tract suggests that significant aortic regurgitation should have a predictable hemodynamic effect on the motion and configuration of the leaflet, an effect that should be seen by two-dimensional echocardiography. Previous reports have identified an abnormality of mitral opening in the short-axis view that was quite specific but not sensitive. This study was undertaken to evaluate mitral valve motion and configuration in aortic insufficiency using two-dimensional echocardiography. A characteristic pattern of anterior leaflet motion was found in patients with moderately severe and severe aortic regurgitation. This pattern, termed “reverse doming,” was seen in the apical and long-axis views in 19 of 22 such patients. The previously described “diastolic indentation” in the short-axis view was found in 16 of these 22 patients. Only 2 of 16 patients with lesser degrees of insufficiency had reverse doming. The sign was not seen in normal subjects nor in 16 patients with cardiomyopathy. For each of the few false positive and false negative findings, there is a seemingly logical hemodynamic explanation.It is concluded that reverse doming of the anterior mitral leaflet appears to be a sensitive and specific sign for moderately severe and severe aortic regurgitation

The importance of interaural time differences and level differences in spatial release from masking

Numerous studies have described improvements in speech understanding when interaural time differences (ITDs) and interaural level differences (ILDs) are present. The present study aimed to investigate whether either cue in isolation can elicit spatial release from masking (SRM) in a speech-on-speech masking paradigm with maskers positioned symmetrically around the listener. Twelve adults were tested using three presentations of the Listening in Spatialized Noise-Sentences Test, with each presentation modified to contain different interaural cues in the stimuli. Results suggest that ILDs provide a similar amount of SRM as ITDs and ILDs combined. ITDs alone provide significantly less benefit. (C) 2013 Acoustical Society of Americ

All My Relations : Elders’ Teachings Grounding a Decolonial Bachelor of Nursing Program Philosophy

The aim of this paper is to share the process of developing a decolonial nursing program philosophical framework. Following cultural protocol, we asked two highly respected local Indigenous Knowledge holders and retired nurses to serve as Presiding Elders for the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) Curriculum Redesign Committee. Select committee members engaged with the Elders in a series of gatherings. Elders gifted ‘All My Relations’ as the unifying basis for their teachings of ‘The Four Realms’ and ‘Ani to Pisi -Spiderweb’ as the new BN program philosophical framework: local Indigenous teachings provide the standpoint for respectfully engaging with interconnected multiple worldviews to advance equity and restore wellness in nursing education. Collaboration with Elders provides an invaluable opportunity for decolonization in nursing workplaces and learning spaces. Résumé Le but de cet article est de partager le processus d’élaboration d’un cadre philosophique décolonial pour un programme de sciences infirmières. Conformément au protocole culturel, nous avons demandé à deux gardiens de connaissances autochtones locaux très respectés et à des infirmières à la retraite d’agir à titre d’Aînés Présidents du comité de refonte du curriculum du baccalauréat en sciences infirmières (BSC). Quelques membres du comité ont participé avec les aînés à une série de rencontres. Les aînés ont offert « All My Relations » comme base unificatrice de leurs enseignements sur « The Four Realms » (es quatre sphères) et « Ani to Pisi – Spiderweb » comme nouveau cadre philosophique du programme de baccalauréat en sciences infirmières : les enseignements autochtones locaux fournissent la perspective à partir de laquelle il est possible de s’engager respectueusement avec de multiples visions du monde interconnectées pour faire progresser l’équité et rétablir le bien-être dans la formation en sciences infirmières. La collaboration avec les aînés offre une occasion inestimable de décolonisation des lieux de travail et des espaces d’apprentissage en sciences infirmières

Local host-dependent persistence of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae used to control the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) applied inundatively to suppress insect pests are more likely to persist and establish in stable agroecosystems than in annual crops. We investigated a system of intermediate stability: three stumps harbouring the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a major European forestry pest. We tested whether persistence of EPN Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) applied around stumps is maintained by recycling of EPN through pine weevils developing within stumps. Steinernema carpocapsae was detected in soil around and under the bark of treated tree stumps up to two years, but not 4–5 years after application. Differences in nematode presence between sites were better explained by tree species (pine or spruce) than soil type (mineral or peat). Presence of S. carpocapsae in soil was positively correlated with the number of H. abietis emerging from untreated stumps the previous year, which was greater for pine stumps than spruce stumps

A Comparison of NAL and DSL Prescriptive Methods for Paediatric Hearing-Aid Fitting: Predicted Speech Intelligibility and Loudness

Objective: To examine the impact of prescription on predicted speech intelligibility and loudness for children. Design: A between-group comparison of speech intelligibility index (SII) and loudness, based on hearing aids fitted according to NAL-NL1, DSL v4.1, or DSL m[i/o] prescriptions. A within-group comparison of gains prescribed by DSL m[i/o] and NAL-NL2 for children in terms of SII and loudness. Study sample: Participants were 200 children, who were randomly assigned to first hearing-aid fitting with either NAL-NL1, DSL v4.1, or DSL m[i/o]. Audiometric data and hearing-aid data at 3 years of age were used. Results: On average, SII calculated on the basis of hearing-aid gains were higher for DSL than for NAL-NL1 at low input level, equivalent at medium input level, and higher for NAL-NL1 than DSL at high input level. Greater loudness was associated with DSL than with NAL-NL1, across a range of input levels. Comparing NAL-NL2 and DSL m[i/o] target gains revealed higher SII for the latter at low input level. SII was higher for NAL-NL2 than for DSL m[i/o] at medium- and high-input levels despite greater loudness for gains prescribed by DSL m[i/o] than by NAL-NL2. Conclusion: The choice of prescription has minimal effects on speech intelligibility predictions but marked effects on loudness predictions