Comprehensive Content Analysis Research Articles

Equality and diversity rhetoric: one size fits all? Globalization and the Portuguese context

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which Portuguese companies have incorporated equality‐ and diversity‐related issues into their management discourse, and examine the prevalent rhetoric on these matters.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive content analysis of the web sites of the 500 largest companies plus the 20 best companies to work for in Portugal, in 2005, according to the ranking of The Great Place to Work® Institute Portugal.FindingsThe analysis of the web site data shows that equality and diversity rhetoric mirrors, to a large extent, the dominant US discourse and ignores the necessary adaptation to the local context. However, there are significant differences in the adopted rhetoric according to the origin of the ownership control (native vs foreign) and the intended audience (local vs global). Native owned companies with web sites intended to a local audience tend to ignore diversity issues altogether.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was limited to a single country's data, and to the discourse rather than actual practices. However, the paper adds to the debate on the globalization of management knowledge stressing the limitations of adopting the “one size fits all” management rhetoric as opposed to developing rhetoric more appropriate and that fits into the local context.Originality/valueThe paper provides an account of the equality and diversity rhetoric adopted by the most prominent organizations operating in Portugal, suggesting that such rhetoric is mainly for external consumption.

E‐government evolution in EU local governments: a comparative perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe an empirical study of the advances and trends of e‐government in transparency, openness and hence accountability in European Union (EU) local governments to determine the extent to which the internet promotes the convergence towards more transparent and accountable government. The paper also tests the extent to which different factors related to the implementation of information and communication technologies (ICTs), the number of inhabitants and the type of public administration style have influenced e‐government developments in the cities studied.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive content analysis of 75 local government web sites was conducted using a 73‐item evaluation questionnaire. The evaluations were performed in 2004 and 2007 and 15 EU countries were covered (five per country). To analyse the evolution of e‐government, several techniques were used: tests of difference of means, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. The contribution of the different contextual factors to the development of government web sites was tested with OLS regression analysis.FindingsThe results show noticeable progress in the application of ICTs and increasing EU local government concern for bringing government closer to citizens and for giving an image of modernity and responsiveness, although few web sites show clear signs of real openness to encouraging citizen dialogue. The evolution of the e‐government initiatives analysed shows that, at present, they are still overlapped with the public administration style of each country as an extension of traditional front offices with potential benefits in speed and accessibility.Originality/valueAlthough a growing number of e‐government studies are appearing, previous research has not analysed the evolution of EU local governments from a comparative perspective.

Perceptions of Physical Activity and Motivational Interviewing Among Rural African-American Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Motivational interviewing (MI), a patient-centered behavioral counseling style, is a common behavioral intervention strategy. Because intervention outcomes are highly dependent on patient responsiveness to intervention strategy, we evaluated MI perceptions among rural African American women with type 2 diabetes before a physical activity intervention. Four moderator-led focus groups were conducted with patients aged 21-50 years who had never participated in a MI intervention and who receive diabetes care in a rural community health center. Patients were asked to share their perceptions of an MI consultation after viewing a DVD-based example. They were also asked to discuss their physical activity perceptions and readiness. A comprehensive content analysis based on grounded theory was performed by two raters in order to identify main themes. Although patients (n = 31) had an appreciation for physical activity benefits and high levels of physical activity readiness, themes related to physical activity barriers and lack of motivation were pervasive. Patients regarded the MI consultation as an effective health communication but the patient-centeredness of the approach was negatively perceived. Compared with MI, patients agreed that more traditional paternalistic approaches (i.e., physician-led interactions) were more representative of "good counseling" and more familiar to them. Patients shared deeply about personal experiences and provided words of encouragement to one another. Physical activity interventions including rural African-American women should include activities that focus on barrier management and increasing motivation. MI might be an appropriate behavioral counseling model when added to a more traditional cognitive-behavioral physical activity intervention that is group-based and tailored to patients' communication preferences and the clinical setting.

Metadata Professionals: Roles and Competencies as Reflected in Job Announcements, 2003–2006

This study presents the current state of the roles and competencies sought from metadata professionals. We conducted a comprehensive content analysis of 107 job descriptions posted on the AUTOCAT listserv from January 2003 through December 2006. Multivariate techniques of cluster and multidimensional scaling analysis were applied to the content analysis. Results show that the principal responsibility expected of metadata professionals concerns metadata creation (73.8%). In addition to metadata creation, electronic resource management, awareness of trends, and digital library development constitute the core areas of demand in the metadata profession. The findings of the study also show that knowledge and skills centering on traditional cataloging and classification standards (60.7%) remain highly relevant in the digital environment and accordingly to metadata professionals.

Reducing unnecessary prescriptions of antibiotics for acute cough: Adaptation of a leaflet aimed at Turkish immigrants in Germany

BackgroundThe reduction in the number of unnecessary prescriptions of antibiotics has become one of the most important objectives for primary health care. German GPs report that they are under "pressure to prescribe" antibiotics particularly in consultations with Turkish immigrants. And so a qualitative approach was used to learn more about the socio-medical context of Turkish patients in regard to acute coughs. A German leaflet designed to improve the doctor-patient communication has been positively tested and then adapted for Turkish patients.MethodsThe original leaflet was first translated into Turkish. Then 57 patients belonging to 8 different GPs were interviewed about the leaflet using a semi-standardised script. The material was audio recorded, fully transcribed, and analysed by three independent researchers. As a first step a comprehensive content analysis was performed. Secondly, elements crucial to any Turkish version of the leaflet were identified.ResultsThe interviews showed that the leaflets' messages were clearly understood by all patients irrespective of age, gender, and educational background. We identified no major problems in the perception of the translated leaflet but identified several minor points which could be improved. We found that patients were starting to reconsider their attitudes after reading the leaflet.ConclusionThe leaflet successfully imparted relevant and new information to the target patients. A qualitative approach is a feasible way to prove general acceptance and provides additional information for its adaptation to medico-cultural factors.

Content Analysis of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs in Popular Music

To perform a comprehensive content analysis of substance use in contemporary popular music. We analyzed the 279 most popular songs of 2005 according to Billboard magazine. Two coders working independently used a standardized data collection instrument to code portrayals of substance use. Presence and explicit use of substances and motivations for, associations with, and consequences of substance use. Of the 279 songs, 93 (33.3%) portrayed substance use, with an average of 35.2 substance references per song-hour. Portrayal of substance use varied significantly (P < .001) by genre, with 1 or more references in 3 of 35 pop songs (9%), 9 of 66 rock songs (14%), 11 of 55 R & B/hip-hop songs (20%), 22 of 61 country songs (36%), and 48 of 62 rap songs (77%). While only 2.9% of the 279 songs portrayed tobacco use, 23.7% depicted alcohol use, 13.6% depicted marijuana use, and 11.5% depicted other or unspecified substance use. In the 93 songs with substance use, it was most often motivated by peer/social pressure (45 [48%]) or sex (28 [30%]); use was commonly associated with partying (50 [54%]), sex (43 [46%]), violence (27 [29%]), and/or humor (22 [24%]). Only 4 songs (4%) contained explicit antiuse messages, and none portrayed substance refusal. Most songs with substance use (63 [68%]) portrayed more positive than negative consequences; these positive consequences were most commonly social, sexual, financial, or emotional. The average adolescent is exposed to approximately 84 references to explicit substance use daily in popular songs, and this exposure varies widely by musical genre. The substance use depicted in popular music is frequently motivated by peer acceptance and sex, and it has highly positive associations and consequences.

Parental Functioning in the Context of Adolescent Chronic Pain: A Review of Previously used Measures

To examine the use of instruments which assess the functioning of individuals who parent an adolescent with chronic pain. The study will focus on examining the population in which measures were developed, content, length, psychometric evaluation, and published use with this specific chronic pain population. A systematic search of the literature identified 4,225 articles, generating a total of 73 eligible studies. Examination of these studies revealed the existence of 68 instruments. All measures underwent comprehensive content analysis. The majority of instruments were in the psychological (N = 32) or social domain (N = 25). Median frequency of usage was 1. While 27 instruments demonstrated evidence of psychometric evaluation in a sample of parents of adolescents with chronic pain, in 20 instances, this evaluation involved only assessment of internal consistency. Clinically relevant psychometric data were missing for many instruments. Results identified a diversity of instrumentation with little consistency in instrument usage.

WSIS: Whose vision of an information society? (originally published in May 2005)

The United Nations (UN) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in their development of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), are contributing to the on–going discourse of the "Information Society." This study analyzes how WSIS contributes to the on–going Information Society discourse, especially how it frames a vision of an Information Society and the global "digital divide." The methodology of this study is a broad, comprehensive, and critical content analysis of the two main documents of WSIS, its Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action. The content analysis utilizes discourse analysis and ideology critique, and quantitative and qualitative methods. The results of the analysis show that WSIS paints a wholly utopian, technologically deterministic picture of an "Information Society" that oversimplifies and generalizes a complex issue and phenomenon, about which no clear consensus exists.

The effects of the presence and contexts of video game violence on children: A longitudinal study in Japan

A 1-year panel study of 591 children in fifth grade explored the accumulative effects of the presence and contexts of video game violence on aggression and the antiviolence norm in Japan, on the basis of a comprehensive content analysis of video game violence. The results suggest that contextual effects of violent video games are quite complex, differing with gender, and that contexts are more important than the quantity of violence. Although attractive perpetrators and justification of violence increase aggression for boys, they decrease aggression and strengthen the antiviolence norm for girls, indicating that the direction of effects depend on the players' interpretation of violence.

Human saliva proteome analysis and disease biomarker discovery

Human saliva is an attractive body fluid for disease diagnosis and prognosis because saliva testing is simple, safe, low-cost and noninvasive. Comprehensive analysis and identification of the proteomic content in human whole and ductal saliva will not only contribute to the understanding of oral health and disease pathogenesis, but also form a foundation for the discovery of saliva protein biomarkers for human disease detection. In this article, we have summarized the proteomic technologies for comprehensive identification of proteins in human whole and ductal saliva. We have also discussed potential quantitative proteomic approaches to the discovery of saliva protein biomarkers for human oral and systemic diseases. With the fast development of mass spectrometry and proteomic technologies, we are enthusiastic that saliva protein biomarkers will be developed for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of human diseases in the future.

The Release 5.1 annotation of Drosophila melanogaster heterochromatin.

The repetitive DNA that constitutes most of the heterochromatic regions of metazoan genomes has hindered the comprehensive analysis of gene content and other functions. We have generated a detailed computational and manual annotation of 24 megabases of heterochromatic sequence in the Release 5 Drosophila melanogaster genome sequence. The heterochromatin contains a minimum of 230 to 254 protein-coding genes, which are conserved in other Drosophilids and more diverged species, as well as 32 pseudogenes and 13 noncoding RNAs. Improved methods revealed that more than 77% of this heterochromatin sequence, including introns and intergenic regions, is composed of fragmented and nested transposable elements and other repeated DNAs. Drosophila heterochromatin contains "islands" of highly conserved genes embedded in these "oceans" of complex repeats, which may require special expression and splicing mechanisms.

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Will Truman?

Although many gay men do not engage in effeminate behavior, they still may be feminized in social interaction. This article illustrates the importance of this distinction through a two-method study of the popular sitcom Will &amp; Grace. The show includes multiple representations of gay masculinities, from the effeminate gay man to the more masculine “very straight gay.” However, a comprehensive content analysis shows that both gay primary characters frequently are feminized by other characters on the show, often in efforts to castigate them. Very few of these feminizing moments occur as a result of the characters acting in effeminate ways, thus emphasizing the immanent femininity of gay men. Focus group participants' interpretations of this phenomenon include obliviousness to these moments, anger over their inclusion, and acceptance of their role in the show and in real gay life.

Human Saliva Proteome Analysis

Human saliva contains proteins that can be informative for disease detection and surveillance of oral health. Comprehensive analysis and identification of the proteomic content in human whole and ductal saliva is a necessary first step toward the discovery of saliva protein markers for human disease detection. The article will review the recent advances in human saliva proteome analysis, including the efforts of the UCLA saliva proteome consortium funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). We aim to summarize the proteomics technologies currently used for global analysis of saliva proteins and to elaborate on the application of saliva proteomics to discovery of disease biomarkers, in particular for oral cancer and Sjögren's syndrome, and discuss some of the critical challenges and perspectives for this emerging field. The impact of human saliva proteome analysis in the search for clinically relevant disease biomarkers will be realized through advances made using proteomics technologies.

Comprehensive analysis of tumoral DNA content reveals clonal ploidy heterogeneity as a marker with prognostic significance in locoregional neuroblastoma

The clinical management of locoregional neuroblastoma (LR NB) is controversial. In a previous study we showed that diploidy was a strong prognostic predictor of outcome and detected the existence of clonal ploidy heterogeneity in a select group of cases. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the frequency of ploidy heterogeneity in LR NB, (2) to ascertain the best method to detect heteterogeneity, and (3) to correlate ploidy populations with clinical outcome. We undertook a comprehensive analysis of tumoral DNA content in 38 LR NBs comparing (1) flow cytometry (FCM), (2) karyotyping, (3) interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization, and (4) laser-scanning cytometry (LSC). Tumor ploidy heterogeneity was found by all methodologies. By FCM, all tumors with aneuploid peaks had detectable diploid DNA peaks. By LSC, all tumors with diploid and hyperploid peaks were GD2-positive in both, consistent with their tumoral origin. A predominant near-triploid clonal population (ratio diploid vs. triploid, <2.5) was observed in most nonprogressing LR NB tumors, and a predominant diploid clone (ratio di- vs. triploid, >2.5) in most progressing LR NB cases. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of tumor ploidy assayed by different methods versus age, INSS (International Neuroblastoma Staging System) stage, and MYCN status. FCM was the most powerful prognostic factor related to poor prognosis (overall survival, P = 0.02; progression-free survival, P = 0.01). These results provide strong evidence for clonal ploidy heterogeneity in LR NB and clonal evolution toward diploidy in progressing LR NB.

An Examination of Strategic Practices in Online Retailing

ABSTRACT Online sales growth has far outpaced that of traditional retail channels and increasing competition heightens the importance of effective online practices. This empirical research first considers website design-based strategies in three strategic areas–convenience, experiential/relationship, and trust–that may enhance the marketing effectiveness of online retailers by helping to satisfy online customer needs and wants. Next, focusing on the three strategic areas, a comprehensive content analysis of site design elements in 285 retail sites supporting online transactions is described. Analysis of variance is used to examine how online site strategies differ depending on online retailer size (small, medium, and large), type (pure play and brick-and-click), and across 12 different retail categories, while also controlling for length of online experience. Results indicate significant strategy differences in the usage of convenience/efficiency and experiential/relationship strategies by size, a significant size by form interaction, and differences in all three strategy areas across retail categories. These results are presented and five key takeaways of the research are discussed.

The Marketing of Opioid Medications without Prescription over the Internet

No-prescription Web sites are online pharmacies that supply controlled substances without a valid prescription. The authors present a comprehensive investigation and content analysis of no-prescription Web sites, including a review of the legal environment, an in-depth critique of policy and interventions, and suggestions to help monitor and shut down these illegal sites.

How much food advertising is there on Australian television?

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive content analysis of television food advertising and provide data on current levels of food advertising in Australia. All three commercial stations available on free-to-air Australian television were concurrently videotaped between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on two weekdays and both weekend days in four locations across Australia to provide a total of 645 h for analysis. Each advertisement was categorized as 'non-food ad', 'healthy/core food ad' or 'unhealthy/non-core food ad' according to set criteria. Thirty-one percent of the advertisements analyzed were for food. Eighty-one percent of the food advertisements identified were for unhealthy/non-core foods. When comparing the results of this study with previous research, it was found that the number of unhealthy advertisements screened per hour had not changed over the past few years. On weekdays, the number of advertisements increased throughout the day to peak at more than five advertisements per hour in the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. time slot. The early morning time slot on Saturday was the most concentrated period for advertising unhealthy/non-core food with more than six advertisements screened per hour. The regional areas screened a significantly lower level of unhealthy/non-core food advertisements (19.5%) compared with the metropolitan areas (29.5%). Fast food and takeaway was the most advertised food category, followed by chocolate and confectionery. A total 194 breaches of the Children's Television Standards were identified according to our interpretation of the standard. It is well recognized that childhood obesity is a worldwide problem. The heavy marketing of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods influences food choices and contributes to the incidence of overweight and obesity in children. Despite the recognition of this growing problem, little has been done to ensure children are protected against the use of large volumes of unhealthy/non-core food advertising.

Proteome analysis of signaling cascades in human platelets

During the last 15 years, advances in mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation and techniques have revolutionized the emerging field of proteomics. Proteomics technology allows a comprehensive and efficient analysis of the protein content (i.e., the proteome) of any cell, tissue or biological fluid and has become an indispensable tool in biomedical research, complementing the powerful field of genomics. Proteomics is based on the huge analytical power offered by mass spectrometry in combination with several separation techniques, such as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) or multidimensional liquid chromatography. The technology is particularly suitable for platelets because of the absence of a nucleus. In the recent years, there has been success in mapping the proteome of the platelet in a basal state. Furthermore, a handful of research groups have also applied this technology to the study of signaling cascades in human platelets, allowing the identification of novel platelet signaling proteins and phosphorylation events. Those studies provide new insights into the mechanisms of platelet activation and build the basis for the development of therapeutic agents for thrombotic disease. This article focus on the application of 2-DE-based proteomics to the study of signaling cascades in human platelets.

REGANOR

With >1,000 prokaryotic genome sequencing projects ongoing or already finished, comprehensive comparative analysis of the gene content of these genomes has become viable. To allow for a meaningful comparative analysis, gene prediction of the various genomes should be as accurate as possible. It is clear that improving the state of genome annotation requires automated gene identification methods to cope with the influence of artifacts, such as genomic GC content. There is currently still room for improvement in the state of annotations. We present a web server and a database of high-quality gene predictions. The web server is a resource for gene identification in prokaryote genome sequences. It implements our previously described, accurate gene finding method REGANOR. We also provide novel gene predictions for 241 complete, or almost complete, prokaryotic genomes. We demonstrate how this resource can easily be utilised to identify promising candidates for currently missing genes from genome annotations with several examples. All data sets are available online. The gene finding server is accessible via https://www.cebitec.uni-bielefeld.de/groups/brf/software/reganor/cgi-bin/reganor_upload.cgi. The server software is available with the GenDB genome annotation system (version 2.2.1 onwards) under the GNU general public license. The software can be downloaded from https://sourceforge.net/projects/gendb/. More information on installing GenDB and REGANOR and the system requirements can be found on the GenDB project page http://www.cebitec.uni-bielefeld.de/groups/brf/software/wiki/GenDBWiki/AdministratorDocumentation/GenDBInstallation

The Impact of Media Bias: How Editorial Slant Affects Voters

We investigate how editorial slant—defined as the quantity and tone of a newspaper's candidate coverage as influenced by its editorial position—shapes candidate evaluations and vote choice. We avoid various methodological pitfalls by focusing on a single Senate campaign in a single market with two competing, editorially distinct newspapers. Combining comprehensive content analyses of the papers with an Election Day exit poll, we assess the slant of campaign coverage and its effects on voters. We find compelling evidence that editorial slant influences voters’ decisions. Our results raise serious questions about the media's place in democratic processes.