North American Approach Research Articles

Will Historical Archaeology Escape Its Western Prejudices to Become Relevant to Africa?

A major problem facing North American approaches to historical archaeology is the exclusionary manner in which the discipline is defined. By confining historical archaeology to the era of capitalism and colonialism, we declare that the indigenous histories of many areas of the globe are of no interest to such an intellectual agenda. If we practice an historical archaeology that only valorizes the colonial experience, then what happens to history making that engaged cultures in the pre-capitalist and pre-modern era? Such approaches separate the histories of people in Africa from those of the West, and, is in effect, academic apartheid. To remedy this disjuncture, we interrogate how historical archaeology may escape the bounds of implicit racism in its denial of historicity before literacy. We suggest that breaking the chains of exclusion is the only way to realize an inclusive archaeology sensitive to all history making projects.

Conceptual foundations and categorical definition of «think tanks»: academic rethinking of traditional approaches

Analytical and research organizations known in the world as think tanks have become increas- ingly influential actors on the political scene in recent decades. In a context of constant change and erosion of the borders between internal and external policies, they are able to respond promptly, pro- viding timely, reliable, accessible and useful information for making substantiated political decisions. The definition of «think tanks», however, creates a conceptual gap that causes serious limitations on the development of this field of study. Excessive generality or inflexibility in the use of the concept raises questions about the validity of the category. Either way, the «trade offs» of the conceptual choices have delineated a not very useful concept of «think tanks» to both inter-contextual and inter-or- ganizational comparability and to differentiate think thanks from overlapping organizations. The article revisits some of these dilemmas. To do so, the treatment in the specialized literature of the analytic category, highlighting both the insensitivity of the traditional North American approaches to different national contexts and its obsolescence to the changes in the context of «think tanks» action, including their own context of origin, is explained. The reasons of «conceptual stretching» and separation of the analytic category «think tanks» from the evolution of the phenomenon as a whole are investigated. In shedding light on promising conceptual contributions to the study of the phenomenon in its con- temporary features, the main contribution of the present article is specifying the contents and the proposal of definition of «think tanks» with the peculiarities of their functioning in different national contexts.

Leave More Trace

The North American approach of ‘leave no trace’ has crossed the Atlantic to the UK. In the USA the organisation sets out to promote the ethic that will minimise human impact on public lands (https://lnt.org). The seven principles of the organisation focus on human behaviour during a visit to public land. It can be argued that this intention, whilst well meaning, ignores the many impacts that are the result of human behaviour when not visiting public lands, the ecological and, especially, the carbon footprint (Chambers et al; 2000) of everyday life and of travel to public land. Arguably these impacts are far more significant on the health of the ecosystems of public lands and elsewhere. This opens the ‘leave no trace’ concept to criticism (Alagona & Simon, 2012). Of course the ‘leave no trace’ approach has value in fragile ‘wilderness’ settings. However, in Europe the areas that can truly be called wild land are few and far between (Agnoletti, 2006). Despite this the ‘leave no trace’ ethic is becoming widespread and sometimes, I would suggest, an unhelpful approach. An appropriate response might be ‘leave more trace’ in order to protect and sustain the habitats and the wildlife we have come to value as part of our culture. I suggest that ‘leave no trace’ has another more pervasive consequence in that it strengthens the modern view of humans as separate from nature (Rawles, 2010). This is reinforced by the objective ‘leave no trace’ which is necessarily predicated on the idea that humans are apart from nature and not a part of nature (Beery, 2014). So, to open this up to debate, I offer the maxim of ‘leave more trace’ i.e. that humans are a part of nature and that we inevitably leave a trace. What matters is what this trace is. This acknowledges that traces are inevitable and encourages a debate about what traces are reasonable, proportional and ethical; and what are not.

La protesta estudiantil en la Universidad del Valle entre 1968-1971 y 2007-2011. Una lectura comparada

Este artículo analiza los factores del contexto que de diversas formas contribuyeron a que se originaran las protestas estudiantiles universitarias de mayor alcance y envergadura en Colombia durante 1968-1971 y el resurgir de estas movilizaciones con un gran impacto en el marco del primer decenio del siglo XXI, 2007-2011. Este análisis se realiza desde una perspectiva regional, haciendo énfasis en las particularidades que le imprimen a este proceso las dinámicas del movimiento estudiantil de la Universidad del Valle. Para ello, se hace uso del método de la política comparada y del concepto de estructura de oportunidad política, recuperado del enfoque norteamericano de la teoría de los movimientos sociales. Como resultado preliminar, se evidencia que la conjugación de los tres factores del contexto: las reformas educativas, las dinámicas del régimen político y los giros culturales, en los períodos estudiados fueron una oportunidad para la construcción y transformación de los marcos interpretativos de los estudiantes, conduciendo a la profundización y resignificación de la protesta estudiantil.

The ends justify the means: A global research agenda for political marketing and public affairs

Political marketing has developed into an increasingly mainstream discipline in universities globally over the last decade. There are many schools of political marketing with different approaches, such as the North American approach, the Western and Eastern European perspectives, and the Asian position. The study and application of political marketing has been categorised with different perspectives, such as electoral, governmental, and international aspects. It is becoming increasingly evident that political marketing needs further classification like any matured and established discipline. A close analysis of political marketing practices and academic research leads one to perceive two distinct areas of political exchanges in two different markets: the intranational market and the international market. The first deals with political marketing at a local, district, municipal, state/provincial, and national levels. The second deals with political marketing across national borders. As in the case of commercial marketing, international marketing became a major study field when marketing grew into a matured mainstream discipline in the 1980s.

Os Estados Unidos entre o nacional e o transnacional: o saber produzido pela circum-navegação científica da U. S. Exploring Expedidion (1838-1842).

Trata-se de analisar alguns aspectos do conhecimento moderno expresso no relato de viagem da primeira circum-navegação científica, U. S. Exploring Expediton, entre 1838-1842. Os conjuntos de saberes constituído pela expedição estiveram entre a afirmação nacional e os aspectos transnacionais próprios da época. Revela-se o propósito norte-americano no que diz respeito à inserção de quadros do país na rede de conhecimento liderada pelos europeus, discutindo com os seus pares do velho continente, mas também concorrendo com eles.

The North American approach to waterfowl management: synergy of hunting and habitat conservation

Hunters have been central to waterfowl management in North America over the past century. Numerous partnerships among government agencies, non-government organizations and private individuals form the core of conservation endeavours for migratory ducks, geese and swans and their diverse habitats. As a consequence of these efforts and the resilience of waterfowl populations, these species have fared better than most guilds of migratory birds. Threats to remaining habitats and the waning connections of people to wild things and wild places comprise the most serious challenges to sustaining this system.

Antecedents and Barriers to the Formation of Regional Innovation System: Case Study of the Kaliningrad Region

The article summarizes various scientific approaches to the definition of the regional innovation system, while a certain tendency to consider it as a phenomenon similar to the innovation cluster is revealed. The study has shown the role of the state in the Russian model of the regional innovation system compared to the Asian, European, and North American approaches. A general unified goal is defined for the Russian regions in the process towards the formation of an innovation system. Authors have identified five main groups of factors that have a positive effect on the formation of the regional innovation system and a regional cluster as its core. Estimates on the process of the formation of the innovation system in the Kaliningrad region is given relative to all five groups of factors. Research results suggest certain barriers to the formation of the regional innovation system of the Kaliningrad region – the Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea.

Blood – the most important humour?*

Blood – the most important humour?*

Area Classification for Explosive Atmospheres: Comparison Between European and North American Approaches

The objective of this paper is to review various methods of determining the extent of hazardous areas in industrial facilities where explosive gas or vapor atmospheres may be present. Three different approaches are analyzed and compared. The first one is recommended in North American Standards, such as API 500, API 505, and NFPA 497. The second is one of the proposals for the second edition of the International Standard IEC 60079-10-1 (adopted as European standard EN 60079-10-1). The third approach had been previously worked out with the authors' contribution and had been adopted by the Italian Guide CEI 31-35 since 2001. The last two approaches are analytical, meanwhile the first one is prescriptive. In the second part of this paper, both analytical approaches are applied to the releases which are analyzed in NFPA 497 as practical examples. Resulting hazardous area extents are compared, and the differences among the three methods are discussed.

What is the impact of systematically missing exposure data on air pollution health effect estimates?

Time-series studies reporting associations between daily air pollution and health use pollution data from monitoring stations that vary in the frequency of recording. Within the Air Pollution and Health: A European and North American Approach (APHENA) project, we evaluated the impact of systematically missing daily measurements on the estimated effects of PM10 and ozone on daily mortality. For four cities with complete time-series data, we created patterns of systematically missing exposure measurements by deleting observations. Poisson regression-derived city-specific estimates were combined to produce overall effect estimates. Analyses based on incomplete time series gave considerably lower pooled PM10 and ozone health effects compared to those from complete data. City-specific estimates were generally lower although more variable. Systematically missing exposure data for air pollutants appears to lead to underestimation of associated health effects. Our findings indicate that the use of evidence from studies with incomplete exposure data may underestimate the impact of air pollution and highlight the advantage of having complete daily data in time-series studies.

Histopathology in Barrett Esophagus and Barrett Esophagus-Related Dysplasia

Pathologic specimens, both biopsies and endoscopic mucosal resections, for Barrett esophagus and Barrett-associated dysplasia and malignancy are common for pathologists in North America, and the incidence in South Asian countries seems to be increasing. Dysplasia and malignancy arising in intestinalized gastric-type mucosa raises issues in the interpretation of dysplasia and the evaluation of the depth of invasion of malignancies that are not seen in squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. We review the North American approach to these lesions.

A Practical Approach to Cardiac Anesthesia, 5th ednF. A.HensleyJr, D. E.Martin & G. P.Gravlee, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2013. ISBN 978‐1451137446, 907 pp., Price £60.00

This fifth edition claims to remain true to its original purpose in providing ‘an easily accessible, practical reference designed to help the practitioner prepare for and manage cardiac anaesthetics’. To that end, it is presented in five sections covering Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology; Anaesthetic Management for Cardiac Surgery; Anaesthetic Management of Specific Cardiac Disorders; Circulatory Support; and Thoracic Anaesthesia and Pain Management. Each section is divided into separate chapters and each chapter is structured as a series of headings and subheadings providing an outline and referenced to the specific page where it is discussed. This allows for easy identification of each topic within the chapter. In addition, there is a list of up to 19 (but usually between 6 and 10) key points presented at the beginning of each chapter as a list of the major learning topics to be addressed. Where these topics are discussed in the body of the chapter they are highlighted by the appearance of the relevant learning point number in the margin. The use of the heading and subheading technique has been reasonably well adapted by most authors to provide a short but practical discussion of relevant topics. Illustrations, diagrams and echocardiographic images are used sparingly throughout the text but are of good quality and relevant when employed. Allowing for the lead time to textbook publication, most chapters include up to date information with references dating up to and including 2011. The book certainly provides an introduction and practical approach to the practice of cardiac anaesthesia. The chapter headings have been well chosen to provide a broad spectrum of relevant information. Integrating a large number of authors and topics can be difficult and repetition of topics has been minimised. However, this is at the cost of making some relevant, and reasonably common, issues for those starting out in cardiac anaesthesia difficult to find; for example, the approach to the patient scheduled for redo cardiac surgery, where a practical discussion would prove useful. A discussion on repeat sternotomy can be found in the chapters on myocardial revascularisation, congenital heart disease and also transplantation. It must be noted that only four of the 55 authors are from outside the United States and only two from outside North America, and none of the authors are European. There are a small number of typographical errors, but these are of little significance other than to those who read things meticulously. In terms of the target audience for the book, the information contained is certainly more than that required for the FRCA examination. Although presenting a heavily North American approach it does offer a very good, broad introduction to the specialty of cardiac anaesthesia. With this in mind it would be a reasonable addition to a hospital library, or for the trainee interested in pursuing a career in cardiothoracic anaesthesia.

Wither codeine?

Wither codeine?

Development of School Engagement in Association With Academic Success and Well-Being in Varying Social Contexts

This review examines the development of students’ engagement with school and how it may contribute to future academic success and individual well-being in different social contexts. The review discusses the two main approaches of school engagement research: one examines students’ behavioral, cognitive, and affective engagement (North American approach), while the other examines study-related vigor, absorption, and dedication (European approach). This research shows that a high level of school engagement is positively associated with academic success, and negatively associated with students’ ill-being, such as depressive symptoms and burnout. High engagement with school also fosters several aspects of students’ well-being, such as positive emotions and life satisfaction. Moreover, several contextual factors, including parental affect, teachers’ support, and a mastery-oriented atmosphere in the classroom, promote students’ engagement with school.

Current strategies and challenges in treatment of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children, affecting very young patients. These tumors often cause significant functional damage because of their aggressive growth pattern. In addition, their metastatic potential can present as a complex and challenging situation. RMS can present in various anatomical sites and often pose significant obstacle in choosing local control modalities. When feasible, surgery plays an important role for initial diagnosis and complete tumor removal; delayed primary re-excision and second-look surgery after initial chemotherapy are gaining more acceptance. Because of high-metastatic risk, systemic chemotherapy is also necessary. Novel agents are emerging which may alter the disease course in high-risk disease where the cure rate is still low. Radiation therapy is an important tool in the management of RMS and has gone through significant evolution during past four decades. This review will outline treatment strategies adopted in children RMS. The primary focus will be the North American approach with attention to advancements in radiation therapy, surgical techniques, and systemic therapies.

Practising homeland security across the Atlantic: practical learning and policy convergence in Europe and North America

Despite different traditions, interests and perceptions characterizing North American and European approaches to homeland security, since 9/11 policy-makers across the Atlantic have formulated increasingly similar policies to deal with terrorism and other international security threats. Challenging mainstream accounts elaborated in the policy convergence literature, and drawing from sociological works in performance studies, this essay argues that the recent evolution of homeland security policies in Europe and North America can be understood as an instance of ‘practical learning’. From this perspective, this outcome is the result of the acquisition on the part of European and North American policy-makers of the practical knowledge necessary to carry out the new policies, policies learned by mimicking the practices of their counterparts across the Atlantic. This argument is then applied to examine two cases of policy convergence in Europe and North America – the proposal for a ‘European Passenger Name Record’ system and the project of a regional ‘Security Perimeter’.

Acute effects of ambient ozone on mortality in Europe and North America: results from the APHENA study

The "Air Pollution and Health: A Combined European and North American Approach" (APHENA) project is a collaborative analysis of multi-city time-series data on the association between air pollution and adverse health outcomes. The main objective of APHENA was to examine the coherence of findings of time-series studies relating short-term fluctuations in air pollution levels to mortality and morbidity in 125 cities in Europe, the US, and Canada. Multi-city time-series analysis was conducted using a two-stage approach. We used Poisson regression models controlling for overdispersion with either penalized or natural splines to adjust for seasonality. Hierarchical models were used to obtain an overall estimate of excess mortality associated with ozone and to assess potential effect modification. Potential effect modifiers were city-level characteristics related to exposure to other ambient air pollutants, weather, socioeconomic status, and the vulnerability of the population. Regionally pooled risk estimates from Europe and the US were similar; those from Canada were substantially higher. The pooled estimated excess relative risk associated with a 10 µg/m3 increase in 1 h daily maximum O3 was 0.26 % (95 % CI, 0.15 %, 0.37 %). Across regions, there was little consistent indication of effect modification by age or other effect modifiers considered in the analysis. The findings from APHENA on the effects of O3 on mortality in the general population were comparable with previously reported results and relatively robust to the method of data analysis. Overall, there was no indication of strong effect modification by age or ecologic variables considered in the analysis.

Regulatory Cooperation to Remove Non-tariff Barriers to Trade in Products: Key Challenges and Opportunities for the Canada-EU Comprehensive Trade Agreement

Regulatory cooperation to eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade (NTBs) resulting from differences in product standards and technical regulations has become a prominent issue in Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) negotiations. This paper looks at the most important challenges and opportunities for a successful model for regulatory cooperation under the Canada-EU Comprehensive Trade Agreement (CETA). It argues that the CETA will represent a compromise between the two dominant models in international trade: the EU and North American approach to regulatory cooperation in PTAs. In addition, because of the specificity of Canada's federal structure, it is argued that the CETA will be able to bring about greater regulatory coherence within Canada by disciplining provincial regulation that results in NTBs. This paper argues that, while a sui generis case, in order for it to be successful, regulatory cooperation under the CETA will have to incorporate certain elements established in theory and in previous state practice. Finally, as a first comprehensive transatlantic PTA, regulatory cooperation under the CETA will in itself become a model for future such endeavours between economically developed countries, especially in its implementation aspect.

Multiple-allergen and single-allergen immunotherapy strategies in polysensitized patients: Looking at the published evidence

In allergen immunotherapy there is debate as to whether polysensitized patients are best treated with many allergens simultaneously (chosen according to the sensitization profile, a predominantly North American approach) or a single allergen (chosen according to the most clinically problematic allergy, a predominantly European approach). In patients seeking treatment for moderate-to-severe respiratory allergies, polysensitization is more prevalent (range, 50% to 80%) than monosensitization in both the United States and Europe. Safe, effective, single-allergen preparations will most likely have been tested in polysensitized patients. In robust, large-scale clinical trials of grass pollen sublingual tablets, polysensitized patients benefited at least as much from allergen immunotherapy as monosensitized patients. A recent review of multiallergen immunotherapy concluded that simultaneous delivery of multiple unrelated allergens can be clinically effective but that there was a need for additional investigation of therapy with more than 2 allergen extracts (particularly in sublingual allergen immunotherapy). More work is also required to determine whether single-allergen and multiallergen immunotherapy protocols elicit distinct immune responses in monosensitized and polysensitized patients. Sublingual and subcutaneous multiallergen immunotherapy in polysensitized patients requires more supporting data to validate its efficacy in practice.