Conclusion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Kirsch
Keyword(s):  
Basic Science ◽  
Future Research ◽  
False Dichotomy ◽  
Political Outcomes ◽  
Good For ◽  
Engaged Anthropology

The conclusion takes up the questions raised by the cases discussed here, including the false dichotomy between basic science and engaged research, by showing how their findings are of value beyond their initial objectives and contexts. Engaged anthropology offers new sites for research and identifies novel topics. It also suggests caution when writing from a distance, when seeking solutions to problems, and when debates are polarized. It can generate valuable hypotheses for future research. Thus a key dimension of engaged research is its capacity to contribute to larger debates rather than being instrumental in scope. Finally, the conclusion considers whether engaged research produces ethnography that is good enough, whether it contributes to desirable political outcomes, and whether it is good for the discipline of anthropology.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Mechanoreceptors and their Potential Importance in Remnant-Preserving Reconstruction: A Review of Basic Science and Clinical Findings

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (08) ◽  
pp. 736-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kosy ◽  
Vipul Mandalia
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Posterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Remnant Preservation ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

AbstractMechanoreceptors, within the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), are believed to have importance in proprioception, contributing to dynamic knee stability. The potential for reinnervation of the ACL graft is one of the proposed advantages of remnant-preserving reconstruction. The aim of this review is to summarize advances in the basic science underpinning this function, alongside recent clinical studies, to define the current role for remnant-preservation.A comprehensive systematic review was performed using PubMed and Medline searches. Studies were analyzed with particular focus placed on the methodology used to either identify mechanoreceptors or test proprioception.Contemporary work, using immunohistological staining, has shown mechanoreceptors primarily within proximity to the bony attachments of the ACL (peripherally in the subsynovial layer). The number of these receptors has been shown to decrease rapidly, following rupture, with adhesion to the posterior cruciate ligament slowing this decline. Recent studies have shown proprioceptive deficits, in both the injured and contralateral knees, with the clinical relevance of findings limited by testing methodology and the small differences found. The advantages of remnant-preservation, seen primarily in animal studies, have not been shown in systematic reviews or meta-analysis of clinical studies.The potential for reinnervation of the graft is likely time-dependent and reliant on continued loading of the remnant. Therefore, current clinical use and future research should focus on preserving remnants within 6 months of injury that remain loaded by adherence to the posterior cruciate ligament. Subsequent testing should account for central neurological changes and focus on clinically relevant outcomes.

Racial and Political Dynamics of an Approaching “Majority-Minority” United States

2018 ◽  
Vol 677 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen A. Craig ◽  
Julian M. Rucker ◽  
Jennifer A. Richeson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Political Outcomes ◽  
Essential Questions ◽  
Social Scientific ◽  
Demographic Shifts ◽  
Projected Changes

Do demographic shifts in the racial composition of the United States promote positive changes in the nation’s racial dynamics? Change in response to the nation’s growing diversity is likely, but its direction and scope are less clear. This review integrates emerging social-scientific research that examines how Americans are responding to the projected changes in the racial/ethnic demographics of the United States. Specifically, we review recent empirical research that examines how exposure to information that the United States is becoming a “majority-minority” nation affects racial attitudes and several political outcomes (e.g., ideology, policy preferences), and the psychological mechanisms that give rise to those attitudes. We focus primarily on the reactions of members of the current dominant racial group (i.e., white Americans). We then consider important implications of these findings and propose essential questions for future research.

Why does global democracy not inspire explanatory research? Removing conceptual obstacles toward a new research agenda

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-88
Author(s):  
Hans Agné
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Explanatory Theory ◽  
Causal Explanations ◽  
Human Rights Protection ◽  
Global Democracy ◽  
Rights Protection ◽  
Political Outcomes ◽  
Democratic Practices ◽  
New Research

Democratic practices exist in politics within and beyond individual states. To date, however, it is only the democratic practices within states that have been analyzed in search for causal explanations of political outcomes, for example, peace and human rights protection. Having established the problematic nature of this situation, the purpose of this article is to explain why the situation emerges in political science and then to suggest a strategy to overcome it. The lack of attention to global democracy, or democracy beyond the state more generally, in explanatory theory is suggested to depend on prevalent but unnecessary conceptual delimitations of democracy which contradict standard assumptions about international politics. Those contradictions can be avoided, however, by defining democracy as rule by the largest group. It is argued that the concept of rule by the largest group, while protecting traditional virtues of democracy such as freedom and equality of individual persons in politics, allows scholars to describe a wider range of international practices than have been available for empirical research based on the dominating conceptions of democracy in normative and empirical literatures. Most fundamentally, it frees future research on the effects of democracy beyond the state from a key risk of self-contradiction.

Reorganizing Organizational Politics Research: A Review of the Literature and Identification of Future Research Directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald R. Ferris ◽  
B. Parker Ellen ◽  
Charn P. McAllister ◽  
Liam P. Maher
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Politics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Perceptions Of Organizational Politics ◽  
Political Outcomes ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Political Actions ◽  
New Framework

Organizational politics has been an oft-studied phenomenon for nearly four decades. Prior reviews have described research in this stream as aligning with one of three categories: perceptions of organizational politics (POPs), political behavior, or political skill. We suggest that because these categories are at the construct level research on organizational politics has been artificially constrained. Thus, we suggest a new framework with higher-level categories within which to classify organizational politics research: political characteristics, political actions, and political outcomes. We then provide a broad review of the literature applicable to these new categories and discuss the possibilities for future research within each expanded category. Finally, we close with a discussion of future directions for organizational politics research across the categories.

Women's Leadership in International Politics

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Domett
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Political Leadership ◽  
Women's Leadership ◽  
Policy Preferences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Political Outcomes ◽  
Head Of Government ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Group Interests

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the number of women with leadership positions in national governments increased considerably. In 2006 alone, a woman became the head of government in Chile, South Korea, Liberia, and Jamaica. However, the question of how women differ from men in terms of leadership style and policy preferences has emerged as a subject of intense debate. Scholars have produced a substantial amount of work that addresses gender differences in political leadership, and particularly leadership in global politics. Many studies focus on women’s access to the upper echelons of political power, what women representatives bring to politics that is different, and how far and in what ways women politicians and legislators have different policy preferences to those of their male counterparts. More specifically, these studies explore whether women’s political representation helps advance women’s group interests. Within political science, there has been limited research regarding the systematic elements of leadership in politics, and especially the role that gender identity plays in the exercise of global political leadership. Future research should address these gaps, along with other questions such as what women leaders actually do with that power once they get there; whether women’s leadership indeed makes a difference for peace or for women’s group interests; and the political outcomes of women’s leadership.

Echo Chambers and Their Effects on Economic and Political Outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 303-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilat Levy ◽  
Ronny Razin
Keyword(s):  
Induce Polarization ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Behavioral Biases ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Economics Literature ◽  
Political Outcomes ◽  
Echo Chambers ◽  
The Creation

In this review, we survey the economics literature on echo chambers. We identify echo chambers as arising from a combination of two phenomena: ( a) the choice of individuals to segregate with like-minded ones, i.e., the creation of chambers, and ( b) behavioral biases that induce polarization when individuals exchange beliefs in these chambers, i.e., the echo. We summarize the literatures on these two phenomena and suggest how to combine the two literatures to gain insights about the effects of echo chambers on economic and political outcomes. We end by suggesting pathways for future research and discussing policy interventions to alleviate echo chambers.

The Influence of High-Voltage Electrical Stimulation on Edema Formation After Acute Injury: A Systematic Review

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. Snyder ◽  
April L. Perotti ◽  
Kenneth C. Lam ◽  
R. Curtis Bay
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Acute Injury ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Edema Formation

Context:Electrical stimulation is often used to control edema formation after acute injury. However, it is unknown whether its theoretical benefits translate to benefits in clinical practice.Objectives:To systematically review the basic-science literature regarding the effects of high-voltage pulsed stimulation (HVPS) for edema control.Evidence Acquisition:CINAHL (1982 to February 2010), PubMed (1966 to February 2010), Medline (1966 to February 2010), and SPORTDiscus (1980 to February 2010) databases were searched for relevant studies using the following keywords: edema, electrical stimulation, high-volt electrical stimulation, and combinations of these terms. Reference sections of relevant studies were hand-searched. Included studies investigated HVPS and its effect on acute edema formation and included outcome measures specific to edema. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality and level of evidence were assessed for each included study. Effect sizes were calculated for primary edema outcomes.Evidence Synthesis:Studies were critiqued by electrical stimulation treatment parameters: mode of stimulation, polarity, frequency, duration of treatment, voltage, intensity, number of treatments, and overall time of treatments. The available evidence indicates that HVPS administered using negative polarity, pulse frequency of 120 pulses/s, and intensity of 90% visual motor contraction may be effective at curbing edema formation. In addition, the evidence suggests that treatment should be administered in either four 30-min treatment sessions (30-min treatment, 30-min rest cycle for 4 h) or a single, continuous180-min session to achieve the edemasuppressing effects.Conclusions:These findings suggest that the basic-science literature provides a general list of treatment parameters that have been shown to successfully manage the formation of edema after acute injury in animal subjects. These treatment parameters may facilitate future research related to the effects of HVPS on edema formation in humans and guide practical clinical use.

scholarly journals Aging and degeneration of the intervertebral disc: review of basic science

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josemberg da Silva Baptista ◽  
Ricardo Bragança de Vasconcellos Fontes ◽  
Edson Aparecido Liberti
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Lumbar Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Soluble Cell ◽  
The Difference

<p>Currently there is a growing interest in the study of intervertebral discs due to loss of manpower brought to society by low back and neck pains. These papers seek to delineate the difference between normal aging and disc degeneration, trying to understand what factor would be determining for the second condition. Thus, the morphology field was expanded and knowledge on the structure of intervertebral discs currently uses the research field of cell and molecular biology, and genetics. The results indicate that regardless of age or condition, the intervertebral disc undergoes long and extensive remodeling of its constituents, which are influenced by several factors: environmental, soluble, cell growth and extracellular matrix. In this literature review we describe the biological characteristics of the cervical and lumbar intervertebral disc with a focus on basic science of aging and degeneration, selecting the latest findings and discussions of the area, which influence future research and clinical thoughts.</p>

Endothelial Dysfunction: Implications for Therapy of Cardiovascular Diseases

1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn M Bell ◽  
Thomas E Johns ◽  
Larry M Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Endothelial Dysfunction ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vascular Relaxation ◽  
Dysfonction Endothéliale

OBJECTIVE: To review current literature regarding endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases and examine implications of these findings for the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders. DATA SOURCE: A MEDLINE search of basic science articles pertinent to understanding the role of the endothelium in the atherosclerotic process and of clinical trials examining the presence and treatment of impaired endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation was conducted. STUDY SELECTION: Selected basic science articles and reviews were included to explain the foundation for subsequent clinical trials. All clinical trials examining the treatment of impaired endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Endothelial dysfunction characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation is an early physiologic event in atherogenesis. Endothelial dysfunction in peripheral vasculature serves as a marker for impairment in coronary arteries. Techniques for measuring endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation are specific and have a high positive predictive value for coronary artery disease, but low sensitivity. Various pharmacologic agents have been used in an attempt to improve endothelial function, but only lipid-lowering agents and estrogen supplementation have been shown to improve endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation consistently. Treatments used in patients with heart failure or hypertension fail to demonstrate consistent improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial dysfunction serves as a marker for cardiovascular disease, but pharmacologic treatment does not consistently restore normal endothelial function. Nevertheless, some of these agents are known to have positive clinical outcomes. Future research using these techniques will provide greater insight into the effects of many commonly used therapies for cardiovascular disease on the pathobiology of endothelial dysfunction. OBJETIVO: Revisar la literatura actual sobre la disfunción endotelial en enfermedades cardiovasculares y las implicaciones de estos hallazgos en el tratamiento de desórdenes cardiovasculares. FUENTES DE INFORMACION: A través de MEDLINE se realizó una búsqueda de artículos científicos relacionados al rol del endotelio en el proceso de aterosclerosis. En la búsqueda también se identificaron estudios clínicos sobre la detección y el tratamiento de disfunción en la relajación vascular dependiente del endotelio. SELECCIÓN DE FUENTES DE INFORMACIÓN: Se seleccionaron artículos de ciencias básicas y resúmenes de estudios para explicar la base de los estudios clínicos. Se revisaron todos los artículos de estudios clínicos que evaluaban el tratamiento de disfunción en la relajación vascular dependiente del endotelio. SÍNTESIS: La disfunción endotelial, caracterizada por una disfunción en la relajación vascular dependiente del endotelio, es un evento fisiológico que ocurre temprano en el proceso de aterogénesis. La disfunción del endotelio de la vasculatura periferal es un indicador de disfunción de las arterias coronarias. Las técnieas para medir la relajación vascular dependiente del endotelio son específicas y tienen un valor predictivo alto para enfermedad de las arterias coronarias pero una baja sensitividad. Se han utilizado varios agentes farmacológicos para tratar de mejorar la función endotelial, pero sólo los agentes antilipidémicos y el reemplazo de estrógenos han sido consecuentes en demostrar una mejoría en la relajación de la vasculatura dependiente de endotelio. Los tratamientos utilizados en los pacientes con fallo cardíaco e hipertensión no han sido consecuentes en demostrar una mejoría. CONCLUSIONES: La disfunción endotelial es un indicador de enfermedad cardiovascular. Aunque algunos agentes han demostrado obtener resultados clínicos positivos, el tratamiento farmacológico no ha sido consecuente en restaurar la función normal del endotelio. Existe la necesidad de realizar estudios clínicos que midan la relajación vascular que depende del endotelio. Estos podrán proveer mayor información sobre los efectos del tratamiento de enfermedades cardiovasculares en la disfunción del endotelio. OBJECTIF: Décrire les implications cliniques possibles de différents traitements pharmacologiques au niveau de la dysfunction endothéliale notée chez une population atteint d'ischémie myocardique, d'hyperlipidémie, d'hypertension, ou d'insuffisance cardiaque congestive. SOURCE: Les articles de science fondamentale examinant le róle de l'endothélium dans le processus athérosclérotique et les études cliniques évaluant l'effet de différents traitements phamacologiques pour rétablir à la normale la fonction endothéliale ont été identifiés et analysés. RÉSUMÉ: La dysfonction endothéliale caractérisée par un phénomène anormal de la relaxation vasculaire est un évènement physiologique précoce de l'athérogenèse. Ses principales manifestations sont en autre une concentration inadéquate soit du facteur de relaxation de l'endothélium, soit de l'oxide nitrique qui agit à titre de puissant vasodilatateur et d'inhibiteur de l'aggrégation plaquettaire, de la prolifération de cellules musculaires lisses, et de l'adhésion des monocytes. Plusieurs recherches ont démontré qu'une dysfonction endothéliale périphérique (telle que mesurée au niveau de l'artère brachiale) représente un marqueur d'une dysfonction endothéliale au niveau coronaire. La valeur prédictive de la dilatation brachiale pour estimer la dilatation coronaire est d'environ 95% bien que celle-ci ait une faible sensitivité. De tous les agents pharmacologiques testés, seuls les agents hypolipémiants et les suppléments d'oestrogènes semblent pouvoir améliorer la fonction endothéliale. Tous les autres traitements utilisés chez les patients hypertendus ou les insuffisants cardiaques n'ont pu démontrer à ce jour des résultats consistants. CONCLUSIONS: Plusieurs études préliminaires concluent qu'une dysfonction endothéliale périphérique constitue un marqueur pour les maladies cardiovasculaires. À ce jour, aucune thérapie ne semble pouvoir restorer cette fonction d'une façon non équivoque. Ce nouveau champ de recherche cardiovasculaire permettra possiblement d'établir un lien éventuel entre les effets endothéliaux et les effets bénéfiques cliniques des différents traitements pharmacologiques utilisés dans le domaine cardiovasculaire.

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