bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rubrics: The Key To Fairness In Performance Based Assessments
Authors: Shepherd Carol M. , Mullane Ann Mary
Published: March 2016

Life involves a myriad of skills. Most of the basic skills are undeniably ‘classics’ such as communication and problem solving. The interpretation and delivery of these skills has morphed into a complicated science, with the changing social environment and the growing prevalence of technology in our everyday existences.  Commonplace technology, as evidenced through word processing, spreadsheets and presentation programs support Gardner’s 1980’s proposition of multiple intelligences. Furthermore, the inclusion in many K-12 curricula of courses such as web design and the acceptance of PowerPoint as a presentation enhancement, forces the classroom teacher not only to accept Gardner’s concepts but also creates a worrisome quandary of authentic assessment development, implementation and evaluation.  Institutions of higher education must prepare their teacher candidates to effectively deal with this new form of assessment. Teachers are confronted with the theme of man versus machine anew.  Refined methods of evaluation are needed to assess not only the learning of the student in the traditional sense but also the manipulation of technology as a presentation vehicle.  Much of the existing technology has developed so quickly that certain ‘project enhancers’ while pleasant and fun, are not evidence of a deeper understanding of the subject matter but simply a distraction. Performance based assessments, while enabling students to express their mastery of content according to their learning styles and skill strengths, are difficult to score objectively and fairly.  A rubric is a common scoring guide frequently used in the attempt to fairly assess creative work.  It is necessary to have a taxonomy of the levels of talent, or creativity, in the grading process.  Unfortunately, teachers are more willing than they are able to accurately and dispassionately assess the projects that they want their students to explore, such as posters, skits or plays, PowerPoint presentations, websites and videos. This study will address the necessity to balance students’ creative efforts with the reality of deadlines, the conventions of their chosen medium and the ability to self-assess their own efforts without the benefit of traditional proofreading.  The proposed methodology will be a search of the literature in addition to action research.  The expected outcomes will be a sharing of rubrics and guidelines to assist educators in fairly and objectively coping with authentic assessment development, implementation and evaluation.  This information will be valuable in training teacher candidates to effectively and fairly deal with performance based assessments.
Using Sequential Two-Part Focus Groups As A Supplemental Instrument For Student Course Evaluations
Authors: Pritchard Robert E. , Potter Gregory C. , Saccucci Michael S.
Published: March 2016

This paper describes the use of a sequential two-part focus group program designed to be a supplemental instrument for eliciting student suggestions to improve the teaching/learning process.   The sequential two-part focus group program provides students with two opportunities to provide feedback and have that feedback both noted and mirrored back to them. Many of the student comments and suggestions elicited during the focus group sessions were positive and constructive.  Moreover, use of the sequential two-part focus group program resulted in statistically significant improvement in student evaluations in all but one of the seven major sections of the Educational Testing Service’s SIR II, the primary instrument utilized to obtain the student course evaluations.  The “Overall Evaluation” of the course, wherein students are asked to, “Rate the quality of instruction in this course as it contributed to your learning,” improved most significantly.
Book Review: Exiting The Short Bus
Authors: Crews Jack Fellows
Published: March 2016

In the short bus (the short bus is the one that in most school districts transports those students with special-needs); it may seem like a chaotic and confusing group of people that have individual needs and no compassion for each other. However, what is occurring in this bus is no different from the activities in the big bus. To have compassion for all those in the short bus is to offer a support that is always appreciated but many times not communicated. It is sometimes difficult to express one’s endorsement of this group of students, but it elicits a positive feeling and a good atmosphere. The short bus has a culture that is unique in appearance, but it is essentially the same as that of the big bus.
Preparing Students For An Online Accounting Course
Authors: Scofield Barbara W. , Walsh Robert J.
Published: March 2016

Accounting education has been under intense examination for at least the past 20 years (American Accounting Association, 1986; Big Eight Accounting Firms, 1989; AECC, 1990).  Similarly, the value of an MBA education has been scrutinized (Leonhardt, 2000 and Mintzberg and Lampel, 2001). Over the past 10 years, online education has grown exponentially with the Internet (Bryant, Kahle and Schafer, 2005).  This paper examines the responses of students who have just completed an online MBA financial accounting course to the question “What advice would you give someone who is about to take the course?”  Over 60 students were polled, and their answers categorized into 36 repeated recommendations and seven themes:  Input Factors, Communication, External Activities, Technical Skills, Study Tips, Personal Factors, and Course Characteristics.  By far the predominate factor mentioned was time, but the breadth of additional advice provides a snapshot for educators of the student point of view.  The results of this study are useful to any professor who has taught or will be teaching an online financial accounting course.
Therapeutic Massage Impacts Quality Of Life For University Female Faculty In Teacher Education
Authors: Sandstrom Clarine
Published: March 2016

Stress is a part of everyone’s life. Depending on the level of stress, it may affect people’s health and lives. Stress in the workplace may come from many different sources, however for the purpose of this study, the focus was on female faculty working in a Teacher Education program at a small north central, North Dakota university. Stress is repeatedly prevalent among female faculty. They typically spend long hours at work, and thus have less time for other things. Stressed female faculty may feel emotionally taxed and thus produce nominally. Stress may deteriorate social and family relationships and ultimately may take a toll on their health. Therapeutic massage has been proven to be a stress reliever and thus may be helpful in enhancing the quality of life among the female faculty. This study examined whether therapeutic massage reduces stress and improves the overall quality of life of female faculty working in a Teacher Education program. Specific questions posed by the study have been answered by exploring perceptions of quality of life and clinical outcomes of therapeutic massage treatments. The results of the study were shared in presentations at the North Dakota American Massage Therapist Association conference in Bismarck, North Dakota and at the national Teaching Professors’ conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Transforming Learning Through Two Pair of Eyes
Authors: Kimmel Jessica C. , Seifert Vanessa M.
Published: March 2016

This essay is a report on the experience of adult transformative learning under the conditions of travel to and within a foreign culture. It is written in the voices and from the perspectives of both teacher and .student.  The role of both is analyzed in the context of Mezirow’s criteria for transformative learning. this involves structuring the learning experience to bring out the total collective resources of  the adult.  The task of the teacher is to set up a learning environment so that the best chances for deep learning are in place to challenge and support adult students to take transformative learning risks--steps, plunges, and leaps that lead into a new and unknown world of differences.  In the present case, the study of another culture coupled with actual travel and cultural immersion with the people was life changing.
Utilizing Human Patient Simulators (HPS) To Meet Learning Objectives Across Concurrent Core Nursing Courses: A Pilot Study
Authors: Miller Charman L. , Leadingham Camille , Vance Ronald
Published: March 2016

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) faculty are challenged by the monumental responsibility of preparing students to function as safe, professional nurses in a two year course of study.   Advances in computer technology and emphasis on integrating technology and active learning strategies into existing course structures have prompted many nurse educators to explore the use of Human Patient Simulation (HPS) utilizing high-fidelity human patient simulators.  This pilot study was designed to assist ADN faculty to determine students’ perceptions regarding the use of HPS scenarios as a teaching strategy to meet course objectives across multiple core ADN nursing courses in a single quarter.
Managing Multimedia Mania: Taming The Technology Beast
Authors: Shepherd Carol , Mullane Ann Mary
Published: March 2016

Harnessing student energy for the positive use of technology in the classroom requires significant change for many educators. Students today exhibit a one-click mentality when using computers in the classroom, and are frustrated when they are not provided with instant gratification.  Gone are the reading and higher level thinking skills of the pen and paper years.  With today’s multimedia mania, students see the computer and its programs as toys, and it is extremely difficult to get them to move from toys to technology tools.  Educators are misgauging student learning when technology is involved, mainly because it is extremely difficult to assess.  It is important for teachers to tame this multimedia beast and model millennial skills, and thus guide students to focus on the computer as a tool, not merely a toy, in the process of learning.
The Effectiveness Of Incidental Teaching Of Grammar To Iranian Students
Authors: Sabzevar Z. Ghabanchi
Published: March 2016

This article reports the results of a study and a pilot study.  The ‘study’ considers the effectiveness of incidental teaching of grammar in a learning class of English As A Second Language by Persian speaking students.  The ‘pilot study’ examines the students’ attitudes toward the incidental learning of grammar from the perspective of field dependent/independent.   The subjects of this study are two groups of EFL learners, a total of 30 students studying at Sabzevar Payam Noor University, Iran.  English proficiency was measured by the TOEFL and an oral test of communicative competence.  Grammar is presented in two series of lessons. The first, a series of ten grammar lessons, provides an intensive review of grammatical points for beginning ESL students. These lessons assume a low vocabulary level, include a simple grammatical generalization, and provide extensive practice of specific grammar points using a wide variety of exercises. A built-in review is provided for items that are missed in each exercise. The second series, six advanced grammar lessons, provides extensive reinforcement and practice of a wide range of advanced grammar points. Each lesson consists of at least four mechanical exercises, including substitution, transformation, question/answer, and fill-in-the-blank drills.  The focus in this study is on learning grammar, in general, and passive voice, in particular.  A pre-test is administered to be certain. This test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions.  The subjects fortunately are almost at the same level; the averages are very close.  The subjects were divided into two groups: control and experimental. Then the easy texts, which include the grammatical points, are taught incidentally to the experimental group, whereas explicitly to the control group. A test is carried out for the groups.  Then in the following term, the same groups are taught the advance materials followed by a test. The results indicate that the use of an incidental method of teaching does not show a significant priority over the explicit one.  In reality, the control group does better, especially with the advanced materials.  Concerning the pilot study, a questionnaire is distributed among the subjects to identify the field dependent/independent ones. The aim of this pilot study is to identify what kinds of students are more interested in incidental learning of grammar.  Five students are selected from each group.   The analysis of the data concerning their reception of the method of teaching and the outcome of the groups is carried out. The study does not show a significant difference between field dependent/independent students concerning incidental learning.
Communication And Research Skills In The Information Systems Curriculum: A Method Of Assessment
Authors: Lazarony Paul J. , Driscoll Donna A.
Published: March 2016

Assessment of learning goals has become the norm in business programs in higher education across the country.  This paper offers a methodology for the assessment of both communication skills and research skills within a curriculum of the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Program.  Program level learning goals assessed in this paper are: (1) To be able to effectively communicate complex information system and business concepts both orally and in writing, (2)  To be able to do research of the IS literature that will allow life-long learning in the field, and (3) To understand both individual and group dynamics of project teams.   The discussion of each of the three learning goals includes: (1) the assessment methodology, (2) the assessment results and (3) recommendations on how to close-the-loop.
Ethical Dilemmas As Perceived By Healthcare Students With Teaching Implications
Authors: Buelow Janet R. , Mahan Pamela L. , Garrity April W.
Published: March 2016

Ethical dilemmas are experienced by all individuals, but are especially prevalent among healthcare professionals. Universities and colleges preparing students to work and provide care in this arena are currently addressing this challenge through traditional ethics courses and lectures. However, student perspectives of the major ethical dilemmas in healthcare, as well as the differences among student disciplines, have not been identified. This study reports what students from six healthcare majors believe are the primary healthcare dilemmas today. Then, each healthcare discipline identified unique insights and implications of these dilemmas. These findings should lead to a consideration for more relevant ethics courses and curriculums within colleges and universities.
Ethics And Values In The Context Of Teaching Excellence In The Changing World Of Education
Authors: Henderson Richard L. , Antelo Absael , St. Clair Norman
Published: March 2016

This article focused on the ethical problems associated with teaching in a transnational or multicultural environment. Authors offer a review of related literature, as well as extensive global teaching experience, to proffer a model that is designed to allow professional educators to maintain excellence in teaching in the problematic context. Recommendations for research are also offered as part of the conclusions (Henderson).
Understanding The Process Model Of Leadership: Follower Attribute Design And Assessment
Authors: Antelo Absael , Henderson Richard L. , St. Clair Norman
Published: March 2016

Early leadership studies produced significant research findings that have helped differentiate between leader and follower personal attributes and their consequent behaviors (SEDL, 1992), but little attention was given to the follower’s contribution to the leadership process. This study represents a continuation of research by Henderson, Antelo, & St. Clair on the process model of leadership begun in 2006. Initial research efforts concentrated on leader-held attributes that contribute to the process. Research in work group motivation indicates that individual worker motivation influences performance and productivity; thus, leaders seek to understand what motivates followers to reach extraordinary performance. Employees, however, respond in a variety of ways to their jobs and their organizations’ practices. A paramount task for the leader is to determine what factors impact work motivation. The idea is based on the premise that individual attributes are brought to the workplace by each member of the group.  The concept of individual differences involves personal needs, values, attitudes, interests, and abilities people bring to their jobs. Job characteristics refer to the nature of the position determining its limitations and challenges. Organizational practices are the rules, policies, managerial practices, and reward systems of the organization. This complexity is increased with the construct of motivation, which is understood as the process that moves a person toward a goal. In consequence, “motivated behaviors are voluntary choices controlled by the individual employee.” The leader, therefore, attempts to influence the factors that motivate employees. (Authors)
Creating Collaborative Literacy Teams To Increase Reading Achievement In Urban Settings
Authors: Zakierski Marlene , Siegel Alice
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this article is to provide a detailed example of effective professional development for teachers that resulted in positive changes to the effectiveness of the school’s reading program. This study describes the results of an intervention school-wide program that was conducted in a large urban school with a majority of minority students whose families were below the poverty line.   With the implementation of continuous professional development of exemplary literacy instruction, dramatic improvement in reading achievement occurred. The article depicts how poorly students performed on state exams and details the multiple strategies developed and used by the authors - analyzing test results, realigning the curriculum, coaching, after school tutoring, and the implementation of a nightly home reading program, all of which were closely monitored by these researchers. This model can be replicated anywhere because it is achievable without any additional cost to the participating schools.
Graduate Learning Communities: Transforming Educators
Authors: Kabes Sharon , Lamb Dennis , Engstrom John
Published: March 2016

Quantitative data collected from graduates of the Southwest Minnesota State University Master of Science in Education program examined the impact of the learning environment, the role of the facilitator, and their professional development. The results showcased the success of the learning community model in facilitating personal and professional growth and transformation. Essential elements of the program include: best practices, learning environment, effective teaching strategies, research-based decision making, scaffolding, peer collaboration, learning community philosophy, professional growth, empowerment, reflective practitioner, inquiry, and transformational leader (change agent). The data collected from student surveys over a five-year period indicated a high level of impact on their empowerment and transformational practices.
Blended Learning: Beyond Initial Uses To Helping To Solve Real-World Academic Problems
Authors: McCarthy Mark A. , Murphy Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2016

Blended learning strategies can be employed in innovative ways to solve real-world academic problems across all academic disciplines.  This article can provide administrators and faculty with specific examples to guide them when making decisions about academic planning or institutional strategies for any discipline at all levels of higher education.
Scientific Writing: A Blended Instructional Model
Authors: Clark MaryAnn , Olson Valerie
Published: March 2016

Scientific writing is composed of a unique skill set and corresponding instructional strategies are critical to foster learning. In an age of technology, the blended instructional model provides the instrumental format for student mastery of the scientific writing competencies. In addition, the course management program affords opportunities for ongoing student-faculty communication, electronic access to the research literature and submission of student assignments, and student empowerment for self-directed learning. This has been a successful experience for students and faculty, and the ongoing collaboration has served as a catalyst to scholarship of scientific writing.
Experiential Learning In An Organizational Leadership Program
Authors: Bangs Joann
Published: March 2016

This paper is a case study of an experiential learning process in a research methods course. All students work together to complete a research project pertaining to their graduate program.
Laptop Use During Class: A Review Of Canadian Universities
Authors: Cismaru Romulus , Cismaru Magdalena
Published: March 2016

Laptop use in class is a characteristic of universities that is changing rapidly. Although much of the attention and research regarding this issue has focused on the debate of whether to impose mandatory laptop programs, the reality of wireless campuses allows students to use their laptops in class for class related and non-class related activities. Therefore, a new debate has arisen concerning whether students should be allowed to use their laptops in class at all. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of Canadian universities in terms of their conditions, requirements, and policies regarding laptop use in class.
Evaluation Of Curriculum At The Primary Level In Light Of Education Policies And Plans In Pakistan
Authors: Perveen Shahida
Published: March 2016

The paper is based on a research conducted to evaluate the curriculum at the primary level in the light of education policies and plans in Pakistan. The article discusses the objectives of the curriculum at the primary level and analyzes different education policies and plans regarding the achievements of objectives. Results revealed that the objectives of curriculum were not fully achieved. The procedure of the implementation of policies and plans regarding curriculum remained weak.
Actively Pursuing Knowledge In The College Classroom
Authors: Johnson Paul Andrew
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study was to compare course evaluation responses of students enrolled in several sections of a graduate level human growth and development course taught with a traditional lecture/textbook approach to the course evaluation responses of students enrolled subsequent sessions of the same graduate human growth and development course taught with an active learning approach. Quantitative and qualitative data indicated that students in the sections taught with an active learning approach rated those sections significantly higher than students in sections taught with a traditional lecture/textbook approach.
Analysis Of L1 And L2 Use In Spanish College Courses Using The COLT Observation Scheme
Authors: Rondon-Pari Graziela
Published: March 2016

This research tries to find answers to the following questions: How much English and how much Spanish is spoken in class? For what functions is each language used? Data were obtained from the tape recording of Spanish conversation classes. Other data sources included non-participant observations and an interview with each of the instructors. The COLT (Communicative Orientation of Language Teaching), part B, was used to define categories of analysis of language. Results seem to indicate that there was a large amount of focus on grammar, and use of restricted and minimal linguistic forms.
Using Online Games For Teaching English Vocabulary For Jordanian Students Learning English As A Foreign Language
Authors: Muhanna Wafa
Published: March 2016

The manuscript entitled Using Online Games For Teaching English Vocabulary For Jordanian Students Learning English As A Foreign Language was retracted on December 5, 2014. Please contact our office at Journals@CluteInstitute.com for more information.
Student Management And Human Intelligence Skills Enhanced Through Community Service
Authors: Wilson Stefanie Denise
Published: March 2016

Based on years of human intelligence research conducted by Howard Gardner and results from a quantitative research study supporting Gardners research collected from a sample of 205 faculty within the United States, the researcher examined students that are actively engaged in community service experiences and their approaches to reframing their intelligences and enhancing their unique learning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Students who reach beyond the class or virtual rooms of academia and become actively involved in community service organizations gain organizational experiences that sharpen their management and human intelligence skills to equip them with operating in a competitive world of constant organizational change.
Disability-Free Life Expectancy Over 30 Years: A Growing Female Disadvantage in the US Population
Authors: Freedman Vicki A. , Wolf Douglas A. , Spillman Brenda C.
Published: March 2016

Objectives. To examine changes in active life expectancy in the United States over 30 years for older men and women (aged ≥ 65 years).

Methods. We used the 1982 and 2004 National Long Term Care Survey and the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study to estimate age-specific mortality and disability rates, the overall chances of survival and of surviving without disability, and years of active life for men and women.

Results. For older men, longevity has increased, disability has been postponed to older ages, disability prevalence has fallen, and the percentage of remaining life spent active has increased. However, for older women, small longevity increases have been accompanied by even smaller postponements in disability, a reversal of a downward trend in moderate disability, and stagnation of active life as a percentage of life expectancy. As a consequence, older women no longer live more active years than men, despite their longer lives.

Conclusions. Neither a compression nor expansion of late-life disability is inevitable. Public health measures directed at older women to postpone disability may be needed to offset impending long-term care pressures related to population aging.
Ergonomic Evaluation of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Postural Stress among Male Potato Cultivators of West Bengal, India
Authors: Pal Amitava , De Sujaya , Sengupta Piyali , Maity Payel , Dhara Prakash C.
Published: March 2016

Background: Apart from cereal production (rice, wheat, etc.) agricultural labourers are engaged in vegetable cultivation in West Bengal, India. Potato cultivation is one of the important vegetable cultivation in India. The potato cultivation tasks are repetitive in nature and those are carried out mainly by manual efforts. Most of the tasks of potato cultivation are monotonous, strenuous, physiologically demanding as well as time-consuming.Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and postural stress among male workers engaged in different potato cultivation jobs. Methods: The study was conducted on 163 male potato cultivators in different districts of West Bengal state. A modified Nordic Questionnaire and Body Part Discomfort scale were applied to identify MSDs in different body parts. The postural pattern was assessed by direct observation method. The postural stress was analyzed by OWAS, REBA and QEC methods. Result: The results show that the prevalence of MSDs was very high among the workers and the most affected areas were back and upper extremity. Postural analysis indicated that the subjects had to adopt different stressful postures during performing different potato cultivation jobs. During potato harvesting operation the workers were subjected to greater postural stress than that of other tasks.Conclusion: Postural stress might be the reason of the occurrence of MSDs. From this study it has been recommended that workers should avoid bad work postures as far as possible during work for reducing job related health hazards.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2 (2014) 05 – 14
Measuring Air Carrier Passengers’ Values of Time by Trip Component
Authors: Landau Steven , Gosling Geoffrey D. , Small Kenneth , Adler Thomas
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates how the value of airline passenger time varies by trip component and how the calculation of value of time can be related to capital investments specific to each component. Travel time is often a significant consideration in benefit–cost analysis for airport projects. The empirical results reported in this paper are based on a stated preference survey and subsequent model estimation. The survey used two conjoint exercises—one related to airport ground access and in-airport time components and a second covering attributes related to the flight itinerary. It was found that values of time differ by trip segment and travelers’ trip purpose.
Modeling Probability Distributions of Primary Delays in the National Air Transportation System
Authors: Wang Shitong , Vaze Vikrant
Published: March 2016

Flight delays impose enormous costs that are exacerbated by propagation effects. Development and evaluation of advanced schedule planning approaches for mitigating propagated delays require primary delay distribution models with a long prediction horizon of several weeks to months. This paper presents a hybrid modeling approach combining logistic regression and quantile regression. Two large data sets, each consisting of approximately 6 million flights, were used as training and testing samples to identify types of factors affecting primary delay distributions. Several insights were obtained into the factors affecting delay distributions. Coefficient estimates were found to have a high statistical significance and intuitive interpretation of their signs and relative magnitudes. Results from model estimation, validation, and testing show that fit values are stable across data sets, avoiding overfitting. The relative explanatory power of various types of predictive factors—including distance factors, seasonality factors, time-of-day factors, airport factors, and airline factors—is quantified. A new method is provided for quantifying the fit of the joint model in the form of the log likelihood of the observed data, and the model provides a considerable improvement in log likelihood.
Bilevel Optimization Model for the Development of Real-Time Strategies to Minimize Epidemic Spreading Risk in Air Traffic Networks
Authors: Chen Nan , Gardner Lauren , Rey David
Published: March 2016

An understanding is needed of how epidemics spread to new regions via the global air traffic network so that effective strategies for outbreak control can be developed. Various studies have focused on predicting epidemic spread via the complex air traffic network. However, there is a gap in the literature demanding real-time predictive models that exploit the heterogeneous nature of the air travel pattern to optimize decision making among a set of potential control strategies. A bilevel optimization model is proposed to solve the resource allocation problem for an ongoing epidemic spreading via the air traffic network. The upper-level objective is to optimize the distribution of limited resources for epidemic control, and the lower-level simulation model computes the risk posed to the network under possible scenarios. Results from a demonstration network highlight the advantages of this model. A case study evaluates the risk posed by Ebola to the United States through the domestic air traffic network. The results demonstrate the ability of the model to develop real-time strategies that account for the heterogeneous nature of the air traffic network and the complex dynamics of epidemic spread.
Monitoring and Modeling of Urban Trail Traffic: Validation of Direct Demand Models in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Columbus, Ohio
Authors: Wang Jueyu , Hankey Steve , Wu Xinyi , Lindsey Greg
Published: March 2016

Transportation planners and engineers need estimates of nonmotorized traffic volumes and analytical tools to plan and manage infrastructure for bicycling and walking. Direct demand models are useful, comparatively simple tools for the estimation of volumes from nonmotorized traffic counts and do not require detailed information from travel behavior inventories. However, few demand models for bicycling and walking have been validated. This paper extends the practice of nonmotorized traffic monitoring and modeling in three ways. First, procedures recommended in the FHWA Traffic Monitoring Guide are followed to present estimates of annual average daily traffic (AADT) for each segment of the urban trail networks in two major U.S. cities: Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Columbus, Ohio. Second, independent variables constructed from nationally available data sets and the local characteristics of each trail system are used to estimate and validate direct demand models for AADT. Third, to assess the potential for the general application of the models, the results of cross-city validations are presented. Our results confirm that FHWA monitoring procedures can be used to characterize the variation in traffic flows on urban trail networks. Direct demand models for each city have reasonably good fits, but the predicted traffic volumes for more than one-third of the segments exceed the actual volumes by more than 60%. Cross validation results indicate that these models cannot yet be applied as predictive tools across cities. More experimentation is needed to assess the feasibility of developing generalized direct demand models for trails and other nonmotorized transportation networks.
Data-Cleaning Technique for Reliable Real-Life Travel Time Estimation: Use of Dedicated Short-Range Communications Probes on Rural Highways
Authors: Jang Jinhwan
Published: March 2016

With increasing market penetration, dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) probes are attracting more interest in South Korea for application in advanced traveler information systems as a way to efficiently alleviate traffic congestion. Generally, DSRC probes, thanks to their ability to directly collect point-to-point travel times, are considered to be superior to conventional point detectors. However, outlying observations caused by vehicles entering and exiting between corridors, parking, driving on the shoulder lane during congestion, and so on are inevitable in DSRC probe data and can erroneously indicate abnormally long or short travel times. Moreover, since DSRC scanners cannot discern directional maneuvers, outlying observations, especially for the interrupted facilities this study is based on, seem to be more significant than in conventional automatic license plate recognition. In this paper, a novel algorithm is proposed to filter out outliers in DSRC probe data for rural highways. The suggested algorithm is divided into two parts. In the case of a small sample, the algorithm uses a previous interval value to determine a valid range for the current interval values; otherwise, the algorithm uses a modified median filter that uses the modified z-score of the current interval observations to determine the valid range. To address the problem of a collection interval in which only outliers exist or in which the number of outliers is greater than the number of valid observations, the logics of the valid median range and the maximum coefficient of variation are applied to enhance the performance of the developed algorithm. The algorithm has been thoroughly verified through the use of various types of DSRC probe data for rural highways near Seoul, South Korea. The algorithm has been proved to be sufficient in overcoming the deficiencies of previous techniques as well as in generating reliable real-life travel time information with errors of less than 5%.
Molecular Iodine-Catalysed Tandem Synthesis of Oxospirotricyclic Furopyrimidines in Water
Authors: Teimouri Mohammad Bagher , Akbari-Moghaddam Peyman
Published: March 2016

A simple, efficient and high yielding one-pot protocol for the synthesis of oxospirotricyclic furobarbiturates was developed by pseudo three-component domino coupling of barbituric acids and various benzaldehydes in water, catalysed by molecular iodine.
An Efficient Synthesis of Baricitinib
Authors: Xu Jiaojiao , Cai Jin , Chen Junqing , Zong Xi , Wu Xuan , Ji Min , Wang Peng
Published: March 2016

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of baricitinib was developed. The starting material tert-butyl 3-oxoazetidine-1-carboxylate was converted to intermediate 2-(1-(ethylsulfonyl)azetidin-3-ylidene)acetonitrile via the Horner–Emmons reaction, deprotection of the N-Boc-group and a final sulfonamidation reaction. Then the nucleophilic addition reaction was carried out smoothly to afford the borate intermediate in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene under reflux. Finally, the desired compound baricitinib was obtained by the Suzuki coupling reaction of 4-chloro-7- H-pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidine with the above borate intermediate. All compounds were characterised by IR, MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The overall yield in this synthetic route was as high as 49%. Moreover, this procedure is straightforward to carry out, has low cost and is suitable for industrial production.
Alice's Evidence: Examining the Cultural Afterlife of Lewis Carroll in 1932
Authors: Brooker Will
Published: March 2016

In the context of recent work on Charles Lutwidge Dodgson/Lewis Carroll, this paper argues that, given the scarcity of new archival information on the author and his life, the cultural ‘afterlife’ of Carroll and his books, such as Alice in Wonderland, provides a rich alternative avenue for scholarly research. It focuses on the 1932 centenary of Lewis Carroll's birth, which marks a key transition point in cultural discourses around the author and Alice. While the Alice books had, by 1932, been incorporated into a society very different from the 1860s Britain in which they were first published, they were also subject to conservative notions of authenticity and fidelity to the original. Carroll was already considered in terms of literary ‘immortality’, and his work associated with a nostalgic past, yet he also remained within living memory, while ‘the real Alice’, Mrs Hargreaves, was still alive, and feted as one of the text's cultural curators. Both Carroll and Alice were, meanwhile, subject to new contemporary discourses such as psychoanalysis, and became key to literary tourism and heritage on both a local and national level.
Jazz Anxiety and the European Fear of Cultural Change: Towards a Transnational History of a Political Emotion
Authors: Gusejnova Dina
Published: March 2016

From the interwar period onwards, music now known as jazz transcended geographic and political boundaries thanks to increased mobility and new media. Commonly associated with American mass culture, jazz music and jazz musicianship evoked strong emotions, ranging from love to hate. In this paper, feelings about jazz as a new form of cultural anxiety are the main subject of analysis. By looking at jazz as an emblem of different kinds of fear of the non-European, we can reconstruct the changing perception of Europe's internal frontiers from the dissolution of Europe's continental empires to the early Cold War.
Sexuality (and Lack Thereof) in Adolescence and Early Adulthood: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Boislard Marie-Aude , Van de Bongardt Daphne , Blais Martin
Published: March 2016

Youth sexuality has been primarily studied with a focus on its potential public health issues, such as sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies, and its comorbidity with other risky behaviors. More recently, it has been studied as a normative step in romantic partnerships, either pre- or post-marital, as well as outside the context of romantic involvement. In this paper, we review the extensive literature on sexuality in adolescence and early adulthood both within and outside romantic relationships (i.e., casual sexual relationships and experiences; CSREs). Furthermore, the recent recognition of youth sexuality as a developmental task has led to a renewed interest from scholars in youth who abstain from sexual encounters, whether deliberately or not. A brief overview of the literature on cultural differences in sexuality, and sexual-minority youth sexual development is also provided. This paper concludes by suggesting future directions to bring the field of youth sexuality and romantic relationships forward.
Intronic Polymorphisms in the CDKN2B-AS1 Gene Are Strongly Associated with the Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Coronary Artery Disease in the Saudi Population
Authors: AbdulAzeez Sayed , Al-Nafie Awatif , Al-Shehri Abdullah , Borgio J. , Baranova Ekaterina , Al-Madan Mohammed , Al-Ali Rudaynah , Al-Muhanna Fahad , Al-Ali Abdullah , Al-Mansori Mohammed , Ibrahim Mohammed , Asselbergs Folkert , Keating Brendan , Koeleman Bobby , Al-Ali Amein
Published: March 2016

Recent genome-wide association studies identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the chromosome 9p21.3 conferring the risk for CAD (coronary artery disease) in individuals of Caucasian ancestry. We performed a genetic association study to investigate the effect of 12 candidate SNPs within 9p21.3 locus on the risk of CAD in the Saudi population of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 250 Saudi CAD patients who had experienced an myocardial infarction (MI) and 252 Saudi age-matched healthy controls were genotyped using TaqMan assay. Controls with evidenced lack of CAD provided 90% of statistical power at the type I error rate of 0.05. Five percent of the results were rechecked for quality control using Sanger sequencing, the results of which concurred with the TaqMan genotyping results. Association analysis of 12 SNPs indicated a significant difference in the genotype distribution for four SNPs between cases and controls (rs564398 p = 0.0315, χ2 = 4.6, odds ratio (OD) = 1.5; rs4977574 p = 0.0336, χ2 = 4.5, OD = 1.4; rs2891168 p = 1.85 × 10 − 10, χ2 = 40.6, OD = 2.1 and rs1333042 p = 5.14 × 10 − 9, χ2 = 34.1, OD = 2.2). The study identified three protective haplotypes (TAAG p = 1.00 × 10 − 4; AGTA p = 0.022 and GGGCC p = 0.0175) and a risk haplotype (TGGA p = 2.86 × 10 − 10) for the development of CAD. This study is in line with others that indicated that the SNPs located in the intronic region of the CDKN2B-AS1 gene are associated with CAD.
The Validation of a New GSTA Case in a Dynamic Coastal Environment Using Morphodynamic Modelling and Bathymetric Monitoring
Authors: O’Shea Michael , Murphy Jimmy
Published: March 2016

Several methods of monitoring sediment transport exist and have varying degrees of success depending on the study sites characteristics. Grain Size Trend Analysis (GSTA) is an experimental method based on identifying transport trends from the variation of sediment grain characteristics within a defined study area. The parameters examined when performing GSTA are mean grain size, sorting coefficient and skewness, the most common cases found in field studies being; finer, better sorted and negatively skewed (FB−) or coarser, better sorted and positively skewed (CB+), as most transport trends follow one or the other trend. However, on Rossbeigh beach, Co. Kerry, Ireland, a coarser poorer and more negatively skewed (CP−) trend case gave the most realistic plot of sediment transport trend when compared with sediment transport calculation, bathymetry surveys, hydrodynamic monitoring and morphological modelling.
NURBS-Based Collocation Methods for the Structural Analysis of Shells of Revolution
Authors: De Bellis Maria , Artioli Edoardo
Published: March 2016

In this work we present a collocation method for the structural analysis of shells of revolution based on Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) interpolation. The method is based on the strong formulation of the equilibrium equations according to Reissner-Mindlin theory, with Fourier series expansion of dependent variables, which makes the problem 1D. Several numerical tests validate convergence, accuracy, and robustness of the proposed methodology, and its feasibility as a tool for the analysis and design of complex shell structures.
Comparison of the Profile and Composition of Volatiles in Coniferous Needles According to Extraction Methods
Authors: Jun Yonjin , Lee Sang , Ju Hyun , Lee Hong , Choi Hyung-Kyoon , Jo Gyeong , Kim Young-Suk
Published: March 2016

The enantiomeric distribution and profile of volatiles in plants, which affect the biological and organoleptic properties, can be varied depending on extraction methods as well as their cultivars. The secondary volatile components of the needles of three conifer cultivars (Chamaecyparispisifera, Chamaecyparisobtusa, and Thujaorientalis) were compared. Furthermore, the effects of three different extraction methods—solid-phase microextraction (SPME), steam distillation (SD), and solvent extraction (SE)—on the composition and enantiomeric distribution of those volatiles were elucidated. Monoterpene hydrocarbons predominated in all samples, and the compositions of sesquiterpenes and diterpenes differed according to the cultivar. In particular, the yields of oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were greatest for SD, whereas those of sesquiterpenes and diterpenes were highest for SE. On the other hand, more monoterpenes with higher volatility could be obtained with SPME and SD than when using SE. In addition, the enantiomeric composition of nine chiral compounds found in three cultivars differed according to their chemotype. There were also some differences in the yielded oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, but not monoterpene hydrocarbons, according to the extraction method. These results demonstrate that the extraction methods used as well as the cultivars influence the measured volatile profiles and enantiomeric distribution of coniferous needle extracts.
Pharmacokinetics of Maleic Acid as a Food Adulterant Determined by Microdialysis in Rat Blood and Kidney Cortex
Authors: Hou Mei-Ling , Lu Chia-Ming , Lin Chi-Hung , Lin Lie-Chwen , Tsai Tung-Hu
Published: March 2016

Maleic acid has been shown to be used as a food adulterant in the production of modified starch by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration. Due to the potential toxicity of maleic acid to the kidneys, this study aimed to develop an analytical method to investigate the pharmacokinetics of maleic acid in rat blood and kidney cortex. Multiple microdialysis probes were simultaneously inserted into the jugular vein and the kidney cortex for sampling after maleic acid administration (10 or 30 mg/kg, i.v., respectively). The pharmacokinetic results demonstrated that maleic acid produced a linear pharmacokinetic phenomenon within the doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg. The area under concentration versus time curve (AUC) of the maleic acid in kidney cortex was 5-fold higher than that in the blood after maleic acid administration (10 and 30 mg/kg, i.v., respectively), indicating that greater accumulation of maleic acid occurred in the rat kidney.