bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and laboratory parameters associated with death in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Spasic Marko , Jankovic Slobodan , Stefanovic Srdjan , Kostic Irena , Radovanovic Dragce , Djordjevic Natasa , Radosavljevic Ivan , Divjak Ana , Milojevic Andjela , Jelic Ivana , Canovic Dragan
Published: May 2016

Background/Aim. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition having the significant mortality rate in the case of severe forms of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate putative factors of increased mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis with contradictory prior evidence, and to reveal factors that were insufficiently explored previously. Methods. This prospective cohort study with nested case/control design included all adult patients treated for acute pancreatitis in the Clinical Center of Kragujevac, Serbia, during the 3-year period (from October 2011 to December 2014). The cases (n = 19) were patients who died, while the controls (n = 113) were patients who survived. The associations between putative risk factors and the study outcomes were tested by univariate and multivariate logistic regressions, and expressed as crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. Significant association with the lethal outcome in acute pancreatitis was found for advanced age (adjusted OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.02?1.23), presence of significant comorbidities (adjusted OR 10.62, 95%CI 1.01?111.39), higher interleukin- 8 (IL-8) value on third day from onset of symptoms (adjusted OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02?1.08), use of tramadol and/or morphine (adjusted OR 47.34, 95%CI 3.21?699.08), the Bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score ? 3 in the first 24 hours (adjusted OR 48.11, 95%CI 3.14?736.29), and prophylactic use of antibiotics (adjusted OR 0.07, 95%CI 0.01?0.85). Conclusion. Advanced age, significant comorbidities, use of tramadol and/or morphine and more severe disease as assessed by BISAP score can increase the risk of death in acute pancreatitis, while prophylactic use of antibiotics may have a protective role.
Fitkids Treadmill Test: Age- and Sex-Related Normative Values in Dutch Children and Adolescents
Authors: Kotte Elles M.W. , de Groot Janke F. , Bongers Bart C. , Winkler Alexander M.F. , Takken Tim
Published: May 2016

Background

Recent research has shown that the Fitkids Treadmill Test (FTT) is a valid and reproducible exercise test for the assessment of aerobic exercise capacity in children and adolescents who are healthy.

Objective

The study objective was to provide sex- and age-related normative values for FTT performance in children and adolescents who were healthy, developing typically, and 6 to 18 years of age.

Design

This was a cross-sectional, observational study.

Methods

Three hundred fifty-six children and adolescents who were healthy (174 boys and 182 girls; mean age=12.9 years, SD=3.7) performed the FTT to their maximal effort to assess time to exhaustion (TTE). The least-mean-square method was used to generate sex- and age-related centile charts (P3, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, and P97) for TTE on the FTT.

Results

In boys, the reference curve (P50) showed an almost linear increase in TTE with age, from 8.8 minutes at 6 years of age to 16.1 minutes at 18 years of age. In girls, the P50 values for TTE increased from 8.8 minutes at 6 years of age to 12.5 minutes at 18 years of age, with a plateau in TTE starting at approximately 10 years of age.

Limitations

Youth who were not white were underrepresented in this study.

Conclusions

This study describes sex- and age-related normative values for FTT performance in children and adolescents who were healthy, developing typically, and 6 to 18 years of age. These age- and sex-related normative values will increase the usefulness of the FTT in clinical practice.
Icelandic Physical Therapists' Attitudes Toward Adoption of New Knowledge and Evidence-Based Practice: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey
Authors: Arnadottir Solveig A. , Gudjonsdottir Bjorg
Published: May 2016

Background

A positive attitude toward evidence-based practice (EBP) has been identified as an important factor in the effectiveness of the dissemination and implementation of EBP in real-world settings.

Objective

The objectives of this study were: (1) to describe dimensions of Icelandic physical therapists' attitudes toward the adoption of new knowledge and EBP and (2) to explore the association between attitudes and selected personal and environmental factors.

Design

This study was a cross-sectional, Web-based survey of the total population of full members of the Icelandic Physiotherapy Association.

Methods

The Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS) was used to survey attitudes toward EBP; the total EBPAS and its 4 subscales (requirements, appeal, openness, and divergence) were included. Linear regression was used to explore the association between the EBPAS and selected background variables.

Results

The response rate was 39.5% (N=211). The total EBPAS and all of its subscales reflected physical therapists' positive attitudes toward the adoption of new knowledge and EBP. Multivariable analysis revealed that being a woman was associated with more positive attitudes, as measured by the total EBPAS and the requirements, openness, and divergence subscales. Physical therapists with postprofessional education were more positive, as measured by the EBPAS openness subscale, and those working with at least 10 other physical therapists demonstrated more positive attitudes on the total EBPAS and the openness subscale.

Limitations

Because this was a cross-sectional survey, no causal inferences can be made, and there may have been unmeasured confounding factors. Potential nonresponse bias limits generalizability.

Conclusions

The results expand understanding of the phenomenon of attitudes toward EBP. They reveal potentially modifiable dimensions of attitudes and the associated characteristics of physical therapists and their work environments. The findings encourage investigation of the effectiveness of strategies aimed at influencing various dimensions of attitudes toward EBP.
Physical Rehabilitation Interventions for Post-mTBI Symptoms Lasting Greater Than 2 Weeks: Systematic Review
Authors: Quatman-Yates Catherine , Cupp Amanda , Gunsch Cherryanne , Haley Tonya , Vaculik Steve , Kujawa David
Published: May 2016

Background

Heightened awareness of the lasting effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has amplified interest in interventions that facilitate recovery from persistent post-mTBI symptoms.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to identify potential physical rehabilitation interventions that are safe, feasible, and appropriate for physical therapists to utilize with patients with persistent mTBI-related symptoms.

Data Sources

The electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were systematically searched from database inception until June 2015.

Study Selection

Studies were included if they utilized physical rehabilitation interventions and the study's participants had a diagnosis of mTBI, a mean age of 8 years or older, and symptoms persisting an average of 2 weeks or longer. Exclusion criteria included blast injuries, diagnosis of moderate or severe TBI, or psychosis.

Data Extraction

Data extraction and methodological risk of bias assessments were performed for each study.

Data Synthesis

Eight studies with a range of study designs, intervention types, and outcome measures were included. The interventions investigated by the included studies were categorized into 3 types: physiological, vestibulo-ocular, and cervicogenic.

Limitations

The identified studies had several significant limitations including: small sample sizes and low-level study designs.

Conclusions

The results of this systematic review indicate that several physical rehabilitation options with minimal risk for negative outcomes are available for treating patients experiencing persistent post-mTBI symptoms. These options include: vestibular, manual, and progressive exercise interventions. Conclusions surrounding efficacy and ideal dosing parameters for these interventions are limited at this time due to the small number of studies, the range of interventional protocols, and lower levels of study design.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients infected with enterovirus D68, France, July to December 2014
Authors: Schuffenecker Isabelle , Mirand Audrey , Josset Laurence , Henquell Cécile , Hecquet Denise , Pilorgé Léa , Petitjean-Lecherbonnier Joëlle , Manoha Catherine , Legoff Jérôme , Deback Claire , Pillet Sylvie , Lepiller Quentin , Mansuy Jean Michel , Marque-Juillet Stéphanie , Antona Denise , Peigue-Lafeuille Hélène , Lina Bruno
Published: May 2016

In 2014, the United States (US) experienced a nationwide outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infection with 1,152 cases reported mainly in hospitalised children with severe asthma or bronchiolitis. Following the US alert, 11 laboratories of the French enterovirus (EV) surveillance network participated in an EV-D68 survey. A total of 6,229 respiratory samples, collected from 1 July to 31 December 2014, were screened for EV-D68 resulting in 212 EV-D68-positive samples. These 212 samples corresponded to 200 EV-D68 cases. The overall EV-D68 positivity rates among respiratory samples were of 5% (184/3,645) and 1.1% (28/2,584) in hospitalised children and adults respectively. The maximum weekly EV-D68 positivity rates were of 16.1% for children (n = 24/149; week 43) and 2.6% for adults (n = 3/115; week 42). Of 173 children with EV-D68 infection alone, the main symptoms were asthma (n = 83; 48.0%) and bronchiolitis (n = 37; 21.4%). One child developed acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) following EV-D68-associated pneumonia. Although there was no significant increase in severe respiratory tract infections reported to the French public health authorities, 10.7% (19/177) of the EV-D68 infected children and 14.3% (3/21) of the EV-D68 infected adults were hospitalised in intensive care units. Phylogenetic analysis of the viral protein 1 (VP1) sequences of 179 EV-D68 cases, revealed that 117 sequences (65.4%), including that of the case of AFP, belonged to the B2 variant of clade B viruses. Continuous surveillance of EV-D68 infections is warranted and could benefit from existing influenza-like illness and EV surveillance networks.
Detection of enterovirus D68 in patients hospitalised in three tertiary university hospitals in Germany, 2013 to 2014
Authors: Böttcher Sindy , Prifert Christiane , Weißbrich Benedikt , Adams Ortwin , Aldabbagh Souhaib , Eis-Hübinger Anna Maria , Diedrich Sabine
Published: May 2016

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has been recognised as a worldwide emerging pathogen associated with severe respiratory symptoms since 2009. We here report EV-D68 detection in hospitalised patients with acute respiratory infection admitted to three tertiary hospitals in Germany between January 2013 and December 2014. From a total of 14,838 respiratory samples obtained during the study period, 246 (1.7%) tested enterovirus-positive and, among these, 39 (15.9%) were identified as EV-D68. Infection was observed in children and teenagers (0–19 years; n=31), the majority (n=22) being under five years-old, as well as in adults > 50 years of age (n=8). No significant difference in prevalence was observed between the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Phylogenetic analyses based on viral protein 1 (VP1) sequences showed co-circulation of different EV-D68 lineages in Germany. Sequence data encompassing the entire capsid region of the genome were analysed to gain information on amino acid changes possibly relevant for immunogenicity and revealed mutations in two recently described pleconaril binding sites.
Prostate Cancer in Pilots
Authors: Raslau David , Abu Dabrh Abd Moain , Summerfield Douglas T. , Wang Zhen , Steinkraus Lawrence W. , Murad Mohammad Hassan
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND: Aviation exposes pilots to various occupationally related hazards, including ionizing radiation and chemical combustion. The possibility of increased prostate cancer incidence and mortality among pilots is a subject of debate. This systematic review and meta-analysis
aims to summarize the supporting evidence and determine the magnitude of association.METHODS: All studies reporting prostate cancer incidence and mortality in pilots compared to the general population were included regardless of language or size. The comprehensive search included
multiple databases and manual search. A random effect model was used to pool relative risks (RR) across studies.RESULTS: The final search yielded nine studies with good methodological quality. Four studies reported the incidence of prostate cancer while six reported on mortality.
Pilots had a small but statistically significant increase in the risk of developing prostate cancer [RR 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-1.33], but not in prostate cancer mortality (RR 1.20; 95% CI, 0.91-1.60).CONCLUSION: Pilots appear to have a very small increase in prostate
cancer incidence, but not in mortality. The clinical significance of this finding is uncertain.Raslau D, Abu Dabrh AM, Summerfield DT, Wang Z, Steinkraus LW, Murad MH. Prostate cancer in pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(6):565–570.
Pilot Domain Task Experience in Night Fatal Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Accidents
Authors: Aherne Bryan B. , Zhang Chrystal , Newman David G.
Published: May 2016

INTRODUCTION: In the United States, accident and fatality rates in helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) operations increase significantly under nighttime environmentally hazardous operational conditions. Other studies have found pilots’ total flight hours unrelated
to HEMS accident outcomes. Many factors affect pilots’ decision making, including their experience. This study seeks to investigate whether pilot domain task experience (DTE) in HEMS plays a role against likelihood of accidents at night when hazardous operational conditions are entered.METHODS:
There were 32 flights with single pilot nighttime fatal HEMS accidents between 1995 and 2013 with findings of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) and loss of control (LCTRL) due to spatial disorientation (SD) identified. The HEMS DTE of the pilots were compared with industry survey data.RESULTS:
Of the pilots, 56% had ≤2 yr of HEMS experience and 9% had >10 yr of HEMS experience. There were 21 (66%) accidents that occurred in non-visual flight rules (VFR) conditions despite all flights being required to be conducted under VFR. There was a statistically significant increase in
accident rates in pilots with <2 and <4 yr HEMS DTE and a statistically significant decrease in accident rates in pilots with >10 yr HEMS DTE.CONCLUSION: HEMS DTE plays a preventive role against the likelihood of a night operational accident. Pilots with limited HEMS DTE
are more likely to make a poor assessment of hazardous conditions at night, and this will place HEMS flight crew at high risk in the VFR night domain.Aherne BB, Zhang C, Newman DG. Pilot domain task experience in night fatal helicopter emergency medical service accidents. Aerosp
Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(6):550–556.
Energy Beverage Consumption Among Naval Aviation Candidates
Authors: Sather Thomas E. , Delorey Donald R.
Published: May 2016

INTRODUCTION: Since the debut of energy beverages, the consumption of energy beverages has been immensely popular with young adults. Research regarding energy beverage consumption has included college students, European Union residents, and U.S. Army military personnel. However,
energy beverage consumption among naval aviation candidates in the United States has yet to be examined. The purpose of this study was to assess energy beverage consumption patterns (frequency and volume) among naval aviation candidates, including attitudes and perceptions regarding the benefits
and safety of energy beverage consumption.METHODS: A 44-item survey was used to assess energy beverage consumption patterns of 302 students enrolled in the Aviation Preflight Indoctrination Course at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL.RESULTS: Results indicated that 79%
of participants (N = 239) reported consuming energy beverages within the last year. However, of those who reported consuming energy beverages within the last year, only 36% (N = 85) reported consuming energy beverages within the last 30 d. Additionally, 51% (N = 153) of
participants reported no regular energy beverages consumption. The majority of participants consumed energy beverages for mental alertness (67%), mental endurance (37%), and physical endurance (12%). The most reported side effects among participants included increased mental alertness (67%),
increased heart rate (53%), and restlessness (41%).DISCUSSION: Naval aviation candidates appear to use energy drinks as frequently as a college student population, but less frequently than expected for an active duty military population. The findings of this study indicate that
naval aviation candidates rarely use energy beverages (less than once per month), but when consumed, they use it for fatigue management.Sather TE, Delorey DR. Energy beverage consumption among naval aviation candidates. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(6):557–564.
Hypoxic Challenge Testing for Fitness to Fly with Severe Asthma
Authors: George Peter M. , Orton Christopher , Ward Simon , Menzies-Gow Andrew , Hull James H.
Published: May 2016

INTRODUCTION: Commercial airline travel poses a recognized risk to patients with respiratory disease, including in those with asthma. Hypoxic challenge testing (HCT) is typically employed to mitigate this risk by dictating in-flight oxygen requirement.METHODS: The
role of HCT has not been formally studied in patients with severe asthma and we therefore evaluated HCT assessment in a cohort of patients with severe asthma (N = 37).RESULTS: Over half (57%) of patients had a positive HCT. Baseline oxygen saturation (Spo2)
was poorly predictive of a recommendation for supplementary oxygen in flight; two-thirds of those deemed to require oxygen had a baseline Spo2 > 95%. A combination of any two of: Pao2 ≤ 10.5 kPa, FEV1 ≤ 60% predicted, and PEF
≤ 350 L · min−1 predicted the need for in-flight oxygen with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 69%. Furthermore, no patient with an Spo2 > 95% and FEV1 > 85% predicted had a positive HCT.CONCLUSION: Overall,
the findings indicate that HCT should be considered for all patients with severe asthma, regardless of resting oxygen saturation level.George PM, Orton C, Ward S, Menzies-Gow A, Hull JH. Hypoxic challenge testing for fitness to fly with severe asthma. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016;
87(6):571–574.
Effect of Irrigation Timing on Root Zone Soil Temperature, Root Growth and Grain Yield and Chemical Composition in Corn
Authors: Dong Xuejun , Xu Wenwei , Zhang Yongjiang , Leskovar Daniel
Published: May 2016

High air temperatures during the crop growing season can reduce harvestable yields in major agronomic crops worldwide. Repeated and prolonged high night air temperature stress may compromise plant growth and yield. Crop varieties with improved heat tolerance traits as well as crop management strategies at the farm scale are thus needed for climate change mitigation. Crop yield is especially sensitive to night-time warming trends. Current studies are mostly directed to the elevated night-time air temperature and its impact on crop growth and yield, but less attention is given to the understanding of night-time soil temperature management. Delivering irrigation water through drip early evening may reduce soil temperature and thus improve plant growth. In addition, corn growers typically use high-stature varieties that inevitably incur excessive respiratory carbon loss from roots and transpiration water loss under high night temperature conditions. The main objective of this study was to see if root-zone soil temperature can be reduced through drip irrigation applied at night-time, vs. daytime, using three corn hybrids of different above-ground architecture in Uvalde, TX where day and night temperatures during corn growing season are above U.S. averages. The experiment was conducted in 2014. Our results suggested that delivering well-water at night-time through drip irrigation reduced root-zone soil temperature by 0.6 °C, increase root length five folds, plant height 2%, and marginally increased grain yield by 10%. However, irrigation timing did not significantly affect leaf chlorophyll level and kernel crude protein, phosphorous, fat and starch concentrations. Different from our hypothesis, the shorter, more compact corn hybrid did not exhibit a higher yield and growth as compared with taller hybrids. As adjusting irrigation timing would not incur an extra cost for farmers, the finding reported here had immediate practical implications for farm scale adaptation to hot environments.
Apigenin Ameliorates Dyslipidemia, Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance by Modulating Metabolic and Transcriptional Profiles in the Liver of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Jung Un , Cho Yun-Young , Choi Myung-Sook
Published: May 2016

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have reported the anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of the flavonoid apigenin. However, the long-term supplementary effects of low-dose apigenin on obesity are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the protective effects of apigenin against obesity and related metabolic disturbances by exploring the metabolic and transcriptional responses in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. C57BL/6J mice were fed an HFD or apigenin (0.005%, w/w)-supplemented HFD for 16 weeks. In HFD-fed mice, apigenin lowered plasma levels of free fatty acid, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and hepatic dysfunction markers and ameliorated hepatic steatosis and hepatomegaly, without altering food intake and adiposity. These effects were partly attributed to upregulated expression of genes regulating fatty acid oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chain and cholesterol homeostasis, downregulated expression of lipolytic and lipogenic genes and decreased activities of enzymes responsible for triglyceride and cholesterol ester synthesis in the liver. Moreover, apigenin lowered plasma levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and fasting blood glucose. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of apigenin appeared to be related to decreased insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes activities. Thus, apigenin can ameliorate HFD-induced comorbidities via metabolic and transcriptional modulations in the liver.
Pharmacologic Evaluation of Antidepressant Activity and Synthesis of 2-Morpholino-5-phenyl-6H-1,3,4-thiadiazine Hydrobromide
Authors: Sarapultsev Alexey , Chupakhin Oleg , Sarapultsev Petr , Sidorova Larisa , Tseitler Tatiana
Published: May 2016

Substituted thiadiazines exert a reliable therapeutic effect in treating stress, and a schematic description of their ability to influence all aspects of a stress response has been depicted. This study was conducted to pharmacologically evaluate compound L-17, a substituted thiadiazine, (2-morpholino-5-phenyl-6H-1,3,4-thiadiazine, hydrobromide) for possible anti-psychotic/antidepressant activity. Compound L-17 was synthesized by cyclocondensation of α-bromoacetophenone with the original morpholine-4-carbothionic acid hydrazide. Pharmacologic evaluations were conducted using methods described by E.F. Lavretskaya (1985), and in accordance with published guidelines for studying drugs for neuroleptic activity. Compound L-17 was evaluated for various possible mechanisms of action, including its effects on cholinergic system agonists/antagonists, dopaminergic neurotransmission, the adrenergic system, and 5-HT3 serotonin receptors. One or more of these mechanisms may be responsible for the beneficial effects shown by thiadiazine compounds in experiments conducted to evaluate their activity in models of acute stress and acute myocardial infarction.
Cationic Pd(II)-catalyzed C–H activation/cross-coupling reactions at room temperature: synthetic and mechanistic studies
Authors: Nishikata Takashi , Abela Alexander R , Huang Shenlin , Lipshutz Bruce H
Published: May 2016

Cationic palladium(II) complexes have been found to be highly reactive towards aromatic C–H activation of arylureas at room temperature. A commercially available catalyst [Pd(MeCN)4](BF4)2 or a nitrile-free cationic palladium(II) complex generated in situ from the reaction of Pd(OAc)2 and HBF4, effectively catalyzes C–H activation/cross-coupling reactions between aryl iodides, arylboronic acids and acrylates under milder conditions than those previously reported. The nature of the directing group was found to be critical for achieving room temperature conditions, with the urea moiety the most effective in promoting facile coupling reactions at an ortho C–H position. This methodology has been utilized in a streamlined and efficient synthesis of boscalid, an agent produced on the kiloton scale annually and used to control a range of plant pathogens in broadacre and horticultural crops. Mechanistic investigations led to a proposed catalytic cycle involving three steps: (1) C–H activation to generate a cationic palladacycle; (2) reaction of the cationic palladacycle with an aryl iodide, arylboronic acid or acrylate, and (3) regeneration of the active cationic palladium catalyst. The reaction between a cationic palladium(II) complex and arylurea allowed the formation and isolation of the corresponding palladacycle intermediate, characterized by X-ray analysis. Roles of various additives in the stepwise process have also been studied.
NO EVIDENCE OF INTRINSIC OPTICAL/NEAR-INFRARED LINEAR POLARIZATION FOR V404 CYGNI DURING ITS BRIGHT OUTBURST IN 2015: BROADBAND MODELING AND CONSTRAINT ON JET PARAMETERS
Authors: Tanaka Y. T. , Itoh R. , Uemura M. , Inoue Y. , Cheung C. C. , Watanabe M. , Kawabata K. S. , Fukazawa Y. , Yatsu Y. , Yoshii T. , Tachibana Y. , Fujiwara T. , Saito Y. , Kawai N. , Kimura M. , Isogai K. , Kato T. , Akitaya H. , Kawabata M. , Nakaoka T. , Shiki K. , Takaki K. , Yoshida M. , Imai M. , Gouda S. , Gouda Y. , Akimoto H. , Honda S. , Hosoya K. , Ikebe A. , Morihana K. , Ohshima T. , Takagi Y. , Takahashi J. , Watanabe K. , Kuroda D. , Morokuma T. , Murata K. , Nagayama T. , Nogami D. , Oasa Y. , Sekiguchi K.
Published: May 2016

We present simultaneous optical and near-infrared (NIR) polarimetric results for the black hole binary V404 Cyg spanning the duration of its seven-day-long optically brightest phase of its 2015 June outburst. The simultaneous R- and K

s
-band light curves showed almost the same temporal variation except for the isolated (∼30-minute duration) orphan K

s
-band flare observed at MJD 57193.54. We did not find any significant temporal variation of polarization degree (PD) and position angle (PA) in both R and K

s
bands throughout our observations, including the duration of the orphan NIR flare. We show that the observed PD and PA are predominantly interstellar in origin by comparing the V404 Cyg polarimetric results with those of the surrounding sources within the 7′ × 7′ field of view. The low intrinsic PD (less than a few percent) implies that the optical and NIR emissions are dominated by either disk or optically thick synchrotron emission, or both. We also present the broadband spectra of V404 Cyg during the orphan NIR flare and a relatively faint and steady state by including quasi-simultaneous Swift/XRT and INTEGRAL fluxes. By adopting a single-zone synchrotron plus inverse-Compton model as widely used in modeling of blazars, we constrained the parameters of a putative jet. Because the jet synchrotron component cannot exceed the Swift/XRT disk/corona flux, the cutoff Lorentz factor in the electron energy distribution is constrained to be <102, suggesting that particle acceleration is less efficient in this microquasar jet outburst compared to active galactic nucleus jets. We also suggest that the loading of the baryon component inside the jet is inevitable based on energetic arguments.
EFFECTS OF OBLIQUITY ON THE HABITABILITY OF EXOPLANETS AROUND M DWARFS
Authors: Wang Yuwei , Liu Yonggang , Tian Feng , Yang Jun , Ding Feng , Zhou Linjiong , Hu Yongyun
Published: May 2016

Most previous studies on how obliquity affects planetary habitability focused on planets around Sun-like stars. Their conclusions may not be applicable to habitable planets around M dwarfs due to the tidal-locking feature and associated insolation pattern of these planets. Here we use a comprehensive three-dimensional atmospheric general circulation model to investigate this issue. We find that the climates of planets with higher obliquities are generally warmer, consistent with previous studies. The mechanism of warming is, however, completely different. Significant reduction of low clouds, instead of sea-ice cover, within the substeller region (which moves if the obliquity is non-zero) is the key in warming M-dwarf planets with high obliquities. For a total insolation of 1237 W m−2, the climate warms by 21 K when the obliquity increases from 0° to 90°. Correspondingly, the runaway greenhouse inner edge of the habitable zone shifts outward from 2500 to 2100 W m−2. The moist greenhouse inner edge, based on our crude estimation, shifts less, from 2180 to 2075 W m−2. Near the outer edge, in contrast, the climates of planets with higher obliquities are colder due to their reduced ability to maintain a hotspot at the surface. Therefore, the outer edge moves inward when obliquity is increased, opposite to the finding of previous studies on planets around Sun-like stars. Our results thus indicate that the habitable zone for M dwarfs narrows if the obliquity of their planets increases.
Socioeconomics of Solidarity
Authors: Saiz-Alvarez José Manuel
Published: May 2016

This work deals with the Socioeconomics of Solidarity analyzed from a double public and private perspectives. The chapter begins with the guiding principles of this emerging economic thought based on the principle of subsidiarity, the search for the Common Good, and the necessary solidarity based on justice. After having grounded these principles, the author develops different solidarity-based public policies, mainly focused on the European Union, by including principles, objectives and stages of the European Official Development Aid, the European Development Fund, and the Common Framework for Joint Multiannual Programming and Efficiency. This analysis is complemented with the ideas rooted on the Socioeconomics of Solidarity that is analyzed following a private perspective, arguing that it is necessary to re-launch these School of Thought based on solidarity and justice to search for an economic world characterized by social welfare and economic wealth.
Genesis and Development of Social Entrepreneurship in India
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: May 2016

Societies world over are urgently seeking innovative approaches to address persistent social problems of health care, poverty, child labour, literacy etc. These problems not only persist but also have increased in intensity and complexity. Thus, there is furor for innovative entrepreneurial approaches that can create more social value with limited resources. These approaches need to leverage better on resources to enhance effectiveness through creative partnerships by raised expectations, performance and accountability so as to achieve more sustainable social impact. What business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social entrepreneurs are to society? They may, like business entrepreneurs, be interested in profit, but their emphasis is on social change. While the challenges in the social sector are many, the potential and opportunity for social entrepreneurship to be a powerful force for social value creation has never been greater. Through grounded research and in depth contextual analysis, this chapter focuses on India's genesis and development of social entrepreneurship.
Enterpreneurial Incentives, Obstacles, and Management in University-Business Co-Operation
Authors: David Firmansyah , van der Sijde Peter , van den Besselaar Peter
Published: May 2016

The study in this chapter aimed to explore the perception of university managers and academics towards incentives and obstacles of university-business co-operation. For this purpose, case studies were conducted in a public and a private university in Indonesia. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with university managers: University Vice President and the Head of Research and Community Service Office; and with academics at the department of electrical engineering and computer science. The results suggest that both organizational actors at both universities share a common perception that industrial funding; organizational and individual reputation; trust from industries and applied research are the incentives in the creation of university-business co-operation; whilst bureaucracy, industrial commitment, different in vision and orientation, teaching obligation and basic research have been considered as the obstacles. This study proposes a managerial implication. University managers should ‘recognize' the ‘skills' of individual academics in business before engaging them in university-business co-operation. Furthermore, individual academics should able to manage the different vision and orientation with the business world.
Teachers' Portfolios
Authors: Djoub Zineb
Published: May 2016

To achieve professional development and the intended educational goals, teachers' reflection has been considered as a necessary component of the teaching process. Indeed, reflection is process of questioning one's practices, intention and the emerging outcomes. Such reflection is also a source of inspiration, creativity, flexibility and thus, a means to achieve learners' motivation and interest in active and engaged learning. To enhance reflective teaching, teaching portfolios have been widely advocated in language teaching. To that end, this chapter attempts to provide a teaching portfolio model which aims at prompting teachers' reflection over their profession. Additionally, it illustrates the way such tool needs to be used by teachers so that they can reflect effectively and improve their teaching.
The Role of Teacher Leadership for Promoting Professional Development Practices
Authors: Dickenson Patricia , Montgomery Judith L.
Published: May 2016

This chapter examines the status of teacher professional development in mathematics and explores the role of teacher leadership to promote innovative professional development strategies that sustain the growth and development of an organization. Survey data was collected from teacher leader participants of one mathematics professional development organization to understand how participants' growth and development as a teacher leader not only shaped their mathematics instructional practices, but influenced their choices in leadership roles. Further the authors share how the learning environment and pedagogical choices of the project director supported a teacher-driven professional development approach. Recommendations as well as a model for developing a teacher-driven professional development organization are provided for replication.
Taking Making Into the Schools
Authors: Crichton Susan E. , Carter Deb
Published: May 2016

This chapter introduces professional learning (PL) challenges in a Digital Age and makes a case for an immersive, sustained, experiential approach including diverse groups of professionals. It explores how this approach informed novice and experienced educators to incorporate design thinking and making into their current practice. After providing background on the Maker Movement, an immersive PL model is explored. This model comprises an integrated series of PL experiences designed to encourage participants to actively engage in four distinct yet related elements. Drawing on a qualitative, iterative process, initial research findings and experiences suggest that such a model may support good PL and professional development for educators designing and developing 21st century learning environments. These findings suggest this model may allow for collaborative re-thinking of established course and curricular designs, while addressing significant social issues, encouraging participants to become thoughtful contributors in an increasingly complex, globalized economy.
A Reconstruction of Rural Teachers' Technology Integration Experiences
Authors: Porras-Hernández Laura Helena , Salinas-Amescua Bertha
Published: May 2016

Teachers who integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) to their practice in rural areas face important challenges that differ from those where contextual conditions are most favorable. The purpose of this chapter is to describe how and why a phenomenological research approach applied to the reconstruction of rural teachers' experiences in incorporating ICT's to their practice can be helpful for both, for research purposes as well as for inspiring the avenues that rural teacher education in the digital age should follow. Based on the narratives of eight teachers working in poor rural schools of Mexico, this chapter describes how, as part of a construction of their own rural pedagogies, these teachers integrate ICT to their practice in response to three levels of contextual demands. Lessons learned and recommendations for research of this kind are provided.
Cross-Border Collaborative Learning in the Professional Development of Teachers
Authors: Davidson Rafi , Glassner Amnon
Published: May 2016

The goal of this chapter is to present a theoretical and practical frame for PD of teachers at the digital age. The main question we ask is how to develop life competencies and skills of teachers in order to change their learning and teaching in a way that enables school graduates to acquire relevant skills for life. The chapter inquires this issue by a qualitative methodology case study . The case is an online course for teachers' professional development. The chapter presents evidence from reflective diaries, interviews and scripts of students' and teachers' discussions, focusing on identification of the effects of the course's learning environments on the development of the teachers' self determination learning and skills. The findings indicate the useful effects of the combination between LMS environments and social media, such as Web 2.0 tools. The conclusions suggest new directions for teachers' professional development that encourage the design of a flexible fractal net which enable fostering teachers' leadership and innovation.
Embracing Complexity and Innovation in an Era of Globalization
Authors: Liu Laura B. , Baker Lottie L. , Milman Natalie B.
Published: May 2016

As globalization changes the characteristics of 21st century learners and the learning process itself, it is paramount to discover alternatives to streamlining, rewarding, and comparing talent in a few narrow standardized directions. Supporting the full potential of today's learners entails cultivating globally minded educators committed to exploring evolving meanings of diversity and gleaning from global complexities in nurturing fulfilled lifelong learners. This chapter contributes to forging global practitioner and researcher relationships by examining (a) how diversity is conceptualized by teacher candidates and teacher educators, (b) how Multicultural Teacher Preparation (MTP) is practiced across international settings, and (c) how policy shapes both perceptions of diversity and MTP practices. Findings show international diversity conceptualizations as narrow and complex, and MTP practices as primarily novel or established. Implications call for initiating innovative international collaborations in teacher preparation to explore complex, evolving definitions of diversity shaped by global and local discourses, and learning from each other about what is important and effective across international settings (Darling-Hammond & Lieberman, 2011).
Primary Grades Teachers' Fidelity of Teaching Practices during Mathematics Professional Development
Authors: Martin Christie , Polly Drew , Wang Chuang , Lambert Richard G. , Pugalee David
Published: May 2016

This chapter shares the findings from a study that examined primary grades teachers' fidelity of implementation during a year-long professional development program on formative assessment in mathematics. The project provided over 80 hours of professional development to elementary school teachers regarding their use of an internet-based formative assessment system for their students' mathematics achievement. This study examined teachers' online reflections and data in the internet-based assessment system to identify themes that lead to either a high fidelity or low fidelity of implementation. High fidelity teachers expressed beliefs that formative assessment supported their mathematics teaching, improved their students' learning, and was feasible to carry out in their classrooms. Low fidelity teachers' reflections were associated with numerous barriers to implementation as well as a lack of buy-in that the formative assessment system could benefit their teaching.
Study Abroad and Service-Learning in a Catholic Social Teaching Context
Authors: Gonzalez Ana-Lisa , Balderas J. Ulyses
Published: May 2016

Authentic, practical and realistic experiences for pre-service teachers are essential to any effective teacher education program. If combined with two high-impact educational practices: service learning and study abroad, can result in an inclusive and successful education program. Study abroad with a carefully crafted service-learning component would help pre-service teachers to not only, immerse themselves in a foreign culture, but also to refine their craft in that same context. On a Catholic university campus there exists the unique opportunity to include faith in all coursework and experiences that students may have. The application of Catholic Social Teachings, especially the tenets of social justice, should be a major part of what drives pre-service teachers in the classroom. Coursework that has a social justice bend and experiences that reflect the ideals of social justice according to the Catholic Church can prove to be highly impactful if well-designed.
Virtual Activities to Promote Multiculturalism and Sustainability of International Partnerships
Authors: Yoon Jiyoon , Han Insoon
Published: May 2016

This chapter is a report on the findings of a study to measure the effects of virtual activities for promoting diversity/multiculturalism and sustaining international partnerships in science teacher education between the America and Korea. Partnership program website and international workshop are the virtual activities in this study to ensure continued collaboration between two countries. Journal and survey with the science teacher candidates, assessment methods the teacher candidates developed for their students, and the number of international partnership programs between two countries are the data resources in this study. Findings indicate that 1) the American and Korean teacher candidates learn diverse knowledge for teaching science after the virtual international activities; 2) they show more consideration on multicultural/diversity aspects as future global science teachers; and 3) these activities continuously improve international relationships between two countries.
Exploring the Interstices of Literate, Linguistic, and Cultural Diversity
Authors: Smith Patriann , Kumi-Yeboah Alex
Published: May 2016

In this chapter, we examine an English-speaking Caribbean multilingual teacher's response to linguistic diversity by exploring his linguistic and literate experiences and responses to language in various geographical and social contexts. Through in-depth semi-structured topical interviews, we identified three distinct recursive “pathways” representative of the teacher's experiences. These pathways constituted his processes of attitude transformation, strategy use, and identity formation. The findings highlight the need for further exploration of multilingual teachers' linguistic diversity and indicate the need to examine teachers' capacity to respond to linguistic and cultural diversity based on their personal experiences.
It's No Secret Justin Wants to Be Black
Authors: El-Burki Imaani Jamillah , Reynolds Rachel R.
Published: May 2016

Research shows that media representations of race, gender and social class designed for consumption by the millennial generation create a world of symbolic equality via narratives of racial harmony, female empowerment and forms of exaggeration where everyone seems to have a middle and or upper middle class quality of life. In general, the changing face of diversity as represented in media has been cast as a neoliberal politic, where ideologies of free markets are extended into representing a sense of equality among individuals and their respective social groups. While scholars have investigated exaggerated representations of inclusivity in a variety of media genres, there is limited scholarship investigating the ways in which comedy serves the neoliberalist agenda. Comedy Central's Roast of Justin Bieber aired March 2015 and has been replicated in multiple forms. The current study is an in depth discourse and content analysis of the racial and gender jokes appearing in this program. It concludes that what appears to be a move beyond race is instead working against a post-race reality.
Social Media Affordances and the Capital of Queer Self-Expression
Authors: Niedt Greg
Published: May 2016

This chapter presents an overview of the September 2014 controversy surrounding Facebook's enforcement of their “real name policy,” the disproportionate targeting of drag performers for profile suspension, and the queer community's brief exodus to the network Ello. By drawing on research about identity in the online age, queer and subcultural theory, and the concept of affordances in social media, the author seeks to illuminate some of the causes of this incident, and the motivations of the actors involved. The online profile is framed as a locus for the construction of alternative identities—particularly those which challenge gender norms—as well as tension when that process is restricted. The author attempts to locate this concept of profiles, and the networked communities built from them, within a larger web of capital relations, exploring how the online and offline intersect therein.
Digitizing Consumer Activism
Authors: Novoselova Veronika
Published: May 2016

Charting connections between consumer protest, feminist activism and affordances of digital media, this chapter argues that social media and blogging platforms are becoming instrumental in creating new spaces for feminist action. Women's blog Jezebel (www.jezebel.com) has been chosen as a case study to examine how feminist bloggers use the dialogical environments of digital media to construct narratives of involvement in consumer culture. The chapter provides a critical overview of the major thematic categories identified on Jezebel. Such an analysis is particularly important for situating the blogosphere as a site of ongoing cultural negotiations while marking the limits of feminist consumer mobilization under the conditions of neoliberalism. The chapter concludes with the discussion of how Jezebel.com establishes a feminist networked space where bloggers construct diverse narratives of consumer activism.
The Phrase Has Been Hijacked
Authors: Novak Alison N. , Richmond Julia C.
Published: May 2016

Previous scholarship has identified that as digital media platforms evolve, the potential of intercultural and cross generational communication continues to grow. Digital social media, in particular, has proven to be a valuable channel for users of different backgrounds (and ages) to communicate and speak with each other, often articulating and discussing cultural tensions. Previous research has identified the ubiquitous nature of digital social media as benefiting cross generational communication, as generational groups are often isolated from each other in the physical world, but connected in the digital field. This connection, therefore, provides an opportunity for intergenerational communication to take place, giving a platform for users of different age backgrounds to discuss topics previously quiet in the limited physical interactions.