bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Art Education and a Democratic Citizenry
Authors: Siegesmund Richard
Published: October 2013

The first purpose of Art Education in public schools, articulated in the eighteenth century, was the ability to shape an imaginatively responsible, empathetic, democratic citizenry; this remains an aim for today, which is hard to achieve. This article explores the continuing tension between this original goal and other versions of Art Education, particularly Artistic Education, focusing on professional skills and techniques, and Aesthetic Education that focuses on appreciation of objects. After reviewing Friedrich Schiller's historic contribution to theorising aesthetics as empathy and as experienced through play, and Johan Pestalozzi's practical application in a first curriculum, the article demonstrates Schiller's influence on contemporary theorists Jacques Rancière and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak who also insist that art must remain unproductive in order to defy cultural commodification. In their view, Art Education must be deviant to utility and retain an essential uselessness. A current case study demonstrates the difficulties in facilitating authentic democratic action within the utilitarian demands on today's schools. By developing wide‐awakeness in students, spaces develop where silenced individuals might be heard. Art Education curricula should form the mindful habit of an informed citizenry that fashions an art of living by constructively re‐imagining new possibilities of democratic community and empathetic understanding.
Who Owns the Classroom? Profit, Pedagogy, Belonging, Power
Authors: Wild Carol
Published: October 2013

Private ownership is a significant issue. In England the concept of a school existing for the benefit of the local community looks uncertain in the face of forced transfer to Academy status and partnerships with external private sponsors against the will of parents and teachers. Who profits from for‐profit education and what impact does semi‐privatisation have on the experiences of art teachers and students in schools? This article suggests that artist educators can act intentionally to create art experiences that counter the sterilising nature of the corporate school environment. Through adopting strategies used by contemporary artists to critique ideas of ownership and profit, art teachers can use the site of the classroom and the school itself in ways that ultimately reclaim a sense of belonging for both teachers and students.
Mandibular corrective osteotomy using novel locking compression plate 3.5/4.5/5.0 mm metaphyseal plates
Authors: Klaus Christoph S. , Vogt Carsten , Lischer Christoph J.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To describe a technique and the outcome of using 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal Locking Compression Plate for corrective osteotomy of mandibular brachygnathia.

Study Design

Clinical report.

Animal

Eight‐month Thoroughbred horse.

Methods

Severe mandibular brachygnathia was surgically treated by corrective osteotomy and fixation with 2 LCP 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal plates inserted using minimally invasive technique.

Results

Severe mandibular brachygnathia was treated successfully with minor complications and stable fixation after 3 months. Cosmetic outcome and owner satisfaction was excellent.

Conclusions

Corrective osteotomy and fixation with LCP 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal plates can be considered as a surgical technique for correction of severe mandibular brachygnathia in weanlings.
A comparison of microscopic ink characteristics of 35 commercially available surgical margin inks
Authors: Milovancev Milan , Löhr Christiane V. , Bildfell Robert J. , Gelberg Howard B. , Heidel Jerry R. , Valentine Beth A.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To compare microscopic characteristics of commercially available surgical margin inks used for surgical pathology specimens.

Study Design

Prospectivein vitrostudy.

Sample Population

Thirty‐five different surgical margin inks (black, blue, green, orange, red, violet, and yellow from 5 different manufacturers).

Methods

Inks were applied to uniform, single‐source, canine cadaveric full‐thickness ventral abdominal tissue blocks. Tissue blocks and ink manufacturers were randomly paired and each color was applied to a length of the cut tissue margin. After drying, tissues were fixed in formalin, and 3 radial slices were obtained from each color section and processed for routine histologic evaluation, yielding 105 randomly numbered slides with each manufacturer's color represented in triplicate. Slides were evaluated by 5 blinded, board‐certified veterinary anatomic pathologists using a standardized scoring scheme. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate for ink manufacturer effects on scores, correlation among different subjective variables, and pathologist agreement.

Results

Black and blue had the most consistently high scores whereas red and violet had the most consistently low overall scores, across all manufacturers. All colors tested, except yellow, had statistically significant differences in overall scores among individual manufacturers. Overall score was significantly correlated to all other subjective microscopic scores evaluated. The average Spearman correlation coefficient among the 10 pairwise pathologists overall ink scores was 0.60.

Conclusions

There are statistically significant differences in microscopic ink characteristics among manufacturers, with a notable degree of inter‐pathologist agreement.
Predicting the effect of competition on secondary plant extinctions in plant–pollinator networks
Authors: Bewick Sharon , Brosi Berry J. , Armsworth Paul R.
Published: October 2013

What are the limitations of models that predict the behavior of an ecological community based on a single type of species interaction? Using plant–pollinator network models as an example, we contrast the predicted vulnerability of a community to secondary extinctions under the assumption of purely mutualistic interactions versus mutualistic and competitive interactions. We find that competition among plant species increases the risk of secondary extinctions and extinction cascades. Simulations over a number of different network structures indicate that this effect is stronger in larger networks, more strongly connected networks and networks with higher plant:pollinator ratios. We conclude that efforts to model plant–pollinator communities will systematically over‐estimate community robustness to species loss if plant competition is ignored. However, because the effect of plant competition depends on network architecture, and because characterization of plant competition is work intensive, we suggest that efforts to account for plant competition in plant–pollinator network models should be focused on large, strongly connected networks with high plant:pollinator ratios.
Structural properties of mutualistic networks withstand habitat degradation while species functional roles might change
Authors: Nielsen Anders , Totland Ørjan
Published: October 2013

Species diversity and interactions vary on a landscape scale and are sensitive to landscape alterations, such as landscape fragmentation and habitat degradation. At the same time, the species position within food webs or mutualistic networks (e.g. generalist or specialist, network hub or peripheral vertex) may affect their ability to persist after perturbations. This study was conducted in a heavily managed boreal forest landscape in southeastern Norway, using study plots situated in forest stands with contrasting disturbance history: old growth forest (least disturbed), young forest (intermediate) and clear cuts (most disturbed). By studying 12 pollination networks with contrasting disturbance history we found that important network descriptors were conserved after perturbation. Link‐diversity was higher, both overall and per site, in the more disturbed communities while link‐turnover was highest in the least disturbed community. We conclude that despite an increase in diversity in the more degraded habitat, the higher link‐turnover in the least degraded, old growth forest, community indicates a homogenization of the plant–pollinator networks as a result of habitat degradation. Finally, we found that the degree (number of interacting partners) and network functional role for particular species changed along the disturbance gradient, though not in any systematic way. We conclude that structural properties of the pollination network are conserved after perturbations, but that particular species’ network functional roles may change.
Adaptive nest clustering and density‐dependent nest survival in dabbling ducks
Authors: Ringelman Kevin M. , Eadie John M. , Ackerman Joshua T.
Published: October 2013

Density‐dependent population regulation is observed in many taxa, and understanding the mechanisms that generate density dependence is especially important for the conservation of heavily‐managed species. In one such system, North American waterfowl, density dependence is often observed at continental scales, and nest predation has long been implicated as a key factor driving this pattern. However, despite extensive research on this topic, it remains unclear if and how nest density influences predation rates. Part of this confusion may have arisen because previous studies have studied density‐dependent predation at relatively large spatial and temporal scales. Because the spatial distribution of nests changes throughout the season, which potentially influences predator behavior, nest survival may vary through time at relatively small spatial scales. As such, density‐dependent nest predation might be more detectable at a spatially‐ and temporally‐refined scale and this may provide new insights into nest site selection and predator foraging behavior. Here, we used three years of data on nest survival of two species of waterfowl, mallards and gadwall, to more fully explore the relationship between local nest clustering and nest survival. Throughout the season, we found that the distribution of nests was consistently clustered at small spatial scales (˜50–400 m), especially for mallard nests, and that this pattern was robust to yearly variation in nest density and the intensity of predation. We demonstrated further that local nest clustering had positive fitness consequences – nests with closer nearest neighbors were more likely to be successful, a result that is counter to the general assumption that nest predation rates increase with nest density.
Raman Spectroscopy of Anhydrous and Hydrated Calcium Aluminates and Sulfoaluminates
Authors: Torréns‐Martín David , Fernández‐Carrasco Lucia , Martínez‐Ramírez Sagrario , Ibáñez Jordi , Artús Lluis , Matschei Thomas
Published: October 2013

Recent investigations have revealed the great potential of Raman spectroscopy for the characterization of clinker minerals and commercial Portland cements. The usefulness of this technique for the identification of anhydrous, hydrated, and carbonated phases in cement‐based materials has been demonstrated. In the present work, the application of micro‐Raman spectroscopy for the characterization of the main clinker phases of calcium aluminate cements and calcium sulfoaluminate cement is explored. The main stable hydrated phases as well as several important carbonated phases are investigated. Raman measurements on the following phases are reported: (i) pure, unhydrated phases: CA, C12A7, CA2, C2AS, cubic‐C3A, C4AF, and C4A3; (ii) hydrated phases: ettringite, monosulfoaluminate, and hydrogarnet (C3AH6); (iii) carboaluminate phases: hemicarboaluminate and monocarboaluminate. The present results, which are discussed in terms of the internal vibrational modes of the aluminate, carbonate, and sulfate molecular groups as well as stretching O–H vibrations, show the ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify the main hydrated and unhydrated phases in the aluminate and sulfoaluminate cements. The Raman spectra obtained in this work provide an extended database to the existing data published in the literature.
Proton Conductivity in Solid Solution 0.7(CaWO4)–0.3(La0.99Ca0.01NbO4) and Ca(1−x)LaxW(1−y)TayO4
Authors: Vigen Camilla K. , Haugsrud Reidar
Published: October 2013

The conductivity of nominal CaWO4, CaW0.99Ta0.01O4–δ, 0.7(CaWO4)–0.3(La0.99Ca0.01NbO4–δ), and Ca0.9La0.1WO4+δ has been studied by means of a.c. impedance measurements. Proton conductivity was observed for CaW0.99Ta0.01O4–δ, which displayed exothermic hydration with enthalpy and entropy of –82 kJ/mol and –120 J/molK, respectively. The proton mobility in CaW0.99Ta0.01O4–δ was low, with enthalpy and preexponential factor of mobility of 82 kJ/mol and 0.7 cm2K/Vs. The high enthalpy of mobility is interpreted to reflect association between the acceptor dopant and protonic defects, whereas the low preexponential factor of mobility may reflect a lower proton concentration than assumed. Rietveld refinement indicated low solubilities of La on Ca‐site and Ta on W‐site. Proton conductivity was also observed in undoped CaWO4, however, not in Ca0.9La0.1WO4+δ. The conductivity of 0.7(CaWO4)–0.3(La0.99Ca0.01NbO4–δ) behaved much like that of undoped LaNbO4, likely due to a very low acceptor dopant concentration.
Preparation and Electric Properties of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–Bi(Al0.5Ga0.5)O3 Lead‐Free Piezoceramics
Authors: Wang Qi , Chen Jun , Fan Longlong , Song Huidong , Gao Wei , Rong Yangchun , Liu Laijun , Fang Liang , Xing Xianran
Published: October 2013

A new lead‐free BNT‐based piezoelectric ceramics of (1 − x)Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–xBi(Al0.5Ga0.5)O3 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.05) were synthesized using a conventional ceramic fabrication method. Their structures and electrical properties were investigated. All the samples show a typical ferroelectric P(E) loops and S(E) curves at room temperature. The optimal properties are obtained at the composition of the x = 0.03. The substitution of Bi(Al0.5Ga0.5)O3 enhances piezoelectric constant and increases Curie temperature from 58 pC/N and 310°C of pure BNT to 93 pC/N and 325°C of the x = 0.03. The temperature‐dependent P(E) loops and S(E) curves of 0.97BNT–0.03BAG indicate that phase transition from ferroelectric to antiferroelectric takes place over a very wide temperature region from 80°C to 180°C. The results show that the introduction of BAG improves the electrical properties of BNT.
The development of leadership outcome‐indicators evaluating the contribution of clinical specialists and advanced practitioners to health care: a secondary analysis
Authors: Elliott Naomi , Begley Cecily , Kleinpell Ruth , Higgins Agnes
Published: October 2013

Aims

To report a secondary analysis of data collected from the case study phase of a national study of advanced practitioners and to develop leadership outcome‐indicators appropriate for advanced practitioners.

Background

In many countries, advanced practitioners in nursing and midwifery have responsibility as leaders for health care development, but without having leadership outcome measures available they are unable to demonstrate the results of their activities. In Ireland, a sequential mixed method research study was used to develop a validated tool for the evaluation of clinical specialists and advanced practitioners. Despite strong evidence of leadership activities, few leadership‐specific outcomes were generated from the primary analysis.

Design

Secondary analysis of a multiple case study data set.

Methods

Data set comprised 23 case studies of advanced practitioner/clinical specialists from 13 sites across each region in Ireland from all divisions of the Nursing Board Register. Data were collected 2008–2010. Data sources included non‐participant observation (n = 92 hours) of advanced practitioners in practice, interviews with clinicians (n = 21), patients (n = 20) and directors of nursing/midwifery (n = 13) and documents. Analysis focused on leadership outcome‐indicator development in line with the National Health Service's Good Indicators Guide.

Results

The four categories of leadership outcomes for advanced practitioner developed were as follows: (i) capacity and capability building of multidisciplinary team; (ii) measure of esteem; (iii) new initiatives for clinical practice and healthcare delivery; and (iv) clinical practice based on evidence.

Conclusions

The proposed set of leadership outcome‐indicators derived from a secondary analysis captures the complexity of leadership in practice. They add to existing clinical outcomes measuring advanced practice.
An integrative review of the impact of indirect trauma exposure in health professionals and potential issues of salience for midwives
Authors: Sheen Kayleigh , Slade Pauline , Spiby Helen
Published: October 2013

Aims

To explore responses to indirect trauma reported by health professionals and to identify issues of potential salience for midwives.

Background

Indirect exposure to a traumatic event can lead to the development of distressing and potentially enduring responses. Little is understood about the impact that perinatal trauma exposure could have on midwives.

Design

An integrative review design was used.

Data sources

PsychInfo, Medline, PsychArticles, Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, MIDIRS and Scopus databases were search for papers published between 1980–November 2012.

Review methods

Studies providing quantitative or qualitative exploration of healthcare professionals' responses to indirectly experienced traumatic events were selected.

Results

Forty‐two papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four of these studies included professionals engaged in maternity care or exposed to traumatic perinatal events. Findings indicate evidence of intrusion, avoidance and arousal in healthcare professionals, with differing degrees of frequency. Empathy, work‐related stress and the extent of professional experience were identified as associated with traumatic stress responses.

Conclusions

Evidence derived from healthcare professionals suggests that indirect exposure to the traumatic events of recipients of care can sometimes elicit traumatic stress responses. Factors increasing risk for traumatic stress were identified as empathy and organizational stress. These factors hold specific salience in midwifery. Responding to trauma in a midwifery context, as informed by findings from other healthcare professionals, could adversely affect midwives' well‐being, care provided to women and contribute to an adverse organizational climate. Large‐scale research considering the experiences of midwives is recommended.
Motivated inaction: when collective disadvantage does not induce collective action
Authors: Stroebe Katherine
Published: October 2013

Why do people often fail to act out against their disadvantage? One explanation has been in terms of just‐world beliefs, which cloud perceptions of injustice. An additional route to inaction is proposed here: Just‐world believers refrain from acting because they do not see the necessity, as they expect in a just world all will turn out well in the long run (i.e., all‐will‐be‐well motivation). This hypothesis was tested in a situation of collective injustice typically studied by collective action researchers; namely, demonstration attendance/collective action intentions of students confronted with government cuts. Results revealed high just‐world believers were less likely to engage in collective action. Importantly, effects were mediated by all‐will‐be‐well motivation. Implications for studying determinants of inaction are discussed.
Teachers' work engagement: Considering interaction with pupils and human resources practices as job resources
Authors: Runhaar Piety , Sanders Karin , Konermann Judith
Published: October 2013

The goal of these 2 studies was to investigate whether teachers' work engagement is related to the extent to which they experience their interactions with pupils and human resource (HR) practices within their schools as motivating. Study 1 was a qualitative study, including document analysis and interviews with 23 respondents within 4 schools to give more insight into prevailing HR practices. Study 2 was a quantitative study, in which 342 teachers in 13 schools were surveyed. As expected, the interactions with pupils were positively related to work engagement. Furthermore, HR practices were positively related to vigor and dedication. Not in line with our expectations, HR practices weakened the relationship between the interaction with pupils and dedication.
Position toward the status quo: Explaining differences in intergroup perceptions between left‐ and right‐wing affiliates
Authors: Bäck Emma A.
Published: October 2013

Challengers, as opposed to defenders, of the status quo ascribe more negative motives for the attitudes of their opponents and more positive motives to their allies. This may be associated with a heightened social cost involved in challenging the generally considered good and true. Most social issues are associated with ideology, and conservatives display more prejudices than liberals. Hence, it is unclear whether ideology or position toward the status quoper sedrives these attributions. In two studies, position showed to be a stronger predictor of biased intergroup perceptions than ideology. Both left‐ and right‐wing affiliates displayed stronger biases when in opposition. This supports the notion that the challenging positionper se, elicits group differentiation. Results are important for understanding of negative campaigning and political action.
Influence of coaching efficacy and coaching competency on athlete‐level moral variables in Botswana youth soccer
Authors: Malete Leapetswe , Chow Graig M. , Feltz Deborah L.
Published: October 2013

This study examined coach‐perceived coaching efficacy and athlete‐perceived coaching competency, perceptions of coaches' endorsement of unfair play, and team norm for aggression on athlete‐level moral variables in Botswana youth soccer. Participants were youth soccer players (n = 506) and their coaches (n = 24). Players completed the coaching competency scale, the Judgments About Moral Behavior in Youth Sports Questionnaire, and the Team Norm Questionnaire. Coaches completed the Coaching Efficacy Scale. Multilevel analysis revealed that team norm for aggression, athletes' perceptions of their coaches' endorsement of aggression/cheating, and Game Strategy Coaching Competency were significant predictors of athletes' likelihood to aggress and perceptions of peer cheating. The findings contribute to previous research demonstrating the influence of the coach on athletes' antisocial behaviors.
Psychological contracts and innovative behavior: a moderated path analysis of work engagement and job resources
Authors: Chang Huo‐Tsan , Hsu Hung‐Ming , Liou Jia‐Wen , Tsai Chi‐Tung
Published: October 2013

This study explored the relationships between psychological contract types and innovative behavior. We focused on the mediating effect of work engagement and the moderating effect of job resources (organizational and social resources). Participants were 267 dyads of research and development engineers and their supervisors from 30 high‐tech companies. Moderated path analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings showed that: (a) work engagement fully mediated the negative relationship between transactional contracts and innovative behavior; in addition, it also fully mediated the positive relationship between relational contracts and innovative behavior; and (b) job resources attenuated the former and strengthened the latter mediating effects. These findings contribute to understanding how, why, and when psychological contract types lead to innovative behavior via work engagement.
Perceptions and attitudes to sexual harassment: an examination of sex differences and the sex composition of the harasser–target dyad
Authors: Shechory Bitton Mally , Ben Shaul Danit
Published: October 2013

This study examines the role of sex in determining attitudes toward sexual harassment (SH) and perceptions of SH, and studies the extent to which attitudes toward SH predict perceptions of SH by sex. All informants (146 men and 160 women) completed three questionnaires: personal information; perceptions of SH, including cases with variations on the perpetrators and victims' sex; and attitudes toward SH, with a male, female, or unspecified victim. The findings point to significant sex differences in the perception of behaviors as SH. Women were less tolerant of SH regardless of the victim's sex. In all cases, less tolerant attitudes toward SH predicted a stronger perception of behaviors as manifesting SH. In addition, women tended to perceive male harasser/male target behaviors as SH more than men.
Understanding why and how individuals choose to help others: indirect reciprocal considerations and the moderating role of situation severity
Authors: Bhatnagar Namita , Manchanda Rajesh V.
Published: October 2013

In this article, we examine the impact of how helpful an individual is toward third parties on people's willingness to help that individual. Our results show lower willingness to help those that are unhelpful toward others. Further, varying levels of severity of the situation in which help is needed moderates this relationship. Specifically, in less severe situations (i.e., where withholding help does not lead to dire consequences), willingness to help was greater when recipients were seen as being helpful toward others. This effect was also found in moderate severity situations, although to a lesser extent. More severe situations, however, caused people to want to help regardless of how helpful the recipients themselves were. Empathetic feelings toward the recipients mediated these findings.
Achieving success at work: development and validation of the Motivational Climate at Work Questionnaire (MCWQ)
Authors: Nerstad Christina G. L. , Roberts Glyn C. , Richardsen Astrid M.
Published: October 2013

Although work represents an important achievement setting, research on the perceived motivational climate, as defined by the achievement goal theory (AGT), remains limited. Calls have been made for research on the salience of such situational influences based on traditional AGT. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop a scale to measure the motivational climate at work. In a pilot study, participants completed a developed questionnaire and the findings supported psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Two further studies were conducted and the findings provided evidence of content validity, criterion‐related validity, construct validity, and internal consistency. The findings suggest the questionnaire might be used to determine the perception of the extant motivational climate in the workplace.
Public justification and investment in failing projects: the moderating effect of optimistic outcome expectations
Authors: Mahlendorf Matthias D. , Wallenburg Carl Marcus
Published: October 2013

Public justification can have both desirable and undesirable effects. One dysfunctional consequence demonstrated via laboratory experiments is an increase in the escalation of commitment (i.e., public justification increases investment in failing projects). Based on survey data from 247 failed company projects, this study provides supporting evidence of the escalation‐increasing effect of public justification. Thus, the results support the external validity of prior findings.

In addition, this paper hypothesizes and confirms a negative moderating effect of optimistic outcome expectations on the relation between public justification and investments. Specifically, for low optimistic outcome expectations, public justification increases investments in failing projects. In contrast, in cases of highly optimistic outcome expectations, public justification does not further increase investments in failing projects.
Natural kind and entitative beliefs in relation to prejudice toward mental disorders
Authors: Haqanee Zohrah , Lou Evelina , Lalonde Richard N.
Published: October 2013

Mental health campaigns often promote biogenetic beliefs to reduce stigma, but their effectiveness may vary across disorders. Our study (N = 127) examined two components of essentialist beliefs—entitative (i.e., characterizing groupness) and natural kinds (i.e., biogenetic)—about two stigmatized mental disorders (schizophrenia, alcoholism) as well as a somatic disorder (Parkinson's disease), and their relation to prejudice. The three disorders significantly differed in natural kind beliefs (Parkinson's highest, then schizophrenia, and alcoholism lowest) and prejudice (alcoholism highest, then schizophrenia, and Parkinson's lowest), but not entitative beliefs. Entitative beliefs, however, was a stronger predictor of prejudice against schizophrenia than natural kind beliefs even after controlling for social dominance orientation and prior contact. Implications for anti‐stigma efforts and strategies are discussed.
Accounting for geographical variation in species–area relationships improves the prediction of plant species richness at the global scale
Authors: Gerstner Katharina , Dormann Carsten F. , Václavík Tomáš , Kreft Holger , Seppelt Ralf
Published: October 2013

Aim

The species–area relationship (SAR) is a prominent concept for predicting species richness and biodiversity loss. A key step in defining SARs is to accurately estimate the slope of the relationship, but researchers typically apply only one global (canonical) slope. We hypothesized that this approach is overly simplistic and investigated how geographically varying determinants of SARs affect species richness estimates of vascular plants at the global scale.

Location

Global.

Methods

We used global species richness data for vascular plants from 1032 geographical units varying in size and shape. As possible determinants of geographical variation in SARs we chose floristic kingdoms and biomes as biogeographical provinces, and land cover as a surrogate for habitat diversity. Using simultaneous autoregressive models we fitted SARs to each set of determinants, compared their ability to predict the observed data and large‐scale species richness patterns, and determined the extent to which varying SARs differed from the global relationship.

Results

Incorporating variation into SARs improved predictions of global species richness patterns. The best model, which accounts for variation due to biomes, explained 46.1% of the species richness variation. Moreover, fitting SARs to biomes produced better results than fitting them to floristic kingdoms, supporting the hypothesis that energy availability complements evolutionary history in generating species richness patterns. Land cover proved to be less important than biomes, explaining only 36.4% of the variation, possibly owing to the high uncertainty in the data set. The incorporation of second‐order interactions of area, land cover and biomes did not improve the predictive ability of the models.

Main conclusions

Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of SARs and improves the applicability of SARs through regionalization. Future models should explicitly consider geographically varying determinants of SARs in order to improve our assessment of the impact of global change scenarios on species richness patterns.
The effect of social media use on work‐related learning
Authors: van Puijenbroek T. , Poell R.F. , Kroon B. , Timmerman V.
Published: October 2013

The increasing use of social media at work offers organizations new opportunities for employee learning on the job. This study investigated the relationship between social media use and learning activities undertaken by employees. It was expected that social media use relates to higher levels of learning and that this relationship is stronger when employees perceive higher levels of an organization culture that stimulates dialogue and inquiry. A total of 590 respondents of three multinationals based in the Netherlands completed a survey. As expected, results showed that the more often employees used social media in their job, the more often they participated in learning activities. Contrary to expectation, this relationship was not influenced by culture of dialogue and inquiry. Instead, the perception of a culture of dialogue and inquiry directly related to learning on the job. The findings suggest that organizations could consider stimulating the use of social media among employees to support work‐related learning.
Three problems with the connectivist conception of learning
Authors: Clarà M. , Barberà E.
Published: October 2013

Connectivism, which has been argued to be a new learning theory, has emerged in the field of online learning during the last decade. On the World Wide Web at least, connectivism promises to establish learning spaces similar to those that Ivan Illich imagined in ‘Deschooling Society’, through so‐called massive online open courses (MOOCs).

In this paper, we critically examine the theoretical postulates of connectivism and identify three important psychological and epistemological problems, namely the lack of a solution to the learning paradox, the underconceptualization of interaction and the inability to explain concept development. Some of the theoretical deficiencies in question may explain certain learning problems experienced by participants in MOOCs.

The paper concludes that, although MOOCs are a worthwhile experience and ought to be continued, connectivism as a learning theory has significant theoretical problems and should be profoundly revised if it is to explain and foster learning in such environments.
Relationship Between Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms During Atrial Fibrillation and the Critical Site of Atrial Tachycardia That Develops After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: BAN JI‐EUN , CHEN YUNG‐LUNG , PARK HWAN‐CHEOL , LEE HYUN‐SOO , LEE DAE‐IN , CHOI JONG‐IL , LIM HONG‐EUY , PARK SANG‐WEON , KIM YOUNG‐HOON
Published: October 2013

CFAE and Development of AT After AF Ablation

Introduction

Complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) are a substrate modification target in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, whether CFAEs can be also arrhythmogenic grounds of atrial tachycardia (AT) presenting after AF ablation remains to be determined. We investigated the relationship between CFAEs and the critical site of AT after CFAE‐guided AF ablation.

Methods and Results

Seventy‐two patients showing AT after pulmonary vein isolation and further CFAE‐guided ablation were included. The termination sites of the 95 distinct ATs were annotated on color‐coded CFAE cycle maps. Of the 95 ATs, 61 (64.2%) had a termination site at the border zone of CFAE or in a highly dense CFAE area. The cycle length (CL) of the ATs terminated in the CFAE area was significantly shorter than the CL of those terminated in the non‐CFAE area. The cut‐off CL for ATs terminated at the CFAE area was 270 milliseconds, with sensitivity/specificity of 70%/75%. In 67.2% of the ATs terminating at the CFAE‐related area, the major termination sites were the anterior wall near the LA appendage, septum and roof, whereas the peri‐mitral isthmus was the most common termination site of ATs in the non‐CFAE area.

Conclusions

The areas showing CFAE and their border zones were frequently associated with termination of ATs presenting after AF ablation. The mean CL of ATs originating near CFAEs was significantly shorter than that of those terminated in non‐CFAE areas. The targeted CFAE areas also provided the arrhythmogenic milieu for AT developing after AF ablation.
Comparison of Aneroid and Oscillometric Blood Pressure Measurements in Children
Authors: Eliasdottir Sigridur B. , Steinthorsdottir Sandra D. , Indridason Olafur S. , Palsson Runolfur , Edvardsson Vidar O.
Published: October 2013

Limited data exist on the comparison of blood pressure (BP) measurements using aneroid and oscillometric devices. The purpose of the study was to investigate the difference in BP obtained using oscillometric and aneroid BP monitors in 9‐ to 10‐year‐old children. A total of 979 children were divided into group O, which underwent two oscillometric BP readings followed by two aneroid readings, and group A, which had BP measured in the reverse order. No significant difference was found between the mean (±standard deviation) of the two systolic BP readings obtained using the oscillometric and aneroid devices (111.5±8.6 vs 111.3±8.1 mm Hg; P=.39), whereas the mean diastolic BP was lower with the oscillometric monitor (61.5±8.0 vs 64.5±6.8 mm Hg; P<.001). A significant downward trend in BP was observed with each consecutive measurement, and agreement between the two monitors was limited. Multiple BP measurements are, therefore, recommended before the diagnosis of elevated BP or hypertension is made with either method.
Blood Pressure Variability and Left Ventricular Mass Index in Children
Authors: Bjelakovic Bojko , Lukic Stevo , Vukomanovic Vladislav , Prijic Sergej , Zivkovic Nikola , Vasic Karin , Ilic Vladimir , Ilic Stevan
Published: October 2013

Clinical implications of blood pressure variability (BPV) on subclinical organ damage in children are unknown. The authors sought to explore the potential utility of two newly derived BPV indices: weighted standard deviation (wBPSD) and real average variability (ARV), as well as two standard ambulatory blood pressure indices: average 24‐hour systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 24‐hour SBP load, to identify children at high risk for left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH). The study group consisted of 67 consecutive children who were referred to our institution for evaluation of suspected hypertension. LV mass was estimated by M‐mode echocardiography using Devereux's formula according to the Penn convention and indexed for height2.7. We found a statistically significant, positive correlation between 24‐hour wBPSD and LV mass index (LVMI) (ρ=0.389; P=.002) and no correlation between 24‐hour ARV and LVMI (P>.05). However, partial correlation analysis of 24‐hour wBPSD adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and LVMI showed only a weak correlation (ρ=0.3; P=.022). By using multiple linear regression analysis in a model with LVMI as a dependent variable and 24‐hour wBPSD, 24‐hour ARV, and BMI as independent variables, only BMI showed statistically significant independent positive associations with LVMI (P=.028). Results of our study showed that currently used BPV indices (24‐hour wBPSD and 24‐hour ARV) are not clinically reliable parameters to identify children at risk for LVH. Apparent contribution of the 24‐hour wBPSD parameter to LVMI is negligible and is secondary to its close correlation with BMI (ρ=0.335 P=.009).
Comparison of Efficacy and Safety Between Bisoprolol Transdermal Patch (TY‐0201) and Bisoprolol Fumarate Oral Formulation in Japanese Patients With Grade I or II Essential Hypertension: Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Matsuoka Hiroaki , Kuwajima Iwao , Shimada Kazuyuki , Mitamura Hideo , Saruta Takao
Published: October 2013

TY‐0201 (TY) is a new drug absorbed by the transdermal delivery system developed for the treatment of hypertension, which contains the free base of bisoprolol fumarate that is widely used. An 8‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was conducted in hypertensive patients to evaluate the superiority of TY 8 mg to placebo and the noninferiority of TY 8 mg to bisoprolol fumarate oral formulation (BO) 5 mg. Changes in diastolic blood pressure (BP) (primary endpoint) from baseline in the TY 8 mg group, the BO 5 mg group, and the placebo group were −12.2 mm Hg, −11.8 mm Hg, and −3.7 mm Hg, respectively, with TY 8 mg demonstrating superiority to placebo and noninferiority to BO 5 mg. Changes from baseline for systolic BP and pulse rate produced significant reductions compared with placebo. TY is expected to serve as a new treatment approach for hypertensive patients.
Nutrition and Nutraceutical Supplements for the Treatment of Hypertension: Part III
Authors: Houston Mark
Published: October 2013

Vascular biology, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle, and cardiac dysfunction play a primary role in the initiation and perpetuation of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and target organ damage. Nutrient‐gene interactions and epigenetics are predominant factors in promoting beneficial or detrimental effects in cardiovascular health and hypertension. Macronutrients and micronutrients can prevent, control, and treat hypertension through numerous mechanisms related to vascular biology. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and autoimmune dysfunction initiate and propagate hypertension and cardiovascular disease. There is a role for the selected use of single and component nutraceutical supplements, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals in the treatment of hypertension based on scientifically controlled studies that complement optimal nutrition, coupled with other lifestyle modifications.
An affordable method to obtain cultured endothelial cells from peripheral blood
Authors: Bueno‐Betí Carlos , Novella Susana , Lázaro‐Franco Macarena , Pérez‐Cremades Daniel , Heras Magda , Sanchís Juan , Hermenegildo Carlos
Published: October 2013

The culture of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) provides an excellent tool to research on EPC biology and vascular regeneration and vasculogenesis. The use of different protocols to obtain EPC cultures makes it difficult to obtain comparable results in different groups. This work offers a systematic comparison of the main variables of most commonly used protocols for EPC isolation, culture and functional evaluation. Peripheral blood samples from healthy individuals were recovered and mononuclear cells were cultured. Different recovery and culture conditions were tested: blood volume, blood anticoagulant, coating matrix and percentage of foetal bovine serum (FBS) in culture media. The success of culture procedure, first colonies of endothelial cells appearance time, correlation with number of circulating EPC (cEPC) and functional comparison with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were studied. The use of heparin, a minimum blood volume of 30 ml, fibronectin as a coating matrix and endothelial growing media‐2 supplemented with 20% FBS increased the success of obtaining EPC cultures up to 80% of the processed samples while reducing EPC colony appearance mean time to a minimum of 13 days. Blood samples exhibiting higher cEPC numbers resulted in reduced EPC colony appearance mean time. Cells isolated by using this combination were endothelial cell‐like EPCs morphological and phenotypically. Functionally, cultured EPC showed decreased growing and vasculogenic capacity when compared to HUVEC. Thus, above‐mentioned conditions allow the isolation and culture of EPC with smaller blood volumes and shorter times than currently used protocols.
Improving survival and efficacy of pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiac grafts
Authors: Don Creighton W. , Murry Charles E.
Published: October 2013

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can be differentiated into structurally and electrically functional myocardial tissue and have the potential to regenerate large regions of infarcted myocardium. One of the key challenges that needs to be addressed towards full‐scale clinical application of hESCs is enhancing survival of the transplanted cells within ischaemic or scarred, avascular host tissue. Shortly after transplantation, most hESCs are lost as a result of multiple mechanical, cellular and host factors, and a large proportion of the remaining cells undergo apoptosis or necrosis shortly thereafter, as a result of loss of adhesion‐related signals, ischaemia, inflammation or immunological rejection. Blocking the apoptotic signalling pathways of the cells, using pro‐survival cocktails, conditioning hESCs prior to transplant, promoting angiogenesis, immunosuppressing the host and using of bioengineered matrices are among the emerging techniques that have been shown to optimize cell survival. This review presents an overview of the current strategies for optimizing cell and host tissue to improve the survival and efficacy of cardiac cells derived from pluripotent stem cells.
Inhibition of placental growth factor improves surgical outcome of glaucoma surgery
Authors: Van Bergen Tine , Jonckx Bart , Hollanders Karolien , Sijnave Davine , Van de Velde Sarah , Vandewalle Evelien , Moons Lieve , Stassen Jean‐Marie , Stalmans Ingeborg
Published: October 2013

Excessive post‐operative wound healing with subsequent scarring frequently leads to surgical failure of glaucoma filtration surgery (trabeculectomy). We investigated the hypothesis that placental growth factor (PlGF) plays a role in post‐operative scar formation, and that it therefore may be a target for improvement of filtration surgery outcome. ELISA experiments showed that PlGF levels were significantly increased in aqueous humour of glaucoma patients and after VEGF treatment, which may indicate an important contribution of this growth factor to wound healing after trabeculectomy. Using a mouse model of glaucoma filtration surgery, we were able to show that intracameral injection of a previously characterized anti‐PlGF antibody (ThromboGenics NV) significantly improved surgical outcome by increasing bleb survival and bleb area. This was associated with a significant reduction in post‐operative proliferation, inflammation and angiogenesis during the first post‐operative days after surgery, and with a decrease in collagen deposition at later stages. Furthermore, inhibition of PlGF seemed to be more effective than anti‐VEGF‐R2 treatment in improving surgical outcome, possibly via its additional effect on inflammation. These results render PlGF an appealing target for ocular wound healing and point to potential therapeutic benefits of PlGF inhibition for the prevention of surgical failure.
Priming of mononuclear cells with a combination of growth factors enhances wound healing via high angiogenic and engraftment capabilities
Authors: Jin Enze , Kim Jong‐Min , Kim Sung‐Whan
Published: October 2013

Recently, we demonstrated that a specific combination of growth factors enhances the survival, adhesion and angiogenic potential of mononuclear cells (MNCs). In this study, we sought to investigate the changes of the angiogenic potential of MNCs after short‐time priming with a specific combination of growth factors. MNCs were isolated using density gradient centrifugation and incubated with a priming cocktail containing epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐2, FMS‐like tyrosine kinase (Flt)‐3L , Angiopoietin (Ang)‐1, granulocyte chemotactic protein (GCP)‐2 and thrombopoietin (TPO) (all 400 ng/ml) for 15, 30 and 60 min. Wounds in nonobese diabetic‐severe combined immune deficiency (NOD‐SCID) mice were created by skin excision followed by cell transplantation. We performed a qRT‐PCR analysis on the growth factor–primed cells. The angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A, FGF‐2, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) and interleukin (IL)‐8 and the anti‐apoptotic factors IGF‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β1 were significantly elevated in the MNCs primed for 30 min. (T30) compared with the non‐primed MNCs (T0). The scratch wound assay revealed that T30‐ conditioned media (CM) significantly increased the rate of fibroblast‐mediated wound closure compared with the rates from T0‐CM and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)‐CM at 20 hrs. In vivo wound healing results revealed that the T30‐treated wounds demonstrated accelerated wound healing at days 7 and 14 compared with those treated with T0. The histological analyses demonstrated that the number of engrafted cells and transdifferentiated keratinocytes in the wounds were significantly higher in the T30‐transplanted group than in the T0‐transplanted group. In conclusion, this study suggests that short‐term priming of MNCs with growth factors might be alternative therapeutic option for cell‐based therapies.