bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lysine-specific demethylase 1 promotes brown adipose tissue thermogenesis via repressing glucocorticoid activation
Authors: Zeng Xing , Jedrychowski Mark P. , Chen Yi , Serag Sara , Lavery Gareth G. , Gygi Steve P. , Spiegelman Bruce M.
Published: August 2016

Brown adipocytes display phenotypic plasticity, as they can switch between the active states of fatty acid oxidation and energy dissipation versus a more dormant state. Cold exposure or β-adrenergic stimulation favors the active thermogenic state, whereas sympathetic denervation or glucocorticoid administration promotes more lipid accumulation. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these switches is incomplete. Here we found that LSD1 (lysine-specific demethylase 1), a histone demethylase, regulates brown adipocyte metabolism in two ways. On the one hand, LSD1 associates with PRDM16 to repress expression of white fat-selective genes. On the other hand, LSD1 represses HSD11B1 (hydroxysteroid 11-β-dehydrogenase isozyme 1), a key glucocorticoid-activating enzyme, independently from PRDM16. Adipose-specific ablation of LSD1 impaired mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation capacity of the brown adipose tissue, reduced whole-body energy expenditure, and increased fat deposition, which can be significantly alleviated by simultaneously deleting HSD11B1. These findings establish a novel regulatory pathway connecting histone modification and hormone activation with mitochondrial oxidative capacity and whole-body energy homeostasis.
Crystal structure and magnetic properties of a linear tetranuclear CoIIcluster
Authors: Wang Yingying , Wen Meixia , Gao Zhongjun , Sheng Ning
Published: August 2016

Polynuclear complexes are an important class of inorganic functional materials and are of interest particularly for their applications in molecular magnets. Multidentate chelating ligands play an important role in the design and syntheses of polynuclear metal clusters. A novel linear tetranuclear CoIIcluster, namely bis{μ3-(E)-2-[(2-oxidobenzylidene)amino]phenolato}bis{μ2-(E)-2-[(2-oxidobenzylidene)amino]phenolato}bis(1,10-phenanthroline)tetracobalt(II), [Co4(C14H11NO2)4(C12H8N2)2], was prepared under solvothermal conditions through a mixed-ligand synthetic strategy. The structure was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and bulk purity was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. The complex molecule has a centrosymmetric tetranuclear chain-like structure and the four CoIIions are located in two different coordination environments. The CoIIions at the ends of the chain are in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, while the two inner CoIIions are in five-coordinate distorted trigonal bipyramidal environments. A magnetic study reveals ferromagnetic CoII...CoIIexchange interactions for the complex.
Crystal structures of functional building blocks derived from bis(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)methane
Authors: Katzsch Felix , Gruber Tobias , Weber Edwin
Published: August 2016

The syntheses of three bis(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)methane derivatives, namely bis(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)methanone, C17H10OS2, (I), 1,1-bis(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-3-(trimethylsilyl)prop-2-yn-1-ol, C22H20OS2Si, (II), and 1,1-bis(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)prop-2-yn-1-ol, C19H12OS2, (III), are described and their crystal structures discussed comparatively. The conformation of ketone (I) and the respective analogues are rather similar for most of the compounds compared. This is true for the interplanar angles, the Caryl—Cbridge—Carylangles and the dihedral angles. The best resemblance is found for a bioisotere of (I),viz.2,2′-dinaphthyl ketone, (VII). By way of interest, the crystal packings also reveal similarities between (I) and (VII). In (I), the edge-to-face interactions seen between two napthyl residues in (VII) are substituted by S...π contacts between the benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl units in (I). In the structures of the bis(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)methanols,i.e.(II) and (III), the interplanar angles are also quite similar compared with analogues and related active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) containing the dithiophen-2-ylmethane scaffold, though the dihedral angles show a larger variability and produce unsymmetrical molecules.
Crystal structure of pyruvate decarboxylase fromZymobacter palmae
Authors: Buddrus Lisa , Andrews Emma S. V. , Leak David J. , Danson Michael J. , Arcus Vickery L. , Crennell Susan J.
Published: August 2016

Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC; EC 4.1.1.1) is a thiamine pyrophosphate- and Mg2+ion-dependent enzyme that catalyses the non-oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide. It is rare in bacteria, but is a key enzyme in homofermentative metabolism, where ethanol is the major product. Here, the previously unreported crystal structure of the bacterial pyruvate decarboxylase fromZymobacter palmaeis presented. The crystals were shown to diffract to 2.15 Å resolution. They belonged to space groupP21, with unit-cell parametersa= 204.56,b= 177.39,c= 244.55 Å andRr.i.m.= 0.175 (0.714 in the highest resolution bin). The structure was solved by molecular replacement using PDB entry 2vbi as a model and the finalRvalues wereRwork= 0.186 (0.271 in the highest resolution bin) andRfree= 0.220 (0.300 in the highest resolution bin). Each of the six tetramers is a dimer of dimers, with each monomer sharing its thiamine pyrophosphate across the dimer interface, and some contain ethylene glycol mimicking the substrate pyruvate in the active site. Comparison with other bacterial PDCs shows a correlation of higher thermostability with greater tetramer interface area and number of interactions.
10-Methyl-10H-phenothiazine
Authors: Malikireddy Parvathi , Siddan Gouthaman , Madurai Sugunalakshmi , Chandramouleeswaran Suvasini , Srinivasakannan Lakshmi
Published: August 2016

In the title compound C13H11NS, the phenothiazine unit has a non-planar butterfly structure, and the central six-membered ring adopts a boat conformation. The dihedral angle between the two outer aromatic rings of the phenothiazine unit is 39.53 (10)°. In the crystal, a π–π interaction with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.6871 (12) Å is observed between the aromatic rings of neighbouring molecules.
N′-[(1E)-4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene]isonicotinohydrazide monohydrate
Authors: Roopashree K. R. , Inturi Bharathkumar , Pujar Gurubasavaraj V. , Prem Kumar S. R. , Devarajegowda H. C.
Published: August 2016

In the title hydrate, C14H13N3O3·H2O, the dihedral angle between the pyridine and benzene rings is 2.52 (9)°. Intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds occur. In the crystal, O—H...O, O—H...N, N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the components into a three-dimensional network. π–π interactions are also observed.
N,N′-Bis(pyridin-2-yl)octanediamide
Authors: Dziuk Błażej , Ośmiałowski Borys , Ejsmont Krzysztof , Zarychta Bartosz
Published: August 2016

The complete molecule of the title compound, C18H22N4O2, is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. In the crystal, N—H...N hydrogen bonds connect the molecules into [010] chains, which featureR22(8) loops. The packing is consolidated by C—H...O interactions.
Organizational citizenship behavior, identification, psychological contract and leadership frames
Authors: Nguyen Bang , Chang Kirk , Rowley Chris , Japutra Arnold
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) by combining two heterogeneous perspectives, integrating OCB-related factors at work using both personal and organizational perspectives, thus contributing to the knowledge of OCB.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies are conducted using surveys in Taiwan with a snowball sampling technique to enlarge participation. Study 1 analyzes the relationships between organizational identification (OID), expected psychological contract (PC), perceived PC (PPC) and OCB. Study 2 analyzes the relationship between OCB and principals’ (or head teachers’) leadership frames (LFs).

Findings

Study 1 finds that OID is an antecedent of OCB and that expected PC (EPC) moderates the OID-OCB relationship. Study 2 finds that the symbolic LF is the only antecedent of OCB and that different LFs influence each other in predicting OCB. EPC is found to moderate the OID-OCB relationship, indicating that primary school teachers’ (PSTs) with higher levels of EPC are more likely to demonstrate OCB at school. Interestingly, PPC did not demonstrate such a moderating effect.

Originality/value

The study makes three contributions. First, the authors analyze composite OCB via identity and PC theories (Study 1). Second, the authors scrutinize specific aspects of OCB via leader-member-exchange and LF theories. These aspects include assisting colleagues, job commitment, working morale and non-selfish behavior (Study 2). Third, the authors increase understanding of PSTs’ OCB, discussing important implications for school principals and human resource managers as well as perhaps others in similar sectors.
A job demands-resources approach to presenteeism
Authors: McGregor Alisha , Magee Christopher A. , Caputi Peter , Iverson Donald
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Utilising the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, the purpose of this paper is to examine how aspects of the psychosocial work environment (namely, job demands and resources) are associated with presenteeism, and in particular, whether they are indirectly related via burnout and work engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey of 980 working Australians measured the relationships between job demands (i.e. workplace bullying, time pressure and work-family conflict), resources (i.e. leadership and social support), burnout, work engagement and presenteeism. Path analysis was used to test the proposed hypotheses whilst controlling for participant demographics (i.e. sex, age, work level, duration and education).

Findings

Higher job demands (workplace bullying, time pressure, and work-family conflict) and lower job resources (leadership only) were found to be indirectly related to presenteeism via increased burnout. While increased job resources (leadership and social support) were indirectly related to presenteeism via improved work engagement.

Practical implications

The findings are consistent with the JD-R model, and suggest that presenteeism may arise from the strain and burnout associated with overcoming excessive job demands as well as the reduced work engagement and higher burnout provoked by a lack of resources in the workplace. Intervention programmes could therefore focus on teaching employees how to better manage job demands as well as promoting the resources available at work as an innovative way to address the issue of rising presenteeism.

Originality/value

This study is important as it is one of the first to examine the theoretical underpinnings of the relationship between presenteeism and its antecedents.
The influence of corporate psychopaths on job satisfaction and its determinants
Authors: Boddy Clive Roland , Taplin Ross
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate job satisfaction and workplace psychopathy.

Design/methodology/approach

Job satisfaction has previously been seen as a function of various constructs. The authors take one step back from the literature to re-examine the relationship not just between job satisfaction, workplace conflict, organizational constraints, withdrawal from the workplace and perceived levels of corporate social responsibility, but also between all of these constructs and the presence of corporate psychopaths.

Findings

The authors find that there is a direct link between corporate psychopaths and job satisfaction. There are also indirect links through variables such as conflict, since corporate psychopaths influence conflict and other variables.

Originality/value

Importantly, the research establishes that psychopathy is the dominant predictor of job satisfaction.
Setting high expectations is not enough
Authors: Audenaert Mieke , Decramer Adelien , Lange Thomas , Vanderstraeten Alex
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Drawing on climate theory and social exchange theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how the strength of the expectation climate, defined as the degree of agreement among job incumbents on what is expected from them, affects their job performance. To explain this relationship, the authors utilize mediating trust-in-the organization effects as an explanatory avenue.

Design/methodology/approach

In a time-lagged data sample of 568 public service employees, whose job performance is rated by their 242 line managers, the authors apply multilevel modeling. The authors employed stratified random sampling techniques across 75 job categories in a large, public sector organization in Belgium.

Findings

The analysis provides support for the argument that expectation climate strength via mediating trust-in-the organization effects impacts positively on the relationship between employee expectations and performance. Specifically, the significant association of the expectation climate strength with trust suggests that the perceived consensus about the expectations among different job incumbents demonstrates an organization’s trustworthiness and reliability to pursue intentions that are deemed favorable for employees. The authors conjecture that expectation climate strength breeds trust which strengthens employees’ job performance.

Practical implications

HRM professionals in general, and line managers in particular, should heed the advice and carefully manage their tools and practices in an effort to signal compatible expectancies to different job incumbents in the same or similar roles.

Originality/value

The results shed new light on the mechanisms through which the strength of collective expectations impacts employee outcomes.
Health harm of work from the sustainable HRM perspective: scale development and validation
Authors: Mariappanadar Sugumar
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a health harm of work scale from the sustainable HRM perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional model was proposed for the health harm of work scale and validated (Total n=527) using a five-part study (item generation, item reduction, convergent, construct and discriminant validity).

Findings

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported that the three dimensions (restrictions for positive health, the risk factors for psychological health and the side effect harm of work) simultaneously tap into different aspects of the health harm of work construct. The results from the construct validity revealed that health harm of work as a phenomenon has manifested itself in different facets of health harm of work intensification. Finally, the discriminant validity study revealed that the overlap between the dimensions of the health harm of work scale and the dimensions of recovery experience from the work questionnaire is low and it provides support for the discriminant validity of dimensions between these two scales.

Practical implications

The proposed measure can be used as potential leading indicators for negative occupational health to prevent or delay the onset of work-related illness manifestation or health consequences (sick leave, absenteeism, presenteeism, etc.).

Originality/value

This is the first study to validate a measure of health harm of work and to provide tangible evidence of health harm of work which will subsequently trigger organizations to introduce a planned intervention to improve occupational well-being to promote sustainable HRM.
Locating gendered work practices: a typology
Authors: McKenna Bernard , Verreynne Martie-Louise , Waddell Neal
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Unequal workplace gender outcomes continue to motivate research. Using the prism of work-life-(im)balance, the purpose of this paper is to show how identity salience and motivation contribute to a subject position that for many reproduces socially gendered practices of workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

After initial inductive computer-assisted text analysis, the authors innovatively move to deductively analyse data from focus group and semi-structured interviews of 18 female and 19 male Australian managers in the financial and government sectors.

Findings

The authors find that a gendered sense of reflexivity is virtually non-existent among the female Australian managers and professionals interviewed in this research. The inductive stage of critical discourse analysis revealed a substantial difference between men and women in two concepts, responsibility, and choice. These form the axes of the typological model to better explain how non-reflexive gendered workplace practices are “performed”.

Practical implications

This empirical research provides a foundation for understanding the role of choice and responsibility in work-home patterns for women.

Social implications

The absence of a reflexive gender-based understanding of women’s work-home choice is explained in Bourdieusian terms.

Originality/value

By not specifically using a gender lens, the authors have avoided the stereotypical understanding of gendered workplaces.
The contribution of client embeddedness to an employee’s employment experience
Authors: Treuren Gerrit J.M. , Halvorsen Beni
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Does client embeddedness lead to improved employee quality of life, such as job satisfaction, affective commitment and employee engagement? If so, is this relationship affected by gender, age, tenure and psychological contract breach (PCB)? The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression and ANOVA analysis of a two-wave sample (n=121) of employees working for an aged care provider.

Findings

Client embeddedness at Time 1 predicts employee quality of life at Time 2. However, in this sample, this relationship is unaffected by gender, age and length of service. High levels of PCB weakens the relationship between client embeddedness and job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The employee-client relationship directly improves quality of working life. However, it is unclear whether this finding is unique to this organisation, or whether client embeddedness can be cultivated over time or is a characteristic of an employee.

Practical implications

Organisations can substantially benefit from encouraging appropriate client-employee relationships. By adopting HR practices aimed at acquiring and cultivating client embeddedness through recruitment, performance management and training practices, organisations may increase employee quality of working life, and reduce employee turnover.

Originality/value

This paper substantially increases the understanding of client embeddedness by clarifying the direct effects of the client-employee relationship, and by identifying boundary conditions on the effect of client embeddedness. It also points to a distinct approach to recruiting and developing employees in client-facing industries.
To fight, sabotage or steal: are all forms of employee misbehaviour created equal?
Authors: Southey Kim
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The endless manifestation of employee misbehaviours can be classified according to Robinson and Bennett’s (1995) employee deviance typology. Using this typology, the purpose of this paper is to examine the level of “judicial” tolerance for offences committed by employees across Australian workplaces that culminated in an arbitration hearing before the country’s federal industrial tribunal.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis was performed on 565 misbehaviour related, unfair dismissal arbitration decisions made by Australia’s federal industrial tribunal between July 2000 and July 2010. Using the count data that resulted, a logistic regression model was developed to determine which unfair dismissal claim characteristics influenced whether or not a dismissal was deemed to be an appropriate course of disciplinary action.

Findings

The results suggest that an arbitrator’s gender, experience and background have influence on his or her decision. Significance tests also verified that personal aggression, production deviance, political deviance and property deviance were all considered unacceptable in Australian workplaces. Importantly, the results enable the ordering of the range of tolerance. From this ordering, a picture emerged as to what factor may be framing the extremities of the arbitrators’ tolerance for the misbehaviours: the target (or victim) of the behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

Unfair dismissal claims that are settled through private conciliation, as they occur off the public record, could not be included in the analysis.

Practical implications

Society’s implicit stakeholder interest in what constitutes appropriate workplace behaviour is further testament to the HRM obligation to facilitate sustainable workforces. Management should consider whether dismissing a misbehaving employee is a reactionary approach to broader organisational issues associated with employee well-being and cultural norms. In order to contribute to sustainable workforces, HRM policies and actions should focus on limiting triggers that drive misbehaviour, particularly behaviours that result in harm to individuals as a matter of priority, followed closely by triggers to behaviours that result in harm to organisational profitability.

Originality/value

This paper presents new insights about the degrees to which various forms of employee misbehaviour are accepted in the workplace.
Factors affecting smart working: evidence from Australia
Authors: Malik Ashish , Rosenberger Philip J. , Fitzgerald Martin , Houlcroft Louise
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse data from the New South Wales Government’s Pilot Programme of establishing Smart Work Hubs (SWHs) for enabling teleworking in two busy commuter corridors. The paper analyses the relationships between various firm, job and personal factors and the perceived value, attitudes and expected usage by users of the SWHs.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a cross-sectional survey design, the characteristics, values and attitudes of 117 SWH users were analysed using partial least squares (PLS) method of structural equation modelling (SEM). SEM-PLS approach is considered appropriate especially in prediction-based studies and to estimate an endogenous target construct.

Findings

Results revealed that perceived SWH value significantly influenced attitude towards the SWH, which then had a significant influence on SWH usage intentions, with personal, job and firm factors also playing a role. Further analysis revealed four variables that significantly influenced the perception of family-value benefits (age, income, hub commute distance, work commute distance), however, there were none that significantly influenced the perception of work benefits.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size limits statistical inferences and generalisations to be drawn. Further, this paper also discusses how the low and uneven uptake of teleworking at a SWH raises several managerial and policy implications needing attention.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study analysing the expected values, attitudes and usage intentions of teleworkers in a SWH context. This study adds to the emerging body of human resource management studies on an outward-looking approach. The novel context will provide a useful base for subsequent studies.
Mapping requirements for the wearable smart glasses augmented reality museum application
Authors: tom Dieck M. Claudia , Jung Timothy , Han Dai-In
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Recent advancements in wearable computing offer opportunities for art galleries to provide a unique experience. However, to ensure successful implementation of this new technology in the visitor industry, it is essential to understand user requirements from a visitor’s point of view. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate visitors’ requirements for the development of a wearable smart glasses augmented reality (AR) application in the museum and art gallery context.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with 28 art gallery visitors were conducted and an affinity diagram technique was used to analyze the interviews.

Findings

The findings reveal that wearable AR is in its infancy and that technical and design issues have to be overcome for a full adoption. It reveals that content requirement, functional requirement, comfort, experience and resistance are important when developing and implementing the wearable AR application in the museum and art gallery contexts.

Originality/value

Mapping user requirements in the wearable smart glasses AR context using an affinity diagram is a new approach and therefore contributes to the creation of knowledge in the tourism domain. Practically, the area of wearable technologies and AR within the tourism and visitor industry context is still relatively unexplored, and the present paper provides a first foundation for the implementation of wearable smart glasses AR applications in the museum and art gallery context.
An overview of hotel revenue management research and emerging key patterns in the third millennium
Authors: Erdem Mehmet , Jiang Lan
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this research study is to present an overview of hotel revenue management (RM) research articles published in scholarly journals during the 2001-2013 period while offering a direction for future research that focuses on RM in the hotel industry context.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Boolean search keywords across the period of 2001 to 2013, a total of 83 hotel RM-related research journal articles were queried. To ensure that all the identified articles were hotel-RM related, each article was independently reviewed; 70 research journal articles were identified as relevant for inclusion in this study.

Findings

RM has been and will continue to be a critical tool for the hotel industry, especially since the rise of its perceived strategic role among hoteliers. The RM process is shifting from a tactical to a strategic approach. Also, RM has become more technology driven and it is becoming more customer-centric. Hoteliers should spend more effort and resources on training and educating revenue managers.

Research limitations

The content analysis is limited to the databases available to the research team.

Practical implications

This study serves as a resource for scholars interested in RM research in the hotel industry and documents the focus of RM research and the key issues offered by scholars.

Originality/value

No study has previously offered an overview of RM research articles focusing on the hotel industry (covering the years since 2000). The manuscript serves as framework for scholars who may wish to identify existing research patterns and pursue new directions.
HotelTonight usage and hotel profitability
Authors: Makki Abdullah M. , Singh Dipendra , Ozturk Ahmet Bulent
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically evaluate the influence of a hotel’s listing on the last-minute hotel booking app, HotelTonight, and average daily rate (ADR) on the hotel’s net operating income (NOI). The study examines the mediating effect of hotel occupancy rate on the relationships between ADR and hotel app usage in terms of NOI.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study was graciously provided by Smith Travel Research, Inc. for 80 hotels located in the top Florida destinations listed on the HotelTonight app. Hierarchical multiple regression with a mediation effect was used in the study to test the mediating effect of occupancy between hotel app usage and ADR with NOI.

Findings

The research results show a positive association between a hotel’s HotelTonight listing and ADR in terms of its NOI. Occupancy is found to have a full mediation effect between a hotel’s usage of the mobile app and NOI.

Originality/value

Mobile apps that specialize in last-minute hotel bookings have proliferated in recent years by providing hotels a mobile platform to increase hotel occupancy. However, there is a dearth of studies examining the effect these apps have on a hotel’s bottom line profitability or NOI.
Creating access and opportunity
Authors: Wright Brian L. , Counsell Shelly L. , Goings Ramon B. , Freeman Hollee , Peat Felicia
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Research often neglects the full continuum of the STEM pipeline in terms of underserved and underrepresented populations. African American males, in particular, experience limited access, opportunity, and preparation along STEM trajectories preK-12. The purpose of this paper is to challenge this gap by presenting examples of preK-12 programs that nurture and promote STEM development and learner outcomes for underrepresented populations.

Design/methodology/approach

A culturally responsive, asset-based approach emphasizes the importance of leveraging out-of-school practices that shape African-American males learning experiences. From a practitioner standpoint, the need to understand the importance of developing a STEM identity as a conduit to better improve STEM outcomes for African-American males is discussed.

Findings

To respond to the full continuum of the pipeline, the authors highlight the role of families and STEM programs that support African-American male students’ STEM identity development generally with an emphasis on how particular out-of-school programs (e.g. The Children’s Museum of Memphis [CMOM], MathScience Innovation Center [MSiC]) cultivate STEM trajectories. The authors conclude with how preK-12 settings can collaborate with local museums and other agencies to create opportunities for greater access and improve the quality of African-American males’ STEM preparation.

Originality/value

The intellectual value of our work lies in the fact that few studies have focused on the importance of examining the full continuum of the STEM pipeline with a particular emphasis on STEM development in early childhood (preK-3). Similarly, few studies have examined the role of identity construction and meaning-making practices as a conduit to better STEM outcomes for African-American males prek-12.
Culturally inclusive science teaching (CIST) model for teachers of culturally and linguistically diverse students
Authors: Yoon Jiyoon , Kim Kyoung Jin , Martin Leisa A.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This study aims to design and measure the effects of the culturally inclusive science teaching (CIST) model on 30 teacher candidates to teach science to culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students.

Design/methodology/approach

The CIST model for culturally inclusive science lessons included six sessions: inquiring, questioning, interacting (online with international students who were at the beginning level of English proficiency), interacting (face-to-face with international internship students who were at the middle level of English proficiency), interacting (face-to-face with international students on campus who were at the advanced level of English proficiency) and developing lessons.

Findings

The pre- and post-self-efficacy tests, the culturally inclusive lessons and the final essay reflection resulted in an increase in teacher candidates’ confidence in teaching science to culturally diverse students and improvement in their skills to create culturally inclusive lessons.

Originality/value

Through the model, the teacher candidates interracted with international students with various levels of English proficiency and developed lessons for culturally diverse students. The CIST model is a prospective teaching strategy for teachers to support CLD students’ achievement in science by providing meaningful science in the context of their personal lived experiences.
Teaching STEM as a second language
Authors: Collier Shartriya , Burston Betty , Rhodes Aarika
Published: August 2016

Purpose

A review of current initiatives to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) achievement among American youth and young adults reveals the presence of “IQism”. That is, whether such interventions are directed toward low-income minorities and/or the disproportionate number of higher-income youth who have selected liberal arts majors over an STEM major, the country has reserved STEM as a field for “the best and the brightest”. Utilizing the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, this article argues that STEM content is accessible to all students including those whose first language is informal rather than formal English. Based upon these premises, this conceptual paper aims to introduce the framework of Teaching STEM as a Second Language as a strategy for elevating STEM achievement among students who would otherwise be excluded from the STEM movement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes a review of both classic and current literature on second language acquisition to identify strategies that can be adopted by STEM instructors to increase STEM achievement among youth and young adults who are viewed as “average” and/or “below-average” academic performers.

Findings

Using quotes that confirm the thesis that STEM subject matter has been historically viewed as the domain of those whose cognitive skills place them among the “best and the brightest”, the second language acquisition (SLA) strategy of “scaffolding” is introduced as a pedagogy for producing “comprehensible output” when STEM content is taught to students whose first language is informal English. Constructivism, a concept currently used to guide the teaching of STEM contents is introduced as a framework that merges best practices in STEM and SLA. Using Cummins’ (1991) Common Underlying Proficiency Model, other strategies are also proposed for exporting SLA pedagogies and approaches to elevate equity in the quest to improve STEM achievement levels among youth and adults in the USA.

Originality/value

SLA theories and concepts have not been applied as a potential tool for teaching STEM. This is a unique and powerful lens that can be used to more effectively support the needs of underrepresented populations.
Cultivating science identity through sources of self-efficacy
Authors: Flowers III Alonzo M. , Banda Rosa
Published: August 2016

Purpose

In an attempt to understand the postsecondary and occupational pathways of minorities who choose to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways, what this paper offers is an examination of literature that focuses on identity. More specifically, this paper aims to present a research argument that highlights the importance of self-efficacy as it relates to the creation of a science identity for minority students. The authors, in other words, posit that self-efficacy, particularly as it relates to the cultivation of a science identity remains a critical and under-examined component of the STEM success puzzle for underrepresented students.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework used for this paper is taken from two bodies of literature that are used to provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between self-efficacy and science identity – self-efficacy, is grounded in social cognitive theory which posits that achievement is rooted in the bidirectional interaction between behavior, personal factors (e.g. cognitive, affective and biological) and external environment (Bandura, 1986).

Findings

Developing an understanding of the science identity development for students of color is essential because it helps construct a connection to the belief that science has value and that the student is capable to engage in the sciences successfully.

Originality/value

This analysis widens the scholarly discussion on STEM success for students of color to be inclusive of the critical role that the cultivation of a STEM identity plays in their transition from students at a collegiate level to professionals at a workforce capacity.
Latino parents’ educational values and STEM beliefs
Authors: Hernandez Diley , Rana Shaheen , Alemdar Meltem , Rao Analía , Usselman Marion
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a snapshot of K-12 Latino families’ beliefs about education, their awareness and interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers and their perceived educational challenges. It builds on the existent body of literature by dispelling pervasive notions that Latino parents do not value education. It contributes to the field by providing evidence of Latino parents’ beliefs, awareness and interest in STEM careers for their children.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reports the results of a focus group needs assessment conducted with Latino parents, surveys and interviews collected for three years during Latino family-focused events.

Findings

Surveyed parents thought children should attend college to prepare for a better future and career decisions should be dependent on their preference and vocation. They believed STEM careers were important for the Latino community and reported talking to their children about having a job in STEM. Parents perceived several challenges for their children’s education, such as cost, immigration status, lack of information and language barriers.

Practical implications

Stereotypes regarding Latino family’s beliefs about education have implications for how school systems, educational gatekeepers and stakeholders perceive these students’ opportunities. This paper discredits the perception that Latino parents are not interested in their children attending college or pursuing STEM careers.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of information about Latino families’ perceptions of their children’s educational goals, knowledge of STEM careers and their interest in such fields. This paper provides a fundamental step toward filling that gap.
The long and the short of it: a global analysis of hawkmoth pollination niches and interaction networks
Authors: Johnson Steven D. , Moré Marcela , Amorim Felipe W. , Haber William A. , Frankie Gordon W. , Stanley Dara A. , Cocucci Andrea A. , Raguso Robert A.
Published: August 2016

Proboscis length has been proposed as a key dimension of plant pollination niches, but this niche space has not previously been explored at regional and global scales for any pollination system. Hawkmoths are ideal organisms for exploring pollinator niches as they are important pollinators in most of the biodiverse regions of the earth and vary greatly in proboscis length, with some species having the longest proboscides of all insects.

Using data sets for nine biogeographical regions spanning the Old and New World, we ask whether it is possible to identify distinct hawkmoth pollination niches based on the frequency distribution of proboscis length, and whether these niches are reflected in the depths of flowers that are pollinated by hawkmoths. We also investigate the levels of specialization in hawkmoth pollination systems at the regional and community level using data from interaction network studies.

We found that most regional hawkmoth assemblages have bimodal or multimodal distributions of proboscis length and that these are matched by similar distributions of floral tube lengths. Hawkmoths, particularly those with longer proboscides, are polyphagous and at the network level show foraging specialization equivalent to or less than that of bees and hummingbirds. In the case of plants, shorter‐tubed flowers are usually visited by numerous hawkmoth species, while those that are longer‐tubed tend to exclude shorter‐proboscid hawkmoths and thus become ecologically specialized on longer‐proboscid hawkmoth species. Longer‐tubed flowers tend to have greater nectar rewards, and this promotes short‐term constancy by long‐proboscid hawkmoths.

Our results show that pollinator proboscis length is a key niche axis for plants and can account for the patterns of evolution in functional traits such as floral tube length and nectar volume. We also highlight a paradoxical trend for nectar resource niche breadth to increase according to proboscis length of pollinators, while pollinator niche breadth decreases according to the tube length of flowers.

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Post‐traumatic stress symptoms in Swedish obstetricians and midwives after severe obstetric events: a cross‐sectional retrospective survey
Authors: Wahlberg Å , Andreen Sachs M , Johannesson K , Hallberg G , Jonsson M , Skoog Svanberg A , Högberg U
Published: August 2016

Objective

To examine post‐traumatic stress reactions among obstetricians and midwives, experiences of support and professional consequences after severe events in the labour ward.

Design

Cross‐sectional online survey from January 7 to March 10, 2014.

Population

Members of the Swedish Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Swedish Association of Midwives.

Methods

Potentially traumatic events were defined as: the child died or was severely injured during delivery; maternal near‐miss; maternal mortality; and other events such as violence or threat. The validated Screen Questionnaire Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (SQ‐PTSD), based on DSM‐IV (1994) 4th edition, was used to assess partial post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and probable PTSD.

Main outcome measures

Partial or probable PTSD.

Results

The response rate was 47% for obstetricians (n = 706) and 40% (n = 1459) for midwives. Eighty‐four percent of the obstetricians and 71% of the midwives reported experiencing at least one severe event on the delivery ward. Fifteen percent of both professions reported symptoms indicative of partial PTSD, whereas 7% of the obstetricians and 5% of the midwives indicated symptoms fulfilling PTSD criteria. Having experienced emotions of guilt or perceived insufficient support from friends predicted a higher risk of suffering from partial or probable PTSD. Obstetricians and midwives with partial PTSD symptoms chose to change their work to outpatient care significantly more often than colleagues without these symptoms.

Conclusions

A substantial proportion of obstetricians and midwives reported symptoms of partial or probable PTSD after severe traumatic events experienced on the labour ward. Support and resilience training could avoid suffering and consequences for professional carers.

Tweetable abstract

In a survey 15% of Swedish obstetricians and midwives reported PTSD symptoms after their worst obstetric event
Cervical dilation at time of caesarean delivery in nulliparous women: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Riddell CA , Kaufman JS , Strumpf EC , Abenhaim HA , Hutcheon JA
Published: August 2016

Objectives

Our objective was to describe contemporary practice patterns in the timing of caesarean delivery in relation to cervical dilation, overall and by indication for caesarean. Our secondary objective was to examine how commonly caesarean delivery was performed for labour dystocia at dilations below 4 cm or without the use of oxytocin, overall and between hospitals.

Design

Retrospective, population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, Canada, 2008–2012.

Population

Nulliparous women in labour who delivered term singletons in cephalic position.

Methods

Histograms were used to examine the distribution of cervical dilation at time of caesarean delivery, overall and by indication for caesarean. Funnel plots were used to illustrate variation in hospital‐level rates of caesarean deliveries for labour dystocia that were performed early (<4 cm dilation) or without the use of oxytocin.

Main outcome measures

Cervical dilation (in centimetres) at time of caesarean delivery.

Results

The population‐based cohort comprised 392 025 women, of whom 18.8% had a caesarean delivery. Of first‐stage caesareans for labour dystocia in women who entered labour spontaneously, 13.6% (95% CI 12.9, 14.2) had dilations <4 cm [hospital‐level inter‐quartile range (IQR): 6.2% to 20.0%] and 29.5% (95% CI 28.6, 30.4) did not receive oxytocin to treat their dystocia (hospital‐level IQR: 22.1–54.6%).

Conclusions

The proportion of caesareans done before 4 cm dilation or without oxytocin varies substantially across hospitals and suggests the need for institutions to review their practices and ensure that management of labour practice guidelines are followed.

Tweetable abstract

Many caesareans for labour dystocia are performed early during labour (<4 cm dilation) or without oxytocin.
Eastern Ancient Terrane of the North China Craton
Authors: Yusheng WAN , Shoujie LIU , KRÖNER Alfred , Chunyan DONG , Hangqiang XIE , Shiwen XIE , Wenqian BAI , Peng REN , Mingzhu MA , Dunyi LIU
Published: August 2016

Based on the spatial distribution of ancient rocks and zircons, three ancient terranee older than ca. 2.6 Ga have recently been identified in the North China Craton, namely the Eastern, Southern, and Central Ancient Terranee. The Eastern Ancient Terrane is the best studied and understood of the three ancient terranes. It has a long geological history back to ca. 3.8 Ga ago and includes the areas of Anshan‐Benxi, eastern Hebei, eastern Shandong and western Shandong. In Anshan‐Benxi, several different types of 3.8 Ga rocks were discovered together with 3.1–3.7 Ga rocks, whereas 2.9–3.0 Ga K‐rich granites and 2.5 Ga syenogranite occur on larger scales. In eastern Hebei, 3.0–3.4 Ga rocks and older detrital and xenocrystic zircons were identified. In eastern Shandong, there are a large volumes of 2.7 Ga and 2.9 Ga rocks. In western Shandong, early Neoarchean (2.6–2.7 Ga) intrusive and supracrustal rocks are widely distributed. Whole‐rock Nd and zircon Hf isotope data suggest that both mantle additions and crustal recycling played important roles within the Eastern Ancient Terrane during almost every tectono‐magmatic event. Most BIFs in the North China Craton are late Neoarchean in age and are distributed on continental crust along the western margin of the Eastern Ancient Terrane, probably suggesting that a stable environment was one of the key factors for the formation of large‐scale BIFs.
Major Advances in the Study of the Precambrian Geology and Metallogenesis of the North China Craton: A Review
Authors: Lei ZHAO , Xiyan ZHU , Mingguo ZHAI
Published: August 2016

The North China Craton (NCC) is one of the most ancient cratons in the world and records a complex geological evolution since the early Precambrian. In addition to recording major geological events similar to those of other cratons, the NCC also exhibits some unique features such as multistage cratonization (late Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic) and long‐term rifting during the Meso–Neoproterozoic. The NCC thus provides one of the best examples to address secular changes in geological history and metallogenic epochs in the evolving Earth. We summarize the major geological events and metallogenic systems of the NCC, so that the evolutionary patterns of the NCC can provide a better understanding of the Precambrian NCC and facilitate comparison of the NCC with other ancient continental blocks globally.

The NCC experienced three major tectonic cycles during the Precambrian: (1) Neoarchaean crustal growth and stabilization; (2) Palaeoproterozoic rifting–subduction–accretion–collision with imprints of the Great Oxidation Event and (3) Meso–Neoproterozoic multi‐stage rifting. A transition from primitive‐ to modern‐style plate tectonics occurred during the early Precambrian to late Proterozoic and is evidenced by the major geological events. Accompanying these major geological events, three major metallogenic systems are identified: (1) the Archaean banded iron formation system; (2) Palaeoproterozoic Cu–Pb–Zn and Mg–B systems and (3) a Mesoproterozoic rare earth element–Fe–Pb–Zn system. The ore‐deposit types in each of these metallogenic systems show distinct characteristics and tectonic affinities.