bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing Quality Learning Materials for Effective Teaching and Learning in an ODL environment: Making the jump from print modules to online modules
Authors: Woo Tai Kwan
Published: August 2016

This paper highlights the need to develop quality learning materials for effective teaching and learning in an online and distance learning (ODL) environment. This is especially important today as ODL institutions mushroom and compete on an increasingly global platform. While this has helped to widen access to education, it also means that more attention needs to be paid to the quality of teaching and learning materials if ODL institutions wish to continue attracting learners, reduce attrition rate and stay relevant. Attempts must be made to come up with good learning material which can offer ODL learners a fulfilling and enriching learning experience. At Open University Malaysia, a number of e-learning initiatives have been launched towards this end. One of these is the online, hypertext-linked or html modules. The first phase of this project has already been implemented. The rationale for this latest e-learning initiative is outlined. The paper also comes up with a taxonomy of best practice beliefs which identify the characteristics html modules should have if they are to be truly effective. It is hoped that this will provide some sort of benchmark, or standards, for html modules to strive for, as well as a set of criteria for a formative evaluation of the modules. Ultimately, this may provide guidelines for improving html modules and useful pointers for fine tuning this e-learning initiative in the future.
Instructional design strategies for stress-reduced online collaboration in Asia's high context culture
Authors: Jung Insung , Choi Sook-Kyoung , Kudo Masayuki
Published: August 2016

Online collaboration allows the learners to exchange ideas and views beyond time and space constraints and can improve the richness and quality of learning experiences. It promotes co-construction of knowledge, offers authentic learning contexts, and also enables learners to become more cognitively and affectively engaged. However, there is also evidence that online collaboration presents psychological difficulties or stress for learners. Even though a certain level of stress can stimulate a learner's physical and mental functions and enhance learning performance, it is generally agreed that persistent or excessive stress leads to negative beliefs, and results in poor learning performance. This paper will explore instructional design strategies that help learners mitigate stress in an online collaborative learning environment in the Asian context, based on the results of a study that identified important factors influencing learners' stress in online collaboration where English was used as a medium of communication. Four stress factors in English-based online collaboration in a high context culture in Asia are: Self-efficacy, instructional design, technology use, and collaborative process. Instructional strategies to promote self-efficacy, especially language self-efficacy, match Asian learners' learning styles to online collaboration, reduce fear of using online technologies in interactions, and scaffold and facilitate collaborative process will be offered in the paper. The paper will highlight the importance of considering both individual features of learners and socio-cultural aspects of learning environments in instructional design.
Addressing the issues of low student enrollment — The case of the Kandy Regional Centre of the Open University of Sri Lanka
Authors: Aluwihare P.S.D. , Manoshika R.
Published: August 2016

Research was conducted to investigate the reasons behind low enrollment to programmes offered by the Faculty of Engineering Technology (FET) of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) in Regional Centres away from the main campus. A preliminary study was conducted to identify the issues behind reduced enrollment, taking Kandy Regional Centre (KRC) as a case study. Preliminary study revealed that improvements are needed in five contrasting areas to improve the rate of enrollment. Necessary measures were undertaken to address the issues identified in the five areas and the enrollments in the academic years 2011 and 2012 were observed to have a significant increase. It was exploited whether the increased enrollment is due to the improvements adopted in the identified areas. Results of a questionnaire administered among new registrants to FET in KRC for the academic year 2012 indicate that the measures adopted have reached the potential learners increasing the rate of enrollment.
Evolving Trends in Teaching: Narration and Imagination vs Video Footages
Authors: Fatima Urooj
Published: August 2016

The research discussed in this paper aims to study the impact of video footages on the academic performance of students. Video footages are usually inserted into video lectures — in addition to the verbal narration of any examples by the teachers — to explain and simplify concepts. Similarly, in conventional classrooms, teachers verbally narrate examples to clarify concepts — but, in this case, students have to rely on their imagination and previous exposure to similar situations to develop an understanding of the concepts.

A two-phase experiment was designed to compare these two teaching methods. A sample of 70 participants was drawn from non-psychology students in the Virtual University of Pakistan; and two groups, Group A and Group B, each with 35 participants, were formed through random assignment of the students. In the first phase of the experiment, members of Group A were taught through a 24-minute video lecture on psychology, which had four chunks of video footage in it. After the lecture, the students' academic learning was measured through a multiple-choice test with 27 items, which was developed by incorporating an equal number of questions on three levels of Bloom's taxonomy (viz. understanding, comprehension and application). The item levels were decided after agreement by three examiners who had at least three years of experience of developing such questions. In the second phase, a lecture with similar content was taught to Group B. The only difference was in the mode of delivery: in this case, the content was conveyed verbally and no video footages were used. The same test of students' learning was employed to get the scores of Group B. In addition, a qualitative study, involving data gathered through participants' feedback on the performance of the learning facilitators and weaknesses in both teaching modes was collected in order to explore the participants' perceptions and experiences of the phenomenon being studied. The results indicated that the two groups were significantly different in terms of academic achievement. The mean values suggested that those who were taught through video footages showed a higher level of academic learning than those who received a traditional verbal narration lecture. In addition, the students reported that the video footages and examples facilitated their learning, and helped them to remain focused and motivated in class. The findings have broad implications for teachers, content developers, academic policy-makers and producers involved in the production of academic content.
Virtual Collaborative Learning Using Wiki for Adult ODL Learners: The Case of Wawasan Open University
Authors: Khor* Ean Teng
Published: August 2016

Virtual collaborative learning has been gaining in popularity in open and distance learning (ODL) over the last decade. In collaborative learning environments, the instructors facilitate and initiate discussion on particularissues of concern. Students are given the chance to share their knowledge in a way theyhave not been used to and the possibility of participating in a coordinated effort to solve problems together. A preliminary study showed that collaborative learning activities enhancedstudent satisfaction, achievedthe course learning outcomes and encouragedgroup participation. Peer-to-peer interaction has been shown to be successful and can be engaged in during collaborative learning activities. Wiki is widely promoted as a virtual collaborative tool and has been integrated into several learning management systems. However, there are only limited studies on the effectiveness of moodle-wiki for virtual collaborative learning. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of moodle-wiki in terms of students' perceptions and performance. The data collected were analysed and evaluated, and the statistical results demonstrate that the students hadpositive perceptions of moodle-wiki and the collaborative tool enhanced their learning performance. This study will be useful for instructors and course designers as a guide to investigating students' perceptions and evaluating the effectiveness of a collaborative tool. The findings of this research are also useful for stakeholders to maximize students' academic learning achievement.
Analysis of Online Learning Behaviour from a Tutor Perspective: Reflections on Interactive Teaching and Learning in the Big Data Era1
Authors: Han* Yanhui , Wei Shunping , Zhang Shaogang
Published: August 2016

In the field of education in China, a large number of learning management systems have been deployed, in which vast amounts of data on learners and learning processes have been stored. How can one make use of these data? How can one transform the data into information and knowledge that inform decision-making in teaching and optimize learning? These questions have become a matter of concern for educators and learners. Learning analytics helps to unlock the value of the learning process data, so that the data can become an important basis for prudent decisions and process optimization. 'Learning analytics' was listed in the 2013 NMC Horizon Report as one of the emerging technologies that will have a great impact on learning, teaching and innovative research in higher education in two to three years. The report notes that learning analytics aims to decipher trends and patterns in the teaching and learning process from educational big data. In this paper, an online course on the Moodle platform is used for the research. The study examines reflection on online teaching and learning based on massive records of the learning process from the perspective of a tutor employing learning analytics. It is a brand new form of reflection on teaching and learning. The analysis of interactive course forums can help tutors to focus on key teaching and learning activities, and achieve more accurate analysis than with conventional face-to-face teaching activities. The research indicates that learning analytics is effective in supporting tutor reflection on interactive online teaching and learning.
Recognition of prior learning: opportunities and challenges for higher education
Authors: Garnett Jonathan , Cavaye Angele
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a process by which both formal learning for recognised awards, informal learning from experience and non-formal learning for uncertificated but planned learning is given academic recognition. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper refers to international developments in RPL and then focuses upon the extensive and innovative use of RPL by Middlesex University and the developing RPL work at the Australian Institute of Business.

Findings

The Middlesex experience of recognition of learning from experience as part of the development of customised work-based learning programmes demonstrates the potential of RPL for business and management programmes.

Originality/value

The use of RPL for admission and/or credit in standard programmes enables individuals to have their work-based knowledge acknowledged as relevant, worthwhile and equivalent to learning obtained in the higher education classroom.
Epigenetic modulation on cat‐cow interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos by treatment with trichostatin A
Authors: Wittayarat Manita , Sato Yoko , Do Lanh Thi Kim , Chatdarong Kaywalee , Tharasanit Theerawat , Techakumphu Mongkol , Taniguchi Masayasu , Otoi Takeshige
Published: August 2016

This study aimed to determine the acetylation at lysine 9/18/23 of histone H3 (H3K9ac/H3K18ac/H3K23ac; H3K9/18/23 ac) and the di‐methylation at lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me2) during early embryogenesis among trichostatin A (TSA)‐treated interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) cat‐cow (TSA‐iSCNT) embryos, TSA‐untreated iSCNT cat‐cow control (control) embryos and bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos, because TSA‐iSCNT embryos can develop to blastocysts. Compared to the control embryos, higher expressions of H3K9/18/23 ac were observed in TSA‐iSCNT embryos and IVF embryos at most following stages (2 h post‐fusion / post‐insemination (PF/PI) to eight‐cell stage). At 6 h PF/PI the expression of H3K9/23 ac in TSA‐iSCNT embryos and IVF embryos were lower than those in control embryos, and the expression of H3K18ac was no difference among the three groups. The expression of H3K9/23 ac increased in TSA‐iSCNT embryos and IVF embryos at pronuclear (PN) stages. The expression of H3K9me2 in TSA‐iSCNT embryos resembled that of IVF embryos at 2 h PF/PI to PN stages, and these expression levels were greater than those of control embryos. These results suggest that treatment of iSCNT embryos with TSA modifies the patterns of histone modification at certain lysine residues in a manner that is comparable with that seen in IVF during early embryogenesis.
Morphologische Kriterien vesikulobullöser Hauterkrankungen in der konfokalen In‐vivo‐Laserscanmikroskopie
Authors: Samhaber Kinga T. , Buhl Timo , Brauns Birka , Hofmann Lars , Mitteldorf Christina , Seitz Cornelia S. , Schön Michael P. , Rosenberger Albert , Haenssle Holger A.
Published: August 2016

Hintergrund und Zielvorgaben

Konfokale Laserscanmikroskopie (Reflectance confocal microscopy; RCM) kann eine nützliche Methode für die genaue, schnelle und nicht‐invasive Diagnose für vesikullobullöse Hauterkrankungen (VSD) am Krankenbett sein. Das primäre Ergebnis dieser Studie war eine deskriptive statistische Analyse von RCM‐Merkmalen, die mit einer ausgewählten Gruppe an VSD einhergehen.

Patienten und Methoden

Monozentrische Beobachtungsstudie an einer Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie. Vierzig Hautläsionen bei 24 Patienten mit bullösem Pemphigoid (BP), Infektion mit Varizella Zoster (VZI) oder allergischer Kontaktdermatitis (ACD) wurden ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Patienten mit BP, VZI und ACD wurden auf die Anwesenheit eines großen Spektrums an RCM‐Merkmalen hin untersucht, darunter die histopathologische Korrelation von Spongiose, Vesikel/Hautblasen, epidermaler Nekrose, pleomorphen, ballonierte Keratinozyten und entzündlichen Infiltraten. Die drei Erkrankungen zeigten spezifische Muster für Auftreten dieser RCM‐Merkmale. Wir identifizierten mit Hilfe einer multivariaten Regressionsanalyse einen Satz morphologischer Merkmale bei BP (Vesikel/Hautblasen an der dermoepidermalen Junktionszone, entzündliche Infiltrate in Hautblasen und basalen Epidermisschichten, Spongiose in basalen Epidermisschichten), VZI (Akantholyse im Stratum spinosum, epidermale Nekrose, pleomorphe, ballonierte Keratinozyten, multinukleäre Riesenzellen) und ACD (Mikrovesikel, Spongiose und auffällige entzündliche Infiltrate im Stratum granulosum/spinosum).

Schlussfolgerungen

RCM scheint ein nützliches Werkzeug bei der Analyse und der Unterscheidung einer ausgewählten Gruppe von VSDs zu sein und bietet eine gute Korrelation mit histopathologischen Untersuchungsergebnissen.
DNA methylation regulates gabrb2mRNA expression: developmental variations and disruptions in l‐methionine‐induced zebrafish with schizophrenia‐like symptoms
Authors: Wang L. , Jiang W. , Lin Q. , Zhang Y. , Zhao C.
Published: August 2016

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human type A gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor β2 subunit gene (GABRB2) have been associated with schizophrenia and quantitatively correlated with mRNA expression in the postmortem brain tissue of patients with schizophrenia. l‐Methionine (MET) administration has been reported to cause a recrudescence of psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, and similar symptoms have been generated in MET‐induced mice. In this study, a zebrafish animal model was used to evaluate the relationship between the gabrb2 mRNA expression and its promoter DNA methylation in developmental and MET‐induced schizophrenia‐like zebrafish. The results indicated developmental increases in global DNA methylation and decreases in gabrb2 promoter methylation in zebrafish. A significant increase in gabrb2 mRNA levels was observed after GABA was synthesized. Additionally, the MET‐triggered schizophrenia‐like symptoms in adult zebrafish, involving social withdrawal and cognitive dysfunction analyzed with social interaction and T‐maze behavioral tests, were accompanied by significantly increased DNA methylation levels in the global genome and the gabrb2 promoter. Furthermore, the significant correlation between gabrb2 mRNA expression and gabrb2 promoter methylation observed in the developmental stages became non‐significant in MET‐triggered adult zebrafish. These findings demonstrate that gabrb2 mRNA expression is associated with DNA methylation varies by developmental stage and show that these epigenetic association mechanisms are disrupted in MET‐triggered adult zebrafish with schizophrenia‐like symptoms. In conclusion, these results provide plausible epigenetic evidence of the GABAA receptor β2 subunit involvement in the schizophrenia‐like behaviors and demonstrate the potential use of zebrafish models in neuropsychiatric research.
Impulsive choices in mice lacking imprinted Nesp55
Authors: Dent C. L. , Humby T. , Lewis K. , Plagge A. , Fischer‐Colbrie R. , Wilkins J. F. , Wilkinson L. S. , Isles A. R.
Published: August 2016

Genomic imprinting is the process whereby germline epigenetic events lead to parent‐of‐origin specific monallelic expression of a number of key mammalian genes. The imprinted gene Nesp is expressed from the maternal allele only and encodes for Nesp55 protein. In the brain, Nesp55 is found predominately in discrete areas of the hypothalamus and midbrain. Previously, we have shown that loss of Nesp55 gives rise to alterations in novelty‐related behaviour. Here, we extend these findings and demonstrate, using the Nespm/+ mouse model, that loss of Nesp55 leads to impulsive choices as measured by a delayed‐reinforcement task, whereby Nespm/+ mice were less willing to wait for a delayed, larger reward, preferring instead to choose an immediate, smaller reward. These effects were highly specific as performance in another component of impulsive behaviour, the ability to stop a response once started as assayed in the stop‐signal reaction time task, was equivalent to controls. We also showed changes in the serotonin system, a key neurotransmitter pathway mediating impulsive behaviour. First, we demonstrated that Nesp55 is co‐localized with serotonin and then went on to show that in midbrain regions there were reductions in mRNA expression of the serotonin‐specific genes Tph2 and Slc6a4, but not the dopamine‐specific gene Th in Nespm/+ mice; suggesting an altered serotonergic system could contribute, in part, to the changes in impulsive behaviour. These data provide a novel mode of action for genomic imprinting in the brain and may have implications for pathological conditions characterized by maladaptive response control.
Quality of life and national pension receipt after retirement among older adults
Authors: Ju Yeong Jun , Han Kyu‐Tae , Lee Hyo Jung , Lee Joo Eun , Choi Jae Woo , Hyun In Seon , Park Eun‐Cheol
Published: August 2016

Aim

As the aging population (including baby boomers) retires, its members face the problem of retirement security. Social security, including the national pension, is the most important source of retirement security and thus directly affects the well‐being of retired older adults. We investigated the relationship between national pension receipt and quality of life (QoL) among Koreans aged 60 years or older.

Methods

We used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging obtained in 2006–2012 from 340 baseline individuals who had retired. We measured QoL using a visual analog scale. A generalized estimating equations model was used to carry out a longitudinal regression analysis on longitudinal data.

Results

When participants who received a national pension were used as the reference group, those participants who did not receive a national pension had a QoL of –4.40 (SE = 1.73; P = 0.0109). Additionally, individuals without a national pension and with a low household income showed the most drastic decrease in QoL (–10.42; SE = 4.53; P = 0.0214). Individuals without a national pension and with a low wealth level showed a considerable decrease in QoL compared with individuals with national pension and with a low wealth level (–8.34; SE = 4.14; P = 0.0438).

Conclusions

National pension receipt among retired older adults influences QoL, and the present results suggest that guaranteed income is very important to retired older adults with a low economic status. Thus, we require national pension schemes that aim to address retirement security for these individuals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1205–1213.
On Structure, Optical Properties and Photodegradated Ability of Aurivillius‐Type Bi3TiNbO9 Nanoparticles
Authors: Xu Lei , Wan Yingpeng , Xie Hongde , Huang Yanlin , Qiao Xuebin , Qin Lin , Seo Hyo Jin
Published: August 2016

Bi3TiNbO9 nanoparticles with an acceptor dopant of Ni2+ ion were prepared by the conventional Pechini sol–gel synthesis. The X‐ray polycrystalline diffraction measurements (XRD) and the Rietveld refinements of Bi3TiNbO9 samples were completed. The surface property of Bi3TiNbO9 nanoparticles was investigated by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope), and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. Bi3TiNbO9 nanoparticles showed an optical band gap with energy of 3.1 eV in the UV region. While the Ni2+‐doping could greatly reduce the band energy of Bi3TiNbO9:xNi2+ nanoparticles to 2.79 eV (x = 0.05) and 2.61 eV (x = 0.1). This indicates that the Ni‐doped samples could be excited by UV–visible light. The photocatalytic abilities were tested by the photodegradation on methylene blue solution (MB) and phenol solutions excited by visible light. Accordingly, the photocatalytic activity was improved by the Ni‐doping in B‐sites in this Aurivillius‐type structure. The results concluded that Bi3TiNbO9:Ni2+ would be a possible candidate as a visible light‐driven photocatalyst. The effective photocatalysis was discussed on the structure characteristic and experiment such as polarized Aurivillius (Bi2O2)2+ layers, luminescence, and decay lifetimes, etc.
Service user involvement enhanced the research quality in a study using interpretative phenomenological analysis – the power of multiple perspectives
Authors: Mjøsund Nina Helen , Eriksson Monica , Espnes Geir Arild , Haaland‐Øverby Mette , Jensen Sven Liang , Norheim Irene , Kjus Solveig Helene Høymork , Portaasen Inger‐Lill , Vinje Hege Forbech
Published: August 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine how service user involvement can contribute to the development of interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology and enhance research quality.

Background

Interpretative phenomenological analysis is a qualitative methodology used in nursing research internationally to understand human experiences that are essential to the participants. Service user involvement is requested in nursing research.

Design

We share experiences from 4 years of collaboration (2012–2015) on a mental health promotion project, which involved an advisory team.

Methods

Five research advisors either with a diagnosis or related to a person with severe mental illness constituted the team. They collaborated with the research fellow throughout the entire research process and have co‐authored this article. We examined the joint process of analysing the empirical data from interviews. Our analytical discussions were audiotaped, transcribed and subsequently interpreted following the guidelines for good qualitative analysis in interpretative phenomenological analysis studies.

Results

The advisory team became ‘the researcher's helping hand’. Multiple perspectives influenced the qualitative analysis, which gave more insightful interpretations of nuances, complexity, richness or ambiguity in the interviewed participants’ accounts. The outcome of the service user involvement was increased breadth and depth in findings.

Conclusion

Service user involvement improved the research quality in a nursing research project on mental health promotion. The interpretative element of interpretative phenomenological analysis was enhanced by the emergence of multiple perspectives in the qualitative analysis of the empirical data. We argue that service user involvement and interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology can mutually reinforce each other and strengthen qualitative methodology.
Free radicals and antioxidant enzymes in older adults after regular senior elastic band exercising: an experimental randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Liao Lin Yu , Chung Wei Sheng , Chen Kuei Min
Published: August 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to pilot test the effects of regular senior elastic band exercises on the generation of free radicals and antioxidant enzyme activities in older adults.

Background

Long‐term regular exercises have positive health promotion outcomes. On the contrary, high‐intensity, high‐speed and short‐term exercises in older adults may increase free radicals and cause chronic disease and ageing effect.

Design

A prospective randomized controlled pilot study.

Methods

Data were collected during 2012. Twenty‐five older adults were recruited from a community care centre, southern Taiwan and were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. Twenty‐two participants completed the study: experimental group (n = 10) and control group (n = 12). The experimental group performed 6‐month senior elastic band exercises while the control group kept regular daily routines. Both groups received blood tests (thiobarbituric acid‐reacting substances and glutathione peroxidase) 30 minutes before the study began and 1 hour after the final intervention treatment.

Results

At the end of the 6‐month senior elastic band exercises, no statistically significant differences in thiobarbituric acid‐reacting substances and glutathione peroxidase values between the experimental and control groups. No significant differences existed in both thiobarbituric acid‐reacting substances and glutathione peroxidase values before and after the 6‐month senior elastic band exercises either.

Conclusions

Regular senior elastic band exercises did not increase the generation of free radicals and antioxidant enzyme activities. Senior elastic band exercises have the potential to be promoted among older adults in the community as an exercise option without adverse effects on free radicals and have potential for mitigating ageing and increasing disease control.
Leader trustworthy behavior and organizational trust: the role of the immediate manager for cultivating trust
Authors: Legood Alison , Thomas Geoff , Sacramento Claudia
Published: August 2016

Drawing from both trust‐building theory and interpersonal trust literature, we investigate how trust between a leader and follower may be leveraged to influence organizational trust. We also explore the mediating mechanisms of this link and test a potential moderator. A cross‐sectional, multifoci design was adopted and participants were 201 employees within a public sector organization. Leader trustworthy behavior was found to predict organizational trust, mediated by trustworthiness perceptions and trust in the leader. Support for the boundary condition was found; namely, when leaders were more senior, the relationship between trustworthy behavior and organizational trust was stronger. The findings suggest that leaders can meaningfully influence organizational trust perceptions through the enactment of trustworthy behavior, although the strength of this effect varied as a function of their position.
Climate Change and Asset Prices: Are Corporate Carbon Disclosure and Performance Priced Appropriately?
Authors: Liesen Andrea , Figge Frank , Hoepner Andreas , Patten Dennis M.
Published: August 2016

This paper empirically assesses the relevance of information on corporate climate change disclosure and performance to asset prices, and discusses whether this information is priced appropriately. Findings indicate that corporate disclosures of quantitative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, to a lesser extent, carbon performance are value relevant. We use hand‐collected information on quantitative GHG emissions for 433 European companies and build portfolios based on GHG disclosure and performance. We regress portfolios on a standard four factor model extended for industry effects over the years 2005 to 2009. Results show that investors achieved abnormal risk‐adjusted returns of up to 13.05% annually by exploiting inefficiently priced positive effects of (complete) GHG emissions disclosure and good corporate climate change performance in terms of GHG efficiency. Results imply that, firstly, information costs involved in carbon disclosure and management do not present a burden on corporate financial resources. Secondly, investors should not neglect carbon disclosure and performance when making investment decisions. Thirdly, during the period analysed, financial markets were inefficient in pricing publicly available information on carbon disclosure and performance. Mandatory and standardised information on carbon performance would consequently not only increase market efficiency but result in better allocation of capital within the real economy.
Differences in fat accumulation between immature male and female Atlantic salmon Salmo salar after dietary administration of tetradecylthioacetic acid
Authors: Dessen J.‐E. , Arge R. , Thomassen M. S. , Rørvik K.‐A.
Published: August 2016

This study provoked sex‐specific differences in fat metabolism in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, by dietary administration of tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) during their first spring and winter in the sea. The effects of TTA were evaluated in June of the first spring and May of the second spring in the sea, by analysing white muscle‐fat content. Muscle fat in males and females differed significantly as a result of TTA in their diet and diet interacted with the sex of the fish. The fat content during the first spring after dietary TTA was lowered by a greater amount in females than in males, 3·1–4·3%, respectively (P < 0·05). In contrast, during the second spring, fat content was lowered by a greater amount in males than in females, 15·8–16·7%, respectively (P < 0·01). Condition factor followed a similar pattern to the muscle fat. The results indicate that the difference in male and female fat accumulation dynamics is related to sex‐specific reproduction biology of S. salar. In addition, the findings show that it is important to consider the sex of the fish and the season of the year when studying fat dynamics and reproductive biology of S. salar.
Creating a More Diverse Midwifery Workforce in the United States: A Historical Reflection
Authors: Dawley Katy , Walsh Linda V.
Published: August 2016

Introduction

As nurse‐midwifery practice expanded beyond areas surrounding early nurse‐midwifery education programs, leaders in the profession wanted to establish a strong diverse, inclusive professional organization, a necessary step in creating a diverse workforce (defined here as open to nurse‐midwives of all colors, ethnicities, and national origins) that would maintain standards, provide continuing education, and facilitate communication among nurse‐midwives. This research presents historical context and organizational factors supporting and limiting development of a workforce reflective of communities served by nurse‐midwives.

Methods

Searches in the National Library of Medicine Historical Collection, American College of Nurse‐Midwives (ACNM) Collections, and the Rockefeller Archives Center, as well as recorded interview data, provided primary sources for analysis. Secondary sources include research and opinions in scholarly publications including journals and books released from 1930 to the present.

Results

Nurse‐midwifery leaders developed relationships with well‐respected philanthropists, as well as maternal and child health administrators in state departments of health and the US Children's Bureau, to implement initiatives to recruit and retain midwives of color. Continued interest in the goal of inclusion, work of midwives of color, and commitment to creating a diverse workforce led to the creation of the standing ACNM Midwives of Color Committee in 1990 and the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, which released its report, “Shifting the Frame: A Report on Diversity and Inclusion in the American College of Nurse‐Midwives,”1 in June 2015.

Discussion

Over the past 60 years, ACNM leadership and midwives of color have continued to explore new and effective means to create a workforce that reflects the communities in which nurse‐midwives practice.
An exploration of screening protocols for intimate partner violence in healthcare facilities: a qualitative study
Authors: Williams Jessica R , Halstead Valerie , Salani Deborah , Koermer Natasha
Published: August 2016

Aims and objectives

Explore different methods by which intimate partner violence screening practices are implemented in clinic and emergency settings and better understand barriers and facilitators.

Background

Healthcare visits provide an opportunity for providers to identify and provide assistance to victims of intimate partner violence. However, wide variation exists in the implementation of screening and response protocols. In addition, providers experience barriers and facilitators to intimate partner violence screening and response. A comprehensive understanding of these factors is necessary to improve the role that providers play in detection and intervention of intimate partner violence.

Design

Qualitative descriptive research design.

Methods

Sixteen healthcare facilities were recruited from a large metropolitan area in the USA. Data were collected through semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with individuals knowledgeable about intimate partner violence screening and response within their facility. Data were analysed using directive content analysis.

Results

Major themes and patterns concerning intimate partner violence screening and response were identified within the following areas: procedural characteristics, barriers, facilitators and additional needs. Patient–provider communication and operational/facility characteristics emerged as critical aspects that impact the successful implementation of intimate partner violence screening and response programmes. Differences were found between clinic and emergency settings stemming from variations in health delivery models.

Conclusions

Results provide important information on how healthcare facilities implement intimate partner violence screening and response, suggestions for practice improvement and directions for future interventions. Additional guidance is needed to ensure intimate partner violence identification, and response procedures are effective and tailored to needs of patients, providers and the facility.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses are in a strategic position to play a pivotal role in identification of and response to intimate partner violence. It is essential that nurses are cognizant of this, and understand the actions they can take to assist patients who have been victims of intimate partner violence. Recommendations on how to do this are provided.
Mismatch repair system proteins in oral benign and malignant lesions
Authors: Amaral‐Silva Gleyson Kleber do , Martins Manoela Domingues , Pontes Hélder Antônio Rebelo , Fregnani Eduardo Rodrigues , Lopes Márcio Ajudarte , Fonseca Felipe Paiva , Vargas Pablo Agustin
Published: August 2016

Different environmental agents may cause DNA mutations by disrupting its double‐strand structure; however, even normal DNA polymerase function may synthesize mismatch nucleotide bases, occasionally demonstrating failure in its proofreading activity. To overcome this issue, mismatch repair (MMR) system, a group of proteins specialized in finding mispairing bases and small loops of insertion or deletion, works to avoid the occurrence of mutations that could ultimately lead to innumerous human diseases. In the last decades, the role of MMR proteins in oral carcinogenesis and in the development of other oral cavity neoplasms has grown, but their importance in the pathogenesis and their prognostic potential for patients affected by oral malignancies, especially oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), remain unclear. Therefore, in this manuscript we aimed to review and critically discuss the currently available data on MMR proteins expression in oral potentially malignant lesions, in OSCC, and in other oral neoplasms to better understand their relevance in these lesions.
Bilinguals’ Existing Languages Benefit Vocabulary Learning in a Third Language
Authors: Bartolotti James , Marian Viorica
Published: August 2016

Learning a new language involves substantial vocabulary acquisition. Learners can accelerate this process by relying on words with native‐language overlap, such as cognates. For bilingual third language learners, it is necessary to determine how their two existing languages interact during novel language learning. A scaffolding account predicts transfer from either language for individual words, whereas an accumulation account predicts cumulative transfer from both languages. To compare these accounts, 20 English‐German bilingual adults were taught an artificial language containing 48 novel written words that varied orthogonally in English and German wordlikeness (neighborhood size and orthotactic probability). Wordlikeness in each language improved word production accuracy, and similarity to one language provided the same benefit as dual‐language overlap. In addition, bilinguals’ memory for novel words was affected by the statistical distributions of letters in the novel language. Results indicate that bilinguals utilize both languages during third language acquisition, supporting a scaffolding learning model.

Open Practices

This article has been awarded an Open Materials badge. All materials are publicly accessible in the IRIS digital repository at http://www.iris‐database.org. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki.
ADAMTS13‐von Willebrand factor axis is involved in the pathophysiology of kidney ischaemia‐reperfusion injury
Authors: Kim Myung‐Gyu , Lim Sung Yoon , Ko Yoon Sook , Lee Hee Young , Jo Sang‐Kyung , Cho Won Yong
Published: August 2016

Aim

The ADAMTS13‐von Willebrand factor (vWF) axis has been suggested to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) in the heart or brain. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether this axis was involved in the pathophysiology of IRI‐induced acute kidney injury.

Methods

We performed renal IRI in ADAMTS13 knockout (KO) or wild type (WT) mice. Functional and histological kidney damage, and inflammation were compared and the effect of anti‐vWF antibodies in ADAMTS13 KO mice was assessed.

Results

Following IRI, the blood and kidney ADAMTS13 levels were significantly decreased. vWF expression was significantly upregulated in both the medulla and cortex of injured kidneys as shown by immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. There was also an increased level of vWF dimers after IRI. In ADAMTS13 KO mice, kidney vWF levels were further increased and this was associated with greater endothelial and epithelial injury compared to WT mice, suggesting an important role of vWF in renal IRI. In addition, the number of Gr‐1+ neutrophils was significantly higher in the kidneys of ADAMTS13 KO mice compared to WT mice, whereas F4/80 macrophage numbers were unchanged. In ADAMTS13 KO mice, administration of anti‐vWF antibodies after IRI partially reversed renal injury.

Conclusion

Our data show that the ADAMTS13‐vWF axis is partially involved in the pathophysiology of kidney IRI, suggesting that regulating ADAMTS13‐ and vWF‐dependent mechanisms could have therapeutic potential to limit renal IRI.
Fortification of condiments with micronutrients in public health: from proof of concept to scaling up
Authors: Garcia‐Casal Maria Nieves , Peña‐Rosas Juan Pablo , Mclean Mireille , De‐Regil Luz María , Zamora Gerardo ,   consultation working groups
Published: August 2016

Fortification of condiments or seasonings may be useful for delivering micronutrients if they are consumed consistently by most of the population, as occurs in many countries. The World Health Organization, in collaboration with the Micronutrient Initiative and the Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science at the New York Academy of Sciences, convened a technical consultation on “Fortification of Condiments and Seasonings with Vitamins and Minerals in Public Health: from Proof of Concept to Scaling Up” to review the role of condiments and seasonings in improving micronutrient status, as constituents of regular diets and patterns of production and consumption worldwide. The consultation covered aspects related to implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and legal frameworks of fortification programs, as well as food safety and policy coherence for condiment fortification in the context of other public health strategies. This paper introduces the background and rationale of the technical consultation, synopsizes the presentations, and provides a summary of the main considerations proposed by the working groups.
Antenatal immunoglobulin for prevention of neonatal hemochromatosis
Authors: Okada Noriki , Ihara Yoshiyuki , Urahashi Taizen , Sanada Yukihiro , Yamada Naoya , Hirata Yuta , Tashiro Masahisa , Katano Takumi , Ushijima Kentaro , Otomo Shinya , Takahashi Hironori , Matsubara Shigeki , Mizuta Koichi
Published: August 2016

Neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis, particularly prior to 2008. Antenatal maternal high‐dose immunoglobulin (Ig) is effective in preventing NH recurrence, but the adverse effects of this treatment have not been documented as yet. Here, we report on a patient who underwent high‐dose Ig treatment to prevent NH recurrence. The patient was a 31‐year‐old pregnant Japanese woman. Her first child died of NH after receiving living donor liver transplantation. The patient received high‐dose Ig treatment to prevent recurrence of NH from gestational weeks 16 to 35. During the treatment, platelet count gradually decreased, and cesarean section was required at 35 gestational weeks. The child did not develop liver failure. High‐dose Ig prevented the recurrence of NH. Caution should be exercised due to possible adverse effects of this treatment.
Spatial clustering of time series via mixture of autoregressions models and Markov random fields
Authors: Nguyen Hien D. , McLachlan Geoffrey J. , Ullmann Jeremy F. P. , Janke Andrew L.
Published: August 2016

Time series data arise in many medical and biological imaging scenarios. In such images, a time series is obtained at each of a large number of spatially dependent data units. It is interesting to organize these data into model‐based clusters. A two‐stage procedure is proposed. In stage 1, a mixture of autoregressions (MoAR) model is used to marginally cluster the data. The MoAR model is fitted using maximum marginal likelihood (MMaL) estimation via a minorization–maximization (MM) algorithm. In stage 2, a Markov random field (MRF) model induces a spatial structure onto the stage 1 clustering. The MRF model is fitted using maximum pseudolikelihood (MPL) estimation via an MM algorithm. Both the MMaL and MPL estimators are proved to be consistent. Numerical properties are established for both MM algorithms. A simulation study demonstrates the performance of the two‐stage procedure. An application to the segmentation of a zebrafish brain calcium image is presented.
KV7/M channels as targets for lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory neuronal hyperexcitability
Authors: Tzour Arik , Leibovich Hodaya , Barkai Omer , Biala Yoav , Lev Shaya , Yaari Yoel , Binshtok Alexander M.
Published: August 2016

Key points

Neuroinflammation associated with CNS insults leads to neuronal hyperexcitability, which may culminate in epileptiform discharges.

Application of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to brain tissue initiates a neuroinflammatory cascade, providing an experimental model to study the mechanisms of neuroinflammatory neuronal hyperexcitability.

Here we show that LPS application to hippocampal slices markedly enhances the excitability of CA1 pyramidal cells by inhibiting a specific potassium current, the M‐current, generated by KV7/M channels, which controls the excitability of almost every neuron in the CNS.

The LPS‐induced M‐current inhibition is triggered by sequential activation of microglia, astrocytes and pyramidal cells, mediated by metabotropic purinergic and glutamatergic transmission, leading to blockade of KV7/M channels by calcium released from intracellular stores.

The identification of the downstream molecular target of neuroinflammation, namely the KV7/M channel, potentially has far reaching implications for the understanding and treatment of many acute and chronic brain disorders.

Acute brain insults and many chronic brain diseases manifest an innate inflammatory response. The hallmark of this response is glia activation, which promotes repair of damaged tissue, but also induces structural and functional changes that may lead to an increase in neuronal excitability. We have investigated the mechanisms involved in the modulation of neuronal activity by acute inflammation. Initiating inflammatory responses in hippocampal tissue rapidly led to neuronal depolarization and repetitive firing even in the absence of active synaptic transmission. This action was mediated by a complex metabotropic purinergic and glutamatergic glia‐to‐neuron signalling cascade, leading to the blockade of neuronal KV7/M channels by Ca2+ released from internal stores. These channels generate the low voltage‐activating, non‐inactivating M‐type K+ current (M‐current) that controls intrinsic neuronal excitability, and its inhibition was the predominant cause of the inflammation‐induced hyperexcitability. Our discovery that the ubiquitous KV7/M channels are the downstream target of the inflammation‐induced cascade, has far reaching implications for the understanding and treatment of many acute and chronic brain disorders.
The Use of Single-subject Time-series Designs in Adapted Physical Activity
Authors: Watkinson E.J. , Wasson D.L.
Published: August 2016

The individualized nature of instructional programs for the mentally handicapped often makes group designs inappropriate in adapted physical activity research. Single-subject time-series designs are suitable for use in investigating the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of motor skills when the research involves small numbers of subjects. These designs require the collection of data before, and during or after treatment. Three single-subject time-series designs are described and illustrated with data from studies in the PREP Play Program, an instructional program for young mentally handicapped children at the University of Alberta. The simple time-series design has severe limitations for use as a research tool, but is appropriate for use by teachers or practitioners who are monitoring previously tested treatments in physical activity programs. The repeated time-series or reversal design can be used to investigate the maintenance or generalization of effects after treatments are withdrawn. The multiplebaseline design is recommended for researchers or practitioners who wish to assess the effects of instructional programs on different subjects or different dependent variables.