bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modification of Chitin with Kraft Lignin and Development of New Biosorbents for Removal of Cadmium(II) and Nickel(II) Ions
Authors: Wysokowski Marcin , Klapiszewski Łukasz , Moszyński Dariusz , Bartczak Przemysław , Szatkowski Tomasz , Majchrzak Izabela , Siwińska-Stefańska Katarzyna , Bazhenov Vasilii , Jesionowski Teofil
Published: April 2014

Novel, functional materials based on chitin of marine origin and lignin were prepared. The synthesized materials were subjected to physicochemical, dispersive-morphological and electrokinetic analysis. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method of synthesis of functional chitin/lignin materials. Mechanism of chitin modification by lignin is based on formation of hydrogen bonds between chitin and lignin. Additionally, the chitin/lignin materials were studied from the perspective of waste water treatment. The synthetic method presented in this work shows an attractive and facile route for producing low-cost chitin/lignin biosorbents with high efficiency of nickel and cadmium adsorption (88.0% and 98.4%, respectively). The discovery of this facile method of synthesis of functional chitin/lignin materials will also have a significant impact on the problematic issue of the utilization of chitinous waste from the seafood industry, as well as lignin by-products from the pulp and paper industry.
Effects of Chitin and Sepia Ink Hybrid Hemostatic Sponge on the Blood Parameters of Mice
Authors: Zhang Wei , Sun Yu-Lin , Chen Dao-Hai
Published: April 2014

Chitin and sepia ink hybrid hemostatic sponge (CTSH sponge), a new biomedical material, was extensively studied for its beneﬁcial biological properties of hemostasis and stimulation of healing. However, studies examining the safety of CTSH sponge in the blood system are lacking. This experiment aimed to examine whether CTSH sponge has negative effect on blood systems of mice, which were treated with a dosage of CTSH sponge (135 mg/kg) through a laparotomy. CTSH sponge was implanted into the abdominal subcutaneous and a laparotomy was used for blood sampling from abdominal aortic. Several kinds of blood parameters were detected at different time points, which were reflected by coagulation parameters including thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplatin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB) and platelet factor 4 (PF4); anticoagulation parameter including antithrombin III (AT-III); fibrinolytic parameters including plasminogen (PLG), fibrin degradation product (FDP) and D-dimer; hemorheology parameters including blood viscosity (BV) and plasma viscosity (PV). Results showed that CTSH sponge has no significant effect on the blood parameters of mice. The data suggested that CTSH sponge can be applied in the ﬁeld of biomedical materials and has potential possibility to be developed into clinical drugs of hemostatic agents.
Pharmacological Evaluation of Total Alkaloids from Nux Vomica: Effect of Reducing Strychnine Contents
Authors: Chen Jun , Qu Yange , Wang Dongyue , Peng Pei , Cai Hao , Gao Ying , Chen Zhipeng , Cai Baochang
Published: April 2014

The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of improving the therapeutic efficacy of the total alkaloid fraction (TAF) extracted from processed nux vomica by reducing the strychnine contents. Most strychnine was removed from TAF to obtain the modified total alkaloid fraction (MTAF). The toxicity and pharmacokinetics of TAF and MTAF were further investigated and compared besides their antitumor, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The results showed that the ratios of brucine to strychnine were 1:2.05 and 2.2:1 for TAF and MTAF, respectively, and the toxicity of TAF was about 3.17-fold higher than that of MTAF. Compared to brucine alone, the elimination of brucine was found to be inhibited by other alkaloids in TAF or MTAF except strychnine. Significantly increased pharmacological activities when administered by the oral route were obtained with MTAF in comparison to TAF and nux vomica powder (NVP). In summary, MTAF might replace NVP and TAF in the clinical application of Chinese medicine to obtain much higher efficacy.
Multielemental Composition of Suet Oil Based on Quantification by Ultrawave/ICP-MS Coupled with Chemometric Analysis
Authors: Jiang Jun , Feng Liang , Li Jie , Sun E , Ding Shu-Min , Jia Xiao-Bin
Published: April 2014

Suet oil (SO) has been used commonly for food and medicine preparation. The determination of its elemental composition has became an important challenge for human safety and health owing to its possible contents of heavy metals or other elements. In this study, ultrawave single reaction chamber microwave digestion (Ultrawave) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis was performed to determine 14 elements (Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ti, Ni, V, Sr, Na, Ka and Ca) in SO samples. Furthermore, the multielemental content of 18 SO samples, which represented three different sources in China: Qinghai, Anhui and Jiangsu, were evaluated and compared. The optimal ultrawave digestion conditions, namely, the optimal time (35 min), temperature (210 °C) and pressure (90 bar), were screened by Box-Behnken design (BBD). Eighteen samples were successfully classified into three groups by principal component analysis (PCA) according to the contents of 14 elements. The results showed that all SO samples were rich in elements, but with significant differences corresponding to different origins. The outliers and majority of SO could be discriminated by PCA according to the multielemental content profile. The results highlighted that the element distribution was associated with the origins of SO samples. The proposed ultrawave digestion system was quite efficient and convenient, which could be mainly attributed to its high pressure and special high-throughput for the sample digestion procedure. Our established method could be useful for the quality control and standardization of elements in SO samples and products.
Comparative Study of Tributyltin Adsorption onto Mesoporous Silica Functionalized with Calix[4]arene, p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene and p-Sulfonatocalix[4]arene
Authors: Alahmadi Sana , Mohamad Sharifah , Maah Mohd
Published: April 2014

The adsorption of tributyltin (TBT), onto three mesoporous silica adsorbents functionalized with calix[4]arene, p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (MCM-TDI-C4, MCM-TDI-PC4 and MCM-TDI-C4S, respectively) has been compared. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out and the effect of contact time, initial TBT concentration, pH and temperature were studied. The Koble–Corrigan isotherm was the most suitable for data fitting. Based on a Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacities were 12.1212, 16.4204 and 7.5757 mg/g for MCM-TDI-C4, MCM-TDI-PC4 and MCM-TDI-C4S, respectively. The larger uptake and stronger affinity of MCM-TDI-PC4 than MCM-TDI-C4 and MCM-TDI-C4S probably results from van der Waals interactions and the pore size distribution of MCM-TDI-PC4. Gibbs free energies for the three adsorption processes of TBT presented a negative value, reflecting that TBT/surface interactions are thermodynamic favorable and spontaneous. The interaction processes were accompanied by an increase of entropy value for MCM-TDI-C4 and MCM-TDI-C4S (43.7192 and 120.7609 J/mol K, respectively) and a decrease for MCM-TDI-PC4 (−37.4704 J/mol K). It is obviously observed that MCM-TDI-PC4 spontaneously adsorbs TBT driven mainly by enthalpy change, while MCM-TDI-C4 and MCM-TDI-C4S do so driven mainly by entropy changes.
The Effects of α-Tocopherol on Bone: A Double-Edged Sword?
Authors: Chin Kok-Yong , Ima-Nirwana Soelaiman
Published: April 2014

Recent studies have found conflicting evidence on the role of α-tocopherol (αTF) on bone health. This nonsystematic review aimed to summarize the current evidence on the effects of αTF on bone health from cell culture, animal, and human studies in order to clarify the role of αTF on bone health. Our review found that αTF exerted beneficial, harmful or null effects on bone formation cells. Animal studies generally showed positive effects of αTF supplementation on bone in various models of osteoporosis. However, high-dose αTF was possibly detrimental to bone in normal animals. Human studies mostly demonstrated a positive relationship between αTF, as assessed using high performance liquid chromatography and/or dietary questionnaire, and bone health, as assessed using bone mineral density and/or fracture incidence. Three possible reasons high dosage of αTF can be detrimental to bone include its interference with Vitamin K function on bone, the blocking of the entry of other Vitamin E isomers beneficial to bone, and the role of αTF as a prooxidant. However, these adverse effects have not been shown in human studies. In conclusion, αTF may have a dual role in bone health, whereby in the appropriate doses it is beneficial but in high doses it may be harmful to bone.
Application of DNA Aptamers and Quantum Dots to Lateral Flow Test Strips for Detection of Foodborne Pathogens with Improved Sensitivity versus Colloidal Gold
Authors: Bruno John
Published: April 2014

Preliminary studies aimed at improving the sensitivity of foodborne pathogen detection via lateral flow (LF) test strips by use of high affinity DNA aptamers for capture and reporter functions when coupled to red-emitting quantum dots (Qdot 655) are reported. A variety of DNA aptamers developed against Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica were paired in capture and reporter combinations to determine which yielded the strongest detection of their cognate bacteria using a colloidal gold screening system. Several promising sandwich combinations were identified for each of the three bacterial LF strip systems. The best E. coli aptamer-LF system was further studied and yielded a visible limit of detection (LOD) of ~3,000 E. coli 8739 and ~6,000 E. coli O157:H7 in buffer. These LODs were reduced to ~300–600 bacterial cells per test respectively by switching to a Qdot 655 aptamer-LF system. Novel aspects of these assays such as the use of high levels of detergents to avoid quantum dot agglutination and enhance migration in analytical membranes, identification of optimal analytical membrane types, UV-immobilization of capture aptamers, and novel dual biotin/digoxigenin-end labeled aptamer streptavidin-colloidal gold or -Qdot 655 conjugates plus anti-digoxigenin antibody control lines are also discussed. In general, this work provides proof-of-principle for highly sensitive aptamer-Qdot LF strip assays for rapid foodborne pathogen detection.
Changes in Vegetation Growth Dynamics and Relations with Climate over China’s Landmass from 1982 to 2011
Authors: Xu Guang , Zhang Huifang , Chen Baozhang , Zhang Hairong , Innes John , Wang Guangyu , Yan Jianwu , Zheng Yonghong , Zhu Zaichun , Myneni Ranga
Published: April 2014

Understanding how the dynamics of vegetation growth respond to climate change at different temporal and spatial scales is critical to projecting future ecosystem dynamics and the adaptation of ecosystems to global change. In this study, we investigated vegetated growth dynamics (annual productivity, seasonality and the minimum amount of vegetated cover) in China and their relations with climatic factors during 1982–2011, using the updated Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) third generation global satellite Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset and climate data acquired from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Major findings are as follows: (1) annual mean NDVI over China significantly increased by about 0.0006 per year from 1982 to 2011; (2) of the vegetated area in China, over 33% experienced a significant positive trend in vegetation growth, mostly located in central and southern China; about 21% experienced a significant positive trend in growth seasonality, most of which occurred in northern China (>35°N); (3) changes in vegetation growth dynamics were significantly correlated with air temperature and precipitation (p < 0.001) at a region scale; (4) at the country scale, changes in NDVI was significantly and positively correlated with annual air temperature (r = 0.52, p < 0.01) and not associated with annual precipitation (p > 0.1); (5) of the vegetated area, about 24% showed significant correlations between annual mean NDVI and air temperature (93% positive and remainder negative), and 12% showed significant correlations of annual mean NDVI with annual precipitation (65% positive and 35% negative). The spatiotemporal variations in vegetation growth dynamics were controlled primarily by temperature and secondly by precipitation. Vegetation growth was also affected by human activities; and (6) monthly NDVI was significantly correlated with the preceding month’s temperature and precipitation in western, central and northern China. The effects of a climate lag of more than two months in southern China may be caused mainly by the abundance of precipitation. These findings suggest that continuing efforts to monitor vegetation changes (in situ and satellite observations) over time and at broad scales are greatly needed, and are critical for the management of ecosystems and adapting to global climatic changes. It is likewise difficult to predict well future vegetation growth without linking these observations to mechanistic terrestrial ecosystem processes models that integrate all the satellite and in situ observations.
An Upper-Limb Power-Assist Exoskeleton Using Proportional Myoelectric Control
Authors: Tang Zhichuan , Zhang Kejun , Sun Shouqian , Gao Zenggui , Zhang Lekai , Yang Zhongliang
Published: April 2014

We developed an upper-limb power-assist exoskeleton actuated by pneumatic muscles. The exoskeleton included two metal links: a nylon joint, four size-adjustable carbon fiber bracers, a potentiometer and two pneumatic muscles. The proportional myoelectric control method was proposed to control the exoskeleton according to the user’s motion intention in real time. With the feature extraction procedure and the classification (back-propagation neural network), an electromyogram (EMG)-angle model was constructed to be used for pattern recognition. Six healthy subjects performed elbow flexion-extension movements under four experimental conditions: (1) holding a 1-kg load, wearing the exoskeleton, but with no actuation and for different periods (2-s, 4-s and 8-s periods); (2) holding a 1-kg load, without wearing the exoskeleton, for a fixed period; (3) holding a 1-kg load, wearing the exoskeleton, but with no actuation, for a fixed period; (4) holding a 1-kg load, wearing the exoskeleton under proportional myoelectric control, for a fixed period. The EMG signals of the biceps brachii, the brachioradialis, the triceps brachii and the anconeus and the angle of the elbow were collected. The control scheme’s reliability and power-assist effectiveness were evaluated in the experiments. The results indicated that the exoskeleton could be controlled by the user’s motion intention in real time and that it was useful for augmenting arm performance with neurological signal control, which could be applied to assist in elbow rehabilitation after neurological injury.
Sustainability as a Priority at Major U.S. Department of Energy’s Defense Sites: Surrounding Population Views
Authors: Greenberg Michael , Weiner Marc , Mayer Henry , Kosson David , Powers Charles
Published: April 2014

Sustainability is rapidly becoming a widely accepted and desired attitude, as well as a stimulus for both environmentally-conscious individuals and firm behavior. However, does the public interest in sustainability also extend to large U.S. federal agencies? Does the public care about on-site sustainability programs? To answer this question, we surveyed 922 people who live within 50 miles of one of four U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) major facilities: Hanford, Idaho National Laboratory, Savannah River and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. Only 14% expressed no interest in DOE’s on-site sustainability efforts. Five percent said that they were interested enough to join a local community group to provide feedback to the DOE; 49% were interested and wanted more information, as well as interaction with the DOE’s site-specific advisory boards or local elected officials. Compared to other DOE on-site activities, respondents rated sustainability as “somewhat important”. Native Americans who live near a site, are familiar with it and self-identify as interested in environmental protection disproportionately belong to the “most interested” category. We conclude that public interest is sufficient to merit outreach by DOE to involve interested and knowledgeable local residents in on-site sustainability plans.
Adjuvants in the Driver’s Seat: How Magnitude, Type, Fine Specificity and Longevity of Immune Responses Are Driven by Distinct Classes of Immune Potentiators
Authors: Bergmann-Leitner Elke , Leitner Wolfgang
Published: April 2014

The mechanism by which vaccine adjuvants enhance immune responses has historically been considered to be the creation of an antigen depot. From here, the antigen is slowly released and provided to immune cells over an extended period of time. This “depot” was formed by associating the antigen with substances able to persist at the injection site, such as aluminum salts or emulsions. The identification of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) has greatly advanced our understanding of how adjuvants work beyond the simple concept of extended antigen release and has accelerated the development of novel adjuvants. This review focuses on the mode of action of different adjuvant classes in regards to the stimulation of specific immune cell subsets, the biasing of immune responses towards cellular or humoral immune response, the ability to mediate epitope spreading and the induction of persistent immunological memory. A better understanding of how particular adjuvants mediate their biological effects will eventually allow them to be selected for specific vaccines in a targeted and rational manner.
Participatory Barriers to the Informal Learning of Older Australians using the Internet and Web 2.0 Technologies
Authors: Sofo Michelle , Sofo Francesco
Published: April 2014

This chapter aims to explore the real and perceived barriers that exist for older Australians when engaging with informal eLearning. The chapter has two main areas of focus: first, an examination of some of the challenges faced by older Australians engaging in informal eLearning, and second, an overview of two Australian initiatives designed to break down the barriers between older Australians and technology. The chapter commences with a review of the international literature to define informal learning before considering the intersection that exists between informal learning and online learning. The emerging social issues of the ageing Australian population are then presented to provide context to the main exploration within this chapter – the real and perceived barriers that exist for older Australians as they attempt to engage in eLearning. After discussing two community initiatives and introducing a model for surmounting the identified obstacles, the chapter discusses possible solutions making relevant recommendations and suggesting directions for future research.
Professional Development Opportunities for Academic Subject Librarians
Authors: Shelley Anne
Published: April 2014

Library professionals who specialize in particular disciplines have a deep understanding of the unique needs in their area to support faculty research, enrich student learning, and manage certain collections. Librarians and staff in such positions rely heavily on the expertise of their colleagues who have similar responsibilities, as well as standards developed by library and academic professionals in their respective fields. Therefore, professional networking is a critical practice for academic librarians who manage a particular subject area in their library. This chapter will provide information on subject-specific library conferences and other professional development opportunities that are useful for both conference organizers and librarians who specialize in subject areas and have responsibilities in collection management, instruction, cataloging, and liaison duties.
Definition and History of Online Professional Development
Authors: Brown Carol A. , Neal Renée E. Weiss
Published: April 2014

There exists a consensus on the importance of teacher professional development. This chapter provides a knowledge base for environments, describes the benefits, best practices, and sources for quality online professional development. The attributes associated with online professional development can be examined within the framework of web conferencing, web cast, and online teaching and learning. An annotated bibliography and extensive glossary related to online professional development are included in this chapter.
Key Factors for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Blended E-Learning
Authors: Pavlis-Korres Maria
Published: April 2014

The chapter focuses on the main factors, which should be met in order to maximize the effectiveness of a blended e-learning program for adult learners. The factors discussed in this chapter are derived from the perspectives of the learners, scientific staff, administrative staff, and the technical staff engaged in the distance learning process. Specifically, these factors have emerged through the internal evaluation of a national program, Design and Implementation of Distance Learning Programs, implemented in Greece via the Distance Adult Education Center for Lifelong Learning. Findings on the strengths and weaknesses of the program as well as suggestions for implementation of future related programs are also discussed in the chapter. The findings indicate that harmonization of program content and the educational process with the principles of adult education both in face-to-face and online environment has a positive effect on the educational outcome of the program. In addition, the appropriate use of the communication tools in the Learning Management System (LMS) is very important for the effectiveness of the program.
Professional Development for Online Educators
Authors: Velez-Solic Angela , Banas Jennifer R.
Published: April 2014

A professional development program for online faculty members can be difficult to create, implement, and sustain. Its components will vary depending on the location of the online faculty, the institutional budget, and who is administering the program. A professional development program is essential if institutions wish to keep instructors up-to-date on technological advances and pedagogical shifts as online classrooms change. Today's online faculty members are inundated with “information overload” due to the internet and because information is increasing exponentially, which results in pressure to “keep up” (Sherer, Shea, & Kristensen, 2003). Because of this pressure and the proliferation of learning tools, institutions need to help faculty filter and use the information available to them. This chapter will focus on essential components of professional development programs, issues and potential solutions, examples from successful programs, and future trends in online professional development.
The Single Most Popular Theory
Authors: Wang Victor X. , Cranton Patricia
Published: April 2014

Although Westerners have used over 200 terms to describe Self-Directed Learning (SDL), few Western scholars realize that educators in Confucius Heritage Cultures (CHC) have successfully promoted and implemented SDL. In those cultures, self-directed learning is considered the single most popular theory in teaching and learning. For decades, American educators have argued that American students do not compare with students from other industrialized countries. This chapter proposes that for learners in the Western cultures, especially in the United States to catch up with learners in other industrialized nations including newly emerged China and India, SDL must be promoted and implemented at all levels of education, not only within adult education. Self-directed learning is the single most popular model that helps learners master skills for the sake of competency development. The goal in learning is to achieve the changed status on the part of learners or “perspective transformation.” Unless students are learning in a self-directed manner, it may be difficult to foster transformative learning; SDL and transformative learning are intertwined.
Designing District-Wide Technology-Rich Professional Development
Authors: Polly Drew , Mims Clif , McCombs Brenda
Published: April 2014

This case will focus on the following situation: As the technology coordinator for a school district you receive a state grant to provide technology resources and professional development for every teacher in the intermediate (Grades 5-6), middle (Grades 7-8) and high school (Grades 9-12) classrooms in your district. Your superintendent and school board have asked you to: (a) Design differentiated professional development to meet all teachers' needs; (b) Include some outside consultants but quickly build teacher capacity so future professional development can be facilitated by district employees; (c) Provide educational materials for teachers and parents about internet safety and legal issues; and (d) Determine that the use of technology has positively impacted student learning outcomes. This case study describes the story of how one school district responded to this challenge.
Designing Effective Online Instructor Training and Professional Development
Authors: Banas Jennifer R. , Velez-Solic Angela
Published: April 2014

There are many ways to deliver engaging, effective, and efficient online instruction, but most higher education instructors do not know how. So while the demand for online learning has drastically increased, the efficacious training of instructors into how to deliver online courses lags far behind. In this chapter, the authors demonstrate how adult learning and instructional design principles, coupled with known best practices for online teaching, can facilitate the design of effective training and professional development for online instructors. Case study examples are used to illustrate key concepts, and a sample outline for training is offered. Administrators and trainers of online instructors will form the primary audience; other stake holders in online education will benefit as well.
A Model for Online Instructor Training, Support, and Professional Development
Authors: Zygouris-Coe Vassiliki I.
Published: April 2014

Online learning is a popular learning option for millions of students in US colleges and universities. Online facilitation plays an important role in student learning. With a growing number of courses offered online, there are many challenges associated with the quality of online instruction. This chapter presents information on a large-scale online project for preK-12 educators. The author presents detailed information on a model for training, support, professional development, and monitoring of online instructors. The author also discusses implications for further development and monitoring of online instructors' knowledge, skills, and dispositions that promote successful online experiences and learning for students.
Developing Self-Regulation Skills in Virtual Worlds
Authors: Paraskeva Fotini , Mysirlaki Sofia , Vasileiou Vasilis N.
Published: April 2014

In order to succeed in today's life and work environments, people require more than thinking skills and content knowledge. Initiative and self-direction skills are needed, including the ability to manage goals and time, to work independently, and be self-directed learners. On the other hand, e-learning has brought changes in every field of formal and informal education, such as training programs, basic education, and life-long learning. However, e-learning is not inherently motivating and can even be demotivating due to technological, intrapersonal, and interpersonal hurdles. A hallmark of e-learning is its reliance on learner autonomy, also called independent or self-directed learning. In view of the need for the design of e-learning environments that would provide self-regulation strategies for the maximization of learners' engagement to an e-learning course and the development self-regulation as an important life skill, this paper presents the application of a Self-Regulation Theory based educational scenario, using the Virtual World of Second Life to enhance situated experience in professional and career development and to develop self-regulation as an important skill for the 21st century, along with skills, such as collaboration, team work, peer exchange and problem solving.
Adapting Adult Educators' Teaching Philosophies to Foster Adult Learners' Transformation and Emancipation
Authors: Wang Victor X. , Cranton Patricia
Published: April 2014

This chapter argues that adult educators need to adapt their philosophy and their teaching roles to foster adult learners' transformative learning, and it proposes a model that illustrates this process. The most common purposes of adult education are represented by five underlying philosophies as fully discussed by Elias and Merriam. Adult learners possess different needs, interests, and experiences. As teachers modify their roles and methods in response to their students' diverse individual characteristics, they must also adapt their underlying philosophical perspective so that philosophy, roles, and methods are congruent. The authors maintain that in this context, the role of adult educators as facilitators of transformational learning should be examined and their prevalent humanistic and progressive philosophies critically questioned.
Partnerships between Business and Adult Education Providers
Authors: Schmidtke Carsten
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the benefits and challenges of partnerships between adult education providers and businesses. The chapter addresses reasons for engaging in partnerships, the typical partners involved, types of partnerships, partnership activities, and the process of building a partnership. The theory is then used to analyze a specific case, the partnership between a technical college and an industrial park. Based on that case, lessons learned and future trends in educational partnerships as they relate to economic development and America's ability to remain globally competitive are discussed.
The Development and Change of Teachers' Strategic Knowledge in Teachers' Online Community of Practice
Authors: Feng Tao , Wang Lu , Zhou MengYa
Published: April 2014

To obtain the development and change of teachers' strategic knowledge in teachers' online community of practice (TOCP) in China, content analysis, video case analysis and statistical analysis methods were adopted to study 45 teachers (15 novice teachers, 15 key teachers, and 15 experienced teachers) from three participating schools during three phases. The development and change of different teacher groups' strategic knowledge and the general characteristics of their strategic knowledge have been concluded respectively. It can be concluded that TOCP has changed teachers' professional learning model, constantly improved their strategic knowledge and positively influenced different teacher groups' strategic knowledge.
Benefits of Internal Professional Development for Academic Librarians
Authors: Tomlinson Carissa
Published: April 2014

While often overlooked, there are many benefits of in-house professional development programs for academic librarians. This is especially true as the roles of academic librarians continue to evolve and change. This chapter argues that internal professional development not only helps academic librarians share their varied skills, tools, and practices with institutional colleagues, but also improves employee morale, collegiality, and organizational culture. Additionally, by structuring an internal professional development program using a peer-learning model, librarians gain a sense of community while seeing value in each librarian's individual knowledge. Also, peer learning can be a mechanism for institutional knowledge management and the transfer of institutional memory through intergenerational and cross job function learning. In addition to exploring the evolving nature of the academic librarian and the importance of professional development as peer learning in the context of the local institution, this chapter will describe in detail one university library's internal professional development program for librarians.
Chinese Pedagogy or Western Andragogy?
Authors: Wang Victor X. , Dennett Susan K. , Bryan Valerie C.
Published: April 2014

This chapter reports the results of a study designed to compare Chinese adult education methods with Western (i.e., United States) educational methods using the conceptual framework of the principles of andragogy. Adult educators from two universities in China and one university in the United States responded to an online survey comprised of closed- and open-ended questions about their teaching practices. Study results indicated that while the U.S. educators were consistently andragogical in their approach, Chinese adult educators were less so. Although a few andragogical elements were reported by the Chinese educators, their approach appeared more pedagogical, a finding that was consistent with reports in the literature of adult education in China. Even in 1998, under the leadership of the former administration, the Chinese people were promised the growth of China's education system. Today, China provides resources to support education so that China is more competitive in the global market today. China's blueprint for the future is evidence of the commitment to education China emphasizes. China has created its own Ivy League schools to support the next generation workforce that are competitive with Ivy League schools in the United States. China's Ivy League is funded by the government. It leads to the question of whether the recession of 2008 in the United States will negatively impact the services American institutions will offer and ultimately affect the number of international students enrolling in universities in the United States. It also leads to the question on whether China will surpass the United States in the quality of education it provides to its students and therefore reduce the number of Chinese students who study in the United States. The style of teaching in this new system may impact both the quality of education provided and its impact.
Evaluating and Funding the Professional Development Program
Authors: Mark Christine L.
Published: April 2014

Professional development programs must have an organized process of evaluation, either formally or informally. The evaluation needs to be delivered in both micro and macro settings. In the micro setting, the evaluator monitors the overall atmosphere of the learning environment and the performance of the participants while training is taking place. In the macro setting, which consists of the teacher's classroom, the evaluation needs to determine whether the teacher is actually using the knowledge gained during professional development to improve /impact student learning outcomes. In order for professional development to be effective, professional development programs should never be delivered and then forgotten. Further, locating funding and support are important due to the state of economic crisis and budget cuts. School districts have to look for creative ways to fund and support successful professional development programs. Some of these include developing technology resource centers, looking for federal and state funds, and looking toward individuals and corporations to help support and fund programs.
Creating an Authentic Space for a Private and Public Self through E-Portfolios
Authors: Lygo-Baker Simon , Hatzipanagos Stylianos
Published: April 2014

The chapter reports work that investigated the use of e-portfolios developed by teaching practitioners as part of an award-bearing academic development programme in the UK. The project aimed to enable teaching practitioners to access and gain familiarity with pedagogically sound e-portfolio opportunities. The project was designed to foster a reflective approach, promote critical thinking focused on learning and teaching, and enhance continuing professional development. The outcomes of this project are discussed in terms of an appreciation of e-assessment by the teaching practitioners involved, recommendations for an e-portfolio environment that uses technology enhanced learning resources to foster a reflective approach that can enable and enhance continuous professional development for academic staff.
A Professional Development School Technology Integration and Research Plan
Authors: Shambaugh Neal
Published: April 2014

Technology diffusion in public schools has varied in scale from local and state initiatives to large-scale governmental-funded programs. Teachers' use of technology, however, remains limited and still focuses on the tools rather than on learning outcomes and teaching processes. Teacher education programs face a similar challenge in having pre-service teachers integrate technology and model best practice for teachers in public schools. One model for teacher education is viewing public schools and the university-based teacher education program as Professional Development Schools (PDS) where pre-service teachers and host teachers learn alongside each other in actual teaching including technology use. In this case, a mature PDS model (20 years old) is described along with how technology has been implemented across the teacher education program and within the PDS-network member schools. This case poses for the reader two questions: (1) How can technology diffusion occur in a PDS model addressing the different agendas of university, school, and state? (2) How can a technology integration plan also include program evaluation and/or research features so that the plan is formally and systematically studied?
Participatory Learning in Formal Adult Education Contexts
Authors: Kucukaydin Ilhan , Cranton Patricia
Published: April 2014

Formal courses in adult education are most often housed within schools or faculties that include other disciplines such as teacher education, psychology, or training and development. Adult educators teaching these courses may feel obligated to follow the procedures and practices of the institution as well as of the programs with which they are associated. This creates a set of paradoxes and conflicts that are rarely addressed. Adult educators working in formal contexts teach about critical pedagogy and democratic practices without engaging in those practices themselves. This article advocates a participatory learning model based on the historical foundations of adult education theory and practice. The authors explore teaching as a subversive activity, hegemony, critical pedagogy, and power relations. The authors then discuss implications for practice in formal contexts.
Taking Action Research in Teacher Education Online
Authors: Dana Nancy Fichtman , Krell Desi , Wolkenhauer Rachel
Published: April 2014

The systematic, intentional study by teachers of their own classroom practice is critical for powerful professional development. Action research, or practitioner inquiry, provides teachers with a vehicle to engage in this professional development in order to raise teacher voices in educational reform and capture and share the knowledge generated by teachers within their classrooms. The quality of any piece of action research completed by a practitioner inquirer is directly related to the coaching s/he receives in the process, but the scope and reach of teacher educators' action research coaching is often constrained by limitations of time and space. Extending the coaching of action research to online environments may provide possibilities for negotiating challenges of time and space and enhance both the quantity and quality of the teacher educator's action research coaching opportunities. The purpose of this chapter is to explore online tools that can facilitate distance action research coaching.
Managing Project-Based Workplace Learning at a Distance
Authors: Osborne Jo
Published: April 2014

This case description outlines the development of a Master's course in Clinical Leadership involving a partnership arrangement between the University of Tasmania and a New South Wales (NSW) Area Health Service, where partners are based in different states, and course participants complete their studies predominantly in distance mode. Workplace learning through project implementation is core to the course. The university takes responsibility for the development and delivery of online units, while the health service partner has major responsibility for the coordination and assessment of workplace learning assignments, with the academic moderation of the university teaching team. The integration of theory-based units with project implementation has been well received by course participants. Distance factors provide significant challenges for course implementation. Early course evaluations have informed revisions to unit structures, but changes in the client base may force revisions to course delivery to maintain participant access to study materials and activities. Lecturers, health service instructors, course participants, and their workplace supervisors are all affected by changing dynamics.
Towards Mass Production of Smart Products by Forming Technologies
Authors: Brenneis Matthias , Ibis Mesut , Duschka Alexander , Groche Peter
Published: April 2014

In all areas of technology, the demand for high-quality, competitive and more valuable products is rising steadily. One approach to increase the value of manufactured products is the integration of electronic components in load carrying structures. These new products, which combine electrical and mechanical components synergistically, are called smart products. They consist of a passive structure and integrated electronics or smart materials. In addition to their mechanical properties they are also able to sense, to actuate or to transmit energy or data. The resulting product architecture requires both a mechanical and an electronic design in order to save subsequent assembly costs. Since further components are required to evaluate and control as well as to supply energy, all of those components need to be connected and integrated into the smart product. However, the main prerequisite for the marketability is the possibility of low-cost manufacturing and a robust mass production. Nowadays processes for the manufacturing of smart products do not fulfill the requirements for a sustainable mass production in a satisfying way as long as metallic structures are used.
The authors deploy the forming technologies roll forming and sheet metal hydroforming to form sheets with applied flat electronics. Since the components are applied prior to the forming process, small and difficult to access installation spaces can be used effectively in the product architecture. The incremental bulk forming process rotary swaging is employed to integrate piezoceramics during the forming procedure without any additional joining elements. Challenges resulting from the chosen integrative manufacturing approach are the prevention of new kinds of failure modes and additional requirements for defined residual stress states. These challenges lead to extended process design requirements, which will be discussed in the paper in detail.
The Suitability of Analytical and Numerical Methods for Developing Clinching Processes with Thick Sheet Metal
Authors: Israel Markus
Published: April 2014

At present, the use of clinching is mainly restricted to thin sheet metal. Here the joining technology is used for assemblies in mass production due to its great coast efficiency. However, the branches of industry working with thick sheet metal (utility and rail vehicle engineering, shipbuilding and general structural steel engineering) represent a major potential for using clinching technology. Unfortunately, the suitability of clinching for connecting jobs with substantially greater sheet metal thicknesses has neither been sufficiently investigated, nor are there suitable toolsets among system manufacturers that are adapted to the larger overall sheet metal thicknesses. Instead, the state-of-the-art for ascertaining tools for larger sheet metal thicknesses and point dimensions is trial and error accepting the high costs caused by producing a large number of tools and experiments. This paper demonstrates some analytical approaches to this problem and how suitable they are to describing the process of clinching in comparison to the potential of calculation with FEA.
Analysis of Socio-Technical Structures in Order to Increase the Changeability of Producing Companies
Authors: Kampker Achim , Burggräf Peter , Gartzen Thomas , Maue Andreas , Czarlay Dirk
Published: April 2014

In nearly all sectors, the competitive situation for producing companies will further exacerbate with the consequence of a growing price pressure. In addition, the environment of producing companies becomes more and more turbulent. Mass production is an important principle in order to handle the growing price pressure. But in order to make successfully use of this principle, companies have to be able to react fast to external and internal induced changes. Companies have to increase their changeability with expedient measures and an efficient use of resources. Therefore the knowledge about the interdependencies of the different areas in a producing company is important. The developed methodology enables to analyze and visualize the significant areas and their interdependencies in order to deduce effective measures for increasing the changeability.