bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Hofland Johannes , Kaltsas Gregory , de Herder Wouter W
Published: September 2019

Neuroendocrine neoplasms constitute a diverse group of tumors that derive from the sensory and secretory neuroendocrine cells and predominantly arise within the pulmonary and gastrointestinal tracts. The majority of these neoplasms have a well-differentiated grade and are termed neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). This subgroup is characterized by limited proliferation and patients affected by these tumors carry a good to moderate prognosis. A substantial subset of patients presenting with a NET suffer from the consequences of endocrine syndromes as a result of the excessive secretion of amines or peptide hormones, which can impair their quality of life and prognosis. Over the past 15 years, critical developments in tumor grading, diagnostic biomarkers, radionuclide imaging, randomized controlled drug trials, evidence-based guidelines, and superior prognostic outcomes have substantially altered the field of NET care. Here, we review the relevant advances to clinical practice that have significantly upgraded our approach to NET patients, both in diagnostic and in therapeutic options.
Body Mass Index and Mortality in Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Dahlström Emma H , Sandholm Niina , Forsblom Carol M , Thorn Lena M , Jansson Fanny J , Harjutsalo Valma , Groop Per-Henrik
Published: September 2019

Context

The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality may differ between patients with type 1 diabetes and the general population; it is not known which clinical characteristics modify the relationship.

Objective

Our aim was to assess the relationship between BMI and mortality and the interaction with clinically meaningful factors.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective study included 5836 individuals with type 1 diabetes from the FinnDiane study.

Main Outcome Measure and Methods

We retrieved death data for all participants on 31 December 2015. We estimated the effect of BMI on the risk of mortality using a Cox proportional hazards model with BMI as a restricted cubic spline as well as effect modification by adding interaction terms to the spline.

Results

During a median of 13.7 years, 876 individuals died. The relationship between baseline BMI and all-cause mortality was reverse J-shaped. When analyses were restricted to those with normal albumin excretion rate, the relationship was U-shaped. The nadir BMI (BMI with the lowest mortality) was in the normal weight region (24.3 to 24.8 kg/m2); however, among individuals with diabetic nephropathy, the nadir BMI was in the overweight region (25.9 to 26.1 kg/m2). Diabetic nephropathy, diabetes-onset age, and sex modified the relationship between BMI and mortality (Pinteraction < 0.05).

Conclusions

Normal weight is optimal for individuals with type 1 diabetes to delay mortality, whereas underweight might be an indication of underlying complications. Maintaining normal weight may translate into reduced risk of mortality in type 1 diabetes, particularly for individuals of male sex, later diabetes-onset age, and normal albumin excretion rate.
Heat resilience in embryonic zebrafish revealed using an in vivo stress granule reporter
Authors: Wang Ruiqi , Zhang Hefei , Du Jiulin , Xu Jin
Published: September 2019

Although the regulation of stress granules has become an intensely studied topic, current investigations of stress granule assembly, disassembly and dynamics are mainly performed in cultured cells. Here, we report the establishment of a stress granule reporter to facilitate the real-time study of stress granules in vivo. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we fused a green fluorescence protein (GFP) to endogenous G3BP1 in zebrafish. The GFP–G3BP1 reporter faithfully and robustly responded to heat stress in zebrafish embryos and larvae. The induction of stress granules varied by brain regions under the same stress condition, with the midbrain cells showing the highest efficiency and dynamics. Furthermore, pre-conditioning using lower heat stress significantly limited stress granule formation during subsequent higher heat stress. More interestingly, stress granule formation was much more robust in zebrafish embryos than in larvae and coincided with significantly elevated levels of phosphorylated eIF2α and enhanced heat resilience. Therefore, these findings have generated new insights into stress response in zebrafish during early development and demonstrated that the GFP–G3BP1 knock-in zebrafish could be a valuable tool for the investigation of stress granule biology.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Lower extremity joints and muscle groups in the human locomotor system alter mechanical functions to meet task demand
Authors: Kuhman Daniel J. , Hurt Christopher P.
Published: September 2019

To facilitate movement through mechanically complex environments, terrestrial animals have evolved locomotor systems capable of flexibly altering internal mechanics to meet external demands. They do this by shifting imposed workloads between joints/muscle groups (central mechanical flexibility) and/or by altering the function of individual joints/muscle groups (local mechanical flexibility). In human locomotion research, central mechanical flexibility is well established and regularly reported. Local mechanical flexibility at major lower extremity joints and muscle groups, however, has received relatively less attention. We used an emerging biomechanical analysis known as functional indexing to test the hypothesis that lower extremity joints and muscle groups within the human locomotor system alter their mechanical function to meet altered locomotor demands. Thirteen healthy adults walked across a range of speeds (0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2 ms−1) and slopes (0°, +5°, +10°) to determine whether hip, knee, and ankle joints and their extensors and flexors altered their mechanical function in response to increased speed and slope. As walking speed increased, the knee and its extensors altered their function to behave more like mechanical springs while the ankle and its extensors altered their function to behave more like motors. As slope increased, all three joints and their extensors decreased spring- and damper-like behavior and increased motor-like behavior. Our results indicate that humans – similar to many other terrestrial animals – utilize local mechanical flexibility to meet the demands of the locomotor task at hand.
Differential construction response to humidity by related species of mound-building termites
Authors: Carey N. E. , Calovi D. S. , Bardunias P. , Turner J. S. , Nagpal R. , Werfel J.
Published: September 2019

Macrotermes michaelseni and M. natalensis are two morphologically similar species occupying the same habitat across southern Africa. Both build large mounds and tend mutualistic fungal symbionts for nutrients, but despite these behavioural and physiological similarities, the mound superstructures they create differ markedly. The behavioural differences behind this discrepancy remain elusive, and are the subject of ongoing investigations. Here we show that the two species demonstrate distinctive building activity in a lab-controlled environment consisting of still air with low ambient humidity. In these conditions, M. michaelseni transports less soil from a central reservoir, deposits this soil over a smaller area, and creates structures with a smaller volumetric envelope than M. natalensis. In high humidity, no such systematic difference is observed. This result suggests a differential behavioural threshold or sensitivity to airborne moisture that may relate to the distinct macro-scale structures observed in the African bushland.
Unlicensed medicines
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: September 2019

Richard Griffith, Senior Lecturer in Health Law at Swansea University, discusses the law relating to the supply and administration of unlicensed medicines to meet the special need of a patient.
Multicentre review of readmission rates within 30 days of discharge following lung cancer surgery
Authors: King Maureen , Kerr Amy , Dixon Sandra , Taylor Sarah , Smith Alison , Merriman Charlotte , Mitchell Jenny , Canavan Jane , Hunter Verity
Published: September 2019

Postoperative complications following curative lung cancer surgery are well recognised, but there is limited data on 30-day readmission rates. The UK Thoracic Surgery Group conducted a multicentre review over a 3-month period to assess readmission rates. Overall readmission among the 268 patients who had undergone primary lung cancer surgery was 30 (11%); 14/30 of readmissions occurred within 7 days of discharge, with 13/30 patients readmitted to a hospital that had not performed the surgery. The causes of readmission were mainly pulmonary related (16/30). Readmission was associated with being discharged with a pleural drain 11/30 (P<0.01), having two or more postoperative complications 11/30 (P<0.01) and a patient's readiness for discharge 9/30 (P=0.001). There was a trend toward an association with smoking 13/30 (P=0.18). The authors suggest that a greater focus on patients presenting with characteristics associated with readmission, and incorporating a patient's readiness for discharge, may reduce readmission, although more studies are needed.
Ambulatory approach to cancer care. Part 3: starting and maintaining the service and its challenges and benefits
Authors: Comerford Diana , Shah Raakhee
Published: September 2019

This is the final article in a three-part series. Previous articles discussed the patient experience and the enhanced roles of nurses and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and their role in safety within ambulatory care (AC) at a major London teaching hospital. There is understandably apprehension when starting a new service and embarking on a new healthcare concept. The challenges of starting and maintaining an AC service are multifaceted. Common questions posed to this London teaching hospital concern the challenges of opening and maintaining a new service and the savings it will produce. There are many indirect savings and benefits to an ambulatory service, although the value of a positive patient experience cannot be measured in monetary terms.
Measurement of Airborne Carbonyls with Pentafluorophenyl Hydrazine (PFPH)-Coated Tenax Tube using an Integrated Automatic Sampler in a Rapid Developing City in Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region, China
Authors: Hang Ho Steven Sai , Li Bowei , Qu Linli , Chan Chi Shing , Ho Legolas B. , Zhang Hong , Liu Weiwei
Published: September 2019

Airborne carbonyls can be formed from primary and secondary sources which are widespread in the environments. Their abundances are always related to the degree of capitalization of a city or area. More sensitive measurement of active airborne carbonyls (e.g., formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) is thus critical to interpret their roles in the atmosphere. In this study, an observation was conducted in a rapid development city of Huizhou, where located in Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region in southern China. Monocarbonyls and dicarbonyls were collected onto pentafluorophenyl hydrazine (PFPH)-coated Tenax glass tubes by a modified automatic carbonyl sampler (ACS), which is originally adopted for sampling with default 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridges. The tubes were analyzed by thermal desorption (TD)-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. The results show that the collection efficiencies for both target carbonyls were consistent between a regular sampler and the ACS at a flow rate of 100 ml/min, demonstrating that the reliability and feasibility on the application of ACS for the carbonyls collection with the PFPH-coated tubes. The mean molar ratio of formaldehyde to acetaldehyde (1.17) in Huizhou suggests that the primary emission source was dominant in the city. According to the diurnal variations of the carbonyls, primary pollutants [e.g., nitrogen dioxide (NO2,) and sulfur dioxide (SO2)] and secondary pollutant [e.g., ozone (O3)], active carbonyls could be produced from both primary and secondary sources in daytime. Vehicle emission is expected to be more dominant in rush hours (i.e., early morning and evening). The peaks of formaldehyde around noontime were mainly attributed to increases of atmospheric photo-oxidation of other organics. The work indicates the advantages of using the PFPH-coated tubes for determination of diurnal variation on the atmospheric carbonyls with an aid of less labor-intensive automatic sampler.
Plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, range of movement and hindfoot deviation are important determinants of foot function in children
Authors: Alves C. , Lysenko M. , Tomlinson G. A. , Donovan J. , Narayanan U. G. , Feldman B. M. , Wright J. G.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Paediatric foot surgery is often performed to restore anatomical shape or range of movement (ROM). The purpose of this study was to determine how foot morphology and ROM are associated with foot function in children aged five to 16 years of age.

Methods

Participants included 89 patients with foot disorders and 58 healthy controls. In addition to measuring children's foot alignment and ankle ROM, children and parents completed the Oxford Ankle and Foot Questionnaire (OxAFQ).

Results

Mean age was 10.3 years for patients and 10.6 years for controls; 53 of 89 patients had clubfoot. All foot measurements and scores on the OxAFQ significantly differed (p < 0.001) between patients and controls. Patients and their parents significantly differed on the physical (p = 0.03) and emotional (p = 0.02) domains of the OxAFQ, with parents’ ratings being lower than their children. Moderate correlations (r = 0.54 to 0.059; p < 0.001) were found between physical domain (reported by parents on the OxAFQ) and dorsiflexion-knee flexed, and foot- arc-of-movement. Moderate correlations were found between physical domain (reported by children on OxAFQ) and foot-arc-of-movement (r = 0.56; p < 0.001). Patients in the surgical group showed moderate correlations (r = 0.57;, p < 0.001) between physical domain (reported by children on OxAFQ) and plantar flexion, and foot arc-of-movement. The control group and the patients in non-surgical subgroup showed no significant correlations.

Conclusion

Plantar flexion, arc of ankle ROM and hindfoot alignment impact foot function in children with foot deformities. Parents report significantly lower scores on the OxAFQ when judging foot functioning.

Level of evidence

Level II. Prognostic Studies
Care poverty: unmet care needs in a Nordic welfare state
Authors: Kröger Teppo , Puthenparambil Jiby Mathew , Van Aerschot Lina
Published: September 2019

This article introduces the concept of care poverty, defined as inadequate coverage of care needs resulting from an interplay between individual and societal factors, and examines its level and predictors among the 75+ population in Finland. The data come from a survey conducted in 2010 and 2015. Despite the universalistic goals of the Finnish care system, 26 percent of respondents with limitations in daily activities faced care poverty with regard to instrumental activities of daily living; the activities of daily living care poverty rate was 17 percent. Concerning instrumental activities of daily living, care poverty was associated with income level, health status and living arrangements, while such connections were not found for personal care (activities of daily living).
Shahrazād in transatlantic journeys: Moorish dancing entertainers beyond borders (1850–1912)
Authors: Simour Lhoussain
Published: September 2019

The routes of travel started from the margins of the empire towards metropolitan centres of nineteenth-century Europe and America included Moroccan women travellers as acrobats and dancing professional artists. They crossed the straits of Gibraltar and journeyed through the Atlantic to visit western countries. Moroccan women travellers took part in various Euro-American theatre performances and in circus shows as early as 1850 according to newspapers archives and passengers shipping lists. These Shahrazāds, whose names are now lost to us, moved freely in various western capital cities to entertain nineteenth-century western audiences. This article attempts to reexamine the forgotten experiences and itineraries of Moroccan non-canonical voices beyond borders. Their routes and experiences of travel have been decisive in the shaping of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean systems and in turning them into an intriguing space of social interactions and cultural connections. Curiously, nothing is left in the accounts of history about their itineraries, experiences and stories in western lands except for a few scattered indications in newspaper archives and in magazines. The contesting beginnings of Moroccan professional entertainers in western show business in the nineteenth century witnessed intricate artistic, discursive and cultural junctures. I argue that Moroccan professional performances evolved in Europe and in America within a complex context marked by the rise of a racial consciousness that sought to authenticate ethnic discourses of power and exclusion. The ethnic taxonomies and hierarchies governed by ethnographic and anthropological documentation fuelled up entertainment venues and popular theatrical performances and helped in developing a distinctive view about Self and Other paradigms.
‘Chained to the pendulum of our own mad clockwork’: Science fiction, cyclicality and the new dark age during the Cold War
Authors: Jancovich Mark
Published: September 2019

Although science fiction of the Golden Age in the 1940s and the 1950s is often associated with narratives of progress, this article demonstrates that there was a fascination within this period with narratives of cyclicality, rather than progress, narratives in which social and scientific systems collapse back into new dark ages and/or re-emerge out of such new dark ages. Furthermore, the article explores how these narratives were mobilized in relation to the Cold War and particularly the ways in which nationalist agendas were seen as repressing the international exchange of ideas that many science fiction writers regarded as central to science. However, these stories did not simply oppose politics with science so that the former was associated with ignorance and repression and the latter with knowledge and liberation. On the contrary, these stories were preoccupied with conceptual crises, in which one system of thought was overthrown by another. In other words, these were stories of scientific revolution rather than linear progress and they often presented all systems of thought as potentially restrictive. In short, these cyclical narratives were a reminder of a challenge from which many science fiction writers believed that science could not escape, a challenge that would therefore continually reassert itself: the narratives demonstrated that scientists not only needed to take responsibility for their discoveries but also to recognize that the advancement of science did not inevitably lead to (or even go hand in hand with) social, political or cultural enlightenment.
Reviews
Authors: Lauret Maria , Dix Andrew , McBean Sam , Raynaud Claudine , Brewer Mary F.
Published: September 2019

Born Translated: The Contemporary Novel in an Age of World Literature, Rebecca L. Walkowitz (2015) New York: Columbia University Press, 322 pp., ISBN 978-0-23116-595-2, p/bk., £20.00

Film Blackness: American Cinema and the Idea of Black Film, Michael Boyce Gillespie (2016) Durham, NC and London: Duke University Press, 231 pp., ISBN 978-0-82236-205-0, h/bk, £69.40; p/bk, £18.99

Queer Experimental Literature: The Affective Politics of Bad Reading, Tyler Bradway (2017) New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, lxiii + 268 pp., ISBN 978-1-34995-554-1, p/bk, £22.99

Me and My House: James Baldwin’s Last Decade in France, Magdalena Zaborowska (2018) Durham, NC and London: Duke University Press, 193 pp., ISBN 978-0-82236-983-7, h/bk, £87, p/bk £6.59

The Theatre of August Wilson, Alan Nadel (2018) London: Methuen, 224 pp., ISBN 978-1-47253-048-6, h/bk, £67.50; p/bk, £15.29
Serviço Social com perspectiva feminista
Authors: Lisboa Teresa Kleba , Oliveira Catarina Nascimento de
Published: September 2019

O presente artigo objetiva refletir sobre a produção do conhecimento em Serviço Social e sua inter-relação com os Estudos Feministas, com o propósito de contribuir para a construção de novas cartografias de saberes. Amparado na Epistemologia Feminista, o texto busca desvendar as fissuras que avançam no campo do conhecimento, num período de profundas e aceleradas transformações, no sentido de contribuir com propostas teóricas a partir de uma renovada ênfase nas fronteiras interseccionais, transversais, interdisciplinares entre as categorias gênero, raça/etnia, sexualidade, classe, geração entre outras. O percurso argumentativo acompanhará uma sequência de reflexões realizadas ao longo de anos de experiência, tanto na prática acadêmica, como nos trabalhos de campo realizados através de Projetos de Pesquisa e Extensão, mais especificamente, com mulheres atendidas pelas Instituições que possuem em seus quadros profissionais de Serviço Social, mulheres em situação de violência e assessoria em Conselhos de Direitos Municipal e Estadual de Políticas para Mulheres.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Epistemologias Feministas. Gênero. Interseccionalidade. Serviço Social.

 

ABSTRACT

This article aims to reflect on the production of knowledge in Social Work and its interrelationship with Feminist Studies, with the purpose of contributing to the construction of new cartographies of knowledge. Based on Feminist Epistemology, the text seeks to unravel as fissures that advance in the field of knowledge, in a period of profound and accelerated transformations, in the sense of contributing with theoretical proposals from a renewed emphasis on intersectional, transversal, interdisciplinary boundaries between as gender categories, race / ethnicity, sexuality, class, generation, among others. The argumentative course will follow a series of reflections carried out over years of experience, both in academic practice and in the fieldwork carried out through Research and Extension Projects, more specifically, with women attended by the Institutions they have in their professional settings of Social Service, women in situations of violence and evaluation in Councils of Municipal and State Rights of Policies for Women.

KEYWORDS: Feminist Epistemologies. Genre. Intersectionality. Social service.
The relationship between mathematical literacy and visual math literacy self-efficacy perceptions of middle school students
Authors: Katrancı Yasemin , Şengül Sare
Published: September 2019

In this study, the levels of mathematical literacy and visual math literacy self-efficacy perceptions of middle school students and the relationship between them were investigated. For this aim, the study was desgined as a correlational research model. The study group was determined according to convenience sampling. 328 middle school students (5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders) participated in this study with this sampling. In order to collect data, first, “Mathematical Literacy Scale” was developed. It was seen that the scale has just one dimension according to the exploratory factor analysis. It was found that the ratio χ2/df of the scale was found as 2.16 according to confirmatory factor analysis. This value showed that the scale indicates perfect fit. Besides, “A Visual Math Literacy Self-Efficacy Perception Scale” was used in order to measure the visual math literacy self-efficacy perceptions of middle school students. As a result, it was determined that middle school students’ mathematical literacy levels and their visual math literacy self-efficacy perceptions’ level are high. It was found that there is a high positive significant relationship between middle school students’ mathematical literacy and their visual math literacy self-efficacy perceptions.
The Effect of Minimum Noise Fraction on Multispectral Imagery Data for Vegetation Canopy Density Modelling
Authors: Syarif Akbar Muammar , Kumara Ignatius Salivian Wisnu
Published: September 2019

Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) is known as one of the method to minimize noise on hyperspectral imagery. In addition, there are not many studies have tried to show the effect of MNF transform on multispectral data. This study purposes to determine the effect of MNF transform on the accuracy level of vegetation density modeling using 10 meters Sentinel-2A spatial resolution (multispectral data) and to know the cause. The study area is located in parts of Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan. Vegetation density is modelled through vegetation index approach, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The results show that the coefficient correlation of vegetation density data and vegetation index regression after MNF transformation (0.801623) has higher value than the same regression without the MNF (0.794481). However, better correlation does not represent the better accuracy on vegetation density modeling. Accuracy calculation through standard error of estimate shows the use of MNF in multispectral data for vegetation density modeling causes the decrease of model accuracy value. The accuracy of vegetation density model without involving MNF transformation reached 91.402 %, while the model accuracy through MNF transformation before vegetation density modeling reached 90.889 %. The insignificant increased accuracy is occurred due to the limited number of multispectral image information compared to hyperspectral image data.
PERUBAHAN PEMANFAATAN LAHAN PADA KAWASAN PENDIDIKAN TINGGI DAN ASOSIASINYA TERHADAP LALU LINTAS DI KORIDOR SIMPANG TIGA K.H.SIROJUDIN-MULAWARMAN RAYA
Authors: Sihaloho Dearny Aggryeva , Manullang Okto Risdianto
Published: September 2019

Pusat pertumbuhan baru dengan fungsi utama pendidikan tinggi memicu munculnya aktivitas pendukung kawasan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan mahasiswa. Aktivitas pendukung kawasan membawa perubahan fungsi bangunan serta perubahan lahan non-terbangun menjadi lahan terbangun di sekitar kampus terutama pada lahan di sisi akses utama karena memiliki aksesibilitas yang tinggi. Perubahan ini didominasi oleh perdagangan dan jasa dengan bangkitan tarikan yang menambah beban pada jalan. Lahan yang belum dilengkapi ruang parkir akan menambah hambatan samping dan dapat menimbulkan kemacetan. Tipologi perubahan pemanfaatan lahan di koridor terdiri dari warung makan, café, supermarket, toko ATK, toko pakaian, laundry, print/fotocopy, dan kost-an. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan teknik analisis regresi, analisis trip rate, dan analisis komparasi tingkat perjalanan dengan volume lalu lintas. Identifikasi perubahan pemanfaatan lahan 10 tahun terakhir (2008-2018) dilakukan untuk menentukan sampel yang akan dicari datanya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perubahan pemanfaatan lahan yang paling banyak terjadi adalah pada aktivitas warung makan. Jenis aktivitas tersebut berkontribusi 34% terhadap volume lalu lintas di koridor. Identifikasi tingkat perjalanan perdagangan dan jasa menunjukkan prediksi volume lalu lintas yang akan timbul jika perubahan pemanfaatan lahan di sisi akses utama menuju kampus masih terus berlanjut. Tingkat perjalanan aktivitas ini dapat dijadikan bahan pertimbangan oleh stakeholders dalam mengendalikan pemanfaatan ruang di kawasan pendidikan tinggi.
The impact of perceived enjoyment on team effectiveness and individual learning in a blended learning business course: The mediating effect of knowledge sharing
Authors: Lin Chung-Yu , Huang Chung-Kai , Ko Chao-Jung
Published: September 2019

With advances in information and communication technology, blended learning has become an effective approach for highlighting disciplinary effects and accommodating student population diversity. Faculty members in business schools have developed an understanding of design approaches that have evolved and selected appropriate designs for blended courses. This study combines the approaches of blended and team-based learning to support a management course. This study involved 197 undergraduate business students from two Taiwanese universities. Their perceptions of the course were elicited through survey questions. Subsequent quantitative analysis has revealed the relationships among learners’ perceived enjoyment, knowledge sharing, team effectiveness, and perceived individual learning. This study documents education benefits, pedagogical implications, and research limitations in applying this approach to business education. Those points are developed along with recommendations regarding future research directions.
Assessing the digital competence of educators in social studies: An analysis in initial teacher training using the TPACK-21 model
Authors: Miguel-Revilla Diego , Martínez-Ferreira José María , Sánchez-Agustí María
Published: September 2019

Fostering the digital competence of educators is a key aspect that can be addressed in initial teacher training. The TPACK model (Mishra & Koehler, 2006) can be complemented with an approach that takes the Digital Competence of Educators framework (Redecker & Punie, 2017) and 21st century competences into account. This study analysed the practical utility of this conceptual model, and the effectiveness of a teaching intervention in a university setting, during two academic years, with social studies secondary education prospective teachers. Using a quantitative approach and the TPACK-21 questionnaire (Valtonen et al., 2017), the study examined the starting point and evolution of the participants. Results indicate the adequacy of the framework and instrument used and favourable progress towards competence after the assessment of seven factors. Although pre-service teachers showed a low degree of confidence regarding their capabilities of integrating technological with pedagogical and content knowledge, especially in three of the components, this obstacle was overcome after the intervention. It is possible to conclude that the pedagogical and conceptual orientation of the teaching proposal has shown a positive effect, evidencing the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach capable of adapting to the specificity and challenges of social studies education.
Osservazioni semantiche e cronologiche
Authors: Casadei Alberto
Published: September 2019

Der vorliegende Beitrag revidiert die bisherige Forschung zu den Bezügen zwischen Dantes Brief an Malaspina und der sogenannten »canzone Montanina«, um zu klären, zu welchem Zeitpunkt Dante sie vom Casentino aus nach Lunigiana hatte schicken können. Die vorgeschlagene Datierungshypothese (im fortgeschrittenen Jahr 1307) führt zu neuen Erkenntnissen bezüglich Dantes Biographie und seinem Abbruch des Convivio-Projekts.
Culture, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. An Empirical Approach
Authors: Achim Monica Violeta , Borlea Sorin Nicolae , Văidean Viorela Ligia
Published: September 2019

This paper investigates the influence of culture on the level of entrepreneurship and the possible moderating role of the level of economic development upon this relationship. For our purpose, an initial sample of 125 countries (43 high-income and 82 low-income countries) is used, over the 2006–2016 time period. At first, we use a panel analysis of the reduced sample which is furthermore completed by a hierarchical regression analysis. Our main results provide clear evidence that culture represents an important predictor of the level of entrepreneurship. Among the dimensions of culture, uncertainty avoidance and indulgence versus restraint are found to have the highest influence upon the level of entrepreneurship. Moreover, our empirical findings reveal that the relationship between culture and entrepreneurship is moderated differently by economic development. Thus, high-income countries face a three times higher rate of entrepreneurship than low-income countries. Our findings suggest that culture is more valued in high-income countries offering a higher social support in entrepreneurial activities than in low-income countries. We also find that some cultural patterns such as individualism, femininity, low uncertainly avoidance, short-term orientation or restrain may stimulate entrepreneurship in high-income countries but may be very dysfunctional in low-income countries. Our findings are also useful for policy makers to acknowledge the relationship between the cultural values of a country and its entrepreneurial activities, in order to adjust their policy measures for a better stimulation of the business environment.
Estimating the Sequencing of Evacuation Destination and Accommodation Type in Hurricanes
Authors: Damera Abhishek , Gehlot Hemant , Ukkusuri Satish , Murray-Tuite Pamela , Ge Yue , Lee Seungyoon
Published: September 2019

Hurricanes are one of the most dangerous catastrophes faced by the USA. The associated life losses can be reduced by proper planning and estimation of evacuation demand by emergency planners. Traditional evacuation demand estimation involves a sequential process of estimating various decisions such as whether to evacuate or stay, evacuation destination, and accommodation type. The understanding of this sequence is not complete nor restricted to strict sequential ordering. For instance, it is not clear whether the evacuation destination decision is made before the accommodation type decision, or the accommodation type decision is made first or both are simultaneously made. In this paper, we develop a nested logit model to predict the relative ordering of evacuation destination and accommodation type that considers both sequential and simultaneous decision making. Household survey data from Hurricane Matthew is used for computing empirical results. Empirical results underscore the importance of developing a nested structure among various outcomes. In addition to variables related to risk perception and household characteristics, it is found that social networks also affect this decision-making process.
Psychometric performance of the Quality of Life in Short Stature Youth (QoLISSY) questionnaire in a randomized open-label comparator trial in idiopathic short stature
Authors: Bloemeke Janika , Balacano Valdez Richelle , Mauras Nelly , Mericq Veronica , Ross Judith , Permuy Joseph , Quitmann Julia , Bullinger Monika
Published: September 2019

Background

In addition to increasing linear growth, improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important endpoint in the treatment of short statured youth. Hence, condition-specific psychometric valid instruments that adequately assess HRQOL are needed. We aimed to confirmatorily examine the psychometric performance of the Quality of Life in Short Stature Youth (QoLISSY) questionnaire used in a previously reported prospective randomized open-label trial.

Methods

This trial compared treatment of idiopathic short stature (ISS) in 76 adolescent males with either oral aromatase inhibitors (AIs), subcutaneous daily growth hormone (GH) or a combination treatment (AI/GH) for at least 2 years, demonstrating improvements in HRQOL with the GH and AI/GH interventions. HRQOL was assessed from the child’s and parent’s perspectives with the short stature-specific QoLISSY and the generic KIDSCREEN questionnaires before and 24 months into treatment. Scale scores and psychometric properties were examined regarding reliability and validity of the QoLISSY questionnaire using the dataset from the published trial.

Results

The QoLISSY questionnaire showed high internal consistency and satisfactory criterion, convergent and known-groups validity. Scale scores were evenly distributed with no major floor or ceiling effects. Responsiveness analyses suggest that the QoLISSY questionnaire detects significant changes in HRQOL after 2 years of treatment with growth-promoting therapies in children with short stature from both the child’s and parent’s perspectives.

Conclusions

The QoLISSY questionnaire is a psychometrically sound, reliable and valid instrument that can explore the experiences associated with short stature, track HRQOL changes over time and in response to treatment, and highlight HRQOL domains that can be improved through intervention.
Kinematic Differences in Shoulder Roll and Hip Roll at Different Front Crawl Speeds in National Level Swimmers
Authors: Andersen Jordan T. , Sinclair Peter J. , McCabe Carla B. , Sanders Ross H.
Published: September 2019

Andersen, JT, Sinclair, PJ, McCabe, CB, and Sanders, RH. Kinematic differences in shoulder roll and hip roll at different front crawl speeds in National Level Swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 34(1): 20–25, 2020—Dry-land strength training is a common component of swimming programs; however, its efficacy is contentious. A common criticism of dry-land strength training for swimming is a lack of specificity. An understanding of movement patterns in swimming can enable dry-land strength training programs to be developed to elicit adaptations that transfer to improvements in swimming performance. This study aimed to quantify the range and velocity of hip roll, shoulder roll, and torso twist (produced by differences in the relative angle between shoulder roll and hip roll) in front crawl at different swimming speeds. Longitudinal torso kinematics was compared between sprint and 400-m pace front crawl using 3D kinematics of 13 elite Scottish front crawl specialists. The range (sprint: 78.1°; 400 m: 61.3°) and velocity of torso twist (sprint: 166.3°·s−1; 400 m: 96.9°·s−1) were greater at sprint than 400-m pace. These differences were attributed to reductions in hip roll (sprint: 36.8°; 400 m: 49.9°) without corresponding reductions in shoulder roll (sprint: 97.7°; 400 m: 101.6°) when subjects swam faster. Shoulder roll velocity (sprint: 190.9°·s−1; 400 m: 139.2°·s−1) and hip roll velocity (sprint: 75.5°·s−1; 400 m: 69.1°·s−1) were greater at sprint than 400-m pace due to a higher stroke frequency at sprint pace (sprint: 0.95 strokes·s−1; 400 m: 0.70 strokes·s−1). These findings imply that torques acting to rotate the upper torso and the lower torso are greater at sprint than 400-m pace. Dry-land strength training specificity can be improved by designing exercises that challenge the torso muscles to reproduce the torques required to generate the longitudinal kinematics in front crawl.
Weight-Cutting Implications for Competition Outcomes in Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting
Authors: Brechney Grant C. , Chia Eevon , Moreland Ashleigh T.
Published: September 2019

Brechney, GC, Chia, E, and Moreland, AT. Weight-cutting implications for competition outcomes in mixed martial arts cage fighting. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3420–3424, 2021—Weight cutting is common among amateur and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) competitors because of the belief that it provides an advantage in combat sports. This study aimed to identify whether fight outcome (win vs. loss vs. type of loss) was influenced by magnitudes of body mass (BM) lost through weight cutting and BM regained before the fight after official weigh-in in amateur and professional MMA athletes with previous weight-cutting experience. Body mass data were collected using self-report from 75 MMA athletes (59 amateur and 16 professional) before commencing weight-cutting practices 7 days before weigh-in, by the regulating body at their official weigh-in 24 hours before the fight and through direct measurement immediately before competition. Data were analyzed according to win; loss by technical knockout or knockout (KO); loss by submission; or loss by the judge's decision. Athletes who lost their fight cut significantly more BM (10.6%) compared with athletes who won (8.6%) (p = 0.04, d = 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02–0.93), but there were no differences between types of loss. There were no significant differences in recovered BM between athletes who won (6.8%) vs. lost (7.4%), or type of loss. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between greater magnitudes of BM cut and greater likelihood of losing the fight (B = −0.12, P = 0.048), odd ratio 0.89 (95% CI: 0.79–1.00). This study provides the first line of evidence that excessive weight cutting may be detrimental to fight outcome in MMA.
Diversity of Ocular Dominance Patterns in Visual Cortex Originates from Variations in Local Cortical Retinotopy
Authors: Najafian Sohrab , Jin Jianzhong , Alonso Jose-Manuel
Published: September 2019

The primary visual cortex contains a detailed map of retinal stimulus position (retinotopic map) and eye input (ocular dominance map) that results from the precise arrangement of thalamic afferents during cortical development. For reasons that remain unclear, the patterns of ocular dominance are very diverse across species and can take the shape of highly organized stripes, convoluted beads, or no pattern at all. Here, we use a new image-processing algorithm to measure ocular dominance patterns more accurately than in the past. We use these measurements to demonstrate that ocular dominance maps follow a common organizing principle that makes the cortical axis with the slowest retinotopic gradient orthogonal to the ocular dominance stripes. We demonstrate this relation in multiple regions of the primary visual cortex from individual animals, and different species. Moreover, consistent with the increase in the retinotopic gradient with visual eccentricity, we demonstrate a strong correlation between eccentricity and ocular dominance stripe width. We also show that an eye/polarity grid emerges within the visual cortical map when the representation of light and dark stimuli segregates along an axis orthogonal to the ocular dominance stripes, as recently demonstrated in cats. Based on these results, we propose a developmental model of visual cortical topography that sorts thalamic afferents by eye input and stimulus polarity, and then maximizes the binocular retinotopic match needed for depth perception and the light-dark retinotopic mismatch needed to process stimulus orientation. In this model, the different ocular dominance patterns simply emerge from differences in local retinotopic cortical topography.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThalamocortical afferents segregate in primary visual cortex by eye input and light-dark polarity. This afferent segregation forms cortical patterns that vary greatly across species for reasons that remain unknown. Here we show that the formation of ocular dominance patterns follows a common organizing principle across species that aligns the cortical axis of ocular dominance segregation with the axis of slowest retinotopic gradient. Based on our results, we propose a model of visual cortical topography that sorts thalamic afferents by eye input and stimulus polarity along orthogonal axes with the slowest and fastest retinotopic gradients, respectively. This organization maximizes the binocular retinotopic match needed for depth perception and the light-dark retinotopic mismatch needed to process stimulus orientation in carnivores and primates.
Spiders by Night: An Outdoor Investigation Integrating Next Generation Science Standards
Authors: Craven Kathryn S. , Collier Alex , Hodgson Jay Y. S.
Published: September 2019

Field investigations represent an excellent opportunity to integrate the Next Generation Science Standards to complement and enhance both classroom and laboratory instruction. This inquiry-based exercise is designed to introduce students to the basic anatomy, ecology, and natural history of a common backyard denizen, the wolf spider (Lycosidae). Students are charged with developing one or more testable hypotheses regarding wolf spiders in their own backyards. Wolf spiders are an ideal subject for field investigation because their secondary eyes possess a highly reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum. At night, this layer produces an unmistakable “eyeshine” when viewed with the beam of a flashlight. Playing the role of students, we tested the hypothesis that wolf spiders should occur at higher density in an undeveloped field than in a typical backyard. To test this, we utilized random quadrat sampling in both habitats using flashlights to detect nocturnal eyeshine. Students obtaining similar results would likely have concluded that wolf spiders were more abundant in natural habitats.
Slime Mold Quarantine: An Engineering-Design-Integrated Biology Unit
Authors: Holder Taylor , Pottmeyer Laura , Mumba Frackson
Published: September 2019

Students often find it challenging to learn about complex and abstract biological processes. Using the engineering design process, which involves designing, building, and testing prototypes, can help students visualize the processes and anchor ideas from lab activities. We describe an engineering-design-integrated biology unit designed for high school students in which they learn about the properties of slime molds, the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and the iterative nature of the engineering design process. Using the engineering design process, students were successful in quarantining the slime mold from the non-inoculated oats. A t-test revealed statistically significant differences in students' understanding of slime mold characteristics, the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and the engineering design process before and after the unit. Overall, students demonstrated sound understanding of the biology core ideas and engineering design skills inherent in this unit.
BORSA İSTANBUL TEKNOLOJİ ENDEKSİ (XUTEK) İŞLETMELERİNİN SOSYAL MEDYA KULLANIMLARI İLE FİNANSAL PERFORMANSLARININ DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: ÖZDEMİR Ali , TEMİZEL Fatih , ESEN Ethem
Published: September 2019

Finansal iletişim sermaye piyasalarındaki değerlemelerde önemli etkiye sahiptir. Adil piyasa değerine ulaşılmasında paydaşların zamanın ruhuna uygun biçimde bilgilendirilmesi gerekmektedir. Fayda-maliyet dengesini gözeten etkin yaklaşımlar teknolojik gelişmeler çerçevesinde yeniden tanımlanmaktadır. Çalışmanın konusunu oluşturan sosyal medya bu kapsamda ele alınmıştır. Çalışmada teknoloji sektörü işletmelerinin sosyal medyadaki varlıkları ile piyasa değerleri ve seçili finansal göstergelerle izlenen performansları değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmanın bulguları işletmelerin sosyal medya araçlarından en çok Facebook’ta hesap oluşturduklarını ortaya koymaktadır. En az tercih edilen sosyal medya aracı ise Youtube olarak belirlenmiştir. Sosyal medyayı aktif kullanan işletmelerin piyasa değeri ortalaması kullanmayanlardan daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Bu durum, piyasa değeri yüksek olan işletmelerin, sosyal medyada daha aktif konumda olduklarını göstermektedir. Buna karşın sosyal medya kullanımı ile finansal performans göstergeleri arasında benzer bir ilişki gözlenmemiştir.