bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite Element Analysis of Fixation System Influence on the Thoracolumbar Spine Stability
Authors: Szkoda Klaudia , Pezowicz Celina
Published: January 2016

All segments of the spine are characterized by a corresponding curvature in the sagittal plane and different geometrical parameters of vertebrae, which affects the complicated structure of transition between subsequent segments. The aim of the study was to assess changes occurring in the thoracolumbar spine, as a result of application of the transpedicular fixation. The research was conducted on finite element model, which was constructed on the basis of CT images. Five different configurations of the model were analyzed: focusing on vertebral compression fractures and degeneration of intervertebral discs. The analysis showed that the highest displacement occurred for a segment with intervertebral disc degeneration. Transpedicular fixation of injured thoracolumbar spine is given the opportunity to improve the stability and stiffness of the segment under consideration.
Analysis of the Boundary Problem with the Preference of Mass Flow
Authors: Kyncl Martin , Pelant Jaroslav
Published: January 2016

We work with the numerical solution of the turbulent compressible gas flow, and we focus on the numerical solution of these equations, and on the boundary conditions, particularly on the outlet boundary condition with the preference of given mass flow. Usually, the boundary problem is being linearized, or roughly approximated. The inaccuracies implied by these simplifications may be small, but it has a huge impact on the solution in the whole studied area, especially for the non-stationary flow. The boundary condition with the preference of mass flow is sometimes being implemented with the use of some iterative process, guessing the correct values (for the pressure, density, velocity) in order to match the given mass flow through the boundary. In our approach we try to be as exact as possible, using our own original procedures. We follow the exact solution of the initial-value problem for the system of hyperbolic partial differential equations. This complicated problem is modified at the close vicinity of boundary, where the conservation laws are supplied with the additional boundary conditions. We complement the boundary problem suitably, and we show the analysis of the resulting uniquely-solvable modified Riemann problem.The resulting algorithm was coded and used within our own developed code for the solution of the compressible gas flow (the Euler, NS, and RANS equations). The examples show good behaviour of the analyzed boundary condition.
Application of the DOProC Method in Solving Reliability Problems
Authors: Krejsa Martin , Janas Petr , Krejsa Vlastimil
Published: January 2016

The Direct Optimized Probabilistic Calculation (DOProC) is originally developed as one way of solving probabilistic problems which don't use any simulation technique. DOProC is based on general terms and procedures used in probabilistic theories. Input random quantities (such as the load, geometry, material properties, or imperfections) are in DOProC method expressed by the parametric or empirical distribution in histograms. DOProC applications are processed in ProbCalc software, in which the calculation model under analysis can be expressed analytically as a sign arithmetic expression or can be expressed using code from the dynamic library. The method requires high-performing information systems for complex tasks. Therefore, efforts have been made to optimize calculations in order to reduce the number of operations, keeping, at the same time, reliable calculation results. The paper will also focus on other special software applications that are able to assess the reliability of bearing structures with respect to fatigue damage or underground works with anchors.
Reliability of Approach Slabs and Modelling of Transition Zones of Bridges
Authors: Laco Kamil , Borzovič Viktor
Published: January 2016

The approach slab is the structural member of transition zones, which compensates a different settlement of bridge abutment and a road embankment. The main reason of different settlement is the consolidation of soil under the slab and the abutment. The geometry of approach slab, its length and the thickness is defined on the basis of differential settlement of embankment and the abutment. The static behaviour of slab is defined as a slab on elastic soil. The reinforced concrete slab is supported with the line rigid support on the one edge, and the rest of slab area interacts with the soil. The civil engineers design the reinforcement in those slabs based on the simplified structural scheme, without considering the elastic area support. This scheme is the simple supported slab on the both ends.
The paper is dealing with the comparing of different structural models of the reinforced concrete approach slabs. The complex models of transition zones with the brick elements of the soil and the interaction with the reinforced concrete slab with the soil embankment are compared with the simplified models used by civil engineers. The analysis was performed on the transition zone of highway bridge from Slovakia based on its geometry and the subsoil consistence. In the parametric study was compared 8 soil stiffness’s on 10 structural models.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Concrete Slender Columns by Stability Failure
Authors: Benko Vladimír , Fillo Ľudovít , Kendický Peter , Knapcová Veronika
Published: January 2016

The European Standard [1] for design of concrete compressed slender members shows a significant deficit in global reliability for the design method based on non-linear analysis. The experimental investigation at the Faculty of Civil Engineering SUT in Bratislava was planned for slender concrete columns made of different concrete strength classes - C45/55, C70/85 and C100/115. A basic aim of the analysis was to design concrete columns subjected to bending moment and axial force where the stability failure proceeds at the compression strain 1.5 ‰. The first of three series of experimental and numerical analyzed columns is presented in the paper. The experiments were realized at the Faculty of Civil Engineering SUT in Bratislava with cooperation of ZIPP Bratislava LTD Company.
Punching Resistance of Flat Slabs
Authors: Fillo Ľudovít , Augustín Tomáš , Hanzel Ján , Knapcová Veronika
Published: January 2016

Results of the latest experiments have revealed that the maximum punching resistance defined from crushing of concrete struts at the perimeter of a column in EC2 is an insufficient criterion for limitation of maximum shear forces at the vicinity of the columns. Therefore further limitation has been introduced in TC 250 SC2 and also included in NA of Eurocodes.
Assessment of Cast-Iron Columns Using Analytical Models
Authors: Brych Ivan , Sýkora Miroslav
Published: January 2016

The paper focuses on the assessment of cast-iron columns in industrial heritage structures. For cast-iron structures it is difficult to verify metallurgical composition and processing technology, which directly affect the geometry of cross-sections. The crucial issue of reliability of cast-iron structures is their brittle fracture in tension at higher slenderness ratios. The load carrying capacity of columns is affected by their stability and cast-iron strength in compression and tension. Outcomes of two recently proposed analytical models are compared with extensive experimental data and model uncertainty is quantified. It appears that the model is in a good agreement with experimental data and provides reasonably conservative estimates of load carrying capacity. Outcomes of the study may provide basis for foreseen improvements in calculating buckling coefficient according to ČSN 730038:2014.
Scissor bite correction for the second molars using simplified RM appliance
Authors: Mittal Rekha , Patel Sugnesh , Sharma Karan
Published: January 2016

Correction of scissor bite often become a challenging task due to repetitive bonding failure and dependence on patient cooperation in wearing elastics.This article reports the successful treatment method of scissor bite using a simplified RM appliance.
Assessment of the River Water Pollution Levels in Kuantan, Malaysia, Using Ion-Exclusion Chromatographic Data, Water Quality Indices, and Land Usage Patterns
Authors: Kozaki Daisuke , Rahim Mohd Hasbi bin Ab. , Ishak Wan Mohd Faizal bin Wan , Yusoff Mashitah M. , Mori Masanobu , Nakatani Nobutake , Tanaka Kazuhiko
Published: January 2016

Water qualities of three suburban rivers, namely, Kuantan, Belat, and Galing rivers, in Kuantan, Malaysia, were examined effectively by using ion-exclusion/cation-exchange chromatography with water quality indices and land usage data. Specifically, we have focused on evaluating and grasping the effect of sewage/household wastewater discharged from housing areas in the Kuantan district on the river water quality. Based on this study, the following beneficial information were obtained effectively: (1) the pollution levels in the three rivers (Kuantan River: Classes I–III, Belat River: Classes I–III, and Galing River: Classes I–V) are linked with the urbanization level of the river basin area; (2) differences in the biological reactions in the different pollution level rivers are understood; (3) Galing River is among the most polluted rivers not only in Kuantan but also in the Peninsular Malaysia, owing to poor water treatment of the sewage/household wastewater discharged from the river basin area.
Parental Support, Mental Health, and Alcohol and Marijuana Use in National and High-Risk African-American Adolescent Samples
Authors: Maslowsky Julie , Schulenberg John , Chiodo Lisa M. , Hannigan John H. , Greenwald Mark K. , Janisse James , Sokol Robert J. , Delaney-Black Virginia
Published: January 2016

African-American adolescents experience disproportionate rates of negative consequences of substance use despite using substances at average or below-average rates. Due to underrepresentation of African-American adolescents in etiological literature, risk and protective processes associated with their substance use require further study. This study examines the role of parental support in adolescents’ conduct problems (CPs), depressive symptoms (DSs), and alcohol and marijuana use in a national sample and a high-risk sample of African-American adolescents. In both samples, parental support was inversely related to adolescent CPs, DSs, and alcohol and marijuana use. CPs, but not DSs, partially mediated the relation of parental support to substance use. Results were consistent across the national and high-risk samples, suggesting that the protective effect of parental support applies to African-American adolescents from a range of demographic backgrounds.
SL$_2 (\mathbb Z)$-tilings of the torus, Coxeter–Conway friezes and Farey triangulations
Authors: Morier-Genoud Sophie , Ovsienko Valentin , Tabachnikov Serge
Published: January 2016

The notion of SL

_2

-tiling is a generalization of that of classical Coxeter–Conway frieze pattern. We classify doubly antiperiodic SL

_2

-tilings that contain a rectangular domain of positive integers. Every such SL

_2

-tiling corresponds to a pair of frieze patterns and a unimodular

2 \times 2

-matrix with positive integer coefficients. We relate this notion to triangulated

n

-gons in the Farey graph.
Development of a hybrid fuzzy genetic algorithm model for solving transportation scheduling problem
Authors: Lau H.C.W , Nakandala Dilupa , Zhao Li
Published: January 2016

There has been an increasing public demand for passenger rail service in the recent times leading to a strong focus on the need for effective and efficient use of resources and managing the increasing passenger requirements, service reliability and variability by the railway management. Whilst shortening the passengers’ waiting and travelling time is important for commuter satisfaction, lowering operational costs is equally important for railway management. Hence, effective and cost optimised train scheduling based on the dynamic passenger demand is one of the main issues for passenger railway management. Although the passenger railway scheduling problem has received attention in operations research in recent years, there is limited literature investigating the adoption of practical approaches that capitalize on the merits of mathematical modeling and search algorithms for effective cost optimization. This paper develops a hybrid fuzzy logic based genetic algorithm model to solve the multi-objective passenger railway scheduling problem aiming to optimize total operational costs at a satisfactory level of customer service. This hybrid approach integrates genetic algorithm with the fuzzy logic approach which uses the fuzzy controller to determine the crossover rate and mutation rate in genetic algorithm approach in the optimization process. The numerical study demonstrates the improvement of the proposed hybrid approach, and the fuzzy genetic algorithm has demonstrated its effectiveness to generate better results than standard genetic algorithm and other traditional heuristic approaches, such as simulated annealing.
A Conceptual Multidimensional Model for Assessing Smart Sustainable Cities
Authors: Al Nasrawi Sukaina A , Adams Carl , El-Zaart Ali
Published: January 2016

The concept of Smart Sustainable Cities (SSC) is gaining increasing attention by the countries around the globe, particularly in response to potential future environmental challenges and increased proportion of populations living in cities. Several countries claim to have implemented or in the process of implementing SSCs, and there are many models that can be used to measure how 'smart' the initiatives and cities are. This paper critically evaluates the main models to measure city smartness and identifies deficiencies, namely that they are not sensitive to the needs, resources, priorities and wider context for individual cities. The paper suggests a multidimensional methodological model that assists in evaluating the smartness level of a city while being sensitive to its context. It provides further contribution by combining sustainable and smart attributes of a city.
Competitive advantage of a franchisee in the software market: the case of Totvs
Authors: Matoso Joelson Obregão , Abib Gustavo
Published: January 2016

In highly competitive technology markets, such as the market in which Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) service providers do business, it has become of fundamental importance to understand the factors that create competitive advantages. This paper presents the support from the theoretical frameworks offered by the Resource-based View (RBV) and the Market-based View (MBV) to attempt to explain the competitive advantage held by Totvs Curitiba, a franchise of Totvs, which in turn is a Brazilian company that is a market leader in ERP service provision. In methodological terms, this is a Case Study for which data was collected during interviews and by observation and review of secondary documentary sources. The results suggest that the franchise's market-leading position was built on a relationship, which is identifiable in the results of this study, between the strategies adopted, resources controlled and competences developed.
Fatores determinantes da estrutura de capital de empresas brasileiras de tecnologia
Authors: Sant´Ana Camila Freitas , Silva Tarcísio Pedro da
Published: January 2016

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os fatores determinantes da estrutura de capital de empresas brasileiras de tecnologia. A pesquisa caracterizou-se como descritiva, documental e quantitativa, composta por 21 empresas dos setores de comunicações, telecomunicações e indústria digital, conforme classificação da Revista Exame. A análise estabeleceu-se no período de 2009 a 2013 por meio de regressão de dados em painel. Os resultados indicam que a taxa de crescimento do capital e o tipo de controle apresentam uma relação positiva com o endividamento geral e de longo prazo. Entretanto, observou-se que o tamanho da empresa, a rentabilidade e o tipo de capital apontam uma relação negativa com a estrutura de capital.
Sustainability of earth building materials - Environmental product declarations as an instrument of competition in building material industry
Authors: Schroeder Horst , Lemke Manfred
Published: January 2016

The evaluation of the building process in terms of their environmental impact in all life cycle phases of a building leads to the key principle of sustainable building: the analysis of the life cycle of the materials used in a building. The goal of this analysis is to reduce waste and keep the environmental impact as low as possible by “closing” the cycle. During an inventory, the entire life cycle is assessed. This includes the sourcing and extracting of the raw material, the use of the raw material to produce building products, elements and structures, the use in finished buildings including emission of pollutants, decay and maintenance, and, finally, the demolition of the building and the recycling of the demolition materials. Transportation between the individual phases as well as production-related material and energy flows are also included in this evaluation.

Several European and national norms and regulations define core rules and a special instrument for the evaluation of the sustainable quality of a building product based on a quantitative analysis of the life cycle of the materials used in a building: the Environmental Product Declaration EPD. These documents are voluntary standards, commitments or guarantees for building products. They are provided by producers, organizations and quality assurance associations in order to establish the “environmental performance” of buildings in the form of a certificate. Such declarations must fully include all phases of the life cycle of a product by describing the environmental impact during production and use as well as possible health hazards for the users.

Until now, EPDs for earth building products do not exist. This paper will give current information about a project for developing EPDs for earth mortars and earth blocks started by the German Dachverband Lehm e.V. (DVL).
Design strategies for integration of green roofs in sustainable housing
Authors: Friedman Avi
Published: January 2016

Green roofs are the integration of plant material and its supporting structures in buildings. Such an approach provides a habitat for local flora and fauna, helps manage storm water, reduces heat demand in winter and the cooling load in the summer, enhances the aesthetic values of dwellings, provides the occupants with comfort and amenities and strengthens environmental responsibility. Because roofs represent approximately 40 percent to 50 percent of the surfaces in urban areas, green roofs have an important role in drainage and as a result water management as well. In fact, when a green roof is installed on 50 percent or more of the roof’s surface, it guarantees 2 points and can contribute 7 additional points toward LEED certification - almost 20 percent of the required rating. This paper classifies green roofs and offers strategies for their integration in residential buildings and examines their benefits, construction principles and applications.
Technology Usage of Tennessee Agriculture Teachers
Authors: Cley Michael D. , Warner Wendy J. , Stair Kristin S. , Flowers James L. , Croom D. Barry
Published: January 2016

This study examined the accessibility and use of instructional technologies by agriculture teachers in Tennessee. Data were collected using a survey instrument to investigate teachers’ adoption of technology, sources of acquired technology skills, accessibility and use of technological equipment, and barriers to technology integration. The study found Tennessee agriculture teachers have been slow to adopt technologies for classroom use. Many of the teachers had limited access to the various technologies. Over half of the teachers did not have access to new educational technologies such as a Smartboard, student response clickers, iPads, iPods, or smartphones. Additionally, there was limited access to most social networks, several web tools, a commercial learning management system, and social bookmarking sites. Cost, time, and availability of technology were recognized as barriers to technology integration. It is recommended further research be conducted on a larger scale to examine technology integration in agriculture classrooms. As well, classroom observations and interviews with teachers and administrators can provide a more in-depth understanding of current technology usage in agricultural education.
Gendering Agricultural Education: A Study of Historical Pictures of Women in the Agricultural Education Magazine
Authors: Enns Kellie J. , Martin Michael J.
Published: January 2016

The emergence of women agriculture teachers over the past 50 years has opened opportunities while revealing issues which females still face in agricultural education. Issues such as lack of female role models, gender stereotyping, and gender bias have been documented in agricultural education research. The purpose of this study was to explore the history of women’s roles in vocational agriculture through the photographs of the Agricultural Education Magazine from 1929-1969. We utilized visual research methods to explore how women were represented in the photographs. We found 355 photographs with women in the pictures, 70 of those photographs met our criteria for visual analysis, and 17 photographs were included in the manuscript. The photographs showed women working in highly gendered roles as well as women breaking into typically male dominated roles. The photographs highlighted some of the first female vocational agriculture students and female student teachers. These women should be viewed as important pioneers in vocational agriculture. Nonetheless, the women in the photographs had various gendered roles which often conflicted with their acceptance in the profession.
Eamining Year-long Leadership Gains in FFA Members by Prior FFA Involvement, Class Year, and Gender
Authors: Rosch David , Simonsen Jon C. , Velez Jonathan J.
Published: January 2016

Students (N = 160) in three diverse FFA chapters were surveyed in early fall, midwinter, and late spring in regard to their leadership skills, confidence in leading, and motivation to engage in leadership-oriented behaviors. The results indicated small-to-moderate gains in transformational leadership skill and a marginally significant small-to-moderate decrease in “social-normative” motivation to lead, i.e., motivation based on a feeling of responsibility towards one’s organization. Further analysis revealed that students exhibit a moderate decrease in non-calculative motivation to lead in the spring semester. Female students made significant gains in transformational leadership skill and marginally significant gains in their leadership self-efficacy and transactional leadership skill as well as showed a decrease in their social normative motivation to lead. No changes emerged in the male students. Analysis by class year showed that juniors in high school made larger gains in overall capacity than in other class years, especially in their confidence in leading their peers. Prior FFA involvement did not emerge as a significant predictor of leadership development. These results imply the need for focused training of FFA advisors in regard to the leadership growth of students and, potentially, in the administration of opportunities for leadership.
Factors Contributing to Attrition as Reported by Leavers of Secondary Agriculture Programs
Authors: Lemons Laura L. , Brashears M. Todd , Burris Scott , Meyers Courtney , Price Margaret A.
Published: January 2016

There exists in our profession a persistent shortage of quality teachers in our high school agricultural education classrooms. A multitude of studies have identified challenges faced by agriculture teachers, however, few, if any, have investigated reasons for attrition by directly asking leavers why they left. This study sought to identify reasons for leaving the profession as perceived by former high school agriculture teachers. Nine former secondary agriculture teachers were interviewed. Themes emerging from this qualitative case study include 1) passions for the profession, 2) alternative opportunities, 3) expectations, 4) burdens, retrospectively and 5) people. Teachers were passionate about their students, their content area and competition inherent in agricultural education. All of the participants had chosen to accept alternative employment opportunities. Former teachers recalled having high expectations for themselves and their career, and perceiving others to have high expectations as well. The teachers recalled the burdens of their job retrospectively, and people played an integral role in their career as well as their decision to leave the profession. Former teachers were satisfied while teaching, but found greater benefit in alternative opportunities. Recommendations include encouraging realistic expectations, developing mentor programs for novice teachers, and strengthening the benefits of remaining in the profession.
In-service Training Needs of Agriculture Teachers for Preparing Them to Be Effective in the 21st Century
Authors: Davis R. Jason , Jayaratne K. S. U.
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this descriptive survey research study conducted with agriculture teachers in North Carolina was to determine their in-service training needs in order to be effective for preparing students with the 21st century skills necessary for students to be successful. This study reaffirms the need for continuation of leadership education as an important skill and integration of reading, writing, and math concepts into all agricultural education curricula for preparing students to be successful in the 21st century. The role of agriculture in global food security; application of problem-based learning; planning and delivering lessons to utilize higher order thinking skills; teaching leadership skills; and development of teamwork and student collaboration were identified as the five most important in-service training needs for preparing agriculture teachers to be effective educators. Findings of this study are limited to North Carolina agriculture teachers. This limitation of applying findings for other states should be addressed by conducting a study with a diverse sample of agriculture teachers across the nation.
The Effect of Strategic Message Selection on Residents' Intent to Conserve Water in the Landscape
Authors: Warner Laura A. , Rumble Joy , Martin Emmett , Lamm Alexa J. , Cantrell Randall
Published: January 2016

Changing individuals’ behaviors is a critical challenge for Extension professionals who encourage good irrigation practices and technologies for landscape water conservation. Multiple messages were used to influence two predictors of behavioral intent informed by the theory of planned behavior, Florida residents’ (N = 1,063) attitude and perceived behavioral control. Individuals were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, each receiving a different strategically framed message. This article contributes to the literature on landscape water consumption behaviors by (a) demonstrating that messages can be used to positively affect both attitude and perceived behavioral control and (b) identifying specific message frames that may be used to realize greater impact. Two gain-framed message treatments both significantly increased participants’ attitude and perceived behavioral control, and one of the loss-framed messages significantly increased participants’ attitude. Results are discussed with practical application to promotion of landscape water-conservation behaviors and implications for future research.
Cooperating Teachers' Perspectives of Student Teaching Skills and Activities
Authors: Smalley Scott W. , Retallick Michael S. , Paulsen Thomas H.
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which cooperating teachers deem required student teaching skills and activities relevant to the agricultural education student teaching experience. The population for this descriptive study consisted of individuals who served as cooperating teachers in Iowa and South Dakota during the last 5 years (N = 70). The study focused on activities in eight constructs: evaluation of student performance, teaching, FFA, planning instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), teaching profession, school–community relations, and adult education. Cooperating teachers surveyed in this study believed that seven of the eight constructs were very relevant to the student teaching experience. They thought the eighth construct, adult education, was irrelevant. This study serves as a feedback loop to university agricultural education student teaching coordinators. Since cooperating teachers exert a powerful influence on practices adopted by student teachers, it is critical that training for cooperating teachers emphasizes the importance of skills and activities required during the capstone student teaching experience. Agricultural education programs nationwide can use these results as guidelines when reviewing expectations for student teaching and cooperating teachers.
The Relationships between Agriculture Knowledge Bases for Teaching and Sources of Knowledge
Authors: Rice Amber H. , Kitchel Tracy
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to describe the agriculture knowledge bases for teaching of agriculture teachers and to see if a relationship existed between years of teaching experience, sources of knowledge, and development of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), using quantitative methods. A model of PCK from mathematics was utilized as a framework to guide the study. On the job teaching experience, teacher preparation program, high school agriculture experience, previous agriculturally related jobs and internships, internet and other media, and professional development were all reported as effective sources of content knowledge. All six of the PCK knowledge constructs were perceived by teachers as possessing them to a fair extent. The content knowledge constructs were rated higher on average than the PCK constructs. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were utilized to determine if linear relationships existed between perceived PCK bases and sources of content knowledge. Four of the PCK knowledge constructs yielded statistically significant predictive models. Six of the seven sources of content knowledge were significant predictors for at least one of the constructs. Future research should include going beyond teachers’ perceptions and measuring PCK and examination into the process from the sources of content knowledge to the development of PCK.
Effective Practices in STEM Integrtion: Describing Teacher Perceptions and Instructional Method Use
Authors: Smith Kasee L. , Rayfield John , McKim Billy R.
Published: January 2016

Career and Technical Education (CTE), including agricultural education, has been suggested as a platform for delivering Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM) content in secondary classrooms (Stone, 2011). The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe agriculture teachers’ perceptions and confidence levels for integrating the four STEM disciplines in agricultural education courses, along with perceptions and use of instructional methods for STEM integration. A stratified random sample (n =280) was drawn from agriculture teachers in three states (N =1,049), one state representing each of the American Association for Agricultural Education regions. Overall, teachers perceived each of the four components of STEM integration as important. Teachers had high levels of confidence in integrating science and mathematics, and reported lower confidence levels for technology and engineering. Although teachers reported spending most of their teaching time in lecture (M = 23.46; SD = 15.34) and ranked lecture first in overall confidence, lecture ranked seventh out of ten in effectiveness for student learning. Differences existed between gender and confidence integrating engineering, and perceptions of instructional method effectiveness. Results of this study suggest stakeholder examination of instructional methods which are most effective at integrating STEM concepts, and investigate how to increase teacher confidence with effective instructional methods for STEM concepts.
Game Method in Preschool English Teaching
Authors: Yu Wan-Chuan
Published: January 2016

Interest is a great motivation for the study of almost everything, particularly for L2 study. To preschool students, games are quite attractive. Therefore game method is a good way to help students to learn English, especially in kindergartens. It fits the characteristics of preschool students, providing learning motivation, lowering students’ stress and offering the opportunity for real communication. Nowadays, more and more teachers are using games effectively in class to improve their teaching. In order to apply game method effectively in teaching English in kindergartens, games must be designed purposeful, interesting, various, heuristic and student-oriented. During the course of games (pre-games, in games and post-games), some details should be paid more attention to.
Relaciones de la resiliencia con el autoconcepto y el Apoyo Social Percibido en una muestra de adolescentes
Authors: Rodríguez-Fernández Arantzazu , Ramos-Díaz Estibaliz , Ros Iker , Fernández-Zabala Arantza
Published: January 2016

ResumenEl estudio científico de la resiliencia constituye en la actualidad una temática de gran interés en el ámbito de la psicología al aportar una renovada y positiva visión del desarrollo humano.  Determinar los factores individuales y contextuales que influyen sobre la resiliencia durante la etapa evolutiva de la adolescencia resulta esencial para promover el ajuste de los adolescentes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue, en primer lugar, explorar las relaciones de la resiliencia con el autoconcepto y el apoyo social percibido; y, en segundo lugar, identificar variables predictoras de la resiliencia. La muestra estaba configurada por 1.250 adolescentes (M = 13.72, DT = 1.09). Se administraron los siguientes instrumentos de evaluación: la Escala de Resiliencia de Connor y Davidson (CD-RISC), el Cuestionario Autoconcepto Dimensional (AUDIM), el Cuestionario de Apoyo Social Percibido de Familia y Amigos (AFA) y la Escala de Apoyo del Profesorado (HBSC-2006). Se hallaron correlaciones positivas de la resiliencia con el autoconcepto y el apoyo social percibido, así como una variación significativa en las puntuaciones de ambas variables en función de la resiliencia. El autoconcepto y el apoyo social percibido fueron identificados como predictores de la resiliencia.  AbstractThe scientific study of resilience is a subject of great interest in the field of psychology to providea new and positive view of human capacity. The identification of individual and contextual factors that influence the resilience during the developmental stage of adolescence, is necessary to promote the adjustment of adolescentes. The study had a double purpose: Firstly, to analyze the relations between resilience and variables such as self-concept and social support. Secondly, to identify variables that predict resilience. The sample is made up of 1250 adolescents (M = 13.72, SD = 1.09). Using a descriptive and correlational design, three assessment instruments were administered: the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Multidimensional Self-Concept Questionnaire (AUDIM), the Perceived Social Support from Family and Friends Questionnaire (AFA) and the Teacher Social Suppport Scale (HBSC-2010). Positive correlations between self-concept and social support with resilience were founded. Test scores of self-concept and social support varied depending of the level of resilience. Self-concept and social support were predictor variables of resilience.
Influencia de la cultura organizacional de las unidades de enfermería en la intención de permanencia y las conductas de ciudadanía: un estudio multimuestra
Authors: Pérez-Larrazabal José , Aranda Carmena Mercedes , Topa Gabriela
Published: January 2016

ResumenEn el presente estudio se propone clarificar la relación de la cultura organizacional, la intención de permanencia y las conductas de ciudadanía organizacional de los profesionales de enfermería que se han incorporado a sus Unidades en los últimos doce meses. Para ello se comparan las percepciones de la cultura organizacional de los novatos con las de sus compañeros veteranos. El estudio se ha llevado a cabo con dos muestras de profesionales de enfermería españoles. La primera muestra la conforman 376 profesionales veteranos y la segunda está constituida por 162 profesionales novatos recientemente incorporados a las mismas Unidades de enfermería. En la medición de la cultura de los grupos se calcula un índice de acuerdo intragupal en orden a distinguir entre grupos con cultura fuerte y con cultura débil. Se postula que el poder predictivo de la cultura sobre los resultados variará entre los grupos en función de que posean culturas fuertes o débiles y, para confirmarlo, y se aplica un análisis de regresión jerárquica. Los resultados se discuten en orden a la consideración de nuevas líneas de investigación. AbstractThis study attempts to clarify the relationship between organizational culture, intention to remain and organizational citizenship behaviors within newcomer professional nurses who have joined the Nursing Unit during the last six months. In order to do so, newcomers’ and veterans’ perceptions of organizational culture have been compared. The study has been conducted with two samples of Spanish professional nurses. The first includes 376 veterans and the second is constituted by 162 novice professionals recently incorporated to the same Nursing Units. Related to assessment of organizational culture, an index of intragroup agreement is calculated and it is used to distinguish between groups with strong shared culture, and groups with weak shared culture. It is hypothesized that the predictive power of culture on outcomes will vary depending on the group shared culture (strong vs. Weak). To test this hypothesis, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed. Discussion of results is followed by a consideration of new lines of research suggested by the findings
The Relationship between Autobiographical Self-Focus and Memory Specificity/Overgenerality: Differences between Individuals with and without a Diagnosis of Depression
Authors: Bender Michael , Carrera María , Alonso-Arbiol Itziar
Published: January 2016

Research has revealed that clinical depression is related to reduced specificity and/or overgenerality in autobiographical memory. We set out to investigate this relationship by comparing depressed (n = 40) and non-depressed (n = 40) individuals not only in terms of autobiographical memory specificity/generality, but also in terms of narrative structure. Specificity was assessed with the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT; Williams & Broadbent, 1986) and participants also provided open-ended memories, which were analyzed for autobiographical cognitive complexity (Woike, 1994). Narrative differentiation, as an indicator of self-focus, was negatively related to specificity and positively to overgenerality of particularly negative autobiographical memories – but only in the depressed sample. Relationships were significantly different among non-depressed individuals. Results are discussed in the context of the relation between specificity/overgenerality and self-focus.
Effect of Acid-Hydrolyzed Thermoplastic Starch on the Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Properties of Polyethylene Based Composites
Authors: Ramí­rez Perla Mayari Trejo , Hernández-Hernández Ernesto , Rosas Javier Castro , Solís-Rosales Silvia Guadalupe , Villagómez-Ibarra José Roberto , Gómez-Aldapa Carlos Alberto
Published: January 2016

The effect of the addition of hydrolyzed thermoplastic maize starch on the physico mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-based composites was studied. Acid-hydrolyzed native starch was thermoplasticized using 15 and 30% glycerol in weight relative to starch, after which the LDPE/thermoplastic starch (TPS) composites were prepared at TPS concentrations of 10, 25, and 50%. According to the results of Raman spectroscopy, the appearance of a new band at 756 cm-1 was observed, and it was attributed to the hydrolysis process and associated with the C-C-O vibrational modes of the glycosidic bond. The addition of both native and polyethylene hydrolyzed TPS reduced the Young’s modulus of the composites; but the reduction was greater for those containing native starch. Both the maximum stress and deformation decreased to a greater degree for the composites with hydrolyzed TPS. The composites containing TPS prepared with 15% glycerol exhibited a higher Young’s modulus compared to those with LDPE, although they exhibited fragile behavior. The degree of matrix crystallinity increased with the addition of TPS and showed the largest increase when TPS 50% hydrolyzed by weight was added, showing an increase of 35%. It was observed that the size of the TPS particles, both native and hydrolyzed, increased in size as the concentration of TPS in the matrix increased. The size of the hydrolyzed TPS particles was greater than that of the native TPS particles, and in the case the of the hydrolyzed TPS particles, some exhibited an ellipsoidal and/or fibrillar morphology.
Rhythmic coordination of hippocampal neurons during associative memory processing
Authors: Rangel Lara M , Rueckemann Jon W , Riviere Pamela D , Keefe Katherine R , Porter Blake S , Heimbuch Ian S , Budlong Carl H , Eichenbaum Howard
Published: January 2016

Hippocampal oscillations are dynamic, with unique oscillatory frequencies present during different behavioral states. To examine the extent to which these oscillations reflect neuron engagement in distinct local circuit processes that are important for memory, we recorded single cell and local field potential activity from the CA1 region of the hippocampus as rats performed a context-guided odor-reward association task. We found that theta (4–12 Hz), beta (15–35 Hz), low gamma (35–55 Hz), and high gamma (65–90 Hz) frequencies exhibited dynamic amplitude profiles as rats sampled odor cues. Interneurons and principal cells exhibited unique engagement in each of the four rhythmic circuits in a manner that related to successful performance of the task. Moreover, principal cells coherent to each rhythm differentially represented task dimensions. These results demonstrate that distinct processing states arise from the engagement of rhythmically identifiable circuits, which have unique roles in organizing task-relevant processing in the hippocampus.
Gamification and Multimedia for Medical Education: A Landscape Review
Authors: McCoy Lise , Lewis Joy H. , Dalton David
Published: January 2016

Background: Medical education is rapidly evolving. Students enter medical school with a high level of technological literacy and an expectation for instructional variety in the curriculum. In response, many medical schools now incorporate technology-enhanced active learning and multimedia education applications. Education games, medical mobile applications, and virtual patient simulations are together termed gamified training platforms.

Objective: To review available literature for the benefits of using gamified training platforms for medical education (both preclinical and clinical) and training. Also, to identify platforms suitable for these purposes with links to multimedia content.

Methods: Peer-reviewed literature, commercially published media, and grey literature were searched to compile an archive of recently published scientific evaluations of gamified training platforms for medical education. Specific educational games, mobile applications, and virtual simulations useful for preclinical and clinical training were identified and categorized. Available evidence was summarized as it related to potential educational advantages of the identified platforms for medical education.

Results: Overall, improved learning outcomes have been demonstrated with virtual patient simulations. Games have the potential to promote learning, increase engagement, allow for real-word application, and enhance collaboration. They can also provide opportunities for risk-free clinical decision making, distance training, learning analytics, and swift feedback. A total of 5 electronic games and 4 mobile applications were identified for preclinical training, and 5 electronic games, 10 mobile applications, and 12 virtual patient simulation tools were identified for clinical training. Nine additional gamified, virtual environment training tools not commercially available were also identified.

Conclusion: Many published studies suggest possible benefits from using gamified media in medical curriculum. This is a rapidly growing field. More research is required to rigorously evaluate the specific educational benefits of these interventions. This archive of hyperlinked tools can be used as a resource for all levels of medical trainees, providers, and educators.
Is Forecast Capability Important? Evidence from the Selection of Best Analysts in China*
Authors: Quan Yi , Liang Shangkun
Published: January 2016

Using a sample of analyst forecast data for Chinese A-share listed companies from 2003 to 2012, this paper examines the role of forecast accuracy, optimism, and consistency in the selection of best analysts made by New Fortune magazine. The results indicate that both forecast accuracy and optimism play important roles in the selection of the best analysts. Both forecast accuracy and optimism increase the probability of being selected as the best analysts in the current year and also increase the probability of being selected the following year. However, the role of consistency is not a significant factor in the selection. Further analysis finds that (1) in respect of companies with high earnings volatility, forecast accuracy plays a greater role in the selection; (2) when the market is in better condition, forecast accuracy and optimism both play greater roles in the selection; and (3) for analysts in small brokerages, forecast accuracy and consistency play greater roles in the selection. This paper clarifies the mechanisms of best analyst selection to some extent and offers a solid base for future research.