bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glutamine Metabolism in Osteoprogenitors Is Required for Bone Mass Accrual and PTH-Induced Bone Anabolism in Male Mice
Authors: Stegen Steve , Devignes Claire-Sophie , Torrekens Sophie , Van Looveren Riet , Carmeliet Peter , Carmeliet Geert
Published: November 2020

Skeletal homeostasis critically depends on the proper anabolic functioning of osteolineage cells. Proliferation and matrix synthesis are highly demanding in terms of biosynthesis and bioenergetics, but the nutritional requirements that support these processes in bone-forming cells are not fully understood. Here, we show that glutamine metabolism is a major determinant of osteoprogenitor function during bone mass accrual. Genetic inactivation of the rate-limiting enzyme glutaminase 1 (GLS1) results in decreased postnatal bone mass, caused by impaired biosynthesis and cell survival. Mechanistically, we uncovered that GLS1-mediated glutamine catabolism supports nucleotide and amino acid synthesis, required for proliferation and matrix production. In addition, glutamine-derived glutathione prevents accumulation of reactive oxygen species and thereby safeguards cell viability. The pro-anabolic role of glutamine metabolism was further underscored in a model of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced bone formation. PTH administration increases glutamine uptake and catabolism, and GLS1 deletion fully blunts the PTH-induced osteoanabolic response. Taken together, our findings indicate that glutamine metabolism in osteoprogenitors is indispensable for bone formation. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Cordyceps acid alleviates lung cancer in nude mice
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Hongling , Li Wanrong , Shan Lingling
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of cordyceps acid (CA) on lung cancer in mice. A lung cancer animal model was established by inoculating lung cancer cells under the armpit of nude mice. The mental state, body weight, and tumor growth of nude mice were recorded in detail. The levels of Nrf‐2/HO‐1/NLRP3/NF‐κB pathway and apoptosis in tumor tissues of nude mice were detected by the Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical methods. Our results show that CA inhibited lung cancer by regulating the Nrf‐2/HO‐1/NLRP3/NF‐κB signal. In summary, CA has an obvious tumor inhibiting effect on lung cancer via regulation of the Nrf‐2/HO‐1/NLRP3/NF‐κB signal.
A climatological analysis of the monsoon break following the summer monsoon onset over Luzon Island, Philippines
Authors: Olaguera Lyndon Mark P. , Matsumoto Jun , Kubota Hisayuki , Cayanan Esperanza O. , Hilario Flaviana D.
Published: November 2020

This study investigates the climatology of the monsoon break following the onset of the summer rainy season over Luzon Island (120–122.5°E, 13–22°N) in the Philippines from 1979–2017. The first post‐onset monsoon break is remarkable in stations located over the north and central Luzon Island and occurs climatologically in early June. Composite analysis of the large‐scale circulation features during the monsoon break period shows that this break is associated with the westward extension of the western North Pacific Subtropical High (WNPSH), which weakened the monsoon southwesterlies and induced enhanced low‐level divergence over Luzon Island. The westward extension of the WNPSH may be facilitated by the phase change of the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO). About 59% (23/39) of the monsoon break cases occurred when suppressed convection, associated with the dry phases of the BSISO, is apparent over the western North Pacific. This suppressed convection favours the westward expansion of the WNPSH.

With the occurrence of the monsoon break in early summer, the seasonal march of the early summer monsoon over the Philippines can be divided into three phases: (1) the monsoon onset phase, which occurs between mid to late May under the influence of the westerly/southwesterly low‐level winds, (2) the monsoon break phase, when rainfall decreases over Luzon Island in early June, and (3) the monsoon revival phase, when rainfall increases again due to the intrusion of monsoon southwesterlies over the Philippines. This study highlights the complex features of the summer monsoon onset and the impact of the WNPSH on the local climate of the Philippines in early summer.
Effect of Ethylene Oxide Group in the Anionic–Nonionic Mixed Surfactant System on Microemulsion Phase Behavior
Authors: Kittithammavong Virin , Charoensaeng Ampira , Khaodhiar Sutha
Published: November 2020

The phase behavior of microemulsions stabilized by a binary anionic–nonionic surfactant mixture of sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate (SDHS) and C12‐14 alcohol ethoxylate (C12 − 14Ej) that contains an ethylene oxide (Ej) group number, j, of either 1, 5, or 9 was investigated for oil remediation. The oil–water interfacial tension (IFT) and optimal salinity of the microemulsion systems with different equivalent alkane carbon numbers (EACN) were examined. The anionic–nonionic surfactant ratio was found to play a pivotal role in the phase transition, IFT, and optimal salinity. The minimum IFT of mixed SDHS − C12 − 14Ej systems were about three times lower than those of neat SDHS systems. A hydrophilic–lipophilic deviation (HLD) empirical model for the mixed anionic–nonionic surfactant system with the characteristic parameter was proposed, as represented in the excess free energy term . The results suggested that the mixed system of SDHS − C12 − 14E1 was more lipophilic, while SDHS − C12 − 14E9 was more hydrophilic than the ideal mixture (no excess free energy during the microemulsion formation), and the SDHS − C12 − 14E5 system was close to the ideal mixture. The findings from this work provide an understanding of how to formulate mixed anionic–nonionic microemulsion systems using the HLD model for oils that possess a wide range of EACN.
Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin encapsulated stationary phase based on silica monolith particles for enantioseparation in liquid chromatography
Authors: Lu Yao , Sun Genlin
Published: November 2020

Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin‐encapsulated stationary phase incorporated on silica monolith particles was prepared by physical embedding, providing a new method for the development of chiral stationary phase for enantioseparation in liquid chromatography. Ground silica monolith particles of about 2.0 μm were prepared via sol–gel reaction followed by differential sedimentation. Initially, the silica monolith particles were pretreated with 3‐trimethoxysilyl propyl methacrylate to attach double‐bonded ligands onto the surface, then a network structure was formed onto the surface of the particle using N‐isopropyl acrylamide as functional monomer. Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin was encapsulated inside N‐isopropyl acrylamide copolymerized layer on the surface of silica monolith particles. The effect of the amount of chiral selector on the chromatographic efficiency of the chiral stationary phase was examined. The glass lined stainless steel columns (1 mm internal diameter, 300 mm length) were packed with the stationary phase for estimation of the efficiency by separation of phenylsuccinic acid, oxybutynin, equol, and naproxen enantiomers in high‐performance liquid chromatography, with the resolutions of 1.54, 1.72, 2.54, and 2.31, respectively. The column to column repeatabilities through relative standard deviation were found better than 3%. The experimental results indicate that the sol‐gel ground silica particles modified with β‐cyclodextrin provide a promising way for the separation of chiral enantiomers.
Dye‐Loaded Mechanochromic and pH‐Responsive Elastomeric Opal Films
Authors: Winter Tamara , Boehm Anna , Presser Volker , Gallei Markus
Published: November 2020

In this work, the preparation and fabrication of elastomeric opal films revealing reversible mechanochromic and pH‐responsive features are reported. The core–interlayer–shell (CIS) particles are synthesized via stepwise emulsion polymerization leading to hard core (polystyrene), crosslinked interlayer (poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐allyl methacrylate), and soft poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate‐co‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) methacrylate) shell particles featuring a size of 294.9 ± 14.8 nm. This particle architecture enables the application of the melt‐shear organization technique leading to elastomeric opal films with orange, respectively, green brilliant reflection colors dependent on the angle of view. Moreover, the hydroxyl moieties as part of the particle shell are advantageously used for subsequent thermally induced crosslinking reactions enabling the preparation of reversibly tunable mechanochromic structural colors based on Bragg's law of diffraction. Additionally, the CIS particles can be loaded upon extrusion or chemically by a postfunctionalization strategy with organic dyes implying pH‐responsive features. This convenient protocol for preparing multi‐responsive, reversibly stretch‐tunable opal films is expected to enable a new material family for anti‐counterfeiting applications based on external triggers.
Is Levodopa Response a Valid Indicator of Parkinson's Disease?
Authors: Martin W.R. Wayne , Miles Michael , Zhong Qiaonan , Hartlein Johanna , Racette Brad A. , Norris Scott A. , Ushe Mwiza , Maiti Baijayanta , Criswell Susan , Davis Albert A. , Kotzbauer Paul T. , Cairns Nigel J. , Perrin Richard J. , Perlmutter Joel S.
Published: November 2020

Background

The clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) requires the presence of parkinsonism and supportive criteria that include a clear and dramatic beneficial response to dopaminergic therapy. Our aim was to test the diagnostic criterion of dopaminergic response by evaluating its association with pathologically confirmed diagnoses in a large population of parkinsonian patients.

Methods

We reviewed clinical data maintained in an electronic medical record from all patients with autopsy data who had been seen in the Movement Disorders Center at Washington University, St. Louis, between 1996 and 2018. All patients with parkinsonism who underwent postmortem neuropathologic examination were included in this analysis.

Results

There were 257 unique parkinsonian patients with autopsy‐based diagnoses who had received dopaminergic therapy. Marked or moderate response to dopaminergic therapy occurred in 91.2% (166/182) of those with autopsy‐confirmed PD, 52.0% (13/25) of those with autopsy‐confirmed multiple systems atrophy, 44.4% (8/18) of those with autopsy‐confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy, and 1 (1/8) with autopsy‐confirmed corticobasal degeneration. Other diagnoses were responsible for the remaining 24 individuals, 9 of whom had a moderate response to dopaminergic therapy.

Conclusion

A substantial response to dopaminergic therapy is frequent but not universal in PD. An absent response does not exclude PD. In other neurodegenerative disorders associated with parkinsonism, a prominent response may also be evident, but this occurs less frequently than in PD. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Approximate periodic solutions to microelectromechanical system oscillator subject to magnetostatic excitation
Authors: He Ji‐Huan , Skrzypacz Piotr Sebastian , Zhang Yanni , Pang Jing
Published: November 2020

A way to obtain approximate periodic solutions to nonlinear oscillators arising in a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is presented for the case of zero initial conditions and magnetostatic excitation. The frequency–amplitude relationship is derived by adopting He′s frequency formulation. The obtained analytical results are illustrated graphically. The proposed simple approach gives the fast insight into the dynamics of the singular oscillator and can be useful for design of MEMS devices.
Humidity sensing performance of defected ground structure‐based microwave sensors coated with PMMA, PHEMA, and PVA
Authors: Yeo Junho , Kwon Younghwan
Published: November 2020

This article compares the humidity sensing performance of microwave sensors coated with a poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate), or poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer. A microwave sensor based on a modified interdigital‐capacitor‐shaped defected ground structure (IDCS‐DGS) in a microstrip transmission line with enhanced permittivity sensitivity was designed on an RF‐301 substrate with a thickness of 0.76 mm, which operate at a 1.5 GHz microwave frequency under unloaded conditions. One of the three different polymers was coated onto the IDCS‐DGS of the microwave sensors at a thickness of 0.02 mm. The humidity sensing performance of the microwave sensors coated with each of the three polymers was measured by the shift in the resonant frequency and magnitude level of the transmission coefficient when relative humidity was varied from 40 to 90%, with increments of 10%, at a temperature of 25°C. The experiment results show that the humidity sensing performance of the PVA‐coated microwave sensor is the best among the three polymers.
The effect of a supportive program on coping strategies and stress in women diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Samami Elahe , Elyasi Forouzan , Mousavinasab Seyed Nouraddin , Shojaee Leila , Zaboli Ehsan , Shahhosseini Zohreh
Published: November 2020

Aim

To investigate the effect of a supportive program on coping strategies and stress in women with breast cancer.

Design

A randomized, two‐armed, controlled trial.

Methods

Sixty women were randomly allocated to intervention group (N = 30) and control group (N = 30). The interventions were held in six sessions, weekly from August 2018–March 2019 It was consisting of education regarding breast cancer; progressive muscle relaxation; stress management; emotional coping; and problem‐solving strategies.

Results

At baseline, there was no difference between the two groups regarding the mean score of coping strategies and stress. Supportive program group participants experienced a significantly higher increase on their problem‐oriented coping strategies score in comparison with the control group. At the same time, scores in emotion‐oriented coping strategies and stress decreased significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group. Result of this study can be used to develop relevant interventions targeting coping strategies to reduce stress among women with breast cancer.
Brain biomarkers and neuropsychological outcomes of pediatric posterior fossa brain tumor survivors treated with surgical resection with or without adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Baron Nelson Mary C. , O'Neil Sharon H. , Tanedo Jeffrey , Dhanani Sofia , Malvar Jemily , Nuñez Christopher , Nelson Marvin D. , Tamrazi Benita , Finlay Jonathan L. , Rajagopalan Vidya , Lepore Natasha
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Children with brain tumors experience cognitive late effects, often related to cranial radiation. We sought to determine differential effects of surgery and chemotherapy on brain structure and neuropsychological outcomes in children who did not receive cranial radiation therapy (CRT).

Methods

Twenty‐eight children with a history of posterior fossa tumor (17 treated with surgery, 11 treated with surgery and chemotherapy) underwent neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment a mean of 4.5 years (surgery group) to 9 years (surgery + chemotherapy group) posttreatment, along with 18 healthy sibling controls. Psychometric measures assessed IQ, language, executive functions, processing speed, memory, and social‐emotional functioning. Group differences and correlations between diffusion tensor imaging findings and psychometric scores were examined.

Results

Thez‐score mapping demonstrated fractional anisotropy (FA) values were ≥2 standard deviations lower in white matter tracts, prefrontal cortex gray matter, hippocampus, thalamus, basal ganglia, and pons between patient groups, indicating microstructural damage associated with chemotherapy. Patients scored lower than controls on visuoconstructional reasoning and memory (P ≤ .02). Lower FA in the uncinate fasciculus (R = −0.82 to −0.91) and higher FA in the thalamus (R = 0.73‐0.91) associated with higher IQ scores, and higher FA in the thalamus associated with higher scores on spatial working memory (R = 0.82).

Conclusions

Posterior fossa brain tumor treatment with surgery and chemotherapy affects brain microstructure and neuropsychological functioning years into survivorship, with spatial processes the most vulnerable. Biomarkers indicating cellular changes in the thalamus, hippocampus, pons, prefrontal cortex, and white matter tracts associate with lower psychometric scores.
Zinc allocation to and within Arabidopsis halleri seeds: Different strategies of metal homeostasis in accessions under divergent selection pressure
Authors: Babst‐Kostecka Alicja , Przybyłowicz Wojciech J. , Seget Barbara , Mesjasz‐Przybyłowicz Jolanta
Published: November 2020

Vegetative tissues of metal(loid)‐hyperaccumulating plants are widely used to study plant metal homeostasis and adaptation to metalliferous soils, but little is known about these mechanisms in their seeds. We explored essential element allocation to Arabidopsis halleri seeds, a species that faces a particular trade‐off between meeting nutrient requirements and minimizing toxicity risks.

Combining advanced elemental mapping (micro‐particle induced X‐ray emission) with chemical analyses of plant and soil material, we investigated natural variation in Zn allocation to A. halleri seeds from non‐metalliferous and metalliferous locations. We also assessed the tissue‐level distribution and concentration of other nutrients to identify possible disorders in seed homeostasis.

Unexpectedly, the highest Zn concentration was found in seeds of a non‐metalliferous lowland location, whereas concentrations were relatively low in all other seed samples—including metallicolous ones. The abundance of other nutrients in seeds was unaffected by metalliferous site conditions.

Our findings depict contrasting strategies of Zn allocation to A. halleri seeds: increased delivery at lowland non‐metalliferous locations (a likely natural selection toward enhanced Zn‐hyperaccumulation in vegetative tissues) versus limited translocation at metalliferous sites where external Zn concentrations are toxic for non‐tolerant plants. Both strategies are worth exploring further to resolve metal homeostasis mechanisms and their effects on seed development and nutrition.
Written Versus Oral Cues: The Role of Rhetorical Competence in Learning From Texts
Authors: Sánchez Emilio , García J. Ricardo , Bustos Andrea
Published: November 2020

Learning from expository texts demands the processing of metatextual cues (rhetorical devices) and the activating of reading strategies. The main objective of this study was to examine whether profiting from written metatextual cues to launch reading strategies needs higher level of rhetorical competence than profiting from oral cues. Specifically, this study addresses two questions: (1) Is there a gap between the sensitivity to oral versus written metatextual cues depending on the student’s reading skill level? (2) Do the reader’s rhetorical competence, general reading comprehension, and decoding levels interact with the processing of each type of metatextual cue? Three hundred sixty‐seven students (11–13 years old) summarized an expository text after reading it under one of the following four conditions: with written cues, with oral cues, with both cues combined, or with no cues. The less skilled readers who received oral or combined cues provided better summaries (they selected and organized the main ideas better) than the less skilled readers who received written cues or no cues. However, the performance of the more skilled readers was equal under the conditions with written cues, oral cues, and combined cues; these three groups outperformed the readers from the no‐cues condition group. A multicategorical moderator analysis showed that following written cues demanded higher levels of general comprehension and rhetorical competence than following oral and combined cues. These data confirm that rhetorical competence is a specific capability for processing, especially written metatextual cues, and for overcoming the gap between the sensitivity to oral versus written cues.
Controllable Substitution of S Radicals on Triazine Covalent Framework to Expedite Degradation of Polysulfides
Authors: Yan Yingchun , Chen Zhou , Yang Jun , Guan Lu , Hu Han , Zhao Qingshan , Ren Hao , Lin Yan , Li Zhongtao , Wu Mingbo
Published: November 2020

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are facing a significant barrier due to the diffusion of intermediate redox species. Although some S doped covalent framework cathodes have been reported with outstanding reversibility, the low content of sulfur (less than 30%) limits the practical applications. To overcome the issue, the sulfur and nitrogen co‐doped covalent compounds (S‐NC) as a host‐type cathode have been developed through the radical transfer process during thermal cracking amino groups on the precursor, and then plentiful positively charged sulfur radicals can be controllably introduced. The experimental characterization and DFT theoretical calculation certificate that the sulfur radicals in S‐NC/S can expedite redox reactions of intermediate polysulfides to impede their dissolution. Moreover, the energy barriers during ions transfer also obviously decreased after introducing S radicals, which lead to improved rate performance.
Indigenising Nordic Feminism—A Sámi Decolonial Critique
Authors: Dankertsen Astri
Published: November 2020

This chapter discusses how to make space for Sámi feminist perspectives within both Sámi research and Nordic feminist research. The author explores how both patriarchal and colonial power continue to shape the lives of Sámi women, and argues that there is a need for a feminist decolonial critique that destabilises the taken-for-granted silencing of Sámi women’s perspectives in both Sámi research and Nordic feminist research. In order to do so, we need to move beyond the traditional ways of defining feminist perspectives, and include Indigenous perspectives on land, water, health, rights and identities, and through this highlight how it is possible to create a common ground for both Sámi and feminist perspectives. The relative lack of Sámi feminist perspectives is paradoxical, given the fact that both intersectional and postcolonial perspectives have made an impact on feminist research today, and contemporary Sámi women are increasingly educated and hold a strong position within academia, activism and the Sámi society as a whole.
Between Diplomacy and Science: British Mandate Palestine and Its International Network of Archaeological Organisations, 1918–1938
Authors: Sigalas Mathilde
Published: November 2020

This chapter studies the influence of Western archaeological organisations on scientific and diplomatic issues in interwar Palestine. It analyses their role on a local scale and the establishment of a scientific network of archaeologists in Palestine from 1918 to 1938. The analysis from the archives of six schools and societies founded by Western powers in Jerusalem revealing the increasing influence of American scholars in the archaeological field. It asks what motivated American actors to invest in the archaeological field and related diplomatic issues, as the US government did not have direct political power in the Middle East at that time. It ultimately demonstrates the presence of informal American imperialism in scientific and diplomatic issues in relation to the British authorities during the Mandate period.
A Coherent Inconsistency: Italian Cultural Diplomacy in Palestine, 1918–1938
Authors: Mazza Roberto
Published: November 2020

While following a broad chronology divided between Italy in the liberal era and later under the fascist regime, this chapter attempts to present an overview of Italian cultural activities and their various purposes and development. During the liberal era, Italian cultural policies were for the most part designed to target the needs of Italian communities. While the early phase of fascist rule was essentially a continuation of the previous regime, the 1930s marked a major shift in the understanding and promotion of cultural policies in the Middle East, especially in Palestine. This chapter will show how the fascist regime inconsistently supported both the Arabs and the Zionists in its quest to challenge the British.
The International Centre for the Protection of Catholic Interests in Palestine: Cultural Diplomacy and Outreach in the British Mandate Period
Authors: Maggiolini Paolo
Published: November 2020

The chapter reconsiders the Latin Patriarchate’s efforts to develop and defend the Catholic community’s interests in Palestine according to the notion of cultural diplomacy and cultural outreach. It focuses on an initiative dedicated to establishing a solid relationship of cooperation between local and international Catholic dimensions through the dissemination of ad hoc content in newspapers and thematic conferences. The chapter develops its analysis according to two specific perspectives. On the one hand, it looks at the Latin Patriarch’s efforts to promote the defence of Catholic interests in Palestine through cultural outreach to a Western Catholic audience. On the other, it focuses on the role of the Latin Patriarchate in this field as the manifestation of its aim to adapt to and influence the changing political conditions and balances of power in the Mandate.
A “Significant Swedish Outpost”: The Swedish School and Arab Christians in Jerusalem, 1920–1930
Authors: Okkenhaug Inger Marie
Published: November 2020

This chapter focuses on the Swedish School in Jerusalem during the British Mandate period. I argue that while modelled on Swedish educational culture and largely financed from Sweden, the school had a profound local connection to the Arab community. This chapter demonstrates that the educational culture of the school was more important to Arab parents than its religious profile. Arabic was the language of instruction and the children were taught by well-educated Arab female teachers. Parents and pupils influenced the Swedish School’s profile with demands that were created by a new reality under British Mandatory rule. These parents and pupils were also challenged by the fact that pupils from the middle class and the urban poor attended the same lessons and were—in theory at least—treated equally despite social or religious backgrounds.
French Cultural Efforts Towards Jerusalem’s Arab Population in the Late British Mandate in Palestine
Authors: Trimbur Dominique
Published: November 2020

This chapter describes a brief period of French government cultural activities carried out with the aim of attracting a broad audience within the Arab population of Jerusalem, through the creation by the French Lay Mission (Mission laïque française) of a French Cultural Centre on the Arab part of the city at the end of the British Mandate. This new institution illustrated French concern about renewing its presence in the area. Local conditions, and financial and political difficulties, lead to the closure of the centre after only two years. The brief experience illustrates an attempt to adapt the French presence to a developing Palestine and to enter into contact with the various populations of Jerusalem, in this case the broader Arab community, going beyond previous activities which had dealt only with the city’s elites.
Transnational Science Cooperation for Sustainable Development
Authors: Schwachula Anna
Published: November 2020

With the 2030 Agenda, the development paradigm has shifted towards global sustainable development, but modes of cooperation between actors in the Global North and South still cling to traditional patterns of cooperation, reproducing antiquated knowledge hierarchies. Departing from technical cooperation, transnational research cooperation may be a more equitable mode of cooperation with the potential of developing innovative solutions for sustainable development. Yet, its potential is not fully realised. Science policies on the national level and global governance mechanisms need to set a beneficial framework, ensuring that expectations of partnerships and outcomes for global sustainable development can be met. The current incoherence of national science and development cooperation policies may be aggravated by existing gaps in global governance mechanisms in view of sustainability-oriented transnational research cooperation.
Asylum Decision-Making in Switzerland
Authors: Affolter Laura
Published: November 2020

This chapter provides an outline of how the Swiss asylum procedure works. It contextualises the current asylum procedure within the history of asylum politics in Switzerland since the 1950s and within broader global developments. Three major trends are discussed: the sharp decline of the recognition rate since the 1980s and with it the emergence of the so-called “fight against abuse”, the proliferation of legal categories and the frequent changes made to asylum law in this same time period, and the development of an ever more specialised asylum administration in Switzerland. The chapter introduces readers to the Swiss Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and its organisational structure as it existed until 2019, the main elements of asylum law that structure SEM officials’ decision-making and to the particular standard of proof in refugee status determination.
Knowledge as Practice: Producing Decisional Certainty
Authors: Affolter Laura
Published: November 2020

Much uncertainty inheres in refugee status determination and particularly credibility assessments. This chapter deals with how asylum caseworkers attempt to overcome such uncertainties in order to reach enough decisional certainty for categorising asylum seekers into one of four legal categories: refugee with asylum, refugee with temporary admission, non-refugee with temporary admission and non-refugee without temporary admission. I argue that decision-makers’ explicit “country knowledge” as well as their implicit know-how of how to carry out their tasks and their “gut feeling”—which building on Reckwitz (Zeitschrift für Soziologie 32:4: 282–301, 2003) I conceptualise as professional-practical knowledge—plays a crucial role thereby. Furthermore, this chapter shows how basing negative asylum decisions on non-credibility rather than non-eligibility to refugee status serves as a means for overcoming uncertainties inherent in asylum decision-making, leading to the (re-)production of the so-called “culture of disbelief” in asylum administration.
Experimental Design
Authors: Mariel Petr , Hoyos David , Meyerhoff Jürgen , Czajkowski Mikolaj , Dekker Thijs , Glenk Klaus , Jacobsen Jette Bredahl , Liebe Ulf , Olsen Søren Bøye , Sagebiel Julian , Thiene Mara
Published: November 2020

This chapter covers various issues related to the experimental design, a statistical technique at the core of a discrete choice experiment. Specifically, it focuses on the dimensionality of a choice experiment and the statistical techniques used to allocate attribute levels to choice tasks. Among others, the pros and cons of orthogonal designs, optimal orthogonal in the differences designs as well as efficient designs are addressed. The last section shows how a simulation exercise can help to test the appropriateness of the experimental design.
Calculating Marginal and Non-marginal Welfare Measures
Authors: Mariel Petr , Hoyos David , Meyerhoff Jürgen , Czajkowski Mikolaj , Dekker Thijs , Glenk Klaus , Jacobsen Jette Bredahl , Liebe Ulf , Olsen Søren Bøye , Sagebiel Julian , Thiene Mara
Published: November 2020

This chapter focuses on the calculation of marginal and non-marginal welfare measures. It outlines how the calculation of welfare measures is related to the specified model and the assumptions underlying that model. It further describes how the calculation of these measures is affected by the inclusion of preference heterogeneity, including the incorporation of interaction terms to capture observed preference heterogeneity or random parameters to capture unobserved preference heterogeneity. Finally, it discusses how these measures can be aggregated and compared.
Validity and Reliability
Authors: Mariel Petr , Hoyos David , Meyerhoff Jürgen , Czajkowski Mikolaj , Dekker Thijs , Glenk Klaus , Jacobsen Jette Bredahl , Liebe Ulf , Olsen Søren Bøye , Sagebiel Julian , Thiene Mara
Published: November 2020

This chapter concerns different aspects of validity and reliability of a discrete choice experiment. Firstly, it focuses on three essential concepts for assessing the validity of the welfare estimates obtained in the choice experiment, namely content, construct and criterion validity. Secondly, it discusses how the reliability of the recorded choices can be assessed. It then discusses issues related to model comparison and selection. Finally, it addresses prediction in discrete choice models as a way to assess the quality of a model.
Software
Authors: Mariel Petr , Hoyos David , Meyerhoff Jürgen , Czajkowski Mikolaj , Dekker Thijs , Glenk Klaus , Jacobsen Jette Bredahl , Liebe Ulf , Olsen Søren Bøye , Sagebiel Julian , Thiene Mara
Published: November 2020

This chapter describes and compares suitable software for the analysis of basic and advanced discrete choice models. Software packages are classified into proprietary and non-proprietary, according to the operating system required and modelling capabilities. Abilities of both selected commercial (Stata, SAS and Latent Gold, e.g.) and open-source packages (Biogeme and R-libraries) are considered. Finally, some user-written estimation packages for Gauss, Matlab, R and Stata are presented.
Conclusion—Creating Momentum for Transformation Through Purpose
Authors: Hernandez Ariel Macaspac
Published: November 2020

Many experts and pundits from the popular media often depict sustainable, low-carbon transformation as a revolution. For example, Tom Delay (2009) of The Guardian sees “a new revolution that fast tracks the deployment of a new set of technologies.” He continues that the new low carbon economy is “poised to be the mother of all markets and will be as transformative in its impact as the first industrial revolution.”
Global Transformation Towards Sustainability—Clusters of Current Scholarly Discourse
Authors: Hernandez Ariel Macaspac
Published: November 2020

Studying global transformation towards sustainability is a colossal task. The difficulties in determining the scope, boundaries and levels of the analysis have ramifications for the conceptual value of attempts to understand global transformation towards sustainability. Because of the plurality of possible entry points as well as the complexity of various issues involved, providing an overview of the academic debate, if one can speak of a single debate on global transformation towards sustainability, is highly challenging.
Festivals, kulturelle Events, Großveranstaltungen, Sportgroßveranstaltungen und Lifestyle Events
Authors: Fritz Oliver , Pröbstl-Haider Ulrike , Ginner Kathrin , Formayer Herbert
Published: November 2020

Die Durchführung touristischer Großveranstaltungen führt nicht nur zu erhöhten CO2-Emissionen in Österreich (APCC 2014), sondern ist selbst vom Klimawandel betroffen, wenn etwa Hitzetage im Sommer den Erlebniswert einer Outdoorveranstaltung beeinträchtigen, Unwettergeschehen zu Absagen führen oder Wintersportveranstaltungen aufgrund von Schneemangel gefährdet sind.
Ableitung von Handlungsoptionen
Authors: Pröbstl-Haider Ulrike , Mostegl Nina , Damm Andrea , Prettenthaler Franz , Lund-Durlacher Dagmar , Gühnemann Astrid , Steiger Robert , Olefs Marc , Formayer Herbert , Hödl Claudia , Neger Christoph
Published: November 2020

Bevor im Einzelnen auf die grundsätzlichen Strategien und Handlungsoptionen eingegangen wird, ist es wichtig, die dem Bericht zugrunde liegende Vision zu verdeutlichen.

Der Tourismus unterscheidet sich von anderen Wirtschaftszweigen dadurch, dass die Kunden wesentlich flexibler sind und sehr rasch – oftmals von einer Saison auf die andere – „mit den Füßen abstimmen“. Wie die Darstellungen in Kap. 1 zeigen, hat diese Abhängigkeit durch eine Zunahme kürzerer Reisen und der sogenannten Stand-by-Touristen eher noch zugenommen. Daher kommt es im Tourismus nicht nur darauf an, ob und inwieweit das Angebot der österreichischen Tourismusbranche klimagerecht ist, sondern auch ob und wieweit es gelingt, den Kunden gezielt zu beeinflussen (Njoroge 2015).
Indooraktivitäten und damit zusammenhängende Einrichtungen
Authors: Pröbstl-Haider Ulrike , Hödl Claudia , Illing Kai , Ranzi Robert , Fritz Oliver
Published: November 2020

Der Aufbau und Ausbau von landschaftsunabhängigen Angeboten, wie Wellness- und Indoorsportanlagen, wird häufig in Zusammenhang mit einer Förderung des Ganzjahrestourismus genannt und als Möglichkeit gesehen, die Winter- bzw. Schneeabhängigkeit von Alpendestinationen zu verringern. Solche schneeunabhängigen Angebote scheinen vor allem für Destinationen in tieferen Höhenlagen eine geeignete Möglichkeit zu sein, sich an die veränderten klimatischen Bedingungen anzupassen und eine Saisonverlängerung in den Sommer und Frühherbst hinein zu erzielen (Müller und Weber 2007; Müller et al. 2007; Scott und McBoyle 2007; Siegrist und Gessner 2011; Clivaz et al. 2012).
Zukunft unter Klima-Unsicherheiten agil und nachhaltig gestalten
Authors: Abel Sebastian , Michelmann Jakob
Published: November 2020

Der beschleunigte Klimawandel fordert Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft heraus, zu handeln, um Klimaveränderungen abzuschwächen und zu kontrollieren sowie unser Leben an die sich ändernden Umstande anzupassen. Dabei trifft hoher Entscheidungsdruck auf große Unsicherheit. Um Handlungsmöglichkeiten zu erkennen und zu ergreifen, gilt es, die Instrumente für eine agile strategische Orientierung und Gestaltung im Klimawandelzeitalter zu sortieren und zu scharfen.
The Mobility of People, Not Furniture, Leads to Collaboration
Authors: Guldbæk Brøns Mie
Published: November 2020

This chapter considers how teacher mindsets, in connection with the physical possibilities at hand, lead to spatial habits and teaching practices. It draws on empirical material from an ethnographic study examining how teachers are influenced unknowingly by the roots of their profession and thus arrange furniture in ways that do not always support their pedagogical intentions. I argue that physical diversity within a larger space is more beneficial for teacher collaboration than the flexibility of the furniture or the architecture. I conclude by noting that we can gain a deeper understanding of innovative learning environments by looking at the positioning and mobility of the teachers’ bodies in the space.
Innovative Learning Environments, Are They Inclusive? Why Evaluating the Speaking, and Acoustic Potential of the Space Matters
Authors: Rose-Munro Leanne
Published: November 2020

Innovative learning spaces are a platform primarily designed to support the activity of speaking, listening and learning. However, evidence suggests that nearly 10% of students attending mainstream schools in their local communities have hearing difficulties. This study explores the acoustic potential of innovative learning spaces (ILE’s), and the impact of design affordances in terms of supporting the inclusion of students with hearing difficulties. The study highlights the importance of an acoustic platform that enables opportunity for all to participate in speaking and listening activity. In addition, the importance of student agency, the power to act and contribute to decision-making regarding the use and application of environmental affordances to enable student opportunity, inclusion and successful learning.
Introduction to Part III: Measurement
Authors: Imms Wesley , Fisher Kenn
Published: November 2020

‘Measurement’ of the impact of learning environments has occurred for quite a long time, but its role in driving and guiding reforms in ILE design and use has not been as effective. This is due to a lack of common terminologies, too wide a scope of what constitutes ‘learning environments’ and too often the use of very poor methods. This section presents a number of evaluation initiatives, playing a part in exploring new approaches to ‘good’ evaluation.
What Does Teaching and Learning Look like in a Variety of Classroom Spatial Environments?
Authors: Byers Terry
Published: November 2020

The very nature of what constitutes an effective learning environment is undergoing substantial re-imagination. Authors have suggested that the affordances of existing learning spaces, often termed conventional or traditional classrooms, is limited and constrains the possible pedagogies available to teachers. Architects, authors and governments have put forward innovative learning environments (ILEs) as a better alternative. ILEs provide affordances thought to be somewhat better at providing to students learning needs than traditional classrooms, particularly in terms of creative and critical thinking, and collaborative and communicative workers. However, there is little evidence available to show of either spatial type (traditional classroom or ILE) performs pedagogically to either hinder or support the desired approach/es to teaching and learning being sought by current educational policies. One could suggest that a populistic narrative often drives the growing investment in new school learning spaces, facilitated by a vacuum of credible evidence of their impact. This paper will report findings from a three-year study that tracked the practices over time of secondary school Engineering, Mathematics and Science teachers (n = 23) as they occupied two quite dissimilar spatial layouts. TheLinking Pedagogy, Technology, and Space(LPTS) observational metric, with its provision of instantaneous quantitative visual analysis, was used to track their practice, and student learning, in a variety of spatial layouts. Subsequent analysis identified broad trends within the data to identify those factors, spatial, subject or confounding teacher factors, which influenced student and teacher activities and behaviours. Importantly, it presented new evidence that works against the current, overt focus on contemporary spatial design. It suggests that greater emphasis on unpacking, and then developing, the mediating influence of teacher spatial competency (how, when and why one uses the given affordances of space for pedagogical gain) is required for any space to performance pedagogically.
Design with Knowledge—Light in Learning Environments
Authors: van Mil Imke Wies , Popovic Larsen Olga , Mose Karina , Iversen Anne
Published: November 2020

A range of artificial lighting characteristics have been found to influence our visual and cognitive capabilities, mood, motivation and/or (social) behaviour—all affecting how we (academically) perform. One such influential characteristic is spatial contrast, or the way light is distributed in space causing a pattern of light and darkness. This study looks at if and how spatial contrast influences pupil behaviour, and specifically their ability to concentrate. We first explored whether variances in pupil noise, physical activity and mood, which have been found to affect concentration, occur when exposed to either a high or a low spatial contrast in their learning environment. Preliminary data from field experiments in a primary school indicates towards decreased noise levels and improved environmental satisfaction when a high spatial contrast condition is present. This implies improved environmental circumstances to concentrate. Further research to confirm this assumption will be undertaken.
The Creative Learning Spiral: Designing Environments for Flaring and Focusing
Authors: Zhang Jane
Published: November 2020

With growing interest in creative learning in recent years, this paper sought to define creative learning through the design of learning spaces. Two learner groups were studied for their interactions with peers, educators, and their spaces—design students at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, a traditional architectural studio environment, and student entrepreneurs at the Harvard Innovation Lab, a startup venture incubator. The result was a new design framework called the creative learning spiral, which groups creative learning into four types of activities: sparking, making, grazing, socializing. The open layouts of both settings facilitated social learning activities of sparking, grazing, and socializing, whereas making time required students to create their own focused environments. The creative learning spiral can be used as a tool to assess the spatial needs of specific creative learning activities, in order to design environments that accommodate the needs of learners.
Envisaging Teacher Spatial Competency Through the Lenses of Situated Cognition and Personal Imagination to Reposition It as a Professional Classroom Practice Skill
Authors: Leighton Vicky
Published: November 2020

This chapter examines the complex phenomenon of teachers’ spatial interactions in their learning environments. Its goal is to examine concepts and theories that might inform a working conceptual framework. Building on recent studies that question how school environments can influence teacher behaviour, spatial concepts as well as architectural and cognitive psychology theories are examined to explore the dynamic and mutually dependent relationship between teachers and learning spaces. A new concept of ‘situated environmental imagination’ is devised as a conceptual explanation for teacher spatial competency; it also provides practitioners with the means to evaluate and observe space-related skills in classroom action settings. This approach pursues a non-linear understanding and analysis of space and teacher practice that blends architectural and educational perspectives, resulting in an argument for the inclusion of spatial competency as an important professional skill that has the potential to enhance student learning.
Introduction to Part I: Change and Risk
Authors: Kvan Thomas , Fisher Kenn
Published: November 2020

This section presents research in managing change and risk inherent in the introduction of new learning environments. The topic is introduced, and a brief review is given for each chapter in the following section.
Increasing Teacher Engagement in Innovative Learning Environments: Understanding the Effects of Perceptions of Risk
Authors: Jones Tamara K. , Le Fevre Deidre M.
Published: November 2020

School systems around the world are investing in a transition to Innovative Learning Environments (ILEs). Many policies and resources are being directed towards this change. However, if the effects of innovative educational initiatives are to be positive for our students, the onus will ultimately be on teachers to integrate learner-centric pedagogies and digital technologies in flexible learning environments. Educational innovations are dependent upon what teachers think, feel and do in classrooms (Fullan 2001). This chapter examines how teacher perceptions can influence their engagement in ILEs.