bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk management perspective for climate service development – Results from a study on Finnish organizations
Authors: Harjanne Atte , Haavisto Riina , Tuomenvirta Heikki , Gregow Hilppa
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Weather, climate and climate change can cause significant risks to businesses and public administration. However, understanding these processes can also create opportunities. Information can help to manage these risks and opportunities, but in order to do so, it must be in line with how risk management and decision making works. To better understand how climate risks and opportunities are reflected in different organizational processes and what types of information is needed and used, we conducted a study on the perceptions and management of weather and climate risks in Finnish organizations and on their use of weather and climate information. In addition, we collected feedback on how the existing climate information tools should be developed. Data on climate risk management was collected in an online survey and in one full-day workshop. The survey was aimed to the Finnish public and private organizations who use weather and climate data and altogether 118 responses were collected. The workshop consisted of two parts: weather and climate risk management processes in general and the development of the current information tools to further address user needs.We found that climate risk management in organizations is quite diverse and often de-centralized and that external experts are considered the most useful sources of information. Consequently, users emphasize the need for networks of expertise and sector-specific information tools. Creating such services requires input and information sharing from the user side as well. Better temporal and spatial accuracy is naturally asked for, but users also stressed the need for transparency when it comes to communicating uncertainties, and the availability and up-to-datedness of information. Our results illustrate that weather and climate risks compete and blend in with other risks and changes perceived by the organizations and supporting information is sought from different types of sources. Thus the design and evaluation of climate services should take into account the context of existing and developing processes in organizational risk management.
Does δ18O of O2 record meridional shifts in tropical rainfall?
Authors: Seltzer Alan M. , Buizert Christo , Baggenstos Daniel , Brook Edward J. , Ahn Jinho , Yang Ji-Woong , Severinghaus Jeffrey P.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Marine sediments, speleothems, paleo-lake elevations, and ice core methane and δ18O of O2 (δ18Oatm) records provide ample evidence for repeated abrupt meridional shifts in tropical rainfall belts throughout the last glacial cycle. To improve understanding of the impact of abrupt events on the global terrestrial biosphere, we present composite records of δ18Oatm and inferred changes in fractionation by the global terrestrial biosphere (ΔεLAND) from discrete gas measurements in the WAIS Divide (WD) and Siple Dome (SD) Antarctic ice cores. On the common WD timescale, it is evident that maxima in ΔεLAND are synchronous with or shortly follow small-amplitude WD CH4 peaks that occur within Heinrich stadials 1, 2, 4, and 5 – periods of low atmospheric CH4 concentrations. These local CH4 maxima have been suggested as markers of abrupt climate responses to Heinrich events. Based on our analysis of the modern seasonal cycle of gross primary productivity (GPP)-weighted δ18O of terrestrial precipitation (the source water for atmospheric O2 production), we propose a simple mechanism by which ΔεLAND tracks the centroid latitude of terrestrial oxygen production. As intense rainfall and oxygen production migrate northward, ΔεLAND should decrease due to the underlying meridional gradient in rainfall δ18O. A southward shift should increase ΔεLAND. Monsoon intensity also influences δ18O of precipitation, and although we cannot determine the relative contributions of the two mechanisms, both act in the same direction. Therefore, we suggest that abrupt increases in ΔεLAND unambiguously imply a southward shift of tropical rainfall. The exact magnitude of this shift, however, remains under-constrained by ΔεLAND.
Pseudo-proxy evaluation of climate field reconstruction methods of North Atlantic climate based on an annually resolved marine proxy network
Authors: Pyrina Maria , Wagner Sebastian , Zorita Eduardo
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Two statistical methods are tested to reconstruct the interannual variations in past sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of the North Atlantic (NA) Ocean over the past millennium based on annually resolved and absolutely dated marine proxy records of the bivalve mollusk Arctica islandica. The methods are tested in a pseudo-proxy experiment (PPE) setup using state-of-the-art climate models (CMIP5 Earth system models) and reanalysis data from the COBE2 SST data set. The methods were applied in the virtual reality provided by global climate simulations and reanalysis data to reconstruct the past NA SSTs using pseudo-proxy records that mimic the statistical characteristics and network of Arctica islandica. The multivariate linear regression methods evaluated here are principal component regression and canonical correlation analysis. Differences in the skill of the climate field reconstruction (CFR) are assessed according to different calibration periods and different proxy locations within the NA basin. The choice of the climate model used as a surrogate reality in the PPE has a more profound effect on the CFR skill than the calibration period and the statistical reconstruction method. The differences between the two methods are clearer for the MPI-ESM model due to its higher spatial resolution in the NA basin. The pseudo-proxy results of the CCSM4 model are closer to the pseudo-proxy results based on the reanalysis data set COBE2. Conducting PPEs using noise-contaminated pseudo-proxies instead of noise-free pseudo-proxies is important for the evaluation of the methods, as more spatial differences in the reconstruction skill are revealed. Both methods are appropriate for the reconstruction of the temporal evolution of the NA SSTs, even though they lead to a great loss of variance away from the proxy sites. Under reasonable assumptions about the characteristics of the non-climate noise in the proxy records, our results show that the marine network of Arctica islandica can be used to skillfully reconstruct the spatial patterns of SSTs at the eastern NA basin.
Student as Consumer: What Three Decades of Higher Education Policy Mean to K-12
Authors: Brown Simon
Published: October 2017

The diminishing educational outcomes and academic rigor, which have come to define the American collegiate experience, result from a misguided economic policy that places students as consumers in an “educational marketplace”.
Boys in Blue Camo: The 1033 Program
Authors: Moret Matthew
Published: October 2017

There’s a thin, often unclear line between a riot and a protest. Demonstrators perform a tightrope-walking act, balancing their outrage at controversial events with the knowledge that a single misstep can lead to total chaos. In some countries, that chaos manifests itself as military crackdowns by the ruling government, the goal being to jail problematic opposition leaders and scare people out of returning to the streets. The U.S. has a long history of replacing that military force with the presence of local police, but over time that line has become equally blurred. One need only look at the events of Ferguson, Mo. to see that ambiguity in action.
The Ethical Implications of the Kafala System
Authors: Nelson Joshua
Published: October 2017

Despite regional and culture differences, Persian Gulf countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are bound together by their use of the kafala system. Established in the 1930s, the kafala system came from the Bedouin custom of providing foreigners protection, or in some cases, affiliation with a tribe when passing through controlled territory. It was described by Azfar Khan of the International Labour Organization in The Guardian as “the best tradition of Arab hospitality,” a high compliment in a culture characterized by generous people and traditions. However, the current incarnation of the kafala system is a bastardization of previous forms, replacing generosity with greed, and honesty with deceit.
The Other Gender Gap
Authors: Small Samantha
Published: October 2017

In the last century, international focus on workplace equality has reached an all-time high. The role of women in the workplace has been a point of dispute since the beginning of this era of professionalism. Support for bringing women into the technology industry has greatly overshadowed the efforts of recruiting men to fields historically dominated by women, despite the fact that this imbalance negatively impacts equality in the workplace. Women would introduce a new dynamic to the technology world and fields like teaching and nursing would be enhanced by an increase in the number of men in those fields.
Influence and the New American Revolution
Authors: Sharma Raghav
Published: October 2017

Contemporary political discourse in the United States is rife with ideas on how our society can change and reform — in particular, issues such as campaign finance reform, income inequality, and the use and control of firearms are in need of a comprehensive response that is attentive to the needs and will of the American people. Sadly, the relationship between the American people and our government is currently in a dismal state. This relationship between the people and the government has become unbalanced and unfair, reducing the likelihood of change and deterring individuals from believing in their ability to influence such reform. The need to understand our capacity to effect change, though, is absolutely necessary. The issues facing the American government at this time are as numerous as they are serious, but ideas and proposals are coming forward with the potential to rebalance this relationship. More importantly, they have the potential to usher in a new American Revolution that makes good on the democratic promise of a government for, of and by the people.
Unscientific Methods: Reinvigorating Objectivity in Politics
Authors: Lieberman Alyssa
Published: October 2017

Finding a place for objective science within the realm of American politics has become increasingly difficult because the effective use of rhetoric can often obscure facts. Both Republicans and Democrats are guilty of pushing scientific recommendations to the wayside when it suits their political needs. But, to fulfill their obligation to protect the American people and further American progress, politicians must stop interpreting hard scientific facts as it suits their political needs. They must begin to thoughtfully translate scientific data into legislation and policies so that pertinent topics can be addressed and the true needs of the American people can be met. The honest evaluation of this data is a formidable and seemingly unrealistic goal but, if nothing else, a moral standard must be enforced for publicly elected officials to serve in the best interest of the American people.
Some Suggestions from Japan for Reforming Australia’s Personal Bankruptcy Law
Authors: Steele Stacey Leanne , Chun Jin
Published: October 2017

This article examines Japan’s contemporary personal bankruptcy law reform experience in light of Australia’s proposed reforms to the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth). Japan’s personal insolvency legislation was substantially revised at the turn of the 21st century and a new proceeding for individual rehabilitation introduced. These innovations built on practical and procedural solutions pioneered in the courts especially in the late 1990s as the number of personal bankruptcies increased after the bursting of the bubble economy. The article shows that by comparison with Japanese approaches to discharge, investigation and continuing obligations, including requirements for income contributions, the proposed Australian reforms are conservative and not as debtor-friendly as those in Japan. The time between filing and discharge in Japan, for example, is flexible and typically no more than a few months. The Australian reforms merely suggest revising the default bankruptcy period from three years to a fixed one year. In practice, the article suggests that the obstacles of adverse credit histories and enforcement of personal guarantees against entrepreneurs remain problems for an entrepreneur seeking a fresh start in both jurisdictions.
The Retreat of American Bankruptcy Law
Authors: Westbrook Jay
Published: October 2017

In 2005 the United States adopted provisions constraining the bankruptcy ‘fresh start’ for the first time in its history. This paper describes the experience under the 2005 amendments over the decade since their enactment, including the data reported by empirical studies of their effects. It suggests a reappraisal of the goals of consumer bankruptcy law in the 21st century, including the simplification and reduction of costs that would arise from abandoning the idea that bankruptcy law should be used as a collection device for professional creditors in consumer cases. It discusses various possible approaches for a new reform while emphasising the importance of the continuing role of lawyers and courts in the consumer bankruptcy process.
Hermeneutical Injustice and the Problem of Authority
Authors: Romdenh-Romluc Komarine
Published: October 2017

Miranda Fricker (2008) identifies a wrong she calls ‘hermeneutical injustice’. A culture’s hermeneutical resources are the shared meanings its members use to understand their experience, and communicate this understanding to others. Cultures tend to be composed of different social groups that are organised hierarchically. As a consequence of these uneven power relations, the culture’s shared meanings often reflect the lives of its more powerful members, and fail to properly capture the experiences of the less powerful. This may result in members of less powerful groups being harmed. Such disadvantage constitutes, for Fricker, hermeneutical injustice. In this paper, I discuss a problem for Fricker, which arises when we consider what is required to remedy a hermeneutical wrong. Fricker characterizes hermeneutical injustice as involving a lack of concepts, on the part of the disadvantaged group, to capture some important aspect of their experience. But what has not been properly appreciated in the literature to date, is that it is really competing views of the world that are at stake. Moreover, Fricker’s account seemingly implies that the disadvantaged group’s understanding of the world (or at least that bit of it, where their understanding is contested by the dominant group, and where that difference in interpretation is harmful to the disadvantaged group – what I will call ‘the target of the injustice’) should be treated as authoritative, and taken up by the wider culture. The worry is that in some cases, the disadvantaged group’s view of the world is not one that we think should be accepted. Having presented this problem, I will then show that it bears some similarities to another debate: the dispute over feminist critiques of alien cultural practices. I will then argue that lessons drawn from the latter can help overcome the problem of authority in Fricker’s case.
Activación conductual para el control de la depresión en pacientes oncológicos: una revisión
Authors: Becerra Gálvez Ana Leticia , Reynoso Erazo Leonardo , Bravo González María Cristina , Ordaz Carrillo Maetzin Itzel
Published: October 2017

La Activación Conductual (AC) se define como un proceso terapéutico focalizado a incrementar conductas que coloquen al paciente en un ambiente que proporcione contingencias reforzantes. Este tipo de terapia está validada empíricamente como tratamiento no farmacológico para la depresión y se caracteriza por ser flexible y estar centrada en las necesidades únicas del paciente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar la literatura disponible relacionada a los efectos de la terapia de activación conductual sobre el Trastorno Depresivo Mayor en pacientes con cáncer. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sistemática en siete bases de datos, utilizando el sistema PICO para la identificación de los artículos. Se incluyeron estudios en idioma inglés y español publicados en el período 2000-2016 localizados con los descriptores “depresión”, “terapia de activación conductual” y “pacientes con cáncer”. Se encontraron un total de 373 artículos, de los cuales sólo diez cumplieron con los criterios establecidos para esta revisión. Los estudios se realizaron en pacientes con cáncer no hospitalizados, atendidos en la consulta externa y la intervención se realizó de manera individualizada. Los estudios reportan la utilidad de la AC para el tratamiento del Trastorno Depresivo Mayor en población oncológica. Se sugiere realizar una evaluación clínica para implementar la AC, considerando: la biología del tumor, el estadio clínico, la modalidad de tratamiento y los efectos adversos derivados del mismo, la toxicidad acumulada y la historia natural de la enfermedad.
Comunidades compasivas en cuidados paliativos: revisión de experiencias internacionales y descripción de una iniciativa en Medellín, Colombia
Authors: Rodríguez Prada Andrea , Calderon Gómez Juliana , Krikorian Daveloza Alicia , Zuleta Benjumea Andrea
Published: October 2017

Objetivo: Describir experiencias internacionales de comunidades compasivas y dar a conocer los avances de la iniciativa desarrollada en Colombia llamada “Medellín compasiva, todos contigo”. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura haciendo una búsqueda en Medline, Ovid, Sciencedirect, Embase, Mediclatina, Health source y Google, así como exploración manual. Se emplearon los términos: “comunidades compasivas” o “comunidades” o “redes de apoyo” y “cuidados paliativos” o “cuidados al final de la vida” y sus respectivos en idioma inglés. Resultados: El origen de las comunidades compasivas proviene de la propuesta de ciudades saludables adoptada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, que ha permeado la salud pública y los cuidados paliativos; esta busca complementar la atención sanitaria promoviendo la responsabilidad ciudadana por el cuidado de sus enfermos y la generación de redes de apoyo. El artículo describe el desarrollo de las comunidades compasivas en cuidados paliativos, una serie de experiencias internacionales y la iniciativa llevada a cabo en Medellín, Colombia. Conclusiones: El principal objetivo de las comunidades compasivas en el mundo es mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas con enfermedades avanzadas, mediante el empoderamiento de su grupo social, ayuda en las tareas y satisfacción de las necesidades de cuidado. Las comunidades han surgido en diversas localizaciones y logran estos objetivos desde diferentes miradas y acciones. Esta estrategia es útil para empoderar a las comunidades del cuidado de sus enfermos y servir como un complemento eficaz en cuidados paliativos, particularmente en contextos donde estos están en fase de desarrollo.
Los adjetivos derivados en alemán y en español
Authors: Castell Andreu , Català Natàlia
Published: October 2017

El proceso de creación de adjetivos mediante derivación se da tanto en alemán como en español. El primer objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los mecanismos de sufijación en ambas lenguas a fin de averiguar hasta qué punto pueden establecerse paralelismos entre los sufijos de que disponen ambas lenguas. Por otra parte, se trata brevemente la valencia de los adjetivos derivados y se analiza la descripción de los adjetivos sufijados en diccionarios bilingües, con el fin de constatar las deficiencias que deberían ser superadas al respecto.
The 1918 Spanish Influenza: Three Months of Horror in Philadelphia
Authors: Stetler Christina M.
Published: October 2017

In the fall of 1918, the world came to a virtual standstill while Spanish influenza raged. In the United States, no other city suffered more than Philadelphia. The virus entered via the Philadelphia Navy Yard, arriving on a ship from Boston. As soldiers fell victim to the virus, city authorities believed the outbreak was under control and continued with plans to kick off the Fourth Liberty Loan drive with a parade September 28. After 200,000 people jammed the parade route, the virus exploded in the civilian population. For three months, hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians battled the virus, which, at the end, took over 13,000 lives. Schools, churches, saloons, and theaters closed, thirty-two emergency hospitals opened, and burying the dead became almost impossible. By November, the disease receded, and while the flu continued into the spring, its virulence decreased. As quickly and deadly as it struck Philadelphia, the influenza epidemic receded from collective memory and, largely forgotten, is barely mentioned in discussions of World War I.
Earthworms (Amynthas spp.) increase common bean growth, microbial biomass, and soil respiration
Authors: Barbosa Julierme Zimmer , Demetrio Wilian Carlo , Silva Caroline Malinski , Dionísio Jair Alves
Published: October 2017

Few studies have evaluated the effect of earthworms on plants and biological soil attributes, especially among legumes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of earthworms (Amynthas spp.) on growth in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and on soil biological attributes. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design with five treatments and eight repetitions. The treatments consisted of inoculation with five different quantities of earthworms of the genus Amynthas (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 worms per pot). Each experimental unit consisted of a plastic pot containing 4 kg of soil and two common bean plants. The experiment was harvested 38 days after seedling emergence. Dry matter and plant height, soil respiration, microbial respiration, microbial biomass, and metabolic quotient were determined. Earthworm recovery in our study was high in number and mass, with all values above 91.6% and 89.1%, respectively. In addition, earthworm fresh biomass decreased only in the treatment that included eight earthworms per pot. The presence of earthworms increased the plant growth and improved soil biological properties, suggesting that agricultural practices that favor the presence of these organisms can be used to increase the production of common bean, and the increased soil CO2 emission caused by the earthworms can be partially offset by the addition of common bean crop residues to the soil.
Auricular pavilion arteriography in cattle
Authors: Silva Luiz Antônio Franco da , Gomes Daniella Ferreira Cordeiro , Borges Naida Cristina , Cardoso Júlio Roquete , Rabelo Rogério Elias , Mendes Lucas Andrade , Freitas Sabrina Lucas Ribeiro de , Qualhato Gabriel
Published: October 2017

Although bovine auricular pavilion has been considered to have large surface vessels, descriptions of its vascularization are scarce. Notwithstanding this region has been used as an alternative route of administration of drugs. With help of an Anatomical specimen, arteriography and dissection have revealed a vast vascular network in the auricle. In this sense, once considered, this knowledge is capable of minimizing prospective complications from the unsuitable use of this region for therapeutic and anesthetic procedures. This study aimed to standardize and describe the arteriography of bovine auricular pavilion in order to acquire a greater knowledge about the local vasculature. Five steers, about one-year-old and weighing about 200 kg, were used, among which three Holstein x Gir crossbred and two Gir purebred. None had lesions in the ear. Of these, two animals were submitted to the standardization of procedures for arteriographies; two others underwent the examination itself. Another bovine, from necroscopy, was subjected to dissection of the ear. The arteriographic images and anatomic dissection pictures were compared to describe anatomical relationships. Arteriography enabled the visualization of lateral, lateral intermediate, intermediate, medial intermediate auricular branches, as well as the medial auricular branch. Conversely, the dissection of the superficial cervicoauricular muscle, between the auricular pavilion and the cornual process base, indicated a poor subcutaneous vascularization of this region, contrasting the rich vascularization near the auricular pavilion. The auricular pavilion arteriography identified a complex vascular network, which in terms of a practical application precludes the administration of slow-absorption drugs in this area. Nevertheless, the dissection images showed the poor subcutaneous vascularization of superficial cervicoauricular muscle surrounding area, making this site more favorable for the administration of long-acting substances.
Chito-oligosaccharide as growth promoter replacement for weaned piglets: performance, morphometry, and immune system
Authors: Oliveira Eduardo Raele , Silva Caio Abércio da , Castro-Gómez Raúl Jorge Hernan , Lozano Arturo Pardo , Gavioli David Fernandes , Frietzen Juliana , Silva Elisângela Olegário da , Novais Aliny Ketilim , Frederico Giovani , Pereira Júnior Marcino
Published: October 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chito-oligosaccharide (COS) against two growth promoter antibiotics, colistin and lincomycin, with respect to growth performance, incidence of diarrhea, visceral characteristics, morphometry, and serum immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM). A total of 96 Pen Ar Lan® piglets (48 barrows and 48 females), weaned at 17 days and with body weight (BW) 5.33 ± 0.37 kg, were subjected to the evaluation of growth performance and serum. Twenty-four animals, females, 35-day-old and with BW 6.86 ± 0.64 kg, were used for the assessment of histology and visceral organ weight. The three treatments were a basic diet formulation supplemented with COS (100 mg kg-1), colistin (40 mg kg-1), or lincomycin (4.4 mg kg-1). The antibiotic treatments showed higher average daily gain (ADG) than COS treatment during the period of 49 to 63 days; whereas the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher and incidence of diarrhea was lower for the colistin treatment than for other treatments. The spleen weight and the small intestinal length were higher and duodenal pH was lower for COS than for antibiotics. Morphometry indicated greater villus height and higher ratio of villus height to crypt depth with colistin than with COS and a lower lesion score compared with other treatments. The serum IgA concentration was higher for COS in 35-day-old piglets. According to the results, COS was not efficient to replace colistin as a growth promoter for piglets weaned at 17 days; however, the results related to the immune system suggested that COS is a potentially promising product during weaning.
Técnicas de controle e métodos de sincronização para sistemas de energia renovável ligados à rede elétrica - Uma revisão
Authors: Machado Sebastián Manrique , Silva Newton Da
Published: October 2017

Os Sistemas de Energia Renovável (SER) tornaram-se uma alternativa atrativa frente às fontes de energia convencional, devido à necessidade de diversificar a matriz energética e assim garantir o abastecimento da demanda futura de eletricidade de uma forma sustentável. As fontes renováveis precisam de equipamentos de conversão de energia com um controle adequado para conseguir operar ligados à rede elétrica de maneira satisfatória. O controle deve garantir a sincronização com a rede e o fornecimento de corrente senoidal para cumprir com as normas internacionais de qualidade de energia. Este trabalho apresenta de forma geral as principais técnicas de controle de corrente para os SER e os métodos de sincronização com a rede elétrica, apresentados na literatura. Técnicas de controle linear e não linear são abordadas, considerando diferentes sistemas de referência, assim como métodos de sincronização monofásicos e trifásicos.
Study of energy transfer in polymer blends of TFB:P3HT
Authors: Rodrigues Aline Renata Novais , Renzi Wesley , Cordeiro Neusmar Junior Artico , Laureto Edson , Dias Ivan Frederico Lupiano , Duarte José Leonil
Published: October 2017

Com o objetivo de estudar as propriedades ópticas do polímero TFB, e de sua blenda com o polímero P3HT, foram realizadas medidas de absorção e fotoluminescência (PL) para ambos polímeros, e de uma blenda TFB:P3HT (95:05), depositados sob lâminas de vidro, pela técnica de deposição por centrifugação. Foram utilizados diferentes solventes na preparação das amostras, a fim de comparar os possíveis efeitos dos mesmos na emissão e transferência de energia entre os dois polímeros. Medidas de tempo de decaimento foram realizadas para verificar se esse parâmetro se altera para o TFB preparado a partir de diferentes solventes, e quando na presença de P3HT. Os resultados das medidas de fotoluminescência dos polímeros isolados mostram que não há mudança na forma da emissão desses polímeros conforme se alteram os solventes utilizados no preparo das soluções. Entretanto, no caso da blenda, ocorre mudança na transferência de energia entre os polímeros, dependendo do solvente, deslocando a cor de emissão da amostra para o azul ou vermelho. No espectro de fotoluminescência da blenda é observada uma emissão em 575 nm, a qual não aparece na fotoluminescência das amostras do TFB e P3HT isolados. A partir das medidas de tempo de decaimento, vimos que, nas amostras de TFB, não há alteração considerável com a mudança do solvente. Já para a blenda, nota-se que a presença do P3HT faz com que o tempo de decaimento do TFB diminua, especialmente quando o solvente utilizado foi o clorofórmio.
The Influence of the Big Five Personality Traits on Burnout in Medical Doctors
Authors: Sharma Anita , Kashyap Neelabh
Published: October 2017

The objective of present study was to investigate the relationship between the Big Five personality factors and burnout in medical doctors. The sample comprised of 100 doctors (50 males and 50 females). Results of the study revealed that personality factors explained significant amount of variance in both the males’ and females’ sample. In females’ sample, agreeableness explained the maximum variance of 26% (r=-.507**, p<.01) in depersonalization, extraversion explained 12% (r=-.355*, p<.05) of variance in emotional exhaustion, conscientiousness explained 11% (r=-.351*, p<.05) of variance in reduced personal accomplishment and neuroticism explained 9% (r=.098) of variance in reduced personal accomplishment. In males’ sample, extraversion turned out to be the best predictor of emotional exhaustion and explained 11% (r=-.385**, p<.01) of variance in the said variable and openness explained about 10% (r=-.319*, p<.05) of variance in depersonalization. Overall these personality factors have explained 58% of variance in females’ sample and 21% of variance in males’ sample.
Anatomical Characteristics of Garcinia lucida (Vesque) and Scorodophloeus zenkeri (Harms) Wood and Debarking Response in the South Region Cameroon
Authors: Solefack Marie Caroline Momo , Beeckman Hans , Temgoua Lucie Felicite , Kinjouo Ghislain Kenguem
Published: October 2017

The aim of this work was to investigate the possible anatomical changes of Garcinia lucida and Scorodophloeus zenkeri after the removal of their bark. Debarking was done on individuals of each species at 1.30 m from the soil. The wound was rectangular in shape with 30 cm side. There was a follow-up every three months for nine months during which the survival and rate of regeneration of the bark were recorded. A block of cube was cut from the regenerated and intact wood of species for microtomy and microscopy activities. On the cross-section of each wood, vessel features like density and diameter were measured before and after wounding. Semi-automatic measurements were made using the SpectrumSee digital image analysis software. In the wood of the two species, it appeared that the density of the vessels before debarking was significantly comparable to the density after debarking, while the diameter of vessels in the regenerated wood was smaller. The cambial area increased slightly in the rainy season for all species. After nine months all the species started the restoration of their conductive zone. G. lucida heals its wound more rapidly than S. zenkeri.
Metaphorical concepts in molecular biology students’ texts – a way to improve subject-matter understanding
Authors: Fredriksson Alexandra , Pelger Susanne
Published: October 2017

Earlier research brings evidence that metaphors facilitate our understanding of the world. In this study we explore Bachelor students’ popular science articles on molecular biology with the aim to determine the frequency and nature of metaphorical concepts used in the articles. For this purpose, a comparative metaphor analysis of students’ texts was conducted. The results show that only few students (5 out of 47) use metaphorical concepts when writing about complex molecular biological mechanisms to non-specialist readers. We discuss that the use of metaphors not only reflect, but may also support, the writer’s subject understanding, especially when metaphorical concepts are created by the writer herself. We suggest that the invention of metaphorical concepts when explaining subject-matter to a layman could be a way for students to improve their subject understanding.
University Students’ Reflections on Representations in Genetics and Stereochemistry Revealed by a Focus Group Approach
Authors: Edfors Inger , Wikman Susanne , Cederblad Brita Johansson , Linder Cedric
Published: October 2017

Genetics and organic chemistry are areas of science that students regard as difficult to learn. Part of this difficulty is derived from the disciplines having representations as part of their discourses. In order to optimally support students’ meaning-making, teachers need to use representations to structure the meaning-making experience in thoughtful ways that consider the variation in students’ prior knowledge. Using a focus group setting, we explored 43 university students’ reasoning on representations in introductory chemistry and genetics courses. Our analysis of eight focus group discussions revealed how students can construct somewhat bewildered relations with disciplinary-specific representations. The students stated that they preferred familiar representations, but without asserting the meaning-making affordances of those representations. Also, the students were highly aware of the affordances of certain representations, but nonetheless chose not to use those representations in their problem solving. We suggest that an effective representation is one that, to some degree, is familiar to the students, but at the same time is challenging and not too closely related to “the usual one”. The focus group discussions led the students to become more aware of their own and others ways of interpreting different representations. Furthermore, feedback from the students’ focus group discussions enhanced the teachers’ awareness of the students’ prior knowledge and limitations in students’ representational literacy. Consequently, we posit that a focus group setting can be used in a university context to promote both student meaning-making and teacher professional development in a fruitful way.
A cohort of novice Danish science teachers: Background in science and argumentation about science teaching
Authors: Nielsen Birgitte Lund
Published: October 2017

A survey on science background and argumentation about science teaching was conducted on a local cohort of newly qualified Danish science teachers. The survey was administered before the novice teachers began their first jobs in primary and lower secondary schools and focused on their reflections on specific scenarios of science teaching and themselves as teachers in various science fields. Three areas of concern were identified: There was evidence of reflection upon and argumentation for the practice of science teaching being stundent centred, but many respondents showed a tendency to focus on students’ activities as a goal in themselves, few considered what the students learned through the activities. Results furthermore suggest that the teachers’ own assessment of their subject matter knowledge in the physics field may, for a large subgroup in the cohort, affect their approach to teaching science.
Children’s ideas about the human body – A Nordic case study
Authors: Óskarsdóttir Gunnhildur , Stougaard Birgitte , Fleischer Ane , Jeronen Eila , Lützen Finnur , Kråkenes Roar
Published: October 2017

This paper explores the findings of a study of the ideas young school children in the Nordic countries have about the human body e.g. structure and location of bones and organs (heart, lungs, stomach and brain etc.) before being taught about it formally at school. The aims of the study were to investigate children’s ideas about the human body and to see if their ideas differ between Nordic countries and if so, in what way. Twenty 6 year old children in each country were chosen (7–8 year olds in Finland) and asked to draw the bones and the organs in the body and to explain their drawings. Mixed methods were used in this study to get a broader view of the double aim of the study. Special scales were used to get a quantitative view of children’s ideas as put forward in their drawings and the study also had some elements of a case study as it was meant to focus on children’s ideas about a special issue, that is, the human body. The results show many similarities between the children’s ideas presented in the drawings and also interesting differences. The results also suggest that the culture aspects in each country such as cooking habits, typical foods, pictures in books and language expressions influence children’s ideas about bones and organs in the human body.
Three lessons from an effect evaluation of the Swedish Science and Technology for Children Programme
Authors: Mellander Erik , Svärdh Joakim
Published: October 2017

This paper discusses three methodological aspects on evaluations of effects of teacher support programmes on students’ scholastic achievements. The three aspects are: i) participants and non-participants are, in general, not comparable, which needs to be accounted for, in order to avoid incorrect conclusions regarding the programme’s effects ii) programme effects can differ across subject fields, and iii) to enable precisely estimated effects it is essential to have access to standardized outcome measures. To illustrate the three aspects, we use the results in an earlier evaluation of the effects of the Swedish Science and Technology for Children programme (the NTA programme), on school achievements in grade 9. There, positive effects could be established only after adjusting for systematic differences between participants and non-participants. Moreover, the effects were limited to one subject, Physics, and visible only for results on nationwide tests, not for course grades set by the students’ teachers.
Student teacher conceptions of matter and substances – evaporation and dew formation
Authors: Håland Bjørn
Published: October 2017

It is observed that student teachers have problems with seemingly simple ideas in introductory chemistry. In order to uncover possible underlying problems, a rather comprehensive investigation on their views on matter, substances and the particulate view of matter, was accomplished.31 students were interviewed before they started on an introductory course in chemistry. The interviews were semi-structured and linked to a sorting task and some demonstrations. All the interviews were tape-recorded and some photos were taken.This paper reports on the students’ views on evaporation and dew formation and discusses what their statements on these phenomena tell us about their general view on matter, substances and the particulate view of matter. Their statements about evaporation and dew formation are compared.Only 6/31 students displayed a reasonably good understanding of both evaporation and dew formation, and only two of these used a more “advanced” particulate model in their explanation of both phenomena. Most of the other students hold some sensible views and some alternative non-scientific views. All measure of understanding was revealed, from almost total ignorance to an almost complete understanding. At least 4/5 of the students seem to have some problem with the concepts of matter, substance and the particulate view of matter. These concepts, therefore, clearly need to be included and addressed in an understandable way in Norwegian teacher education.
The role of ‘Teknikåttan’– a competition aimed at increasing interest in science and technology for grade 8 students.
Authors: Gumaelius Lena , Nymark Tanja Kramer
Published: October 2017

Since 1993, Swedish technical universities have engaged 15-year-old students and their teachers in the annual tournament “Teknikåttan” (technology for students in school year eight), which is aimed at increasing students’ interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, as well as at making them aware of career possibilities within these areas. Given its large number of participating students, Teknikåttan offers a unique opportunity to study students’ understanding of and interest in STEM subjects by analysing the results collected for the participating students. This paper gives a description of the Teknikåttan tournament and presents an analysis of the results from the first round of the 2014 tournament. The data collected came from the answers of students in the Stockholm region. All questions were characterised according to three parameters, which were used to analyse answers to high-score and low-score questions and differences in answers according to gender. The analysis indicates that a difference exists in answers according to gender, such that boys scored higher than girls overall, but that girls scored higher in questions related to the subject of biology. Finally, a possible expansion of the analysis involving future tournaments is discussed.
Assocationsverktyg som ett sätt att studera studenters diskussion kring naturvetenskapliga begrepp
Authors: Stolpe Karin , Degerman Mari Stadig
Published: October 2017

This article aims to describe a new tool, the association tool, to collect data of students’ discussions on scientific concepts. We have tested the association tool in two different situations. In the first, the association tool was used by student teachers in group-work. The students (two groups, which consisted of two and three students respectively) were asked to associate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a concept with which they are familiar, with other concepts. In the second situation, the association tool was used in an interview situation dealing with the concepts of energy and heat. Three student teachers were interviewed. Both situations were videotaped and the transcripts were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively to show different ways of using the association tool. The association tool yielded rich data on the discussions of the concepts used, and it also allowed the opportunity to study interactions in group-work and an interview situation.
Apropå Fuglesang - Världsbilder och rekryteringen till naturvetenskapliga/tekniska utbildningar
Authors: Hansson Lena , Lindahl Britt
Published: October 2017

In connection to the astronaut Christer Fuglesang’s space flight, different stakeholders have expressed a hope that this event will increase the interest among youths for science and technology studies. The modernistic and technique positive discourse that is used is however not unproblematic in this situation. In the article this is exemplified with students’ views concerning the possibility that humans in the future will be able to live on other planets. This is something that, during an interview, was mentioned by Fuglesang as the main reason for space flights.
Using hierarchical linear models to test differences in Swedish results from OECD’s PISA 2003: Integrated and subject-specific science education
Authors: Åström Maria , Karlsson Karl-Göran
Published: October 2017

The possible effects of different organisations of the science curriculum in schools participating in PISA 2003 are tested with a hierarchical linear model (HLM) of two levels. The analysis is based on science results. Swedish schools are free to choose how they organise the science curriculum. They may choose to work subject-specifically (with Biology, Chemistry and Physics), integrated (with Science) or to mix these two. In this study, all three ways of organising science classes in compulsory school are present to some degree. None of the different ways of organising science education displayed statistically significant better student results in scientific literacy as measured in PISA 2003. The HLM model used variables of gender, country of birth, home language, preschool attendance, an economic, social and cultural index as well as the teaching organisation.
Et allmenndannende naturfag. Fagets betydning for demokratisk deltakelse
Authors: Kolstø Stein Dankert
Published: October 2017

Artikkelen har vært trykket i boka Naturfagdidaktikk – perspektiver, forskning, utvikling (Red.: D. Jorde & B. Bungum, ISBN 82-05-31477-2), utgitt på Gyldendal Akademisk i. Kapitlet gjengis i NorDiNa etter avtale med forlaget og forfatteren.
Naturfag i skolen i et kritisk demokratisk dannelsesperspektiv
Authors: Paulsen Albert Chr.
Published: October 2017

Artikkelen har vært trykket i boka Naturfagdidaktikk – perspektiver, forskning, utvikling (Red. D. Jorde & B. Bungum, ISBN 82-05-31477-2), utgitt på Gyldendal Akademisk i 2003. Kapitlet gjengis i NorDiNa etter avtale med forlaget og forfatteren.
Tre elever berättar om universum, gud och fysiken
Authors: Hansson Lena , Redfors Andreas
Published: October 2017

The article is about upper secondary students’ worldviews and how they relate different contributionsto their worldviews to one another. We are especially focusing on contributions from physics andfrom religion. The context we have chosen for the study is cosmology, which is the frame within whichthe discussions with the students take place. In this paper we will let three students’ stories about existentialissues related to cosmology illustrate how the students, when talking about their own views,relate to and handle the views they associate with physics. These students’ stories will also illustratethat while atheistic worldviews are supported religious worldviews are put into question, by thestudents’ views of the physics’ worldview. This will be discussed together with implications for physicsteaching.
viten.no –digital teaching programs in science education
Authors: Mork Sonja M.
Published: October 2017

viten.no is a web-based platform with digital teaching programs in science for secondary schooldeveloped by the Norwegian research and development project Viten (Jorde, Strømme, Sørborg,Erlien, & Mork, 2003). The Viten project is a collaboration between the University of Oslo, the Norwegian University for Science and Technology and the Norwegian Centre for Science Education. The Viten teaching programs are available for free, and no additional software is needed to use them. Students in grade 8-12 can work collaboratively on various science topics and each topic ranges in duration from 2-8 science lessons. Three types of programs are available, engaging students in: a) designing solution to problems, e.g. design a greenhouse for growing plants in a spaceship on its way to Mars, b) debating controversial issues, e.g. whether or not there should be wolves in the Norwegian wilderness, c) investigating scientific phenomena, e.g. radioactivity, gene-technology.