bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Learning Effect of Using a Blended Learning Design in K12 Science Teaching
Authors: Rosenbaum Paul-Erik Lillholm , Mikalsen Øyvind , Grahl-Nielsen Otto
Published: October 2013

In seven experiments, two learning conditions were assessed: a blended learning design against traditional instruction. 135 K12 science students were assigned to either a blended learning approach or to traditional learning instructions in authentic classroom settings. The students participated in one of two topics in the subject field of chemistry. All participants were randomly assigned within each classroom to one of two conditions: 1) an experimental blended learning group having teacher lecture plus Web-based multimedia; 2) a control group with traditional instructions having teacher lecture plus text and diagram. On subsequent retention and transfer tests, the blended learning group performed significantly better on retention in two of seven comparisons, and there was no significant difference in the rest. The challenge that lies ahead is to identify the characteristics of effective blended learning approaches for this type of learning programme. Recommendations for further research are made.
Integrated Projects and the Development of Interdisciplinary Problem-Solving Strategies
Authors: King Paul C.
Published: October 2013

Interdisciplinary problem solving and research skills require early preparation in two categories: critical thinking and communication. This chapter reviews the two-year process of interdisciplinary curriculum development, shaped by collaboration between the New York City Department of Education, the New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York, and City Polytechnic High School of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology. The resulting course, “Inter-Academy Integrated Projects” (IP), emphasizes multidisciplinary problem solving that includes creativity, observation, research, visual and discursive communication, and reflection. The collaborative lessons make use of project-based methodology and emphasize social responsibility. Core skills are combined across the two trimesters of IP. This endeavor will be contrasted and compared to the work of the Partnership for the 21st Century Skills by examining the use of high-impact learning practices, feedback from students and teachers, and the issues surrounding the implementation of any new curriculum.
The Student with Complex Education Needs
Authors: Farrell Helen J.
Published: October 2013

Categories of potential research questions concerning trends and issues affecting the education of students with complex educational needs are numerous. For example, it seems that whether one studies musicians and their music, the processes of music, the performer, the composer, or the teacher-researcher, music is often observed as implicated in and determinants of the ways individuals are able to be intelligent. The chapter reports the findings of a research project during which a ten-week music program was developed and implemented in a public special education setting in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia (Farrell, 2007). The program featured the application of information and computer technology and assistive peripherals for a defined classroom grouping of students with complex educational needs that embedded notions of differentiated instruction. Like special education settings and classroom groupings of students with complex educational needs are observed within and across education systems of many sovereign states. However, from an Australian perspective, findings and conclusions suggest future directions in the application of assistive and augmentative information and communication technology for students with complex educational needs.
Acer
Authors: Altamura Séraphine Francoise , Cannelli Alessandra , Delle Monache Roberta Maria
Published: October 2013

The idea of one-to-one computing (1:1C) with instructional material tailored to the individual learner is not new. However, a continued adherence to the “broadcast model” of learning where the teacher directs the whole of a lesson is holding this approach back. Concepts like “one-computer-one-child” (OCOC) have been in existence since the start of the century, but new one-netbook-one-child policies are making this system more affordable. Other concepts, such as eTwinning have also existed since that time, and a more possible today with affordable network coverage. The chapter presents a case study into a European Union funded programme, called the Acer-European Schoolnet Educational Netbook Pilot Project (AESENPP) which seeks to implement eTwinning and a OCOC policy that takes advantage of blended learning approach alternating different activities, in the form of an online or offline approach that is supported with interactive pen. Six countries participated in AESENPP, with schools interested in exploring how this approach can have an impact on the processes involved in teaching and understand and documenting how learners and teachers can use netbooks in various educational contexts. The chapter describes how three Italian teachers from three schools in Rome and Viterbo are explaining how they coped with this challenge and what the outcomes of their experimentation are. As the experiment is still in action, the Italian teachers decided to give only evidence of their positive experience.
Digital Information Management
Authors: Agrawal Pawan R.
Published: October 2013

The most burning issue of today’s electronic generation, where information generation is a task of seconds, is to save the information in a form that could successfully be read tomorrow. It is easily understandable that if one keeps a book in a drawer and open it after 10 years, one may hope to get it back and read it, possibly with some damage, but this is not the case for information stored in a Compact Disc (CD) or any other electronic device. This chapter projects at understanding digital preservation issues and identifying appropriate solutions to manage digital information. This chapter also aims to identify the projects undergoing throughout the world for digital preservation. This chapter overall discusses the speedy obsolescence, short-lived technologies, and other issues in digital preservation with the identified and possible strategies of digital preservation.
A New Framework for Building Academic Library through Cloud Computing
Authors: Parashar Vijay , Vishwakarma Mohan Lal , Parashar Reema
Published: October 2013

Libraries all over the world suffer from common problems like flexibility associated with digital data, lower levels of efficiency, and costs involved in managing the entire IT infrastructure. Few options are available in collaborating with other libraries, which is the prime reason for subordinate levels of efficiency. For the past 20 years the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has fundamentally changed the practices and procedures of nearly all forms of endeavor within business and governance. Within education, ICT has begun to have a presence, but the cost of ICT is not affordable. The basic principle of cloud computing entails the reduction of in-house data centres and the delegation of a portion or all of the information technology infrastructure capability to a third party. Universities and colleges are the core of innovation through their advanced research and development. Subsequently, higher institutions may benefit greatly by harnessing the power of cloud computing. Cloud computing would help in bridging the gap between academic libraries and ICT. Sharing of data among the libraries will in principle reduce the overall cost and increase efficiency. Capital expenditure done on infrastructure will chiefly be converted into operational expenditure. It will also enhance the user’s experience and will help in making the libraries a lot more scalable. In this chapter the authors discuss problems faced with academic libraries and development efforts to overcome that problem. Then they propose to improve current user service model with cloud computing.
The University Library Electronic Identities Authentication System (UL-EIDA)
Authors: Mbale Jameson
Published: October 2013

World-wide electronic university libraries, with wide accessibility, are considered to be essential units in both academic and nonacademic information utilization. Within this context, the developed world wasted no time improving and expanding their libraries by applying the technology leverage offered by cloud computing. As institutions from developed countries expanded the use of cloud technology for library applications, it became clear that this technology was highly vulnerable to security threats. Nevertheless, this did not retard advanced nations from proceeding. Undaunted, they forged ahead and now are busy building appropriate cloud computing security infrastructures. Despite progress in this area, very little has been done to expand the university libraries in the sub-Saharan region using cloud computing technologies. Even less has been done in these developing countries to plan and develop the building of library computing security infrastructures. It was in view of this deficit that the University of Namibia’s (UNAM) University Library electronic Identities Authentication (UL-eIDA) system was conceived to build a cloud computing security framework model suitable for the sub-Saharan region.
Biological Data for Understanding Customer Experiences
Authors: Shirahada Kunio , Maki Atsushi , Kosaka Michitaka
Published: October 2013

In this chapter, the authors introduce the biological data-based marketing system to understand customer experiences. In a service economy, understanding customers, including how they feel and experience through service, is important for corporate success. The authors focus on brain activities and eye movements and measure them by the NIRS approach and eye tracking tool. Through discussions of two different kinds of experiments, they indicate a potential of biological data as a new style of understanding of customers.
Adding Value to Service Brands through Innovation
Authors: Guceri-Ucar Gozem , Koch Stefan
Published: October 2013

Innovation is rapidly becoming a central driver in the marketing strategy of many service companies, while its effects on the perceived value of a service brand have yet to be determined. The purpose of this chapter is to explore how introducing an innovation affects the perceived brand equity of services in an emerging economy. The authors propose a conceptual framework that will aid academics in developing detailed causal models in the future, while helping practitioners effectively capitalize on innovation in their branding strategies. Four major factors are identified to have an impact on how innovation affects the perceived value of a service brand in the eyes of customers in emerging economies: (1) innovation characteristics, (2) service industry characteristics, (3) cultural characteristics, and (4) customer characteristics. The qualitative research results support that if utilized correctly marketing activities capitalizing on innovation indeed can make service brands stronger.
Innovation in Offer of Services for Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Mazini Sergio Ricardo , Novaes Edimilson Ricardo Azevedo
Published: October 2013

The chapter presents a new commercial approach based in tablets that is supported by a software platform and commercially nominated services called Nimian (www.nimiam.com.br). The aim of this solution is to provide a commercial platform that provides some innovation to the process of sales and marketing through new technologies, allowing the company to advertise itself, its brands and products, and also create a new and different experience with the customer. The chapter also discusses how new technologies can contribute to the provision of new services allied to the products offered by companies manufacturing goods. It is something relatively new to show all the benefits of using tablets in business. An exploratory study was carried out based on the studies of real cases, thus broadening the investigation of using tablets in marketing business.
Good Treats
Authors: Sujan Harish , Borrero Silvio , Cranage David
Published: October 2013

With economic development in countries like India comes an increasing appetite to eat out, and, as a consequence, more prevalent obesity. Eating out does not have to bring joy at the cost of wellbeing. Prosperity in India does not have to lead to obesity, as it has in the United States with 62% of its people being diagnosed as clinically obese. Suggesting a balance between hedonism and personal care, in this chapter, the authors identify what motivates people, restaurant patrons in particular, to find this balance. Using research on decision-making in behavioral economics, theories of motivation and perspectives in positive psychology, they identify alternative ways for consumers to achieve this balance—and for service providers to enable them to do so. Based on the idea that good business, ethical and caring business, enables stable and growing markets, the authors advocate that restaurant managers market their businesses as providing not just treats but good treats! The recommendation, they explain, is even more pertinent for emerging economies than it is for developed economies.
Skilled Human Resources in the Health Sectors and Impacts of New Health Technologies on Health Workforce in Developing Economies
Authors: Driouchi Ahmed
Published: October 2013

This chapter focuses on the importance of human health resources in relation to current and future trends in health. It is based on a syntheses of reports, publications, and economic development processes related to the increasing needs for skilled human resources in health systems that are under both high demand and also under the requirements of new health technologies. A special emphasis is placed on developing countries where a series of constraints could lead to limits in providing access to health care and a shortage of skilled labor. The human resources related risks at both levels of developed and developing economies are also discussed even though emergent and developed countries have generated new instruments to limit the negative effects of these constraints. Finally, if the expansion of access to new health technologies could be achieved within the world global health system framework, requirements of increasingly needed human resources and skills are shown.
A Descriptive Overview of the Emigration of Medical Doctors from MENA to EU
Authors: Baijou Ahmad
Published: October 2013

This chapter focuses on a descriptive analysis of physician’s migrants from MENA to the European Union (EU). It assesses the determinants of this migration with its effects on sending and receiving economies. The relationship of the migration of medical doctors to health, medical education, and employment in MENA and EU is also discussed. Both descriptive and analytical approaches are used. The attained results show that the main factors for migration are income, work, and living conditions.
Cloud Computing Networks
Authors: Li Yale , Shen Yushi , Liu Yudong
Published: October 2013

Cloud Computing has the potential to trigger a major computing model transformation for the IT industry. This chapter briefly describes the business and technical benefits of Cloud Computing and explains the technical challenges in Cloud Computing, such as the network bottleneck. One of the solutions to address the network problem is the Content Delivery Network (CDN). Here, the basics of the Akamai CDN technology is digested. Then, the authors conduct a CDN experiment in the Microsoft public cloud, Windows Azure, to demonstrate the benefits of CDN integration with the cloud. The results show significant gain in large data download by the utilization of a CDN. Finally, a couple of academic research ideas are summarized for future improvements on the CDN model.
Parallel Data Transfer Protocol
Authors: Shen Yushi , Li Yale , Wu Ling , Liu Shaofeng , Wen Qian
Published: October 2013

Transferring very high quality digital objects over the optical network is critical in many scientific applications, including video streaming/conferencing, remote rendering on tiled display walls, 3D virtual reality, and so on. Current data transfer protocols rely on the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) as well as a variety of compression techniques. However, none of the protocols scale well to the parallel model of transferring large scale graphical data. The existing parallel streaming protocols have limited synchronization mechanisms to synchronize the streams efficiently, and therefore, are prone to slowdowns caused by significant packet loss of just one stream. In this chapter, the authors propose a new parallel streaming protocol that can stream synchronized multiple flows of media content over optical networks through Cross-Stream packet coding, which not only can tolerate random UDP packet losses but can also aim to tolerate unevenly distributed packet loss patterns across multiple streams to achieve a synchronized throughput with reasonable coding overhead. They have simulated the approach, and the results show that the approach can generate steady throughput with fluctuating data streams of different data loss patterns and can transfer data in parallel at a higher speed than multiple independent UDP streams.
Cloud Strategy Leads Innovation in China
Authors: Shen Yushi , Li Yale , Wu Ling , Liu Shaofeng , Wen Qian
Published: October 2013

Cloud computing is a historically significant trend in the development of information technology and applications. The cloud concept and the corresponding series of changes in technology, business, application, and service models are inevitable results of such developments in the information industry. In recent years, governments and major IT companies have introduced new IT strategies based on cloud computing, such as innovative platforms, services, and applications. More and more data and applications are migrating into the cloud, and the development of cloud computing is in full swing (Shen & Zhang, 2013).
A Rare Presentation of Bilateral Maxillary Dens Invaginatus Diagnosed Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Dinapadu Sainath , Aravelli Swathi , Pasari Srikanth , Marukala Narender Reddy
Published: October 2013

Dens invaginatus is a developmental variation in the formation of a tooth that causes changes in the internal anatomy of the tooth. The presence of double dens invaginatus is extremely rare. Understanding the type, extension, and complex morphology of dens invaginatus is essential. Diagnosis of this condition using conventional radiographic techniques is not easy. Advanced imaging techniques, such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) are very helpful in diagnosis of these complex anatomic variations. In the present case report, we demonstrate the use of CBCT in the evaluation and treatment planning of bilateral maxillary dens invaginatus, of which one presented as a case of double dens.
Napping on the Night Shift: A Study of Sleep, Performance, and Learning in Physicians-in-Training
Authors: McDonald Jennifer , Potyk Darryl , Fischer David , Parmenter Brett , Lillis Teresa , Tompkins Lindsey , Bowen Angela , Grant Devon , Lamp Amanda , Belenky Gregory
Published: October 2013

Background

Physicians in training experience fatigue from sleep loss, high workload, and working at an adverse phase of the circadian rhythm, which collectively degrades task performance and the ability to learn and remember. To minimize fatigue and sustain performance, learning, and memory, humans generally need 7 to 8 hours of sleep in every 24-hour period.

Methods

In a naturalistic, within-subjects design, we studied 17 first- and second-year internal medicine residents working in a tertiary care medical center, rotating between day shift and night float every 4 weeks. We studied each resident for 2 weeks while he/she worked the day shift and for 2 weeks while he/she worked the night float, objectively measuring sleep by wrist actigraphy, vigilance by the Psychomotor Vigilance Task test, and visual-spatial and verbal learning and memory by the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised and the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test.

Results

Residents, whether working day shift or night float, slept approximately 7 hours in every 24-hour period. Residents, when working day shift, consolidated their sleep into 1 main sleep period at night. Residents working night float split their sleep, supplementing their truncated daytime sleep with nighttime on-duty naps. There was no difference in vigilance or learning and memory, whether residents worked day shift or night float.

Conclusions

Off-duty sleep supplemented with naps while on duty appears to be an effective strategy for sustaining vigilance, learning, and memory when working night float.
Utilization of a High Stakes High School Graduation Exam to Assess the Impact of Agricultural Education: A Measure of Curriuculum Integration
Authors: Nolin Joshua Brock , Parr Brian
Published: October 2013

Phipps, Osborne, Dyer, and Ball , (2008) posited that, “Agricultural education in secondary schools has
played an important role in enhancing student achievement in the core subject areas…” (p. 4), while
Enderlin and Osborne (1992) reported that agricultural students received higher test scores in biology
than students in other science classes. However, further evaluation of this academic integration is warranted to determine which practices are most beneficial to students. This study sought to determine if
there was a relationship between the number of agricultural education classes that students took and the
subsequent outcomes on the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. To address the research question,
binary logistic regression was employed. Results indicated that the model did predict the outcomes on the
language and math portion of the exam while the model failed to predict outcomes on the social studies,
biology, and reading portions of the exam. This study should be replicated using standardized tests in
other states. Comparable data should be collected for students not enrolled in agriculture classes so that
the groups mean scores could be compared.
Embracing Alter-Identities: Socio-Cultural Development for Graduate Education
Authors: Hains Bryan J. , Tubbs Jonathan , Vincent Stacy K.
Published: October 2013

This qualitative case study examines one faculty member’s approach toward instilling culturally immer- sive experiences into graduate curriculum. Participants completed course assignments designed to en- hance their multicultural understanding and competence. Course assignments culminated in an immer- sive experience where students embodied an alter-identity representative of a culture, sub-culture, or group either foreign to the student or opposite themselves. Results indicated that the designed cultural immersion did assist students in transitioning their cultural knowledge from a basic understanding to a greater cultural competence.
Potential Effects of the Affordable Care Act on the Award of Life Care Expenses
Authors: Congdon-Hohman Joshua , Matheson Victor
Published: October 2013

Plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits are entitled to compensation for future medical expenses. We argue that the “guaranteed issue” and “individual mandate” requirements of the recently passed Affordable Care Act (ACA) will allow victims to address a large portion of their health needs through the purchase of a simple health insurance plan rather than direct compensation for an itemized list of health care needs. As such, damage awards for many health expenditures should be capped at a maximum of $6,250 per year. Therefore, the role of a life care planner should evolve into determining which life care expenses are covered under the minimum insurance requirements mandated by the ACA and which entail additional expenditures beyond those covered by health insurance.
Springtime phytoplankton dynamics in the Arctic Krossfjorden and Kongsfjorden (Spitsbergen) as a function of glacier proximity
Authors: Piquet A. M.-T. , van de Poll W. H. , Visser R. J. W. , Wiencke C. , Bolhuis H. , Buma A. G. J.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. The hydrographic properties of the Kongsfjorden – Krossfjorden system (79° N, Spitsbergen) are affected by Atlantic water incursions as well as glacier meltwater runoff. This results in strong physical gradients (temperature, salinity and irradiance) within the fjords. Here, we tested the hypothesis that glaciers affect phytoplankton dynamics as early as the productive spring bloom period. During two campaigns in 2007 (late spring) and 2008 (early spring) we studied hydrographic characteristics and phytoplankton variability along 2 transects in both fjords, using HPLC-CHEMTAX pigment fingerprinting, molecular fingerprinting (DGGE) and sequencing of 18S rRNA genes. The sheltered inner fjord locations remained colder during spring as opposed to the outer locations. Vertical light attenuation coefficients increased from early spring onwards, at all locations, but in particular at the inner locations. During the end of spring, meltwater input had stratified surface waters throughout the fjords. The inner fjord locations were characterized by overall lower phytoplankton biomass. Furthermore HPLC-CHEMTAX data revealed that diatoms and Phaeocystis sp. were replaced by small nano- and picophytoplankton during late spring, coinciding with low nutrient availability. The innermost stations showed higher relative abundances of nano- and picophytoplankton throughout, notably of cyanophytes and cryptophytes. Molecular fingerprinting revealed a high similarity between inner fjord samples from early spring and late spring samples from all locations, while outer samples from early spring clustered separately. We conclude that glacier influence, mediated by early meltwater input, modifies phytoplankton biomass and composition already during the spring bloom period, in favor of low biomass and small cell size communities. This may affect higher trophic levels especially when regional warming further increases the period and volume of meltwater.
Spatial patterns in timing of the diurnal temperature cycle
Authors: Holmes T. R. H. , Crow W. T. , Hain C.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. This paper investigates the structural difference in timing of the diurnal temperature cycle (DTC) over land resulting from choice of measuring device or model framework. It is shown that the timing can be reliably estimated from temporally sparse observations acquired from a constellation of low Earth-orbiting satellites given record lengths of at least three months. Based on a year of data, the spatial patterns of mean DTC timing are compared between temperature estimates from microwave Ka-band, geostationary thermal infrared (TIR), and numerical weather prediction model output from the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO). It is found that the spatial patterns can be explained by vegetation effects, sensing depth differences and more speculatively the orientation of orographic relief features. In absolute terms, the GMAO model puts the peak of the DTC on average at 12:50 local solar time, 23 min before TIR with a peak temperature at 13:13 (both averaged over Africa and Europe). Since TIR is the shallowest observation of the land surface, this small difference represents a structural error that possibly affects the model's ability to assimilate observations that are closely tied to the DTC. The equivalent average timing for Ka-band is 13:44, which is influenced by the effect of increased sensing depth in desert areas. For non-desert areas, the Ka-band observations lag the TIR observations by only 15 min, which is in agreement with their respective theoretical sensing depth. The results of this comparison provide insights into the structural differences between temperature measurements and models, and can be used as a first step to account for these differences in a coherent way.
Alcohol Use, Risk Taking, Leisure Activities and Health Care Use Among Young People in Northern Vietnam
Authors: Thoa Le Thi Kim , Hoang Dang H. , Vung Nguyen Dang , Tien Pham H. , Plant M. A.
Published: October 2013

Alcohol consumption is associated with a wide range of health and social consequences. It is also associated with a number of risk taking behaviours. These include illicit drug use and unsafe sex.  Alcohol consumption appears to be increasing in Vietnam. The purpose of this paper is to examine the patterns of alcohol consumption and its relationship with a number of other risk taking behaviours amongst young people.  Information was also obtained concerning leisure activities and use of health care. The paper also sets out to examine possible gender differences in relation to alcohol consumption and risk behaviour and to propose the development and implementation of alcohol monitoring and prevention programs in Vietnam.  The study involved a cross-sectional, community survey using a standardised interview.  This was conducted during face-to-face interviews with 1,408 young people aged 10-19 years.  Respondents were recruited randomly through the lists of the households from 12 selected communes in three areas in Northern Vietnam. The findings presented here were part of a larger health risk behaviour survey.  Levels of alcohol use were low. Overall, 16.5% of participants were experienced drinkers, and only 4% of them were current drinkers. Males were significantly more likely than females to report drinking. This study also showed that rates of alcohol consumption were associated with age, education, geographical area, gender, tobacco smoking, involvement in violence, watching television, computer use and playing computer games, wearing safety helmets and use of health services. Alcohol consumption tended to increase with age for both males and females.  Alcohol and its effects on young people are clearly a growing public health issue in Vietnam.  Because of this, more detailed behavioral research should be conducted into the relationship between alcohol consumption and other risky behaviours amongst young people.  It is also recommended that alcohol harm reduction policies should be implemented and integrated into measures to reduce levels of other health problems such as HIV/AIDS and non communicable diseases. Such policies should ideally be evidence-based and evaluated.
The 17Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Gene Polymorphism and Endometriosis
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed Sayed , Kamal Hany Hassan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

Endometriosis is a chronic, painful disease that affects the female genital tract with unknown definite etiology, though there are multiple theories that try to explain its etiology. Genetic causes are suggested in the most widely accepted theories, and this study examined the association between the HSD17B1 gene polymorphism and endometriosis and its severity.

Methods

Twenty-five patients with clinical suspicion of endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopic examination were admitted to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department in the Minia University Hospital, and 25 women were enrolled as controls. All subjects underwent genetic analysis for the HSD17B1 gene polymorphism.

Results

There were significant associations between genotyping analysis of the cases and controls: G/G, A/G and A/A distributions among the cases were 8%, 60% and 32%, respectively, while in controls, they were 60%, 32% and 8%, respectively (p = 0.002, p = 0.05 and p = 0.03, respectively). There were no associations between the HSD17B1 gene polymorphism and severity of endometriosis.

Conclusion

Genetic analysis of the HSD17B1 gene polymorphism showed it to have an important role in the etiology of endometriosis. Extensive further studies are recommended for further genes that may be associated with endometriosis.
Moduli destabilization via gravitational collapse
Authors: Hwang Dong-il , Pedro Francisco G. , Yeom Dong-han
Published: October 2013

Abstract

We examine the interplay between gravitational collapse and moduli stability in the context of black hole formation. We perform numerical simulations of the collapse using the double null formalism and show that the very dense regions one expects to find in the process of black hole formation are able to destabilize the volume modulus. We establish that the effects of the destabilization will be visible to an observer at infinity, opening up a window to a region in spacetime where standard model’s couplings and masses can differ significantly from their background values.
Oncological Feasibility of Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy for Adenocarcinoma: A Single‐Institution Comparative Study
Authors: Rehman S. , John S. K. P. , Lochan R. , Jaques B. C. , Manas D. M. , Charnley R. M. , French J. J. , White S. A.
Published: October 2013

Background

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is performed increasingly for pancreatic pathology in the body and tail of the pancreas. However, only few reports have compared its oncological efficacy with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP). We compared these two techniques in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods

From a prospectively maintained database, all patients who underwent either LDP or ODP for adenocarcinoma in the body and tail of the pancreas between January 2008 and December 2011 were compared. Data were analysed using SPSS® v19 utilising standard tests. A p value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Of 101 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy, 22 had histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma (LDP n = 8, ODP n = 14). Both groups were well matched for age and the size of tumour (22 vs. 32 mm, p = 0.22). Intraoperative blood loss was 306 ml compared with 650 ml for ODP (p = 0.152). A longer operative time was noted for LDP (376 vs. 274 min, p < 0.05). Total length of stay was shorter for LDP compared with ODP (8 vs. 12 days, p = 0.05). The number of postoperative pancreatic fistulas were similar (LDP n = 2 vs. ODP n = 3, p = 0.5). Complete resection (R0) was achieved in 88 % of LDP (n = 7) compared with 86 % of ODP (n = 12). The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 16 for LDP versus 14 for ODP. Overall 3‐year survival also was similar: LDP = 82 %, ODP = 74 % (p = 0.89).

Conclusions

From an oncological perspective, LDP is a viable procedure and its results are comparable to ODP for ductal adenocarcinomas arising in the body and tail of the pancreas.
Oxidative stress and redox regulation of gametogenesis, fertilization, and embryonic development
Authors: Tsunoda Satoshi , Kimura Naoko , Fujii Junichi
Published: September 2013

Oxidative stress caused by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the predominant causes of both male and female infertility. Oxidative stress conditions cause either cell death or senescence by oxidation of cellular molecules including nucleic acid, proteins, and lipids. It is particularly important to minimize oxidative stress when in vitro fertilization is performed for the purpose of assisted reproduction. The problems associated with assisted reproductive technology are becoming evident, and it is now the time to clarify its mechanisms and cope with them. On the other hand, the beneficial roles of ROS, such as intracellular signaling, have become evident. The antithetical functions of ROS make it more difficult to overcome the problems caused by oxidative stress. Despite the difficulty in understanding mammalian reproduction, the mechanisms and problems can be gradually unveiled by advanced technology such as genetic modification of animals.
Early Carboniferous paleogeography of the northern Verkhoyansk passive margin as derived from U–Pb dating of detrital zircons: role of erosion products of the Central Asian and Taimyr–Severnaya Zemlya fold belts
Authors: Prokopiev A.V. , Ershova V.B. , Miller E.L. , Khudoley A.K.
Published: September 2013

The first U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from the Lower Carboniferous sandstones in the frontal part of the northern Verkhoyansk fold-and-thrust belt showed that detrital zircon age spectra for the Lower Visean (Krestyakh Formation) and the Upper Visean–Serpukhovian (Tiksi Formation) rocks are quite different. The Early Visean sandstones contain up to 95% detrital zircons of Precambrian age, while those of Late Visean–Serpukhovian age, only 55%. The shape of age distribution plots of Precambrian zircons for both samples is similar, indicating that reworking of terrigenous sediments of the Krestyakh Formation or the same sources dominated in Early Visean time (crystalline basement of the craton, eroded Meso- and Neoproterozoic sedimentary complexes, and igneous rocks of Central Taimyr) contributed significantly to the accumulation of the Late Visean–Serpukhovian deposits. In the rocks of the Tiksi Formation, 45% of detrital zircons are of Paleozoic age, while 24% are Early Paleozoic, with prevailing Cambrian and Ordovician ages. Possible provenance areas with abundant igneous rocks of this age could be the Taimyr–Severnaya Zemlya and Central Asian fold belts extending along the northern, western or southwestern margins of the Siberia. The presence of Middle–Late Devonian zircons is thought to be related to the erosion of granitoids of the Yenisei Ridge and the Altai–Sayan region. Early Carboniferous detrital zircons probably had a provenance in igneous rocks of the Taimyr–Severnaya Zemlya fold belt, on the assumption that collision between the Kara block and the northern margin of the Siberian continent had already occurred by that time. In Early Visean time, sedimentation occurred in small deltaic fans, likely along steep fault scarps that formed as a result of Middle Paleozoic (Devonian–Carboniferous) rifting. The clastic material came from small rivers that eroded the nearby area. Late Visean–Serpukhovian time was marked by a sharp increase in the amount of clastic material and by the appearance of detrital zircons coming from new provenance regions, such as fold belts extending along the northern and southwestern margins of the Siberian continent. A large river system, which was able to transport clastic material over large distances to deposit it in submarine fans on the northern Verkhoyansk passive continental margin, had already existed by that time.
Geologic position, age, and petrogenesis of plagiogranites in northern Rudny Altai
Authors: Kuibida M.L. , Kruk N.N. , Murzin O.V. , Shokal’skii S.P. , Gusev N.I. , Kirnozova T.I. , Travin A.V.
Published: September 2013

The geologic position, age, petrologic composition, and petrogenesis of mesoabyssal plagiogranites in northern Rudny Altai, dated earlier at the Early–Middle Devonian, are considered. The Middle Carboniferous (322–318 Ma) age of granitoids has been substantiated by isotope-geochronological data (U–Pb zircon dating and Ar–Ar amphibole and biotite dating). Geologic-structural studies showed that the intrusion of granitoids took place at the time when compression was changed by sinistral faulting. This led to the conclusion that the granitoids formed at the peak of the collision between the Siberian and the Kazakhstan paleocontinents. Geochemical and isotope studies showed that most of the analyzed plagiogranites belong to high-alumina (continental) type and resulted from the deep melting (~ 15 kbar) of metabasic substrates compositionally similar to N-MORB (judging from results of geochemical modeling and the Nd isotope composition). The presence of plagiogranites of low-alumina (oceanic) type in the postgranite dike series testifies to the melting of the Rudny Altai heterogeneous crust at different depths during its collisional thickening.
Gyrotactic bioconvection at pycnoclines
Authors: Karimi A. , Ardekani A. M.
Published: September 2013

Bioconvection is an important phenomenon in aquatic environments, affecting the spatial distribution of motile micro-organisms and enhancing mixing within the fluid. However, stratification arising from thermal or solutal gradients can play a pivotal role in suppressing the bioconvective flows, leading to the aggregation of micro-organisms and growth of their patchiness. We investigate the combined effects by considering gyrotactic motility where the up-swimming cells are directed by the balance of the viscous and gravitational torques. To study this system, we employ a continuum model consisting of Navier–Stokes equations with the Boussinesq approximation coupled with two conservation equations for the concentration of cells and stratification agent. We present a linear stability analysis to determine the onset of bioconvection for different flow parameters. Also, using large-scale numerical simulations, we explore different regimes of the flow by varying the corresponding boundary conditions and dimensionless variables such as Rayleigh number and Lewis number ($\mathit{Le}$) and we show that the cell distribution can be characterized using the ratio of the buoyancy forces as the determinant parameter when$\mathit{Le}\lt 1$and the boundaries are insulated. But, in thermally stratified fluids corresponding to$\mathit{Le}\gt 1$, temperature gradients are demonstrated to have little impact on the bioconvective plumes provided that the walls are thermally insulated. In addition, we analyse the dynamical behaviour of the system in the case of persistent pycnoclines corresponding to constant salinity boundary conditions and we discuss the associated inhibition threshold of bioconvection in the light of the stability of linearized solutions.
The concentration and centralization of late prehistoric settlement in central Italy: the evidence from the Nepi Survey
Authors: Rajala Ulla
Published: September 2013

This article discusses the evidence for the concentration and centralization of late prehistoric settlement in central Italy, using the territory of Nepi as an example of settlement aggregation in southern Etruria. This example helps to explain the regional developments leading to urbanization and state formation in Etruria from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. The article also publishes new sites with late prehistoric ceramic material from the Neolithic or Epineolithic to the Iron Age in the territory of Nepi found during the Nepi Survey Project. This new evidence is discussed together with previously published material, and presented as further evidence that the developments leading to the occupation of naturally defended sites in the Final Bronze Age had their origins in the Middle Bronze Age. Similarly, the analysis, aided by agricultural and GIS modelling, suggests that the hiatus in the settlement and its dislocation after an apparent break between the Final Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age may have been caused by population pressure. After the settlement aggregated in one centre at Nepi, there are signs of further expansion in the Iron Age.
Predicting ethnic minority children's vocabulary from socioeconomic status, maternal language and home reading input: different pathways for host and ethnic language
Authors: PREVOO MARIËLLE J. L. , MALDA MAIKE , MESMAN JUDI , EMMEN ROSANNEKE A. G. , YENIAD NIHAL , VAN IJZENDOORN MARINUS H. , LINTING MARIËLLE
Published: September 2013

When bilingual children enter formal reading education, host language proficiency becomes increasingly important. This study investigated the relation between socioeconomic status (SES), maternal language use, reading input, and vocabulary in a sample of 111 six-year-old children of first- and second-generation Turkish immigrant parents in the Netherlands. Mothers reported on their language use with the child, frequency of reading by both parents, and availability of children's books in the ethnic and the host language. Children's Dutch and Turkish vocabulary were tested during a home visit. SES was related to maternal language use and to host language reading input. Reading input mediated the relation between SES and host language vocabulary and between maternal language use and host language vocabulary, whereas only maternal language use was related to ethnic language vocabulary. During transition to formal reading education, one should be aware that children from low-SES families receive less host language reading input.
Prädiktoren der Lesekompetenz bei Kindern mit Deutsch als Zweitsprache
Authors: Duzy Dagmar , Ehm Jan-Henning , Souvignier Elmar , Schneider Wolfgang , Gold Andreas
Published: October 2013

Die vorliegende Längsschnittstudie beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, ob sich Ergebnisse hinsichtlich vorschulischer Prädiktoren der Lesekompetenz einsprachig deutscher Kinder auf Kinder mit Deutsch als Zweitsprache (DaZ) übertragen lassen. Ein Pfadmodell zur Vorhersage der Lesekompetenz zum Ende der ersten bzw. zweiten Klassenstufe wurde dabei sowohl auf einsprachige (n = 111) als auch auf DaZ-Kinder (n = 282) angewendet. Zunächst wurde die Pfadstruktur der am Ende der Kindergartenzeit bzw. zu Beginn der Schulzeit erfassten Vorläuferfertigkeiten nonverbale Intelligenz, phonologisches Arbeitsgedächtnis, sprachliche Kompetenz, Schnelles Benennen, Buchstabenkenntnis und phonologische Bewusstheit untereinander betrachtet. Hier unterschieden sich die Effektmuster bei einsprachigen und DaZ-Kindern nicht signifikant. Ebenso zeigt sich in beiden Sprachgruppen ein vergleichbares Bild hinsichtlich der Einflussfaktoren des Leseverständnisses. Bedeutsame Unterschiede zwischen den Sprachgruppen ergaben sich jedoch bezüglich der Vorhersage der Lesegeschwindigkeit: In der Gruppe der einsprachigen Kinder war die phonologische Bewusstheit der bedeutsamste Prädiktor. Bei den DaZ-Kindern hingegen war der Einfluss der phonologischen Bewusstheit auf die Lesegeschwindigkeit nicht von Bedeutung, dafür erfolgte der größte Teil der Varianzaufklärung durch die nonverbale Intelligenz.
Depression, Delinquency, and Suicidal Behaviors Among College Students
Authors: Bauer Rebecca L. , Chesin Megan S. , Jeglic Elizabeth L.
Published: September 2013

Background: Liu (2004) investigated the interaction between delinquency and depression among adolescents and found that delinquency moderated the relationship between depression and suicidal behaviors. Aims: This study also explored the relationship between depression, delinquency, and suicidal behaviors, although delinquency was expected to mediate, as opposed to moderate, the relationship between depression and suicidal behaviors. Method: The participants comprised 354 college students. The students completed a series of questionnaires measuring delinquent behavior, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Results: Contrary to Liu’s (2004) findings, delinquency was found not to moderate but rather to partially mediate the relationship between depression and suicidal behaviors. Conclusion: The findings suggest that for some college students, depression is associated with delinquent behaviors, which, in turn, are associated with suicidal behaviors.
Metabolic Profiling Framework for Discovery of Candidate Diagnostic Markers of Malaria
Authors: Tritten Lucienne , Keiser Jennifer , Godejohann Markus , Utzinger Jürg , Vargas Mireille , Beckonert Olaf , Holmes Elaine , Saric Jasmina
Published: September 2013

Despite immense efforts to combat malaria in tropical and sub-tropical regions, the potency of this vector-borne disease and its status as a major driver of morbidity and mortality remain undisputed. We develop an analytical pipeline for characterizing Plasmodium infection in a mouse model and identify candidate urinary biomarkers that may present alternatives to immune-based diagnostic tools. We employ 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) profiling followed by multivariate modeling to discover diagnostic spectral regions. Identification of chemical structures is then made on the basis of statistical spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR and entrapment of candidates by iterative liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS). We identify two urinary metabolites (i) 4-amino-1-[3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydrofuran-2-yl]pyrimidin-2(1H)-one, (ii) 2-amino-4-({[5-(4-amino-2-oxopyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)-4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl]methyl}sulfanyl)butanoic acid that were detected only in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. These metabolites have not been described in the mammalian or parasite metabolism to date. This analytical pipeline could be employed in prospecting for infection biomarkers in human populations.