bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Followership Research: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Authors: Riggio Ronald E.
Published: April 2015

This paper briefly reviews the historical limitations of research on leadership in an effort to avoid these same pitfalls in the study of followers and followership. In particular, research on leadership has been overly leader-centric, and research on followership should avoid simply “reversing the lens” and focusing exclusively on followers. Specific issues addressed include discussion of the appropriate term to identify followers and the intertwined nature of leaders and followers in the co-production of leadership. Finally, suggestions are made for guiding future research on followership.
Are Water-Related Leadership Development Programs Designed to be Effective? An Exploratory Study
Authors: Burbach Mark E. , Floress Kristin , Kaufman Eric K.
Published: April 2015

Water resource professionals and others involved in managing water resources face increasingly complex challenges. Effective leadership development programs are needed to produce water leaders who can address these challenges. Leadership programs must be designed not simply to increase participants’ environmental and leadership knowledge but to develop in participants the requisite abilities and skills. This exploratory study determines the extent to which water-related leadership programs go beyond knowledge only, event-type workshops to determine what proportion are grounded in leadership theory, and employ developmental experiences with assessment, challenge, and support components. Results indicate that most water professionals and others seeking to develop 21st century leadership abilities and skills to manage water resources are not getting the developmental experiences they need. Water-related leadership development programs must be grounded in evidence-based theory; provide assessment, challenge, and support; and offer a variety of developmental experiences and the opportunity to learn from experience. There is an urgent need for new or revised leadership development programs for those interested in water resource management.
Undergraduate Student Perceptions of the Pedagogy Used in a Leadership Course: A Qualitative Examination
Authors: Odom Summer F.
Published: April 2015

This exploratory, qualitative, descriptive study examined undergraduate student perspectives of pedagogy used in an undergraduate leadership elective course to describe how students view the effectiveness and impact of pedagogies used in the course. Undergraduate students (n = 28) reflected on the effectiveness of the pedagogies and the learning environment created by the pedagogies used in the undergraduate leadership course elective. Student reflections at the end of the semester revealed student perspectives on the effectiveness of the pedagogies and were grouped into three themes: contribution to overall effectiveness, openness to different perspectives, and learning from peers. Two themes emerged for students’ perceptions of the learning environment including overcoming challenges with discussion and class logistics. This study lends support for discussion as a pedagogy used by leadership instructors which can be effective for learning leadership as perceived by undergraduate students.
An Examination of the Outcomes of the Undergraduate Leadership Teaching Assistant (ULTA) Experience as a High-Impact Practice in Leadership Education
Authors: Odom Summer F. , Ho Sarah P. , Moore Lori L.
Published: April 2015

The Undergraduate Leadership Teaching Assistant (ULTA) experience offers students a high-impact opportunity to develop, practice, and evaluate their leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine outcomes of the ULTA experience as a high-impact practice for students studying leadership. Weekly journal entries of eight ULTAs were analyzed to assess their perspectives on the experience. Findings revealed the ULTAs developed cognitive skills through the generation of mostly divergent discussion questions on the knowledge and comprehension level of the Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: Cognitive Domain (Bloom et al, 1956). ULTAs applied their learning from the experience to both personal and professional roles and intend to model behaviors in seven skill areas: (a) communication; (b) active listening; (c) mentoring; (d) responsibility; (e) followership; (f) professionalism; and (g) collaboration.
Effects of Training Leaders in Needs-Based Methods of Running Meetings
Authors: Douglass Emily M. , Malouff John M. , Rangan Julie A.
Published: April 2015

This study evaluated the effects of brief training in how to lead organizational meetings. The training was based on an attendee-needs-based model of running meetings. Twelve mid-level managers completed the training. The study showed a significant pre to post increase in the number of needs-based behaviors displayed by meeting leaders and in attendee ratings of meeting satisfaction and meeting productivity. The results provide preliminary evidence that the training can lead to positive effects. The results also provide evidence in support of the needs-based model of running organizational meetings.
Leaders in Conversation: The Dialectic Model of Leadership Education in Plutarch’s Lives
Authors: Cusher Brent Edwin
Published: April 2015

In this essay, I explore the question of how best to leverage the benefits of dialogue for leadership education. The essay makes the case for studying the work of the ancient Greek historian Plutarch, who provides us with a unique kind of dialogue about leaders and leadership in his Lives. This text features biographical sketches of important leaders from the ancient Greek and Roman traditions that are intended by the author to be in conversation with one another. In this essay, I present a brief content analysis of two lives, Lycurgus of Sparta and Numa Pompilius of Rome, with the aim of clarifying the leadership themes contained therein and showing how students of leadership can benefit from the conversation between these two biographies facilitated by Plutarch. In general, Lives is a resource though which students can enter into a profitable dialogue about important historical examples, revealing truths about leadership that help students to grapple with vital questions.
Fairness and Collaboration in Network Air Traffic Flow Management: An Optimization Approach
Authors: Bertsimas Dimitris , Gupta Shubham
Published: April 2015

Air traffic flow management (ATFM) attempts to maintain a safe and efficient flow of aircraft given demand-capacity mismatches while ensuring an equitable distribution of delays among stakeholders. There has been extensive research addressing network effects (such as the presence of multiple airports, sectors, and connectivity requirements) in ATFM, but it has not explicitly incorporated the equitable distribution of delays, as well as work on the equitable distribution of delays in a single-airport setting, such as ration-by-schedule (RBS) as introduced under the collaborative decision-making paradigm. In this paper, we develop a two stage approach for network ATFM that incorporates fairness and airline collaboration. In Stage 1, we propose a discrete optimization model that attempts to incorporate an equitable distribution of delays among airlines by introducing a notion of fairness in network ATFM models—controlling the number of reversals and total amount of overtaking, which is a natural generalization of RBS. For two flights f and f′, a reversal occurs when flight f′ arrives before f, when f was scheduled to arrive before f′. In the event a reversal occurs, the number of time periods between the arrival times constitutes overtaking. In Stage 2, we allow for airline collaboration by proposing a network model for slot reallocation. We provide extensive empirical results of the proposed optimization models on national-scale, real-world data sets spanning six days that show interesting trade-offs between fairness and efficiency. We report computational times of less than 30 minutes for up to 25 airports and provide theoretical evidence that illuminates the strength of our approach.
Evaluating the named nurse understanding of recovery in forensic mental health
Authors: Souter Gary
Published: April 2015

This article describes a service evaluation carried out on a personality disorder admission ward in a high-secure hospital to evaluate nurses understanding of recovery approaches in mental health. The study used semi-structured questionnaires to determine the participant's understanding of recovery. The findings highlight that further development is required in staff training and education on recovery. Theories underpinning recovery principles also need to be disseminated to help nurses understand the relevance of current policy developments, and thus improve care.
Transitioning to same-sex accommodation
Authors: Mills Jonathan KA , Hamer Samantha
Published: April 2015

External pressure and the ambition to improve dignity for patients during hospital admission have led to hospitals adopting policies to care for patients in same-sex environments. In one trust, patients have previously been cared for on mixed wards; the aim to separate patients presents demands to reconfigure the ward environment. Incident reports were examined prior to, and after, the transition had occurred. Results were statistically analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0. On the male ward, the number of falls increased significantly from an average of 8.7 to 16.2 (p = 0.014) post-transmission. Recorded violence increased from an average 7.1 to 20.4 per month (p = 0.014). However, on the female ward, violence appeared to reduce from an average of 8.1 to 3.0 episodes per month (p = 0.002). The average length of stay and use of the Mental Health act did not appear significantly affected. The findings suggest that transitioning to a single-sex environment did not lead to significant reductions in disinhibition or use of mental health legislation. Falls and violence among male patients appeared to increase, though female patients appeared less violent post-transition. There are no compelling results to support or refute transition to single-sex environments. Ultimately, this is a policy decision.
The senses of touch and olfaction in early mother–infant interaction
Authors: Hugill Kevin
Published: April 2015

What happens between mothers and their infants has considerable developmental and functional significance. Mother–infant verbal and nonverbal communication is highly complex and notably reciprocal in nature. These exchanges are influenced by multiple factors and affect the formation of mother–infant ties and the co-regulation of emotions, physiology and motor behaviours. How the senses help to mediate these interactions and influence relationship quality is an important and diverse area of human biology and relationship study. This article will explore the contributions of two of the important nonverbal senses, touch and olfaction, on mother–infant interactions in the period shortly after birth.
Question everything
Authors: Rich Diane
Published: April 2015

To understand the world, children will ask questions, in many different ways, about everyone they encounter and everything they experience, and as educators we must value each and every one.
The two little birds song
Authors: Rivolta Heidi
Published: April 2015

This short series of articles focuses on incorporating simple and fun French hand rhymes into your regular setting routine. This month, our final rhyme is called Deux petits oiseaux – two little birds.
Give the gift of growth
Authors: Francis-Pester Dawn
Published: April 2015

Making your own paper and card can be an enjoyable way to introduce recycling and creative crafts into your setting; if you add some seeds into the mix and you have something you can also try to grow.
Development of the Variable Dexterity Test: Construction, reliability and validity
Authors: Gonzalez Victor , Rowson Jennifer , Yoxall Alaster
Published: April 2015

Background/Aims:

This article introduces a dexterity test designed to assess individual types of dexterity used to carry out activities of daily living (ADL). The Variable Dexterity Test (VDT) was developed as part of a wider study, the broader aim being to fully understand dexterity and its effect on human-product interaction during ADL. This was done with a view to improve occupational therapy methods when assessing dexterity and general hand function.

Methods:

The control group consisted of 24 healthy participants. Estimates of reliability and validity were evaluated in this pilot study. Inter-rater and test-retest reliability were assessed using a one-way ANOVA. The validity of the test was estimated by correlating participants' VDT scores with their proficiency to complete four ADL task actions and a standardised dexterity test (Purdue Pegboard Test).

Results:

The test produced consistent results among the control group with both a single assessor (test-retest reliability) and multiple assessors (inter-rater reliability). High correlations between participants' VDT scores and proficiency to perform ADL were found for most of the subtests. There was also a high correlation between participants' scores from the Purdue Pegboard Test and the VDT.

Conclusions:

The VDT proved to be a flexible, reliable and valid tool that assesses dexterity based on ability to carry out ADL. Validity and reliability estimates show encouraging values, which recognises that the VDT can be used as an accurate method to assess more than one type of dexterity.
Preventing unwanted pregnancy: emergency contraception
Authors: Kochhar Suneeta
Published: April 2015

Ensuring women understand the efficacy, risks and benefits is essential, writes Suneeta Kochhar
Cannibals, molecular origami and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: April 2015

Prions could be the answer to understanding and treating this degenerative disease, writes Mark Greener
Noses, in images
Authors: Watkins Jean
Published: April 2015

Jean Watkins describes the causes, symptoms and treatment of skin conditions that can occur on or around the nose.
What the new QOF means to practice nurses
Authors: Champion Gillian
Published: April 2015

Gillian Champion examines how the changes to the Quality and Outcomes Framework 2015/16 will affect the day-to-day work of practice nurses
On a slippery slope
Authors: Richardson Gail Ryder
Published: April 2015

In part three of her series, Gail Ryder Richardson explores how outdoor resources such as large construction items and loose parts give children open ended scope for discovery and creativity.
A badly behaved baby
Authors: de Bruin Eleanor
Published: April 2015

Eleanor de Bruin takes a look at the behaviour of the elephant and the bad baby from Elfrida Vipont's picture book and suggests activities that encourage children to discuss the characters' emotions and manners.
Cultivating bookworms
Authors: Doyle Phoebe
Published: April 2015

Getting parents on board with their child's reading is one of the most important things we can do. But how? Phoebe Doyle offers some ideas for parents to foster their children's interest in books.
A sea of change
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: April 2015

Inspired by an exhibition about coral reefs, Claire Hewson suggests some great activities to discover the fauna and flora at the bottom of the ocean.
The changing role of cultural heritage in traditional textile crafts from Cyprus
Authors: Kokko Sirpa , Kaipainen Minna
Published: April 2015

In contemporary Cypriot society, the textile craft tradition is under threat of vanishing. This is largely due to both local and global social and cultural changes that have affected women’s roles. The purpose of this article is to examine the changing role of the cultural heritage of traditional textile crafts in Cyprus. The focus is on Cypriot textile crafts, especially lefkaritiko (traditional embroidery) and weaving, as examples of craft traditions and practices that, in turn, allow an insight into cultural heritage. The study investigated the perceptions of cultural heritage of traditional textile crafts and their future, from the viewpoint of four different persons involved with textile crafts in Cyprus. The investigation demonstrates that among the craftspeople of Cyprus there is a tension between maintaining the traditions and developing them: the results indicate that in order for there to be a sustainable future in textile crafts, traditional and modern aspects need to be combined. One problematic aspect is losing the living tradition since it is no longer taught to the younger generation: in order to learn the value of sustaining their own cultural heritage, the Cypriot youth should be educated in their craft traditions. Hand-produced textile crafts face serious problems in the market economy: for sustainable livelihood with crafts, the craftspeople need support in the commercial aspects of production. The results indicate that when careful attention is paid to globalization and tourism, it can have positive effects on local craft traditions.
Uma união de factos contemporânea: jornalismo e situações de risco
Authors: Figueira João
Published: April 2015

A escrita jornalística é por natureza conflitual. Gosta do confronto e, nesse sentido, dramatiza os acontecimentos, criando um clima de tensão com o objectivo de tocar o leitor e o prender ao texto. O risco, por seu lado, tornou-se num conceito central do debate público. Como é que as sociedades democráticas contemporâneas devem lidar com tais situações? Um dos caminhos é o exercício da verdade, da abertura e da confiança entre todos os actores envolvidos no processo.
A vida no arame. A mediatização do risco
Authors: Silveirinha Maria João
Published: April 2015

As imagens que nos entram em casa todos os dias, tal como as nossas leituras da imprensa tendem a gerar um estranho sentido de risco permanente, como se a nossa vida estivesse continuamente no arame. Para compreender isto recorre-se, por um lado, aos contributos do sociólogo Ulrich Beck, em cujo trabalho os media ocupam um lugar relevante, e, por outro lado, a uma vasta literatura sobre o funcionamento dos media. Por fim, fazem-se algumas breves considerações sobre a forma como tem sido vistas situações de risco cobertas pelos média em Portugal.
Círculo de Promoção da Saúde na Escola (CIRPROSAE): estudos para produção de uma tecnologia social em uma comunidade escolar do Sul do Brasil
Authors: De Souza Wilberstaedt Ioná Outo , Marian Vieira Márcia Gilmara , Flores e Silva Yolanda
Published: April 2015

Este artigo descreve as discussões em uma escola estadual do sul do Brasil acerca da promoção da saúde de professores, alunos e comunidade. Os debates fizeram parte de uma das etapas de pesquisa realizada em 2013 sobre “Promoção e Educação da Saúde em Âmbito Escolar” de natureza exploratório-descritiva com abordagem qualitativa. A pesquisa em questão teve como um dos objetivos de fechamento propor a elaboração de um instrumento metodológico que pudesse trabalhar com a promoção da saúde na escola. O universo da investigação foi uma escola de ensino fundamental com 40 docentes, mas a discussão final geradora de uma tecnologia social que pudesse ser o instrumento de promoção da saúde na escola contou com apenas seis (06) docentes. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da técnica de grupo focal e entrevista semiestruturada e os dados foram submetidos à análise interpretativa dialogada entre pesquisadores e informantes. Ao final, os resultados sugerem que as ações em saúde no contexto escolar podem partir da experiência pessoal, familiar e comunitária dos docentes, considerando o saber – fazer de cada um deles associado ao saber – fazer acadêmico. Para tanto, entendeu-se que uma releitura do Círculo da Cultura de Freire adaptada às questões de saúde e às problemáticas direcionadas aos discentes, aos familiares e à comunidade pode gerar a médio e longo prazo uma tecnologia social adotada pelos docentes para a promoção da saúde escolar. A denominação “Círculo de Promoção da Saúde na Escola” (CIRPROSAE) sugere a participação de toda a comunidade acadêmica em um diálogo que permita a Promoção da Saúde segundo as premissas de Freire: autonomia, não opressão e esperança para uma vida de qualidade.
O PORTAL DO CADERNO DE CIDADANIA COMO FERRAMENTA DE INCLUSÃO DIGITAL
Authors: Delfini Capistrano de Oliveira Ana Cláudia , Vieira Ruschel Caroline , Alves de lima zanatta Maria de lurdes , S. Dazzi Rudimar , Bortolozzo Zanatta Luis Felipe , A. de Jesus Elieser , M. de Miranda Elisangela , E.R. Couto Gabriel , Lyra Rodrigo
Published: April 2015

Este artigo trata do desenvolvimento de um portal digital para divulgar as ações executadas pelo projeto de extensão da UNIVALI/Cejurps - Programa de Formação e Assessoria em Cidadania Infanto-juvenil - que possui o objetivo de ser uma ferramenta de inclusão digital para crianças e adolescentes. No portal existe um espaço para divulgar novidades, eventos, publicação de artigos, novas parcerias e um fórum para manter contato com os administradores e esclarecer dúvidas na interação com as crianças e os adolescentes. No trabalho de extensão foi utilizado para elaboração do portal e do jogo digital o método indutivo, já que cada etapa foi elaborada e trabalhada detalhadamente para obter-se o resultado final, qual seja, o sítio na internet, com a criação de um jogo digital. O método de procedimento foi o empírico, já que se obteve o auxílio de crianças e adolescentes para a elaboração de cada etapa, fortalecendo o papel da criança como ator social, na busca de um resultado mais efetivo e condizendo com a realidade das crianças.
Comparative analyses of Nigerian and US corn Stalks, using PY-GC/MS
Authors: Eseyin Anthonia E. , Hassan El Barbary , El-Giar Emad, M
Published: April 2015

Pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) studies were carried out on the Nigerian and US corn stalks at 500 Â°C. Analyses of the fast pyrolysis products showed that the Nigerian corn stalks produced more diverse compounds like: acetaldehyde, acetic acid methyl ester, 2,3-pentanedione, 1-hydroxy-2-butanone, butanedial, phenol and vanillin. On the other hand, the pyrolyzed US corn stalks produced compounds like: furfural, phenol, 2-methoxy, 2-methylbenzaldehyde, and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol which had significantly high peak area percentages. Few anhydrous sugars were detected in the pyrolysis products of both samples. Both samples were found to be good biomass for the production of bio-oil and chemicals. However, the Nigerian corn stalks seem to be more suitable for the production of bio-oil while the US corn stalks seem to be more suitable for the production of valuable chemicals.
Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation in a Patient with a Left Ventricular Assist Device Already in Place
Authors: Gupta Ashwani , Subzposh Faiz , Hankins Shelley R. , Kutalek Steven P.
Published: April 2015

A 56-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy, a biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), and a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) developed a pocket hematoma and infection after an ICD generator change. The biventricular ICD was extracted, and the patient was given a full course of antibiotics. Because he had no indications for bradycardia pacing or biventricular pacing, he was implanted with a subcutaneous ICD under full anticoagulation. There was no interference in sensing or shock delivery from the ICD. The LVAD readings were unchanged during and after the procedure. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and both devices were functioning normally.

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the implantation of a subcutaneous ICD in the presence of an LVAD. This report illustrates that both devices can be implanted successfully in the same patient. In addition, the subcutaneous ICD minimizes the risk of bloodstream infections, which can be fatal in patients who have life-supporting devices such as an LVAD.
An equation linking 𝒲-entropy with reduced volume
Authors: Xu Guoyi
Published: April 2015

The notions

𝒲

{\mathscr{W}}

-entropy and reduced volume for Ricci flow were introduced by Perelman, which had proved their importance in the study of Ricci flow. Lei Ni studied the analogous concepts for heat equation on static manifolds, and proved

lim

t
→
∞

\lim_{t\rightarrow\infty}

𝒲

\mathscr{W}

=

=

ln(

lim

t
→
∞

\lim_{t\rightarrow\infty}

V
¯

\bar{V}

)
which links the large time behavior of these two. Due to the surprising similarity between those concepts in the Ricci flow and the linear heat equation, a natural question whether such an equation holds for the Ricci flow ancient solution was asked by Lei Ni. In this note, we give an alternative proof to Lei Ni’s equation based on a new method. Following the same philosophy of this method, we answer Lei Ni’s question positively for type I κ-solutions of Ricci flow.
Shadowing and average shadowing properties for iterated function systems
Authors: Bahabadi Alireza Zamani
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we introduce the definitions of shadowing and average shadowing properties for iterated function systems and give some examples characterizing these definitions. We prove that an iterated function system has the shadowing property if and only if the step skew product corresponding to the iterated function system has the shadowing property. Also, we study some notions such as transitivity, chain transitivity, chain mixing and mixing for iterated function systems.
On derivations and commutativity of prime rings with involution
Authors: Ali Shakir , Dar Nadeem Ahmed , Asci Mustafa
Published: April 2015

In [Acta Math. Hungar. 66 (1995), 337–343],
Bell and Daif proved that if R is a prime ring admitting a nonzero derivation such that

d
(
x
y
)
=
d
(
y
x
)

${d(xy)=d(yx)}$

for all

x
,
y
∈
R

${x,y\in R}$

, then R is commutative. The objective of this paper is to examine similar problems when the ring R is equipped with involution. It is shown that if a prime ring R with involution * of a characteristic different from 2 admits a nonzero derivation d such that

d

(
x

x
*

)

=
d

(

x
*

x
)

${d(xx^*)=d(x^*x)}$

for all x ∈ R and

S
(
R
)
∩
Z
(
R
)
≠
(
0
)

${S(R)\cap Z(R)\ne (0)}$

, then R is commutative. Moreover, some related results have also been discussed.
Experimental Correlations with Calculus Parameters for a Dynamic System Equipped with Antiseismic Elastomeric Devices
Authors: Bratu Polidor
Published: April 2015

Rezumat

Lucrarea prezintă rezultatul încercărilor efectuate la cicluri cinematice cu deplasări instantanee armonice pentru elemente elastomerice cu rol de izolare dinamică în conformitate cu SR EN 1337-3 şi SR EN 15129. Valorile amortizării interne determinate pe standuri de încercare în condiţiile din documentele de referinţă trebuie corelate cu valorile sistemului de dispozitive antiseismice elastomerice ce echipează un sistem dinamic supus acţiunilor seismice exterioare.

În acest caz, pentru fiecare situaţie reală, proiectantul trebuie să realizeze corelaţia dintre cele două valori ale amortizării obţinute în laborator cu amortizarea specifică sistemului structural care este supus acţiunilor dinamice exterioare. Din lucrare rezultă echivalenţa necesară astfel încât, valorile experimentale să poată fi corectate în mod riguros şi să poată reprezenta parametrii reali ce trebuie luaţi în calcul.
Big Data vs. Slow Understanding?
Authors: Fraas Claudia , Pentzold Christian
Published: April 2015

The paper looks into the practice of a computer-assisted discourse analysis. Centring on the decisions and procedures that go into reconstructing multimodal frames from transmedia discourse, the paper has two aims. For one, it discusses the chances and challenges automatic text analysis has to address in facing the vast amounts of multimodal discourse that emerge in convergent media. Building on that, the paper explains the methodological premises and methodical procedures of a discourse analysis employing the computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software Atlas.ti. As such, it presents an investigation that does not answer the current prevalence of available ‘big data’ with computer power but explores the interplay between an interpretative analysis and technological support. It does so by using material from the discourse on the so-called Handygate affair. There, state authorities collected mobile phone data during the commemorative events of the Dresden bombings in February 2011. They thus created a big data collection which became the subject of public attention and was either framed as illegal and extensive instrument of state surveillance or as an efficient and accurate tool for law enforcement and targeted prosecution.
The Wronskian Solution and Soliton Resonance of the Nonisospectral Generalised Sawada–Kotera Equation
Authors: Zhou Jian , Li Xiang-Gui , Wang Deng-Shan
Published: April 2015

The bilinear form of the nonisospectral generalized Sawada–Kotera equation is derived. With the aid of the Wronskian technique, the Wronskian solution is presented for this equation. The soliton resonance is discussed in inhomogeneous media. Negatons and positons are also obtained.
Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Modulates Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxicity in Models of Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders
Authors: Puccini Jenna M. , Marker Daniel F. , Fitzgerald Tim , Barbieri Justin , Kim Christopher S. , Miller-Rhodes Patrick , Lu Shao-Ming , Dewhurst Stephen , Gelbard Harris A.
Published: April 2015

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is the single most common genetic cause of both familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD), both of which share pathogenetic and neurologic similarities with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Pathologic LRRK2 activity may also contribute to neuroinflammation, because microglia lacking LRRK2 exposed to proinflammatory stimuli have attenuated responses. Because microglial activation is a hallmark of HIV-1 neuropathology, we have investigated the role of LRRK2 activation usingin vitroandin vivomodels of HAND. We hypothesize that LRRK2 is a key modulator of microglial inflammatory responses, which play a pathogenic role in both HAND and PD, and that these responses may cause or exacerbate neuronal damage in these diseases. The HIV-1 Tat protein is a potent neurotoxin produced during HAND that induces activation of primary microglia in culture and long-lasting neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity when injected into the CNS of mice. We found that LRRK2 inhibition attenuates Tat-induced pS935–LRRK2 expression, proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression, and phosphorylated p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase signaling in primary microglia. In our murine model, cortical Tat injection in LRRK2 knock-out (KO) mice results in significantly diminished neuronal damage, as assessed by microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), class III β-tubulin TUJ1, synapsin-1, VGluT, and cleaved caspase-3 immunostaining. Furthermore, Tat-injected LRRK2 KO animals have decreased infiltration of peripheral neutrophils, and the morphology of microglia from these mice were similar to that of vehicle-injected controls. We conclude that pathologic activation of LRRK2 regulates a significant component of the neuroinflammation associated with HAND.
The Parasites
Authors: Hallonsten Olof
Published: April 2015

The synchrotron radiation activities at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (formerly Stanford Linear Accelerator Center) started out in 1972 as a small-scale Stanford University project. The project gradually grew to become one of the first national centers for synchrotron radiation in the United States and, eventually, an independent laboratory in charge of its own accelerator machine and organizationally a part of SLAC. This article tells the story of the first two decades of these activities, when the synchrotron radiation activities operated parasitically on the SLAC site, entirely peripheral to SLAC’s main scientific mission in high energy physics. The article’s meticulously detailed account of the history of the parasitic period of synchrotron radiation at SLAC constitutes an important and interesting piece of modern science history, complementing previous efforts in this journal and elsewhere to chronicle the history of the U.S. national laboratories and similar homes of Big Science abroad. Most importantly, the article communicates an alternative interpretative perspective on the institutional change of Big Science labs, consciously and consistently keeping its analysis at a micro level and emphasizing the incremental small-step changes of local actors in their everyday negotiations and deliberations. Not at all disqualifying or seeking to replace historical accounts framed with reference to macro developments of grand long-term change in science and science policy at the end of the previous century, but rather seeking to complement them, this article contributes with a worm’s-eye view on change and advances the argument for a further exploration of such viewpoints in the historical analysis of institutional transformation in science.
Probability and Punishment
Authors: Schuman Jacob
Published: April 2015

The United States Sentencing Guidelines place little emphasis on probability. Instead, the Guidelines recommend a sentence in each case based only on whether certain facts about the offender’s crime exceed a “threshold” level of likelihood. Guidelines sentences therefore fail to reflect the precise odds of each defendant’s wrongdoing, which makes them both inefficient and unfair. This model of decision making is particularly problematic in drug sentencing, where judges often impose lengthy sentences based on drug quantity calculations that carry a high risk of error. To address these problems, district courts should exercise their discretion, and policymakers should implement reforms that incorporate probability into punishment.
El planteamiento metodológico en una indagación sobre el saber pedagógico de profesores universitarios
Authors: González Melo Hamlet Santiago , Ospina Héctor Fabio
Published: April 2015

En el presente trabajo se efectúa una síntesis de los fundamentos propuestos a partir de la elección metodológica planteada en una investigación doctoral que indaga sobre el saber pedagógico de los profesores universitarios. Se hace referencia a la delimitación del objeto de estudio a partir de los principales hallazgos en la construcción del estado del arte y el referente teórico elaborado en el proceso investigativo. Igualmente, se reflexiona en torno a consideraciones de orden epistemológico en relación con la metodología definida y se precisan las dimensiones analíticas establecidas para la realización del abordaje.
Fragmentación entre ciencia y humanismo en la universidad contemporánea
Authors: Alzate María Adelaida López
Published: April 2015

A través de este ensayo se propone analizar la fragmentación que se presenta en la universidad moderna entre la ciencia y el humanismo, teniendo en cuenta las consecuencias de la modernidad en la esfera del saber y del conocimiento. Finalmente, se pretende no únicamente describir dicha fragmentación, sino establecer algunas propuestas para dar vías de salida en el planteamiento de nuevas perspectivas en la educación superior. Se comenzará enunciando el problema de la fragmentación entre ciencia y humanismo como si se tratase de dos culturas; seguidamente se revisa la incursión de un elemento más representado en las ciencias sociales, dando como resultado a tres culturas. Los aspectos relacionados con el conocimiento, el modelo de ciencia y el concepto de razón se revisan para continuar con el análisis proponiendo que la fragmentación entre ciencia y humanismo es otra manifestación de la llamada modernidad líquida, propuesta sociológica referida por Bauman (2002). Finalmente, para superar o bien minimizar la fragmentación dentro de la universidad, se propone a la transdisciplinariedad y el diálogo de saberes como formas de construcción de nuevas epistemes, que permitan diversidad para enfrentar la acción homogenizante de performatividad enunciada por Lyotard (1990). Al finalizar el documento se describe un caso de ejercicio multidisciplinar real y práctico, que ha dejado resultados concretos sobre cómo una disciplina empieza a revisarse a sí misma para gestar caminos de comunicación con otras disciplinas.
El papel del docente reflexivo como estrategia del síndrome de Burnout en relación con las prácticas educativas
Authors: Muñóz Cristian Fernán Muñóz , Otálvaro Claudia Milena Correa
Published: April 2015

Este artículo de investigación presenta los resultados de un estudio cuyo objetivo es identificar la relación entre el síndrome de Burnout y las prácticas educativas en docentes de primaria y secundaria. El diseño metodológico inicia con la identificación del nivel de prevalencia del síndrome; para tal fin se utilizó el inventario de Burnout de Maslash, el cual fue aplicado en una institución educativa. Los resultados indican una presencia del síndrome, con una prevalencia alta en el 12 % de la población; media en el 70 % y baja en el 18 %. Seguidamente, se realizó una entrevista a profundidad con el propósito de identificar, desde las experiencias de los docentes, aquellos elementos que son factores de riesgo en la aparición del síndrome. Las entrevistas fueron analizadas desde la teoría fundamentada de Corbin y Strauss (2001), en la cual se pueden identificar tres momentos: abierta, axial y selectiva. Los resultados fueron codificados en cuatro categorías: síntomas de agotamiento laboral, prácticas educativas como detonante del Burnout, sistema de afrontamiento desde las prácticas y afrontamiento por fuera de las prácticas. El artículo termina haciendo una profunda reflexión sobre la importancia del docente reflexivo como medio de afrontamiento de los factores de riesgo del Burnout.
El plan de nivelación académica Talentos, una respuesta institucional de educación para la paz
Authors: Varela Rafael Vergara , Vásquez María Eugenia Rodríguez
Published: April 2015

En un contexto social desigual como en el que vive la ciudad de Santiago de Cali, donde gran parte de la juventud se desarrolla en medio de necesidades insatisfechas y altos índices de violencia, son necesarias acciones que permitan generar oportunidades y mejoras en los contextos donde se desarrollan los individuos. Durante la alcaldía de Jorge Iván Ospina (2008-2010), en vista de la situación, se optó por la implementación de una serie de medidas que incidieran no solo en los individuos sino a la vez en sus entornos, surgiendo de esta manera entre sus políticas públicas el plan de nivelación académica Talentos, que tuvo como meta institucional mejorar la formación de los jóvenes, egresados de los planteles del área metropolitana; hecho que se vislumbró en la mejora en las pruebas de Estado Icfes y en el posterior ingreso de un porcentaje de la población tratamiento a la educación superior.
Political instability and discontinuity in Nigeria: The pre-colonial past and public goods provision under colonial and post-colonial political orders.
Authors: Papaioannou Kostadis Jason , Dalrymple-Smith Angus Edwin
Published: April 2015

This article explores the relative importance of pre-colonial institutional capacity and the effects of periods of peace and stability on long-term development outcomes in Nigeria. We use data on education, health, and public works at a provincial level from a variety of colonial and Nigerian state sources to apply a decade-by-decade analysis of public goods provision in Nigeria from 1900 to 2010. Using a newly constructed measure of pre-colonial institutional capacity our results suggest that colonial-era investments were influenced by pre-colonial conditions and that the pax colonia allowed for a strong path dependency until the second world war. Contrary to other studies, which find evidence of pre-colonial centralization affecting current outcomes. In particular, we find that the post-1945 era saw a break in the pattern developed earlier in the century. Rising regionalism from the 1950s led to violent conflict and military dictatorship and caused decades of unstable and unpredictable patterns of investment which ended only with the reestablishment of democracy in the 1990s. Therefore, a key explanatory variable to understanding patterns of public goods provision seems to be the level of political stability which the Nigerian state experienced at different points during the 20th century. [JEL codes: N00, O1, H4]
Nonparasitic warlords and geographic distance
Authors: Hionis Jerry
Published: April 2015

The explicit consideration of geography in the conflict theory literature is still relatively rare. In this article, two warlords are modeled as being located at opposing ends of a hypothetical line. The model includes variables denoting distance and difficulty of terrain. Each warlord allocates resources to the extraction of natural resources, to the production of goods and services (hence, nonparasitic), and to conflict with the opposing warlord. Two forms of a contest success function, a primary tool in the literature, are used to show that the warlord closer to the point of conflict will invest less into the hiring of warriors and more into the production of goods and services, yet will win a larger proportion of total goods and services produced within the economy. [JEL codes: D74, O17]
Uplift resistance of buried pipes anchored with geosynthetics
Authors: Palmeira E.M. , Bernal D.F.
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT: Buried pipes are important components of the oil industry for the transportation of different types of fluids. Accidents with such pipes can cause severe damage to the environment and to neighbouring structures and, unfortunately not rarely, with the loss of human lives. Among others, the action of waves, buoyance and pipe bucking can cause undesirable vertical or lateral displacements of buried pipes. This paper examines the use of geosynthetics as anchorage of buried pipes. Model tests were carried out with different types of geogrids and anchorage arrangements. The results showed that the presence of the anchorage can increase maximum pipe uplift forces as much as 180% in comparison with the result obtained for the unanchored pipe. Equations for estimates of maximum uplift force for anchored pipes were developed and comparisons between predictions and measurements are presented and discussed. The results obtained show the potential use of geosynthetics to anchor buried pipes.
Unsaturated soil–woven geotextile interface strength properties from small-scale pullout and interface tests
Authors: Hatami K. , Esmaili D.
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT: One main concern related to the performance of unsaturated soils during the construction and service life of earthen structures is loss of matric suction due to the seasonal variations of gravimetric water content (GWC), ground water infiltration and possible development of excess pore water pressure. In addition to reducing the soil shear strength, loss of matric suction as a result of wetting could also reduce the soil–reinforcement interface shear strength in comparison with the as-built value at a lower GWC. This paper presents the results of small-scale pullout and interface tests on a woven geotextile reinforcement material in different marginal soils in order to quantify the difference in the soil–geotextile interface shear strength as a function of GWC for practical applications. A moisture reduction factor [MRF = μ(ω)] is used to account for the reduction in the soil–geotextile interface shear strength as a function of matric suction over a range of GWC values that includes the dry and wet sides of the soil optimum gravimetric water content (GWCopt) or optimum moisture content (OMC). It was observed that the interface shear strength of geotextile reinforcement in marginal soils could be significantly lower (e.g. by as much 50%) at only 2% wet of optimum (i.e. OMC+2%) in comparison with OMC−2%, which is assumed to represent the as-built condition.
Experimental study on the seismic behaviour of geosynthetic-reinforced pile-foundation system
Authors: Taha A. , Naggar M.Hesham El , Turan A.
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT: The use of geosynthetic reinforcement in earth structures has increased significantly over the last two decades. The advantages associated with the use of geosynthetics have been well documented. Some of the typical applications include slope stabilisation, improvement of embankment foundations, mechanical stabilisation of retaining structures and subgrade improvement of roads. Certain subsurface conditions may dictate special foundation solutions such as piled foundations. Such foundations are widely used in seismically active areas, where they are expected to resist significant lateral loads. However, the weak subsurface conditions that dictate the use of pile foundation systems result in low lateral foundation resistance. The objective of this paper is to introduce an innovative use of geosynthetics as part of a novel foundation concept called geosynthetic-reinforced pile foundations, where polymer strips are used to enhance the lateral resistance of the pile foundations. The seismic pile–soil–geosynthetic interaction of this system was evaluated using a series of reduced scale physical model tests performed on a shaking table in 1g environment. A uni-directional laminar shear box containing a three-layer soil stratigraphy, which included a layer of synthetic clay known as Modified Glyben sandwiched between lower and upper layers of granular materials, was used in the physical model tests. The model pile-cap system that supported a single degree of freedom structure was installed and a series of tests were performed using dynamic loading in the form of sine sweep, harmonic and scaled earthquake signals in order to identify the amplification and resonance conditions of the foundation system and to evaluate various aspects of the pile–soil–geosynthetic interaction. The results revealed that introducing the model geosynthetic mesh attenuated the acceleration and displacement response of the low frequency single degree of freedom structure and its pile cap when subjected to a strong sine sweep signal. On the other hand, for weak shaking signals with high frequency single degree of freedom structure introducing the model geosynthetic mesh into the granular backfill did not demonstrate the same favourable effect because of the low soil strain associated with weak signals. These results demonstrate that the use of the geosynthetic mesh will be effective for strong earthquake events.
Satellite laser ranging measurements in South Africa: Contributions to earth system sciences
Authors: Botai Christina M. , Combrinck Ludwig , Botai Joel O.
Published: April 2015

This contribution reassesses progress in the development of satellite laser ranging (SLR) technology and its scientific and societal applications in South Africa. We first highlight the current global SLR tracking stations within the framework of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) and the artificial satellites currently being tracked by these stations. In particular, the present work focuses on analysing SLR measurements at Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO), South Africa, based on the MOBLAS-6 SLR configuration. Generally, there is a weak geometry of ILRS stations in the southern hemisphere and the SLR tracking station at HartRAO is the only active ILRS station operating on the African continent. The SLR-derived products – such as station positions and velocities, satellite orbits, components of earth’s gravity field and their temporal variations, earth orientation parameters – are collected, merged, achieved and distributed by the ILRS under the Crustal Dynamic Data Information System. These products are used in various research fields such as detection and monitoring of tectonic plate motion, crustal deformation, earth rotation, polar motion, and the establishment and monitoring of International Terrestrial Reference Frames, as well as modelling of the spatio-temporal variations of the earth’s gravity field. The MOBLAS-6 tracking station is collocated with other geodetic techniques such as very long baseline interferometry and Global Navigation Satellite Systems, thus making this observatory a fiducial geodetic location. Some applications of the SLR data products are described within the context of earth system science.