bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management zone delineation based on soil properties measured during the reproductive stage of rice in the field
Authors: Wang Mingming , Tavakkoli Ehsan , Rengasamy Pichu , Huang Lihua , Ma Hongyuan , Yang Fu , Wei Tianjiao , Lu Xinrui , Xu Zhongchun , Fang Yunying , Liang Zhengwei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIdentification of key soil properties is an essential prerequisite to delineating the management zone (MZ), which is traditionally done by selecting soil parameters before crop planting. However, soil properties during sensitive stages of crop growth may have a greater effect on the MZ delineation than those before planting. This study is aimed to determine whether inclusion of soil properties measured in surface layers during the reproductive stage of rice could enhance the appropriateness of MZ delineation based on sodic/saline‐sodic paddy fields. When including soil variables during the reproductive stage, with/without soil variables before planting, a similar MZ pattern (MZ pattern 3) was generated. Furthermore, when including soil variables during the reproductive stage and rice yield components, with/without soil variables before planting, another similar MZ pattern (MZ Pattern 4) was generated. Compared with other patterns, the MZ pattern 4 showed higher relative variances for rice yield and the mean of its most important yield‐influencing factors, with lower coefficient of variation (CV) in all MZs compared with the whole‐paddock CV. Likewise, this pattern showed improvement in discriminating soil and rice variables among MZs. These findings confirm that inclusion of soil properties during the reproductive stage of rice has potential for enhancing the appropriateness of MZ delineation. This study also necessitates inclusion of carbonate‐derived variables when delineating MZs in sodic/saline‐sodic paddy fields. Our results encourage further investigation of the role of soil properties in surface soil layers at critical crop growth stages in MZ delineation under multiple soil and climatic conditions.
Self‐efficacy and callousness in consumer judgments of AI‐enabled checkouts
Authors: van Esch Patrick , Cui Yuanyuan (Gina) , Jain Shailendra P. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn a retail setting, two field studies and one controlled online experiment show that compared to self‐service checkouts, artificial intelligence (AI)‐enabled checkouts temporarily activate perceived shopping convenience. This leads to more favourable attitudes and higher purchase intent, but only for consumers who have higher levels of self‐efficacy (Studies 1 and 2). Furthermore, we find that this positive effect of AI‐enabled checkouts conditional on consumers' self‐efficacy, is diminished for consumers who show a low level of callousness (Study 3). This study introduces a novel variable to consumer literature, callousness, a subconstruct of psychopathy and features the unexplored tripartite “AI–physical–human” ecosystem, which adds a significant layer to the incipient AI literature and serves as a theeoretical framework for continued inquiries.
Design and evaluation of 3D printable patient‐specific applicators for gynecologic HDR brachytherapy
Authors: Semeniuk Oleksii , Cherpak Amanda , Robar James 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to improve dose distribution and organ‐at‐risk sparing during gynecologic HDR brachytherapy with patient‐specific applicators. The majority of applicators used today are generic in design and do not allow for dose modulation for patient‐specific shaping of dose distributions. Their performance might be adjusted with commercially available wedge shields; however, this provides dose modulation in the orthogonal plane only and does not allow for variation along the length of the applicator. Generic applicators are available only in standard sizes and geometries, and provide suboptimal patient fit with limited dose modulation.MethodsIn this paper we use Monte Carlo modeling for comprehensive characterization of radiologic properties of various 3D printable biocompatible and sterilizable materials with comparison to water. Based on these results, we choose the optimal set of materials for a patient‐specific applicator. We develop a novel method to design the patient‐specific applicator without incurring a significant increase in treatment time or changes to clinical workflow. Finally, using an example of two selected vaginal cancers, we compare the performance of patient‐specific and water‐equivalent applicators in terms of target coverage and rectum sparing.ResultsIn the energy range from 1 MeV to 4 MeV, all materials have similar attenuation coefficients. In the range from ~2 keV to 1 MeV and above 4 MeV, tungsten‐polylactic acid composite (WPLA) was seen to have the highest attenuation coefficient. The dose distribution of the water‐equivalent applicator was found to be symmetric about its central axis. At the same time patient‐specific shielded applicators exhibit well‐modulated dose distributions. Their isodose lines are seen to spread radially into the patient, while merging close to the applicator surface, where WPLA shielding has been applied.ConclusionsThe patient‐specific cylinders provide comparable dose to the target, while offering advanced healthy tissue sparing, not achievable with the generic design.
A matter of size? Health‐related quality of life after radical prostatectomy for patients with giant prostates
Authors: Westhofen Thilo , Buchner Alexander , Schlenker Boris , Becker Armin , Chaloupka Michael , Bischoff Robert , Stief Christian G. , Kretschmer Alexander 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundEvidence regarding the impact of giant prostate volume (PV) on outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP) is controversial with a lack of evidence on the impact of PV on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to assess the impact of giant PV on HRQOL and functional outcomes for men with prostate cancer (PC) undergoing RP.MethodsGiant PV was defined based on the 95th percentile of PV measured by specimen weight of 3929 patients that underwent RP between 2013 and 2018 in a large tertiary care center. A propensity score‐matched analysis of 929 men treated with RP for PC (n = 184 with PV ≥ 100 cm3, n = 745 with PV < 100 cm3) was conducted. Primary endpoint was the impact of giant PV on HRQOL (based on EORTC QLQ‐C30) assessed with binary logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard model. Secondary endpoint was the impact of PV on oncological‐ and functional outcome.ResultsMedian follow‐up was 24 months. Median PV, measured by specimen‐weight, was 58 cm3. We found no significant differences in median general HRQOL (p = .183), giant PV was not associated with better HRQOL (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96–2.47; p = .075). No significant differences were found regarding continence recovery (hazard ratio [HR], 0.956; 95% CI, 0.771–1.185; p = .682), median International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire–Short‐Form (ICIQ‐SF) scores (p = .062) or potency rates (p = .151). Giant PV did not significantly impair biochemical recurrence‐free survival (HR, 0.968; 95% CI, 0.651–1.439; p = .871).ConclusionsFor patients undergoing RP, giant PV was not associated with adverse HRQOL outcomes. We found no significant impact of PV on continence rates, potency rates, and biochemical recurrence‐free survival. Hence, RP is an efficient cancer treatment for men even with giant PV.
Effect of Portulaca Oleracea (purslane) extract on liver enzymes, lipid profile, and glycemic status in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double‐blind clinical trial
Authors: Darvish Damavandi Reyhaneh , Shidfar Farzad , Najafi Mohammad , Janani Leila , Masoodi Mohsen , Akbari‐Fakhrabadi Maryam , Dehnad Afsaneh 
Published: April 2021

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is the richest green leafy vegetable source of omega‐3, especially alpha linolenic acid (ALA). Experimental studies have shown beneficial effects of purslane extract on liver enzymes. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of purslane hydroalcohoic extract in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a randomized double‐blinded clinical trial, 74 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 300 mg purslane extract or placebo capsules for 12 weeks. Compared with baseline, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (−9 [−17, 0.50] mg/dl; p = .007), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (−4 [−10, −0.50] mg/dl; p = .001), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) (−6.21 ± 9.85 mg/dL; p < .001), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (−8 [−11, −1.50] mg/dl; p < .001) insulin resistance (−0.95 ± 2.23; p = .020), triglyceride (−20 [−67.50, 3.50] mg/dl; p = .010), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) (−5 [−12, −1] mg/dl; p < .001) decreased significantly in the purslane group. At the end of study, no significant changes were observed in liver steatosis grade, insulin, liver enzymes, total bilirubin, lipid profile, and blood pressure between the two groups. The findings of our study show that purslane extract at the dose of 300 mg/day for 12 weeks has no significant effects on liver enzymes, lipid profile, and glycemic indices in patients with NAFLD.
How Chinese–English Bilingual Fourth Graders Draw on Syntactic Awareness in Reading Comprehension: Within‐ and Cross‐Language Effects
Authors: Tong Xiuhong , Kwan Joyce Lok Yin , Xiuli Tong Shelley , Deacon S. Hélène 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTSyntax, or sentence structure, plays a role in reading comprehension, but how students draw on their awareness of syntax in their reading remains unclear; the mechanism is even more ambiguous in bilingual students. In this study, we evaluated the direct and indirect contributions of syntactic awareness on first‐language Chinese and second‐language English reading comprehension among 227 Hong Kong Chinese–English bilingual fourth graders. We designed language‐shared and language‐unique tasks of syntactic awareness, assessed reading comprehension in both Chinese and English, and took other reading‐related cognitive and metalinguistic measures. We found a statistically significant direct effect of syntactic awareness on reading comprehension within both first‐language Chinese and second‐language English, along with indirect effects via word reading. Moreover, in their reading comprehension within both English and Chinese, students drew on awareness of syntactic features that are shared between English and Chinese more than those unique to either language. Students were also generally more accurate with language‐shared than language‐unique items, further pointing to the possibility of transfer. Our findings clarify dual roles for syntactic awareness in reading comprehension in Chinese and English, as well as transfer of awareness of syntactic structures in the two typologically distinct languages. We discuss these results in relation to theories of both reading comprehension and transfer.
Where Is the Evidence? Looking Back to Jeanne Chall and Enduring Debates About the Science of Reading
Authors: Semingson Peggy , Kerns William 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTIn this historical analysis, we examine the context of debates over the role of phonics in literacy and current debates about the science of reading, with a focus on the work and impact of the late literacy scholar Jeanne Chall. We open by briefly tracing the roots of the enduring debates from the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on beginning reading, decoding, and phonics. Next, we explore insights drawn from the whole language movement as understood by Kenneth Goodman and Yetta Goodman, as well as a synthesis of key ideas from Chall’s critique of the whole language approach. We then analyze the shifts across the three editions of Chall’sLearning to Read: The Great Debateand summarize major ideas from her body of work, such as the stage model of reading development. We suggest that reading instruction should be informed by a broader historical lens in looking at the “science of reading” debates and should draw on a developmental stage model to teaching reading, such as the six‐stage model provided by Chall. We describe implications for educators, textbook publishers, researchers, and policymakers that address the current reading debates, and provide considerations of what Chall might say about learning to read in a digital era given the pressures on teacher educators and teachers to align their practice with what is deemed to be the science of reading.
Active Citizenship, Lifelong Learning and Inclusion: Introduction to Concepts and Contexts
Authors: Kersh Natasha , Toiviainen Hanna , Zarifis George K. , Pitkänen Pirkko 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis chapter provides insight into the rationale, background and key concepts of the book and will discuss relevant theoretical considerations, contexts and discourses. The complexity surrounding the conceptual understanding of active citizenship, adult education and vulnerability will be considered, and approaches towards achieving a shared understanding of the nature of adult education and lifelong learning will be addressed within this chapter. In this book, the concept of active citizenship is used as a conceptual lens to understand the role of adult education in including young adults in active social, political and economic participation and engagement. The findings indicate that the social, economic and political dimensions of active citizenship, encompassing the development of social competences, labour market skills as well as civic and political participation, have been related to various educational initiatives (programmes) to engage young adults in active participation. The chapter will open the discussion of the cross-national complexity and interdependencies between adult education, social inclusion and active participatory citizenship, which underpin the dialogue offered in the seven contributions within this book.
Active Citizenship Programmes for Unemployed Young Adults with Low Skills in Southern Europe: Participation, Outreach, and Barriers
Authors: Zarifis George K. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe development of policies and targeted initiatives that promote or support active participatory citizenship for vulnerable young adults with low skills has largely passed unnoticed in Southern Europe in the last decade. Despite the existing lifelong learning (LLL) strategies, most countries in the area do not place active citizenship for low-skilled young adults as a priority. This chapter is based on the results of the European research project EduMAP (Horizon 2020), and focuses on participation of unemployed young adults with low skills (hence early school-leavers) in educational activities that either focus or promote active citizenship in Southern Europe (Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal). More specifically the chapter explains the reasons behind low participation rates among vulnerable young adults in the region. South European countries are not yet showing any favourable conditions for increasing participation of the low-skilled unemployed young adults in such programmes. Some of the countries that were hit by economic depression in particular, face –not necessarily for the same reasons– major barriers for implementing policies to increase the number of low-skilled young adults in active citizenship oriented courses. The chapter concludes that one of the problems in promoting active citizenship through adult education activities is that the programmes delivered in the region are still not competence-based. Adult education is not high in the value system, and therefore low skilled young adults do not appear motivated to obtain such skills and competences. A key challenge therefore is to deliver a service that simultaneously meets the needs of the learners, provides sufficient responses to the needs of the local societies, and stimulates further demand.
Active Participatory Citizenship for and with Young Adults in Situations of Risk – On the Cover and Under-Cover
Authors: Endrizzi Francesca , Schmidt-Behlau Beate 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDrawing on theoretical research findings of the EduMAP extensive study on national Adult Education (AE) policies in the European Union (EU) and as part of a broader qualitative data collection based on 40 case-studies, the following chapter investigates four selected adult education practices dealing with young people in situations of vulnerability, in France, Austria and Germany, respectively. The intent is to analyse how diverse conceptualisation of Active Participatory Citizenship (APC) and the educational strategies adopted in the different programmes impact on the learning outcomes of the interviewed learners. APC can be either explicit and on the cover, as a core objective pursued through an adopted education strategy, or it acts more implicitly and under cover. To prove this assumption, the findings have been systematised, first scrutinizing the endorsed APC concepts and the implemented educational approaches in the programme’s designs and from the providers and practitioners’ perspectives, and second investigating learners’ points of view on their learning outcomes in terms of competence development and reflected experiences. The third step analyses the factors that are relevant for successfully enabling young people in situations of risk to participate in the society and/or community. The findings bear out that how APC is defined and characterised in the AE programmes is not the only impacting factor but equally important is how this is incorporated in the educational practice and adopted in the pedagogical strategy.
How Are the Prospects for Refugees to Become Active Members of Society? – The Vision and Practices in Turkish Adult Education
Authors: Erdoğan Armağan , Unutulmaz K. Onur , Aydemir Suna G. , Erdoğan M. Murat 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSocial integration of refugees is a major challenge for any country that hosts sizable refugee communities. Recently, Turkey has joined the ranks of such countries as it was transformed to become the country with the highest number of refugees in the world through an inflow of over 3.6 million mostly young and uneducated asylum-seekers from Syria in a matter of a few years. This chapter presents a critical analysis of the Turkish adult education (AE) sector by applying the concept of active participatory citizenship in the context of the current refugee crisis with a focus on its role in helping this vulnerable community to become active members of the society. This chapter argues that AE and Lifelong Learning (LLL) programs have the potential to empower Syrian refugees in such a way to make them into active members, contributing social, economic and cultural ways in Turkish society. To make its arguments, the chapter firstly provides a brief analysis of Turkey’s reform agenda in the field of AE since 1990s. By drawing on selected statistics it highlights the shortcomings in Turkey with respect to developing sustainable and gender sensitive AE programs, especially for young adults. Secondly, it investigates the major legal and institutional developments in Turkey since the first wave of the refugees entering to Turkey after beginning of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Lastly, it will provide an analysis of how new AE programs for refugees are designed, which are characterised by a holistic view of social inclusion and target specific groups of refugees under the pressure of multiple vulnerabilities.
Adult Education as a Means to Social Inclusion in Nordic Welfare States: Denmark, Finland and Sweden
Authors: Kuusipalo Paula , Toiviainen Hanna , Pitkänen Pirkko 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDenmark, Sweden and Finland are Nordic welfare states that historically have put a high value on both basic and adult education. Citizens should have equal opportunities to participate in education and society. Adult education has been a topical means to include citizens in active societal participation. This has been realised by providing special support for those in need. Currently, the dominance of neo-liberal market economies has challenged this educational ideology, and adult education has increasingly become reduced to only one of its functions, that of employability. Besides formal education, even informal learning has been harnessed for developing and maintaining work-related skills. Budget cuts have affected adult education while resources have increased on guidance and counselling, transition from basic to upper secondary education, education for the low-skilled and continuing training for workforce. Drawing on the history and present challenges this chapter discusses the possibilities to strengthen social inclusion through adult education. In the focus are groups that are at risk of staying outside the education society. The consequences of unfinished basic education and recently the educational needs of migrants and asylum seekers have revealed the largely unattended challenges of young adults and the vulnerability involved in comparison to the relatively high educated mainstream population. Our research focusing on social inclusion of vulnerable groups through differentiated support activities provides space to discuss, how adult education may regain its leading role in enhancing equal opportunities towards active political, social and economic participation in the Nordic societies.
Promising or Compelling Future in Hungary?
Authors: Tóth Judit , Szirmai Éva , Merkovity Norbert , Pongó Tamás 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAdult education, employment and integration strategies have been characterised by somewhat fragmented and uncoordinated implementation practices in the context of CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) region. Some relevant data (OECD, EUROSTAT) on socio-economic factors may provide partial explanation for this. Additionally, this could be explained through considering some examples of Roma and young people with disabilities, in terms of how they can access adult education. Specifically, these examples demonstrate how the national and European reform goals, capacity building projects and financial supports remain isolated and incomplete. In this chapter, we outline how these factors undermine the opportunities for independent and democratic thinking and participatory citizenship. Low skilled and low educated young Roma from underprivileged family backgrounds (e.g. long-term family unemployment), living in poor rural areas, and youngsters with disabilities living in difficult environments are facing similar barriers to becoming active, responsible and educated European citizens. This chapter brings attention to the significance of the development and implementation of appropriate prevention strategies as well as regular evaluation and monitoring of relevant programs. Some cross-cutting characteristics and implications will be identified and considered, and future directions of adult education will be discussed, including its needs, demand and supply in the context of this region.
Introduction
Authors: Jeannet Jean-Pierre , Volery Thierry , Bergmann Heiko , Amstutz Cornelia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis chapter tells the story of the origin of the project from the Big Idea: the research design, the recruiting of the research team, adoption of the sample design, the database, the extensive field research effort, as well as the application of pattern analysis to arrive at findings on management practices. Details on the book’s organization can be found here, as well as some suggestions on how to absorb both the 36 company profiles in Chap. 26 and the detailed analyses in Chaps. 2–25.