bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Promoting social equity, diversity, and inclusion through accreditation
Authors: Rubaii Nadia 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThis purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which accreditation of public affairs programs can be a tool to advance social equity, diversity, and inclusion. The paper is presented in the context of the widespread acceptance of the importance of addressing social inequalities in Latin America and the critical role that public policy and public administration can have on advancing these goals.Design/methodology/approachInternational and national accreditation standards are compared using content analysis for their reference to social equity and diversity in their standards regarding faculty, students, curriculum content and learning outcomes. The research applies content analysis of key documents and thematic coding.FindingsInternational accrediting agencies that focused explicitly on programs in public affairs place a much greater emphasis on social equity and diversity than their national counterparts which accredit a full range of programs and institutions. National accrediting agencies assert the value of diversity, but their standards and reporting requirements suggest otherwise.Research limitations/implicationsThe research suggests that international accreditation standards have the potential to advance social equity goals more effectively than national standards and that there is great potential to enhance this component of national accreditation standards. Implications for policymakers, accreditation professionals and scholars are identified.Originality/valueThe research is original in its focus on the role of accreditation in promoting social equity and its comparison of national and international standards. Although limited to Latin America and public affairs programs, the research provides a basis for examining similar patterns with respect to other disciplines and professions, and in other regions of the world.
Quality assurance model for digital adult education materials
Authors: Dimou Helen , Kameas Achilles 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to present a model for the quality assurance of digital educational material that is appropriate for adult education. The proposed model adopts the software quality standard ISO/IEC 9126 and takes into account adult learning theories, Bloom’s taxonomy of learning objectives and two instructional design models: Kolb’s model (the learning cycle) and Gagne, Briggs and Wager’s model.

Design/methodology/approach
The structure of this paper is as follows: in the second section, the theory of “the learning cycle of Kolb” is discussed. The third section discusses the model of Gagne, Biggs & Wager. The fourth section discusses and categorizes the characteristics and sub-characteristics of the quality of digital educational material. The fifth section discusses and categorizes the quality attributes of digital educational material. Moreover, the correlation of the sub-characteristics of the material with the model of Gagne and that of Kolb are examined.

Findings
The authors developed a quality model that adopts the structure of ISO/IEC 9126 standard, using basic notions of theories of adult education to define its characteristics and sub-characteristics. The model has been successfully applied in the quality evaluation of educational material distributed to distance learning adult students.

Originality/value
The innovative combination of an established quality model with sound educational theories yields a comprehensive model that allows both a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the appropriateness of digital educational material. The applicability of the model is demonstrated by applying it to specific digital materials specially developed for adult education.
The use of the learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Yousef Darwish Abdulrahman 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the use of Honey and Mumford’s (1986) learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) in the context of United Arab Emirates (UAE) higher education. In particular, it aims at exploring the learning style preferences of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) students using LSQ. It also investigates whether there are statistically significant differences in students’ learning style preferences because of their demographic and academic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a sample of 1,463 undergraduate students at the UAEU. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the main characteristics of respondents, to explore the learning style preferences of UAEU students and to find out whether there are significant differences in students’ learning style preferences because of their demographic and academic characteristics.

Findings
Results indicated that UAEU students have strong preferences for the four learning styles. Results showed that about 68 per cent of UAEU students have strong or very strong preferences for the activist leaning style, whereas about 84 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the reflector learning style, 78 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the theorist learning style; about 60 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the pragmatist learning style. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in certain learning styles because of students’ demographic and academic characteristics.

Research limitations/implications
There are a number of limitations associated with this study. First, data were collected from a single university in the UAE. Second, the results are based on a self-report survey and this in turn might affect the reliability of the results. Another limitation is that this study is of snapshot type. Hence, it might not capture the dynamic nature of learning style. On the other hand, it has a number of implications for students, educators and administrators.

Originality/value
The present study is the first attempt to explore learning styles preference of undergraduate students using LSQ, not only in the content of UAE higher education but also in the Arab world.
Cascading effects of defaunation on the coexistence of two specialized insect seed predators
Authors: Peguero Guille , Muller‐Landau Helene C. , Jansen Patrick A. , Wright S. Joseph 
Published: September 2016

Summary

Identification of the mechanisms enabling stable coexistence of species with similar resource requirements is a central challenge in ecology. Such coexistence can be facilitated by species at higher trophic levels through complex multi‐trophic interactions, a mechanism that could be compromised by ongoing defaunation.

We investigated cascading effects of defaunation on Pachymerus cardo and Speciomerus giganteus, the specialized insect seed predators of the Neotropical palm Attalea butyracea, testing the hypothesis that vertebrate frugivores and granivores facilitate their coexistence.

Laboratory experiments showed that the two seed parasitoid species differed strongly in their reproductive ecology. Pachymerus produced many small eggs that it deposited exclusively on the fruit exocarp (exterior). Speciomerus produced few large eggs that it deposited exclusively on the endocarp, which is normally exposed only after a vertebrate handles the fruit. When eggs of the two species were deposited on the same fruit, Pachymerus triumphed only when it had a long head start, and the loser always succumbed to intraguild predation.

We collected field data on the fates of 6569 Attalea seeds across sites in central Panama with contrasting degrees of defaunation and wide variation in the abundance of vertebrate frugivores and granivores. Speciomerus dominated where vertebrate communities were intact, whereas Pachymerus dominated in defaunated sites. Variation in the relative abundance of Speciomerus across all 84 sampling sites was strongly positively related to the proportion of seeds attacked by rodents, an indicator of local vertebrate abundance.

Synthesis. We show that two species of insect seed predators relying on the same host plant species are niche differentiated in their reproductive strategies such that one species has the advantage when fruits are handled promptly by vertebrates and the other when they are not. Defaunation disrupts this mediating influence of vertebrates and strongly favours one species at the expense of the other, providing a case study of the cascading effects of defaunation and its potential to disrupt coexistence of non‐target species, including the hyperdiverse phytophagous insects of tropical forests.
Bacterial microbiota associated with flower pollen is influenced by pollination type, and shows a high degree of diversity and species‐specificity
Authors: Ambika Manirajan Binoy , Ratering Stefan , Rusch Volker , Schwiertz Andreas , Geissler‐Plaum Rita , Cardinale Massimiliano , Schnell Sylvia 
Published: September 2016

SummaryDiverse microorganisms colonise the different plant‐microhabitats, such as rhizosphere and phyllosphere, and play key roles for the host. However, bacteria associated with pollen are poorly investigated, despite its ecological, commercial and medical relevance. Due to structure and nutritive composition, pollen provides a unique microhabitat. Here the bacterial abundance, community structure, diversity and colonization pattern of birch, rye, rapes and autumn crocus pollens were examined, by using cultivation, high‐throughput sequencing and microscopy. Cultivated bacteria belonged to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, with remarkable differences at species level between pollen species. High‐throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries showed Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum in all pollen species, followed by Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and Firmicutes. Both plant species and pollination type significant influenced structure and diversity of the pollen microbiota. The insect‐pollinated species possessed a more similar microbiota in comparison to the wind‐pollinated ones, suggesting a levelling effect by insect vectors. Scanning electron microscopy as well as fluorescent in situ hybridisation coupled with confocal laser scanning microscopy (FISH‐CLSM) indicated the tectum surface as the preferred niche of bacterial colonisation. This work is the most comprehensive study of pollen microbiology, and strongly increases our knowledge on one of the less investigated plant‐microhabitats.
The value of spectral imaging to reduce artefacts in the body after 125I seed implantation
Authors: Liu Jingang , Wang Wenjuan , Zhao Xingsheng , Shen Zhen , Shao Weiguang , Wang Xizhen , Li Lixin , Wang Bin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroductionTo explore the value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) and metal artefact reduction sequence (MARs) to reduce the artefacts of metal seeds.MethodsThirty‐five patients with 125I seed implantation in their abdomens underwent GSI CT. Six types of monochromatic images and the corresponding MARs images at 60–110 keV (interval of 10 keV) were reconstructed. The differences in the quality of the images of three imaging methods were subjectively assessed by three radiologists. Length of artefacts, the CT value and noise value of tissue adjacent to 125I seeds, contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and artefact index (AI) were recorded.ResultsThe differences in subjective scoring were statistically significant (t = 10.87, P < 0.001). Images at 70 keV showed the best CNR (0.84 ± 0.17) of tissues adjacent to 125I seeds, and received the highest subjective score (2.82 ± 0.18). Images at 80 keV had the lowest AI (70.67 ± 19.17). Images at 110 keV had the shortest artefact lengths. High‐density metal artefacts in the MARs spectral images were reduced. The length of metal artefacts in images at 110 keV was shorter than that of the polychromatic images and MARs spectral images (t = 3.35, 3.89, P < 0.05). The difference in CNR between MARs spectral images and polychromatic images, and images at 70 keV was statistically significant (t = 3.57, 4.16, P < 0.01).ConclusionsGemstone spectral imaging technique can reduce metal artefacts of 125I seeds effectively in CT images, and improve the quality of images, and improve the display of tissues adjacent to 125I seeds after implantation. MARs technique cannot reduce the artefacts caused by radioactive seeds effectively.
The landscape of systematic reviews in urology (1998 to 2015): an assessment of methodological quality
Authors: Han Julia L. , Gandhi Shreyas , Bockoven Crystal G. , Narayan Vikram M. , Dahm Philipp 
Published: September 2016

ObjectivesTo assess the quality of published systematic reviews in the urology literature (an extension of our previously reported work), as high‐quality systematic reviews play a paramount role in informing evidence‐based clinical practice.Materials and MethodsOur focus was on systematic reviews in the urology literature that incorporated questions of prevention and therapy. To identify such reviews published during a 36‐month period (2013–2015), we systematically searched PubMed and hand‐searched the table of contents of four major urology journals. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of those reviews, using the 11‐point ‘Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews’ (AMSTAR) instrument. We performed protocol‐driven analyses of the data from our present study's 36‐month period alone, as well as in aggregate with the data from our previously reported work's study periods (2009–2012 and 1998–2008).ResultsIn our literature search of the 36‐month period (2013–2015), we initially identified 490 possibly relevant reviews, of which 125 met our inclusion criteria. The most common topic of reviews for the 2013–2015 period was oncology (51.2%; n = 64), followed by voiding dysfunction (21.6%; n = 27). The mean [standard deviation (SD)] AMSTAR score in the 2013–2015 period (n = 125) was 4.8 (2.4); 2009–2012 (n = 113), 5.4 (2.3); and 1998–2008 (n = 57), 4.8 (2.0) (P = 0.127). In the 2013–2015 period, the mean (SD) AMSTAR score for the BJU International (n = 25) was 5.6 (2.9); for The Journal of Urology (n = 20), 5.1 (2.6); for European Urology (n = 60), 4.5 (2.2); and for Urology (n = 20), 4.4 (2.2) (P = 0.106).ConclusionsThe number of systematic reviews published in the urology literature has exponentially increased, year by year, but their methodological quality has stagnated. To enhance the validity and impact of systematic reviews, all authors and editors must apply established methodological standards.
p53‐dependent up‐regulation of CDKN1A and down‐regulation of CCNE2 in response to beryllium
Authors: Gorjala P. , Cairncross J. G. , Gary R. K. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractObjectivesBeryllium salts (here, beryllium sulphate) can produce a cytostatic effect in some cell types. The basis for this effect may include increased expression of proliferation inhibitors, reduced expression of proliferation promoters, or both. This study sought to determine the role of p53, the tumour‐suppressing transcription factor, in mediating beryllium‐induced cytostasis.Materials and methodsHuman A172 glioma cells express wild‐type TP53 gene. Activity of p53 was experimentally manipulated using siRNA and related approaches. Key elements of the beryllium‐response were compared in normal and p53‐knockdown A172 cells using RT‐PCR and Western blotting.ResultsIn A172 cells, 10 μm BeSO4 caused 300% increase in CDKN1A (cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p21) mRNA and 90% reduction of CCNE2 (cyclin E2) mRNA. The increased p21 mRNA and reduced cyclin E2 mRNA were each dependent on presence of functional p53. For p21, increased mRNA led to commensurately increased protein levels. In contrast, reduction in cyclin E2 mRNA levels did not lead to corresponding reductions in cyclin E2 protein. The proteasomal inhibitor MG‐132 caused p53 protein to increase, but it had no effect on cyclin E2 protein levels. Cycloheximide time course studies indicated that the cyclin E2 protein half‐life was more than 12 hours in these cells.ConclusionsBeryllium elicited p53‐dependent changes in mRNA levels of key determinants of cell proliferation such as p21 and cyclin E2. However, cyclin E2 protein appeared to be aberrantly regulated in this cell type, as its turnover was unexpectedly slow.
The association between retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and N‐acetyl aspartate levels in multiple sclerosis brain normal‐appearing white matter: a longitudinal study using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Pardini M. , Botzkowski D. , Müller S. , Vehoff J. , Kuhle J. , Ruberte E. , Würfel J. , Gass A. , Valmaggia C. , Tettenborn B. , Putzki N. , Yaldizli Ö. 
Published: September 2016

Background and purposeN‐acetyl aspartate (NAA) assessed using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) has a high pathological specificity for axonal density. Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) measured by using optical coherence tomography is increasingly used as a surrogate marker of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aim was to investigate the relation between RNFLT and NAA/creatine in brain normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM), their dynamics over time and the association with clinical outcome measures in relapsing MS. T2 WM lesions served as control tissue.MethodsForty‐three MS patients underwent standardized neurological examination including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) score, optical coherence tomography and magnetic resonance imaging including 1H MRS at baseline and after 1 year.ResultsAt baseline, NAA/creatine level was lower in T2 WM lesions than in NAWM (1.64 ± 0.16 vs. 1.88 ± 0.24, P < 0.001). Lowest levels were found in secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Mean RNFLT was higher in clinically isolated syndrome than in the combined group of relapsing−remitting MS and SPMS (99.8 ± 12.3 μm vs. 92.4 ± 12.8 μm, P = 0.038). In all patients, mean RNFLT decreased by 1.4% during follow‐up. At baseline, MSFC z‐scores correlated with NAA/creatine levels both in NAWM (r = 0.42; P = 0.008) and T2 WM lesions (r = 0.52, P = 0.004). NAWM NAA/creatine variation correlated with the RNFLT change over 1 year (ρ = 0.43, P = 0.046).ConclusionsN‐acetyl aspartate/creatine level reduction correlated with RNFLT thinning over 1 year in an EDSS stable MS cohort suggesting that these techniques might be sensitive to detect subclinical disease progression.
Stream network geomorphology mediates predicted vulnerability of anadromous fish habitat to hydrologic change in southeast Alaska
Authors: Sloat Matthew R. , Reeves Gordon H. , Christiansen Kelly R. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn rivers supporting Pacific salmon in southeast Alaska,USA, regional trends toward a warmer, wetter climate are predicted to increase mid‐ and late‐21st‐century mean annual flood size by 17% and 28%, respectively. Increased flood size could alter stream habitats used by Pacific salmon for reproduction, with negative consequences for the substantial economic, cultural, and ecosystem services these fish provide. We combined field measurements and model simulations to estimate the potential influence of future flood disturbance on geomorphic processes controlling the quality and extent of coho, chum, and pink salmon spawning habitat in over 800 southeast Alaska watersheds. Spawning habitat responses varied widely across watersheds and among salmon species. Little variation among watersheds in potential spawning habitat change was explained by predicted increases in mean annual flood size. Watershed response diversity was mediated primarily by topographic controls on stream channel confinement, reach‐scale geomorphic associations with spawning habitat preferences, and complexity in the pace and mode of geomorphic channel responses to altered flood size. Potential spawning habitat loss was highest for coho salmon, which spawn over a wide range of geomorphic settings, including steeper, confined stream reaches that are more susceptible to streambed scour during high flows. We estimated that 9–10% and 13–16% of the spawning habitat for coho salmon could be lost by the 2040s and 2080s, respectively, with losses occurring primarily in confined, higher‐gradient streams that provide only moderate‐quality habitat. Estimated effects were lower for pink and chum salmon, which primarily spawn in unconfined floodplain streams. Our results illustrate the importance of accounting for valley and reach‐scale geomorphic features in watershed assessments of climate vulnerability, especially in topographically complex regions. Failure to consider the geomorphic context of stream networks will hamper efforts to understand and mitigate the vulnerability of anadromous fish habitat to climate‐induced hydrologic change.
Transforming your service: the right evidence at the right time and place
Authors: Sutton Anthea 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis virtual issue is published to coincide with the CILIP Health Libraries Group Conference 2016. The theme of the conference is Knowledge for Healthcare (KFH), the development framework for health care library and knowledge services (LKS), published by Health Education England. Transforming the service, and delivering the right evidence at the right time and place, is a key strategic focus of KFH. Therefore, this virtual issue draws on content published in Health Information and Libraries Journal (HILJ) in the last 2 years, which demonstrate initiatives in health care LKS in line with the transformation strands outlined in KFH. The virtual issue follows the same structure as a regular issue of HILJ, containing one review article, a series of original articles and our three regular features: Dissertations into Practice, Teaching and Learning in Action and International Perspectives and Initiatives.
Microencapsulation of lipid materials by spray drying and properties of products
Authors: Wang Bangping , Duke Steve R. , Wang Yifen 
Published: September 2016

AbstractLipophilic bioactive materials, such as carotenoids, exhibit various health benefits. To enhance their stability and application in food and pharmaceutical industries, feasibility of microencapsulating these bioactive materials by spray drying was investigated. High‐ and low‐energy emulsification methods were compared at various emulsion compositions and their effects on emulsion stability were characterized. High‐energy method was preferred for safety concerns, as it was able to produce fine emulsions (davg < 400 nm) at relatively low surfactant‐to‐oil ratio. The formed infeed emulsions, with MCT oil as core material, gelatin as wall material and primary emulsifier and Tween 80 as secondary emulsifier, were then spray dried using a lab scale spray dryer (Büchi B‐290). Operating conditions were optimized and results demonstrated that spray drying technology could be applied to transform stable infeed emulsions (containing bioactive materials) into microcapsules with desired properties (e.g., low moisture content (5.5–7% (d.b.)), relatively narrow size distribution (d50 between 9.8 and 10.8 μm), and high encapsulation efficiency (around 90%)). So, it is feasible to use this emulsion‐based system to microencapsulate bioactive materials by spray drying.Practical applicationLipophilic bioactive elements are highly susceptible to adverse environment conditions. To overcome these problems, feasibility of microencapsulating these bioactive materials by spray drying was investigated in the present study. A high‐energy method was compared with a low‐energy method in order to find an appropriate emulsification method. The formed infeed emulsion was then spray dried to determine optimum operating conditions. This research should be useful for identifying the most appropriate operating conditions for lipophilic bioactive materials microencapsulation for industrial application especially in food and pharmaceutical industries. Meanwhile, it also provides a possible reference for other scientists and researchers.