bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Teacher learning communities: the landscape of subject leadership
Authors: chow alice w.k. 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– Teacher learning communities (TLCs) formed within subject departments are conceptualized as reform platform for facilitating school improvement and teacher development. The purpose of this paper is to examine the ways in which three TLCs were structured and managed for generating change capability in secondary schools in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach
– A review of the literature on the contribution of learning communities to teacher professional development, and the functions and styles of subject leadership provides the theoretical background of the study. Participant observations and semi-structured interviews were employed as the main instruments for the investigation into the potentials of TLCs for enhancing professional renewals. Narrative accounts were obtained from a total of 21 teachers (including three subject leaders) on the nature and process of their participation in the renewal projects.

Findings
– The findings of the interview study reveal the landscape of subject leadership orientations that shaped the collaborative practices, power relations and knowledge representations within TLCs. Variability is noted in the subject leaders’ concerns for harmonious relationship, executive control, professional growth and leadership empowerment. The spectrum of knowledge structure in these communities is marked by a hierarchical relationship on one end, and a heterarchical relationship on the other.

Research limitations/implications
– This paper portrays the dynamics within three TLCs, and depicts a continuum of three leadership styles. The literature on subject leadership in TLCs could be enriched with further investigations into the contextual variables and sources of influence that affect the choice of leadership orientations of subject leaders who grapple with a balance between managerial imperative for control and accountability and a learning imperative for participative explorations that satisfy teachers’ aspirations for autonomy and creative investments in their own professional enhancement.

Practical implications
– Subject leadership training should emcompass reflective discourse on epistemological beliefs and assumptions on teacher learning and development, and leadership orientations that shape collaborative professional renewal practices.

Originality/value
– While research studies conducted in the Western world show that reflective and collaborative inquiries within professional communities have helped to improve classroom practices and teacher development (e.g. Hord, 1997), yet little is known about the management practices of subject leaders that shape the internal cultural conditions, power relations and knowledge representation within their departments in the context of Hong Kong.
New models of assessment and prescription of smart assisted living technologies for personalised support of older and disabled people
Authors: Doughty Kevin , Williams Gareth 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to introduce an end-to-end process to improve the prescription, uptake and utilisation of assisted living technologies in order to improve outcomes for older and disabled people.

Design/methodology/approach
– The approach involved consideration of the ways in which people’s support needs are considered and how a more relevant picture can be drawn using their own goals and the issues and obstacles that prevent them achieving improvement. New models of support were introduced in order to improve the suitability of prescriptions for people who lived under different circumstances, sometimes with family carers.

Findings
– It was found that the application of an enhanced assessment approach required professionals and family members to understand more about the range of available technologies and their limitations. In order to avoid rejection of the technology, there will be a need for service providers to extend the range of applications that they offer, and to consider the suitability of the home environment for introducing new systems.

Practical implications
– The new model of assessment and prescription will improve the options for independent living for many people with minor disabilities and age-related problems.

Social implications
– The correct use of assistive technologies will be improved leading to users having more confidence in the use of technologies to support independence in place of conventional and expensive care services.

Originality/value
– The new model of assessment and prescription described in this paper is novel and developed by the authors as original work. Its value is that it disrupts current assessment schemes and will encourage innovation in prescription, and a more person-centred approach to satisfying the needs of vulnerable people.
HeadBanger: controlling switchable software with head gesture
Authors: Oppenheim Matthew 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present a novel non-contact method of using head movement to control software without the need for wearable devices.

Design/methodology/approach
– A webcam and software are used to track head position. When the head is moved through a virtual target, a keystroke is simulated. The system was assessed by participants with impaired mobility using Sensory Software’s Grid 2 software as a test platform.

Findings
– The target user group could effectively use this system to interact with switchable software.

Practical implications
– Physical head switches could be replaced with virtual devices, reducing fatigue and dissatisfaction.

Originality/value
– Using a webcam to control software using head gestures where the participant does not have to wear any specialised technology or a marker. This system is shown to be of benefit to motor impaired participants for operating switchable software.
The performance of cross-border acquirers from emerging economies
Authors: Ma Xiaobai , Zhu Yiying , Cai Wenyuan 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– This paper aims to evaluate the value creation of cross-border acquisitions conducted by Chinese firms and determinants that result in the different performance. During the recent decades, the world has witnessed multinational enterprises (MNEs) from emerging economies undertaking aggressive cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M & As). This phenomenon raises great attention in the international business community, and also challenges the traditional understanding in the extant literature.Design/methodology/approach– The authors examine 272 cross-border M & As associated with 48 target countries during the period 1996-2012.Findings– Evidences show that cross-border expansions on average point to negative performance in the short term. The authors also find that prior cross-border M & A experiences, ownership structure of the acquirer (state-owned vs private) and acquirer size positively affect the performance of the acquiring firm.Originality/value– In addition to contributing to cross-border M & A literature, the findings also provide useful guidance to outward foreign direct investment by firms from emerging economies.
Dental students’ perception of their approaches to learning in a PBL programme
Authors: Haghparast H. , Ghorbani A. , Rohlin M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimTo compare dental students’ perceptions of their learning approaches between different years of a problem‐based learning (PBL) programme. The hypothesis was that in a comparison between senior and junior students, the senior students would perceive themselves as having a higher level of deep learning approach and a lower level of surface learning approach than junior students would. This hypothesis was based on the fact that senior students have longer experience of a student‐centred educational context, which is supposed to underpin student learning.Participants and MethodsStudents of three cohorts (first year, third year and fifth year) of a PBL‐based dental programme were asked to respond to a questionnaire (R‐SPQ‐2F) developed to analyse students’ learning approaches, that is deep approach and surface approach, using four subscales including deep strategy, surface strategy, deep motive and surface motive. The results of the three cohorts were compared using a one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P‐value was set at <0.05 for statistical significance.ResultsThe fifth‐year students demonstrated a lower surface approach than the first‐year students (P = 0.020). There was a significant decrease in surface strategy from the first to the fifth year (P = 0.003). No differences were found concerning deep approach or its subscales (deep strategy and deep motive) between the mean scores of the three cohorts.ConclusionsThe results did not show the expected increased depth in learning approaches over the programme years.
Dental students’ self‐perceived communication skills for patient motivation
Authors: Rindlisbacher F. , Davis J. M. , Ramseier C. A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate dental students’ self‐perceived communication skills for patient motivation over the course of their training.Materials and methodsPre‐clinical and clinical dental students at the University of Bern School of Dental Medicine were surveyed annually from 2008 to 2011 utilising a written questionnaire. Self‐reported data were pooled from all classes per time‐point in the curriculum.ResultsA total of 157 students were surveyed from five classes with an overall response rate of 94.8%. A total of 393 questionnaires were available for analysis. The self‐perceived skill‐sets for general patient care and patient communication were rated at the end of the first clinical year with mean Visual Analog Scale values of 75.0 ± 1.6 and 75.1 ± 1.5, respectively. During the second clinical year, the self‐perceived skills increased in both patient care (82.5 ± 1.2, P = 0.0004) and patient communication (81.4 ± 1.4, P = 0.0034). The students rated their competence higher when providing oral hygiene instructions as opposed to motivating patients to quit tobacco use, modify their diet or employ stress‐reduction strategies (P < 0.005). At the end of the pre‐clinical year, 74.5% of the students expressed interest in receiving more extensive communication training (P < 0.004).ConclusionsThough dental students in this study demonstrated a steady increase in their level of comfort motivating patients to utilise oral hygiene instructions, they also expressed the desire for more motivational training early in their curriculum. Therefore, these results may indicate the need to enhance communications training in patient motivation on all behavioural aspects early in the dental curriculum.
Comparison of digital scanning and polyvinyl siloxane impression techniques by dental students: instructional efficiency and attitudes towards technology
Authors: Marti A. M. , Harris B. T. , Metz M. J. , Morton D. , Scarfe W. C. , Metz C. J. , Lin W.–S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIntroductionWith increasing use of digital scanning with restorative procedures in the dental office, it becomes necessary that educational institutions adopt instructional methodology for introducing this technology together with conventional impression techniques.ObjectiveTo compare the time differences between instructing dental students on digital scanning (DS) (LAVA C.O.S. digital impression system) and a conventional impression technique (CI) (polyvinyl siloxane), and to compare students’ attitudes and beliefs towards both techniques.Materials and methodsVolunteer sophomore dental students (n = 25) with no prior experience in clinical impressions were recruited and IRB consent obtained. Participants responded to a pre‐and post‐exposure questionnaire. Participants were instructed on the use of both DS and CI for a single tooth full coverage crown restoration using a consecutive sequence of video lecture, investigator‐led demonstration and independent impression exercise. The time necessary for each step (minutes) was recorded. Statistical significance was calculated using dependent t‐tests (time measurements) and 2‐sample Mann–Whitney (questionnaire responses).ResultsThe time spent teaching students was greater for DS than CI for video lecture (15.95 and 10.07 min, P = 0.0000), demonstration time (9.06 and 4.70 min, P = 0.0000) and impression time (18.17 and 8.59 min, P = 0.0000). Prior to the instruction and practice, students considered themselves more familiar with CI (3.96) than DS (1.96) (P = 0.0000). After the instruction and practice, participants reported CI technique proved significantly easier than expected (pre‐instruction: 3.52 and post‐instruction: 4.08, P = 0.002). However, overall participants’ perception of ease of use for DS was not influenced by this instruction and practice experience (pre‐instruction: 3.84 and post‐instruction: 3.56, P = 0.106). Despite the results, 96% of participants expressed an expectation that DS will become their predominant impression technique during their careers.ConclusionsDental students with no clinical experience have high expectations for digital scanning, and despite their initial difficulty, expect it to become their primary impression technique during their professional futures. The instructional time necessary for introducing DS into the curriculum is significantly greater than CI in both classroom (lecture) and clinical simulation settings (investigator‐led demonstration).
It is important that they care – older persons’ experiences of telephone advice nursing
Authors: Holmström Inger K , Nokkoudenmäki Mai‐Britt , Zukancic Selma , Sundler Annelie J 
Published: March 2016

Aims and objectivesThe aim of the study was to explore older persons’ experiences of telephone advice nursing at primary healthcare centres.BackgroundTelephone advice nursing is expanding worldwide, and the older population is increasing. Little is known about older persons’ experiences of telephone advice nursing provided by primary healthcare.DesignThis study has a descriptive design with a qualitative inductive approach.MethodsData were collected via interviews with a purposive sample of 10 older persons in 2014. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe older persons’ experiences were described in two themes: the patient‐friendly aspects of telephone advice nursing and the patient‐unfriendly aspects of telephone advice nursing. The themes can be understood as two sides of the same coin; the differences point to both the advantages and disadvantages of the service and are further illuminated through seven subthemes.ConclusionsThis study contributes to increased awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of the telephone advice nursing system as experienced by older persons. To be the focus of attention during calls was highlighted as important; and clear communication was deemed crucial. When the communication between the nurse and the older persons was perceived as good and the perspective of the caller was the focus, an experience of safety and satisfaction was described. Older persons had great confidence in the telephone nurses’ competence and perceived their ability to access the service as mostly good, even if it was sometimes difficult to use the service.Relevance to clinical practiceThe communicative competence of telephone nurses is essential when providing telephone advice nursing to older persons. In addition, a person‐centred approach is important to provide optimal care in telephone advice nursing.
Becoming ex‐obese: narrations about identity changes before and after the experience of the bariatric surgery
Authors: Faccio Elena , Nardin Andrea , Cipolletta Sabrina 
Published: March 2016

Aims and objectivesThis exploratory research investigates obese patients’ beliefs and expectations before and one year after bariatric surgery. Changes and resistance to change in the identity system, in the perception of the body, in relationships and in the quality of life were of particular interest.BackgroundAlthough bariatric surgery represents a promising treatment for obesity, nevertheless, it is still under utilised. This may be because, either the intervention is not always easily accessible or because very little is known about its psychological implications.DesignOpen answers provided by participants were analysed through discourse analysis.MethodsA semi‐structured interview about the exchanges in self‐representations through time was administered to 30 Italian women, 15 of whom were obese before surgery and 15 were ex‐obese, one year after surgery.ResultsThe research shows that those participants who have already been operated on are generally satisfied with the results obtained; however, they faced considerable difficulties in adapting their identity to their new body. Participants reported that even one year after surgery they still thought, behaved and related to others as though they were still obese, and only after a change in awareness did they become able to realise they are now ex‐obese.ConclusionsThis paper contributes to the understanding of the unrealistic expectations of patients before surgery compared with the real changes in their lives, as well the difficulties they still faced one year later. More studies in evaluating how bariatric patients live with this long‐term condition are recommended to foster patient‐centered care.Relevance to clinical practiceHealth professionals should also help people to face the difficulties of the postsurgery period, which are linked to the acceptance of the new body and of the new emerging self‐image in relationships with others.
Pharmacokinetics, efficacy prediction indexes, and residue depletion of ribavirin in Atlantic salmon's (Salmo salar) muscle after oral administration in feed
Authors: San Martín B. , Muñoz R. , Cornejo J. , Martínez M. A. , Araya‐Jordán C. , Maddaleno A. , Anadón A. 
Published: March 2016

Ribavirin is an antiviral used in human medicine, but it has not been authorized for use in veterinary medicine although it is effective against infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus, between others. In this study, we present a pharmacokinetic profile of ribavirin in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), efficacy prediction indexes, and the measure of its withdrawal time. To determine the pharmacokinetic profile, fishes were orally administered with a single ribavirin dose of 1.6 mg/kg bw, and then, plasma concentrations were measured at different times. From the time‐vs.‐concentration curve, Cmax = 413.57 ng/mL, Tmax = 6.96 h, AUC = 21394.01 μg·h/mL, t1/2 = 81.61 h, and K10 = 0.0421/h were obtained. Ribavirin reached adequate concentrations during the pharmacokinetic study, with prediction indexes of Cmax/IC50 = 20.7, AUC/IC50 = 1069.7, and T>IC50 = 71 h, where IC is the inhibitory concentration 50%. For ribavirin depletion study, fishes were orally administered with a dairy dose of 1.6 mg/kg bw during 10 days. Concentrations were measured on edible tissue on different days post‐treatment. A linear regression of the time vs. concentration was conducted, obtaining a withdrawal time of 1966 °C days. Results obtained reveal that the dose of 1.6 mg/kg bw orally administered is effective for ISA virus, originating a reasonable withdrawal period within the productive schedules of Atlantic salmon.
Northwest Africa 5958: A weakly altered CM‐related ungrouped chondrite, not a CI3
Authors: Jacquet Emmanuel , Barrat Jean‐Alix , Beck Pierre , Caste Florent , Gattacceca Jérôme , Sonzogni Corinne , Gounelle Matthieu 
Published: March 2016

AbstractNorthwest Africa (NWA) 5958 is a carbonaceous chondrite found in Morocco in 2009. Preliminary chemical and isotopic data leading to its initial classification as C3.0 ungrouped have prompted us to conduct a multitechnique study of this meteorite and present a general description here. The petrography and chemistry of NWA 5958 is most similar to a CM chondrite, with a low degree of aqueous alteration, apparently under oxidizing conditions, and evidence of a second, limited alteration episode manifested by alteration fronts. The oxygen isotopic composition, with ∆'17O = −4.3‰, is more 16O‐rich than all CM chondrites, indicating, along with other compositional arguments, a separate parent body of origin. We suggest that NWA 5958 be reclassified as an ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite related to the CM group.
Septic peritonitis in a dog caused by Anaerobiospirillum succiniproducens
Authors: Courtman Natalie F. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis is the first reported case of septic peritonitis caused by Anaerobiospirillum succiniproducens in a dog. The infection was associated with marked exfoliation of reactive mesothelial cells into the abdominal fluid mimicking neoplasia. The source of the infection was not determined but was presumed to be of gastrointestinal origin as A succiniproducens is part of the normal gastrointestinal flora of dogs. Anaerobiospirillum spp. have been previously reported as causing diarrhea and bacteremia in people, particularly if immunocompromised; however, there were no indicators for a compromised immune system in this dog.
Clinical Significance and Pathogenesis of Staphylococcal Small Colony Variants in Persistent Infections
Authors: Kahl Barbara C. , Becker Karsten , Löffler Bettina 
Published: March 2016

SUMMARY

Small colony variants (SCVs) were first described more than 100 years ago for
Staphylococcus aureus
and various coagulase-negative staphylococci. Two decades ago, an association between chronic staphylococcal infections and the presence of SCVs was observed. Since then, many clinical studies and observations have been published which tie recurrent, persistent staphylococcal infections, including device-associated infections, bone and tissue infections, and airway infections of cystic fibrosis patients, to this special phenotype. By their intracellular lifestyle, SCVs exhibit so-called phenotypic (or functional) resistance beyond the classical resistance mechanisms, and they can often be retrieved from therapy-refractory courses of infection. In this review, the various clinical infections where SCVs can be expected and isolated, diagnostic procedures for optimized species confirmation, and the pathogenesis of SCVs, including defined underlying molecular mechanisms and the phenotype switch phenomenon, are presented. Moreover, relevant animal models and suggested treatment regimens, as well as the requirements for future research areas, are highlighted.