bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using mobile learning and social media to enhance learner feedback
Authors: Bikanga Ada Mireilla , Stansfield Mark , Baxter Gavin 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate an area of growing importance that is widely recognised in the literature relating to the issue of how to improve ways that assessments and feedback are provided to students within higher education. This paper reports on a study that aimed to explore the views of both educators (n=70) and students (n=540) on feedback and feed-forward at a UK university. The study also investigated their experience and attitudes to social media applications as a means of enhancing access to feedback within the context of mobile learning.Design/methodology/approachThe research approach adopted in this study predominately conforms to a quantitative research design though embeds elements of qualitative research via a “mixed methods” approach. The overall methodology of the paper adheres to an exploratory case study in a higher education environment to identify various issues and approaches that could be addressed or enhanced to aid ways that assessments and feedback are disseminated to students within higher education.FindingsParticipants’ views were sought in relation to students receiving learning materials, as well as feedback from tutors directly to their smartphones and mobile devices. In addition, the study explored possible reasons for students not wanting to use social media and mobile devices for their learning and feedback. Overall, the results indicated a positive attitude on the part of educators and students to using mobile devices and social media applications for teaching and learning purposes.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study presented in this paper draws on findings from one higher educational institution. Further research is required to determine the generalisability of the findings to allow comparison of the findings to be undertaken within other higher education institutions.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper is that it provides detailed empirical evidence and findings that provide several important implications in relation to enhancing the student learning experience and providing considerable improvements to the way that feedback is provided that make it more likely that students will take more notice to feedback and act upon it. This in turn enables educators to better plan and manage their teaching and student experience online and through students’ mobile devices. The value of this study is that it explores views of both educators and students, whereas many other previous studies tend to focus on the views of either educators or students.
Principal support for student psychological needs
Authors: Adams Curt , Olsen Jentre 
Published: June 2017

PurposeAlthough leadership evidence highlights the importance of cooperative principal-teacher relationships, research has not looked thoroughly at the content behind principal-teacher interactions. The purpose of this paper is to use self-determination theory and organizational conversation to develop principal support for student psychological needs (PSSPN), a concept that represents principal-teacher interactions based on social and psychological factors contributing to student learning. The empirical part of the study tests the relationship between PSSPN and faculty trust in students and student self-regulated learning.Design/methodology/approachHypotheses were tested with a non-experimental, correlational research design usingex post factodata. Data were collected from 3,339 students and 633 teachers in 71 schools located in a metropolitan area of a southwestern city in the USA. Hypotheses were tested with a 2-2-1 multi-level mediation model in HLM 7.0 with restricted maximum likelihood estimation.FindingsPrincipal support for student psychological needs had a positive and statistically significant relationship with faculty trust in students and self-regulated learning. Additionally faculty trust mediated the relationship between principal support for student psychological needs and self-regulated learning.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to examine school leadership by the content that is exchanged during principal-teacher interactions. Principal support for student psychological needs establishes a theoretically-based framework to study leadership conversations and to guide administrative practices. Empirical results offer encouraging evidence that the simple act of framing interactions around the science of wellbeing can be an effective resource for school principals.
Teacher peer excellence groups (TPEGs)
Authors: Cravens Xiu , Drake Timothy A. , Goldring Ellen , Schuermann Patrick 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the viability of implementing a protocol-guided model designed to provide structure and focus for teacher collaboration from Shanghai in today’s US public schools. The authors examine whether the new model, Teacher Peer Excellence Group (TPEG), fosters the desired key features of productive communities of practice where teachers can jointly construct, transform, preserve, and continuously deepen the meaning of effective teaching. The authors also explore the extent to which existing school conditions – principal instructional leadership, trust, teacher efficacy, and teachers’ sense of school-wide professional community – enable or moderate the desired outcomes.Design/methodology/approachData for this paper are drawn from a series of surveys administered to teachers from 24 pilot schools in six school districts over two school years. Descriptive and multilevel modeling analyses are conducted.FindingsThe findings provide encouraging evidence that, given sufficient support and guidance, teachers report higher levels of engagement in deprivatized practice and instructional collaboration. These findings also hold after controlling for key enabling conditions and school characteristics.Social implicationsThe TPEG approach challenges school leaders to take on the responsibilities of helping teachers make their practice public, sharable, and better – three critical objectives in the shift to develop the profession of teaching.Originality/valueThe indication of TPEG model’s positive impact on strengthening the features of communities of practice in selected public schools provides the impetus for further efforts in understanding the transformational changes needed and challenges ahead at the classroom, school, and district levels.
Context‐dependent defences in turtle ants: Resource defensibility and threat level induce dynamic shifts in soldier deployment
Authors: Powell Scott , Donaldson‐Matasci Matina , Woodrow‐Tomizuka Augustus , Dornhaus Anna 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Induced defences involve the dynamic deployment of limited and specialized defensive resources across multiple locations, to maximize organismal defensive function and fitness. They have been studied intensively in plants and solitary animals, but the induced defences of complex animal societies are poorly understood by comparison, despite the coordinated defensive actions of these taxa.

Here, we ask whether the level of environmental danger induces shifts in the deployment of limited and morphologically specialized soldiers across multiple nests in colonies of the turtle ant Cephalotes rohweri. Specifically, we test whether less defensible nests induce greater soldier deployment, and whether elevated enemy threat induced further increases in deployment, or reduced deployment consistent with a risk‐limiting strategy.

We used colony‐collection data to provide natural ecological context to our experiments, a field experiment to address how nest‐entrance defensibility and soldier number impact defensive performance, and laboratory experiments to test whether differences in nest defensibility and threat level induce dynamic shifts in soldier deployment to new nests.

Less defensible nests were lost rapidly in our field experiment, irrespective of soldier number, but soldier deployment significantly increased survivorship of more defensible nests. Concordantly, less defensible nests induced the deployment of more soldiers per nest under low threat in laboratory experiments. Nevertheless, high‐threat conditions revealed a risk‐limiting soldier deployment strategy: with more danger, the number of soldiers per nest was significantly reduced in less defensible nests, as was the overall number of new soldier‐defended nests. Total deployment to new nests was also consistently lower under high threat, dropping from 40% to 30% of all available soldiers across colonies.

Induced soldier‐based defences in turtle ants are therefore context‐dependent, and dynamically scaled back at multiple levels when the environment is more dangerous. This dynamic, risk‐limiting strategy is in strong contrast to stable patterns of soldier production in ants, and to typical task‐allocation dynamics in members of the worker caste. Moreover, these findings establish that the evolution of specialized defensive agents can be coupled with sophisticated and inducible deployment strategies in complex social taxa, as we see for organisms at other levels of biological complexity.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
The pace‐of‐life: A sex‐specific link between metabolic rate and life history in bean beetles
Authors: Arnqvist Göran , Stojković Biljana , Rönn Johanna L. , Immonen Elina 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Metabolic rate (MR) is a key functional trait simply because metabolism converts resources into population growth rate. Yet, our empirical understanding of the sources of within species variation in MR, as well as of its life history and ecological correlates, is rather limited. Here, we assess whether MR lies at the root of a syndrome of correlated rate‐dependent life‐history traits in an insect.

Selection for early (E) or late (L) age‐at‐reproduction for >160 generations in the bean beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus has produced beetles that differ markedly in juvenile development, body size, fecundity schedules, ageing and life span. Here, we use micro‐respirometry to test whether this has been associated with the evolution of age‐ and sex‐specific metabolic phenotypes.

We find that mass‐specific MR is 18% higher in E lines compared to L lines and that MR decreases more rapidly with chronological, but not biological, age in E lines. Males, under sexual selection to “live‐fast‐die‐young”, show 50% higher MR than females and MR decreased more rapidly with age in males.

Our results are consistent with a central role for MR for the divergence in “pace‐of‐life” seen in these beetles, supporting the view that MR lies at the root of ecologically relevant life‐history trait variation within species.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Who is Looking after Country? Interpreting and Attributing Land Management Responsibilities on Native Title Lands
Authors: Weir Jessica K , Duff Nicholas 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAustralian law imposes certain responsibilities on landholders to protect environmental and economic values of the land, however native title has significant consequences for understanding and attributing these land management responsibilities. In 1992, the High Court recognised Indigenous peoples’ rights and interests in land could survive the assertion of British sovereignty, effectively introducing a new category of land tenure into Australian law. Reporting on both law and management practice, we consider the implications for the collective provision of land management functions across Australia – including reforms required for legislative rationale and regulatory models. Relying on a test‐case, we found native title holders are substantial landholders who appear, at least in some circumstances in most jurisdictions, to owe the same legal obligations as other landholders. Much ambiguity remains, especially regarding ‘non‐exclusive’ possession native title. Together, the legal uncertainty and poor policy alignment necessitate a substantial revision of Australia's land management laws and governance.
Maternal Alcohol Use Disorder and Risk of Child Contact with the Justice System in Western Australia: A Population Cohort Record Linkage Study
Authors: Hafekost Katherine , Lawrence David , O'Leary Colleen , Bower Carol , Semmens James , Zubrick Stephen R. 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundEarly contact with the justice system is associated with a multitude of negative outcomes across the life course. This includes an increased risk of ongoing justice contact, social disadvantage and marginalization, and mental health and substance use issues. Children whose mothers have an alcohol use disorder may be at risk of early justice system contact, and we sought to quantify this relationship in a Western Australian cohort.MethodsThis population cohort study made use of linked administrative data. Those in‐scope for the study were women who had a birth recorded on the Midwives Notification System (1983 to 2007). The exposed cohort were mothers who had an alcohol‐related diagnosis (ICD9/10), recorded on administrative data. This included mental and behavioral disorders which were alcohol related, diseases which could be entirely attributed to alcohol and other ICD alcohol codes. These women were considered to have an alcohol use disorder, which was a proxy for heavy drinking. The comparison cohort was frequency‐matched sample with no alcohol‐related diagnosis identified on administrative data sets.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, children whose mothers had a maternal alcohol use disorder had a significantly increased odds of justice contact when compared to those whose mothers had no diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.60 to 1.99). Additional significant maternal factors associated with child justice contact included being Indigenous (OR = 5.14, 95% CI = 4.54 to 5.81), low maternal age, low socioeconomic status, being unmarried, and a history of a mental health problems. Significant child‐level factors, which were associated with increased odds of justice contact, included being male, a mental health diagnosis, child protection contact, parity, and academic failure.ConclusionsChildren who were exposed to a maternal alcohol use disorder had significantly increased odds of contact with the justice system. Additional risk was associated with being Indigenous and with markers of social disadvantage. These results suggest that prevention and early intervention services should span across agencies in an effort to reduce risk.
‘Although we're isolated, we're not really isolated’: The value of information and communication technology for older people in rural Australia
Authors: Berg Turi , Winterton Rachel , Petersen Maree , Warburton Jeni 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveDrawing from a larger study that identified the supports and services that facilitate wellness among older people from rural communities, this study examined the specific contribution made by information and communication technology (ICT).MethodsQualitative interviews were undertaken with 60 older adults from six Australian rural areas. A preliminary thematic analysis was conducted, followed by a higher‐order inductive analysis.ResultsInformation and communication technology use was discussed in terms of individual enrichment, and in terms of enabling connections between the individual and their social networks, community and wider service environments.ConclusionInformation and communication technologies may facilitate wellness for rural older people by compensating for geographical and social isolation. In the changing world of health and aged care service delivery,ICTs will be more important than ever for rural older people in building their capacity to access the services, socialisation and support that they need, regardless of location.
Enhanced recovery programme following laparoscopic colorectal resection for elderly patients
Authors: Zeng Wei Gen , Liu Meng Jia , Zhou Zhi Xiang , Wang Zhen Jun 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of an enhanced recovery programme (ERP) in patients aged ≥75 years who undergo laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.MethodsPatients were divided into two groups according to perioperative management: the ERP group (Group A, n = 94) and the conventional perioperative care group (Group B, n = 157). The postoperative outcomes were compared between two groups.ResultsThere were no differences in terms of age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, operative time or blood loss between two groups. Postoperative return of gastrointestinal function was significantly faster in Group A compared to Group B, including time to first flatus (2 versus 3 days, P < 0.001), first stool (3 versus 4 days, P = 0.001) and oral intake (1 versus 4 days, P < 0.001). Group A was associated with lower overall postoperative complication rate (26.6% versus 44.6%, P = 0.004) and general complication rate (14.9% versus 31.2%, P = 0.004). The median postoperative hospital stay was 6 days in Group A and 8 days in Group B (P < 0.001), respectively.Conclusions
ERP following laparoscopic colorectal resection for elderly patients is associated with faster postoperative recovery, shorter postoperative hospital stay and fewer complications compared with conventional perioperative care.
Ozymandias in the Anthropocene: The city as an emerging landform
Authors: Dixon Simon J. , Viles Heather A. , Garrett Bradley L. 
Published: June 2017

The extent of urban areas is rapidly expanding across the globe, both horizontally and vertically. While natural and social scientists have examined the impacts of this urbanisation on earth system and social processes, to date researchers have largely overlooked how in turn earth system processes can act on this urban fabric to produce hybrid landforms. Unique pseudokarst landforms are found within the urban fabric, including urban stalactites and urban sinkholes. Additionally, both the chronic and acute degradation of urban buildings can form rubble and dust that, if left in situ, will be shaped by fluvial and aeolian processes. For many of these urban geomorphological processes, the neglect or abandonment of parts of the urban network will facilitate or accelerate their influence. If there are economic, climatic or social reasons for abandonment or neglect, these processes are likely to reshape parts of the urban fabric into unique landforms at a range of scales. We contend that researchers need to explicitly consider the urban fabric as an Anthropocene landform and that by doing so important insights can be gained into urban hazards and geomorphological processes. Shelley's Ozymandias, in which the eponymous king failed to account for the effects of earth system processes acting on “mighty” urban structures over time, serves as an important reminder of the impermanence of our urban works and the need to recognise and understand the processes acting on them.
The effects of advanced age and serum α1‐acid glycoprotein on docetaxel unbound exposure and dose‐limiting toxicity in cancer patients
Authors: Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Imamura Chiyo K. , Ono Akira , Omori Shota , Nakashima Kazuhisa , Wakuda Kazushige , Taira Tetsuhiko , Naito Tateaki , Murakami Haruyasu , Takahashi Toshiaki , Tanigawara Yusuke 
Published: June 2017

Aimα1‐Acid glycoprotein (AAG), which is a major binding protein of docetaxel, is considered to be a determinant for docetaxel pharmacokinetics. However, there are no reports about the impact of serum AAG on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in elderly patients treated with docetaxel. The aim of this prospective study was to elucidate the effects of advanced age and serum AAG on docetaxel unbound exposure and neutropenia, dose‐limiting toxicity, in cancer patients.MethodsDocetaxel was administered at 60 mg m−2 to 51 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer, 17 of whom were ≥75 years of age. Pharmacokinetics, unbound fraction (fu), neutropenia, serum protein levels of AAG and albumin, as well as baseline absolute neutrophil count (ANC) were assessed during the first course. Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of clinically relevant factors on docetaxel pharmacokinetics and neutropenia.ResultsClearance of docetaxel and degree of fu were significantly associated with serum AAG level, but not with age. Area under the concentration–time curve of unbound docetaxel (fu·AUC) was significantly higher in patients aged ≥75 years (0.389 μg·h ml−1, 95% CI; 0.329–0.448 μg·h ml−1) compared with patients aged <75 years (0.310 μg·h ml−1, 95% CI; 0.268–0.352 μg·h ml−1). Percent decrease in ANC at nadir related to fu·AUC, and was dependent on baseline ANC.ConclusionRegardless of ageing, serum level of AAG determines docetaxel unbound exposure and related dose‐limiting toxicity. Serum AAG level and ANC at baseline appear to be predictive of neutropenia for patients of all ages following the administration of docetaxel.
A High HASBLED Score Identifies Poor Warfarin Control in Patients Treated for Non‐Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in Australia and Singapore
Authors: Bernaitis Nijole , Ching Chi Keong , Chen Liping , Hon Jin Shing , Teo Siew Chong , Badrick Tony , Davey Andrew K. , Anoopkumar‐Dukie Shailendra 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWarfarin reduces stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The quality of warfarin control, measured by time in therapeutic range (TTR), impacts outcome and adverse events. One tool evaluating risk of adverse events and potential warfarin control would simplify risk‐benefit assessment of warfarin. Recently, HASBLED was demonstrated effective for this purpose, but this was in well‐controlled patients with deep vein thrombosis. HASBLED as a predictor of warfarin control has not been validated in other populations including differing indications, warfarin control levels and ethnicities. The aim of this study was to determine whether HASBLED can predict warfarin control in patients with AF in Australia and Singapore. Retrospective data were collected for patients receiving warfarin between January and June 2014 in Australia and Singapore. Patient data were used to calculate HASBLED at the start and end of the study period. TTR was calculated for each patient, and mean TTR used for analysis to stratified HASBLED scores. Of the 4370 patients, there were 3199 in Australia and 1171 in Singapore with mean TTRs of 82% and 58%, respectively. At the start of the study, a HASBLED score ≥3 predicted significantly lower TTR in Singapore, whilst at the end of the study, this score identified patients with poor control in both Australia and Singapore. A HASBLED score ≥3 in patients treated with warfarin can differentiate significantly lower TTRs in Australian and Singapore patients with AF. HASBLED may assess bleed risk and warfarin control, identifying patients at high risk of poor warfarin outcome requiring additional INR monitoring or alternative anticoagulation.