bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sociologization, Pedagogization, and Resociologization: Has the Post‐war Japanese Sociology of Education Suffered from the Galapagos Syndrome?
Authors: Nakamura Takayasu 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWhen considering the trends in the Japanese sociology of education over the 70 years since the end of World War II, there have been several significant changes in the nature and social position of the sociology of education within the academic history of expansion and development. These changes can be further understood by focusing on: (i) the relationship between the sociology of education in Japan and research trends in Western sociology; (ii) the relationship between the sociology of education and pedagogy in Japan; and (iii) the relationship between the sociology of education and changes in Japanese society itself. This paper focuses on these three relationships to provide an overview of the characteristics and the future direction of post‐war Japanese sociology of education. The keywords of this paper will be sociologization, pedagogization, resociologization, and the Galapagos syndrome. The post‐war Japanese sociology of education has not suffered from the Galapagos syndrome. However, it is evident that it lacks transmission of research results to other countries. So, the future task for Japanese researchers in the sociology of education is to demonstrate the significance of their research on Japanese education to international sociology of education markets. To achieve a more generalized perspective and regain a sense of equilibrium within the Japanese sociology of education, a “resociologization” will be required for the sociology of education in Japan, though the Japanese sociology of education especially seems to be experiencing a pedagogization.
Defining nurse regulation and regulatory body performance: a policy Delphi study
Authors: Benton D.C. , González‐Jurado M.A. , Beneit‐Montesinos J.V. 
Published: April 2013

ContextProfessional self‐regulation is a privilege and needs to deliver against the underpinning social contract between the professional and citizens who are receiving care and services.AimsThe aims of this study were to generate, international consensus on a contemporary definition of professional nurse regulation; and to articulate the key features of a highly performing regulatory body, and postulate which regulatory model and administrative arrangements are best suited to attain the key features.MethodA highly diverse and globally recruited random stratified sample of 75 experts was approached to participate in a classic three‐round policy Delphi study. Quantitative and qualitative data were generated and subjected to thematic and statistical analysis. Both non‐parametric and descriptive statistical techniques were used in relation to quantitative data.ResultsConsensus on a revision of the current International Council of Nurses definition of professional nurse regulation was developed and a set of 47 key features of high‐performing regulatory bodies was agreed. Although a strong preference for the delegated self‐regulatory model (43%) and single‐board administrative approach (48%) was expressed the underlying rationale for such a preference was unclear.ConclusionThe research makes an important contribution to an underdeveloped field of study. The case for conducting more quantitative investigations to ascertain the best regulatory model and associated administrative approach has been made.
Global pension systems and their reform: Worldwide drivers, trends and challenges
Authors: Holzmann Robert 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAcross the world, pension systems and their reforms are in a constant state of flux driven by a shifting focus, moving reform needs, and a changing enabling environment that reflect objective events but also changes in views and perception. The ongoing worldwide financial crisis and the adjustment to an uncertain “new normal” will make future pension systems different from past ones. The objectives of this article are: i) to briefly review recent and ongoing key changes that are triggering reforms; ii) to outline the main reform trends across pension pillars over the last two decades; and iii) to present key policy areas on which the pension reform community will need to focus to make a difference.
Professional competence of practising nurses
Authors: Numminen Olivia , Meretoja Riitta , Isoaho Hannu , Leino‐Kilpi Helena 
Published: April 2013

Aims and objectivesTo compare nurse competence in terms of its quality and frequency of action in medical, surgical, paediatric/obstetric/gynaecological and psychiatric clinical fields.BackgroundOne challenge of current health care is to target practising nurses' competencies to optimal use. Therefore, a systematic assessment of nurse competence is justified. Studies using the Nurse Competence Scale have found that nurses' competence is on a good or very good level and it increases with age and work experience.DesignA cross‐sectional comparative survey using the Nurse Competence Scale.MethodsA purposive sample of 2083 nurses in a major University Hospital in Finland participated in this study in 2007–2008. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics' anova with Bonferroni correction, and Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyse the data.ResultsThe overall level of competence of nurses was good, and the quality of action correlated positively with the frequency of action. Nurses in the psychiatric field reached somewhat higher overall mean scores than nurses in other clinical fields. On item level, nurses seemed to be the most competent in actions related to immediate individualised patient care, the maintenance of their own professional competence and commitment to nursing ethics. Age and particularly work experience were positively correlated with the competence.ConclusionFindings from this large data corroborate previous study results on the category level assessment of nurse competence using the Nurse Competence Scale indicating a good level of competence. On item level, findings revealed more detailed themes of nurse competence, which complements earlier knowledge retrieved from the category level analysis and could be used to target nurses' competencies to even more optimal use.Relevance to clinical practiceCompetence assessment and targeted interventions are recommended as tools for the management for planning nurses' career development and continuing education to ensure competent and motivated work force and high‐quality care.
Effect of silencing the two major tomato fruit pectin methylesterase isoforms on cell wall pectin metabolism
Authors: Wen B. , Ström A. , Tasker A. , West G. , Tucker G. A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPost‐harvest storage is largely limited by fruit softening, a result of cell wall degradation. Pectin methylesterase (PE) (EC3.1.1.11) is a major hydrolase responsible for pectin de‐esterification in the cell wall, a response to fruit ripening. Two majorPEisoforms,PE1 andPE2, have been isolated from tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) pericarp tissue and both have previously been down‐regulated using antisense suppression. In this paper,PE1andPE2double antisense tomato plants were successfully generated through crossing the two single antisense lines. In the double antisense fruit, approximately 10% of normalPEactivity remained and ripening associated pectin de‐esterification was almost completely blocked. However, double antisense fruit softened normally during ripening. In tomato fruit, thePE1 isoform was found to contribute little to totalPEactivity and have little effect on the degree of esterification of pectin. In contrast, the other dominant fruit isoform,PE2, has a major impact on de‐esterification of total pectin.PE2 appears to act on non‐CDTA‐soluble pectin during ripening and onCDTA‐soluble pectin before the start of ripening in a potentially block‐wise fashion.
Effect of Surface Concentration of Lu on Oxygen Permeation of Polycrystalline Alumina at High Temperatures
Authors: Wada Masashi , Matsudaira Tsuneaki , Kato Takeharu , Kitaoka Satoshi 
Published: April 2013

The effect of Lu surface concentration on oxygen permeation in polycrystalline α‐alumina wafers was determined at 1773 K under limited oxygen potential gradients (Δ), where the two surfaces of the wafer were deliberately subjected to different oxygen partial pressures [ (I) ≪ (II)]. When oxygen permeation occurred mainly by oxygen GB diffusion under a Δ generated by a combination of low values, the Lu‐coating on the (I) [ (II)] surface decreased [increased] the oxygen permeability constants. When Δ was the result of a combination of high values, where oxygen permeation proceeded mainly by aluminum GB diffusion, the oxygen permeability constants were decreased only by the Lu‐coating on the (I) surface. The analysis of mass transfer parameters, such as the chemical potentials, GB diffusion coefficients, and fluxes of aluminum and oxygen in the wafers, suggested that ambient oxygen molecules were effectively attracted toward Lu‐coated surfaces exposed to low‐ environments, leading to a change in oxygen permeability.
Synthesis and Characteristics of Superparamagnetic Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 Nanoparticles by a Modified Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Ri , Zhao Xiruo , Zhang Yajun , Zhao Jinliang , Li Feng 
Published: April 2013

Nanoparticles of Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4, with narrow size distribution, regular morphology, and high saturation magnetization, have been synthesized. The synthesis, involved a very rapid mixing of reducible metal cations with sodium borohydride, is carried out in a colloid mill and followed by a separate hydrothermal process. The microstructure and magnetic properties of the synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The effects of different synthesis conditions (synthesis temperature and reaction time) on the characteristics of the ferrite nanoparticles are discussed. The changes in cation contribution are revealed by the Raman study. The magnetic measurements explore that all the as‐synthesized samples are superparamagnetic in nature. The corresponding superparamagnetic behavior is explained by paramagnetic Langevin theory. Note that, the superparamagnetic Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 ferrite nanoparticle, with excellent performance, can be synthesized at 160°C for a short reaction time (4 h).
High‐Temperature Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Properties of ZnO/ZrSiO4 Composite Ceramics
Authors: Kong Luo , Yin Xiaowei , Li Quan , Ye Fang , Liu Ye , Duo Guiying , Yuan Xiaowen 
Published: April 2013

Owing to the widespread presence of electromagnetic interferences, it is necessary to develop new materials with excellent high‐temperature electromagnetic wave (EM) absorption properties. In the present work, ZnO is infiltrated into porous ZrSiO4 substrates to form ZnO/ZrSiO4 composite ceramics using sol‐gel process. The doping of aluminum results in the improvement of electrical conductivity and the significant change in the morphology of ZnO. With the increase in environment temperature during measurement, the permittivity of the composite ceramics increases first and then decreases dramatically, which is attributed to the change in conductive loss. The electrical conductivity increases with increasing measurement temperature. However, the concentration of oxygen vacancies decreases under air atmosphere when the measurement temperature increases continuously, which results in the reduction in conductivity. Therefore, permittivities of the undoped and doped ceramics measured at 673 K are higher than the ones at the other temperatures. The composite ceramics maintain a relatively high EM absorption coefficient, low reflection coefficient (RC), and wide effective absorption bandwidth at environment temperatures up to 773 K. As a result, we conclude that the ZnO/ZrSiO4 composite ceramics exhibit a promising prospect as a kind of high‐temperature EM absorbing material.
Investigation on Energy Transfer and Luminescent Properties of K3Gd(PO4)2:RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb) Under UV and VUV Excitation
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Wang Dan , Wang Yuhua , Zhang Jiachi , Tao Haibo 
Published: April 2013

K3Gd(PO4)2:RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb) are prepared by solid‐state reaction and their photoluminescence (PL) properties are investigated under UV and VUV excitation, respectively. The obtained experimental data show that no energy transfer happens among the activator ions Tb3+ or Eu3+ under UV excitation. Under 147‐nm excitation, the strongest emission intensity of K3Gd(PO4)2:RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb) is obtained when the activator ions Tb3+ or Eu3+ concentration is 0.8 mol, the integrate emission intensity of K3Gd0.2(PO4)2:0.8Tb3+ is about 204% of commercial phosphor Zn1.96SiO4:0.04Mn2+ with chromaticity coordinates of (0.340, 0.561) and the decay time of about 5.09 ms under 147‐nm excitation. We analyze the experimental data and propose a possible energy‐transfer mechanism under 147‐nm excitation.
DECR1 and ME1 genotypes are associated with lipid composition traits in Duroc pigs
Authors: Ramírez O. , Quintanilla R. , Varona L. , Gallardo D. , Díaz I. , Pena R.N. , Amills M. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryVariation at the porcine DECR1 and ME1 genes has been associated with meat quality traits and backfat thickness in Landrace pigs, respectively. However, it has not been investigated yet whether DECR1 and ME1 genotypes influence lipid composition. With this aim, we have genotyped two missense DECR1 substitutions (c.160G>C and c.437G>C) and one silent ME1 (c.576C>T) polymorphism in 361 Duroc barrows distributed in five half‐sib families and phenotyped for serum lipid concentrations and intramuscular fat content and composition traits. At the whole‐population level, relevant associations, that is, with a posterior probability of the allele substitution effect to be over or below zero (PPN0) > 0.90, were observed between DECR1 genotype and serum cholesterol (CHOL) (PPN0 = 0.932) and LDL concentrations (PPN0 = 0.945) at 190 days, as well as between ME1 genotype and longissimus dorsi saturated fatty acid content (PPN0 = 0.924). At the within‐family level, we found relevant associations between DECR1 and ME1 genotypes and diverse lipid composition traits, but most of them were family‐specific. Discrepancies in allele substitution effects estimated in half‐sib families might be produced by many factors such as number of individuals, marker allele frequencies and informativeness in each family, unaccounted random genetic and environmental effects, epistasis and family‐specific differences in the linkage phase or amount of linkage disequilibrium between causal and marker mutations. This lack of consistency across families, combined with the fact that the ME1 mutation is synonymous and that the two DECR1 polymorphisms are conservative, suggests that the associations found are not causative.
Direct and maternal genetic effects for preweaning growth in Retinta cattle estimated by a longitudinal approach throughout the calving trajectory of the cow
Authors: Morales R. , Menéndez‐Buxadera A. , Avilés C. , Molina A. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe direct and maternal genetic effects were estimated for the preweaning growth of Retinta calves with a multitrait model across parities, using a longitudinal approach with random regression models (RRM). The 120 (P120) and 180 days (P180) weights (5972 calves) were considered as different traits in each calving. The heritability of direct effect across parities was on average 0.37 for P120 and 0.58 for P180, slightly higher than the estimates by univariate (0.30 and 0.56) and bivariate models (0.30 and 0.51, respectively). The heritability for maternal effects was 0.16 for P120 and 0.26 for P180 and very similar by uni‐ (0.16 and 0.23) and multivariate model (0.16 and 0.22, respectively). The correlation between direct and maternal effects by RRM showed a pronounced antagonism −0.64 for P120 and −0.78 for P180), likewise uni‐ (−0.62 and −0.72) and multivariate case (−0.64 and −0.74, respectively). The preweaning weights should be considered as different traits across parities, because the genetic correlations were different from unity. The RRM also allowed us to estimate all the parameters throughout the calving trajectory of the cow. The use of multiple traits RRM across parities can provide very useful information for the breeding programmes.
Children with ASD can use gaze in support of word recognition and learning
Authors: McGregor Karla K. , Rost Gwyneth , Arenas Rick , Farris‐Trimble Ashley , Stiles Derek 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundMany children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) struggle to understand familiar words and learn unfamiliar words. We explored the extent to which these problems reflect deficient use of probabilistic gaze in the extra‐linguistic context.MethodThirty children with ASD and 43 with typical development (TD) participated in a spoken word recognition and mapping task. They viewed photographs of a woman behind three objects and simultaneously heard a word. For word recognition, the objects and words were familiar and the woman gazed ahead (neutral), toward the named object (facilitative), or toward an un‐named object (contradictory). For word mapping, the objects and words were unfamiliar and only the neutral and facilitative conditions were employed. The children clicked on the named object, registering accuracy and reaction time.ResultsSpeed of word recognition did not differ between groups but varied with gaze such that responses were fastest in the facilitative condition and slowest in the contradictory condition. Only the ASD group responded slower to low frequency than high‐frequency words. Accuracy of word mapping did not differ between groups, but accuracy varied with gaze with higher performance in the facilitative than neutral condition. Both groups scored above single‐trial chance levels in the neutral condition by tracking cross‐situational information. Only in the ASD group did mapping vary with receptive vocabulary.ConclusionsUnder laboratory conditions, children with ASD can monitor gaze and judge its reliability as a cue to word meaning as well as typical peers. The use of cross‐situational statistics to support word learning may be problematic for those who have weak language abilities.
The ATP‐binding Cassette Transporter OsABCG15 is Required for Anther Development and Pollen Fertility in Rice
Authors: Niu Bai‐Xiao , He Fu‐Rong , He Ming , Ren Ding , Chen Le‐Tian , Liu Yao‐Guang 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPlant male reproductive development is a complex biological process, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here, we characterized a rice (Oryza sativa L.) male sterile mutant. Based on map‐based cloning and sequence analysis, we identified a 1,459‐bp deletion in an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene, OsABCG15, causing abnormal anthers and male sterility. Therefore, we named this mutant osabcg15. Expression analysis showed that OsABCG15 is expressed specifically in developmental anthers from stage 8 (meiosis II stage) to stage 10 (late microspore stage). Two genes CYP704B2 and WDA1, involved in the biosynthesis of very‐long‐chain fatty acids for the establishment of the anther cuticle and pollen exine, were downregulated in osabcg15 mutant, suggesting that OsABCG15 may play a key function in the processes related to sporopollenin biosynthesis or sporopollenin transfer from tapetal cells to anther locules. Consistently, histological analysis showed that osabcg15 mutants developed obvious abnormality in postmeiotic tapetum degeneration, leading to rapid degredation of young microspores. The results suggest that OsABCG15 plays a critical role in exine formation and pollen development, similar to the homologous gene of AtABCG26 in Arabidopsis. This work is helpful to understand the regulatory network in rice anther development.
α2A adrenoceptor‐mediated presynaptic inhibition of GABAergic transmission in rat tuberomammillary nucleus neurons
Authors: Nakamura Michiko , Suk Kyungho , Lee Maan‐Gee , Jang Il‐Sung 
Published: April 2013

AbstractHistaminergic neurons within the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) play an important role in the regulation of sleep‐wakefulness. Here, we report the adrenergic modulation of GABAergic transmission in rat TMN histaminergic neurons using a conventional whole‐cell patch clamp technique. Norepinephrine (NE) reversibly decreased the amplitude of action potential‐dependent GABAergic inhibitory post‐synaptic currents (IPSCs) and increased the paired pulse ratio. The NE‐induced inhibition of GABAergic IPSCs was mimicked by clonidine, a selective α2 adrenoceptor agonist. However, cirazoline and isoproterenol, nonselective α1 and β adrenoceptor agonists, respectively, had no effect on GABAergic IPSCs. The NE‐induced inhibition of GABAergic IPSCs was significantly blocked by BRL44408, a selective α2A adrenoceptor antagonist, but not imiloxan or JP1302, a selective α2B and α2C adrenoceptor antagonists. The extent of NE‐induced inhibition of GABAergic IPSCs was inversely proportional to the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Pharmacological agents affecting the activities of adenylyl cyclase or G‐protein‐coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channels did not affect the NE‐induced inhibition of GABAergic IPSCs. However, NE had no effect on the frequency and amplitude of GABAergic miniature IPSCs. These results suggest that NE acts on presynaptic α2A adrenoceptor to inhibit action potential‐dependent GABA release via the inhibition of Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space to GABAergic nerve terminals, and that this α2A adrenoceptor‐mediated modulation of GABAergic transmission may be involved in regulating the excitability of TMN histaminergic neurons.
Retinal cell type‐specific prevention of ischemia‐induced damages by LPS‐TLR4 signaling through microglia
Authors: Halder Sebok K. , Matsunaga Hayato , Ishii Ken J. , Akira Shizuo , Miyake Kensuke , Ueda Hiroshi 
Published: April 2013

AbstractReprogramming of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) by brief ischemia or lipopolysacharide (LPS) contributes to superintending tolerance against destructive ischemia in brain. However, beneficial roles of TLR4 signaling in ischemic retina are not well known. This study demonstrated that preconditioning with LPS 48 h prior to the retinal ischemia prevents the cellular damage in morphology with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and functions of retina with electroretinogram (ERG), while post‐ischemia treatment deteriorated it. The preventive effects of LPS preconditioning showed the cell type‐specificity of retinal cells. There was complete rescue of ganglion cells, partial rescue of bipolar and photoreceptor cells or no rescue of amacrine cells, respectively. LPS treatment caused the proliferation and migration of retinal microglia and its preconditioning prevented the ischemia‐induced microglial activation. Preventive actions from cell damages following LPS preconditioning prior to retinal ischemia were abolished in TLR4 knock‐out mice, and by pre‐treatments with anti‐TLR4 antibody or minocycline, a microglia inhibitor, which themselves had no effects on the retinal ischemia‐induced damages or microglia activation. Thus, this study revealed that TLR4 mediates the LPS preconditioning‐induced preventive effects through microglial activation in the retinal ischemia model.