bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐learning in China
Authors: Wang Qiyun , Zhu Zhiting , Chen Li , Yan Hanbing 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to set the context for the papers in this Special Issue, which explore the state of e‐learning in China. It introduces relevant topics such as the imbalanced development between the Eastern developed region and the Western undeveloped region and the fact that a large number of students who graduate from senior secondary schools cannot go to reputable universities, which drive the development of e‐learning in China. With rapid economic development, China now has the ability to provide better infrastructure and other necessary conditions for schools and universities. E‐learning is believed to be a promising approach since it offers students ways to interact with experienced teachers or professors. The Chinese government has initiated a number of national projects to set up or upgrade the infrastructure in schools, and a number of Chinese online schools and distance education colleges have been established to offer various e‐learning programs.Design/methodology/approachThis article introduces the case studies that comprise this special issue on e‐learning in China.FindingsThe use of information and communication technologies in education is at different stages in China. This review presents a clear picture on the development of e‐learning in China and the challenges it currently faces.Practical implicationsThe paper summarizes the form of e‐learning form China. This information is useful for policymakers, administrators and teachers.Originality/valueThe state of e‐learning in China is under‐represented in Western educational technology journals.
Teacher training in China and a practical model: e‐Training Community (eTC)
Authors: Yan Hanbing 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to introduce the overall situation of online teacher training in China, and then to analyze some typical state level e‐training projects; second, to describe the problems that most teacher training agencies (TTAs) have. Also, this article presents the background, process and achievement of a practical model – e‐Training Community (eTC) – which integrates the advantages of professional organizations and TTAs.Design/methodology/approachThis article reviews literature related to Ministry of Education (MOE) policies and general reviews or reports about China's teacher e‐training. The case study approach is applied in this study. The e‐Training Community is a particular cooperative model developed by the Distance Education College of East China Normal University. A survey and interview are applied to gain deep understanding of this model.FindingsE‐learning is an effective way for teacher education in China to meet the challenge of massive and routine training. The recent projects initiated by MOE show that the trend of e‐training is on the right track. However, China's teacher e‐training still has a long way to go because most TTAs still do not have the ability to implement e‐training by themselves. The eTC model presented in this article shows its strength in solving this problem.Practical implicationsThe development of distance education needs professional guidance. How to integrate professional strength of universities and practical strength of local agencies is key to improving the overall quality of teacher e‐training.Originality/valueThis article introduces and analyzes the eTC model, which is a creative model in the field of distance education in China. This model is a good example for professional organizations to push the e‐learning practice.
The efficiency of Estonian central public libraries
Authors: Miidla Peep , Kikas Konrad 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThis paper sets out to describe the results of a four‐year‐long study into the efficiency of Estonian central public libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA), a non‐parametric linear programming‐based tool to determine the relative efficiency of 20 central public libraries of Estonia. Relative efficiency shows the capacity of an organisation to provide the same output for less expenditure.FindingsThe study finds that 40 per cent of the libraries investigated used their resources effectively. Efficiency scores of the rest of the libraries varied from 0.74 to 0.98, with staff expenditure slack being the main inefficiency factor for half of inefficient libraries.Originality/valueThe results of this research enhance the diagnostic capacity for planning the future activities of Estonian central public libraries and offers insights into using DEA for efficiency measurement and decision‐making in public libraries in general.
Emotional labour: clinicians' attitudes to death and dying
Authors: Sorensen Roslyn , Iedema Rick 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to understand the impact of emotional labour in specific health care settings and its potential effect on patient care.Design/methodology/approachMulti‐method qualitative ethnographic study undertaken in a large ICU in Sydney, Australia using observations from patient case studies, ward rounds and family conferences, open ended interviews with medical and nursing clinicians and managers and focus groups with nurses.FindingsClinician attitudes to death and dying and clinicians' capacity to engage with the human needs of patients influenced how emotional labour was experienced. Negative effects were not formally acknowledged in clinical workplaces and institutional mechanisms to support clinicians did not exist.Research limitations/implicationsThe potential effects of clinician attitudes on performance are hypothesised from clinician‐reported data; no evaluation was undertaken of patient care.Practical implicationsHealth service providers must openly acknowledge the effect of emotional labour on the care of dying people. By sharing their experiences, multidisciplinary clinicians become aware of the personal, professional and organisational impact of emotional labour as a core element of health care so as to explicitly and practically respond to it.Originality/valueThe effect of care on clinicians, particularly care of dying people, not only affects the wellbeing of clinicians themselves, but also the quality of care that patients receive. The affective aspect of clinical work must be factored in as an essential element of quality and quality improvement.
Emergence of green building guidelines in developed countries and their impact on India
Authors: Potbhare Varun , Syal Matt , Arif Mohammed , Khalfan Malik M.A. , Egbu Charles 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of green building guidelines in developed countries and to analyze their influence on the evolution and adoption of similar guidelines in India.Design/methodology/approachThis research reviews the green building guidelines in the developed as well as the developing countries such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines for new construction (LEED® NC‐USA), Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)‐UK, Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency (CASBEE)‐Japan, and LEED®‐India and further performs a comparative analysis of these guidelines.FindingsBased on the comparative analysis of LEED® NC‐USA, BREEAM‐UK, and CASBEE‐Japan, the characteristics that might have affected their current acceptance were identified. The catalysts and hindrances associated with the acceptance of LEED‐India in India were identified based on the comparative analysis of LEED® NC‐USA and LEED®‐India.Originality/valueWith an exponential growth of construction industry in the rapidly developing countries, there is a definite need to promote the adoption of green building guidelines. The methodology adopted in this research can be applied to understand the evolution as well as future adoption of green building guidelines in other countries that are facing similar circumstances.
Translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) in gastric B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Toracchio Sonia , Ota Hiroyoshi , de Jong Daphne , Wotherspoon Andrew , Rugge Massimo , Graham David Y. , Samani Amir , El‐Zimaity Hala M.T. 
Published: March 2009

Translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) is the most frequent chromosomal aberration reported in gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. Intriguingly, this translocation has been reported only rarely in diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas; it has been proposed that t(11;18)‐positive tumors rarely progress to diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas. We examined the frequency of chromosomal translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) in mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma of the stomach. Paraffin‐embedded tissues from patients with gastric B‐cell lymphomas were selected retrospectively. The presence of the t(11;18)(q21;q21) was determined using reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization. β‐Actin transcript was also determined to evaluate the integrity and efficiency of RNA (cDNA) recovery from paraffin‐embedded tissues. We analyzed 53 gastric B‐cell lymphomas (33 diffuse large B‐cell and 20 mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue) obtained from Italy, the USA, or Japan. β‐Actin transcript was amplified in 50 cases (94%), including 19 mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue and 31 diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (five with mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue components). The t(11;18) translocation was detected in 19% (6 of 31) cases with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma versus 26% (five of 19) with mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (P = 0.72). One of five diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas with a mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue component showed the t(11;18)(q21;q21). In conclusion, translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) was found in both mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas and diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas of the stomach at approximately equivalent frequencies; its presence does not exclude progression to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 881–887)
Serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor level and immunophenotype are prognostic factors for patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Morito Toshiaki , Fujihara Megumu , Asaoku Hideki , Tari Akira , Sato Yasuharu , Ichimura Kouichi , Tanaka Takehiro , Takata Katsuyoshi , Tamura Maiko , Yoshino Tadashi 
Published: March 2009

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma is the most common form of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Although many studies have attempted to identify prognostic factors, most have focused on conventionally treated patients. The influence of anti‐CD20 antibody (rituximab) should be considered now. We evaluated the prognostic significance of serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels and germinal center B‐cell‐like or non‐germinal center B‐cell like subgroups in 80 patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, who had been treated with rituximab. Serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels ranged from 322 to 39900 U/mL (median 1365 U/mL). Sixteen (20%) were germinal center B‐cell‐like subgroups, and the remainder (80%) non‐germinal center B‐cell‐like. Survival analysis associated lower serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor level and germinal center B‐cell‐like phenotype with better overall survival (P = 0.015), whereas multivariate analysis, including International Prognostic Index factors, revealed that only higher performance status score and higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels significantly affected survival. However, serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels were elevated in patients with higher International Prognostic Index scores as well as in the non‐germinal center B‐cell‐like subgroup. Serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels, International Prognostic Index, and subphenotypes were strongly correlated with each other. Our study showed that soluble interleukin‐2 receptor is quite useful and may serve as a substitute for the International Prognostic Index, especially for patients undergoing treatment. Moreover, the differentiation between the germinal center B‐cell‐like and non‐germinal center B‐cell‐like phenotypes is also useful for predicting patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, even among those treated with rituximab. (Cancer Sci2009; 100: 1255–1260)
Physical, motor, sensory and developmental features associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum
Authors: Moes P. , Schilmoeller K. , Schilmoeller G. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground The study objective was to develop a profile of characteristics and diagnostic indicators of agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) using a large sample of individuals with ACC and their siblings. Very few previous studies have been able to access large populations in order to develop a comprehensive profile.Methods Caregivers of 720 individuals with ACC and 219 siblings, the largest sample studied to date, provided surveys with data on diagnoses, physical characteristics, developmental patterns and physical functioning.Results Compared with siblings, individuals with ACC exhibited a pattern of delayed motor development, difficulty with balance and bimanual movements, large head size, poor muscle tone, poor depth perception, reduced pain perception, sleeping difficulties and an increased proportion of left and mixed handedness.Conclusions These results extend previous descriptions but are also consistent with published reports that used small samples and single case studies. The data provide a profile that has implications for early detection and intervention of individuals with ACC as well as for highlighting future research directions to extend knowledge about ACC.
Children who have complex health needs: parents' experiences of their child's education
Authors: Hewitt‐Taylor J. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  An increasing number of children have complex and continuing health needs. These children have the same right to a full range of education opportunities as other children.Methods  This paper reports on the findings from a small qualitative study of the experiences of parents whose children have complex heath needs, related to their experiences of their child's education. Interviews with parents were used to generate data.Findings  Parents encounter a number of challenges to their children achieving equal opportunities in relation to education. The factors which influence their opportunities include: staffing issues, funding issues, the attitudes of individuals and organizations, staff confidence in meeting children's needs, clarity over responsibilities and funding. For parents, what seemed most important is not whether their child accesses mainstream education, but whether the school which they attend assists them to achieve their potential. Children who have complex health needs may have to make a greater effort than their peers to achieve educational goals, and may miss considerable school time. This can impact on their leisure time. Accessing pre‐school education can be difficult for children who have complex health needs.Conclusions  Inclusion in education should include pre‐school provision, and more work in this area would be beneficial. Inclusion in mainstream education is only beneficial if it enables the child to participate fully with their peers. This requires practical and organizational issues to be addressed, services to be well co‐ordinated, responsibilities and funding to be clear, and staff to be enabled to be confident in meeting the child's needs. However, it is also vital that individuals and organizations have a positive attitude to children and to inclusion. The additional effort and time which children may have to spend on their school work because of their health needs should also be recognized and supported appropriately.
Emotional and behavioural problems in subgroups of children with chronic illness: results from a large‐scale population study
Authors: Hysing M. , Elgen I. , Gillberg C. , Lundervold A. J. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Children with chronic illness are known to have an increased risk of emotional and behavioural problems. In the present population‐based study children with asthma, neurological disorders and other chronic illnesses were compared with children without chronic illnesses to assess differences in psychological presentation across illness groups.Methods  A total of 537 children with parent‐reported chronic illness in the Bergen Child Study were categorized into three groups: asthma, neurological disorders and other chronic illnesses. Emotional and behavioural problems were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.Results  All three illness groups had an increased rate of emotional and behavioural problems, as well as increased probability of a psychiatric disorder compared with children without a chronic illness. Most children with asthma and other chronic illnesses did not have emotional and behavioural problems, and effect sizes were small in both groups. In children with neurological disorders the effect sizes ranged from moderate to large, with emotional problems, inattention hyperactivity and peer problems being the most frequent problems.Conclusions  The increased rate of emotional and behavioural problems in children with chronic illness, especially neurological disorders, emphasizes the importance of early detection of mental health problems in these children.
Assistive devices and cerebral palsy: the use of assistive devices at school by children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Huang I‐C. , Sugden D. , Beveridge S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Although the importance of providing disabled children with assistive devices has always been highlighted, most studies in the field of assistive device research seek the participation of adult users or adult carers. Accordingly, the opinions of young users themselves seem to be overlooked. To start to address the gap, this study aimed to understand the children's perspectives regarding device use in school and to explore the factors related to their device utilization in this setting.Methods  Semi‐structured interviews were adopted as the main data collection instrument. A total of 44 participants were involved, including 15 Taiwanese children with cerebral palsy, aged between 8 and 15 years, 15 mothers and 14 teachers.Results  The interview results show a high frequency of device use in school which can be attributed to children's willingness, teachers' attitudes, mothers' support, physical environmental factors and device‐related features.Conclusions  The findings not only demonstrate the significance of child–environment interaction but also provide evidence that children's views may be different from those of adults because they are at a different developmental stage and act out different roles in their environment.
Targeting of mTOR is associated with decreased growth and decreased VEGF expression in acute myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Böhm A. , Aichberger K. J. , Mayerhofer M. , Herrmann H. , Florian S. , Krauth M.‐T. , Derdak S. , Samorapoompichit P. , Sonneck K. , Vales A. , Gleixner K. V. , Pickl W. F. , Sperr W. R. , Valent P. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has recently been implicated in leukaemic cell growth, tumour‐associated angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We examined whether mTOR plays a role as regulator of growth and VEGF‐expression in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Three mTOR‐targeting drugs, rapamycin, everolimus (RAD001) and CCI‐779, were applied. The effects of these drugs on growth, survival, apoptosis and VEGF expression in primary AML cells and various AML cell lines were examined.Materials and methods  Growth of AML cells and AML‐derived cell lines was assessed by 3H‐thymidine incorporation, survival was examined by light‐ and electron microscopy, by Tunel assay and by AnnexinV‐staining, and the expression of VEGF by Northern blotting, RT‐PCR and ELISA.Results  Rapamycin was found to counteract growth in the AML cell lines U937 and KG1a as well as in primary AML cells in 14/18 patients examined. The effects of rapamycin and its derivatives were dose‐dependent (IC50: 10 pM–100 nM). It was also found that exposure to mTOR‐targeting drugs resulted in apoptosis and in decreased expression of VEGF in leukaemic cells.Conclusions  mTOR‐targeting drugs exert antileukaemic effects on AML cells in vitro through multiple actions, including direct inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis and suppression of VEGF. Based on this study and other studies, mTOR can be regarded as a potential drug target in AML.
Deferasirox induces regression of iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Wimazal F. , Nösslinger T. , Baumgartner C. , Sperr W. R. , Pfeilstöcker M. , Valent P. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Transfusion‐related morbidity is an emerging problem in chronically transfused patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Although several iron‐chelating drugs are available, the optimal way of treatment of iron‐overload remains uncertain. A major disadvantage of deferoxamine is that the drug has to be applied as continuous subcutaneous infusion. Therefore, novel oral agents have been developed. One of these drugs is deferasirox (Exjade®).Materials and methods  We report on 14 MDS patients who were treated with deferasirox (500–1500 mg daily) for up to 24 months. In these patients, treatment responses were recorded by determining serum ferritin levels before and during therapy and by applying recently established response criteria.Results  In all patients except one, ferritin levels decreased during therapy. Four patients showed a complete response, one a minor response and five a stable iron load. In the responding patients, initially elevated liver enzymes decreased substantially. No substantial change in transferrin saturation or transfusion frequency was recorded. Side effects were mild and tolerable in most patients. In one patient, treatment with deferasirox was stopped because of impaired kidney function.Conclusion  Our data show that treatment with deferasirox is a reasonable approach to counteract iron overload in patients with MDS.
Simultaneous core sample measurements of elastic properties and resistivity at reservoir conditions employing a modified triaxial cell – a feasibility study
Authors: Wang Zhong , Gelius Leiv‐J. , Kong Fan‐Nian 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTAdaptations of existing triaxial cells for ultrasonic P‐ and S‐wave measurements are well documented. This paper proposes further modification of such a cell so that also resistivity measurements can be carried out simultaneously at reservoir conditions. By employing the top cap and the pedestal of the cell as electrodes, axial resistivity measurements are now feasible. In order to minimize the polarization effect of this two‐electrode arrangement, careful analyses have been carried out to optimize the choice of electrode coating and measurement frequency band. Radial resistivity measurements are also included in the system by introducing a strap‐electrode system.In a reservoir under production changes in both saturations, temperature (if steam injection) and stresses can take place. Therefore the modified triaxial system should be able to measure the integrated effects on the acoustic parameters and electric responses caused by variations in each of these parameters. The feasibility of the system to obtain such reliable information is demonstrated, employing a small selection of core samples. In the future such combined measurements on reservoir core samples can be used to link both seismic and electromagnetic observations to the actual earth model and constrain both modelling and inversion.