bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting continued use of online teacher professional development and the influence of social presence and sociability
Authors: Smith Jo Ann , Sivo Stephen A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis study examined how a well‐established Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) could predict teachers' intentions to continue using e‐learning for professional development based on perceived ease of use and usefulness. Although studies have shown social interactions are important to teachers, no study has analyzed the mediating influence of social presence and sociability within e‐learning professional development. Therefore, the original TAM was expanded to encompass user perceptions of social presence and sociability. Structural equation modeling was used to measure the mediating affects on their intention to continue using e‐learning for their professional development. The results indicate that the expanded hypothesized model was a good predictor of continuance intention. Perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and social presence were found to be significant determinants of teachers' intent to continue using e‐learning to meet their future professional development needs. The results have implications for educational leaders, designers and facilitators who want to promote teacher online professional development and embed e‐learning conditions that will be readily embraced by classroom teachers.
Watching, creating and achieving: Creative technologies as a conduit for learning in the early years
Authors: McDonald Susan , Howell Jennifer 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis paper describes the use of robotics in an Early Years classroom as a tool to aid the development of technological skills in a creative environment rich with literacy and numeracy opportunities. The pilot project illustrates how a three‐phase process can result in the development of: (1) emergent literacy and numeracy, (2) digital access for disadvantaged Early Years learners and (3) basic engineering concepts. The pilot study was conducted with a class of 16 students aged between 5 years and 6 months to 7 years, over a 6‐week period. During this period, the students were introduced to and engaged in the creation of robots and simple machines via the use of a commercial robotics package. The pilot was designed around three distinct phases: modelling, exploring and evaluating. These phases provided scaffolding for the students to engage with the technology and for the class teacher to develop her own skills. The use of this particular robotics package is unique to Australia, unique to Early Years, and links hands‐on, fine‐motor development with 21st century learning. The researchers and authors of this paper are currently based at the Australian Catholic University and are involved with projects involving creative, digital technologies, children in the early years of formal schooling, emerging literacy and numeracy for diverse Early Years learners and the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Formation in the Classroom
Authors: Glennon Fred , Jacobsen Douglas , Jacobsen Rhonda Hustedt , Thatamanil John J. , Porterfield Amanda , Moore Mary Elizabeth 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWhat is the relationship between the academic knowledge of the guild and the formation of students in the classroom? This Forum gathers four essays originally presented at a Special Topics Session at the 2009 conference of the American Academy of Religion (Atlanta, Georgia), with a brief introductory essay by Fred Glennon explaining the genesis of the panel. Douglas Jacobsen and Rhonda Hustedt Jacobsen clarify some of the issues at stake in undergraduate liberal arts classrooms by distinguishing between four dimensions of what they refer to as “the (in)formation teaching matrix: institutional context, course content, faculty roles, and student outcomes. John Thatamanil argues that all learning necessarily presupposes formation. Amanda Porterfield argues against using the word “formation” because it complicates and undermines her teaching goals to historicize religion and narratives about it through open‐ended inquiry. And, finally, Mary Elizabeth Moore explores the interactive processes linking formation, information, reformation, and transformation.
The prevalence of neuromyelitis optica in South East Wales
Authors: Cossburn M. , Tackley G. , Baker K. , Ingram G. , Burtonwood M. , Malik G. , Pickersgill T. , te Water Naudé J. , Robertson N. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Neuromyeltis optica (NMO) is a neuroinflammatory disorder considered rare in Caucasian populations. However, accurate population‐based epidemiological data for NMO and NMO spectrum disorder (NMO‐SD) from Western populations employing validated diagnostic criteria remain limited. We sought therefore to estimate the prevalence and clinical features of NMO in a north European Caucasian population in South East Wales.Methods:  Patients were identified by a comprehensive, multistage ascertainment strategy employing a regional neuroinflammatory disease register, hospital diagnostic databases personal physician referrals and regional requests for anti‐aquaporin‐4 antibodies (anti‐AQP4).Results:  Fourteen Caucasian patients (11 patients with NMO and three with NMO‐SD) were identified in a population of 712 572 (19.6/million; 95% CIs: 12.2–29.7). There was an excess of females (female:male 12:2), 11/14 were anti‐AQP4 positive and 5/14 had disease onset under the age of 20 years.Conclusion:  This study suggests that NMO and related spectrum disorders are at least as frequent in Northern European populations as in non‐Caucasian populations and that the demographic profile of prevalent patients differs from clinic‐based cohorts.
Stroke mechanism in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation according to the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‐VASc scores
Authors: Cha M.‐J. , Kim Y. D. , Nam H. S. , Kim J. , Lee D. H. , Heo J. H. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  The CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‐VASc scores are useful to stratify embolic risks in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and to identify patients eligible for anticoagulation. Although the risk of stoke increases in patients with higher CHADS2 or CHA2DS2‐VASc scores, it is uncertain why the stroke rate increases in them. Concomitant potential cardiac sources of embolism (PCSE) may be more frequent in patients with higher CHADS2 or CHA2DS2‐VASc scores because stroke risks increase when concomitant PCSE is present in Atrial fibrillation (AF). On the other hand, atherothrombosis may be the cause when considering that most components of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‐VASc scores are risk factors for atherosclerosis.Methods:  Amongst 5493 stroke patients who were prospectively registered with the stroke registry for 11 years, 860 consecutive patients with NVAF were included for this study. We investigated the mechanisms of stroke according to the CHADS2/CHA2DS2‐VASc score in stroke patients with NVAF.Results:  Amongst 860 patients, concomitant PCSE were found in 334 patients (38.8%). The number of PCSE increased as the CHADS2/CHA2DS2‐VASc score increased (P < 0.001). Of individual PCSE, akinetic left ventricular segment, hypokinetic left ventricular segment and myocardial infarction <4 weeks were associated with the CHADS2/CHA2DS2‐VASc score. The presence of possible atherothrombotic mechanism, in addition to AF, was suggested in 27.3%. The proportion of patients with concomitant presence of possible atherothrombosis was increased as the CHADS2/CHA2DS2‐VASc score increased (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  Increased frequency of concomitant PCSE and that of the atherothrombotic mechanism may explain the high risk of stroke in patients with higher CHADS2/CHA2DS2‐VASc score.
Adalimumab for psoriasis in Greece: clinical experience in a tertiary referral centre
Authors: Fotiadou C. , Lazaridou E. , Sotiriou E. , Ioannides D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground  Adalimumab, a fully human, anti‐TNFα monoclonal antibody has been shown to be effective for moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis in clinical trial setting. However, only a limited number of studies reflect everyday clinical experience with this drug.Objectives  To provide evidence on the efficacy, dose optimization and safety of adalimumab based on everyday clinical experience in a tertiary referral centre for psoriasis, in Greece.Methods  We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis who received adalimumab, in our referral centre, between January 2008 and October 2010.Results  In total, 52 patients were treated with adalimumab for a mean period of 14 months (range 4–30 months). Mean baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was 16.7 (range 9–40.3). At 4, 6, 12 and 18 months, PASI75 was attained by 68%, 82%, 89% and 88% of patients respectively. Nineteen of 52 patients (36%) reached a PASI100 at a mean time of 10 months (range 4–18 months). The dose interval between the injections of adalimumab was increased from 2 to 3 weeks for 14 patients (27%) who achieved and sustained a PASI100 after the first year of treatment, without any relapse. The overall rate of adverse events reached 38%, but treatment was discontinued only in two cases (4%).Conclusions  Our study demonstrates that adalimumab is effective and safe in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis in short‐ and long‐term setting. At the same time, it points out novel and interesting issues for further investigation.
Carbon pools and soil biochemical properties in manure‐based organic farming systems of semi‐arid New Mexico
Authors: Jacinthe P.‐A. , Shukla M. K. , Ikemura Y. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe economic benefits of organic agriculture and its wide adoption are well documented, but the impact of that practice on soil C dynamics in irrigated croplands of semi‐arid regions is less well understood. In manure‐based organic production systems, land applications of animal wastes not only provide nutrients but could also contribute to soil carbon sequestration. A study was conducted in irrigated cotton (Gossypium arboreum L) agro‐ecosystems of New Mexico (USA) under conventional (CONV; 100 kg N/ha as urea and NH4NO3) and organic farming practices (OF for 3–9 yr; 50 Mg dry manure/ha) to assess the effect of OF on soil C stocks (organic, inorganic) and biochemical indices [microbial biomass C (MBC); respiration; metabolic quotient (qCO2)]. In the plough layer (0–30 cm), soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks tended to be higher (although not statistically) under OF (35.9 Mg C/ha) than CONV (33.5 Mg C/ha). However, when the entire 100‐cm soil profile was considered, the total SOC under CONV exceeded that under OF by 39.8 Mg C/ha, but this may be influenced by other factors. Accounting for 52% of the total C stock, inorganic C was significantly higher under CONV than OF and was positively correlated with soil respiration and the H/C ratio of soil organic matter. While OF duration had no consistent effect on soil biochemical properties, MBC was significantly higher (1.5 times) and the qCO2 (3–6 times) was lower in the organically fertilized soils than under CONV. These results suggest the development, under OF, of a soil microbial community that is larger and processes added C substrates more efficiently compared with the community present in CONV practices.
A web‐based approach to improve collation and communication of complex soil‐landscape data with examples relating to agricultural production, environmental degradation and mineral exploration
Authors: Baker A. , Fitzpatrick R. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis paper provides examples of how to use web‐based techniques to organize and communicate large quantities of complex and varied soil and landscape data. It describes a straightforward method for creating an interactive, web‐based data site that can be used to facilitate more rapid and effective communication between project staff (scientists and managers) and clients (farmers and land managers). This can facilitate teleconferences between team members and be used to communicate information and ideas. Consequently, it reduces costs associated with travel and makes it easier to interpret data during collection. The web‐based data site can be used to deliver easily understood final reports to clients that may have limited background knowledge in a particular area. Additionally, it provides a sufficiently logical and intuitive user interface for use by a wide range of end‐users including farmers, land managers, policy makers and the general public. This approach has been used successfully to provide a framework to coordinate and report on the large quantities of complex data generated during the following three diverse projects: (i) a study of base metal exploration methods in an area impacted by mining and land clearance in the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia, (ii) acid drainage issues impacting on agricultural production in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia and (iii) inland acid sulphate soils impacting on land degradation and water quality in wetlands adjacent to the River Murray in the Riverland region of South Australia.
The Importance of Illness Perception in End‐Stage Renal Disease: Associations with Psychosocial and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Chilcot Joseph 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIllness perceptions refer to organized beliefs surrounding the symptoms, consequences, time course, controllability, and causes of an illness. Illness perceptions have been shown to predict a range of psychosocial and clinical outcomes in patients with ESRD including depression, nonadherence, and even survival. Accordingly, personal illness beliefs are novel yet potentially modifiable prognostic factors. Studies are required to assert whether illness perception‐based interventions deliver the promise of improved subjective and clinical well‐being in patients with ESRD.
Effect of Chlorhexidine on Denture Biofilm Accumulation
Authors: Machado de Andrade Ingrid , Cruz Patricia C. , Silva‐Lovato Cláudia H. , de Souza Raphael F. , Cristina Monteiro Souza‐Gugelmin Maria , de Freitas Oliveira Paranhos Helena 
Published: October 2011

AbstractPurpose: Adequate denture hygiene can prevent and treat infection in edentulous patients, who are frequently elderly and have difficulty brushing their teeth. This study evaluated the efficacy of complete denture biofilm removal using a chlorhexidine solution in two concentrations: 0.12% and 2.0%.Materials and Methods: Sixty complete denture wearers participated in a trial for 21 days after receiving brushing instructions. They were distributed into three groups, according to the tested solution and regimen (n = 20): (G1) Control (daily overnight soaking in water); (G2) daily immersion at home in 0.12% chlorhexidine for 20 minutes after dinner; and (G3) a single immersion in 2.0% chlorhexidine for 5 minutes at the end of the experimental period, performed by a professional. Biofilm coverage area (%) was quantified on the internal surface of maxillary dentures at baseline and after 21 days. Afterward, the differences between initial and posttreatment results were compared by means of the Kruskal‐Wallis test (α= 0.05).Results: Median values for biofilm coverage area after treatment were: (G1) 36.0%; (G2) 5.3%; and (G3) 1.4%. Differences were significant (KW = 35.25; p < 0.001), although G2 and G3 presented similar efficacy in terms of biofilm removal.Conclusions: Both chlorhexidine‐based treatments had a similar ability to remove denture biofilm. Immersion in 0.12% or 2.0% chlorhexidine solutions can be used as an auxiliary method for cleaning complete dentures.
Focal Left Atrial Tachycardias Not Associated with Prior Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Clinical and Electrophysiological Characteristics
Authors: BIVIANO ANGELO B. , BAIN WILLIAM , WHANG WILLIAM , LEITNER JOSHUA , DIZON JOSÉ , HICKEY KATHLEEN , GARAN HASAN 
Published: October 2011

Background:
The clinical features and electrophysiological characteristics of patients with focal left atrial tachycardias (LATs) are not well characterized. This study reports the experience of a single center in catheter mapping and radiofrequency ablation of focal LAT not associated with prior atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, including in cardiac sarcoidosis and transplant patients.
Methods:
Patients with focal LAT without a history of AF ablation were included in this retrospective analysis.
Results:
A total of 24 focal LATs were documented in 20 patients. Two patients were subsequently diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis. Two patients were status post a thoracic transplant. The mean initial cycle length of the focal LATs was 347.4 ± 96.2 ms (range 190–510 ms). Patients with a pulmonary vein (PV) ostium focus (n = 6) demonstrated a shorter cycle length than patients with other LA foci (259.2 ± 56.4 ms vs 371.9 ± 91.1 ms, P = 0.02), as well as a trend for a history of AF (67% vs 21%, P = NS). Catheter ablation was immediately successful for 19 of 22 focal LATs.
Conclusions:
Focal LATs not associated with prior AF ablation can originate in a variety of LA locations and clinical settings. Focal LAT arising in the PV ostia is associated with a history of AF and demonstrates a faster tachycardia rate. We also report focal LAT in cardiac sarcoidosis patients and in the donor heart of an orthotopic heart transplant recipient. Radiofrequency ablation is a successful treatment for focal LAT not associated with prior ablation, including those refractory to medical therapy. (PACE 2012; 35:17–27)
Growth and Spectroscopic Characteristics of Er‐Doped CeF3–CaF2 Disordered Crystals
Authors: Wang Qingguo , Su Liangbi , Zheng Lihe , Li Hongjun , Tang Huili , Guo Xin , Jiang Dapeng , Xu Jun 
Published: October 2011

Er‐Doped and Yb,Er‐Doped CeF3–CaF2 disordered crystals were grown by temperature gradient technique (TGT) method. The UV–VIS–NIR absorption spectra, near‐infrared emission spectra, and the lifetime of 4I13/2 level were measured. The infrared to visible upconversion emission of Er3+ was investigated in the grown crystals. The concentration distribution of doped ions was analyzed using ICP measurements. The efficiency of energy transfer from Yb3+ (2F5/2) to Er3+ (4I11/2) was about 88%. The experimental luminescence lifetime of the ~1.5 μm emission for CeF3–CaF2:Yb,Er crystal was 3.84 ms, and its quantum efficiency was 79%.
Effect of Yttria Content on the Zirconia Unit Cell Parameters
Authors: Krogstad Jessica A. , Lepple Maren , Gao Yan , Lipkin Don M. , Levi Carlos G. 
Published: October 2011

The relationship between yttria concentration and the unit cell parameters in partially and fully stabilized zirconia has been reassessed, motivated by the need to improve the accuracy of phase analysis upon decomposition of t′‐based thermal barrier coatings. Compositions ranging from 6 to 18 mol% YO1.5 were synthesized and examined by means of high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction. Lattice parameters were determined using the Rietveld refinement method, a whole‐pattern fitting procedure. The revised empirical relationships fall within the range of those published previously. However, efforts to achieve superior homogeneity of the materials, as well as accuracy of the composition and lattice parameters, provide increased confidence in the reliability of these correlations for use in future studies. Additional insight into the potential sources for scatter previously reported for the transition region (~12–14 mol% YO1.5), where tetragonal and cubic phases have been observed to coexist, is also provided. Implications on the current understanding of stabilization mechanisms in zirconia are discussed.
Fabrication of Superfine Leucite‐Reinforced Dental Material by Hydrothermal Precursor and Low‐Temperature Frit
Authors: Yao Lan , Peng Cheng , Wu Jianqing 
Published: October 2011

A superfine leucite‐reinforced dental material was prepared by heat‐treating the mixture of hydrothermally derived leucite precursor and low‐temperature frit at 750°C. XRD and DSC results indicate that the low‐temperature frit can lower leucite crystallization temperature from 1027°C to 694°C. High‐temperature X‐ray diffraction of the dental porcelain demonstrates that there exists a temperature range in which leucite crystals are in the equilibrium of forming, ripening, and dissolving, and the size and content of leucite remain almost unchanged in the range. The average size of leucite in the dental porcelain prepared by the mixture of low‐temperature frit and the material is about 115 nm, which would benefit PFM's strength.
Determination of the True Young's Modulus of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 Films by Nanoindentation: Effects of Film Orientation and Substrate
Authors: Liu Dan , Zhou Bo , Yoon Sang H. , Kim Seon‐Bae , Ahn Hosang , Prorok Barton C. , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Kim Dong‐Joo 
Published: October 2011

PZT films were deposited by the sol‐gel method on platinized silicon substrates with silicon nitride and silicon oxide structural layer materials. The crystalline orientations of the PZT films were controlled by both a chelating agent and pyrolysis temperature. A nanoindentation CSM (continuous stiffness measurement) technique was utilized to characterize the Young's moduli of these PZT films. It was found that the measured moduli of PZT films on the two types of substrates showed similar orientation dependence (E001 > E111>E(110,111)) but distinct values, which indicated a clear substrate effect. By using a new model of film indentation, we were able to decouple the effects of film orientation and structural layer type on the Young's modulus.
New Borothermal Reduction Route to Synthesize Submicrometric ZrB2 Powders with Low Oxygen Content
Authors: Guo Wei‐Ming , Zhang Guo‐Jun 
Published: October 2011

The ZrB2 powders with submicrometric particle size and low oxygen content were synthesized by a new borothermal reduction route using ZrO2 and excess boron as raw materials. The conventional process only contained the borothermal reduction of ZrO2 with boron at 1550°C. By exploring the mechanism of ZrB2 particle coarsening during conventional process, a new borothermal reduction route was proposed. This route included the borothermal reduction of ZrO2 with boron at 1000°C, washing by hot water, and the removal of residual boron oxides at 1550°C, namely, two‐step reduction plus intermediate water‐washing (RWR). Using conventional process, the particle size and oxygen content of ZrB2 powder were about 2–3 μm and 0.68 wt%, respectively. Based on the new route, the particle size and oxygen content of ZrB2 powder were about 0.4–0.7 μm and 0.40 wt%, respectively.
Relative Contribution of Perception/Cognition and Language on Spatial Categorization
Authors: Choi Soonja , Hattrup Kate 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis study investigated the relative contribution of perception/cognition and language‐specific semantics in nonverbal categorization of spatial relations. English and Korean speakers completed a video‐based similarity judgment task involving containment, support, tight fit, and loose fit. Both perception/cognition and language served as resources for categorization, and allocation between the two depended on the target relation and the features contrasted in the choices. Whereas perceptual/cognitive salience for containment and tight‐fit features guided categorization in many contexts, language‐specific semantics influenced categorization where the two features competed for similarity judgment and when the target relation was tight support, a domain where spatial relations are perceptually diverse. In the latter contexts, each group categorized more in line with semantics of their language, that is, containment/support for English and tight/loose fit for Korean. We conclude that language guides spatial categorization when perception/cognition alone is not sufficient. In this way, language is an integral part of our cognitive domain of space.