Online Professional Development: Implications on Self-Efficacy Levels and Classroom Instruction for Teachers in a Catholic High School

Online professional development (online PD), the acquisition of new skills and knowledge related to the teaching profession via the Internet, is an emerging field for teachers. This mixedmethods research explored the impact of an online PD program on high school teachers’ selfefficacy levels, classroom instruction, and the role that school culture played on teachers accepting or rejecting the online PD. Within a social cognitive theory lens, this study helped frame teacher attitudes and adult learning in the context of school culture. Phase 1 of this study used quantitative data from two surveys called PRE and POST, which were taken before and after the online PD program, respectively. Qualitative data were collected in Phase 2, using the International Society for Technology in Education Classroom Observation Tool (ICOT), participants’ journal reflections, and interviews. Findings indicated statistically significant changes in self-efficacy levels for eight of the 21 survey items and minimal changes in technology use during instruction. Furthermore, various aspects of school culture independently affected teachers’ inclination to accept or reject the online PD. Findings supported the concept of designing personalized professional development programs tailored to the individual’s specific learning styles, attitudes, and experiences of school culture

The Oral Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Sitagliptin Increases Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Possible role of stromal-derived factor-1α

OBJECTIVE: Vasculoprotective endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are regulated by stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) and are reduced in type 2 diabetes. Because SDF-1alpha is a substrate of dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4), we investigated whether the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin modulates EPC levels in type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a controlled, nonrandomized clinical trial comparing 4-week sitagliptin (n = 16) versus no additional treatment (n = 16) in addition to metformin and/or secretagogues in type 2 diabetic patients. We determined circulating EPC levels and plasma concentrations of SDF-1alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nitrites/nitrates. RESULTS: There was no difference in clinical baseline data between the sitagliptin and control arms. After 4 weeks, as compared with control subjects, patients receiving sitagliptin showed a significant increase in EPCs and SDF-1alpha and a decrease in MCP-1. CONCLUSIONS: Sitagliptin increases circulating EPCs in type 2 diabetic patients with concomitant upregulation of SDF-1alpha. This ancillary effect of DPP-4 inhibition might have potential favorable cardiovascular implications

Current water resources in Europe and Africa - Matching water supply and water demand

Ensuring good quality water in sufficient quantities for all legitimate uses is a major policy aim of the European Commission, and the main aim of the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water, which will be launched in 2012. The Blueprint is the EU policy response to emerging challenges in the field of water. It is within this policy framework that JRC carries out research on hydrological simulation modelling, aiming to provide scientific assessments of general available water resources and floods, droughts and water scarcity. The main aim of the work is to assess current and future water availability versus current and future water demands from different economic sectors. Before future challenges can be addressed, a thorough analysis of current water resources is needed. The scope of this study is an analysis of current water resources in Europe and Africa, and matching water supply and water demand from various sectors. Several attempts already have been made to assess European, African and global water resources. Recently, Haddeland et al. (2011) produced a multimodel estimate of the global terrestrial water balance at 0.5o spatial resolution. This has been achieved within the Global Water Availability Assessment (GWAVA), developed in the context of the EU-funded WATCH project (https://gateway.ceh.ac.uk ). Within another EU-funded project GLOWASIS (Global Water Scarcity Information System), Utrecht University and Deltares develop a global water scarcity map also at 0.5o spatial resolution, to be finished Dec 2012 (http://glowasis.eu ). First results are published in Van Beek et al (2011). JRC is partner in this project to benchmark the global product with the higher resolution European and African assessments. A further study was conducted by Hoekstra and Mekonnen (2011), assessing global water scarcity for the world’s major river basins. Other available information on global water resources are available from: • FAO, Aquastat portal http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/globalmaps/index.stm • UNEP: http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/freshwater-availability-groundwater-and-river-flow • Cleaningwater: http://cleaningwater.se/whats-new/geographical-distribution • IWMI Institute: http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/WAtlas/Default.aspx • World Resources Institute: http://earthtrends.wri.org/maps_spatial/maps_detail_static.php?map_select=265&theme=4 • Monde diplomatique: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/cartes/disponibiliteeau • GRID-Arendal (Africa): http://www.grida.no/publications/vg/africa/ • EEA (Europe): http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/annual-water-availability-per-capita-by-country-2001 In general however, the analysis done in the products described above is done at national scales, at relatively coarse spatial resolution (0.5o), and using water demand data from the year 2000 or before, because more recent data are not yet available. The scope of the study presented here, is to carry out an higher spatial resolution analysis for Europe (5 km ~ 0.05o) and Africa (0.1o), using a daily timescale for modelling, and using for Europe new JRC analysis of water uses for irrigation, livestock, industry and energy, and domestic purposes. The analysis is carried out using the JRC LISFLOOD hydrological simulation model, supported by several other available models (EPIC, LUMP).JRC.H-Institute for Environment and Sustainability (Ispra

Detección temprana de resistencia a Mycosphaerella fijiensis en genotipos locales de Musáceas en Ecuador

The aim of this research was to determine resistance reaction of 14 Musa genotypes against Mycosphaerella fijensis, causal agent of Black Sigatoka disease. Two experiments were conducted in laboratory and shadehause at Pichilingue research Station from the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), Ecuador. Genotypes considered were: Orito (AA), Guineo de jardín, Williams, Filipino, Gross Mitchel, Mulato and Morado, (AAA); Limeño, Maqueño, Dominico, Dominico-Hartón, Dominico gigante, Dominico negro and Barraganete from the AAB genome. Two inoculation methods were used to asses’ resistance: a) in vitro inoculation over leaf fragments with a conidial suspension, and b) inoculation of eight weeks old seedlings with a mycelial suspension of the fungus. In the first case, the incubation period (IP) and the number of lesions at 14 and 20 days after inoculation (DDI) were measured. For in vitro trial, the incubation period (IP) and the number of leaf lesions 14 and 20 days after inoculation (DDI) were measured, and for seedlings, PI, period of symptoms evolution (TES) and time for disease development (TDE) were recorded. Statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences were found for all variables. Cultivars Orito (AA) and Limeño (AAB) qualify as resistant while all the others were susceptible, though response to inoculation within the latter group showed a range of variability.El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar la reacción de 14 genotipos de musáceas frente a Mycosphaerella fijensis, agente causal de la Sigatoka negra. Se condujeron dos experimentos en el Departamento de Protección Vegetal de la Estación Experimental Pichilingue del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP), Ecuador. Los genotipos evaluados fueron: banano Orito (AA), Guineo de jardín, Williams, Filipino, Gros Michel, Mulato y Morado, del genoma (AAA), y los plátanos Limeño, Maqueño, Dominico, Dominico-Hartón, Dominico gigante, Dominico negro y Barraganete, del genoma AAB. Se usaron dos métodos de inoculación: a) in vitro sobre fragmentos de hoja con una suspensión de conidios y b) inoculación de plántulas de ocho semanas de edad con una suspensión micelial. En el primer caso se midió el periodo de incubación (PI) y el número de lesiones a los 14 y 20 días después de la inoculación (DDI). En invernadero, se registró el PI, tiempo de evolución de síntomas (TES) y tiempo de desarrollo de la enfermedad (TDE). Se determinaron diferencias estadísticas significativas (p ≤ 0,05) para todas las variables evaluadas; los cultivares Orito (AA) y Limeño (AAB) calificaron como resistentes, mientras que todos los demás fueron susceptibles, aunque mostraron un rango de variabilidad en la respuesta a las inoculaciones

Detección temprana de resistencia a Mycosphaerella fijiensis en genotipos locales de Musáceas en Ecuador

The aim of this research was to determine resistance reaction of 14 Musa genotypes against Mycosphaerella fijensis, causal agent of Black Sigatoka disease. Two experiments were conducted in laboratory and shadehause at Pichilingue research Station from the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), Ecuador. Genotypes considered were: Orito (AA), Guineo de jardín, Williams, Filipino, Gross Mitchel, Mulato and Morado, (AAA); Limeño, Maqueño, Dominico, Dominico-Hartón, Dominico gigante, Dominico negro and Barraganete from the AAB genome. Two inoculation methods were used to asses' resistance: a) in vitro inoculation over leaf fragments with a conidial suspension, and b) inoculation of eight weeks old seedlings with a mycelial suspension of the fungus. In the first case, the incubation period (IP) and the number of lesions at 14 and 20 days after inoculation (DDI) were measured. For in vitro trial, the incubation period (IP) and the number of leaf lesions 14 and 20 days after inoculation (DDI) were measured, and for seedlings, PI, period of symptoms evolution (TES) and time for disease development (TDE) were recorded. Statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences were found for all variables. Cultivars Orito (AA) and Limeño (AAB) qualify as resistant while all the others were susceptible, though response to inoculation within the latter group showed a range of variability. El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar la reacción de 14 genotipos de musáceas frente a Mycosphaerella fijensis, agente causal de la Sigatoka negra. Se condujeron dos experimentos en el Departamento de Protección Vegetal de la Estación Experimental Pichilingue del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP), Ecuador. Los genotipos evaluados fueron: banano Orito (AA), Guineo de jardín, Williams, Filipino, Gros Michel, Mulato y Morado, del genoma (AAA), y los plátanos Limeño, Maqueño, Dominico, Dominico-Hartón, Dominico gigante, Dominico negro y Barraganete, del genoma AAB. Se usaron dos métodos de inoculación: a) in vitro sobre fragmentos de hoja con una suspensión de conidios y b) inoculación de plántulas de ocho semanas de edad con una suspensión micelial. En el primer caso se midió el periodo de incubación (PI) y el número de lesiones a los 14 y 20 días después de la inoculación (DDI). En invernadero, se registró el PI, tiempo de evolución de síntomas (TES) y tiempo de desarrollo de la enfermedad (TDE). Se determinaron diferencias estadísticas significativas (p ≤ 0,05) para todas las variables evaluadas; los cultivares Orito (AA) y Limeño (AAB) calificaron como resistentes, mientras que todos los demás fueron susceptibles, aunque mostraron un rango de variabilidad en la respuesta a las inoculaciones

Salivary Gland Ultrasonography in Sjögren’s Syndrome: A European Multicenter Reliability Exercise for the HarmonicSS Project

Objectives: Salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) is increasingly applied for the management of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). This study aims to: (i) compare the reliability between two SGUS scores; (ii) test the reliability among sonographers with different levels of experience. Methods: In the reliability exercise, two four-grade semi-quantitative SGUS scoring systems, namely De Vita et al. and OMERACT, were tested. The sonographers involved in work-package 7 of the HarmonicSS project from nine countries in Europe were invited to participate. Different levels of sonographers were identified on the basis of their SGUS experience and of the knowledge of the tested scores. A dedicated atlas was used as support for SGUS scoring. Results: Twenty sonographers participated in the two rounds of the reliability exercise. The intra-rater reliability for both scores was almost perfect, with a Light's kappa of 0.86 for the De Vita et al. score and 0.87 for the OMERACT score. The inter-rater reliability for the De Vita et al. and the OMERACT score was substantial with Light's Kappa of 0.75 and 0.77, respectively. Furthermore, no significant difference was noticed among sonographers with different levels of experience. Conclusion: The two tested SGUS scores are reliable for the evaluation of major salivary glands in pSS, and even less-expert sonographers could be reliable if adequately instructed.publishedVersio

CMB-S4 Science Book, First Edition

This book lays out the scientific goals to be addressed by the next-generation ground-based cosmic microwave background experiment, CMB-S4, envisioned to consist of dedicated telescopes at the South Pole, the high Chilean Atacama plateau and possibly a northern hemisphere site, all equipped with new superconducting cameras. CMB-S4 will dramatically advance cosmological studies by crossing critical thresholds in the search for the B-mode polarization signature of primordial gravitational waves, in the determination of the number and masses of the neutrinos, in the search for evidence of new light relics, in constraining the nature of dark energy, and in testing general relativity on large scales

Attributable deaths and disability-adjusted life-years caused by infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the EU and the European Economic Area in 2015: a population-level modelling analysis

Background: Infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria are threatening modern health care. However, estimating their incidence, complications, and attributable mortality is challenging. We aimed to estimate the burden of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria of public health concern in countries of the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) in 2015, measured in number of cases, attributable deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Methods: We estimated the incidence of infections with 16 antibiotic resistance–bacterium combinations from European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net) 2015 data that was country-corrected for population coverage. We multiplied the number of bloodstream infections (BSIs) by a conversion factor derived from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control point prevalence survey of health-care-associated infections in European acute care hospitals in 2011–12 to estimate the number of non-BSIs. We developed disease outcome models for five types of infection on the basis of systematic reviews of the literature. Findings: From EARS-Net data collected between Jan 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2015, we estimated 671 689 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 583 148–763 966) infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, of which 63·5% (426 277 of 671 689) were associated with health care. These infections accounted for an estimated 33 110 (28 480–38 430) attributable deaths and 874 541 (768 837–989 068) DALYs. The burden for the EU and EEA was highest in infants (aged <1 year) and people aged 65 years or older, had increased since 2007, and was highest in Italy and Greece. Interpretation: Our results present the health burden of five types of infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria expressed, for the first time, in DALYs. The estimated burden of infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the EU and EEA is substantial compared with that of other infectious diseases, and has increased since 2007. Our burden estimates provide useful information for public health decision-makers prioritising interventions for infectious diseases

Clinical Advances in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Position Statement by the International College of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders

© 2020 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CC-BY-NC-ND - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.In this position statement, developed by The International College of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, a group of international experts responds to recent developments in the evidence-based management of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The article presents those selected therapeutic advances judged to be of utmost relevance to the treatment of OCD, based on new and emerging evidence from clinical and translational science. Areas covered include refinement in the methods of clinical assessment, the importance of early intervention based on new staging models and the need to provide sustained well-being involving effective relapse prevention. The relative benefits of psychological, pharmacological and somatic treatments are reviewed and novel treatment strategies for difficult to treat OCD, including neurostimulation, as well as new areas for research such as problematic internet use, novel digital interventions, immunological therapies, pharmacogenetics and novel forms of psychotherapy are discussed.Peer reviewe