bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early development of decreased β‐cell insulin secretion in children and adolescents with hemoglobin H disease and its relationship with levels of anemia
Authors: Nakavachara Pairunyar , Kajchamaporn Worarat , Pooliam Julaporn , Viprakasit Vip
Published: December 2019

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) associated with iron overload has been reported among adults with transfusion‐dependent thalassemia and those with non‐transfusion‐dependent thalassemia (NTDT), especially in β‐thalassemia disease. However, little is known about glucose metabolism and how early its dysregulation can develop in α‐thalassemia hemoglobin H (Hb H) disease, which is one of the most common types of NTDT worldwide.

Procedure

We prospectively calculated glucose metabolism index in 40 patients (aged 10–25 years) with Hb H disease. Glucose metabolism data were compared between patients with deletional versus nondeletional Hb H, and between patients with normal versus abnormal insulin secretion/sensitivity.

Results

Despite normal glucose tolerance in all patients, 52.5% had abnormal insulinogenic index indicating decreased β‐cell insulin secretion. Patients with functional hemoglobin < 8 g/dL had significantly higher percentages of abnormal insulinogenic index. There was no significant difference in abnormal insulinogenic index between deletional and nondeletional Hb H.

Conclusion

Decreased β‐cell insulin secretion is highly prevalent among children and adolescents with Hb H disease, and it is associated with levels of functional anemia at baseline, but not with the type of Hb H disease. This result warrants heightened awareness among hematologists due to potentially increased risk of DM later in life.
Catheter‐directed thrombolysis for submassive pulmonary embolism in children: A case series
Authors: Belsky Jennifer , Warren Patrick , Stanek Joseph , Kumar Riten
Published: December 2019

Incidence of venous thromboembolism, including pulmonary embolism (PE), continues to rise in children. Optimum management of submassive PE is unclear. The principal objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the radiological and clinical outcomes in children with submassive PE treated with catheter‐directed thrombolysis (CDT). Five patients underwent six episodes of CDT. No patient developed major/clinically relevant non‐major bleeding. Most patients had complete radiological thrombus resolution and no patient had evidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. There is an urgent need for larger prospective cohort studies/randomized controlled trials to investigate the role of CDT in pediatric PE.
A survey of clarithromycin monotherapy and long‐term administration of ethambutol for patients with MAC lung disease in Japan: A retrospective cohort study using the database of health insurance claims
Authors: Iwao Tomohide , Kato Genta , Ito Isao , Aramaki Eiji , Kuroda Tomohiro
Published: December 2019

Background

The number of patients with nontuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTM) has increased exponentially in recent years. In Japan, approximately 88.8% of patients with NTM suffer from Mycobacterium avium‐intracellulare complex (MAC) lung disease. Incidence of MAC lung disease is increasing in particularly among the middle‐aged and elderly women owing to a rapid increase in nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.

General treatment for MAC lung disease is chemotherapy. The type of chemotherapy recommended by specialists to prevent the development of a drug‐resistant strain of the bacteria consists of a combination of clarithromycin (CAM), rifampicin, and ethambutol (EB). CAM monotherapy is contraindicated by specialists owing to its high potential to induce drug‐resistant bacterial strains in patients with MAC lung disease. In addition, administering EB at doses not less than 1000 mg d−1 is not recommended to avoid adverse drug reactions. However, it is unclear how much such treatment cases exist in real world clinical settings. This is because no long‐term investigation has been carried out.

Materials and Methods

This study investigated treatment with these drugs from 2005 to 2017, by studying 1135 patients with MAC lung disease based on health insurance claims database.

Results

Results showed that approximately 9.2% (101 cases) were prescribed long‐term CAM monotherapy for 3 months or longer and approximately 3.6% (18 cases) were prescribed high doses of EB.

Conclusion

CAM monotherapy over a long period of time is potentially detrimental to some patients. Better awareness of the types of treatments and their potential negative effects will be beneficial to clinical practitioners.
Buying better biosecurity: Plant‐buying behaviour and the implications for an accreditation scheme in the horticultural sector
Authors: Dunn Mike , Marzano Mariella , Forster Jack
Published: December 2019

Societal Impact Statement

The horticultural trade relies on healthy plants to flourish. However, its very nature means that it is also a key pathway for the introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases. These pests and diseases threaten horticultural stakeholders, and can also cause huge ecological and economic damage. A horticultural sector accreditation scheme, underpinned by best biosecurity practice, could help reduce these threats. Drawing on survey responses, this study examines the plant‐buying habits of UK consumers and their appetite for a horticulture accreditation scheme. We consider the necessary scope of such a scheme and outline how it could be made appealing to the plant‐buying public.

Summary

Movement of live plant material through the horticultural trade is a recurrent pathway for the introduction and spread of pests and diseases. An accreditation scheme underpinned by best biosecurity practice represents one approach to mitigating this risk. This research aims to determine whether an accreditation scheme would likely be supported by the public in the United Kingdom—a factor which would heavily influence its establishment and impact.

Consumer attitudes and behaviours were elicited through a survey of the UK's plant‐buying public (n = 1,500). The survey explored awareness of pests and diseases, the importance of biosecurity when making plant‐buying decisions (relative to other factors), and appetite for accredited products, including plants.

The sample exhibited limited awareness of plant pests and diseases and ascribed little importance to biosecurity during plant‐buying decisions. Instead, these decisions are influenced by “quality”—a factor also cited to explain consumers’ selection of (non‐horticultural) accredited goods over unaccredited varieties. Despite apparent support of a horticultural accreditation scheme's ideals, consumers expressed concern that accreditation could lead to more expensive products.

Public support for a scheme aiming to safeguard the wider environment from pests and diseases is unlikely to materialize without dedicated efforts to raise awareness by key influencers such as retailers. However, an assurance of high‐quality, healthy plants would increase a scheme's appeal. Furthermore, given the diversity of sources from which plants are obtained, any would‐be scheme must encompass a range of growers and sellers if it is to be widely considered by the plant‐buying public.
Analysis of Longitudinal‐Ordered Categorical Data for Muscle Spasm Adverse Event of Vismodegib: Comparison Between Different Pharmacometric Models
Authors: Lu Tong , Yang Yujie , Jin Jin Y. , Kågedal Matts
Published: December 2019

Longitudinal‐ordered categorical data, common in clinical trials, can be effectively analyzed with nonlinear mixed effect models. In this article, we systematically evaluated the performance of three different models in longitudinal muscle spasm adverse event (AE) data obtained from a clinical trial for vismodegib: a proportional odds (PO) model, a discrete‐time Markov model, and a continuous‐time Markov model. All models developed based on weekly spaced data can reasonably capture the proportion of AE grade over time; however, the PO model overpredicted the transition frequency between grades and the cumulative probability of AEs. The influence of data frequency (daily, weekly, or unevenly spaced) was also investigated. The PO model performance reduced with increased data frequency, and the discrete‐time Markov model failed to describe unevenly spaced data, but the continuous‐time Markov model performed consistently well. Clinical trial simulations were conducted to illustrate the muscle spasm resolution time profile during the 8‐week dose interruption period after 12 weeks of continuous treatment.
Output sign‐consensus of heterogeneous multiagent systems over fixed and switching signed graphs
Authors: Jiang Huidi , Zhang Hongwei
Published: December 2019

This paper investigates output sign‐consensus of multiagent systems over directed signed graphs. In signed graphs, the sign of each edge stands for either hostile interaction (associated with positive sign) or antagonistic interactions (associated with negative sign) among agents. Agent dynamics are heterogeneous, allowing coexistence of distinct agent dynamics in one group. Heterogeneity in this paper also implies that the states of different agents may have different dimensions, but their outputs should have the same dimension. Distributed control laws are designed for both fixed and switching graph topologies. For fixed topology, the graph is assumed to be eventually positive. For switching topology, the graph needs to be jointly eventually positive, which extends the well‐known concept of joint connectivity by taking dwell time into consideration.
In‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment in riverine ecosystems
Authors: Courtice Gregory , Naser Gholamreza
Published: December 2019

Construction activities within the wetted‐perimeter of rivers, referred to as in‐stream construction, are prevalent economically and environmentally motivated activities having direct interactions with sensitive lotic environments. Currently, there is a paucity of research related to in‐stream construction activities and their effects on aquatic ecosystems. In‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment may result in harmful effects to aquatic flora and fauna. Regulatory frameworks worldwide focus primarily on concentration, with limited consideration for duration and no consideration for spatial extents of suspended sediment exposures. This research develops theoretical concentration, duration, and spatial extent exposure risk relationships for riverine ecosystems to demonstrate the influence of each mechanism during typical in‐stream construction activities. To reduce exposure risk, concentration and duration may be considered pragmatically, based on anticipated activity characteristics and site conditions. Spatial exposure characteristics are important to consider, as illustrated by our finding that activities located near the channel centerline may result in greater exposure risk than similar activities conducted near the streambank. Current regulatory frameworks worldwide do not sufficiently consider all exposure risk mechanisms present during in‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment releases, possibly inhibiting efforts to reduce adverse environmental effects. This research improves our understanding of suspended sediment in lotic environments and may help environmental managers better evaluate and manage in‐stream construction activities.
Process‐based modelling of tributary mouth sandbar evolution in a high sediment‐load reservoir
Authors: Dou Shentang , Yu Xin , Zhang Junhua , Xie Weiming , Wang Wanzhan , Du Xiaokang
Published: December 2019

Sedimentation always leads to loss of reservoir storage. This is an important issue for reservoir management, particularly for reservoirs on the Yellow River. As a result of sedimentation, sandbars are frequently found at the mouth of tributaries in reservoirs. The evolution of a tributary mouth sandbar, including its formation and scouring, plays a key role in reservoir sedimentation. However, there are few effective numerical models reported in previous studies for tributary mouth sandbar evolution in reservoirs. In this study, we propose two modules for evolution processes of mouth sandbars: one for intrusion and sedimentation and the other for scouring process. Both modules coupled turbidity current, open‐channel flow, and flow exchanges between the main stream and tributaries. Field measurements and laboratory experiments with different set‐ups were used to test the capabilities of the two proposed modules. By coupling formation and scouring modules with a 2D morphodynamic model in reservoirs, we successfully built a novel numerical model to simulate the evolution processes of tributary mouth sandbars in reservoirs. A field‐scale application of the coupled model was undertaken to simulate evolution of tributary mouth sandbars in the Xiaolangdi Reservoir, Yellow River. The results indicate that the numerical model in this study is more practical than previous models and could provide great support for optimizing reservoir operation in other systems.
Tissue engineering strategies for human hair follicle regeneration: How far from a hairy goal?
Authors: Castro Ana Rita , Logarinho Elsa
Published: December 2019

The demand for an efficient therapy for alopecia disease has fueled the hair research field in recent decades. However, despite significant improvements in the knowledge of key processes of hair follicle biology such as genesis and cycling, translation into hair follicle replacement therapies has not occurred. Great expectation has been recently put on hair follicle bioengineering, which is based on the development of fully functional hair follicles with cycling activity from an expanded population of hair-inductive (trichogenic) cells. Most bioengineering approaches focus on in vitro reconstruction of folliculogenesis by manipulating key regulatory molecular/physical features of hair follicle growth/cycling in vivo. Despite their great potential, no cell-based product is clinically available for hair regeneration therapy to date. This is mainly due to demanding issues that still hinder the functionality of cultured human hair cells. The present review comprehensively compares emergent strategies using different cell sources and tissue engineering approaches, aiming to successfully achieve a clinical cure for hair loss. The hurdles of these strategies are discussed, as well as the future directions to overcome the obstacles and fulfill the promise of a “hairy” feat.

Significance statement Hair loss (alopecia) affects a growing number of people worldwide. Limited efficacy and side effects of current pharmacological and surgical treatments have fostered the search for alternative therapeutic solutions. Great expectation has been recently put on hair follicle bioengineering, which is based on the development of functional hair follicles from an expanded population of hair-inductive cells. However, human follicle neogenesis resorting to patient's cells was not successfully achieved yet. Based on recent advances in the field, this review on cell-based hair follicle tissue engineering systematically compiles the emerging strategies while disclosing the hurdles that still limit translation into the clinics.
An integer‐valued time series model for multivariate surveillance
Authors: Pedeli Xanthi , Karlis Dimitris
Published: December 2019

In recent days, different types of surveillance data are becoming available for public health purposes. In most cases, several variables are monitored and events of different types are reported. As the amount of surveillance data increases, statistical methods that can effectively address multivariate surveillance scenarios are demanded. Even though research activity in this field is increasing rapidly in recent years, only a few approaches have simultaneously addressed the integer‐valued property of the data and its correlation (both time correlation and cross‐correlation) structure. In this article, we suggest a multivariate integer‐valued autoregressive model that allows for both serial and cross‐correlations between the series and can easily accommodate overdispersion and covariate information. Moreover, its structure implies a natural decomposition into an endemic and an epidemic component, a common distinction in dynamic models for infectious disease counts. Detection of disease outbreaks is achieved through the comparison of surveillance data with one‐step‐ahead predictions obtained after fitting the suggested model to a set of clean historical data. The performance of the suggested model is illustrated on a trivariate series of syndromic surveillance data collected during Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Managing subjective well‐being of organic food consumers through sustainability orientation, environmental consciousness, and skepticism in Thailand: Mediating role of organic food consumption
Authors: Siriattakul Parinya , Thaiprayoon Khajornsak , Harakan Ahmad
Published: December 2019

Subjective well‐being of consumers is turned out to be a modern and the most important issue for green marketers. World's food policy which is mostly revolving around consumption of organic food is also making well‐being a center piece of all its discussions. This study has contributed by checking the impact of consumer sustainability orientation (CSO), skepticism and environmentally conscious purchase behavior (ECPB) on subjective well‐being of consumers in mediating role of organic food consumption. A quantitative methodology was adopted in which questionnaires were filled by 314 respondents of Thailand. Survey results have revealed that CSO, skepticism and ECPB have a significant impact on subjective well‐being of consumer and organic food consumption is also significantly mediating these relationships. No previous study has checked the mediating role of organic food consumption in Thailand's and respective variables’ setting. This study can be beneficial for organic food industry as it can generate potential benefits for consumers.
Healthcare 4.0: A review of frontiers in digital health
Authors: Jayaraman Prem Prakash , Forkan Abdur Rahim Mohammad , Morshed Ahsan , Haghighi Pari Delir , Kang Yong‐Bin
Published: December 2019

Healthcare 4.0 is a term that has emerged recently and derived from Industry 4.0. Today, the health care sector is more digital than in past decades; for example, spreading from x‐rays and magnetic resonance imaging to computed tomography and ultrasound scans to electric medical records. With the wide spectrum of digital technologies underpinning Healthcare 4.0 to deliver more effective and efficient health care services, in this article, we use the wisdom pyramid methodology to conduct a systematic review of current digital frontiers in Healthcare 4.0.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Computer Architectures for Data Mining

Application Areas > Health Care

Application Areas > Data Mining Software Tools

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Knowledge Representation
Divergence-conforming discontinuous Galerkin finite elements for Stokes eigenvalue problems
Authors: Gedicke Joscha , Khan Arbaz
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we present a divergence-conforming discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for Stokes eigenvalue problems. We prove a priori error estimates for the eigenvalue and eigenfunction errors and present a residual based a posteriori error estimator. The a posteriori error estimator is proven to be reliable and (locally) efficient. We finally present some numerical examples that verify the a priori convergence rates and the reliability and efficiency of the residual based a posteriori error estimator.
The effect of microsurgical training on novice medical students’ basic surgical skills—a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Almeland Stian Kreken , Lindford Andrew , Sundhagen Henriette Pisani , Hufthammer Karl Ove , Strandenes Eivind , Svendsen Henrik Løvendahl , Guttormsen Anne Berit , Hansson Emma
Published: December 2019

Background

It has been demonstrated that medical students are capable of learning microsurgical techniques. We hypothesize that microsurgical training might give insight into the importance of delicate tissue handling and correct knot tying that could have a positive influence on macrosurgical skills. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microsurgical training on macrosurgical suturing skills in novice medical students.

Subjects and methods

In 2018, 46 novice medical students were enrolled and randomized into two groups. The intervention group received both macro- and microsurgical training and the control group received only microsurgical training. Both groups underwent an assessment test that consisted of macrosurgical tasks of three simple interrupted sutures with a square knot and continuous three-stitch long over-and-over sutures. These tests were individually filmed and assessed using the University of Bergen suturing skills assessment tool (UBAT) and the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill global rating scale (OSATS). Questionnaires regarding future career ambitions and attitudes towards plastic surgery were also completed both prior to and following the tests.

Results

The intervention group needed a longer time to complete the tasks than the control group (12.2 min vs. 9.6 min,p > 0.001), and scored lower on both the UBAT (5.6 vs. 9.0,p > 0.001) and the OSATS (11.1 vs. 13.1,p > 0.001) assessments. The microsurgery course tended to positively influence the students’ attitudes towards a career in plastic surgery (p = 0.002). This study demonstrates poorer macrosurgical skills in the medical students group exposed to microsurgical training. The true effect of microsurgical training warrants further investigation.

Level of evidence: Level I, diagnostic study.
Prospective study on the effect of short-term androgen deprivation therapy on PSMA uptake evaluated with 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI in men with treatment-naïve prostate cancer
Authors: Ettala Otto , Malaspina Simona , Tuokkola Terhi , Luoto Pauliina , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Boström Peter J. , Kemppainen Jukka
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Based on in vitro studies, it is known that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) increases prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression. Therefore, we hypothesised that ADT improves the performance of PSMA-PET imaging in primary staging of prostate cancer. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the time course effect of ADT on PSMA uptake in different types of metastatic lesions evaluated with 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI.

Methods

Nine men with treatment-naïve prostate cancer were enrolled to a prospective, registered (NCT03313726) clinical trial. A 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI was performed once before and 3 times post-ADT (degarelix, Firmagon). Change of maximum standardised uptake values (SUVmax) in prostate, lymph nodes, bone metastases, and physiologically PSMA-avid organs were evaluated in a time frame of 1–8 weeks.

Results

All patients reached castration levels within 10 days, and 50% decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration was observed 14 days post-ADT. A heterogeneous increase in PSMA uptake was observed 3 to 4 weeks post-ADT. This phenomenon was definitively more evident in bone metastases: 13 (57%) of the metastasis, with a mean (range) SUVmax increase of 77% (8–238%). In one patient, already having bone metastases at baseline, three new bone metastases were observed post-ADT. Of lesions with reduced SUVmax, none disappeared.

Conclusions

Both in patient and region level, increase in PSMA uptake post-ADT is heterogenous and is seen most evidently in bone metastases. Preliminary results on a small cohort of patients suggest the clinical impact of ADT on improving the performance of 68Ga-PSMA PET in staging seems to be minor. However, the optimal imaging time point might be 3 to 4 weeks post-ADT. Since none of the metastases with decreasing SUVmax disappeared, it seems that short-term usage of ADT does not interfere with the interpretation of 68Ga-PSMA PET.

Trial registration

NCT03313726, registered 18 October 2017; EUDRA-CT, 2017-002345-29.
The effect of lanthanum carbonate on calciprotein particles in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nakamura Kimihiko , Nagata Yudai , Hiroyoshi Toshiya , Isoyama Naohito , Fujikawa Koki , Miura Yutaka , Matsuyama Hideyasu , Kuro-o Makoto
Published: December 2019

Background

Aggregation of solid-phase calcium–phosphate and fetuin-A form nanoparticles called calciprotein particles (CPP). Serum CPP levels are increased in CKD patients and correlated with vascular stiffness and calcification. In this study, we evaluated effects of lanthanum carbonate (LC) and calcium carbonate (CC) on serum CPP levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

Twenty-four (24) HD patients (50% men, age; 68 ± 12 years, dialysis period; 6.2 ± 4.8 years, Kt/v; 1.74 ± 0.34) were treated with CC during 0–8 weeks and then switched to LC during 9–16 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 8, 16 weeks. Serum CPP levels (TCPP) were measured by the gel-filtration method. Low-density CPP (LCPP) levels were determined by centrifuging the serum samples at 16,000 g for 2 h and measuring CPP levels in the supernatant. The difference between TCPP and LCPP was defined as the high-density CPP (HCPP) level. We evaluated association of TCPP, LCPP, and HCPP with serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), intact PTH, FGF23, Klotho, fetuin-A, aortic calcification index (ACI), LDL cholesterol, and hs-CRP.

Results

TCPP and LCPP levels were significantly decreased after switching CC to LC, whereas Ca and P levels were not changed. HCPP levels were below the lower limit quantification in all patients. The changes in P, Ca × P, LDL cholesterol, but not ACI and the changes in hs-CRP, were correlated with the change in TCPP levels.

Conclusion

The TCPP levels were significantly decreased after switching CC to LC. Non-calcium-containing phosphate binders may be preferable for lowering CPP levels.
Could robots strengthen the sense of autonomy of older people residing in assisted living facilities?—A future-oriented study
Authors: Pirhonen Jari , Melkas Helinä , Laitinen Arto , Pekkarinen Satu
Published: December 2019

There is an urge to introduce high technology and robotics in care settings. Assisted living (AL) is the fastest growing form of older adults’ long-term care. Resident autonomy has become the watchword for good care. This article sheds light on the potential effects of care robotics on the sense of autonomy of older people in AL. Three aspects of the residents’ sense of autonomy are of particular interest: (a) interaction-based sense of autonomy, (b) coping-based sense of autonomy, and (c) potential-based sense of autonomy. Ethnographical data on resident autonomy in an AL facility and existing literature on care robots are utilized in studying what kind of assurances different types of robots would provide to maintain the sense of autonomy in AL. Robots could strengthen the different types of sense of autonomy in multiple ways. Different types of robots could widen the residents’ space of daily movements, sustain their capacities, and help them maintain and even create future expectations. Robots may strengthen the sense of autonomy of older persons in AL; however, they may simultaneously pose a threat. Multi-professional discussions are needed on whether robots are welcomed in care, and if they are, how, for whom, and in what areas.
Phosphorus thresholds for bloom-forming cyanobacterial taxa in boreal lakes
Authors: Vuorio Kristiina , Järvinen Marko , Kotamäki Niina
Published: December 2019

Cyanobacteria may limit recreational use of waters and have negative impacts on ecosystem services. The aim of this study was to determine phosphorus (P) thresholds for cyanobacterial taxa, which form toxin-producing blooms (mass occurrences) in boreal lakes. These thresholds help to set robust P reduction targets for restoration measures. We used long-term (> 40 years) June–August data from > 2000 Finnish lakes to evaluate the total P (TP) thresholds for the most important bloom-forming cyanobacterial genera and selected Microcystis and Dolichospermum species. The analyses were carried out separately for oligohumic, mesohumic and polyhumic lakes. TP threshold values varied between 10 and 61 µg l−1. The values were lower in oligohumic (water colour < 30 mg Pt l−1) than mesohumic (water colour 30–90 mg Pt l−1) lakes. The highest TP threshold (50 µg l−1) was observed for Microcystis in polyhumic lakes, and the lowest (10 µg l−1) for Planktothrix in oligohumic lakes.
Logical Reasoning in Formal and Everyday Reasoning Tasks
Authors: Bronkhorst Hugo , Roorda Gerrit , Suhre Cor , Goedhart Martin
Published: December 2019

Logical reasoning is of great societal importance and, as stressed by the twenty-first century skills framework, also seen as a key aspect for the development of critical thinking. This study aims at exploring secondary school students’ logical reasoning strategies in formal reasoning and everyday reasoning tasks. With task-based interviews among 4 16- and 17-year-old pre-university students, we explored their reasoning strategies and the reasoning difficulties they encounter. In this article, we present results from linear ordering tasks, tasks with invalid syllogisms and a task with implicit reasoning in a newspaper article. The linear ordering tasks and the tasks with invalid syllogisms are presented formally (with symbols) and non-formally in ordinary language (without symbols). In tasks that were familiar to our students, they used rule-based reasoning strategies and provided correct answers although their initial interpretation differed. In tasks that were unfamiliar to our students, they almost always used informal interpretations and their answers were influenced by their own knowledge. When working on the newspaper article task, the students did not use strong formal schemes, which could have provided a clear overview. At the end of the article, we present a scheme showing which reasoning strategies are used by students in different types of tasks. This scheme might increase teachers’ awareness of the variety in reasoning strategies and can guide classroom discourse during courses on logical reasoning. We suggest that using suitable formalisations and visualisations might structure and improve students’ reasoning as well.
Improved graph-based SFA: information preservation complements the slowness principle
Authors: Escalante-B. Alberto N. , Wiskott Laurenz
Published: December 2019

Slow feature analysis (SFA) is an unsupervised learning algorithm that extracts slowly varying features from a multi-dimensional time series. SFA has been extended to supervised learning (classification and regression) by an algorithm called graph-based SFA (GSFA). GSFA relies on a particular graph structure to extract features that preserve label similarities. Processing of high dimensional input data (e.g., images) is feasible via hierarchical GSFA (HGSFA), resulting in a multi-layer neural network. Although HGSFA has useful properties, in this work we identify a shortcoming, namely, that HGSFA networks prematurely discard quickly varying but useful features before they reach higher layers, resulting in suboptimal global slowness and an under-exploited feature space. To counteract this shortcoming, which we call unnecessary information loss, we propose an extension called hierarchical information-preserving GSFA (HiGSFA), where some features fulfill a slowness objective and other features fulfill an information preservation objective. The efficacy of the extension is verified in three experiments: (1) an unsupervised setup where the input data is the visual stimuli of a simulated rat, (2) the localization of faces in image patches, and (3) the estimation of human age from facial photographs of the MORPH-II database. Both HiGSFA and HGSFA can learn multiple labels and offer a rich feature space, feed-forward training, and linear complexity in the number of samples and dimensions. However, the proposed algorithm, HiGSFA, outperforms HGSFA in terms of feature slowness, estimation accuracy, and input reconstruction, giving rise to a promising hierarchical supervised-learning approach. Moreover, for age estimation, HiGSFA achieves a mean absolute error of 3.41 years, which is a competitive performance for this challenging problem.
Spatial patterns in soil organic matter dynamics are shaped by mycorrhizosphere interactions in a treeline forest
Authors: Friggens Nina L. , Aspray Thomas J. , Parker Thomas C. , Subke Jens-Arne , Wookey Philip A.
Published: December 2019

Aims

In the Swedish sub-Arctic, mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) forests mediate rapid soil C cycling relative to adjacent tundra heaths, but little is known about the role of individual trees within forests. Here we investigate the spatial extent over which trees influence soil processes.

Methods

We measured respiration, soil C stocks, root and mycorrhizal productivity and fungi:bacteria ratios at fine spatial scales along 3 m transects extending radially from mountain birch trees in a sub-Arctic ecotone forest. Root and mycorrhizal productivity was quantified using in-growth techniques and fungi:bacteria ratios were determined by qPCR.

Results

Neither respiration, nor root and mycorrhizal production, varied along transects. Fungi:bacteria ratios, soil organic C stocks and standing litter declined with increasing distance from trees.

Conclusions

As 3 m is half the average size of forest gaps, these findings suggest that forest soil environments are efficiently explored by roots and associated mycorrhizal networks of B. pubescens. Individual trees exert influence substantially away from their base, creating more uniform distributions of root, mycorrhizal and bacterial activity than expected. However, overall rates of soil C accumulation do vary with distance from trees, with potential implications for spatio-temporal soil organic matter dynamics and net ecosystem C sequestration.
Promoting Mental Health in School—Young People from Scotland and Sweden Sharing Their Perspectives
Authors: Kostenius Catrine , Gabrielsson Sebastian , Lindgren Eva
Published: December 2019

The rate of mental ill health has increased among children and youth during the past decade in Scotland and Sweden. School is important in influencing both health and education. The starting point for health promotion in school involves those who are affected, the students. The aim of this study was to describe and understand how mental health can be promoted in school from the perspective of young people. A total of 14 Scottish and Swedish young people aged 15–21, 11 girls and 3 boys from 3 municipalities, participated in 4 focus groups. The phenomenological analysis resulted in one main theme: Everyone is being there for each other encompassing three themes without any relative order of precedence: being in a safe, inclusive, and well-informed space; meeting adults who are available, listening, and taking action; and feeling significant and being of significance to others. Based on these findings, we suggest the following aspects to be essential when aiming to promote mental health in schools: (1) value and appreciate young people’s experiences, (2) view everyone in school regardless of age or profession to be an important piece in the mental health promotion puzzle by adopting a “whole school approach,” (3) foster a listening culture that focuses on building enabling relationships, (4) promote health and learning simultaneously to increase health literacy, (5) educate about mental health to minimize stigma and increase confidence in taking appropriate action.
Neuroprotective Effects of Doxycycline in the R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Paldino Emanuela , Balducci Claudia , La Vitola Pietro , Artioli Luisa , D’Angelo Vincenza , Giampà Carmela , Artuso Vladimiro , Forloni Gianluigi , Fusco Francesca R.
Published: December 2019

Mechanisms of tissue damage in Huntington’s disease involve excitotoxicity, mitochondrial damage, and inflammation, including microglia activation. Immunomodulatory and anti-protein aggregation properties of tetracyclines were demonstrated in several disease models. In the present study, the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of the tetracycline doxycycline were investigated in the mouse model of HD disease R6/2. Transgenic mice were daily treated with doxycycline 20 mg/kg, starting from 4 weeks of age. After sacrifice, histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed. We found that doxycycline-treated R6/2 mice survived longer and displayed less severe signs of neurological dysfunction than the saline-treated ones. Primary outcome measures such as striatal atrophy, neuronal intranuclear inclusions, and the negative modulation of microglial reaction revealed a neuroprotective effect of the compound. Doxycycline provided a significantly increase of activated CREB and BDNF in the striatal neurons, along with a down modulation of neuroinflammation, which, combined, might explain the beneficial effects observed in this model. Our findings show that doxycycline treatment could be considered as a valid therapeutic approach for HD.
Phenotypic Characterization of Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio) with Partial Knockdown of the cacna1a Gene
Authors: Gawel Kinga , Turski Waldemar A. , van der Ent Wietske , Mathai Benan J. , Kirstein-Smardzewska Karolina J. , Simonsen Anne , Esguerra Camila V.
Published: December 2019

TheCACNA1Agene encodes the pore-forming α1 subunit of voltage-gated P/Q type Ca2+channels (Cav2.1). Mutations in this gene, among others, have been described in patients and rodents suffering from absence seizures and episodic ataxia type 2 with/without concomitant seizures. In this study, we aimed for the first time to assess phenotypic and behavioral alterations in larval zebrafish with partialcacna1aaknockdown, placing special emphasis on changes in epileptiform-like electrographic discharges in larval brains. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed expression ofcacna1aain the optic tectum and medulla oblongata of larval zebrafish at 4 and 5 days post-fertilization. Next, microinjection of two antisense morpholino oligomers (individually or in combination) targeting all splice variants ofcacna1aainto fertilized zebrafish eggs resulted in dose-dependent mortality and decreased or absent touch response. Over 90% knockdown ofcacna1aaon protein level induced epileptiform-like discharges in the optic tectum of larval zebrafish brains. Incubation of morphants with antiseizure drugs (sodium valproate, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, topiramate) significantly decreased the number and, in some cases, cumulative duration of epileptiform-like discharges. In this context, sodium valproate seemed to be the least effective. Carbamazepine did not affect the number and duration of epileptiform-like discharges. Altogether, our data indicate thatcacna1aaloss-of-function zebrafish may be considered a new model of absence epilepsy and may prove useful both for the investigation ofCacna1a-mediated epileptogenesis and for in vivo drug screening.
Decolorization of Rhodamine B dye by using multiwalled carbon nanotubes/Co–Ti oxides nanocomposite and Co–Ti oxides as photocatalysts
Authors: Zada Noor , Saeed Khalid , Khan Idrees
Published: December 2019

Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNTs)/Co–Ti oxide nanocomposites and neat Co–Ti oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction method. The scanning electron microscopy micrographs show that the bimetallic NPs in F-MWCNTs/Co–Ti are present in dispersed form while the neat Co–Ti nanoparticles were found in agglomerated form. The formation of nanocomposites and neat Co–Ti nanoparticles was also confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray. Both types of nanocomposites were employed as photocatalyst for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B in aqueous medium under UV light irradiation. The photodegradation study was performed via UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The photodegradation results show that F-MWCNTs/Co–Ti oxide NPs degraded about 93.35% dye within 150 min irradiation time while the neat Co–Ti oxide NPs degraded about 91.76% dye within same irradiation time. The F-MWCNTs/Co–Ti can be easily removed and recycled due to its bulky composite nature as compared to neat Co–Ti oxide NPs. The effect of dye concentration, catalyst dosage, pH of medium and activity of recycled catalyst was also evaluated.
K2Ti6O13 Nanoparticle-Loaded Porous rGO Crumples for Supercapacitors
Authors: Lee Chongmin , Kim Sun Kyung , Chang Hankwon , Jang Hee Dong
Published: December 2019

One-dimensional alkali metal titanates containing potassium, sodium, and lithium are of great concern owing to their high ion mobility and high specific surface area. When those titanates are combined with conductive materials such as graphene, carbon nanotube, and carbon nanofiber, they are able to be employed as efficient electrode materials for supercapacitors. Potassium hexa-titanate (K2Ti6O13, KTO), in particular, has shown superior electrochemical properties compared to other alkali metal titanates because of their large lattice parameters induced by the large radius of potassium ions. Here, we present porous rGO crumples (PGC) decorated with KTO nanoparticles (NPs) for application to supercapacitors. The KTO NP/PGC composites were synthesized by aerosol spray pyrolysis and post-heat treatment. KTO NPs less than 10 nm in diameter were loaded onto PGCs ranging from 3 to 5 µm. Enhanced porous structure of the composites was obtained by the activation of rGO by adding an excessive amount of KOH to the composites. The KTO NP/PGC composite electrodes fabricated at the GO/KOH/TiO2 ratio of 1:3:0.25 showed the highest performance (275 F g−1) in capacitance with different KOH concentrations and cycling stability (83%) after 2000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1.
Are essay mills committing fraud? A further analysis of their behaviours vs the 2006 fraud act (UK)
Authors: Draper Michael J. , Reid-Hutchings Callum
Published: December 2019

Many strategies have been proposed to address the supply of bespoke essays and other assignments by companies often described as ‘Essay Mills’ with the act of supply and use being invariably described as ‘contract cheating’. These proposals increasingly refer to the law as a solution in common with other action. In this article, the lead author revisits work undertaken in 2016 as a result of recent legal and extra-legal developments to assess whether the UK Fraud Act (2006) might now be used to tackle some of the activities of the companies involved, by comparing their common practises, and their Terms and Conditions, with the Act. It was previously found that all sites have disclaimers regarding the use of their products but there were some obvious contradictions in the activities of the sites which undermined those disclaimers, for example plagiarism-free guarantees for the work. In this article, we ask and consider the question whether this is still the case having regard to the impact of a change in the law by the UK supreme court and recent action of the UK Advertising Standards Authority. We also consider whether a call for a new offence to be created which specifically targets the undesirable behaviours of these companies is still justified.
Water as method: Explorations of locally situated environmental issues together with preschool children
Authors: Elkin Postila Teresa
Published: December 2019

The aim of this article is to show how water emerged as a research method nearby and within a small stream during a 9-month fieldwork carried out with preschool children. The fieldwork was informed and shaped by the preschool children’s and researcher’s situated knowledges and their questions about environmental issues concerning water, absence of water, pollution and ethics. The empirical material consists of films and photos, drawings and field notes, produced together by the preschool children and the researcher during the research. The analysis draws on relational ontology and the writings of Isabelle Stengers and Donna Haraway. The article concludes with a discussion about what can be learnt from the study and its contribution to research within the fields of Early Childhood Education and Environmental Education.
Regulating rude: Tensions between free speech and civility in academic employment
Authors: Cortina Lilia M. , Cortina Michael G. , Cortina José M.
Published: December 2019

This article addresses the tensions between calls for civility and rights to free speech in public academic employment. We begin by summarizing relevant organizational science on workplace incivility. Next come critical perspectives from other fields, asserting that civility appeals infringe on rights to freedom of expression. Following this is a review of key court decisions within the jurisprudence of free speech in the workplace, especially as it applies to academics. We also address the protections afforded by tenure and (at some institutions) unions. Bringing these streams of scholarship together, we expose predicaments faced by public universities seeking to cultivate safe and civil work environments while, at the same time, respecting faculty rights to free speech. We conclude by suggesting compromises between these conflicting aims that would allow organizations (in academia and beyond) to protect workforce dignity without infringing on the rights of reasonable people.
Work: What is it good for? (Absolutely nothing)—a critical theorist’s perspective
Authors: Mumby Dennis K.
Published: December 2019

The title of this focal article (unashamedly paraphrased from Edwin Starr’s classic 1970 antiwar song) is only partly intended to be tongue in cheek; work is a strange thing with a very checkered history. For the most part, it is something we take for granted. Most able-bodied adults work. Working hard is taken as a sign of being an upstanding citizen. Right wing politicians even insist that “government handouts” only be made available in exchange for participation in “workfare” programs. Moreover, work is not just something we do; over the last 100 years or so, it has become a defining, constitutive feature of who we are as human beings. Our very sense of identity and well-being is tied up with our relationship to work. It is no accident, after all, that the first question we ask a stranger is, “What do you do?” (and we are not asking about their hobbies); we see this question as a way of taking the measure of that person.
CEO Values, Firm Long-Term Orientation, and Firm Innovation: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Zheng Wei , Shen Rui , Zhong Weiguo , Lu Jiangyong
Published: December 2019

Innovation contributes to a firm's long-term competitive advantages but also involves significant risk and uncertainty. As agency theory predicts, CEOs are self-interested and risk-averse, and thus are reluctant to engage in innovation investments. However, the extent to which CEOs are self-interested and the mechanisms through which self-interested CEOs affect firm innovation have not been empirically tested. To fill this gap, we propose that CEOs possess a mix of both self-preserving and other-regarding motives, and build a mediation model in which CEO values affect firm innovation via firms’ long-term orientation. Based on a three-phase (from 2014 to 2016) survey of 436 Chinese manufacturing firms, we find that CEOs with high self-regarding values reduce innovation efforts and performance by damaging a firm's long-term orientation. Moreover, CEO tenure, CEO duality, and environmental uncertainty weaken the relationship between CEO values and firm innovation via long-term orientation. Our study enriches the innovation literature by extending the basic assumptions of agency theory and by providing empirical evidence to determine whether and how self-regarded CEOs affect firm innovation.