bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Navigating the Uncharted Waters of a Lifestyle Medicine Fellowship
Authors: Shull Jeni A.
Published: April 2017

Lifestyle medicine (LM) is now recognized as a first-line treatment and disease reversal program for many chronic diseases. More providers are encouraged to prescribe lifestyle treatments, yet lack of training, inadequate time, and poor reimbursement hinder many physicians from actually following through, and few LM specialists are available for counsel or referral. With great strides in resolving these dilemmas, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine has created standards and competencies, and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine will be holding its first exam for certification in LM in October 2017. Still no residency or fellowship program exists to train providers to become LM specialists. This article describes one physician’s journey through an unaccredited fellowship in lifestyle medicine at Black Hills Health and Education Center under Dr John Kelly, founding president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Highlighting the differences of her lifestyle medicine training from her prior primary care and preventive medicine training, the author advocates for the formation of an accredited LM training program in intensive lifestyle medicine interventions.
Inadequacy of ethical conduct and reporting of stepped wedge cluster randomized trials: Results from a systematic review
Authors: Taljaard Monica , Hemming Karla , Shah Lena , Giraudeau Bruno , Grimshaw Jeremy M , Weijer Charles
Published: April 2017

Background/aims

The use of the stepped wedge cluster randomized design is rapidly increasing. This design is commonly used to evaluate health policy and service delivery interventions. Stepped wedge cluster randomized trials have unique characteristics that complicate their ethical interpretation. The 2012 Ottawa Statement provides comprehensive guidance on the ethical design and conduct of cluster randomized trials, and the 2010 CONSORT extension for cluster randomized trials provides guidelines for reporting. Our aims were to assess the adequacy of the ethical conduct and reporting of stepped wedge trials to date, focusing on research ethics review and informed consent.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of stepped wedge cluster randomized trials in health research published up to 2014 in English language journals. We extracted details of study intervention and data collection procedures, as well as reporting of research ethics review and informed consent. Two reviewers independently extracted data from each trial; discrepancies were resolved through discussion. We identified the presence of any research participants at the cluster level and the individual level. We assessed ethical conduct by tabulating reporting of research ethics review and informed consent against the presence of research participants.

Results

Of 32 identified stepped wedge trials, only 24 (75%) reported review by a research ethics committee, and only 16 (50%) reported informed consent from any research participants—yet, all trials included research participants at some level. In the subgroup of 20 trials with research participants at cluster level, only 4 (20%) reported informed consent from such participants; in 26 trials with individual-level research participants, only 15 (58%) reported their informed consent. Interventions (regardless of whether targeting cluster- or individual-level participants) were delivered at the group level in more than two-thirds of trials; nine trials (28%) had no identifiable data collected from any research participants. Overall, only three trials (9%) indicated that a waiver of consent had been granted by a research ethics committee. When considering the combined requirement of research ethics review and informed consent (or a waiver), only one in three studies were compliant.

Conclusion

The ethical conduct and reporting of key ethical protections in stepped wedge trials, namely, research ethics review and informed consent, are inadequate. We recommend that stepped wedge trials be classified as research and reviewed and approved by a research ethics committee. We also recommend that researchers appropriately identify research participants (which may include health professionals), seek informed consent or appeal to an ethics committee for a waiver of consent, and include explicit details of research ethics approval and informed consent in the trial report.
Increasing response rates to follow-up questionnaires in health intervention research: Randomized controlled trial of a gift card prize incentive
Authors: Morgan Amy J , Rapee Ronald M , Bayer Jordana K
Published: April 2017

Background/aims

Achieving a high response rate to follow-up questionnaires in randomized controlled trials of interventions is important for study validity. Few studies have tested the value of incentives in increasing response rates to online questionnaires in clinical trials of health interventions. This study evaluated the effect of a gift card prize-draw incentive on response rates to follow-up questionnaires within a trial of an online health intervention.

Method

The study was embedded in a host randomized controlled trial of an online parenting program for child anxiety. A total of 433 participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups: (1) being informed that they would enter a gift card prize-draw if they completed the final study questionnaire (24-week follow-up) and (2) not informed about the prize-draw. All participants had a 1 in 20 chance of winning an AUD50 gift card after they completed the online questionnaire.

Results

The odds of the informed group completing the follow-up questionnaire were significantly higher than the uninformed group, (79.6% vs 68.5%, odds ratio = 1.79, 95% confidence interval = 1.15–2.79). This response rate increase of 11.1% (95% confidence interval = 2.8–19.1) occurred in both intervention and control groups in the host randomized controlled trial. The incentive was also effective in increasing questionnaire commencement (84.6% vs 75.9%, odds ratio = 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–2.84) and reducing the delay in completing the questionnaire (19.9 vs 22.6 days, hazard ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–1.67).

Conclusion

This study adds to evidence for the effectiveness of incentives to increase response rates to follow-up questionnaires in health intervention trials.
The use of social media by arthritis health professionals to disseminate a self-management program to patients: A feasibility study
Authors: De Angelis Gino , Davies Barbara , King Judy , Wells George A , Brosseau Lucie
Published: April 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of Facebook as a dissemination strategy for the People Getting a Grip on Arthritis self-management program by arthritis health professionals to their patients.

Methods

The feasibility study comprised a single arm, pre-post design that included a convenience sample of 78 arthritis health professionals across Canada. Assessments were performed at baseline, two-weeks post-intervention, and at three-months follow-up using online questionnaires. The primary outcome measure was change in perceived usability of Facebook as a dissemination strategy for the People Getting a Grip on Arthritis program with patients at two-weeks post-intervention using an instrument based on an extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model 2. Comparisons with baseline were assessed using t-test analyses.

Results

Statistically significant improvements from baseline were seen for all items of the Technology Acceptance Model 2 domains: perceived ease of use (four items), intention to use (two items) and output quality (two items) domains. Variable results were seen for the job relevance, perceived usefulness, voluntariness, and result demonstrability domains of the Technology Acceptance Model 2. There were no statistically significant improvements for the subjective norm and image domains.

Conclusions

Facebook may provide arthritis health professionals with an additional option of how to best share evidence-based information to allow their patients to successfully self-manage their arthritis.
Employee Silence and Silence Antecedents: A Theoretical Classification
Authors: Chou Shih Yung , Chang Tree
Published: April 2017

Given the pervasiveness of employee silence, this article explores different forms of employee silence and silence antecedents. In particular, this article classifies employee silence using two dimensions: the target’s solicitation and the employee’s decision basis of conscious silence desirability. Drawing on relevant literature, it is proposed that employee silence can be classified into three distinct forms: unsolicited predetermined employee silence, unsolicited issue-based employee silence, and solicited target-based employee silence. When considering antecedents of employee silence, we claim that unsolicited predetermined employee silence is an outcome of personality traits, that unsolicited issue-based employee silence is triggered by functional motives, and that solicited target-based employee silence is determined by social relationships and relational experiences. By investigating forms of employee silence, this article provides important implications for theory and managerial practice.
Relationships between the Public and Crimmigration Entities in North Carolina: A 287(g) Program Focus
Authors: Arriaga Felicia
Published: April 2017

How does local law enforcement, with the aid of city and county governments, respond to racialized immigrant threat through policy implementation, namely, through adoption of intergovernmental agreements? More specifically, how is this response tailored for Latino immigrant communities, particularly in new destination communities? Across the country, scholars, activists, and politicians note the increasing use of local law enforcement to implement federal immigration enforcement measures through intergovernmental agreements, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on the Latino, more specifically the foreign-born Mexican, population. One such intergovernmental partnership is the 287(g) agreement between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Yet little is known about the process through which counties adopt, implement, and maintain such intergovernmental partnerships and the state actors that make it all possible.
Improved outcomes for myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome: a report from the Children’s Oncology Group AAML0431 trial
Authors: Taub Jeffrey W. , Berman Jason N. , Hitzler Johann K. , Sorrell April D. , Lacayo Norman J. , Mast Kelley , Head David , Raimondi Susana , Hirsch Betsy , Ge Yubin , Gerbing Robert B. , Wang Yi-Cheng , Alonzo Todd A. , Campana Dario , Coustan-Smith Elaine , Mathew Prasad , Gamis Alan S.
Published: April 2017

Publisher's Note: There is an Inside Blood Commentary on this article in this issue.
Direct evidence for a polygenic etiology in familial multiple myeloma
Authors: Halvarsson Britt-Marie , Wihlborg Anna-Karin , Ali Mina , Lemonakis Konstantinos , Johnsson Ellinor , Niroula Abhishek , Cibulskis Carrie , Weinhold Niels , Försti Asta , Alici Evren , Langer Christian , Pfreundschuh Michael , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Mellqvist Ulf-Henrik , Turesson Ingemar , Waage Anders , Hemminki Kari , Golub Todd , Nahi Hareth , Gullberg Urban , Hansson Markus , Nilsson Björn
Published: April 2017

Key Points

Although common risk alleles for multiple myeloma have been identified, their contribution to familial MM is unknown. We demonstrate an enrichment of common MM risk alleles in familial cases, providing the first direct evidence for a polygenic contribution.
4-D light field reconstruction by irradiance decomposition
Authors: Aoto Takahito , Sato Tomokazu , Mukaigawa Yasuhiro , Yokoya Naokazu
Published: April 2017

Common light sources such as an ordinary flashlight with lenses and/or reflectors make complex 4-D light field that cannot be represented by conventional isotropic distribution model nor point light source model. This paper describes a new approach to estimate 4-D light field using an illuminated diffuser. Unlike conventional works that capture a 4-D light field directly, our method decomposes observed intensities on the diffuser into intensities of 4-D light rays based on inverse rendering technique with prior knowledge. We formulate 4-D light field reconstruction problem as a non-smooth convex optimization problem for mathematically finding the global minimum.
Investigating the Relationship between Instructors’ Use of Active-Learning Strategies and Students’ Conceptual Understanding and Affective Changes in Introductory Biology: A Comparison of Two Active-Learning Environments
Authors: Cleveland Lacy M. , Olimpo Jeffrey T. , DeChenne-Peters Sue Ellen
Published: April 2017

In response to calls for reform in undergraduate biology education, we conducted research examining how varying active-learning strategies impacted students’ conceptual understanding, attitudes, and motivation in two sections of a large-lecture introductory cell and molecular biology course. Using a quasi-experimental design, we collected quantitative data to compare participants’ conceptual understanding, attitudes, and motivation in the biological sciences across two contexts that employed different active-learning strategies and that were facilitated by unique instructors. Students participated in either graphic organizer/worksheet activities or clicker-based case studies. After controlling for demographic and presemester affective differences, we found that students in both active-learning environments displayed similar and significant learning gains. In terms of attitudinal and motivational data, significant differences were observed for two attitudinal measures. Specifically, those students who had participated in graphic organizer/worksheet activities demonstrated more expert-like attitudes related to their enjoyment of biology and ability to make real-world connections. However, all motivational and most attitudinal data were not significantly different between the students in the two learning environments. These data reinforce the notion that active learning is associated with conceptual change and suggests that more research is needed to examine the differential effects of varying active-learning strategies on students’ attitudes and motivation in the domain.
Fluid shear-induced cathepsin B release in the control of Mac1-dependent neutrophil adhesion
Authors: Akenhead Michael L , Fukuda Shunichi , Schmid-Schoünbein Geert W , Shin Hainsworth Y
Published: April 2017

There is compelling evidence that circulatory hemodynamics prevent neutrophil activation, including adhesion to microvessels, in the microcirculation. However, the underlying mechanism or mechanisms by which that mechanoregulation occurs remain unresolved. Here, we report evidence that exposure to fluid shear stress (FSS) promotes neutrophils to release cathepsin B (ctsB) and that this autocrine regulatory event is antiadhesive for neutrophils on endothelial surfaces through Mac1-selective regulation. We used a combined cell-engineering and immunocytochemistry approach to find that ctsB was capable of cleaving Mac1 integrins on neutrophils and demonstrated that this proteolysis alters their adhesive functions. Under no-flow conditions, ctsB enhanced neutrophil migration though a putative effect on pseudopod retraction rates. We also established a flow-based cell detachment assay to verify the role of ctsB in the control of neutrophil adhesion by fluid flow stimulation. Fluid flow promoted neutrophil detachment from platelet and endothelial layers that required ctsB, consistent with its fluid shear stress–induced release. Notably, compared with leukocytes from wild-type mice, those from ctsB-deficient (ctsB−/−) mice exhibited an impaired CD18 cleavage response to FSS, significantly elevated baseline levels of CD18 surface expression, and an enhanced adhesive capacity to mildly inflamed postcapillary venules. Taken together, the results of the present study support a role for ctsB in a hemodynamic control mechanism that is antiadhesive for leukocytes on endothelium. These results have implications in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and cardiovascular diseases involving sustained neutrophil activation in the blood and microcirculation.
IL-4Rα on dendritic cells in neonates and Th2 immunopathology in respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Shrestha Bishwas , You Dahui , Saravia Jordy , Siefker David T , Jaligama Sridhar , Lee Greg I , Sallam Asmaa A , Harding Jeffrey N , Cormier Stephania A
Published: April 2017

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of bronchiolitis in children, and severe RSV infection early in life has been associated with asthma development. Using a neonatal mouse model, we have shown that down-regulation of IL-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα) with antisense oligonucleotides in the lung during neonatal infection protected from RSV immunopathophysiology. Significant down-regulation of IL-4Rα was observed on pulmonary CD11b+ myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) suggesting a role for IL-4Rα on mDCs in the immunopathogenesis of neonatal RSV infection. Here, we demonstrated that neonatal CD11b+ mDCs expressed higher levels of IL-4Rα than their adult counterparts. Because CD11b+ mDCs mainly present antigens to CD4+ T cells, we hypothesized that increased expression of IL-4Rα on neonatal CD11b+ mDCs was responsible for Th2 - biased RSV immunopathophysiology. Indeed, when IL-4Rα was selectively deleted from CD11b+ mDCs, the immunopathophysiology typically observed following RSV reinfection was ablated, including Th2 inflammation, airway-mucus hyperproduction, and pulmonary dysfunction. Further, overexpression of IL-4Rα on adult CD11b+ DCs and their adoptive transfer into adult mice was able to recapitulate the Th2-biased RSV immunopathology typically observed only in neonates infected with RSV. IL-4Rα levels on CD11c+ cells were inversely correlated with maturation status of CD11b+ mDCs upon RSV infection. Our data demonstrate that developmentally regulated IL-4Rα expression is critical for the maturity of pulmonary CD11b+ mDCs and the Th2-biased immunopathogenesis of neonatal RSV infection.
Exploiting tumor-associated dendritic cell heterogeneity for novel cancer therapies
Authors: Keirsse Jiri , Van Damme Helena , Van Ginderachter Jo A , Laoui Damya
Published: April 2017

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized APCs present in all tissues, including tumors. They play a major role in orchestrating immune responses and were shown to occur in various functional states in tumors. In this respect, immunogenic tumor-associated DCs (TADCs) are required to initiate and sustain T cell-dependent anti-cancer immunity, whereas regulatory TADCs harbor robust immunosuppressive potential and accelerate malignant growth. Importantly, the heterogeneity of the DC compartment in tumors has been dissected recently in murine and human cancers and was shown to consist of developmentally distinct subsets, including conventional DC (cDC)1, cDC2, and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs). TADCs constitute an essential target in efforts to generate therapeutic immunity against cancer, and the understanding of the complexity of the TADC heterogeneity might prove important for therapeutic interventions targeted at specific TADC subsets or their precursors. Hence, this review addresses the differential functional specializations of ontogenically distinct TADC subsets.
Estimating saturation and density changes caused by CO2 injection at Sleipner — Using time-lapse seismic amplitude-variation-with-offset and time-lapse gravity
Authors: Landrø Martin , Zumberge Mark
Published: April 2017

We have developed a calibrated, simple time-lapse seismic method for estimating saturation changes from the [Formula: see text]-storage project at Sleipner offshore Norway. This seismic method works well to map changes when [Formula: see text] is migrating laterally away from the injection point. However, it is challenging to detect changes occurring below [Formula: see text] layers that have already been charged by some [Formula: see text]. Not only is this partly caused by the seismic shadow effects, but also by the fact that the velocity sensitivity for [Formula: see text] change in saturation from 0.3 to 1.0 is significantly less than saturation changes from zero to 0.3. To circumvent the seismic shadow zone problem, we combine the time-lapse seismic method with time-lapse gravity measurements. This is done by a simple forward modeling of gravity changes based on the seismically derived saturation changes, letting these saturation changes be scaled by an arbitrary constant and then by minimizing the least-squares error to obtain the best fit between the scaled saturation changes and the measured time-lapse gravity data. In this way, we are able to exploit the complementary properties of time-lapse seismic and gravity data.
Characterization of Drosophila saposin-related mutants as a model for lysosomal sphingolipid storage diseases
Authors: Sellin Julia , Schulze Heike , Paradis Marie , Gosejacob Dominic , Papan Cyrus , Shevchenko Andrej , Psathaki Olympia Ekaterina , Paululat Achim , Thielisch Melanie , Sandhoff Konrad , Hoch Michael
Published: April 2017

Sphingolipidoses are inherited diseases belonging to the class of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), which are characterized by the accumulation of indigestible material in the lysosome caused by specific defects in the lysosomal degradation machinery. While some LSDs can be efficiently treated by enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), this is not possible if the nervous system is affected due to the presence of the blood brain barrier. Sphingolipidoses in particular often present as severe, untreatable forms of LSDs with massive sphingolipid and membrane accumulation in lysosomes, neurodegeneration, and very short life expectancy. The digestion of intra-lumenal membranes within lysosomes is facilitated by lysosomal sphingolipid activator proteins (saposins), which are cleaved from a Prosaposin precursor. prosaposin mutations cause some of the severest forms of sphingolipidoses, and are associated with perinatal lethality in mice, hampering studies on disease progression.

We identify the Drosophila Prosaposin orthologue Saposin-related (Sap-r) as a key regulator of lysosomal lipid homeostasis in the fly. Its mutation leads to a typical spingolipidosis phenotype with enlarged endo-lysosomal compartment and sphingolipid accumulation as shown by mass spectrometry and thin layer chromatography. sap-r mutants show reduced viability with ∼50% adult survivors, allowing us to study progressive neurodegeneration and analyze their lipid profile in young and aged flies. Additionally, we observe a defect in sterol homeostasis with local sterol depletion at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, we find that autophagy is increased, resulting in the accumulation of mitochondria in lysosomes, concomitant with increased oxidative stress. Together, we establish Drosophila sap-r mutants as a lysosomal storage disease model suitable for studying the age-dependent progression of lysosomal dysfunction associated with lipid accumulation and the resulting pathological signaling events.
The MgcRacGAP SxIP motif tethers Centralspindlin to microtubule plus ends in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Breznau Elaina B. , Murt Megan , Blasius T. Lynne , Verhey Kristen J. , Miller Ann L.
Published: April 2017

Centralspindlin, a complex of the kinesin-6-family member MKLP1 and MgcRacGAP (also known as Kif23 and Racgap1, respectively), is required for cytokinesis and cell–cell junctions. During anaphase, Centralspindlin accumulates at overlapping central spindle microtubules and directs contractile ring formation by recruiting the GEF Ect2 to the cell equator to activate RhoA. We found that MgcRacGAP localized to the plus ends of equatorial astral microtubules during cytokinesis in Xenopus laevis embryos. How MgcRacGAP is stabilized at microtubule plus ends is unknown. We identified an SxIP motif in X. laevis MgcRacGAP that is conserved with other proteins that bind to EB1 (also known as Mapre1), a microtubule plus-end tracking protein. Mutation of the SxIP motif in MgcRacGAP resulted in loss of MgcRacGAP tracking with EB3 (also known as Mapre3) on growing microtubule plus ends, abnormal astral microtubule organization, redistribution of MgcRacGAP from the contractile ring to the polar cell cortex, and mislocalization of RhoA and its downstream targets, which together contributed to severe cytokinesis defects. Furthermore, mutation of the MgcRacGAP SxIP motif perturbed adherens junctions. We propose that the MgcRacGAP SxIP motif is functionally important both for its role in regulating adherens junction structure during interphase and for regulating Rho GTPase activity during cytokinesis.
TSSK6 is required for γH2AX formation and the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis
Authors: Jha Kula N. , Tripurani Swamy K. , Johnson Gibbes R.
Published: April 2017

Spermiogenesis includes transcriptional silencing, chromatin condensation and extensive morphological changes as spermatids transform into sperm. Chromatin condensation involves histone hyperacetylation, transitory DNA breaks, histone H2AX (also known as H2AFX) phosphorylation at Ser139 (γH2AX), and replacement of histones by protamines. Previously, we have reported that the spermatid protein kinase TSSK6 is essential for fertility in mice, but its specific role in spermiogenesis is unknown. Here, we show that TSSK6 expression is spatiotemporally coincident with γH2AX formation in the nuclei of developing mouse spermatids. RNA-sequencing analysis demonstrates that genetic ablation of Tssk6 does not impact gene expression or silencing in spermatids. However, loss of TSSK6 blocks γH2AX formation, even though the timing and level of the transient DNA breaks is unaltered. Further, Tssk6-knockout sperm contained increased levels of histones H3 and H4, and protamine 2 precursor and intermediate(s) indicative of a defective histone-to-protamine transition. These results demonstrate that TSSK6 is required for γH2AX formation during spermiogenesis, and also link γH2AX to the histone-to-protamine transition and male fertility.
Microtubule organization within mitotic spindles revealed by serial block face scanning electron microscopy and image analysis
Authors: Nixon Faye M. , Honnor Thomas R. , Clarke Nicholas I. , Starling Georgina P. , Beckett Alison J. , Johansen Adam M. , Brettschneider Julia A. , Prior Ian A. , Royle Stephen J.
Published: April 2017

Serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) is a powerful method to analyze cells in 3D. Here, working at the resolution limit of the method, we describe a correlative light–SBF-SEM workflow to resolve microtubules of the mitotic spindle in human cells. We present four examples of uses for this workflow that are not practical by light microscopy and/or transmission electron microscopy. First, distinguishing closely associated microtubules within K-fibers; second, resolving bridging fibers in the mitotic spindle; third, visualizing membranes in mitotic cells, relative to the spindle apparatus; and fourth, volumetric analysis of kinetochores. Our workflow also includes new computational tools for exploring the spatial arrangement of microtubules within the mitotic spindle. We use these tools to show that microtubule order in mitotic spindles is sensitive to the level of TACC3 on the spindle.
Structure of a SMG8–SMG9 complex identifies a G-domain heterodimer in the NMD effector proteins
Authors: Li Liang , Lingaraju Mahesh , Basquin Claire , Basquin Jérome , Conti Elena
Published: April 2017

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a eukaryotic mRNA degradation pathway involved in surveillance and post-transcriptional regulation, and executed by the concerted action of several trans-acting factors. The SMG1 kinase is an essential NMD factor in metazoans and is associated with two recently identified and yet poorly characterized proteins, SMG8 and SMG9. We determined the 2.5 Å resolution crystal structure of a SMG8–SMG9 core complex from C. elegans. We found that SMG8–SMG9 is a G-domain heterodimer with architectural similarities to the dynamin-like family of GTPases such as Atlastin and GBP1. The SMG8–SMG9 heterodimer forms in the absence of nucleotides, with interactions conserved from worms to humans. Nucleotide binding occurs at the G domain of SMG9 but not of SMG8. Fitting the GDP-bound SMG8–SMG9 structure in EM densities of the human SMG1–SMG8–SMG9 complex raises the possibility that the nucleotide site of SMG9 faces SMG1 and could impact the kinase conformation and/or regulation.
Integrating Social Determinants of Health into Primary Care Clinical and
Informational Workflow during Care Transitions
Authors: Hewner Sharon , Casucci Sabrina , Sullivan Suzanne , Mistretta Francine , Xue Yuqing , Johnson Barbara , Pratt Rebekah , Lin Li , FOX Chet
Published: April 2017

Context: Care continuity during transitions between the hospital and home requires
reliable communication between providers and settings and an understanding of social
determinants that influence recovery.Case Description: The coordinating transitions
intervention uses real time alerts, delivered directly to the primary care practice for
complex chronically ill patients discharged from an acute care setting, to facilitate
nurse care coordinator led telephone outreach. The intervention incorporates
claims-based risk stratification to prioritize patients for follow-up and an assessment
of social determinants of health using the Patient-centered Assessment Method (PCAM).
Results from transitional care are stored and transmitted to qualified healthcare
providers across the continuum.Findings: Reliance on tools that incorporated
interoperability standards facilitated exchange of health information between the
hospital and primary care. The PCAM was incorporated into both the clinical and
informational workflow through the collaboration of clinical, industry, and academic
partners. Health outcomes improved at the study practice over their baseline and in
comparison with control practices and the regional Medicaid population.Major
Themes: Current research supports the potential impact of systems approaches to care
coordination in improving utilization value after discharge. The project demonstrated
that flexibility in developing the informational and clinical workflow was critical in
developing a solution that improved continuity during transitions. There is additional
work needed in developing managerial continuity across settings such as shared
comprehensive care plans.Conclusions: New clinical and informational workflows which
incorporate social determinant of health data into standard practice transformed
clinical practice and improved outcomes for patients.
A qualitative study about enriching programming and algorithm teaching with flipped classroom approach
Authors: Özyurt Özcan , Özyurt Hacer
Published: April 2017

This study aims to detect the students' views about enriching programming and algorithm teaching with flipped classroom approach. The study was conducted with freshman students in Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Technology; Software Engineering Department in fall semester of 2015-2016 academic year. Qualitative research method was used in this study. Semi-structured interview form, which was developed by the researchers, was used as data collecting tool. The study was carried out with the participation of 94 students in the scope of Introduction to Programing and Algorithm course during 14 weeks and this course was designed and carried out in accordance with flipped classroom approach. At the end of the semester, interviews were held with 32 voluntary students among the students taking the course. The data analyzed through content analysis. According to the results of the study, majority of the students expressed positive views about the flipped classroom approach. With regard to the findings of the study, it can be said that flipped classroom approach can be used effectively in programming and coding based courses.
Investigating the effects of personality traits on cyberbullying
Authors: Semerci Ali
Published: April 2017

Cyberbullying is a complicated and multifaceted phenomenon especially among youngsters, thus understanding the determinants of cyberbullying is prominent to explain what causes youngsters experience cyberbullying. Since little is known about the link between personality traits and cyberbullying, the current study aimed to explore the effects of vocational high school students' personality traits on their cyberbullying behaviors. In this regard, "Cyber victim/bully Scale", and "Adjective Based Personality Scale" were administered to 246 participant students. A structural regression model was developed with predictor variables and tested to see the effects of personality traits on cyberbullying. The goodness of fit indices indicated acceptable fitness (Ï‡2/df:2.63, RMSEA: .08, GFI: .55, AGFI: .53, CFI: .61, IFI: .61). The results illustrated that openness is the strongest significant predictor of both cyberbullying (R2=-.83, p<.05) and being bullied (R2=-.77, p<.05). Yet another significant but positive predictor of cyberbully is extroversion (R2=.54, p<.05). However, the weakest positive significant predictor of cyberbully is agreeableness (R2=.14, p<.05). In addition to openness, conscientiousness was also found to be another significant predictor of being bullied (R2=.64, p<.05). Surprisingly, neuroticism has no significant effect on cyberbullying and being bullied.
Organizational flexibility of Turkish universities: Evaluations in the institutional reports of European University Association
Authors: Uslu Barış
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this research is to examine the level of organizational flexibility in Turkish universities. The institutional evaluation reports of the European University Association (EUA) related to Turkish universities were used as the data sources. The EUA's reports of 14 universities were selected by taking the locations and dates of their reports into consideration. The research was then designed in a case study pattern, as a qualitative inquiry. During the analysis of the EUA's reports, descriptive thematic analysis was carried out. According to the findings, it can be said that the general level of organizational flexibility in Turkish public universities is not high, as in their institutional autonomy level calculated by the EUA. It seems that financial autonomy initiates the formation of strategy flexibility in universities, and conformable rules and regulations of national higher education provide room to universities for precept and managerial flexibility. The stronger organizational flexibility will then provide a greater university autonomy in terms of financial, managerial, employment, and academic autonomy. Based on these results, several recommendations are proposed to higher education policy makers, as well as to university managers in Turkey.
Developing a typology of mobile apps in Higher Education: A national case-study
Authors: Pechenkina Ekaterina
Published: April 2017

Mobile applications (apps) are used in higher education (HE) in a variety of ways, including as learning tools, study organisers, for marketing, and recruitment of new students. Purposed with easing student transition into university life, organiser apps have a capacity to assist students with various aspects of university experience, freeing up time and energy for study, while apps used as learning tools can help students solidify the content of lectures, self-test their knowledge of the subject, and collaborate with peers. Despite the proliferation of HE apps, there is still no systematic understanding of this field, with a number of important questions remaining unanswered, such as what types of apps are most commonly found in HE, what their complex uses are, and how their affordances and functionalities are deployed by universities and students. This study addresses this gap. After analysing 177 apps affiliated with Australian universities, a typology of HE apps is proposed. Study management and navigation apps emerge as the most common types of apps offered to students, with augmented and/or virtual reality apps forming another key category. New insights are offered pertaining to the complex terrain of HE mobile apps, and problematic areas arising from this research, such as safety, student support, privacy, and equity, are discussed.
I See What You Are Doing: Student Views on Lecturer Use of Tablet PCs in the Engineering Mathematics Classroom
Authors: Maclaren Peter , Wilson David , Klymchuk Sergiy
Published: April 2017

Mathematically intensive engineering subjects at a tertiary level have traditionally been taught in classroom environments using whiteboards or blackboards. This paper reports on student views of the effectiveness of board and alternative technologies used within existing classroom contexts. Students in this study revealed a strong preference for the use of pen-enabled Tablet PCs as a delivery technology. The maintenance of a handwritten approach, combined with ready visibility of material, support for inclusion of other digital outputs and post-class access to material, were key factors influencing student preferences. Although this introduction of technology did not involve substantive changes in classroom pedagogical approaches, the study suggests that the Tablet PC technology may facilitate future development of more flexible approaches.
High embryogenic ability and regeneration from floral axis of Amorphophallus konjac (Araceae)
Authors: Zhong Lin , Liu Erxi , Yang Chaozhu , Jin Surong , Diao Ying , Hu Zhongli
Published: April 2017

Amorphophallus konjac (Araceae) a perennial herb, it has high medicinal and industrial value. In this study, a simple and efficient system for direct somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration of Amorphophallus konjac was developed. The floral axis was used as the experimental material. The primary callus, developed from the floral axis grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different hormone combination at different concentrations. The highest rate of embryogenic callus formation was observed on the MS medium containing 9.04 µM 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and 5.37 µM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The maximum induction rate was 79.8%, and the embryogenic calli were able to subculture on a medium containing similar hormone combination for over 1 year. The calli were also placed on different media for regeneration and it produced complete plants with shoots and root systems simultaneously. The highest differentiation rate of the embryogenic calli grown on differentiation medium supplemented with 8.88 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and 5.37 µM NAA was 95.6%. Flow cytometry analysis showed no ploidy variation in all the regenerate plantlets.
Terpene content of wine from the aromatic grape variety ‘Irsai Oliver’ (Vitis vinifera L.) depends on maceration time
Authors: Baron Mojmir , Prusova Bozena , Tomaskova Lenka , Kumsta Michal , Sochor Jiri
Published: April 2017

This study deals with the determination of the content of both free and bound terpenes in berries and wine of the aromatic grapevine variety ‘Irsai Oliver’. Grapes were macerated in juice for different time intervals (viz. 0; 5; 12; 24 hours) and thereafter processed to wine. The objective was to map the dependence of some selected terpenes on the period of maceration. Using gas chromatography, some nine organic compounds were detected. Attention was paid to contents of linalool (3,7-dimethylokta-1,6-dien-3-ol), 2,6-dimetyl-3,7-octadiene-2,6-diol, hotrienol ([(5E)-3,7-dimethylocta-1,5,7-trien-3-yl] acetate), αterpineol (2-(4-Methyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl)propan-2-ol), β-citronellol (3,7-Dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol), nerol ((Z)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol), geraniol ((trans)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-oktadien-1-ol) and epoxylinalool (2-(5-ethenyl-5-methyloxolan-2-yl)propan-2- ol): epoxylinalool 1 (trans-linalool oxide (furanoid) cis-linalool oxide (furanoid)) and epoxylinalool 2 (trans-linalool oxide (pyranoid) cis-linalool oxide (pyranoid)). Some basic wine parameters (alcohol, pH, sugars and total acids) were estimated as well. The terpene content in wine increased gradually with the period of maceration. The highest and the lowest amounts of terpenes were recorded after 24 hours of maceration and no maceration, respectively. The terpene glycosides content was higher than that of the aglycones. Linalool and 2,6-dimetyl-3,7-octadiene-2,6-diol were the most abundant terpenes.

Based on the results of this study it is possible to conclude that the ‘Irsai Oliver’ variety of grape has a very high terpene content. To improve the aromatic profile of the wine, the grape must should be macerated for 24 hours.
Chinese Temples and Transnational Networks: Hokkien Communities in Singapore
Authors: Hue Guan Thye
Published: April 2017

This paper is intended as an overview of different categories of Chinese temples and other institutions in Singapore and their transnational networks, in particularly on Hokkien communiities in Singapore. It focusing on some preliminary research findings related to this Hokkien communities and their religious networks, examines the Minnan (South Fujian) Protector Gods (Regional or Village temple Main Gods) and the Minnan Taoist Altars, as well as their religious networks connecting Fujian, China and the Chinese communities in Singapore. The main argument of this paper is that all the religious networks of the Minnan Main Gods and the Minnan Taoist Altars play a significant role in the transnational movement of resources between Singapore and China, particularly Fujian. These resources include people from all walks of life, various forms of ritual knowledge and innovations, money and materials.
Statistical approach to study of lithium magnesium metaborate glasses
Authors: Nedyalkova Miroslava , Hristov Hristo , Simeonov Vasil
Published: April 2017

Alkali borate glasses and alkaline earth borate glasses are commonly used materials in the field of optoelectronics. Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy are valuable tools for structural investigation of borate glass networks. The compositional and structural variety of lithium magnesium metaborate glasses is usually determined by traditional instrumental methods. In this study a data set is classified by structural and physicochemical parameters (FTIR, Raman spectra, glass transition temperature-Tg). Characterisation of magnesium containing metaborate glasses by multivariate statistics (hierarchical cluster analysis) to reveal potential relationships (similarity or dissimilarity) between the type of glasses included in the data set using specific structural features available in the literature is conducted. The clustering of the glass objects indicates a good separation of different magnesium containing borate glass compositions. The grouping of variables concerning Tg and structural data for BO3 and BO4 linkage confirms that BO4/BO3 ratios strongly affect Tg. Additionally, patterns of similarity could be detected not only between the glass composition but also between the features (variables) describing the glasses. The proposed approach can be further used as an expert tool for glass properties prediction or fingerprinting (identification of unknown compositions).
The speech signal segmentation algorithm using pitch synchronous analysis
Authors: Amirgaliyev Yedilkhan , Hahn Minsoo , Mussabayev Timur
Published: April 2017

Parameterization of the speech signal using the algorithms of analysis synchronized with the pitch frequency is discussed. Speech parameterization is performed by the average number of zero transitions function and the signal energy function. Parameterization results are used to segment the speech signal and to isolate the segments with stable spectral characteristics. Segmentation results can be used to generate a digital voice pattern of a person or be applied in the automatic speech recognition. Stages needed for continuous speech segmentation are described.
VaR bounds in models with partial dependence information on subgroups
Authors: Rüschendorf Ludger , Witting Julian
Published: April 2017

We derive improved estimates for the model risk of risk portfolios when additional to the marginals some partial dependence information is available.We consider models which are split into k subgroups and consider various classes of dependence information either within the subgroups or between the subgroups. As consequence we obtain improved VaR bounds for the joint portfolio compared to the case with only information on the marginals. Our paper adds to various recent approaches to obtain reliable and usable risk bounds resp. estimates of the model risk by including partial dependence information additional to the information on the marginals. In particular we extend an approach suggested in Bignozzi, Puccetti and Rüschendorf (2015) and in Puccetti, Rüschendorf, Small and Vanduffel (2017), which is based on positive dependence resp. on independence information available for some subgroups.
Kendall’s tau and agglomerative clustering for structure determination of hierarchical Archimedean copulas
Authors: Górecki J. , Hofert M. , Holeňa M.
Published: April 2017

Several successful approaches to structure determination of hierarchical Archimedean copulas (HACs) proposed in the literature rely on agglomerative clustering and Kendall’s correlation coefficient. However, there has not been presented any theoretical proof justifying such approaches. This work fills this gap and introduces a theorem showing that, given the matrix of the pairwise Kendall correlation coefficients corresponding to a HAC, its structure can be recovered by an agglomerative clustering technique.
Characterization of Real-world Vibration Sources and Application to Nonlinear Vibration Energy Harvesters
Authors: Rantz Robert , Roundy Shad
Published: April 2017

A tremendous amount of research has been performed on the design and analysis of vibration energy harvester architectures with the goal of optimizing power output. Often, little attention is given to the actual characteristics of common vibrations from which energy is harvested. In order to shed light on the characteristics of common ambient vibration, data representing 333 vibration signals were downloaded from the NiPS Laboratory “Real Vibration” database, processed, and categorized according to the source of the signal (e. g. vehicle, machine, etc.), the number of dominant frequencies, the nature of the dominant frequencies (e. g. stationary, band-limited noise, etc.), and other metrics. By categorizing signals in this way, the set of idealized vibration inputs (i. e. single stationary frequency, Gaussian white noise, etc.) commonly assumed for harvester input can be corroborated and refined. Furthermore, some heretofore overlooked vibration input types are given motivation for investigation. The classification determined that, of the set of signals used in the study, 64 % of the animal source signals are best described with nonstationary dominant frequencies, 58 % of machine source signals are best described with stationary frequencies, and vehicle source signals are poorly described by any one signal type used in the classification. Nonlinear harvesters with a cubic stiffness term have received extensive attention in the scholarly literature; a numerical simulation and optimization procedure were performed using several representative signals as vibration inputs to determine the prevalence with which such a nonlinear harvester architecture might provide improvement to power output. The analysis indicated that a nonlinear harvester architecture may prove beneficial in increasing power output over a linear counterpart if the signal contains a single, dominant frequency that is not stationary in time, as evidenced by a 14 % increase in harvester power output when employing an architecture with a nonlinear cubic stiffness function. Other studies have indicated that nonlinear architectures may be beneficial for signals with nonstationary frequencies or filtered noise. 53 % of the all characterized signals fall into categories that could potentially benefit from a nonlinear oscillator architecture.