bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First identification of trombiculid mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) on rodents captured on Chiloé Island, an endemic region of scrub typhus in southern Chile
Authors: Acosta-Jamett Gerardo , Beltrami Esperanza , de La Fuente María Carolina Silva , Martinez-Valdebenito Constanza , Weitzel Thomas , Abarca Katia
Published: July 2019

Background

Scrub typhus in an emerging vector-borne zoonosis, caused by Orientia spp. and transmitted by larvae of trombiculid mites, called chiggers. It mainly occurs within a certain region of the Asia-Pacific, called tsutsugamushi triangle, where rodents are known as the most relevant hosts for the trombiculid vector. The disease has recently been discovered on Chiloé Island in southern Chile. Still, the reservoir(s) and vector(s) of the scrub typhus outside Asia-Pacific are unknown. The aim of the present work was to study the prevalence of chiggers on different rodent species captured in sites identified as probably hot spots of scrub typhus on Chiloé Island in southern Chile.

Methodology/Principal Findings

During austral summer 2018, rodents were live-trapped in six sites and examined for chigger infestation. During a total of 4,713 trap-nights, 244 rodents of seven species were captured: the most abundant was Abrothrix olivacea. All study sites were rural areas on Chiloé Island, previously identified as localities of probable human infection with scrub typhus. Chiggers were detected on all seven rodent species with a 55% prevalence rate. Chiggers showed low host specificity and varied according to site specific host abundance. We identified trombiculids of three genera. Colicus was the most abundant chigger (93%), prevalent in five of six sites, followed by Quadraseta (7%) and Paratrombicula (7%), which were in only one site. Infestation rates showed site specific differences, which were statistically different using a GLM model with binomial errors.

Conclusions/Significance

This study firstly reports the presence of different rodent-associated chigger mites in a region with endemic scrub typhus in southern Chile. Colicus and two other genera of mites were found with high infestation rates in sites previously identified as hot spots of scrub typhus, suggesting their role as vectors and reservoirs of this emerging zoonosis in South America.

Author Summary

Scrub typhus is a chigger-transmitted zoonotic infection, which is endemic in the tsutsugamushi triangle in Asia-Pacific. Recently, a first focus of scrub typhus in South America has been confirmed on Chiloé Island in southern Chile. Still, the vectors of scrub typhus in this region remain unknown. We undertook a survey to study the prevalence of chiggers on different rodent species in areas identified as probable hot spots of scrub typhus on Chiloé Island. The study showed that 55% of rodents were infested by trombiculids. Three chigger genera were identified, of which Colicus was the most abundant. Chiggers showed low host specificity, but spatial differences. This first demonstration of rodent-associated chigger mites in hot spots of scrub typhus suggests their possible role as vectors of this infection in Chile.
Viral expression of a SERCA2a-activating PLB mutant improves calcium cycling and synchronicity in dilated cardiomyopathic hiPSC-CMs
Authors: Stroik Daniel R. , Ceholski Delaine K. , Mleczko Justyna , Thanel Paul F. , Bidwell Philip A. , Autry Joseph M. , Cornea Razvan L. , Thomas David D.
Published: July 2019

There is increasing momentum toward the development of gene therapy for heart failure (HF), cardiomyopathy, and other progressive cardiac diseases that correlate with impaired calcium (Ca2+) transport and reduced contractility. We have used FRET between fluorescently-tagged SERCA2a (the cardiac Ca2+ pump) and PLB (its ventricular peptide inhibitor) to test directly the effectiveness of loss-of-inhibition/gain-of-binding (LOI/GOB) PLB mutants (PLBM) that were engineered to compete with the binding of inhibitory wild type PLB (PLBWT). Our therapeutic strategy is to relieve PLBWT inhibition of SERCA2a by utilizing the reserve adrenergic capacity of PLB to enhance baseline cardiac contractility. Using a FRET assay, we determined that the combination of a LOI PLB mutation (L31A) and a GOB PLB mutation (I40A) results in a novel engineered LOI/GOB PLBM (L31A/I40A) that effectively competes with PLBWT binding to cardiac SERCA2a in HEK293-6E cells. We demonstrated that co-expression of L31A/I40A-PLBM enhances SERCA Ca-ATPase activity by increasing enzyme Ca2+ affinity (1/KCa) in PLBWT-inhibited HEK cell homogenates. For an initial assessment of PLBM physiological effectiveness, we used human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) from a healthy individual. In this system, we observed that adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2)-driven expression of L31A/I40A-PLBM enhances the amplitude of SR Ca2+ release and the rate of SR Ca2+ re-uptake. To assess therapeutic potential, we used an hiPSC-CM model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) containing PLB mutation R14del, where we observed that rAAV2-driven expression of L31A/I40A-PLBM rescues arrhythmic Ca2+ transients and alleviates decreased Ca2+ transport. Based on these results, PLBM transgene expression is a promising gene therapy strategy for cardiomyopathies associated with impaired Ca2+ transport and decreased contractility.
Crystal structures and spectroscopic characterization of MBr2(CNXyl)
n
(M = Fe and Co, n = 4; M = Ni, n = 2; Xyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl), and of formally zero-valent iron as a cocrystal of Fe(CNXyl)5 and Fe2(CNXyl)9
Authors: Brennessel William W. , Kucera Benjamin E. , Young Victor G. , Ellis John E.
Published: July 2019

Structures and spectroscopic characterization of the divalent complexes cis-dibromidotetrakis(2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide)iron(II) dichloromethane 0.771-solvate, [FeBr2(C9H9N)4]·0.771CH2Cl2 or cis-FeBr2(CNXyl)4·0.771CH2Cl2 (Xyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl), trans-dibromidotetrakis(2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide)iron(II), [FeBr2(C9H9N)4] or trans-FeBr2(CNXyl)4, trans-dibromidotetrakis(2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide)cobalt(II), [CoBr2(C9H9N)4] or trans-CoBr2(CNXyl)4, and trans-dibromidobis(2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide)nickel(II), [NiBr2(C9H9N)2] or trans-NiBr2(CNXyl)2, are presented. Additionally, crystals grown from a cold diethyl ether solution of zero-valent Fe(CNXyl)5 produced a structure containing a cocrystallization of mononuclear Fe(CNXyl)5 and the previously unknown dinuclear [Fe(CNXyl)3]2(μ2-CNXyl)3, namely pentakis(2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide)iron(0) tris(μ2-2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide)bis[tris(2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide)iron(0)], [Fe(C9H9N)5][Fe2(C9H9N)9]. The (M)C—N—C(Xyl) angles of the isocyanide ligand are nearly linear for the metals in the +2 oxidation state, for which the ligands function essentially as pure donors. The νCN stretching frequencies for these divalent metal isocyanides are at or above that of the free ligand. Relative to FeII, in the structure containing iron in the formally zero-valent oxidation state, the Fe—C bond lengths have shortened, the C[triple-bond]N bond lengths have elongated, the (M)C—N—C(Xyl) angles of the terminal CNXyl ligands are more bent, and the νCN stretching frequencies have shifted to lower energies, all indicative of substantial M(dπ)→π* backbonding.
Counter accounts of profit: outrage to action through “just” calculation
Authors: Himick Darlene , Ruff Kate
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Profit is often moralized by activists, but scant research has carefully examined what profit is for these activists or how they use it to create a more just world. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how social movements use counter accounts of profit as tools of resistance.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study design, informed by framing theory, is used to trace the framing of profit from activists’ counter accounts to actions they precipitated. Specifically, the study examines counter accounts of profit from the UK abolition movement, Médecines Sans Frontières access to essential medicines campaign and Brigitte Bardot Foundation’s opposition to the Canadian seal hunt, and how their framings of profit influenced change.

Findings

Activists reframe profit to create visibilities and bridges to the suffering of distant others. Reframing the calculation and boundary of profit is a strategy to elicit moral outrage, hope and ultimately a more just world. Through these reframings, activists in three different social movements were able to change the possibilities of who and what can be profitable, and how.

Social implications

The inherently incomplete nature of accounting frames give rise to accounting’s vulnerability to non-accountants to assert their views of a moral profit. Accounting therefore is both a means of control at a distance but also “emancipation at a distance.”

Originality/value

Scholars have asserted that accounting can be used for resistance, few studies have examined how. By examining how activists assert what profit is – and should be – the paper documents and theorizes profit as contested and highlights accounting’s emancipatory potential.
Non-equilibrium natural convection in a differentially-heated nanofluid cavity partially filled with a porous medium
Authors: Sheremet Mikhail A. , Pop Ioan , Baytas A. Cihat
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study aims to numerically analyze natural convection of alumina-water nanofluid in a differentially-heated square cavity partially filled with a heat-generating porous medium. A single-phase nanofluid model with experimental correlations for the nanofluid viscosity and thermal conductivity has been considered for the description of the nanoparticles transport effect in the present study. Local thermal non-equilibrium approach for the porous layer with the Brinkman-extended Darcy model has been used.

Design/methodology/approach

Dimensionless governing equations formulated using stream function, vorticity and temperature have been solved by the finite difference method. The effects of the Rayleigh number, Ostrogradsky number, Nield number and nanoparticles volume fraction on nanofluid flow, heat and mass transfer have been analyzed.

Findings

It has been revealed that the dimensionless heat transfer coefficient at the fluid/solid matrix interface can be a very good control parameter for the convective flow and heat transfer intensity. The present results are original and new for the study of non-equilibrium natural convection in a differentially-heated nanofluid cavity partially filled with a porous medium.

Originality/value

The results of this paper are new and original with many practical applications of nanofluids in the modern industry.
Motivation to teach
Authors: Leech Nancy L. , Viesca Kara Mitchell , Haug Carolyn A.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate higher education faculty’s motivation to teach and to validate the Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FIT-Choice) survey with this population.

Design/methodology/approach

Confirmatory factor analysis and t-tests on data from 101 higher education faculty and data from K-12 teachers show that the two samples fit the model similarly.

Findings

Results show that the similarities between the two groups are important to note as it suggests both the value of the FIT-Choice instrument as a research tool in higher education as well as the similarities in motivating factors between higher education faculty and in-service K-12 teachers.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to use the FIT-Choice scale with university education faculty.
Impact of employees’ job control perceptions on their work-related responses in the hospitality industry
Authors: Lee Seonjeong (Ally) , Ravichandran Swathi
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study investigates the relationships among three types of employees’ perceived job control, employee commitment, employees’ well-being, and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed relationships were investigated based on a cross-section, online, self-administered survey.

Findings

The results confirmed the positive role of employees’ job control perceptions on work-related responses.

Practical implications

Results suggested hospitality managers implement practices to improve job control perceptions of employees to enhance their well-being and job performance.

Originality/value

This study was the first to investigate the roles of three types of job control perceptions on employees’ well-being and commitment, based on positive organizational behavior literature and control theory. This study was also the first attempt to explore three types of job control focusing on employees’ perspectives in the hospitality industry.
Recalibrating talent management for hospitality: a youth development perspective
Authors: Golubovskaya Maria , Solnet David , Robinson Richard N.S.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to challenge existing assumptions in talent management (TM) research, showcasing a misalignment between commonly held assumptions and the characteristics of the youth-intensive hospitality sector workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of the TM literature, Piirto’s educational talent pyramid is adopted to conceptualize a recalibration. Drawing on multidisciplinary literatures (i.e. adolescent development, youth employment, positive psychology), and adopting a (talent) developmental approach, a reframing of prevalent TM discourses is enunciated based on the logic that the hospitality workforce is predominantly in a developmental state.

Findings

TM discourses are misaligned with the workforce composition of the hospitality industry, which is dominated by young, often unexperienced, workers. The need for dramatically recalibrated TM structures and underlying assumptions, centred around a greater attention to the “development” of talent and a more employee-focused and inclusive approach, can facilitate greater alignment between TM and hospitality.

Research limitations/implications

This paper extends a body of work advocating for more inclusive TM and developmental postures. The contribution, via a hospitality industry context, has been to create linkages between talent- and youth-development discourses.

Practical implications

This paper outlines a number of implications, among which are a pathway forward for hospitality industry to rebuild its poor HRM image and conversion of “transient” hospitality jobs to career jobs (for youth).

Originality/value

This paper identifies youth as a distinct workforce entity and suggests that hospitality jobs represent a critical developmental context for young people, resulting in a series of critical implications for TM practice and theorizing.
Study on relationships among sports spectator motivations, satisfaction and behavioral intention: empirical evidence from Chinese marathon
Authors: Duan Yanling , Liu Bing , He Yan
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the relationships among marathon spectator motivation, satisfaction and behavioral intention in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Date were collected from three Chinese marathon races. The paper presents the conceptual model of the study and adopted a mixed method to identify the motivations of marathon spectators; structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the measurement and substantive models; regression analysis was used to detect the specific effects of the various spectator motivations on spectator satisfaction and behavioral intention.

Findings

The paper provides empirical evidences about how marathon spectator motivation affects the behavioral intention. The research results from a path analysis of the spectator motivation–satisfaction–behavioral intention model show that: spectator motivation has significant positive effects on behavioral intention, the indirect path dominates the total effect of motivation on behavioral intention via satisfaction as a mediating variable; satisfaction is positively associated with behavioral intention, and it plays mediate role between spectator motivation and behavioral intention. The result of regression analysis indicates that various spectator motivations have different influences on the satisfaction and behavioral intention, motives of excitement and diversion have significant effect on satisfaction and behavioral intention, but socialization motive is not significantly associated with the satisfaction and behavioral intention.

Originality/value

This paper first fulfills an identified need to explore mass sports event spectator motivations and its influential mechanism on behavioral intention among Chinese marathon races by survey. It contributes greatly to the literature of mass sports spectator motivation and consumption theory, provides important managerial implications for Chinese sports organizations as to how to improve spectator orientation degree.
Structural relationship between market demand and member commitment associated with the marketing of martial arts programs
Authors: Kim Minkil , Zhang James
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study was conducted to ensure that the selected antecedent concepts, including market demand and psychological factors, were fully focused and studied in detail and depth. The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a theoretical framework that specifies direct and indirect relationships among market demand, perceived benefits, perceived constraint, perceived value, consumer satisfaction and member commitment in martial arts programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Research participants (n=595) were martial arts school participants, who resided in the USA. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the measurement model and the proposed model was tested by conducting structural equation modeling analyses.

Findings

Findings of this study indicated that perceived benefits and perceived constraints partially mediated the relationship between the market demand factors and perceived value, which in turn influenced member satisfaction and commitment. Economic Condition Consideration was found to be the most critical predictor of market demand.

Originality/value

Generating what-to-do and how-to-do implications that were specific to martial arts school and marketing practices were the priority of the investigators of this study. Administrators of martial arts programs may consider adopting the resultant theoretical framework as a general guide in their marketing efforts to recruit and retain program participants.
Mechanical behaviour of fire-exposed fibre-reinforced sustainable concrete
Authors: Sahani Ashok Kumar , Samanta Amiya K. , Singharoy Dilip K.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Present study focuses on scope of developing sustainable heat resistant concrete by adding steel fibre (Sf) and polypropylene fibre (PPf) along with partially replacement of ordinary portland cement (OPC) and natural fine aggregate with fly ash (FA) and granular blast furnace slag (GBFS). Replacement percentages of FA and GBFS were 40% and 50%, whereas Sf and PPf for fibre-added mixes were 1% by volume of concrete and 0.25% by weight of cement, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental work had been carried out to make comparison between control mix (CM), fibre-added sustainable mix (SCMF) and fibre-added control mix (CMF) with reference to weight loss, mechanical strength (compressive, split and flexure) after exposed to room temperature (27°C) to 1000°C at the interval of 200°C for 4 h of heat curing followed by furnace cooling and then natural cooling. Furthermore, microstructural analysis was executed at 27°C, 400°C and 800°C, respectively.

Findings

Colour change and hair line cracks were started to appear at 600°C. Fibre-added control mix and sustainable mix did not exhibit any significant cracks as compared to control mix even at 1000°C. Major losses were occurred at temperature higher than 600°C, loss in compressive strength was about 70% in control mix, while 60% in fibre-added mixes. SCMF exhibited the highest retention of strength with respect to all cases of mechanical strength.

Research limitations/implications

Present study is based on the slow heating condition followed by longer duration of heat curing at target temperature.

Practical implications

Present work can be helpful for the design engineer for assessing the fire deterioration of concrete structure existing near the fire establishment such as furnace and ovens. Building fire (high temperature for short duration) might be the further scope of work.

Originality/value

Concept of incorporating pozzolanic binder and calcareous fine aggregate was adopted to take the advantage pozzolanacity and fire resistivity. To the best of author’s knowledge, there is a scope for fill the research gap in this area.
Examining the relationships among cognitive diversity, knowledge sharing and team climate in team innovation
Authors: Rahmi Devi Yulia , Indarti Nurul
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of knowledge sharing as a mediating variable on the effect of cognitive diversity on team innovation. Additionally, the study also tests the role of a moderating variable team climate on the relationship between cognitive diversity and knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used an explanatory approach to test the hypothesis. A survey with structured questionnaires was distributed to 39 creative teams between radio and television broadcasting institutions in the Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Findings

The current study shows cognitive diversity has a significant association with knowledge sharing, and knowledge sharing positively associated with team innovation. The findings of this study indicate that team climate moderates the relationship between cognitive diversity and knowledge sharing. Additionally, knowledge sharing is found not to be a significant mediation on the relationship between cognitive diversity and team innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The study promises to examine how diverse teams work particularly in the context of creative teams in radio and television broadcasting institutions. However, this study only focuses on relationships; it does not examine the processes underlying those relationships. This study implies for future research agenda focusing on the mechanism affecting the relationships. Additionally, examining the relationship model in the context of a less-creative team such as banking industry could also a call for future research.

Practical implications

The results of the study contribute to managerial implications which suggest that to enhance team innovation, a team leader must design a comfortable working climate that stimulates productive knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

The study provides a comprehensive understanding of knowledge sharing and team climate on the relationship between cognitive diversity and team innovation, which are missing in previous empirical studies. Then, the study is relevant because of inconclusive findings from past studies examining the relationship between cognitive diversity and team innovation.
Research Note: Frequency domain orthogonal projection filtration of surface microseismic monitoring data
Authors: Azarov Anton V. , Serdyukov Aleksander S. , Gapeev Denis N.
Published: July 2019

We address the problem of increasing the signal‐to‐noise ratio during surface microseismic monitoring data processing. Interference from different seismic waves causes misleading results of microseismic event locations. Ground‐roll suppression is particularly necessary. The standard noise suppression techniques assume regular and dense acquisition geometries. Many pre‐processing noise suppression algorithms are designed for special types of noise or interference. To overcome these problems, we propose a novel general‐purpose filtration method. The goal of this method is to amplify only the seismic waves that are excited in the selected target area and suppress all other signals. We construct a linear projector onto a frequency domain data subspace, which corresponds to the seismic emission of the target area. The novel filtration method can be considered an extension of the standard frequency–wavenumber flat wave filtration method for non‐flat waves and arbitrary irregular receiver‐position geometries. To reduce the effect of the uncertainty of the velocity model, we suggest using additional active shot data (typically the perforation shots), which provide static travel time corrections for the target area. The promising prospects of the proposed method are confirmed by synthetic and semi‐synthetic data processing.
A complex structural variant at the KIT locus in cattle with the Pinzgauer spotting pattern
Authors: Küttel L. , Letko A. , Häfliger I. M. , Signer‐Hasler H. , Joller S. , Hirsbrunner G. , Mészáros G. , Sölkner J. , Flury C. , Leeb T. , Drögemüller C.
Published: July 2019

A specific white spotting phenotype, termed finching or line‐backed spotting, is known for all Pinzgauer cattle and occurs occasionally in Tux‐Zillertaler cattle, two Austrian breeds. The so‐called Pinzgauer spotting is inherited as an autosomal incompletely dominant trait. A genome‐wide association study using 27 white spotted and 16 solid‐coloured Tux‐Zillertaler cattle, based on 777k SNP data, revealed a strong signal on chromosome 6 at the KIT locus. Haplotype analyses defined a critical interval of 122 kb downstream of the KIT coding region. Whole‐genome sequencing of a Pinzgauer cattle and comparison to 338 control genomes revealed a complex structural variant consisting of a 9.4‐kb deletion and an inversely inserted duplication of 1.5 kb fused to a 310‐kb duplicated segment from chromosome 4. A diagnostic PCR was developed for straightforward genotyping of carriers for this structural variant (KITPINZ) and confirmed that the variant allele was present in all Pinzgauer and most of the white spotted Tux‐Zillertaler cattle. In addition, we detected the variant in all Slovenian Cika, British Gloucester and Spanish Berrenda en negro cattle with similar spotting patterns. Interestingly, the KITPINZ variant occurs in some white spotted animals of the Swiss breeds Evolèner and Eringer. The introgression of the KITPINZ variant confirms admixture and the reported historical relationship of these short‐headed breeds with Austrian Tux‐Zillertaler and suggests a mutation event, occurring before breed formation.
Adherence to insulin pump treatment declines with increasing age in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Spaans Engelina A. J. M. , Kleefstra Nanno , Groenier Klaas H. , Bilo Henk J. G. , Brand Paul L. P.
Published: July 2019

Aim

This study assessed the impact of illness perceptions, emotional responses to the disease and its management, and patient characteristics on the adherence to optimal insulin pump management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

From May to December 2013 and May 2015 to September 2016, we investigated 90 adolescents (50% boys), 12‐18 years with type 1 diabetes. We analysed the association of optimal adherence to insulin pump therapy to age, gender, diabetes duration, results of questionnaires relating to fear and problems of self‐testing, illness perceptions, emotional distress and family conflicts. Optimal adherence was defined as bolusing insulin on average ≥2.5/3 main meals/d.

Results

Adolescents with suboptimal adherence were on average 1.8 years older (95% Confidence Interval 1.09‐2.50 years, P < .001) than those with optimal adherence. After adjustment for age, no other patient or parent factors were related to optimal adherence.

Conclusion

Adherence to insulin pump self‐management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes declined with increasing age, illustrating the challenges of transition of self‐management from parents to the adolescent patient themselves.
Growth of rumen papillae in weaned calves is associated with lower expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding proteins 2, 3, and 6
Authors: Nishihara Koki , Suzuki Yutaka , Kim Dahye , Roh Sanggun
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to characterize the relationship between the growth of rumen papillae in calves and the mRNA expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding proteins (IGFBPs) in the rumen papillae. The length of rumen papillae, the mRNA expression of IGFBPs in rumen papillae by quantitative real‐time PCR, and the presence of insulin‐like growth factors I and II (IGF‐I and II) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) were analyzed in nine Holstein calves divided into three groups: suckling (2 weeks, n = 3), milk‐continued (8 weeks, n = 3), and weaned (8 weeks, n = 3). The length of rumen papillae was greater (p < 0.01) in weaned calves than in suckling and milk‐continued calves, whereas the expressions of IGFBP2, IGFBP3, and IGFBP6 genes were lower (p < 0.05) in the rumen papillae of weaned calves than in milk‐continued calves. Thus, rumen papillae length and IGFBP2, 3, and 6 expressions were negatively correlated. The IHC analysis showed that IGF‐I and IGF‐II were present in the rumen epithelium of calves. These results suggested that the growth of rumen papillae after weaning is associated with the induction of IGFs by the low levels of IGFBP2, IGFBP3, and IGFBP6.
Empowering online teachers through predictive learning analytics
Authors: Herodotou Christothea , Hlosta Martin , Boroowa Avinash , Rienties Bart , Zdrahal Zdenek , Mangafa Chrysoula
Published: July 2019

This study presents an advanced predictive learning analytics system, OU Analyse (OUA), and evidence from its evaluation with online teachers at a distance learning university. OUA is a predictive system that uses machine learning methods for the early identification of students at risk of not submitting (or failing) their next assignment. Teachers have access, via interactive dashboards, to weekly predictions of risk of failing for each of their students. In this study, we examined how the degree of OUA usage by 559 teachers, of which 189 were given access to OUA, related to student learning outcomes of more than 14 000 students in 15 undergraduate courses. Teachers who made “average” use of OUA, that is accessed OUA throughout the life cycle of a course presentation, and in particular between 10% and 40% of the weeks a course was running, and intervened with students flagged as at risk were found to benefit their students the most; after controlling for differences in academic performance, these students were found to have significantly better performance than their peers in the previous year's course presentation during which the same teachers made no use of predictive learning analytics. Predictive learning analytics is an innovative student's support approach in online pedagogy that, as shown in this study, can empower online teachers in effectively monitoring and intervening with their students, over and above other approaches, and result in improved learning outcomes.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Pedagogical and personal support to students is a significant responsibility of online teachers.

Student's support is a challenging activity due to the lack of face‐to‐face interactions.

Predictive learning analytics (PLA) can identify students at risk of failing their studies.

What this paper adds

One of the few large‐scale studies is available for examining the impact of analytics on student's performance.

Teachers' usage of PLA was significantly related to better learning outcomes.

Online teachers had students with better learning outcomes when accessing PLA data rather than when they had no access.

Implications for practice and/or policy

PLA can empower online teachers and complement the teaching practice.

PLA can help in the identification and proactive intervention of students at risk of failing their studies.

Actions should be taken to motivate and engage online teachers with PLA.
Uberizing the Legal Profession? Lawyer Autonomy and Status in the Digital Legal Market
Authors: Yao Yao
Published: July 2019

The online gig economy has disrupted many occupations in the past decade, but only more recently has it had an impact on professional fields. The recency of this trend indicates a need for understanding the impact of the online gig economy on professional workers. Using interview data from lawyers who work on one of China's most successful online legal service platforms, this study finds that supplementary income and flexibility are the two major motives for lawyers to work online. Nevertheless, when working online, lawyers face lower intra‐professional status and lower professional autonomy. Despite its growth, the digital legal market is imposing a minimal threat to the traditional legal market due to the lack of interference in labour supply and demand between these two markets.
Objective vs self‐report assessment of height, weight and body mass index: Relationships with adiposity, aerobic fitness and physical activity
Authors: Wilson Oliver W. A. , Bopp Christopher M. , Papalia Zack , Bopp Melissa
Published: July 2019

Researchers, policymakers and clinicians commonly use height and weight to determine body mass index (BMI) and classify weight status. Self‐report measures are widely used but often result in misreported height and weight and, consequentially, underestimation of BMI and—potentially—weight status misclassification. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in objective and self‐reported height, weight and BMI values and to find whether discordance is associated with other anthropometric measures, fitness and physical activity. Data were collected from college students through: (a) a pre‐consultation online questionnaire where participants self‐reported gender, height and weight; (b) an objective fitness assessment that assessed height, weight, body fat percentage, abdominal girth and predicted aerobic fitness; and (c) a post‐assessment electronic survey that assessed physical activity. Parametric and non‐parametric analyses examined differences between groups. Objective and self‐reported height and weight data were collected from 1061 participants, 224 of whom also provided physical activity data. Women significantly under‐reported weight (P = .003, η2 = 0.02), and both genders over‐reported height (P < .001, η2 ≥ 0.07), resulting in a significant difference between BMIs calculated using the different measures (P < .001, η2 ≥ 0.07) and the weight status misclassification of ~15% of participants. Significant differences were found in anthropometrics, fitness and physical activity based on reporting differences for weight (P ≤ .015) and BMI (P ≤ .015). Students demonstrated a tendency to under‐report weight and over‐report height, resulting in weight status misclassification. Those who under‐reported weight tended to be in poorer health as indicated by lower aerobic fitness and higher abdominal girth and body fat percentage in particular. Further research is required to establish the link between under‐reporting weight and over‐reporting physical activity.
Patient decision‐making in severe inflammatory bowel disease: the need for improved communication of treatment options and preferences
Authors: Lai C. , Sceats L. A. , Qiu W. , Park K. T. , Morris A. M. , Kin C.
Published: July 2019

Aim

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their physicians must navigate ever‐increasing options for treatment. The aim of this study was to elucidate the key drivers of treatment decision‐making in inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

We conducted qualitative semi‐structured in‐person interviews of 20 adult patients undergoing treatment for inflammatory bowel disease at an academic medical centre who either recently initiated biologic therapy or underwent an operation or surgical evaluation. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, iteratively coded, and discussed to consensus by five researchers. We used thematic analysis to explore factors influencing decision‐making.

Results

Four major themes emerged as key drivers of treatment decision‐making: perceived clinical state and disease severity, the patient–physician relationship, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about treatment options, and social isolation and stigma. Patients described experiencing a clinical turning point as the impetus for proceeding with a previously undesired treatment such as infusion medication or surgery. Patients reported delays in care or diagnosis, inadequate communication with their physicians, and lack of control over their disease management. Patients often stated that they considered surgery to be the treatment of last resort, which further compounded the complexity of making treatment decisions.

Conclusion

Patients described multiple barriers to making informed and collaborative decisions about treatment, especially when considering surgical options. Our study reveals a need for more comprehensive communication between the patient and their physician about the range of medical and surgical treatment options. We recommend a patient‐centred approach toward the decision‐making process that accounts for patient decision‐making preferences, causes of social stress, and clinical status.
Is theological neutrality the final word in interreligious dialogue?
Authors: Rambachan Anantanand
Published: July 2019

This article offers a response to the ELCA Declaration of Interreligious Commitment from a Hindu perspective. It raises important questions, and presses Lutherans on the issue of evangelism.
Rangeland Fire Protection Associations as disaster response organisations
Authors: Davis Emily Jane , Abrams Jesse , Wollstein Katherine
Published: July 2019

Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) are volunteer‐based groups of trained private landowners who are authorised to respond to events in partnership with governmental agencies. This study analysed the functioning and structure of RFPAs in Idaho and Oregon in the western United States to characterise this under‐researched model of disaster response. RFPAs represent an expanding type of disaster response organisation that interfaces with established fire suppression entities, yet ‘emergent behaviour’ manifested in some RFPA response actions. This appeared to lessen and mediate with time, as well as due to recognition of the issues, increased experience of fires, and training that fostered new mutual understandings. There is a need for continued examination of the effect of repeat experience in developing the characteristics of disaster response organisations. In addition, it is crucial to know how the interface between established and other types of organisations may be enhanced to make cooperative disaster response more effective.
Global agricultural productivity is threatened by increasing pollinator dependence without a parallel increase in crop diversification
Authors: Aizen Marcelo A. , Aguiar Sebastián , Biesmeijer Jacobus C. , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Inouye David W. , Jung Chuleui , Martins Dino J. , Medel Rodrigo , Morales Carolina L. , Ngo Hien , Pauw Anton , Paxton Robert J. , Sáez Agustín , Seymour Colleen L.
Published: July 2019

The global increase in the proportion of land cultivated with pollinator‐dependent crops implies increased reliance on pollination services. Yet agricultural practices themselves can profoundly affect pollinator supply and pollination. Extensive monocultures are associated with a limited pollinator supply and reduced pollination, whereas agricultural diversification can enhance both. Therefore, areas where agricultural diversity has increased, or at least been maintained, may better sustain high and more stable productivity of pollinator‐dependent crops. Given that >80% of all crops depend, to varying extents, on insect pollination, a global increase in agricultural pollinator dependence over recent decades might have led to a concomitant increase in agricultural diversification. We evaluated whether an increase in the area of pollinator‐dependent crops has indeed been associated with an increase in agricultural diversity, measured here as crop diversity, at the global, regional, and country scales for the period 1961–2016. Globally, results show a relatively weak and decelerating rise in agricultural diversity over time that was largely decoupled from the strong and continually increasing trend in agricultural dependency on pollinators. At regional and country levels, there was no consistent relationship between temporal changes in pollinator dependence and crop diversification. Instead, our results show heterogeneous responses in which increasing pollinator dependence for some countries and regions has been associated with either an increase or a decrease in agricultural diversity. Particularly worrisome is a rapid expansion of pollinator‐dependent oilseed crops in several countries of the Americas and Asia that has resulted in a decrease in agricultural diversity. In these regions, reliance on pollinators is increasing, yet agricultural practices that undermine pollination services are expanding. Our analysis has thereby identified world regions of particular concern where environmentally damaging practices associated with large‐scale, industrial agriculture threaten key ecosystem services that underlie productivity, in addition to other benefits provided by biodiversity.
Scaling the linkage between environmental niches and functional traits for improved spatial predictions of biological communities
Authors: Guisan Antoine , Mod Heidi K. , Scherrer Daniel , Münkemüller Tamara , Pottier Julien , Alexander Jake M. , D'Amen Manuela
Published: July 2019

Issue

Approaches to predicting species assemblages through stacking individual niche‐based species distribution models (S‐SDMs) need to account for community processes other than abiotic filtering. Such constraints have been introduced by implementing ecological assembly rules (EARs) into S‐SDMs, and can be based on patterns of functional traits in communities. Despite being logically valid, this approach has led to a limited improvement in prediction, possibly because of mismatches between the scales of measurement of niche and trait data.

Evidence

S‐SDM studies have often related single values of a species’ traits to environmental niches that are captured by abiotic conditions measured at a much finer spatial scale, without accounting for intraspecific trait variation along environmental gradients. Many pieces of evidence show that omitting intraspecific trait variation can hinder the proper inference of EARs from trait patterns, and we further argue that it can therefore also affect our capacity to spatially predict functional properties of communities. In addition, estimates of environmental niches and trait envelopes may vary depending on the scale at which environmental and trait measurements are made.

Conclusion

We suggest that to overcome these limitations, surveys sampling both niche and trait measurements should be conducted at fine scales along wide environmental gradients, and integrated at the same scale to test and improve a new generation of spatial community models and their functional properties.
Vinculación de los empleos de las cadenas mundiales de suministro a la demanda
Authors: KIZU Takaaki , KÜHN Stefan , VIEGELAHN Christian
Published: July 2019

La expansión de las cadenas mundiales de suministro (CMS) desconecta la ubicación de los empleos de la demanda correspondiente. Los autores utilizan la base de datos mundial de insumo‐producto (WIOD) para examinar estos vínculos en 40 países en el periodo 1995–2013, ampliar anteriores análisis de la OIT y proporcionar evidencia sobre el empleo creado por cada combinación ubicación del empleo‐destino de exportación. Observan un cambio en los patrones de demanda y oferta de empleo en las CMS, un auge de China como generadora de demanda, mayores vínculos de producción entre las economías emergentes y más empleos en los servicios sostenidos por las CMS manufactureras.
Brechas de ingresos entre migrantes en los países del Consejo de Cooperación del Golfo. ¿Percepciones de los empleadores o costos de oportunidad?
Authors: ALFARHAN Usamah F. , AL‐BUSAIDI Samir
Published: July 2019

Se analizan las diferencias de ingresos entre migrantes calificados occidentales, árabes y asiáticos del sector privado en los países del Consejo de Cooperación del Golfo de 2012 a 2014. Utilizando dos métodos de descomposición estándar, se investiga si las percepciones de los empleadores son la causa de la prima salarial de los occidentales. Según los resultados, de un tercio a tres cuartos de la brecha de ingresos reales por hora son atribuibles a las características relacionadas con la productividad, y el resto a los mayores costos de oportunidad. El efecto potencial de las percepciones no observadas resulta no significativo.
Medición de la brecha salarial entre jóvenes con contrato indefinido o temporal. Tres países europeos en perspectiva
Authors: REGOLI Andrea , D'AGOSTINO Antonella , GRANDNER Thomas , GSTACH Dieter
Published: July 2019

Se analizan las diferencias salariales entre trabajadores permanentes y temporales de 25 a 40 años de edad con datos de la Encuesta europea sobre la renta y las condiciones de vida (EU‐SILC) sobre Alemania, Francia e Italia de 2010. Mediante una regresión con función de influencia recentrada y una técnica de reponderación, los autores investigan la contribución de las características personales y del puesto de trabajo a la brecha en toda la distribución salarial. Los resultados indican que el componente no explicado sigue siendo muy grande en Italia en toda la distribución y se debilita en Francia en el tramo superior, mientras que en Alemania no es significativo.
How carbonation curing influences ca leaching of Portland cement paste: Mechanism and mathematical modeling
Authors: Chen Tiefeng , Gao Xiaojian
Published: July 2019

Carbonation curing provides a promising method for both CO2 sequestration and strength improvement of cement‐based materials. To date, there is little knowledge about the influence of carbonation curing on Ca leaching resistance of cement‐based materials due to the occurrence of both physical and chemical transformation. It was the first time that Ca solid‐liquid equilibrium curves were experimentally established for cement pastes with different carbonation degrees in this paper. Experimental results demonstrated that on the one hand, carbonation curing improves the leaching resistance of cement paste by sequestrating Ca in insoluble CaCO3; on the other hand, potential negative effects may occur due to the accelerated decalcification and increased solubility of C–S–H after carbonation curing. Results of NMR showed that both carbonation curing and Ca leaching can increase the Si chain length and polymerization degree of C–S–H. Additionally, a modified mathematical model was established to simulate the leaching process of carbonation‐cured cement paste and it was also verified by energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results. Therefore, the long‐term leaching resistance of cement‐based materials is possibly degraded by the carbonation curing treatment.