bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conservation status and trends in the transformation of Molinia meadows in the Łąki w Komborni Natura 2000 site, SE Poland
Authors: Ziaja Maria , Wójcik Tomasz , Wrzesień Małgorzata
Published: August 2017

The aim of this study was to provide a phytosociological and ecological characterization of meadow communities in the Łąki w Komborni Natura 2000 site (SE Poland), assess the trends in their transformation, and indicate the major threats impacting on their conservation. The study was conducted in 2015–2016. Three types of meadow communities were distinguished (alliances Molinion, Arrhenatherion, Filipendulion), due to the absence of the species characteristic for associations. The species richness noted per relevé differed significantly between the types of meadows (Kruskal–Wallis test: H = 21.65, p < 0.05). The highest floristic biodiversity (H' = 2.99) was noted for the meadow patches classified as in the Molinion alliance and the lowest (H' = 2.50) was found for the patches from the Filipendulion alliance. Mean values of the ecological indicators (F, R, N) differed between the meadow communities. The greatest disparity was noted for the mean values of the soil moisture indicator (from 6.42 to 7.45). Patches classified in the Filipendulion alliance were developed on the wettest soil substratum, whereas the patches classified in the Arrhenatherion alliance were predominant on a relatively dry substratum. The abandonment of traditional management practices (grazing, mowing) has contributed to transformation of the Molinia meadows, disappearance of characteristic species and succession of shrubs. The Molinia meadow habitat should be conserved by improvement of protection measures (appropriate mowing regime and removal of biomass) to conserve a high species richness and the rare and protected plant species.
‘BENEFICIARY’ AS A MEANS FOR A DICHOTOMOUS REPRESENTATION IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE
Authors: Hampl Marek
Published: August 2017

This paper focuses on the employment of the participant role ‘Beneficiary: Recipient’ inthe discourse of U.S. President George W. Bush in the period from September 11, 2001to May 1, 2003. The analysis presented in the paper has been conducted on the corpus of92 speeches delivered by the speaker. The aim of the paper is to observe the formation ofthe ‘Us’ and ‘Them’groups on the basis of the involvement of the participant ‘Beneficiary:Recipient’. The theoretical framework for the analysis is grounded in the system oftransitivity developed by M. A. K. Halliday. In the analytical part, the focus will be placedon the analysis of the participant ‘Beneficiary: Recipient’ that is involved in Materialprocesses in George W. Bush’s discourse. It will be argued that the employment of thisparticipant also contributed to positive presentation of ‘Us’ and to negative presentationof ‘Them’.
“THE OVERALL AIM OF THIS WORK IS ….” FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF GRAMMATICAL SUBJECT IN RESEARCH ARTICLE INTRODUCTIONS ACROSS FOUR DISCIPLINES
Authors: Ebrahimi Seyed Foad
Published: August 2017

This study investigates the types and discourse functions of grammatical subjects inresearch article introductions across four disciplines, namely: Applied Linguistics andPsychology, representing soft sciences, and Chemistry and Environmental Engineering,representing hard sciences. This study was carried out on a corpus of 40 research articleintroductions (10 from each discipline). The research article introductions were sourcedfrom twelve ISI journals published from 2008 to 2012. The corpus was analysed basedon the modified model in relation to grammatical subject types and discourse functionssuggested by Ebrahimi (2014). The results revealed that the grammatical subject typeselections were guided by the nature of the research article introduction. However, thefrequency of use of the grammatical subject types was constrained by the nature ofthe discipline. Discourse functions of grammatical subject types were predominantlydetermined by the divisions of the hard and soft sciences, and the specific disciplineswithin and the internal structure of the research article introductions. In addition, theresults of this study manifest a new framework for the analysis of discourse functions ofgrammatical subject types in research article introductions.
REITERATION RELATIONS IN EFL STUDENT ACADEMIC WRITING AND THE EFFECTS OF ONLINE LEARNING
Authors: Hublová Gabriela
Published: August 2017

Lexical cohesion significantly contributes to a text’s thematic progression, and by meansof it to perceived coherence. Therefore, the ability to express lexical cohesive relationsrepresents one of the areas of learners’ inter-language that are to be developed in foreignlanguage instruction. The paper reports on the development of lexical cohesion (namelythe class of reiteration) in EFL undergraduate and postgraduate academic writing as aresult of participation in a purely online academic writing course involving no face-tofaceinteraction. The course was delivered at Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.To determine the effect of the treatment, a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test post-testdesign was followed, with the genre of argumentative essay assigned for both measures.The pre/post-test analysis comprised two stages: the identification and classificationof reiteration pairs based on Tanskanen’s framework (2006) followed by subsequentevaluation of each pair in terms of its appropriateness/correctness. Thus, every pair wasclassified either as appropriate/well-formed or as displaying a sign of immature writingwith respect to given genre expectations. The occurrence of key lexical items formingchains of cohesion was also monitored. After the treatment, the use of reiteration devicesin students’ compositions improved in several respects. A greater variety of reiterationrelations was observed, with a statistically significant decline in simple repetition andcorresponding increases in other categories of reiteration relations. In addition, thepre/post-test comparison showed a statistically significant increase in the number ofreiteration pairs that were classified as appropriate/well-formed, and in the frequency ofkey lexical items.
THE EFFECT OF PHYSICIANS’ GENDER AND EXPERIENCE ON PERSIAN MEDICAL INTERACTIONS
Authors: Sarbandi Fariba Ramazani , Taki Giti , Yousefian Pakzad , Farangi Mohamad Reza
Published: August 2017

This study focusing on physician-patient interactions aimed to find out whetherphysicians’ gender and experience influence Persian doctor-patient interactions. Sopower strategies in physician-patient interactions were extracted and categorized toexplore the relationship between physicians’ gender and experience and power strategies.Fieldwork was conducted in clinics and hospitals of Rafsanjan city in Iran. One hundredphysician-patient consultations were audiotaped and transcribed during 2011-2012.Woods’ (2006) view was used to examine four strategies of power and knowledge ontheir talk. The findings pointed out the importance of investigating discourse of medicinein order to improve medical consultations, especially physician-patient interactions.Our study confirmed some previous assertions that physician-patient interactionswere asymmetrical. Physicians controlled and dominated the medical consultations byquestioning, interruptions, directive statements and tag questions. The analysis of the datarevealed that all power strategies were applied in Iranian physician-patient interactions.The results of Chi-Square tests indicated that there was a significant relationship betweenpower strategies and physicians’ experience and gender. It was concluded that the femaleand inexperienced physicians tended to control consultations by questioning, interruption,directives and tag questions more than the male and experienced physicians.
A INTERFACE ENTRE O FAZER TEATRAL E A TERAPIA OCUPACIONAL: REFLEXOS NO COTIDIANO
Authors: Ferigollo Juliana Prestes , Angeli Andrea Do Amparo Carotta de
Published: August 2017

O presente estudo buscou identificar como o teatro e a Terapia Ocupacional se encontram na cena terapêutica visando à promoção de saúde e a potencialização da vida dos sujeitos atendidos por esta. Para isso, criou-se um grupo de teatro denominado “Experimentações Cênicas” que aconteceu na Universidade Federal de Santa Maria no ano de 2013 e foi composto por universitários com faixa etária entre 20-25 anos. Utilizou-se como metodologia a pesquisa-ação e a análise dos dados foram baseadas na análise de conteúdo. Os resultados do trabalho mostraram que os participantes tomaram o grupo como um local onde podiam ter um momento de reflexão sobre seu cotidiano e, também, que as atividades propostas foram alternativas para o autoconhecimento, ou seja, percepção do próprio corpo, limites e potencialidades deste.Descritores: Arte; Terapia Ocupacional; Cultura; Atividades Cotidianas.
NAS MÃOS DE QUEM ESTÁ A GESTÃO DO SUS? PERCEPÇÕES DOS GESTORES MUNICIPAIS SOBRE GERENCIAMENTO
Authors: Santos Ezilaine Albino Monteiro , Cavalcante Jacqueline Rodrigues do Carmo , Lima Marina Martins Souza , Borges Cristiane José , Leite Giulena Rosa , Pelazza Bruno Bordin , Maia Ludmila Grego
Published: August 2017

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as percepções dos gestores municipais de saúde de uma Comissão Intergestora Regional do Estado de Goiás, sobre os instrumentos de gestão do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvida em uma região de saúde, a amostra foi constituída por nove gestores. Os resultados apontam predominância feminina na gestão do SUS. Quanto ao grau de escolaridade nota-se que 78% dos gestores possuem curso superior. A admissão ao cargo de gestor do sistema municipal de saúde ocorreu por meio de indicação política para 100% dos entrevistados. Os dados apresentados mostram que a gestão municipal do SUS é realizada, por indivíduos que embora a maioria tenhaformação superior na área da saúde , o conhecimento ainda é incipiente e ineficiente, no que se refere à concepção do SUS e instrumentos básicos de gestão.Descritores: Sistema Único de Saúde; Planejamento em Saúde; Gestão em Saúde.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE SUJEITOS QUE ACESSARAM UM HOSPITAL UNIVERSITÁRIO REGIONAL POR LESÃO ENCEFÁLICA ADQUIRIDA
Authors: Pommerehn Jodéli , Fedosse Elenir
Published: August 2017

O estudo descreve e relaciona perfil, fatores de risco e diagnóstico de 60 sujeitos acometidos por Lesões Encefálicas Adquiridas (LEA) que acessaram, no mês de março de 2015, um Hospital Regional do Rio Grande do Sul. É um estudo descritivo, exploratório e quantitativo, aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. A média de idade dos sujeitos foi 51,33 anos; maioria 53 (88,33%) é da cor branca e 36 (60%) do sexo masculino. O diagnóstico prevalente foi Acidente Vascular Cerebral hemorrágico 15 (25%), 10 (16,7%) por Coinfeccção Neurológica e 9 (15%) Tumores de Sistema Nervoso Central. Tais episódios foram associados aos fatores de risco - hipertensão arterial sistêmica, diabetes mellitus, etilismo, tabagismo e Human Immunodeficiency Virus estiveram presentes em 45%, 20%, 20%, 20%, 10% respectivamente. Estes, decorrentes de causas evitáveis, o que significa que as ações preventivas relacionadas a doenças vasculares, infectocontagiosas e neoplásicas do Sistema Nervoso ainda não são eficientes.DESCRITORES: Lesões Encefálicas; Fatores de Risco; Assistência Hospitalar.
SABERES E PRÁTICAS DE HOMENS ADULTOS ACERCA DO USO DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS: IMPLICAÇÕES PARA O CUIDADO
Authors: Silva Silvana De Oliveira , Gomes Talita Kiffer , Machado Letícia Martins , Pieszak Greice Machado , Rodrigues Sandra Ost
Published: August 2017

Objetivo: conhecer os saberes e práticas de homens adultos, adscritos em uma Estratégia de Saúde da Família, acerca do uso de plantas medicinais. Metodologia: pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva, exploratória. Participaram homens adultos que utilizavam plantas medicinais de forma habitual. Coleta dos dados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e observação não participante e interpretação por análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: O saber popular sobre as plantas medicinais é transmitido na família entre gerações e o uso das plantas está relacionado ao alívio de sintomas específicos. A prática do manejo e preparo das plantas medicinais diverge das recomendações científicas em relação a dosagem e interação com outras substâncias. Conclusão: os profissionais de saúde inseridos na Estratégia de Saúde da Família necessitam reconhecer esta prática como presente no cotidiano de homens adultos e realizar ações educativas multidisciplinares pautadas no conhecimento científico para dessa forma contribuir com a utilização das plantas medicinais de forma segura.Descritores: Plantas Medicinais; Saúde do Homem; Atenção Primária à Saúde; Estratégia Saúde da Família.
TOXOPLASMA GONDII – SOROPREVALÊNCIA EM PACIENTES HIV NO SUL DO BRASIL
Authors: Silva Claudinei Mesquita da , Peder Leyde Daiane de , Menolli Rafael Andrade , Takizawa Maria das Graças Marciano Hirata , Takizawa Marcelo Caname Hirata , Horvath Josana Dranka , Silva Eraldo Schunk , Teixeira Jorge Juarez Vieira , Bertolini Dennis Armando
Published: August 2017

O objetivo desse estudo foi estimar a soroprevalência de Toxoplasma gondii e sua associação com preditores em pacientes infectados pelo HIV. Estudo transversal realizado com pacientes infectados pelo HIV, atendidos em um centro de referência no Sul do Brasil, entre 2005 a 2014. A soroprevalência de T. gondii foi 57,90%, sendo significativamente maior em pacientes pertencentes às faixas etárias de 30-49 anos (Odds Ratio (OR) 5,2; 95% IC 1,57-17,10; p=0,007) e ≥ 50 anos (OR 4,1; 95% IC 1,22-13,77; p=0,02), sexo feminino (OR 3,3;95% IC 1,33-7,32; p<0,0001) e com ≤ 8 anos de educação (OR 2,2; IC 95% 1,62-2,93; p<0,0001). Pacientes solteiros e com tempo de diagnóstico do HIV ≤ 1 ano possuíam fator de proteção (OR 0,5; 95% IC 0,25-0,99; p=0,04) e (OR 0,5; IC 0,37-0,73; p<0,0001), respectivamente. Os achados reportam alta soroprevalência para T. gondii em pacientes infectados com HIV.Descritores: HIV; Toxoplasmose; Epidemiologia
RELAÇÃO ENTRE INDICADORES ANTROPOMÉTRICOS E HEMATOLÓGICOS DE PAIS E SEUS FILHOS
Authors: Soares Silvana Silveira , Silva Cristiane Fernanda da , Kern Deise Graziela , Sehn Ana Paula , Welser Letícia , Pohl Hildegard Hedwig , Burgos Miria Suzana
Published: August 2017

Objetivo: Verificar possível associação entre o perfil hematológico e o estado nutricional de trabalhadores e seus filhos. Metodologia: Estudo transversal composto por 25 pais e seus respectivos filhos (25). Avaliou-se índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência da cintura (CC), circunferência do quadril (CQ) e relação cintura-quadril (RCQ). Para os indicadores hematológicos, avaliou-se a hemoglobina e o hematócrito. Resultados: 13 pais e 6 filhos apresentam sobrepeso/obesidade e 9 pais e 3 filhos apresentam CC elevada. Entre os filhos, 11 apresentam hemoglobina aumentada e 7 hematócrito aumentado. Não foi observada relação entre os indicadores antropométricos e hematológicos de pais e seus filhos. Com relação aos pais, observou-se relação significativa entre RCQ com hemoglobina (p=0,002) e hematócrito (p=0,020). Entre os filhos, a CC associou-se com a hemoglobina (p=0,046) e com o hematócrito (p=0,016). Conclusão: Não foi encontrada relação dos indicadores antropométricos e hematológicos entre pais e filhos. Por outro lado, os indicadores antropométricos e hematológicos mostraram associação nos pais e nos filhos.Descritores: Anemia; Obesidade; Adulto; Criança; Adolescente.
The Shadow Knows Math
Authors: Metz James
Published: August 2017

Shadows are a springboard for mathematical inquiry.
Clock Buddies: An Accessible, Engaging Problem-Solving Activity with Rich Mathematical Content
Authors: Borkovitz Debra K. , Haferd Thomas
Published: August 2017

Explore an accessible, open-ended, real-world scheduling activity that is connected to topics in graph theory.
A Graphical Introduction to the Derivative
Authors: Samuels Jason
Published: August 2017

Classroom implementation of two activities based on the graphical representation serves as a first introduction to the derivative.
Mathematical Selfies: Students' Real-World Mathematics
Authors: Jaqua Kathy M. C.
Published: August 2017

When students take photographs of events or objects, the mathematics becomes much more real for them.
Financial Education: Increase Your Purchasing Power
Authors: Sole Marla A.
Published: August 2017

Young people today need to be financially literate, which depends in large part on being able to apply mathematics principles correctly to make real-world decisions. Therefore, it is not surprising that mathematics and financial education organizations and educators recognize the value of teaching real-world financial exercises (Jump$tart 2015; Lusardi 2012; NCTM 2000, 2016; CCSSI 2010; Sole 2014). Although educators recognize the importance of financial education in high school, students are not learning these skills (Bortz 2012). Only seventeen states require that students take a course in personal finance in high school (Council of Economic Education [CCE] 2016). College students also have gaps in their understanding of finance (Chen and Volpe 1998; Sole 2014). Given how valuable these life skills are, it is surprising that when 36 percent of millennials were given the opportunity in high school, college, or on the job to learn about finance, only 22 percent took advantage of this opportunity (Mottola 2014).
A Tale of Two Sliders
Authors: Walker Janet , Edwards Michael Todd
Published: August 2017

When you hear talk of “sliders,” your mouth may water as you think of miniature burgers that “slide” down your throat. If you are a student or teacher of mathematics, the word slider may also conjure up visions of interactive mathematics tools that enable exploration of parameters and graphs. In the paragraphs that follow, we discuss ideas for using Desmos, a freely available online calculator, to investigate a scenario about tasty sliders. By automating the construction of sliders, Desmos makes their use more accessible for students and teachers alike.
Welcome to Volume 23: MTMS: A Teacher's Perspective
Authors: Edwards Clayton M.
Published: August 2017

This introduction gives an overview of the upcoming volume.
Palette of Problems
Authors: Pelikan Stephan , DeJarnette Anna F. , Phelps Stephen
Published: August 2017

A monthly set of problems is aimed at a variety of ability levels.
3D Designing for Mathematical Learning
Authors: Greenstein Steven , Leszczynski Eliza , Fernández Eileen
Published: August 2017

Describes an approach using 3D printing technologies to produce a new physical tool for mathematical learning called Thirty6.
Nurturing Argumentation and Reasoning with Pentominoes
Authors: Todd Edwards Michael , Meagher Michael S. , Asli Özgün-Koca S.
Published: August 2017

This exploration, with activity sheets, engages students in mathematical argumentation and reasoning using pentominoes.
#OscarsSoWhite and Not So Right Problem
Authors: Kalinec-Craig Crystal
Published: August 2017

A real-world problem exploring the diversity in the film industry.
Bean counting, fog, and snow
Authors: Moss Diana L.
Published: August 2017

In this task, students predict the number of snow days by counting beans in a jar, a Native American method. Each month, elementary school teachers are presented with a problem along with suggested instructional notes; asked to use the problem in their own classrooms; and encouraged to report solutions, strategies, reflections, and misconceptions to the journal audience.
The Language Studies in Strategy as Practice and the Middle Manager Roles: An Essay
Authors: Neto Rubens Rozsa , Lavarda Rosalia Aldraci Barbosa
Published: August 2017

This theoretical essay presents a bibliographic research about language and strategy-as-practice by middle management with the goal of answer the research question: how does language contribute with the strategy implementation by middle manager? The middle management studies and language concepts were regarded into a theoretical essay where the language and strategy-as-practice paradigms are confronted. We understand that language can be reckoned as a central character to be studied concerning middle managers work playing different roles that can be assumed as: championing alternatives, facilitating adaptability, synthesizing information and implementing deliberate strategy and through language that the multiple languages can be adapted and the strategizing work can be done. The implications of this essay limit itself by the theoretical and not empirical aspect, but it opens ways to future research lines, theoretical or empirical studies, that can contribute to this study field or to middle manager strategizing practices researches.
Weaving the gold thread: strategic resources in a fashion industry
Authors: Souza Eduardo Garcia , Silveira-Martins Elvis
Published: August 2017

In the field of business strategy, the resource-based view demonstrates through the firm’s resources its ability to gain competitive advantage. This research had as objective identifying the resources that can be considered strategic in an industry of artisan fashion and thus to generate competitive advantage in this sector. The research method consists in a case study through a qualitative approach, where interviews were made with members of the organization and an external consultant. The data were analyzed through content analysis. The analyzed industry manufactures artisan fashion pieces with natural wool and demonstrates internal attributes that appear as differentials. Natural wool was once one of the great products of Rio Grande do Sul and had its decay with the emergence of synthetic fibers in the post-war period. Now another perspective emerges for the so-called 'White Gold' and its use as a competitive differential allied to the quality and sustainability of organic fibers and regional identity valued in this market.
Enterprise Multiple and Future Returns of the Brazilian Stock Market
Authors: Igrejas Rafael , Da Silva Raphael Braga , Klotzle Marcelo Cabus , Pinto Antonio Carlos Figueiredo , Silva Paulo Vitor Jordão da Gama
Published: August 2017

The estimation of cross-section returns for defining investment strategies based on financial multiples has been proven to be relevant following Fama and French’s (1992) research. One of the challenges for such studies is to identify the main variables that are suitable for explaining the returns in a particular context because the variables that are widely used in developed markets behave differently in emerging countries. In this study, we analyze the predictive power of the EV/EBITDA multiple in the context of the Brazilian stock market. The results show that the analyzed multiple has a strong relationship with the future returns of companies listed on the BM&F BOVESPA index between 2005 and 2013. For the period under review, the investment strategy of purchasing stocks when EV/EBITDA was low and selling stocks when EV/EBITDA was high showed abnormal returns of 15.94% per year, even after controlling for risk factors.
Testing Ecocentric and Anthropocentric Attitudes toward the Sustainable Development (EAATSD) scale with Bachelor students
Authors: Kopnina Helen
Published: August 2017

The Ecocentric and Anthropocentric Attitudes toward the Sustainable Development (EAATSD) scale is adapted from other scales measuring environmental concern with the aim of specifically targeting the subject of sustainable development. This scale was tested with three groups of students, those of International Business and Management Studies, and of Sustainable Business, both at The Hague University of Applied Science; and students of Environment and Development at Leiden University College. It was hypothesized that students who chose elective courses concerned with sustainability will be more ecocentric than those from a general business course. Analysis of the findings demonstrates however that while there are individual differences in attitudes between the students within the course, there are no significant differences between the students in different courses. This suggests that anthropocentric and ecocentric values are independent of the students’ chosen course, and that students that follow sustainability course are not more ecocentric.
Análise do acesso aos serviços odontológicos públicos no Brasil
Authors: Fonseca Emílio Prado da , Fonseca Suelen Garcia Oliveira da , Meneghim Marcelo De Castro
Published: August 2017

O acesso à saúde bucal tem sido analisado como parte do processo de integralidade do cuidado. Este trabalho teve como objetivo revisar a literatura científica brasileira sobre acesso à saúde bucal entre 2007 e 2014. A partir da pergunta formulada, foram revisadas as bases de dados PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus e BIREME/BVS. Além de aspas para palavras compostas, para serem recuperadas juntas, foram utilizados operadores booleanos para ampliar ou especificar a pesquisa em busca da melhor informação. Foram selecionados descritores válidos e aplicados os filtros: texto completo, idiomas (inglês e português), ano, assunto e tipo de documento (artigo completo). Fizeram parte da análise 35 artigos. Houve uma grande diversidade no percurso metodológico (desenho) dos estudos, sendo 24 (68,57%) do tipo epidemiológico transversal e 5 (14,28%) do tipo epidemiológico ecológico. O maior nível de evidência científica encontrado foi do tipo ensaio comunitário, utilizado em apenas 1 (2,85%) artigo. Não foi encontrado nenhum artigo do tipo epidemiológico longitudinal. No presente estudo, identificou-se o acesso à saúde bucal como um dispositivo transformador da realidade, modulado por aspectos contextuais, de serviço e individuais.
Pennsylvania Otolaryngologists as a Model for the Implications of Practice Location of Osteopathic vs Allopathic Surgical Subspecialists
Authors: Griffith Shane , Power Anton , Strand Mark
Published: August 2017

Background

Evidenced-based models should be used to predict future implications of the single accreditation system for graduate medical education. Compared with other states, Pennsylvania has a relatively high number of osteopathic physicians (ie, DOs) and may be used as a model for a health care system with an increased DO presence.

Objective

To compare the geographic distribution of otolaryngologist DOs with otolaryngologist allopathic physicians (ie, MDs) in Pennsylvania and identify differences in community size (urban, urbanized, and rural) in which these physicians practice.

Methods

A list of otolaryngologist practice locations in Pennsylvania was developed using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data, the American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Masterfile, and the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. The United States Census data were used to document the general population of those locations. The samples of individual otolaryngologist DOs and MDs were then analyzed by determining where each otolaryngologist practiced, identifying the type of community in which they practiced, and then comparing the percentage of otolaryngologist DOs and MDs who practiced in each community type (urbanized area, urban cluster, and rural). A χ2 analysis was used to determine whether a difference existed in practice location between otolaryngologist DOs and MDs.

Results

Of the 47 otolaryngologist DOs, 32 (70%) practiced in cities with a population of 49,999 or less. More than half (120 of 238) of the otolaryngologist MDs practiced in cities larger than 50,000, and 96 of 238 (40%) practiced in cities with a population of at least 200,000. χ2 analysis showed a significant difference in the geographic distribution of otolaryngologist DOs and MDs (P=.012).

Conclusion

A correlation exists between the practice location of otolaryngologists in Pennsylvania and the medical degree they hold.
Self-efficacy of Osteopathic Medical Students in a Rural-Urban Underserved Pathway Program
Authors: Casapulla Sharon L.
Published: August 2017

Context

Self-efficacy has been shown to play a role in medical students’ choice of practice location. More physicians are needed in rural and urban underserved communities. Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine has a co-curricular training program in rural and urban underserved practice to address this shortage.

Objective

To assess whether participation in the co-curricular program in rural and urban underserved practice affects self-efficacy related to rural and underserved urban practice.

Methods

This cross-sectional study explored self-efficacy using Bandura's 5 sources of self-efficacy (vicarious learning, verbal persuasion, positive emotional arousal, negative emotional arousal, and performance accomplishments). A validated scale on self-efficacy for rural practice was expanded to include self-efficacy for urban underserved practice and e-mailed to all 707 medical students across 4 years of medical school. Composite rural and urban underserved self-efficacy scores were calculated. Scores from participants in the rural and urban underserved training program were compared with those who were not in the program.

Results

Data were obtained from 277 students. In the overall sample, students who indicated that they grew up in a rural community reported significantly higher rural self-efficacy scores than those who did not grow up in a rural community (F
1,250=27.56, P<.001). Conversely, students who indicated that they grew up in a nonrural community reported significantly higher urban underserved self-efficacy scores than those who grew up in a rural community (F
1,237=7.50, P=.007). The participants who stated primary care as their career interest (n=122) had higher rural self-efficacy scores than the participants who reported a preference for generalist specialties (general surgery, general psychiatry, and general obstetrics and gynecology) or other specialties (n=155) (F
2,249=7.16, P=.001). Students who participated in the rural and urban underserved training program (n=49) reported higher rural self-efficacy scores (mean [SD], 21.06 [5.06]) than those who were not in the program (19.22 [4.22]) (t
65=2.36; P=.022; equal variances not assumed). The weakest source of self-efficacy for rural practice in participants was vicarious experience. The weakest source of urban underserved self-efficacy was verbal persuasion.

Conclusion

Opportunities exist for strengthening weaker sources of self-efficacy for rural practice, including vicarious experience and verbal persuasion. The findings suggest a need for longitudinal research into self-efficacy and practice type interest in osteopathic medical students.
Progressive Infantile Scoliosis Managed With Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
Authors: Feely Richard A. , Kapraun Holly E.
Published: August 2017

Infantile idiopathic scoliosis is a compensatory result of cranial and sacral intraosseous dysfunction associated with asymmetric developmental deformation of the occiput, leading to dysfunction of the sphenobasilar synchondrosis. A female infant with progressive infantile idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed at age 12 months (46.9° left scoliotic curve) initially received standard orthopedic care, including casting. The patient presented for osteopathic evaluation at age 14 months, at which time her scoliotic curve was 52°. The patient wore a Risser cast extending from T1-L5 at her first osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) visit, which included osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine. Her parents chose to have the cast removed at age 17 months, with a 23° curve remaining. For approximately 12 months, OMT was the only continued, consistent treatment, which occurred once per month. By 28 months of age, radiographs measured 0° of scoliosis. This case demonstrates that OMT can dramatically improve infantile idiopathic scoliosis and prevent its progression.
BioFuelDB: a database and prediction server of enzymes involved in biofuels production
Authors: Chaudhary Nikhil , Gupta Ankit , Gupta Sudheer , Sharma Vineet K.
Published: August 2017

Background

In light of the rapid decrease in fossils fuel reserves and an increasing demand for energy, novel methods are required to explore alternative biofuel production processes to alleviate these pressures. A wide variety of molecules which can either be used as biofuels or as biofuel precursors are produced using microbial enzymes. However, the common challenges in the industrial implementation of enzyme catalysis for biofuel production are the unavailability of a comprehensive biofuel enzyme resource, low efficiency of known enzymes, and limited availability of enzymes which can function under extreme conditions in the industrial processes.

Methods

We have developed a comprehensive database of known enzymes with proven or potential applications in biofuel production through text mining of PubMed abstracts and other publicly available information. A total of 131 enzymes with a role in biofuel production were identified and classified into six enzyme classes and four broad application categories namely ‘Alcohol production’, ‘Biodiesel production’, ‘Fuel Cell’ and ‘Alternate biofuels’. A prediction tool ‘Benz’ was developed to identify and classify novel homologues of the known biofuel enzyme sequences from sequenced genomes and metagenomes. ‘Benz’ employs a hybrid approach incorporating HMMER 3.0 and RAPSearch2 programs to provide high accuracy and high speed for prediction.

Results

Using the Benz tool, 153,754 novel homologues of biofuel enzymes were identified from 23 diverse metagenomic sources. The comprehensive data of curated biofuel enzymes, their novel homologs identified from diverse metagenomes, and the hybrid prediction tool Benz are presented as a web server which can be used for the prediction of biofuel enzymes from genomic and metagenomic datasets. The database and the Benz tool is publicly available at http://metabiosys.iiserb.ac.in/biofueldb& http://metagenomics.iiserb.ac.in/biofueldb.
Mutation detection and prenatal diagnosis of XLHED pedigree
Authors: Lin Yao , Yin Wei , Bian Zhuan
Published: August 2017

Background

The phenotypic characters of X -linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (XLHED) are the dysplasia of epithelial- and mesenchymal-derived organs. Ectodysplasin (EDA) is the causative gene of XLHED.

Methods

The current study reported a large Chinese XLHED pedigree. The genomic DNA of adult and fetus was extracted from peripheral blood and shed chorion cell respectively. The nucleotide variation in EDA gene was screened through direct sequencing the coding sequence. The methylation state of EDA gene’s promoter was evaluated by pyrosequencing.

Results

This Chinese XLHED family had two male patients and three carriers. All of them were with a novel EDA frameshift mutation. The mutation, c.172-173insGG, which leads to an immediate premature stop codon in exon one caused severe structural changes of EDA. Prenatal diagnosis suggested that the fetus was a female carrier. The follow-up observation of this child indicated that she had mild hypodontia of deciduous teeth at age six. The methylation level of EDA gene’s promoter was not related to carriers’ phenotype changes in this family.

Discussion

We reported a new frameshift mutation of EDA gene in a Chinese family. Prenatal diagnosis can help to predict the disease status of the fetus.
PrePhyloPro: phylogenetic profile-based prediction of whole proteome linkages
Authors: Niu Yulong , Liu Chengcheng , Moghimyfiroozabad Shayan , Yang Yi , Alavian Kambiz N.
Published: August 2017

Direct and indirect functional links between proteins as well as their interactions as part of larger protein complexes or common signaling pathways may be predicted by analyzing the correlation of their evolutionary patterns. Based on phylogenetic profiling, here we present a highly scalable and time-efficient computational framework for predicting linkages within the whole human proteome. We have validated this method through analysis of 3,697 human pathways and molecular complexes and a comparison of our results with the prediction outcomes of previously published co-occurrency model-based and normalization methods. Here we also introduce PrePhyloPro, a web-based software that uses our method for accurately predicting proteome-wide linkages. We present data on interactions of human mitochondrial proteins, verifying the performance of this software. PrePhyloPro is freely available at http://prephylopro.org/phyloprofile/.
New insights into Mesozoic cycad evolution: an exploration of anatomically preserved Cycadaceae seeds from the Jurassic Oxford Clay biota
Authors: Spencer Alan R.T. , Garwood Russell J. , Rees Andrew R. , Raine Robert J. , Rothwell Gar W. , Hollingworth Neville T.J. , Hilton Jason
Published: August 2017

Most knowledge concerning Mesozoic Era floras has come from compression fossils. This has been augmented in the last 20 years by rarer permineralized material showing cellular preservation. Here, we describe a new genus of anatomically preserved gymnosperm seed from the Callovian–Oxfordian (Jurassic) Oxford Clay Formation (UK), using a combination of traditional sectioning and synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-tomography (SRXMT).Oxfordiana motturiigen. et sp. nov. is large and bilaterally symmetrical. It has prominent external ribs, and has a three-layered integument comprising: a narrow outer layer of thick walled cells; a thick middle parenchymatous layer; and innermost a thin fleshy layer. The integument has a longitudinal interior groove and micropyle, enveloping a nucellus with a small pollen chamber. The large size, bilateral symmetry and integumentary groove demonstrate an affinity for the new species within the cycads. Moreover, the internal groove in extant taxa is an autapomorphy of the genusCycas, where it facilitates seed germination. Based upon the unique seed germination mechanism shared with living species of the Cycadaceae, we conclude thatO. motturiiis a member of the stem-group lineage leading toCycasafter the Jurassic divergence of the Cycadaceae from other extant cycads. SRXMT—for the first time successfully applied to fossils already prepared as slides—reveals the distribution of different mineral phases within the fossil, and allows us to evaluate the taphonomy ofOxfordiana. An early pyrite phase replicates the external surfaces of individual cells, a later carbonate component infilling void spaces. The resulting taphonomic model suggests that the relatively small size of the fossils was key to their exceptional preservation, concentrating sulfate-reducing bacteria in a locally closed microenvironment and thus facilitating soft-tissue permineralization.
Uncovering unseen fungal diversity from plant DNA banks
Authors: Datlof Erin M. , Amend Anthony S. , Earl Kamala , Hayward Jeremy , Morden Clifford W. , Wade Rachael , Zahn Geoffrey , Hynson Nicole A.
Published: August 2017

Throughout the world DNA banks are used as storage repositories for genetic diversity of organisms ranging from plants to insects to mammals. Designed to preserve the genetic information for organisms of interest, these banks also indirectly preserve organisms’ associated microbiomes, including fungi associated with plant tissues. Studies of fungal biodiversity lag far behind those of macroorganisms, such as plants, and estimates of global fungal richness are still widely debated. Utilizing previously collected specimens to study patterns of fungal diversity could significantly increase our understanding of overall patterns of biodiversity from snapshots in time. Here, we investigated the fungi inhabiting the phylloplane among species of the endemic Hawaiian plant genus, Clermontia (Campanulaceae). Utilizing next generation DNA amplicon sequencing, we uncovered approximately 1,780 fungal operational taxonomic units from just 20 DNA bank samples collected throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. Using these historical samples, we tested the macroecological pattern of decreasing community similarity with decreasing geographic proximity. We found a significant distance decay pattern among Clermontia associated fungal communities. This study provides the first insights into elucidating patterns of microbial diversity through the use of DNA bank repository samples.
RhoGDIβ promotes Sp1/MMP‐2 expression and bladder cancer invasion through perturbing miR‐200c‐targeted JNK2 protein translation
Authors: Huang Haishan , Jin Honglei , Zhao Huirong , Wang Jingjing , Li Xin , Yan Huiying , Wang Shuai , Guo Xirui , Xue Lei , Li Jingxia , Peng Minggang , Wang Annette , Zhu Junlan , Wu Xue‐Ru , Chen Changyan , Huang Chuanshu
Published: August 2017

Our most recent studies demonstrate that RhoGDIβ is able to promote human bladder cancer (BC) invasion and metastasis in an X‐link inhibitor of apoptosis protein‐dependent fashion accompanied by increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 protein expression. We also found that RhoGDIβ and MMP‐2 protein expressions are consistently upregulated in both invasive BC tissues and cell lines. In the present study, we show that knockdown of RhoGDIβ inhibited MMP‐2 protein expression accompanied by a reduction of invasion in human BC cells, whereas ectopic expression of RhoGDIβ upregulated MMP‐2 protein expression and promoted invasion as well. The mechanistic studies indicated that MMP‐2 was upregulated by RhoGDIβ at the transcriptional level by increased specific binding of the transcription factor Sp1 to the mmp‐2 promoter region. Further investigation revealed that RhoGDIβ overexpression led to downregulation of miR‐200c, whereas miR‐200c was able directly to target 3′‐UTR of jnk2mRNA and attenuated JNK2 protein translation, which resulted in attenuation of Sp1mRNA and protein expression in turn, inhibiting Sp1‐dependent mmp‐2 transcription. Collectively, our studies demonstrate that RhoGDIβ overexpression inhibits miR‐200c abundance, which consequently results in increases of JNK2 protein translation, Sp1 expression, mmp‐2 transcription, and BC invasion. These findings, together with our previous results showing X‐link inhibitor of apoptosis protein mediating mRNA stabilization of both RhoGDIβ and mmp‐2, reveal the nature of the MMP‐2 regulatory network, which leads to MMP‐2 overexpression and BC invasion.
Traveling Foreshocks and Transient Foreshock Phenomena
Authors: Kajdič P. , Blanco‐Cano X. , Omidi N. , Rojas‐Castillo D. , Sibeck D. G. , Billingham L.
Published: August 2017

We use the multispacecraft capabilities of the Cluster and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) missions to show that two types of foreshock may be detected in spacecraft data. One is the global foreshock that appears upstream of the Earth's quasi‐parallel bow shock under steady or variable interplanetary magnetic field. Another type is a traveling foreshock that is bounded by two rotational discontinuities in the interplanetary magnetic field and propagates along the bow shock. Foreshock compressional boundaries are found at the edges of both types of foreshock. We show that isolated foreshock cavities are a subset of the traveling foreshocks that form when two bounding rotational discontinuities are so close that the ultralow‐frequency waves do not develop in the region between them. We also report observations of a spontaneous hot flow anomaly inside a traveling foreshock. This means that other phenomena, such as foreshock cavitons, may also exist inside this type of foreshock. In the second part of this work we present statistical properties of phenomena related to the foreshock, namely, foreshock cavities, cavitons, spontaneous hot flow anomalies, and foreshock compressional boundaries. We show that spontaneous hot flow anomalies are the most depleted transient structures in terms of the B field and plasma density inside them and that the foreshock compressional boundaries and foreshock cavities are closely related structures.
Fermi acceleration of electrons inside foreshock transient cores
Authors: Liu Terry Z. , Lu San , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Hietala Heli , Wilson Lynn B.
Published: August 2017

Foreshock transients upstream of Earth's bow shock have been recently observed to accelerate electrons to many times their thermal energy. How such acceleration occurs is unknown, however. Using Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) case studies, we examine a subset of acceleration events (31 of 247 events) in foreshock transients with cores that exhibit gradual electron energy increases accompanied by low background magnetic field strength and large‐amplitude magnetic fluctuations. Using the evolution of electron distributions and the energy increase rates at multiple spacecraft, we suggest that Fermi acceleration between a converging foreshock transient's compressional boundary and the bow shock is responsible for the observed electron acceleration. We then show that a one‐dimensional test particle simulation of an ideal Fermi acceleration model in fluctuating fields prescribed by the observations can reproduce the observed evolution of electron distributions, energy increase rate, and pitch angle isotropy, providing further support for our hypothesis. Thus, Fermi acceleration is likely the principal electron acceleration mechanism in at least this subset of foreshock transient cores.
Intersection Waves
Authors: Abell B. C. , Nolte D. D. , Pyrak‐Nolte L. J.
Published: August 2017

Intersections in a fracture network control the connectivity of the flow paths through rock. The long near‐linear geometric nature of fractures makes them difficult to identify and characterize. We present a new type of elastic wave, an intersection wave, which travels along an intersection and is sensitive to the coupling between two orthogonal fractures that define the intersection. Group theory for C2v and C4v point groups predicts sets of propagating elastic waves confined to the fracture intersection. Along with the use of the wave equation and displacement discontinuity boundary conditions, the dispersion relationships for intersection waves are predicted. Experimental ultrasonic measurements on a nonwelded linear intersection between two orthogonal, synthetic fractures in aluminum confirm the existence of multiple modes that travel between the speed of wedge waves (sub‐Rayleigh waves) when the intersection is completely, and bulk shear waves, when the intersection is closed, as predicted by theory. Between these two limits, the intersection behaves as a nonwelded contact and yields these new intersection waves that are dispersive and sensitive to the coupling along the intersection. Intersection waves provide the foundation for new geophysical approaches for characterizing the hydraulic connectivity of fracture networks.
The transcription factor ATF7 mediates in vitro fertilization‐induced gene expression changes in mouse liver
Authors: Liu Yang , Maekawa Toshio , Yoshida Keisuke , Kaneda Hideki , Chatton Bruno , Wakana Shigeharu , Ishii Shunsuke
Published: August 2017

Assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), are now frequently used, and increasing evidence indicates that IVF causes gene expression changes in children and adolescents that increase the risk of metabolic diseases. Although such gene expression changes are thought to be due to IVF‐induced epigenetic changes, the mechanism remains elusive. We tested whether the transcription factor ATF7—which mediates stress‐induced changes in histone H3K9 tri‐ and dimethylation, typical marks of epigenetic silencing—is involved in the IVF‐induced gene expression changes. IVF up‐ and downregulated the expression of 688 and 204 genes, respectively, in the liver of 3‐week‐old wild‐type (WT) mice, whereas 87% and 68% of these were not changed, respectively, by IVF in ATF7‐deficient (Atf7−/−) mice. The genes, which are involved in metabolism, such as pyrimidine and purine metabolism, were upregulated in WT mice, but not in Atf7−/− mice. Of the genes whose expression was upregulated by IVF in WT mice, 37% were also upregulated by a loss of ATF7. These results indicate that ATF7 is a key factor in establishing the memory of IVF effects on metabolic pathways.