bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing two‐step and one‐step chromatic adaptation transforms using the CAT16 model
Authors: Li Changjun , Xu Yang , Wang Zhifeng , Luo Ming Ronnier , Cui Guihua , Melgosa Manuel , Brill Michael H. , Pointer Michael
Published: August 2018

Color‐appearance models, CIECAM02 and CAM16, usually include two one‐step chromatic adaptation transforms: a forward (one‐step) transform to convert data from a first illuminant to CIE illuminant E, plus a reverse (one‐step) transform to convert the results from CIE illuminant E to a second illuminant. In practice, however, one‐step chromatic adaptation models, that avoid the use of the intermediate CIE illuminant E, are also employed. Tests using the one‐step CAT16 model indicate failures of both the symmetry and transitivity properties, except in the case where the degree of adaptation D is equal to unity. The magnitude of these failures depends on the specific illuminants selected, and increases as the degree of adaptation decreases. From four possible two‐step CAT16 models, we have identified two that obey the symmetry and transitivity properties, one with slightly better predictions of the experimental corresponding‐color datasets available in the literature, and more consistent with the one‐step CAT16 model. The findings of this article confirm that, for incomplete adaptation, the use of the one‐step CAT is incorrect, and we propose that the use of a two‐step CAT16 model be mandatory for future applications.
Distance‐independent Cross‐correlated Relaxation and Isotropic Chemical Shift Modulation in Protein Dynamics Studies
Authors: Vögeli Beat , Vugmeyster Liliya
Published: August 2018

Cross‐correlated relaxation (CCR) in multiple‐quantum coherences differs from other relaxation phenomena in its theoretical ability to be mediated across an infinite distance. The two interfering relaxation mechanisms may be dipolar interactions, chemical shift anisotropies, chemical shift modulations or quadrupolar interactions. These properties make multiple‐quantum CCR an attractive probe for structure and dynamics of biomacromolecules not accessible from other measurements. Here, we review the use of multiple‐quantum CCR measurements in dynamics studies of proteins. We compile a list of all experiments proposed for CCR rate measurements, provide an overview of the theory with a focus on protein dynamics, and present applications to various protein systems.
Costs and efficiency of gatekeeping under varying numbers of general practitioners
Authors: Blöndal Björn , Ásgeirsdóttir Tinna Laufey
Published: August 2018

We study the relationship between gatekeeping on one hand and costs as well as efficiency on the other hand. We do this with special focus on the relative amount of general practitioners in the system when compared with all practitioners. Data collected between 2002 and 2011 by The Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development on 34 countries were analyzed. Of those, 18 countries have gatekeeping systems while 16 do not. The association between gatekeeping and health care costs was examined with regression analysis. Efficiency was assessed with data envelopment analysis. Finally, the efficiency assessments were analyzed with regression techniques to examine if gatekeeping and/or the ratio of GPs to all practitioners was associated with efficiency. Point estimates indicate that total costs tend to be lower in systems where GPs act as gatekeepers. However, efficiency is slightly lower where gatekeeping exists. Neither of these results is statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. There is also indication that the efficiency of a gatekeeping system increases with increased amount of GPs. When GPs are over 30% of practitioners, gatekeeping countries have more efficient health care systems than their counterparts. Consistent with other studies, we estimate income elasticity of health care demand to be 1.12, suggesting that those societies consider health care to be a luxury good.
Artichoke leaf extract, as AKR1B1 inhibitor, decreases sorbitol level in the rat eye lenses under high glucose conditions ex vivo
Authors: Šušaníková Ivana , Balleková Jana , Štefek Milan , Hošek Jan , Mučaji Pavel
Published: August 2018

In the previous study, the artichoke leaf extract showed effective inhibition of AKR1B1, the first enzyme of polyol pathway, which reduces high level of glucose to osmotically active sorbitol, important for development of chronic diabetic complications. In the present study, the effect of artichoke leaf extract and of several participating phenols (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and luteolin) was tested on sorbitol level in rat lenses exposed to high glucose ex vivo, on cytotoxicity as well as on oxidative stress in C2C12 muscle cell line induced by high glucose in vitro. The concentration of sorbitol was determined by enzymatic analysis, the cytotoxicity was provided by WST‐1 test and intracellular content of reactive oxygen species was determined by fluorescence of 2′‐7′‐dichlorofluorescein probe. The extract and the compounds tested showed significant protection against toxic effects of high concentration of glucose in both models. On balance, the artichoke leaf extract thus represents a prospective preventive agent of development of chronic diabetic complications, probably due to phenols content, concerning preclinical and clinical studies.
Oral administration of powdered dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. (turmeric, Zingiberaceae) is effective in the treatment of doxorubicin‐induced kidney injury in rats
Authors: Russo Enzo R. , Facincani Inalda , Nakazato Katia C. , Coimbra Terezila M. , Crevelin Eduardo J. , Pereira Ana Maria S. , Carmona Fabio
Published: August 2018

Curcumin is a polyphenol present in the rhizomes of the species Curcuma longa L. (“turmeric,” Zingiberaceae), which has been used for centuries as an anti‐inflammatory. We aimed to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of C. longa in renal injury induced by doxorubicin (DOX, 3.5 mg.kg−1 IV). We studied four groups of Wistar rats: two groups with DOX‐induced kidney injury, one fed with standard food and another with standard food mixed with C. longa (5 mg.g−1). Two other control groups without kidney injury were fed with the same foods. We measured albuminuria, body weight, and food intake every 2 weeks. After 8 weeks, treatment with C. longa did not change albuminuria, but it significantly attenuated the excretion of urinary inflammatory markers monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and significantly attenuated immunostaining for desmin, vimentin, and ED‐1+ cells in renal tissues of rats with DOX‐induced kidney injury. In addition, treatment with C. longa resulted in significantly lower glomerular and tubule interstitial injury scores, compared with that in the DOX‐STD group. In conclusion, administration of powdered rhizomes of C. longa for 8 weeks to rats with DOX‐induced kidney injury did not reduce albuminuria but led to a significant decrease in urinary inflammatory markers MCP‐1 and TGF‐β and decreased histopathological alterations and immunostaining for desmin, vimentin, and ED‐1+ cells kidneys tissues.
Whole-exome sequencing reveals doubly novel heterozygous Myosin Binding Protein C and Titin mutations in a Chinese patient with severe dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Fan Liang-Liang , Chen Ya-Qin , Huang Hao , Jin Jie-Yuan , Li Jing-Jing , Tan Zhi-Ping
Published: August 2018

Background

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a serious heart disorder that may induce sudden cardiac death and heart failure. Significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis of dilated cardiomyopathy. In previous studies, mutations in more than fifty genes have been identified in dilated cardiomyopathy patients. The purpose of this study was to detect the genetic lesion in a family from the central south of China affected by severe dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods

Whole-exome sequencing combined with cardiomyopathy-related genes list were used to analyse the mutations of the proband. Co-segregation analysis was performed by Sanger sequencing.

Results and conclusions

Two novel heterozygous mutations – Myosin Binding Protein C: p.L1014RfsX6 and Titin: p.R9793X – were identified in the proband. The deletion mutation c.3041delT/p.L1014RfsX6 caused a premature stop codon at position 1020 in exon 28 of the Myosin Binding Protein C. The nonsense mutation, c.29377 C>T/ p. R9793X, of Titin was located in the highly evolutionarily conserved domain, resulting in truncation of the Titin protein as well. Co-segregation analysis further revealed that the Myosin Binding Protein C mutation came from his mother and the Titin mutation came from his father. Both mutations are reported in dilated cardiomyopathy patients for the first time. Our study not only provides a unique example of the genes and molecular mechanisms involved in dilated cardiomyopathy but also expands the spectrum of Myosin Binding Protein C and Titin mutations and contributes to the genetic diagnosis and counselling of dilated cardiomyopathy patients.
Compassion satisfaction and fatigue: an investigation into levels being reported by radiotherapy students
Authors: Flinton David , Cherry Pam , Thorne Richard , Mannion Liam , O’Sullivan Chris , Khine Ricardo
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Studies have investigated the prevalence of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in various healthcare professions. However, the majority of evidence is linked to the nursing profession and little is known about paramedical professions such as radiography and even less is known about its prevalence in students. The purpose of this study was to describe the levels of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in the student population and how they varied in time.

Methods

Students undertaking radiotherapy training at the researcher’s host sites were surveyed using the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire at the end of each final clinical block in each year of their training.

Results and conclusion

During the 3 years of training compassion satisfaction falls and burnout increases in the student population, although the change is not significant. Secondary traumatic stress increases significantly during the 3 years of training, F=5·725, p=0·005. Considerable variation also exists in the three scores dependent on the student’s clinical training site. Relationships are also observed between some personality traits, particularly conscientiousness and neuroticism and compassion scores.
Why Trace Metals Cling to the Ocean’s Skin
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: August 2018

Metals within the millimeter-thick sea surface microlayer may impact ocean health and climate.
Harnessing genetic potential of wheat germplasm banks through impact-oriented-prebreeding for future food and nutritional security
Authors: Singh Sukhwinder , Vikram Prashant , Sehgal Deepmala , Burgueño Juan , Sharma Achla , Singh Sanjay K. , Sansaloni Carolina P. , Joynson Ryan , Brabbs Thomas , Ortiz Cynthia , Solis-Moya Ernesto , Govindan Velu , Gupta Naveen , Sidhu Harminder S. , Basandrai Ashwani K. , Basandrai Daisy , Ledesma-Ramires Lourdes , Suaste-Franco Maria P. , Fuentes-Dávila Guillermo , Moreno Javier I. , Sonder Kai , Singh Vaibhav K. , Singh Sanjay , Shokat Sajid , Arif Mian A. R. , Laghari Khalil A. , Srivastava Puja , Bhavani Sridhar , Kumar Satish , Pal Dharam , Jaiswal Jai P. , Kumar Uttam , Chaudhary Harinder K. , Crossa Jose , Payne Thomas S. , Imtiaz Muhammad , Sohu Virinder S. , Singh Gyanendra P. , Bains Navtej S. , Hall Anthony , Pixley Kevin V.
Published: August 2018

The value of exotic wheat genetic resources for accelerating grain yield gains is largely unproven and unrealized. We used next-generation sequencing, together with multi-environment phenotyping, to study the contribution of exotic genomes to 984 three-way-cross-derived (exotic/elite1//elite2) pre-breeding lines (PBLs). Genomic characterization of these lines with haplotype map-based and SNP marker approaches revealed exotic specific imprints of 16.1 to 25.1%, which compares to theoretical expectation of 25%. A rare and favorable haplotype (GT) with 0.4% frequency in gene bank identified on chromosome 6D minimized grain yield (GY) loss under heat stress without GY penalty under irrigated conditions. More specifically, the ‘T’ allele of the haplotype GT originated in Aegilops tauschii and was absent in all elite lines used in study. In silico analysis of the SNP showed hits with a candidate gene coding for isoflavone reductase IRL-like protein in Ae. tauschii. Rare haplotypes were also identified on chromosomes 1A, 6A and 2B effective against abiotic/biotic stresses. Results demonstrate positive contributions of exotic germplasm to PBLs derived from crosses of exotics with CIMMYT’s best elite lines. This is a major impact-oriented pre-breeding effort at CIMMYT, resulting in large-scale development of PBLs for deployment in breeding programs addressing food security under climate change scenarios.
From homogeneous to heterogeneous network alignment via colored graphlets
Authors: Gu Shawn , Johnson John , Faisal Fazle E. , Milenković Tijana
Published: August 2018

Network alignment (NA) compares networks with the goal of finding a node mapping that uncovers highly similar (conserved) network regions. Existing NA methods are homogeneous, i.e., they can deal only with networks containing nodes and edges of one type. Due to increasing amounts of heterogeneous network data with nodes or edges of different types, we extend three recent state-of-the-art homogeneous NA methods, WAVE, MAGNA++, and SANA, to allow for heterogeneous NA for the first time. We introduce several algorithmic novelties. Namely, these existing methods compute homogeneous graphlet-based node similarities and then find high-scoring alignments with respect to these similarities, while simultaneously maximizing the amount of conserved edges. Instead, we extend homogeneous graphlets to their heterogeneous counterparts, which we then use to develop a new measure of heterogeneous node similarity. Also, we extend S3, a state-of-the-art measure of edge conservation for homogeneous NA, to its heterogeneous counterpart. Then, we find high-scoring alignments with respect to our heterogeneous node similarity and edge conservation measures. In evaluations on synthetic and real-world biological networks, our proposed heterogeneous NA methods lead to higher-quality alignments and better robustness to noise in the data than their homogeneous counterparts. The software and data from this work is available at https://nd.edu/~cone/colored_graphlets/.
Nanoscale Peptide Self-assemblies Boost BCG-primed Cellular Immunity Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Chesson Charles B. , Huante Matthew , Nusbaum Rebecca J. , Walker Aida G. , Clover Tara M. , Chinnaswamy Jagannath , Endsley Janice J. , Rudra Jai S.
Published: August 2018

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the only vaccine against TB and has limited protection efficacy, which wanes past adolescence. Multifunctional CD8+ T cells (IFN-γ+/TNF-α+/IL-2+) are associated with lower reactivation risk and enhanced control of activeMtbinfection. Since boosting with BCG is contraindicated, booster vaccines that augment T cell immunity in the lungs of BCG-vaccinated individuals are urgently needed. We developed a vaccination strategy based on self-assembling peptide nanofibers presentingMtb-specific CD8+ or CD4+ T cell epitopes that induce high frequency and antigen-specific effector memory T cells producing IFN-γ and IL-2. Intranasal immunization with peptide nanofibers was well tolerated in mice leading to increased antigen-specific CD8+ T cell population in the lungs. Co-assembled nanofibers of CD8+ T cell epitopes and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonists induced a 8-fold expansion in multifunctional CD8+ T cell populations in the lungs of vaccinated mice. Aerosol challenge withMtbin BCG-primed and nanofiber-boosted mice provided an additional 0.5-log CFU reduction in lung bacterial load and indicating enhanced protection compared to BCG alone. Together, these data suggest that heterologous prime-boost with BCG and peptide nanofiber vaccines induces cell mediated immunity in the lung, reduces bacterial burden, and is a potentially safer alternative for boosting BCG-primed immunity.
Visible light induced efficient hydrogen production through semiconductor–conductor–semiconductor (S–C–S) interfaces formed between g-C3N4 and rGO/Fe2O3 core–shell composites
Authors: Thangavel Nithya , Bellamkonda Sankeerthana , Arulraj Abraham Daniel , Ranga Rao G. , Neppolian Bernaurdshaw
Published: August 2018

The type II heterojunction g-C3N4/rGO/Fe2O3 photocatalyst prepared by hydrothermal and wet impregnation methods for H2 production via water splitting.
Exploring the nature of the clopidogrel–bromocresol green interactionviaspectrophotometric measurements and quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Mohamed Sabrein H. , Magdy Alyaa I. , Ahmed Ashour A.
Published: August 2018

The nature of the different electronic transitions of clopidogrel bisulfate; antiplatelet agent, in BCG ion-pair and quantitative analysis based on extracting a yellow-formed ion-pair into chloroform from aqueous medium is obtained.
Classification of EEG signals for detection of epileptic seizure activities based on feature extraction from brain maps using image processing algorithms
Authors: Jothiraj Sairamya Nanjappan , Selvaraj Thomas George , Ramasamy Balakrishnan , Deivendran Narain Ponraj , M.S.P Subathra
Published: August 2018

This study presents a novel feature extraction approach based on image processing algorithms for the automated detection of epileptic seizure activities in brain map representation of electroencephalography (EEG) signal using an efficient classification technique. The proposed technique uses independent component analysis to extract independent components (ICs) from the EEG signal and each extracted IC is transformed into an image termed as brain maps. Two feature extraction techniques namely closed neighbourhood gradient pattern (CNGP) and combined texture pattern (CTP) are propounded for automatic elimination of artefact brain maps. The extracted features are fed into the least square support vector machine (LSSVM) for automatic detection of epileptic brain maps. Extensive experimental result over the existing image processing techniques in literature demonstrates that the texture pattern representations of CNGP and CTP are improved to obtain better features to enhance the performance of texture classification. The obtained result shows that the LSSVM classifier with Gaussian RBF kernel is able to detect the epileptic brain map with a high accuracy rate. The results are reliable and it assists the neurologist to diagnose epileptic signals effortlessly by visually locating the brain area being affected by seizure activities.
Lost and found sunquake in the 6 September 2011 flare caused by beam electrons
Authors: Macrae Connor , Zharkov Sergei , Zharkova Valentina , Druett Malcolm , Matthews Sarah , Kawate Tomoko
Published: August 2018

The active region NOAA 11283 produced two X-class flares on 6 and 7 September 2011 that have been well studied by many authors. The X2.1 class flare occurred on September 6, 2011 and was associated with the first of two homologous white light flares produced by this region, but no sunquake was found with it despite the one being detected in the second flare of 7 September 2011. In this paper we present the first observation of a sunquake for the 6 September 2011 flare detected via statistical significance analysis of egression power and verified via directional holography and time–distance diagram. The surface wavefront exhibits directional preference in the north-west direction We interpret this sunquake and the associated flare emission with a combination of a radiative hydrodynamic model of a flaring atmosphere heated by electron beam and a hydrodynamic model of acoustic wave generation in the solar interior generated by a supersonic shock. The hydrodynamic model of the flaring atmosphere produces a hydrodynamic shock travelling with supersonic velocities toward the photosphere and beneath. For the first time we derive velocities (up to 140 km s−1) and onset time (about 50 s after flare onset) of the shock deposition at given depths of the interior. The shock parameters are confirmed by the radiative signatures in hard X-rays and white light emission observed from this flare. The shock propagation in the interior beneath the flare is found to generate acoustic waves elongated in the direction of shock propagation, that results in an anisotropic wavefront seen on the solar surface. Matching the detected seismic signatures on the solar surface with the acoustic wave front model derived for the simulated shock velocities, we infer that the shock has to be deposited under an angle of about 30° to the local solar vertical. Hence, the improved seismic detection technique combined with the double hydrodynamic model reported in this study opens new perspectives for observation and interpretation of seismic signatures in solar flares.
Parameters and models of the jets from Sanduleak’s star in the LMC
Authors: Camps-Fariña A. , Raga A. C. , Noriega-Crespo A.
Published: August 2018

Context. Angeloni and collaborators have discovered a bipolar jet extending out to ~6 pc from “Sanduleak’s star” in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). This is the first angularly resolved stellar jet system that has been observed outside our Galaxy.

Aims. In this paper we use archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images of this jet in order to estimate the flow parameters, and use them to explore two possible theoretical scenarios for modelling this bipolar outflow.

Methods. We have computed axisymmetric gasdynamic simulations of a conical outflow with an opening angle that increases with time and of a cylindrical jet interacting with a stratified circumstellar structure. The results of these models are then compared with the observed morphology of the jets from Sanduleak’s star.

Results. From the observations, we obtain Ṁj ≈ 1.2 × 10−5M⊙ yr−1 and Lm ≈ 1000 L⊙ for the mass loss rate and the mechanical luminosity (respectively) of each of the outflow lobes. We also obtain a (deprojected) flow velocity vj ≈ 1000 km s−1 and a dynamical time tdyn ≈ 7300 yr. From the simulations that we have computed (with these flow parameters), we find that both the “opening out conical wind” and the “jet+stratified environment” scenarios have characteristics that resemble the observed morphologies. A more complete model for the jets from Sanduleak’s star might incorporate some of the features of these two scenarios.
The Importance of Foreign Language Instruction in the Current Multicultural World
Authors: Josefova Alena
Published: August 2018

The current multicultural world is characterized, on the one hand, by the intense encounter of people from different cultures, and of various races and nationalities, and on the other hand, by a high degree of technological modernization in all aspects of our lives. The area of education plays, undoubtedly, an irreplaceable and crucial role nowadays. Language is not only about the mutual cooperation of people coming from different parts of the world, but especially in Europe, it is connected with the increase of problems connected with the integration of newcomers into the majority society of the new country. Foreign languages instruction and, in particular, its intensive support by individual countries becomes a necessity in today’s diverse world. The author’s research at universities in 2 countries confirms the importance of foreign language teaching promotion in the current globalized world.
Resolving the conundrum of superior performers in organizations with the utilization of competency profiling
Authors: Suhairom Nornazira , Abd Wahid Nur Husna , Zulkifli Rafeizah , Md Nasir Ahmad Nabil
Published: August 2018

Studies have shown that superior performers provide increased productivity, profit and revenue especially for service and business-driven organizations. Undeniably, good people are great for business; however, previous studies provide limited indication on how to identify superior performers from average performers. In this study, the Star-Chef Competency Profile Assessment test was developed to help organizations identify and differentiate superior performers. The instrument helps in identifying and articulating the distinguishing characteristics of people who perform exceptionally well compared to those that do not. The Star-Chef Competency Profile Assessment analyses a person’s fit with six pillars of competency that encompass important competencies required for culinary profession: technical (culinary-specific), non-technical (generic), self-concept, personal quality, physical state and motives. Further, the competency profiling technique utilized the Rasch Measurement Model in identifying the superior performers. Competency profiling assessment was conducted among culinary professionals in Malaysian hotels sector. This is a practical, unique approach in improving organizational talent management practices for employee training and development. Identifying and keeping the superior performers is important in enhancing work performance outcome which eventually will contribute to the organizational effectiveness. This information hones the organization ability to nail down the best employees that could be polished for higher level.
University Students in Southwestern Spain Digital Competences
Authors: Moreno-Fernández Olga , Moreno-Crespo Pilar , Hunt-Gómez Coral I.
Published: August 2018

The European Higher Education Area has marked a milestone in Higher Education. Consequently, teaching methodologies have experienced several transformations and their focus has turned to the incorporation of ICT in socio-educational environments. Thus, it can be stated that digital competences development is a paramount element for university students’ training, as they need to be digitally competent. This study explores the degree of knowledge and training about digital competences that students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Educational Sciences have. The questionnaire "University Student’ Basic Digital Competences 2.0" (COBADI/ Trademark 2970648) was applied to students of Early Years Education, Primary Education, Social Education and postgraduates of the Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from the Universities of Seville and Huelva (Southwestern Spain). Results show that digital competence in university students needs to be improved. There is, therefore, a definite need for transversal and organized training allowing students to master digital contexts efficiently.
Study regarding the use of gymnastics - related alternative methods during the physical education class
Authors: Laurentiu-Gabriel Talaghir , Leonard Stoica , Yucel Ocak
Published: August 2018

The improvement of motor qualities and skills represents the main concern of the Physical Education lesson. In the present paper we present a general motor exercise training routine, designed as an alternative to the traditional approach of the PE lessons. The routine was divided into three components, namely a cross fit exercise routine, an aerobics routine and an acrosport routine. This routine was implemented in the 5th grade syllabus. The test group was represented by 207 pupils, out of which 114 girls (55.07%) and 93 boys (44.93%). Most participants came from rural areas (66.18%) and 33.82% came from urban areas. The routine was implemented during the first semester of the current school year (2017-2018) in one of the two compulsory lessons. The topics from the traditional PE lesson were replaced by the proposed routines and used alternatively. The assessment consisted of 4 tests from the national assessment system. The results showed significant progress obtained in the final tests for all the 4 trials used (p < 0,001).
Examination of the preservice chemistry teachers’ understanding of periodic table concepts
Authors: Şen Şenol
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the preservice chemistry teachers’ understanding of periodic table concepts and some atomic properties. The study group of this study was comprised of 17 preservice chemistry teachers who were undergraduate students at a public University. The preservice teachers’ ages are between 19 and 26, and the mean is 21.12 (SD=1.83). In addition, the 14 of the preservice teachers are female and three are male. In the study, concept maps and lotus blossom technique were used as data collection tools in order to determine the understanding of preservice chemistry teachers about the periodic table concepts. Data obtained through these techniques was analysed to figure out the useful of these assessment tools. The results of the analysis indicated that preservice teachers have limited understanding of the periodic table and its properties. In addition, at the end of the study, it was determined that they have many misunderstanding.
Middle school students’ conceptual understanding of earthquakes
Authors: Toprak-Dereli Döne , Savaşcı-Açıkalın Funda
Published: August 2018

The purpose of the study was to investigate middle school students’ conceptual understandings of earthquakes. Data were collected by using Understanding Earthquakes Test [1] and semi-structured interviews. Participants were a total of 1024 middle school students from the fifth to the eighth grade studying at ten different schools in Istanbul. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty six students selected based on their test scores for three levels of understanding as high, middle, and low level. Findings of the current study indicated that students have lack conceptual understanding of earthquakes with many alternative conceptions. Students mostly from all grade levels seemed to have more scientific understanding in terms of protecting ways from earthquakes damage rather than explaining what earthquakes are and how earthquakes happen.
Simulation-based first aid training of students of health sciences
Authors: Marc Brigita , Dolenc Eva , Slabe Damjan
Published: August 2018

To achieve desired goals in the first aid training, we can use different learning methods. We can choose simulation, which represents one of the active forms of learning. Within the simulations, we can select simulated scenarios to bring more reality into the learning process. With our research we wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of scenario-based first aid training. We included 65 students of Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana. The experimental group was unlike the control group exposed to scenario-based learning during one-week first aid training. We collected the data with a questionnaire and evaluation paper, which enabled us to assess the students during the practical test. Our research has shown that pre-training with simulated scenarios improves provided first aid in case of a simulated accident. Keywords: scenarios; teaching; active learning; first aid
Empowering civil society through educating about responsible research and innovation
Authors: Majorek Marta , du Vall Marta
Published: August 2018

Number of factors may be indicated that can negatively affect the willingness of third sector actors and citizens to get involved with research and innovation policy. It is worth referring to these factors as barriers to societal engagement. Six key barriers can be identified: lack of knowledge and skills, lack of relevance, lack of impact, lack of trust and critical views of others, lack of time and finances, and lack of legitimacy. The main purpose of this article is to present some policies and practice options that can help to overcome these barriers. The main focus will be on solving the lack of knowledge and skills of social actors. In this context, the fact that citizens and third sector actors may perceive an engagement process as not relevant to their own interests, concerns, and goals may be indicated as the main cause for their non-involvement. Citizens and third sector actors may refrain from engagement when they fear they lack the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in research or in research and innovation policy. They may also be reluctant to participate when they do not have the basic understanding of science and scientific working methods. The article will propose an overview of policies and activities that can effectively overcome the indicated barriers to engagement.
Determinants of General Chemistry Success of Engineering Students in PLTL and Traditional Classroom: State Anxiety and Test Anxiety
Authors: Eren-Sisman Ece N. , Cigdemoglu Ceyhan , Geban Ömer
Published: August 2018

The purpose is to find out whether state and test anxiety can predict general chemistry grade in peer-led team learning group (PLTL) and non-PLTL groups and to explore their predictability of the grade after controlling the influence of trait anxiety. The sample consisted of a total 128 freshman engineering students attending general chemistry in a private university. STAI and RTT instruments and exams were used to generate data which were analyzed by using standard and hierarchical multiple regression. The findings revealed that in both groups the combination of predictors is significantly related to general chemistry grade, having the strongest unique contribution of test anxiety; however, it was only statistically significant for PLTL group. After controlling the effect of trait anxiety, test anxiety still makes a unique significant contribution for PLTL group. Accordingly, test anxiety can be used to predict the general chemistry grade of PLTL students.
Lessons Learned Using a High-Definition 3-Dimensional Exoscope for Spinal Surgery
Authors: Kwan Kevin , Schneider Julia R , Du Victor , Falting Lukas , Boockvar John A , Oren Jonathan , Levine Mitchell , Langer David J
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The operative microscope has significantly advanced modern neurosurgical spine surgery but continues to be limited by high costs, suboptimal optics, poor ergonomics, and difficulties with maneuverability. We believe the novel 4K high-definition (4K-HD) 3-dimensional (3D) exoscope (EX), may improve the surgical corridor through advancements in illumination, ergonomics, magnification, and depth of field and has the potential to be utilized in neurosurgical education and training.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the surgical potential of a novel 3D EX system in spinal surgery.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis over 6 mo of all patients who have undergone spinal surgery at Northwell Health using the 3D EX. Nuances of surgical theater positioning, advantages/disadvantages of the EX and clinical sequelae of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

All 10 patients who underwent spinal surgery utilizing the EX experienced excellent surgical and clinical outcomes without complications. The low-profile EX allowed for excellent operative corridors and instrument maneuverability. The large monitor also resulted in an immersive surgical experience, and gave team members the same 3D vision as the operator.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing the 3D 4K-HD EX system and highlights potential technical assets of this novel technology in regard to optics, ergonomics, and maneuverability. Further clinical research is needed to examine the clinical effectiveness of the EX system for different surgical approaches through quantitative methodology.
Assessment of Menstrual Health Status and Evolution through Mobile Apps for Fertility Awareness
Authors: Symul Laura , Wac Katarzyna , Hillard Paula , Salathé Marcel
Published: August 2018

For most women of reproductive age, assessing menstrual health and fertility typically involves regular visits to a gynecologist or another clinician. While these evaluations provide critical information on an individual’s reproductive health status, they typically rely on memory-based self-reports, and the results are rarely, if ever, assessed at the population level. In recent years, mobile apps for menstrual tracking have become very popular, allowing us to evaluate the reliability and tracking frequency of millions of self-observations, thereby providing an unparalleled view, both in detail and scale, on menstrual health and its evolution for large populations. In particular, we were interested in exploring the tracking behavior of the app users and their overall observation patterns in an effort to understand if they were consistent with previous small-scale medical studies. We also investigated whether their precision allowed the detection and estimation of ovulation timing, which is critical for reproductive and menstrual health. Retrospective self-observation data were acquired from two mobile apps dedicated to the application of the sympto-thermal fertility awareness method, resulting in a dataset of more than 30 million days of observations from over 2.7 million cycles. The analysis of the data showed that up to 40% of the cycles in which users were seeking pregnancy had recordings every single day. With a modeling approach using Hidden Markov Models to describe the collected data and estimate ovulation timing, it was found that follicular phases average duration and range were larger than previously reported, with only 24% of ovulations occurring at days 14 to 15, while the luteal phase duration and range were in line with previous reports, although short luteal phases (10 days or less) were more frequently observed (in up to 20% of cycles). The digital epidemiology approach presented here can help to lead to a better understanding of menstrual health and its connection to women’s health overall, which has historically been severely understudied.
Exogenous calcium ions enhance patulin adsorption capability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Luo Ying , Liu Xiaojiao , Han Yanqing , Li Jianke
Published: August 2018

Patulin contamination is a severe issue that restricts the development of the global fruit processing industry. Yeast adsorbs patulin more effectively than other microbial adsorbents, and this adsorption process mainly depends on the function of the cell wall. Additionally, exogenous calcium ions aid in yeast cell wall formation according to reports. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of exogenous calcium concentrations on the cell wall structure and the patulin adsorption capability was studied. We showed that the ability of the yeast to adsorb patulin was strengthened with an increase in exogenous calcium concentrations between 1×10-4 - 1×10-2 mol/L. Moreover, yeast cell wall thickness, β-1,3-glucan content and the activities of the key catalytic enzymes β-1,3-glucanase and β-1,3-glycosyl transferase were all increased within this range. The results indicated that exogenous calcium activates key enzymes and that these enzymes are crucial for cell wall network formation and patulin adsorption capability.

Importance

The present work illuminates that the exogenous calcium ions could determine the insoluble network structure by regulating key enzyme activities under certain concentrations, thus indirectly influencing the yeast cell patulin adsorption capability. It could enhance patulin adsorption capability of yeast walls and successfully apply to fruit juice industry.
Modeling circRNAs expression pattern with integrated sequence and epigenetic features identifies H3K79me2 as regulators for circRNAs expression
Authors: Chen Jia-Bin , Dong Shan-Shan , Yao Shi , Duan Yuan-Yuan , Hu Wei-Xin , Chen Hao , Wang Nai-Ning , Hao Ruo-Han , Guo Ming-Rui , Zhang Yu-Jie , Rong Yu , Chen Yi-Xiao , Thynn Hlaing Nwe , Zhou Fu-Ling , Guo Yan , Yang Tie-Lin
Published: August 2018

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are an abundant class of noncoding RNAs with widespread, cell/tissue specific pattern. Because of their involvement in the pathogenesis of multiple disease, they are receiving increasing attention. Previous work suggested that epigenetic features might be related to circRNA expression. However, current algorithms for circRNAs prediction neglect these features, leading to constant results across different cells.

Here we built a machine learning framework named CIRCScan, to predict expression status and expression levels of circRNAs in various cell lines based on sequence and epigenetic features. Both expression status and expression levels can be accurately predicted by different groups of features. For expression status, the top features were similar in different cells. However, the top features for predicting expression levels were different in different cells. Noteworthy, the importance of H3K79me2 ranked high in predicting both circRNAs expression status and levels across different cells, indicating its important role in regulating circRNAs expression. Further validation experiment in K562 confirmed that knock down of H3K79me2 did result in reduction of circRNA production.

Our study offers new insights into the regulation of circRNAs by incorporating epigenetic features in prediction models in different cellular contexts.
Narrowly confined and glomerulus-specific onset latencies of odor-evoked calcium transients in the periglomerular cells of the mouse main olfactory bulb
Authors: Homma Ryota , Lv Xiaohua , Sato Tokiharu , Imamura Fumiaki , Zeng Shaoqun , Nagayama Shin
Published: August 2018

Odor information is transmitted from olfactory sensory neurons to principal neurons at the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb. The intraglomerular neuronal circuit also includes hundreds of GABAergic interneurons referred to as periglomerular (PG) cells. Stimulus selectivity is well correlated among PG cells that are associated with the same glomerulus, consistent with their highly homogeneous sensory inputs. However, much less is known about the temporal aspects of their activity, including the temporal coordination of their odor-evoked responses. As many PG cells within a glomerular module respond to the same stimulus, the extent to which their activity is temporally aligned will affect the temporal profile of their population inhibitory inputs. Using random-access high-speed two-photon microscopy, we recorded the odor-evoked calcium transients of mouse PG cells and compared the onset latency and rise time among neurons putatively associated with the same and different glomeruli. Whereas the overall onset latencies of odor-evoked transients were distributed across a ~150 ms time window, those from cells putatively associated with the same glomerulus were confined to a much narrower window of several tens of milliseconds. This result suggests that onset latency primarily depends on the associated glomerulus. We also observed glomerular specificity in the rise time. The glomerulus-specific temporal pattern of odor-evoked activity implies that the temporal patterns of inhibitory inputs are unique to individual glomerulus–odor pairs, which may contribute to efficient shaping of the temporal pattern of activity in the principal neurons.
Bacterial cohesion predicts spatial distribution in the larval zebrafish intestine
Authors: Schlomann Brandon H. , Wiles Travis J. , Wall Elena S. , Guillemin Karen , Parthasarathy Raghuveer
Published: August 2018

Are there general biophysical relationships governing the spatial organization of the gut microbiome? Despite growing realization that spatial structure is important for population stability, inter-bacterial competition, and host functions, it is unclear in any animal gut whether such structure is subject to predictive, unifying rules, or if it results from contextual, species-specific behaviors. To explore this, we used light sheet fluorescence microscopy to conduct a high-resolution comparative study of bacterial distribution patterns throughout the entire intestinal volume of live, larval zebrafish. Fluorescently tagged strains of seven bacterial symbionts, representing six different species native to zebrafish, were each separately mono-associated with animals that had been raised initially germ-free. The strains showed large differences in both cohesion—the degree to which they auto-aggregate—and spatial distribution. We uncovered a striking correlation between each strain’s mean position and its cohesion, whether quantified as the fraction of cells existing as planktonic individuals, the average aggregate size, or the total number of aggregates. Moreover, these correlations held within species as well; aggregates of different sizes localized as predicted from the pan-species observations. Together, our findings indicate that bacteria within the zebrafish intestine are subject to generic processes that organize populations by their cohesive properties. The likely drivers of this relationship, peristaltic fluid flow, tubular anatomy, and bacterial growth and aggregation kinetics, are common throughout animals. We therefore suggest that the framework introduced here, of biophysical links between bacterial cohesion and spatial organization, should be useful for directing explorations in other host-microbe systems, formulating detailed models that can quantitatively map onto experimental data, and developing new tools that manipulate cohesion to engineer microbiome function.
Lsm12 mediates Pol·q deubiquitination to help Saccharomyces cerevisiae resist oxidative stress
Authors: Yao Rui , Shi Liujia , Wu Chengjin , Qiao Weihua , Liu Liming , Wu Jing
Published: August 2018

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Y-family DNA polymerase η (Polη) regulates genome stability in response to different forms of environmental stress by translesion DNA synthesis. To elucidate the role of Polη in oxidative stress-induced DNA damage, we deleted or overexpressed the corresponding gene RAD30, and used transcriptome analysis to screen the potential genes associated with RAD30 to respond to DNA damage. Under 2 mM H2O2, deletion of RAD30 resulted in a 2.2-fold decrease in survival and a 2.8-fold increase in DNA damage, whereas overexpression of RAD30 increased survival and decreased DNA damage by 1.2- and 1.4-fold, respectively, compared with that of the wild-type strain. Transcriptome and phenotypic analysis identified Lsm12 as a main factor involved in oxidative stress-induced DNA damage. Deleting LSM12 caused growth defects while its overexpression enhanced cell growth under 2 mM H2O2. This effect was due to the physical interaction of Lsm12 with the UBZ domain of Polη to enhance Polη deubiquitination through Ubp3, and consequently promote Polη recruitment. Overall, these findings demonstrate that Lsm12 is a novel regulator mediating Polη deubiquitination to promote its recruitment under oxidative stress. Furthermore, this study provides a potential strategy to maintain the genome stability of industrial strains during fermentation.

IMPORTANCE

Polη was shown to be critical for cell growth in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and deletion of its corresponding gene RAD30 caused a severe growth defect under exposure to oxidative stress with 2 mM H2O2. Furthermore, we found that Lsm12 physically interacts with Polη and promotes Polη deubiquitination and recruitment. Overall, these findings indicate Lsm12 as a novel regulator mediating Polη deubiquitination that regulates its recruitment in response to DNA damage induced by oxidative stress.