bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new lifetime distribution with applications in inventory and insurance
Authors: Chowdhury Shovan , Nanda Asok K.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new probability density function having both unbounded and bounded support with a wider applicability. While the distribution with bounded support on [0, 1] has applications in insurance and inventory management with ability to fit risk management data on proportions better than existing bounded distributions, the same with unbounded support is used as a lifetime model and is considered as an attractive alternative to some existing models in the reliability literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The new density function, called modified exponential-geometric distribution is derived from the exponential-geometric distribution introduced by Adamidis and Loukas (1998). The support of the density function is shown to be both unbounded and bounded depending on the values of one of the shape parameters. Various properties of the density function are studied in detail and the parameters are estimated through maximum likelihood method of estimation. A number of applications related to reliability, insurance and inventory management are exhibited along with some useful data analysis.

Findings

A single probability distribution with both unbounded and bounded support, which does not seem to exist in the reliability literature, is introduced in this paper. The proposed density function exhibits varying shapes including U-shape, and the failure rate also shows increasing, decreasing and bathtub shapes. The Monte Carlo simulation shows that the estimates of the parameters are quite stable with low standard errors. The distribution with unbounded support is shown to have competitive features for lifetime modeling through analysis of two data sets. The distribution with bounded support on [0, 1] is shown to have application in insurance and inventory management and is found totdata on proportions related to risk management better than some existing bounded distributions.

Originality/value

The authors introduce an innovative probability distribution which contributes significantly in insurance and inventory management besides its remarkable statistical and reliability properties.
Influence rules of geometric parameters on deformation of valve slices in valve-controlled adjustable damping shock absorber
Authors: Xie Fangwei , Ding Erming , Xuan Rui , Zhang Xinxing , Feng Yixian , Zhu Jie
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence rules of geometric parameters on deformation of valve slices.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theory of flexural deformation of elastic thin slice, differential functions of deformation for both single and multi-slices are given and derived in detail. Furthermore, the effects of geometric dimensions on deformation are analyzed particularly by using Matlab/simulink.

Findings

The results indicated that the deformation decreases with the increment of fixed ring radius ra, slice thickness h, and its number n. Meanwhile, the deformation increases with a rise of slice radius rb, throttle position rk, the radius ratio λ1 and thickness ratio λ2 of slices.

Originality/value

This research can provide some theoretical supports for the parametric and optimal design of adjustable damping shock absorber.
Natural disasters and their policy implications for business schools
Authors: Wynne Kevin , Leary Douglas , Sholes Jay
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of Hurricane Sandy and a series of snowstorms that affects two universities in the northeast.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was used to assess the educational impact that these storms had on the college students at two AACSB business schools located in the New York City area. Utilizing 519 observations from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and 441 observations from the snowstorms in the Spring of 2015, the paper is able to document the impact these natural disasters had on the college students in a few selected areas. The paper conducts univariate t-statistics for mean differences, principal component analysis determining eigenvalues, and a multivariate logit model using log likelihood functions.

Findings

The empirical results illustrate that the two different events had different impacts upon the students. In addition, the events in certain circumstances had different impacts upon the student responses between the two universities. Students perceived an increase in preparation by the faculty more significantly when make-up classes were conducted in classrooms as opposed to additional online work. Dorm residents at the suburban university felt greater financial hardship than their counterpart dorm residents at the urban university. Commuter students overall felt an increase in concerns related to their overall education.

Originality/value

The empirical results are robust to multiple specifications, and the authors are able to identify the predominate factors that affected the students during the two natural disasters. The unique survey based nature of the data set provides valuable insights into the students’ behavior that has not previously been documented.
Investigating a time‐shift extended imaging condition in a Kirchhoff pre‐stack depth migration algorithm
Authors: O'Brien Gareth Shane , Delaney Sean Joseph , Igoe Michael , Doherty John , Colhoun Andrew
Published: December 2017

Extracting true amplitude versus angle common image gathers is one of the key objectives in seismic processing and imaging. This is achievable to different degrees using different migration techniques (e.g., Kirchhoff, wavefield extrapolation, and reverse time migration techniques) and is a common tool in exploration, but the costs can vary depending on the selected migration algorithm and the desired accuracy. Here, we investigate the possibility of combining the local‐shift imaging condition, specifically the time‐shift extended imaging condition, for angle gathers with a Kirchhoff migration. The aims are not to replace the more accurate full‐wavefield migration but to offer a cheaper alternative where ray‐based methods are applicable and to use Kirchhoff time‐lag common image gathers to help bridge the gap between the traditional offset common image gathers and reverse time migration angle gathers; finally, given the higher level of summation inside the extended imaging migration, we wish to understand the impact on the amplitude versus angle response. The implementation of the time‐shift imaging condition along with the computational cost is discussed, and results of four different datasets are presented. The four example datasets, two synthetic, one land acquisition, and a marine dataset, have been migrated using a Kirchhoff offset method, a Kirchhoff time‐shift method, and, for comparison, a reverse time migration algorithm. The results show that the time‐shift imaging condition at zero time lag is equivalent to the full offset stack as expected. The output gathers are cleaner and more consistent in the time‐lag‐derived angle gathers, but the conversion from time lag to angle can be considered a post‐processing step. The main difference arises in the amplitude versus offset/angle distribution where the responses are different and dramatically so for the land data. The results from the synthetics and real data show that a Kirchhoff migration with an extended imaging condition is capable of generating subsurface angle gathers. The same disadvantages with a ray‐based approach will apply using the extended imaging condition relative to a wave equation angle gather solution. Nevertheless, using this approach allows one to explore the relationship between the velocity model and focusing of the reflected energy, to use the Radon transformation to remove noise and multiples, and to generate consistent products from a ray‐based migration and a full‐wave equation migration, which can then be interchanged depending on the process under study.
‘All pent up together’: Representations of Friendship in Fictions of Girls’ Boarding‐Schools, 1680‐1800
Authors: Haslett Moyra
Published: December 2017

Studies of female education have emphasised the contexts of criticism and anxiety that surrounded girls’ boarding‐schools in the eighteenth century. Histories of education, however, have not considered fictional representations of these schools, which, as the century progressed, suggest an increasing acceptance of the schools and offer striking defences of the importance and significance of female friendship. This article sketches a history of representations of girls’ schools across the period 1680‐1800 in order to show this development and to position Sarah Fielding's The Governess as a key influence in this history.
Use of agricultural land by breeding waders in low‐intensity farming landscapes
Authors: Jóhannesdóttir L. , Alves J. A. , Gill J. A. , Gunnarsson T. G.
Published: December 2017

Agriculture is one of the primary threats to biodiversity but agricultural land can also provide key resources for many species and, in some parts of the world, agricultural land supports important populations of species of conservation concern. In these cases, it is important to understand species’ use of agricultural land before further expansion or intensification of agricultural activities occurs. Agriculture in Iceland is still relatively low in intensity and extent, and internationally important populations of several breeding bird species are abundant in farmed regions. In these high latitude landscapes, agricultural land could provide resources that help to support these species, and the consequences of future agricultural expansion will depend on the nature of these relationships. To address these issues, we conducted surveys of bird abundance at 64 farms in areas of Iceland that vary in underlying soil productivity, and quantified (a) levels of breeding bird use of farmed land managed at three differing intensities, ranging from cultivated fields to semi‐natural land and (b) changes in patterns of use throughout the breeding season, for an assemblage of species. Breeding birds use all three land management types in large numbers but, overall, bird abundance is lower in more intensively managed farmland. However, more intensively managed agricultural land supports higher densities of birds than semi‐natural habitats in areas with lower underlying productivity. This suggests that in landscapes in which agricultural land does not yet dominate, conservation and commercial production can co‐exist, especially in areas of low productivity. Areas like Iceland, in which agricultural land still supports large populations of internationally important species, are rare and this study highlights the need to protect these systems from the agricultural development that has led to widespread biodiversity loss throughout most of the world.
Analyst Characteristics and the Level of Critical Perception of Goodwill Accounting
Authors: Saastamoinen Jani , Ojala Hannu , Pajunen Kati , Troberg Pontus
Published: December 2017

While inputs used in analysts’ valuation models have been documented (Brown et al. 2015), it has not been studied how analysts’ personal characteristics are associated with their level of critical perception regarding agency conflict manifested in published financial statements. This is important because analysts are, to some extent, substitutes for industry‐specialised auditors in monitoring financial reporting (e.g., Sun and Liu 2011). To address this shortcoming, we investigate analysts’ level of critical perception concerning current goodwill accounting standards, which provide significant reporting latitude. We use data from a survey of Nordic financial analysts and examine this data with statistical methods, including factor analysis and structural equation modelling. We find two latent constructs, one which reflects a critical attitude to the current goodwill accounting standards and one which reflects an uncritical attitude to the current standards. Our structural equation model suggests that having a background in auditing, as well as general experience and exposure to different industries, is associated with a higher degree of critical perception of current standards. In contrast, having a basic (low) level of formal business (accounting) education is associated with a more uncritical perception than having a high level of education.
Reforms to the Market for Audit and Assurance Services in the Period after the Global Financial Crisis: Evidence from the UK
Authors: Kend Michael , Basioudis IIias
Published: December 2017

The global financial crisis (GFC) had little effect on audit practices in Australia, as the country was largely sheltered from the GFC. The UK and Europe, which had experienced significant reforms to audit, were not sheltered from the GFC and regulators and law makers were pressured to take further action. The key UK and European audit reforms included the expanded auditors' report, disclosures on materiality thresholds, restrictions on non‐audit services, more powers for audit committees and mandatory firm rotation by auditors. The aim of this exploratory research study is to obtain the views of relevant stakeholders in relation to the benefits and costs of the recent UK audit reforms and the new EU Audit Directive (July 2016), and via a synthesis of these results and a review of the relevant Australian accounting literature, consider whether there is scope for Australia to adopt similar reforms to audit services. The study finds that there are significant reforms to auditing that have benefited the UK audit profession, and an open debate in Australia needs to be considered regarding the need for similar reforms. The study suggests a need for a proactive approach to audit reform and this lends support to recent findings from Australian accounting research studies.
School readiness in children with special educational needs and disabilities: Psychometric findings from a new screening tool, the Brief Early Skills, and Support Index
Authors: Hughes Claire , Foley Sarah , White Naomi , Devine Rory T.
Published: December 2017

Background

There is an urgent need to accelerate the detection of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A recent brief questionnaire designed for teachers and nursery staff, the Brief Early Skills and Support Index (BESSI), shows promising psychometric properties (Hughes, Daly, Foley, White, & Devine, . British Journal of Educational Psychology, 85(3), 332–356.), but has yet to be evaluated as a tool for detecting children who may have SEND.

Aims

Addressing this gap, this study aimed to assess whether BESSI scores (i) show measurement invariance across SEND status; (ii) show unique associations with SEND status; and (iii) are sensitive and specific to SEND status.

Sample

Eighty‐four teachers and nursery staff completed BESSI ratings for 2106 British children aged 2.5–5.5 years (48.9% male, 20% ethnic minority, 9.3% with a statement of SEND).

Method

We applied multilevel confirmatory factor analyses, regression analyses, and ROC analyses to examine each of the study questions, using the BESSI subscales (Behavioural Adjustment, Language and Cognition, Daily Living Skills, and Family Support) as dependent variables.

Results

The four BESSI subscales were reliable and showed measurement invariance across SEND status. Over and above effects of age, gender, family income, ethnicity, and family size, SEND status predicted substantial unique variance in BESSI scores. ROC analyses showed that in detecting children identified as having SEND, a cut‐off score of 8.50 on the BESSI total score produced good levels of sensitivity and specificity; gender‐specific analyses indicated a lower cut‐off score of 6.50 for girls.

Conclusion

The BESSI appears to be a useful tool in screening children for more detailed assessment of SEND.
Environmental and resource economics: A Canadian retrospective
Authors: Copeland Brian R. , Taylor M. Scott
Published: December 2017

The paper reviews research contributions to environmental and resource economics by scholars in Canada. We focus mainly on work from the past 25 years but also highlight earlier pathbreaking work. We begin by looking at broad trends in research both internationally and within Canada. We then review Canadian contributions to various topics in the field. Canadians have played a leading role in the development of the field, especially in resource economics, international environmental economics and the valuation of environmental amenities.
Pressure injury identification, measurement, coding, and reporting: Key challenges and opportunities
Authors: Weller Carolina D , Gershenzon Esther R , Evans Sue M , Team Victoria , McNeil John J
Published: December 2017

Pressure injury (PI) rates are a commonly used indicator of performance of health care facilities, both in acute and subacute settings. However, measuring PI rates in an accurate and reproducible fashion has been challenging. The consequences of poor measurement may include failure to identify poorly performing institutions or incorrect accusations of poor quality care. In this article, we describe the main challenges in identification, coding, and reporting of PIs. Issues include inconsistent identification of PIs at the time of admission, variations in the intensity of PI detection, and differing approaches to coding and the adjustment for differing risks amongst different patient population. These are compounded by differences in the epidemiological approach because rates will differ according to whether patients are surveyed cross‐sectionally (eg, on a set day per month) or if the survey is undertaken at discharge. In some cases, financial incentives may also influence PI reporting. We also discuss potential strategies for improving data collection and benchmarking as an aid to reducing PI prevalence.
High energy conversion efficiency in Mn‐modified Ba0.9Ca0.1Ti0.93Zr0.07O3 lead‐free energy harvester
Authors: Yan Xiaodong , Zheng Mupeng , Hou Yudong , Zhu Mankang , Yan Hui
Published: December 2017

Extracting energy from environment vibration by piezoelectric effect to power wireless sensor nodes has been an attractive field of research, and the key challenge is to design environmentally friendly piezoelectric materials with high power density. In order to alleviate this issue, lead‐free Mn‐modified Ba0.9Ca0.1Ti0.93Zr0.07O3 (BCTZ) ceramics were prepared, and the energy harvesting characteristics were optimized by addition of Mn ions. The results showed that the construction of R‐O‐T phase boundary and uniform dense microstructure boost the high energy harvesting characteristics at x = 0.1 specimen. In the mode of the cantilever‐type energy harvester, a high power density of 1.2 μW/mm3 and efficiency of energy conversion of 7% were obtained at x = 0.1 specimen under an acceleration of 1.0 g. In addition, the BCTZ energy harvester possesses outstanding and stable performance after a 106 cycles, as well as strong toughness against severe vibration environments.
Association between dopamine and somatostatin receptor expression and pharmacological response to somatostatin analogues in acromegaly
Authors: Venegas‐Moreno Eva , Vazquez‐Borrego Mari C. , Dios Elena , Gros‐Herguido Noelia , Flores‐Martinez Alvaro , Rivero‐Cortés Esther , Madrazo‐Atutxa Ainara , Japón Miguel A. , Luque Raúl M. , Castaño Justo P. , Cano David A. , Soto‐Moreno Alfonso
Published: December 2017

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder resulting from excessive growth hormone (GH) secretion frequently produced by pituitary adenomas and consequent increase in insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐I). Elevated GH and IGF‐I levels result in a wide range of somatic, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic and gastrointestinal morbidities. Somatostatin analogues (SSAs) form the basis of medical therapy for acromegaly and are currently used as first‐line treatment or as second‐line therapy in patients undergoing unsuccessful surgery. However, a considerable percentage of patients do not respond to SSAs treatment. Somatostatin receptors (SSTR1‐5) and dopamine receptors (DRD1‐5) subtypes play critical roles in the regulation of hormone secretion. These receptors are considered important pharmacological targets to inhibit hormone oversecretion. It has been proposed that decreased expression of SSTRs may be associated with poor response to SSAs. Here, we systematically examine SSTRs and DRDs expression in human somatotroph adenomas by quantitative PCR. We observed an association between the response to SSAs treatment and DRD4, DRD5, SSTR1 and SSTR2 expression. We also examined SSTR expression by immunohistochemistry and found that the immunohistochemical detection of SSTR2 in particular might be a good predictor of response to SSAs.
Individual Determinants for the Selection of Group Coordinators in the European Parliament
Authors: Daniel William T. , Thierse Stefan
Published: December 2017

Group coordinators are part of a highly influential circle of members of the European Parliament (MEPs). However, there is only scant knowledge about the powers and purpose of this position. This article draws upon theories of legislative organization and committee assignments to assess the question: What individual qualities determine the selection of group coordinators? Using a novel dataset of all MEPs elected to the 8th session of the European Parliament (EP), we consider various aspects of MEP professional background, experience in the chamber and interest group ties as potential predictors of this selection. Our findings indicate the particularly strong effect of incumbency in the committee system, as well as professional background for selection. Ultimately, the results bear relevance to the legislative organization of the EP as a legislature with both strong committees and strong parties.
Exploring nurses’ recognition of delirium in the elderly by using Q‐methodology
Authors: Jeong Eunhye , Chang Sung Ok
Published: December 2017

Aim

Despite its high prevalence and seriousness, delirium has been underrecognized by nurses. One reason is that the original characteristics of delirium are relatively unspecific and phenomenologically diverse, which makes a nurse's subjective decision more important in delirium detection. This study aims to identify the experiences, practices, and viewpoints of nurses in recognizing delirium in the elderly.

Methods

In this study, Q‐methodology, which is a method for analyzing subjectivity, was used. Following the steps of Q‐methodology, 32 nurses with experiences in caring for the delirious elderly sorted 34 Q‐statements into the shape of a normal distribution. A centroid factor analysis and varimax rotation using the PQMethod program were conducted.

Results

This study revealed four factors regarding nurses toward delirium recognition in the elderly. They were: Factor I, prediction from the integrated signs; Factor II, visible symptom‐centered detection; Factor III, the detection of abnormal changes based on concentrated observation; and Factor IV, identification by relying on the diagnostic data.

Conclusion

The result of the study can help to understand elderly delirium detection more practically from a nurse's point of view. It is expected to be used as a basis for a practical and accessible delirium education for nurses that reflects nurses’ subjective viewpoints.
The Effects of Tipping on Consumers' Satisfaction with Restaurants
Authors: Lynn Michael
Published: December 2017

This paper contributes to the policy debate about whether or not tipping should be outlawed by identifying the potential pros and cons of tipping from a consumer perspective and assessing their net effects in a field study that compares restaurant customer satisfaction under tipping and no‐tipping systems. Recent changes in the restaurant chain Joe's Crab Shack's policies regarding tipping provided an opportunity to assess the effects of those changes on customer satisfaction. Analyses indicate that online ratings of the dining experience were reliably higher when the rated restaurants operated under a tipping system than when they operated under a no‐tipping, service‐inclusive pricing system. These findings provide an important counter‐argument to those calling for the abolition of restaurant tipping.
The effect of establishing pre‐angiography thresholds on contrast utilization
Authors: Jia Kelly Q. , Blais Danielle , Porter Kyle , Boudoulas Konstantinos D. , Lilly Scott
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Contrast induced nephropathy is linked to contrast utilization and strategies for minimizing renal injury are incorporated into many laboratories that perform coronary angiography. Contrast limits have been described, below which there is minimal incremental increase in the risk of renal injury. Whether a priori acknowledgement of these limits as part of a contrast “Time‐Out” reduces contrast utilization has not been established. In this study, we investigate the effect of verbalizing pre‐angiography and ½ time contrast thresholds on contrast utilization and associated clinical outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 5265 cases of coronary angiography (984 with contrast thresholds defined pre‐procedure compared to 4281 without pre‐defined contrast thresholds). There were two primary endpoints: (1) proportion of procedures that utilized an amount of contrast ≤ threshold, and (2) median difference between amount of contrast utilized and the contrast threshold. Secondary outcomes incorporated indices of renal function, and included changes in serum creatinine levels, eGFR, and CKD stage.

Results

Compared to pre‐“Time‐Out” group, the post‐“Time‐Out” group had a higher proportion of procedures with contrast ≤ stated contrast threshold (88% vs 84%, P < 0.002), and a lower amount of total contrast volume (88 mL [IQR 60‐136] versus 78 mL [IQR 53‐119]). The post‐“Time‐Out” group also had a lower incidence of any increase in post‐procedure serum creatinine (45% vs 36%; P = 0.04), and a larger median decrease of pre‐ to post‐procedure eGFR (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Acknowledgement of contrast threshold as part of a contrast “Time‐Out” is associated with reduced overall contrast utilization, and likely minimizes risks of contrast‐induced nephropathy.
Prototypical supervisors shape lay‐off victims’ experiences of top management justice and organizational support
Authors: Lipponen Jukka , Steffens Niklas K. , Holtz Brian C.
Published: December 2017

Job loss is a pervasive experience affecting millions of workers around the globe annually. To investigate lay‐offs from the perspective of those who are affected, we conducted a lagged study examining lay‐off victims’ experiences of supervisory justice, top management justice, and organizational support. We test the hypotheses that the relationships between supervisory justice and lay‐off victims’ subsequent experiences of top management justice as well as organizational support are moderated by supervisors’ prototypicality of their team. Results from our study conducted during lay‐off process indicated that supervisory justice had a positive lagged impact on lay‐off victims’ unfolding experiences of both (1) top management justice and (2) organizational support for supervisors who were viewed as highly (but not lowly) prototypical of the team that both supervisors and subordinates were part of. Our study identifies a theoretically grounded moderator that may account for the presence (or absence) of cross‐foci effects found in previous multifoci justice studies. Moreover, our results shed light on the development of justice perceptions by demonstrating the impact of lower‐level supervisors in translating subordinates’ perceptions of justice of the supervisor to that of the top management. Findings suggest that supervisors have an important role to play in managing (for better or worse) the potentially harmful consequences associated with organizational redundancies.

Practitioner points

Prototypical supervisors are ‘gatekeepers’ who are able to influence their subordinates’ relationship with the organization and its management.

Involving supervisors in critical events such as lay‐offs may be important to effectively manage employees’ concerns.

It may not be well advised to overly centralize responsibility for communicating information regarding lay‐offs under human resource departments.
Dark side of climate change: species‐specific responses and first indications of disruption in spring altitudinal migration in myotis bats
Authors: Adams R. A.
Published: December 2017

In the Rocky Mountain region of North America, climate change is occurring at an accelerated rate and its effects are already changing population and community organization. Although some data have been gathered on changes in latitudinal migration patterns of animals, almost nothing is known about altitudinal migrations and climate change. Myotis bats of the Rocky Mountains provide a good model for understanding these patterns because they undergo significant seasonal altitudinal movements between high‐ and low‐elevation. In order to test if climate change is affecting spring down‐slope migrations of myotis species, I compared May and June capture data gathered over the last 21 years from 31 survey sites located between 1650 m a.s.l. and 2250 m a.s.l. on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado. Although three of the Myotis species maintained stable or slightly increasing capture numbers, indicating typical down‐slope spring migrations, two species showed significant declines in spring captures at lower elevations. When climate data for May and June were tested against capture data, the apparent causative factors for these declines differed between species. Declines in the capture of fringed myotis did not closely track annual patterns of mean June temperatures across years. Instead a steady decline occurred regardless of yearly variation in temperatures. However, declining captures of long‐legged myotis showed clear synchrony with variations in mean June temperatures wherein more captures occurred in years having cooler temperatures, and notably fewer captures in years having warmer June temperatures. In addition, zero captures of long‐legged myotis occurred in five of the last six years when mean June temperatures have shown an average increase in 1.8°C over previous years. These data indicate species‐specific responses to climate warming for bats in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and that loss of spring down‐slope migrations from hibernacula may be how some species mitigate climate warming effects.
A Usage‐Based Approach to Preposition Placement in English as a Second Language
Authors: Jach Daniel
Published: December 2017

This study examined the acquisition of preposition placement in English as a second language from a usage‐based perspective. German and Chinese learners of English and English native speakers rated the acceptability of English obliquewhrelative clauses in a magnitude estimation task. Results indicated that acceptability depended on interactions among preposition fronting and stranding, participant group, participants’ first language, and their English proficiency. Most importantly, while stranding was more acceptable than fronting across learner groups, fronting was more acceptable to German than to Chinese learners of English. In line with the usage‐based approach, input frequency and crosslinguistic similarity appeared to have a significant influence on the acquisition of preposition fronting and stranding in English. These findings are discussed in light of prior usage‐based studies pointing to the role of input frequency and similarity in language acquisition as well as in light of recent research on construction learning across languages.
Toxoplasma gondii promotes changes in VIPergic submucosal neurons, mucosal intraepithelial lymphocytes, and goblet cells during acute infection in the ileum of rats
Authors: Schneider L. C. L. , do Nascimento J. C. P. , Trevizan A. R. , Góis M. B. , Borges S. C. , Beraldi E. J. , Garcia J. L. , Sant'Ana D. M. G. , Buttow N. C.
Published: December 2017

Background

The intestinal mucosa plays an important role in the mechanical barrier against pathogens. During Toxoplasma gondii infection, however, the parasites invade the epithelial cells of the small intestine and initiate a local immune response. In the submucosal plexus, this response promotes an imbalance of neurotransmitters and induces neuroplasticity, which can change the integrity of the epithelium and its secretory function. This study evaluated the submucosal neurons throughout acute T. gondii infection and the relationship between possible alterations and the epithelial and immune defense cells of the mucosa.

Methods

Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 8 groups (n = 5): 1 control group, uninfected, and 7 groups infected with an inoculation of 5000 sporulated T. gondii oocysts (ME‐49 strain, genotype II). Segments of the ileum were collected for standard histological processing, histochemical techniques, and immunofluorescence.

Key Results

The infection caused progressive neuronal loss in the submucosal general population and changed the proportion of VIPergic neurons throughout the infection periods. These changes may be related to the observed reduction in goblet cells that secret sialomucins and increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes after 24 hours, and the increase in immune cells in the lamina propria after 10 days of infection. The submucosa also presented fibrogenesis, characterizing injury and tissue repair.

Conclusions and Inferences

The acute T. gondii infection in the ileum of rats changes the proportion of VIPergic neurons and the epithelial cells, which can compromise the mucosal defense during infection.
Concordance between Lactose Quick Test, hydrogen‐methane breath test and genotyping for the diagnosis of lactose malabsorption in children
Authors: Rojo C. , Jaime F. , Azócar L. , Hernández C. , Villagrán A. , Miquel J. F. , Arancibia G.
Published: December 2017

Background

Lactose intolerance is a frequent condition in certain populations. Different methods for diagnosis exist. There is scarce literature regarding Lactose Quick Test (LQT) and concordance with other methods for lactose intolerance diagnosis in children.

Methods

Prospectively, we included children who underwent gastroduodenoscopy for evaluation of abdominal pain. We obtained a duodenal sample for LQT and blood sample for genetic test to evaluate LCT C>T‐13910 variant. Later, patients underwent breath test with lactose, to evaluate malabsorption. We evaluated the concordance between the three different tests.

Key Results

We included 46 patients, 56.5% women. Mean age was 13.2 years (range 9‐18 years). 66.6% of patients had lactose malabsorption according to breath test; 64.4% were homozygous CC; and 91.3% had hypolactasia (mild or severe) according to LQT. None of the patients with normolactasia had altered breath test. Genetic test had a substantial agreement (k = 0.675) with breath test and fair agreement (k = 0.301) with LQT. LQT had fair agreement (k = 0.348) with breath test.

Conclusions & Inferences

Genetic test had better concordance with breath test than LQT to diagnose lactose malabsorption, however, none of the patients with normal LQT had lactose malabsorption. In patients who undergo gastroduodenoscopy to study abdominal pain, it seems reasonable to perform LQT, and, in those with hypolactasia, to perform breath test.
Paying people to lose weight: the effectiveness of financial incentives provided by health insurers for the prevention and management of overweight and obesity – a systematic review
Authors: Ananthapavan J. , Peterson A. , Sacks G.
Published: December 2017

Curbing the obesity epidemic is likely to require a suite of interventions targeting the obesogenic environment as well as individual behaviour. Evidence suggests that the effectiveness of behaviour modification programmes can be enhanced by financial incentives that immediately reward weight loss behaviour. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of incentives with a focus on assessing the relative effectiveness of incentives that target different behaviours as well as factors of importance when implementing these programmes in real‐world settings (health insurer settings). A narrative review of the academic and grey literature including a variety of study designs was undertaken. Twenty studies met inclusion criteria and were assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Results suggest that incentivizing weight loss is effective in the short term while the incentives are in place. There are various incentive designs, and although the relative effectiveness of each of these on weight loss is not clear, it appears that positive incentives increase the uptake into programmes and may reduce dropouts. As with other weight loss initiatives, there is a need to explore ways to maintain weight loss in the longer term – incentives for weight maintenance could play a role.
Expression of the glutamine metabolism‐related proteins glutaminase 1 and glutamate dehydrogenase in canine mammary tumours
Authors: Ryu J.‐E. , Park H.‐K. , Choi H.‐J. , Lee H.‐B. , Lee H.‐J. , Lee H. , Yu E.‐S. , Son W.‐C.
Published: December 2017

Glutamine metabolism is an important metabolic pathway for cancer cell survival, and there is a critical connection between tumour growth and glutamine metabolism. Because of their similarities, canine mammary carcinomas are useful for studying human breast cancer. Accordingly, we investigated the correlations between the expression of glutamine metabolism‐related proteins and the pathological features of canine mammary tumours. We performed immunohistochemical and western blot analysis of 39 mammary tumour tissues. In immunohistochemical analysis, the expression of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) in the epithelial region increased according to the histological grade (P < .005). In the stromal region, complex‐type tumours displayed significantly higher GLS1 intensity than simple‐type tumours. However, glutamate dehydrogenase expression did not show the same tendencies as GLS1. The western blot results were consistent with the immunohistochemical findings. These results suggest that the expression of GLS1 is correlates with clinicopathological factors in canine mammary tumours and shows a similar pattern to human breast cancer.
Kerangka Panduan Efektif Pengajaran Dan Pemudahcaraan (PdPc) Sains Menggunakan Information Communication Technology (ICT) di Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJK) (TAML)
Authors: Shanmugam Kalaiselvi , Balakrishnan Balamuralithara
Published: December 2017

The effort of the Ministry of Education of Malaysia (KPM) in strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educations in Malaysia is to increase the source of experts and skilled workforce in the field of research and industry. The inspiration of KPM to empower the strengthening of STEM can be implemented with the availability of ICT. ICT can be a comprehensive tool in teaching and facilitation (PdPc) of science that is complete and inclusive. ICT based science learning is an outcome of the combination of principle and strategy within education and technology domains. ICT has a great potential to spur the learning process and extensive thinking skill among the students since they regularly incorporate the use of ICT in their daily life. However, this mentioned potential has not been fully disclosed in Malaysia. Countries like Finland has a ‘road map’, meanwhile Canada has a framework for T&L of science based on ICT. Malaysia still has not developed a ‘road map’ or a framework as the above for science especially in SJK(T). Besides that, poor achievement in science education is becoming a continuous issue in SJK (T). This case is proven to be true when the results for science subject among the SJK (T) UPSR candidates are dropping since the year 2011. Hence, various elements involving the expansion of ICT based teaching and facilitation of science framework guideline should be identified in Malaysia. The framework guideline will be built based on the Malaysian culture which has the potential to spur success and science competency at the international level.
Investigation of the Anticipation Time in Forehand and Backhand Strokes of Badminton Players
Authors: Gülaç Meryem , Devrilmez Erhan , Kirazcı Sadettin , Yüksel Oğuzhan
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine if there was a difference between forehand and backhand coincidence-anticipation timing (CAT) performance of badminton players. Badminton players participating in the study are in the age range of 18-23 ( = 20.25, SS = 1.48) and 12 top athletes who regularly participated in Super League competitions in Turkey were selected (4 female and 8 male).Those athletes were determined by using the Purposive Sampling method. Participants were 12 elit badminton players (4 female and 8 male) whose ages ranged from 18 to 23 years ( = 20.25, SS = 1.48). CAT performances were measured with modified Bassin Anticipation Timer (BAT) device. Stimulus speed used for this study was set at 4 m / s. Participants were informed about the test protocol and they performed 3 trials with a racket to familiarize BAT device. Then, participants performed 20 trials for forehand and 20 trials for backhand strokes, 40 trials in total. Collected data were transformed to absolute error (AE) and variable error (VE) scores. Independent sample t-test was employed to calculate statistical data, and the significance level was set as 0.05. Results showed that there were significant differences between forehand and backhand strokes in terms of absolute and variable error scores of participants (p<0,05). As a conclusion, CAT performance of badminton players is effected during forehand and backhand strokes. CAT forehand stroke scores are better than the backhand stroke scores.
Staff Perspectives of the Four-Day School Week: A New Analysis of Compressed School Schedules
Authors: Turner Jon Scott , Finch Kim , Ximena Uribe-Zarian
Published: December 2017

The four-day school week is a concept that has been utilized in rural schools for decades to respond to budgetary shortfalls. There has been little peer-reviewed research on the four-day school week that has focused on the perception of staff that work in school districts that have recently switched to the four-day model. This study collects data from 136 faculty and staff members in three rural Missouri school districts that have transitioned to the four-day school week within the last year. Quantitative statistical analysis identifies strong support of the four-day school week model from both certified educational staff and classified support staff perspectives. All staff responded that the calendar change had improved staff morale, and certified staff responded that the four-day week had a positive impact on what is taught in classrooms and had increased academic quality. Qualitative analysis identifies staff suggestions for schools implementing the four-day school week including the importance of community outreach prior to implementation. No significant differences were identified between certified and classified staff perspectives. Strong staff support for the four-day school week was identified in all demographic areas investigated. Findings support conclusions made in research in business and government sectors that identify strong employee support of a compressed workweek across all work categories.
Realizing ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 with elemental capping layers
Authors: Lin Yuh-Chen , McGuire Felicia , Franklin Aaron D.
Published: December 2017

Hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 or HZO) thin films show great promise for enabling ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) for memory applications and negative capacitance FETs for low-power digital devices. One challenge in the integration of ferroelectric HZO is the need for specific capping layers to yield the most pronounced ferroelectric behavior; to date, superior HZO devices use titanium nitride or tantalum nitride, which limits HZO integration into various device structures. In this work, the authors demonstrate the use of elemental capping layers, including Pt, Ni, and Pd, for driving ferroelectricity in HZO. Different combinations of these capping metals, along with changes in the HZO thickness and annealing conditions, have yielded the optimal conditions for maximizing ferroelectric behavior. A remnant polarization of 19 μC/cm2 and a coercive field strength of 1.07 MV/cm were achieved with the Pt/HZO/Ni stack annealed at 650 °C with a HZO thickness of ∼20 nm. These results bring even greater promise to the use of HZO in memory and/or digital electronic devices by expanding the toolkit of materials that may be used for realizing ferroelectricity.
Safety concerns derail dengue vaccination program
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: December 2017

Other vaccine candidates likely to face increased scrutiny
Deadly virus threatens European pigs and boar
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: December 2017

African swine fever outbreak alarms wildlife biologists and veterinarians
Complex regulation of plant sex by peptides
Authors: Stegmann Martin , Zipfel Cyril
Published: December 2017

How the pollen tube is regulated to deliver sperm cells to produce seeds is characterized
Humanoid robotics—History, current state of the art, and challenges
Authors: Fukuda Toshio , Dario Paolo , Yang Guang-Zhong
Published: December 2017

Humanoids represent one of the ultimate goals of robotics: to synthesize advances from many disciplines.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Determinants of Vancomycin Efficacy in Enterococcal Bacteremia
Authors: Jumah Muhammed Taufiq Bin , Vasoo Shawn , Menon Sanjay R. , De Partha Pratim , Neely Michael , Teng Christine B.
Published: December 2017

While pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic targets for vancomycin therapy are recognized for invasive methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
infections, scant data are available to guide therapy for other Gram-positive infections. A retrospective single-center cohort of patients with
Enterococcus
bacteremia hospitalized between 1 January 2009 and 31 May 2015 were studied. The average vancomycin AUC
0–24
was computed using a Bayesian approach. The MIC was determined by gradient diffusion (Etest; bioMérieux), and the average AUC
0–24
/MIC value over the initial 72 h of therapy was calculated. We assessed 30-day all-cause mortality as the primary outcome. Classification and regression tree analysis (CART) was used to identify the vancomycin AUC
0–24
/MIC value associated with 30-day mortality. Fifty-seven patients with enterococcal bacteremia (32
E. faecium
, 21
E. faecalis
, and 4 other
Enterococcus
spp.) were studied. The median vancomycin MIC was 0.75 mg/liter (range, 0.38 to 3 mg/liter). All-cause 30-day mortality occurred in 10 of 57 patients (17.5%). A CART-derived vancomycin AUC/MIC
Etest
value of ≥389 was associated with reduced mortality (
P
= 0.017); failure to achieve this independently predicted 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 6.83 [95% confidence interval = 1.51 to 30.84];
P
= 0.01). We found that a vancomycin AUC/MIC
Etest
value of ≥389 achieved within 72 h was associated with reduced mortality. Larger, prospective studies are warranted to verify the vancomycin pharmacodynamic targets associated with maximal clinical outcomes and acceptable safety.