bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selecting teaching style based on group technology philosophy
Authors: Abdelhadi Abdelhakim
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to classify students into clusters at class level according to their preferred learning styles by using group technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The Felder and Silverman index of learning styles is used to determine the preferred learning styles of the students, then similarity-coefficient analysis is used to group students into clusters based on the similarity of their preferences.

Findings

Using this approach would allow the instructor to use a teaching style suitable for the students in order to achieve the intended learning outcomes.

Originality/value

This is an original research with promising findings to help educators using this approach to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
Motivation and choice of teachers to pursue their postgraduate studies in an ethnic minority college
Authors: Arar Khalid , Abramowitz Ruth
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine Arab teachers’ motivations and justifications for choosing a college for postgraduate studies.

Design/methodology/approach

During the academic year 2014, the authors administered questionnaires to 150 Arab teachers studying postgraduate courses at a peripheral all-Arab teacher-training college in order to investigate their motivations for engaging in postgraduate studies and their justifications for choosing this college.

Findings

Findings indicated that the strongest motivation expressed by the students is intrinsic: desires for self-fulfillment and further education. Aspirations for social mobility also motivate the Arab teachers, while professional development is of less importance. Convenience (proximity to home and employment prospects while studying) determines the justification to choose this college. The reputation of the college was of less importance. Correlation and predictive tests reveal no connection between the level of intrinsic motivations and factors for choosing this college. Extrinsic motivations positively correlate with the justifications of convenience and reputation.

Research limitations/implications

The conclusion is that for the Arab teachers, the possibility to pursue postgraduate studies at a peripheral all-Arab teacher-training college near home answers the needs of those looking for professional development.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the authors’ understanding of teachers’ choice of a higher education institution for their postgraduate studies and professional developement.
The Nexus between emotional, metacognitive, and motivational facets of academic achievement among Iranian university students
Authors: Ghanizadeh Afsaneh , Jahedizadeh Safoura
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize university students’ affective experiences in academic contexts as well as the ways to integrate affection into existing models of motivation and learning. In particular, it probed 235 English as foreign language (EFL) students’ emotional exhaustion by investigating its role in their intrinsic motivation, effort regulation, and academic achievement. It also sought to examine the impact of intrinsic motivation on effort regulation and academic achievement as well as the effect of effort regulation on academic achievement among Iranian university students.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, two distinctive questionnaires, namely; the “student version of Maslach Burnout Inventory” (Schaufeli et al., 2002) and the “Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire” (Pintrich and DeGroot, 1990) were administered to the participants. The data were analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The findings of the study yielded via SEM revealed that students’ emotional exhaustion negatively predicted students’ intrinsic motivation, effort regulation, and academic achievement. It was also found that intrinsic motivation significantly and positively predicted effort regulation and academic achievement. Finally, effort regulation was found to be a positive and significant predicator of university students’ academic achievement.

Originality/value

While a plethora of studies, thus far, strived to investigate the concept of burnout in different contexts, there is still a scant body of research attempting to delve into the most significant dimension of the syndrome (i.e. emotional exhaustion), and, to the best knowledge of the present researchers, no documented study to date has studied Iranian university EFL students’ emotional exhaustion, intrinsic motivation, and effort regulation within a single framework.
Understanding student perceptions of a web-based blended learning environment
Authors: Bayrak Tuncay , Akcam Bahadir
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on how web-based training and testing platforms provide opportunities for students to leverage the capabilities of various information and communication technologies to engage in self-directed learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact of an interactive learning environment on improving students’ essential skills was measured using a previously validated structured questionnaire, consisting of five subscales: content, accuracy, format, ease of use, and timeliness. Having analyzed the instrument, the authors decided to modify it to incorporate two more measures of overall reliability and satisfaction to capture students’ overall satisfaction level with the tool. Overall, 24 items are used to measure students’ perceptions of the tool content, accuracy, format, ease of use, timeliness, reliability and satisfaction. A five-point Likert-type scale was used in the questionnaire where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree.

Findings

This study suggests that while students’ major, instructor, and course grade are important factors impacting student perception of the learning tool, year (freshman vs sophomore) and gender do not have any impact on the student perception. Course grade shows an interesting trend. Students who received an A and an F as their final grades are the most satisfied groups compared to other grade groups. This finding suggests a further study is needed to explore the impact of the course grade on the students’ satisfaction with the tool. While students liked simulations, grading feature with immediate feedback, electronic textbook and the system overall, they suggested improvements in the grading module, simulations, projects, system compatibility, system reliability, and cost.

Originality/value

Most studies use a survey to measure student’s satisfaction with a web-based learning platform. This study, however, made an attempt to understand students’ satisfaction with a web-based blended learning platform by analyzing their comments and feedback on the course using a text analytics tool.
The contribution of quality tools and integration of quality management systems to the organization
Authors: Ismyrlis Vasileios
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution from the use of quality tools and the implementation of quality management systems (QMSs) to the management of an organization. The question is if these aspects have an impact on the important elements of a QMS, like critical success factors (CSFs), but more on the performance derived from its functioning.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was created and addressed to Greek companies which were certified with at least one QMS standard, in this case ISO 9001:2008.

Findings

It was concluded that companies implementing more than one QMS and more than nine quality tools gave more importance to specific CSFs of the QMS and also displayed better performance from the rest of the companies. The final conclusion is that the utilization of tools, techniques, and the implementation of more than one QMS – integration of management systems (MSs) – can contribute to many aspects of organization functioning.

Research limitations/implications

This study was based on the perception (subjective data) of only one quality manager/representative of each company. The companies were not asked about specific actions they have established to integrate their MSs.

Practical implications

This paper provides a closest look to the utilization of more than one QMS and the use of quality tools. These actions, as concluded, can play an important role in the management of organizations, and managers could use them in an appropriate way.

Originality/value

This paper aims to evaluate the value of QMS integration and the utilization of quality tools to specific issues of QMS as CSFs and performance in Greek companies.
Assisting seed dispersers to restore oldfields: An individual‐based model of the interactions among badgers, foxes and Iberian pear trees
Authors: Fedriani Jose M. , Wiegand Thorsten , Ayllón Daniel , Palomares Francisco , Suárez‐Esteban Alberto , Grimm Volker
Published: August 2017

Increasing land abandonment in many areas of the world presents an opportunity for ecosystem recovery, which is often driven by seed dispersal by vertebrate frugivores. However, we are far from understanding the most effective way of using common management actions (i.e. planting fruiting trees) to stimulate animal seed dispersal and thus the restoration of human‐altered abandoned habitats.

To investigate how to stimulate animal seed dispersal, we combined long‐term field data with individual‐based, spatially explicit simulation models. We used our approach to assess the effectiveness of contrasting Iberian pear Pyrus bourgaeana planting strategies in enhancing restoration of abandoned lands through seed dispersal by red foxes Vulpes vulpes and Eurasian badgers Meles meles in the Doñana World Biosphere Reserve (South West Spain).

Our simulation results indicate that planting trees in an aggregated fashion is less efficient in terms of seed arrival than planting them regularly or randomly. For aggregated planted trees, the increase in the area of the oldfield that received seeds was only 7%–9% compared to the baseline scenario of no intervention, whereas for regularly distributed planted trees the increment was up to 40%.

Doubling the number of planted P. bourgaeana trees appeared cost‐effective for regular and random tree distributions, but not for the aggregated one. For example, while doubling the number of trees planted regularly leads up to 12% increase in the number of seeds arriving into the oldfield, no increment on the number of arrived seeds was detected when trees were planted aggregately.

Synthesis and applications. Choosing the spatial distribution and density of planted trees in abandoned lands depends on a number of ecological and socio‐economical factors. Given our results, the strong seed dispersal limitation of the target tree population and that our study site was fully protected for conservation, planting Pyrus bourgaeana trees regularly appeared to be the most efficient strategy to enhance seed arrival into the target oldfield. Combining long‐term field data with individual‐based, spatially explicit simulation models have the potential to guide local restoration efforts in diverse human‐altered habitats and thus bridge the existing gap between basic and applied research on animal seed dispersal.
Sorting nexin (MoVps17) is required for fungal development and plant infection by regulating endosome dynamics in the rice blast fungus
Authors: Zheng Huawei , Guo Zhongkun , Xi Yang , Yuan Mingyue , Lin Yahong , Wu Congxian , Abubakar Yakubu Saddeeq , Dou Xianying , Li Guangpu , Wang Zonghua , Zheng Wenhui , Zhou Jie
Published: August 2017

Vps17 is a sorting nexin (SNX) and a component of the retromer, a protein complex mediating retrograde vesicle transport between endosomes and the trans‐Golgi network. However, its role in the development and pathogenicity of filamentous fungi such as the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae) remains unclear. We investigate the functional relationship between the SNX and the cargo‐selective complex (CSC) of the fungal retromer by genetic analysis, live cell imaging and immunological assay. Our data show that the MoVps17 null mutation causes defects in growth, development and pathogenicity in M. oryzae. MoVps17 is localized to endosomes depending on the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), a key enzyme for fungal development and infection. Both PX and BAR domains of MoVps17 are essential for its endosomal localization and function. Furthermore, our yeast two‐hybrid assays show that MoVps17 and MoVps5 can interact. Lastly, live cell imaging suggests that MoVps17 can regulate early endosome fusion and budding as well as endocytosis. Taken together, our results suggest that MoVps17 specifically functions as a retromer component with CSC and also plays a distinct role in the regulation of endosome dynamics during fungal development and plant infection.
Sleeper cells: the stringent response and persistence in the Borreliella (Borrelia) burgdorferi enzootic cycle
Authors: Cabello Felipe C. , Godfrey Henry P. , Bugrysheva Julia V. , Newman Stuart A.
Published: August 2017

Infections with tick‐transmitted Borreliella (Borrelia) burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease, represent an increasingly large public health problem in North America and Europe. The ability of these spirochetes to maintain themselves for extended periods of time in their tick vectors and vertebrate reservoirs is crucial for continuance of the enzootic cycle as well as for the increasing exposure of humans to them. The stringent response mediated by the alarmone (p)ppGpp has been determined to be a master regulator in B. burgdorferi. It modulates the expression of identified and unidentified open reading frames needed to deal with and overcome the many nutritional stresses and other challenges faced by the spirochete in ticks and animal reservoirs. The metabolic and morphologic changes resulting from activation of the stringent response in B. burgdorferi may also be involved in the recently described non‐genetic phenotypic phenomenon of tolerance to otherwise lethal doses of antimicrobials and to other antimicrobial activities. It may thus constitute a linchpin in multiple aspects of infections with Lyme disease borrelia, providing a link between the micro‐ecological challenges of its enzootic life‐cycle and long‐term residence in the tissues of its animal reservoirs, with the evolutionary side effect of potential persistence in incidental human hosts.
Formalising informal solid waste recycling at the Pomona dumpsite in Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Nemadire Svongwa , Mapurazi Stenly , Nyamadzawo George
Published: August 2017

The role of informal recycling in poverty alleviation and solid waste management in cities in developing countries has been receiving increased attention. This study explores the integration of the informal recycling sector with the Harare City Council's solid waste management system, focusing on the Pomona dumpsite. The extent of this integration was compared with interventions proposed in InteRa, a new way of evaluating the integration of informal recyclers with the waste management systems of cities in developing countries. Our results suggest that the Harare City Council, which had the vision of transforming itself into a world‐class city, failed to fully integrate the informal recycling sector. We suggest to policymakers that complete integration of the informal sector will not necessarily prevent cities from achieving such visions. Rather, addressing the neglected interventions may help in achieving their visions.
Current Barriers to Large‐scale Interoperability of Traceability Technology in the Seafood Sector
Authors: Hardt Marah J. , Flett Keith , Howell Colleen J.
Published: August 2017

Interoperability is a critical component of full‐chain digital traceability, but is almost nonexistent in the seafood industry. Using both quantitative and qualitative methodology, this study explores the barriers impeding progress toward large‐scale interoperability among digital traceability systems in the seafood sector from the perspectives of seafood companies, technology vendors, and supply chains as a whole. We highlight lessons from recent research and field work focused on implementing traceability across full supply chains and make some recommendations for next steps in terms of overcoming challenges and scaling current efforts.
Wide‐scale comparative analysis of longevity genes and interventions
Authors: Yanai Hagai , Budovsky Arie , Barzilay Thomer , Tacutu Robi , Fraifeld Vadim E.
Published: August 2017

Hundreds of genes, when manipulated, affect the lifespan of model organisms (yeast, worm, fruit fly, and mouse) and thus can be defined as longevity‐associated genes (LAGs). A major challenge is to determine whether these LAGs are model‐specific or may play a universal role as longevity regulators across diverse taxa. A wide‐scale comparative analysis of the 1805 known LAGs across 205 species revealed that (i) LAG orthologs are substantially overrepresented, from bacteria to mammals, compared to the entire genomes or interactomes, and this was especially noted for essential LAGs; (ii) the effects on lifespan, when manipulating orthologous LAGs in different model organisms, were mostly concordant, despite a high evolutionary distance between them; (iii) LAGs that have orthologs across a high number of phyla were enriched in translational processes, energy metabolism, and DNA repair genes; (iv) LAGs that have no orthologs out of the taxa in which they were discovered were enriched in autophagy (Ascomycota/Fungi), G proteins (Nematodes), and neuroactive ligand–receptor interactions (Chordata). The results also suggest that antagonistic pleiotropy might be a conserved principle of aging and highlight the importance of overexpression studies in the search for longevity regulators.
The trajectories of cannabis and tobacco policies in the United States, Uruguay, Canada and Portugal: is more cross‐substance learning possible outside the United States?
Authors: Hughes Caitlin Elizabeth
Published: August 2017

Commentary to: The diverging trajectories of cannabis and tobacco policies in the United States: reasons and possible implications
Delirium tremens and alcohol withdrawal nationally in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Moore David Thomas , Fuehrlein Brian Scott , Rosenheck Robert Alan
Published: August 2017

Background and Objectives

Alcohol withdrawal—especially delirium tremens (DT)—is a potentially life‐threatening condition. While short‐term treatment regimens and factors that predispose to more severe symptomatology have been extensively studied, little attention has been paid to the clinical epidemiology and long‐term care of the chronic medical, addictive, psychiatric, and psychosocial problems faced by these patients.

Methods

National Veterans Health Administration data from fiscal year 2012 were examined to identify veterans diagnosed with DT; with withdrawal but not DT (WNDT); and with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) but neither DT nor WNDT. They were compared on sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric and medical co‐morbidities, and health service and psychotropic medication use, first with bivariate analyses and then multiple logistic regression.

Results

Among the 345,297 veterans diagnosed with AUD, 2,341 (0.7%) were diagnosed with DT and 6,738 (2.0%) with WNDT. Veterans diagnosed with either WNDT or DT were more likely to have been homeless, had more comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders, were more likely to be diagnosed with drug use disorders, utilized more health services, received more psychotropic medications, and were more likely to receive naltrexone. They were more likely to receive specialized legal, housing, vocational, and psychosocial rehabilitation services, as well as intensive case management.

Conclusions

Adults with WNDT and DT suffer from multiple chronic conditions and long‐term service models are needed to coordinate the work of multiple specialists and to assure continuity of care.

Scientific Significance

This national study identifies sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and service utilization patterns associated with WNDT and DT.(Am J Addict 2017;26:722–730)
Religious coping in patients with severe substance use disorders receiving acute inpatient detoxification
Authors: Medlock Morgan M. , Rosmarin David H. , Connery Hilary S. , Griffin Margaret L. , Weiss Roger D. , Karakula Sterling L. , McHugh R.Kathryn
Published: August 2017

Background and Objectives

Religious coping, one of the most widely studied components of spirituality among psychiatric populations, has rarely been addressed in patients with severe substance use disorders (SUD). The aim of our study was to elucidate whether religious coping is related to symptom expression and mutual‐help participation.

Methods

Self‐reported religious coping was assessed in individuals sequentially admitted to a private psychiatric hospital for inpatient detoxification. Target symptoms of SUD included severity of substance use prior to admission and craving during detoxification. Three hundred thirty‐one patients (68.6% male) participated in the survey; mean age was 38.0 years, and primary presenting diagnosis was most commonly alcohol use disorder (n = 202; 61%), followed by opioid use disorder (n = 119; 36%).

Results

Positive religious coping was associated with significantly greater mutual‐help participation, fewer days of drug use prior to admission, and was modestly, yet significantly associated with lower drug craving. Negative religious coping was associated with lower confidence in the ability to remain abstinent post‐discharge and higher drug craving.

Conclusions

Consistent with hypotheses, greater positive religious coping was associated with greater mutual‐help participation, lower severity of pre‐admission drug use, and lower substance craving during detoxification. Use of positive religious coping may modify the course of SUD recovery by promoting engagement in mutual‐help activities.

Scientific Significance

The findings of this study suggest that positive and negative religious coping are linked with several key SUD recovery variables. Further research to replicate this finding and to assess mechanisms within this potential association is warranted. (Am J Addict 2017;26:744–750)
The Perth Emergency Laparotomy Audit
Authors: Broughton Katherine J. , Aldridge Oscar , Pradhan Sharin , Aitken R. James
Published: August 2017

Background

Emergency laparotomies (ELs) are associated with high mortality and substantial outcome variation. There is no prospective Australian data on ELs. The aim of this study was to audit outcome after ELs in Western Australia.

Methods

A 12‐week prospective audit was completed in 10 hospitals. Data collected included patient demographics, the clinical pathway, preoperative risk assessment and outcomes including 30‐day mortality and length of stay.

Results

Data were recorded for 198 (76.2%) of 260 patients. The 30‐day mortality was 6.5% (17/260) in participating hospitals, and 5.4% (19 of 354) across Western Australia. There was minimal variation between the three tertiary hospitals undertaking 220 of 354 (62.1%) ELs. The median and mean post‐operative lengths of stay, excluding patients who died, were 8 and 10 days, respectively. In the 48 patients with a prospectively documented risk of ≥10%, both a consultant surgeon and anaesthetist were present for 68.8%, 62.8% were admitted to critical care and 45.8% commenced surgery within 2 h. The mortality in those retrospectively (62; 31%) and prospectively risk‐assessed was 9.5% and 5.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

This prospective EL audit demonstrated low 30‐day mortality with little inter‐hospital variation. Individual hospitals have scope to improve their standards of care. The importance of prospective risk assessment is clear.
Description of the immature stages of two Mononychus species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Ceutorhynchinae) and a study of the host preferences of M. punctumalbum for Iris species in central Europe
Authors: Skuhrovec Jiří , Gültekin Levent , Śmigala Magdalena , Winiarczyk Krystyna , Dąbrowska Agnieszka , Gosik Rafał
Published: August 2017

Last larval instars and pupae of Mononychus punctumalbum (Herbst, 1784) and Mononychus schoenherri Kolenati, 1859 (Curculionidae, Ceutorhynchinae) are described in detail for the first time. No immatures of other species of this genus had previously been described. The immatures of Mononychus were compared with available data on immatures of all genera in the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae. Both the larvae and pupae of the two Mononychus species are very distinctive, having distinct characters from other genera in the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae. New bionomic data for M. punctumalbum concerning its host preferences for Iris species in central Europe can be used to verify literature data indicating the important role of the iris weevil in the dramatic decline in the plant's abundance in natural habitats as well as in gardens and other anthropogenic associations.
Immune status of patients with haemophilia A before exposure to factor VIII: first results from the HEMFIL study
Authors: Jardim Letícia L. , Chaves Daniel G. , Silveira‐Cassette Amanda C. O. , Simões e Silva Ana Cristina , Santana Marcio P. , Cerqueira Monica H. , Prezotti Alessandra , Lorenzato Claudia , Franco Vivian , van der Bom Johanna G. , Rezende Suely M.
Published: August 2017

Previous cross‐sectional studies showed that some patients with haemophilia A (HA) without inhibitor presented a pro‐inflammatory profile during factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy. Furthermore, an anti‐inflammatory/regulatory state was described in HA patients after inhibitor development. However, no study investigated the levels of these biomarkers before exposure to exogenous FVIII. This study investigated the immunological profile of previously untreated patients (PUPs) with HA in comparison with non‐haemophiliac boys. A panel of chemokines and cytokines was evaluated in the plasma of 40 PUPs with HA and 47 healthy controls. The presence of microparticles was assessed in the plasma of 32 PUPs with HA and 47 healthy controls. PUPs with HA presented higher levels of CXCL8 (IL8), IL6, IL4, IL10, IL2, IL17A (IL17), and lower levels of CXCL10 (IP‐10) and CCL2 (MCP‐1) than the age‐matched healthy controls (P < 0·05). We also observed higher levels of microparticles derived from endothelium, erythrocytes, platelets, leucocytes, neutrophils, and T lymphocytes in patients in comparison with controls (P < 0·05). Compared with controls, PUPs with HA presented a distinct immunological profile, characterized by a prominent pro‐inflammatory status that appears to be regulated by IL4 and IL10.
Effect of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist during the LH surge in normal women and during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation
Authors: Christin‐Maitre S. , Olivennes F. , Dubourdieu S. , Chabbert‐Buffet N. , Charbonnel B. , Frydman R. , Bouchard P.
Published: August 2017

OBJECTIVE

Several studies have suggested that GnRH is instrumental in triggering the LH surge. The present studies were performed to evaluate the effect of GnRH antagonist administration in women after the beginning of the LH surge.

DESIGN

In study one, six normal cycling women were given a GnRH antagonist (20 mg Nal Glu s.c.) during an unstimulated cycle. Nal‐Glu was administered when the LH level was higher than 10 U/l and associated with an oestradiol (E2) level higher than 730 pmol/l. In study two, a GnRH antagonist (3 mg Cetrorelix®, ASTA‐Medica, Frankfurt, Germany) was administered on day 8 of an IVF‐ET cycle, in 157 women. Eighteen women among this cohort received the antagonist, when their LH level was higher than 10 U/l.

RESULTS

In normal volunteers (study one), Nal‐Glu was administered on day 13.7 ± 1.4 (mean ± SD) of the cycle when the LH level was 13.7 ± 3.5 U/l with an E2 plasma level reaching 980 ± 131 pmol/l. Twenty‐four hours after administration of the antagonist, the LH surge had been interrupted in all subjects; it was postponed in three of the women, and abolished in the remaining three. LH levels fell by 68.5%, E2 by 42% and FSH by 53.2%. In study two, LH plasma levels 24 h after the antagonist administration fell by 94%. No premature ovulation occurred in any of the patients treated. Administering the antagonist before (n = 139) or during the LH surge (n = 18) made no statistically significant difference to the results of the IVF‐ET attempt.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that GnRH is required throughout the gonadotrophin surge in women, not only for the initiation but also for the maintenance of the LH surge. In addition, in our study, the suppression of the rise in LH, when the antagonist was given during the surge, had no detrimental impact on IVF‐ET outcome. This suggests, if confirmed on a larger scale, that late follicular phase GnRH antagonist administration to prevent the LH surge in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is a safe and useful treatment.
The utility of serial echocardiograms for organ procurement in brain death
Authors: Lazzeri Chiara , Guetti Cristiana , Migliaccio Maria L. , Ciapetti Marco , Peris Adriano
Published: August 2017

Heart transplantation rates are limited by a shortage of donor hearts, and left ventricular dysfunction is an important cause. We hypothesized that an early echocardiographic evaluation in severe brain injury (performed within 12 hours from ICU admission) could allow the detection of potentially reversible left ventricular (LV) abnormalities and thus the initiation of tailored treatment whose effects could be assessed at a second echocardiogram performed when brain death develops. We assessed this hypothesis in 49 patients with severe brain injury who were potential heart donors. A reduction in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (<55%) was present in five patients (10.2%): diffuse hypokinesia in three patients (6.1%), segmental wall motion abnormalities in two (4.1%). Two patients showed apical ballooning (normal LVEF). The three patients with diffuse hypokinesia showed, at the echocardiogram performed 12 hours later, a complete recovery of wall motion and LVEF. Among patients with apical ballooning, a complete resolution was observed in both patients. Two patients were considered potentially eligible for heart donation, resulting in 20% increase in donor retrieval rate. In serious encephalic lesions, potentially evolving toward brain death, echocardiography performed after ICU admission allowed the identification of LV abnormalities, which could be specifically treated with complete resolution.
Results of a 36‐year surveillance program for ulcerative colitis‐associated neoplasia in the Japanese population
Authors: Kishikawa Junko , Hata Keisuke , Kazama Shinsuke , Anzai Hiroyuki , Shinagawa Takahide , Murono Koji , Kaneko Manabu , Sasaki Kazuhito , Yasuda Koji , Otani Kensuke , Nishikawa Takeshi , Tanaka Toshiaki , Kiyomatsu Tomomichi , Kawai Kazushige , Nozawa Hiroaki , Ishihara Soichiro , Morikawa Teppei , Fukayama Masashi , Watanabe Toshiaki
Published: August 2017

Background and Aim

Surveillance colonoscopy has been carried out for patients with long‐standing ulcerative colitis who have an increased risk for colorectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of and the risk factors for neoplasia.

Methods

We evaluated 289 ulcerative colitis patients who underwent surveillance colonoscopy between January1979 and December 2014. Cumulative incidence of neoplasia and its risk factors were investigated. Clinical stage and overall survival were compared between the surveillance and non‐surveillance groups.

Results

Cumulative risk of dysplasia was 3.3%, 12.1%, 21.8%, and 29.1% at 10, 20, 30 and 40 years after the onset of ulcerative colitis, respectively. Cumulative risk of colorectal cancer was 0.7%, 3.2%, 5.2%, and 5.2% at 10, 20, 30 and 40 years from the onset of ulcerative colitis, respectively. Total colitis was a risk factor for neoplasia (P = 0.015; hazard ratio, 2.96).

Conclusions

Our surveillance colonoscopy program revealed the incidence and risk factors of ulcerative colitis‐associated neoplasias in the Japanese population. Total colitis is a risk factor for neoplasia.
The mechanisms of organic carbon protection and dynamics of C‐saturation in Oxisols vary with particle‐size distribution
Authors: Souza I. F. , Almeida L. F. J. , Jesus G. L. , Kleber M. , Silva I. R.
Published: August 2017

Particle‐size distribution (PSD) determines soil C‐saturation; that is, the capacity of the mineral matrix to protect soil organic carbon (SOC) against decomposition. However, the mechanistic connection between PSD and C‐saturation is not entirely clear, especially for Oxisols. To address this issue, we carried out a 12‐month incubation experiment; 13C‐labelled litter inputs equivalent to 0, 4.5, 9.0 and 18.0 mg C g−1 soil were applied to samples of six Brazilian Oxisols, taken from depths of 0–10, 10–20, 20–40 and 60–100 cm. The effect of PSD on SOC protection and C‐saturation was assessed by ‘diluting’ the mass of the clay + silt fraction (< 53 µm) by adding fine sand (150–250 µm) in increments of 0, 20, 40 and 80% relative to the fine earth fraction (< 2 mm). Carbon‐saturation level (CSL) was assumed to be a linear function of clay + silt contents, whereas C‐saturation deficit (CSD) was the difference between the CSL and original SOC content in the samples. After the incubation, litter‐derived C within the clay + silt fraction increased exponentially with CSD. Carbon saturation was indicated by an asymptotic relation between the litter‐derived C in the clay + silt fraction and the additions of litter‐C. For clay + silt contents as small as 15%, CSL was achieved at 61.6 g C kg−1 clay + silt. Conversely, when the proportion of the fraction < 53 µm exceeded 60%, CSL occurred at 33.4 g C kg−1 clay + silt. Thus, a PSD‐dependent hierarchy of SOC protection and C‐saturation in Oxisols can be inferred. Our observations support a conceptual model of C‐saturation where surface interactions provide the dominant mechanism of SOC protection at small clay + silt contents. At large clay + silt contents, physical protection of SOC resulting from the spatial arrangement of fine‐sized minerals defines C‐saturation.

Highlights

The extent to which particle‐size distribution affects mechanisms that define C‐saturation are unclear.

For a clay + silt content of 15%, C‐saturation occurred at 61.6 g C kg−1 clay + silt.

When the proportion of the fraction < 53 µm exceeded 60%, CSL occurred at 33.4 g C kg−1 clay + silt.

A PSD‐dependent hierarchy of SOC protection and C‐saturation in Oxisols can be inferred.
Health‐related quality of life and emotional well‐being after epilepsy surgery: A prospective, controlled, long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Edelvik Anna , Taft Charles , Ekstedt Gerd , Malmgren Kristina
Published: August 2017

Objective

To evaluate health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and emotional well‐being in resective epilepsy surgery and nonoperated patients at long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study where patients undergoing presurgical work‐up during 1995–1998 completed the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) at baseline, and 2 and 14 years after resective surgery or presurgical evaluation (nonoperated patients). SF‐36 scores were compared to a normative population. Proportions of patients reaching HRQOL changes of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) were calculated.

Results

At 14‐year follow‐up, operated patients scored equal to or better than the normative sample on all SF‐36 domains except Social Functioning and Mental Health. Physical component summary (PCS) was better and mental component summary (MCS) was worse than for the normative sample. Nonoperated patients scored worse than the normative sample on five of eight domains, and on PCS and MCS. Change in seizure status from 2 to 14 years did not affect PCS or MCS means. Improvement reaching MCID from baseline to long‐term was seen in 50% (PCS) and 47% (MCS) of operated and in 33% (PCS) and 38% (MCS) of nonoperated patients. Worsening was seen in 18% (PCS) and 22% (MCS) of operated and in 38% (PCS) and 38% (MCS) of nonoperated patients. Differences between groups were nonsignificant.

HAD scores did not differ between groups, and the numbers of possible or probable cases were low. Patient satisfaction with surgery was higher in operated seizure‐free patients. Only 5% of all operated patients considered surgery not to be overall beneficial.

Significance

At the group level, HRQOL was stable 14 years after surgery compared to after 2 years. Social Functioning and Mental Health were still below, but other domains were similar to the normative sample. Individual patterns did not follow seizure outcome changes, indicating that multiple factors are important for long‐term HRQOL.
Analysis of autonomic modulation of heart rate in patients with Parkinson's disease and elderly individuals submitted to game therapy training
Authors: Rocha Rodrigo Santiago Barbosa , De Oliveira Rocha Larissa Salgado , Pena Elza Sara Maués , Caldas Laiz Cristinna Ponce , Moreno Marlene Aparecida
Published: August 2017

Aim

Elderly patients and individuals with Parkinson's disease have a reduction in autonomic heart rate modulation, which may influence the survival of these patients, and rehabilitation can minimize this event. We tested the hypothesis that rehabilitation protocol with game console would influence the cardiac autonomic modulation of patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Methods

Eight‐seven volunteers were divided into two groups, control (n = 45) and Parkinson's (n = 42), they completed the study 40 volunteers in the control group (CG) and 31 patients in the Parkinson group (PG), and subjected to 24 sessions of game therapy physiotherapy, thrice a week. Analysis of autonomic HR modulation was conducted before and after the rehabilitation program using a Polar RS800CX HR sensor. For the analysis of heart rate variability the data were transferred to the Kubios HRV 2.2 program. Statistical analysis was performed in the Biostat 5.2 program, the comparison of the data by ANOVA followed by Tukey test, and the general characteristics by the chi‐square test. The critical value for rejecting the null hypothesis was set at P < 0.05.

Results

HR variability in patients with PD exhibited higher influence on the sympathetic nervous system before protocol implementation and, following the protocol, patients did not attain the normality values of the control group, exhibiting a discreet improvement and maintenance of autonomic modulation of HR values.

Conclusion

Subjects with PD exhibit less autonomic modulation of HR and the rehabilitation protocol with game therapy improved autonomic modulation of HR. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 20–25.
Mineral trioxide aggregate and other bioactive endodontic cements: an updated overview – part I: vital pulp therapy
Authors: Parirokh M. , Torabinejad M. , Dummer P. M. H.
Published: August 2017

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a bioactive endodontic cement (BEC) mainly comprised of calcium and silicate elements. The cement was introduced by Torabinejad in the 1990s and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used in the United States in 1997. A number of new BECs have also been introduced to the market, including BioAggregate, Biodentine, BioRoot RCS, calcium‐enriched mixture cement, Endo‐CPM, Endocem, EndoSequence, EndoBinder, EndoSeal MTA, iRoot, MicroMega MTA, MTA Bio, MTA Fillapex, MTA Plus, NeoMTA Plus, OrthoMTA, Quick‐Set, RetroMTA, Tech Biosealer and TheraCal LC. It has been claimed that these materials have properties similar to those of MTA without its drawbacks. In this article, the chemical composition and the application of MTA and other BECs for vital pulp therapy (VPT), including indirect pulp cap, direct pulp cap, partial pulpotomy, pulpotomy and partial pulpectomy, have been reviewed and compared. Based on selected keywords, all papers regarding chemical composition and VPT applications of BECs had been reviewed. Most of the materials had calcium and silicate in their composition. Instead of referring to the cements based on their chemical compositions, we suggest the term ‘bioactive endodontic cements (BECs)’, which seems more appropriate for these materials because, in spite of differences in their chemical compositions, bioactivity is a common property for all of them. Numerous articles were found regarding use of BECs as VPT agents for indirect and direct pulp capping, partial pulpotomy and cervical pulpotomy. Most of these investigations used MTA for VPT. In most studies, newly introduced materials have been compared to MTA. Some of the BECs have shown promising results; however, the number of their studies compared to investigations on MTA is limited. Most studies had several methodological shortcomings. Future investigations with rigorous methods and materials are needed.
Electronic payment mechanisms in social security: Extending the reach of benefit and contribution transactions
Authors: Waller Paul
Published: August 2017

More often than not, the existing modes of contribution collection and benefit payment of social security organizations are adapted to the collective arrangements that characterize employer‐employee relationships. Extending coverage to individuals in difficult‐to‐reach groups, however, may require new modalities of service that can cope with many separate, secure transactions rather than a few bulk data transfers between organizations. Recent developments in electronic payment show its wide applicability in enabling huge volumes of such individual transactions. It is in this light that the article explores the potentials of this technology and identifies possible arrangements through which electronic payments could surmount barriers that stand in the way of covering difficult‐to‐reach groups. The high level of mobile phone penetration on a global scale augurs well for using e‐payment mechanisms to collect social security contributions and to deliver social security benefits and services. A generic model is used to describe the requisite elements to implement electronic payments in social protection programmes. Based on empirical evidence of current social protection practices from around the world, five scenarios are presented to describe possible configurations for electronic payment, from the simplest to the most sophisticated. The broader objective is to contribute in a practical manner to the international commitment to extend social protection to all, as defined by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
TRUTH AND METATHEORY IN FREGE
Authors: Stanley Jason
Published: August 2017

In this paper it is contended, against a challenging recent interpretation of Frege, that Frege should be credited with the first semi‐rigorous formulation of semantic theory. It is argued that the considerations advanced against this contention suffer from two kinds of error. The first involves the attribution to Frege of a sceptical attitude towards the truth‐predicate. The second involves the sort of justification which these arguments assume a classical semantic theory attempts to provide. Finally, it is shown that Frege was in fact mindful of the need for the relevant sort of justification.
FILIAL MORALITY
Authors: Archard David
Published: August 2017

Filial regard is the special consideration that children, even as adults, show their parents and filial morality the demonstration that such a regard is demanded of them. The three main accounts of filial morality, based upon ideas of gratitude, role obligations, and friendship, are shown to be unsatisfactory. The article explores the idea, found in traditional Chinese thinking, that filial regard is the ‘root’ of goodness, and suggests that the Chinese model has been viewed unsympathetically due to an understanding both of the family's role in moral education and of the nature of modern morality.
ASSOCIATIVE OBLIGATIONS, VOLUNTARISM, AND EQUALITY
Authors: Jeske Diane
Published: August 2017

Samuel Scheffler has identified two important objections to associative obligations, the voluntarist objection and the distributivist objection. The voluntarist is concerned about protecting the autonomy of the agent who is supposed to have associative obligations. However, the appropriate account of the source of associative obligations reveals that they pose no threat to autonomy, if we understand autonomy in a weak rather than a strong sense. The distributivist is worried about the claims of outsiders being ignored as the result of insiders having associative obligations to one another. This objection loses much of its force when we understand the genuine implications of associative obligations.
Late‐season photosynthetic rate and senescence were associated with grain yield in winter wheat of diverse origins
Authors: Liang X. , Liu Y. , Chen J. , Adams C.
Published: August 2017

There is a lack of studies that have investigated grain yield, its components and photosynthesis in late stages of wheat growth, giving us insufficient understanding of how these factors interact to contribute to yield during this period. As a result, three field experiments were carried out examining 20 winter wheat genotypes of diverse origins under irrigated, terminal drought and dryland conditions in the southern Idaho. Our objective was to evaluate the interaction between post‐anthesis physiological traits, especially leaf‐level photosynthetic capacity, senescence and yield components on grain yield in different moisture regimes. Genotype differences were found in leaf‐level photosynthesis and senescence, canopy temperature depression, grain yield and yield components in each water regime. Grain yield was closely associated with traits related to grain numbers. In all three moisture regimes, positive correlations were observed between grain yield and photosynthesis that were dependent on the timing or physiological growth stage of the photosynthetic measurement: highly significant correlations were found in the mid‐ and late grain filling stages, but no correlations at anthesis. Consistent with these findings, flag leaf senescence at the late grain filling stage was negatively correlated with grain yield and photosynthetic rate (under terminal drought and dryland conditions). These findings provided evidence that grain yield was sink‐limited until the final stages of growth, at which time sustained photosynthesis and delayed senescence were critical in filling grain. Because the trends were consistent in moisture sufficient and deficient conditions, the results suggest that late‐season photosynthesis and delayed leaf senescence are driven by the size of the reproductive carbon sink, which was largely governed by factors affecting grain numbers.
More evidence that salt increases blood pressure and risk of kidney disease from the Science of Salt: A regularly updated systematic review of salt and health outcomes (April–July 2016)
Authors: Arcand JoAnne , Wong Michelle M.Y. , Santos Joseph Alvin , Leung Alexander A. , Trieu Kathy , Thout Sudhir Raj , Webster Jacqui , Campbell Norm R.C.
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this review is to identify, summarize, and critically appraise studies on dietary salt and health outcomes that were published from April to July 2016. The search strategy was adapted from a previous systematic review on dietary salt and health. We have revised our criteria for methodological quality and health outcomes, which are applied to select studies for detailed critical appraisals and written commentary. Overall, 28 studies were identified and are summarized in this review. Four of the 28 studies met criteria for methodological quality and health outcomes and five studies underwent detailed critical appraisals and commentary. Three of these studies found adverse effects of salt on health outcomes (chronic kidney disease and blood pressure) and two were neutral (fracture risk/bone mineral density and cognitive impairment).