bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting the adoption of activity-based costing at technical and vocational education and training colleges in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Madwe Mziwendoda C. , Stainbank Lesley J. , Green Paul
Published: April 2020

Orientation: It is impossible to accurately determine the detailed costs of running courses offered at South African technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, as none of them practises activity-based costing (ABC). The perceptions and knowledge of their finance staff regarding ABC adoption are unknown, making it impossible also to know their reasons for non-adoption.Research purpose: This article reports the awareness of and attitudes towards ABC held by finance staff at six TVET colleges in KwaZulu-Natal and proposes a novel model for its successful adoption.Motivation for the study: The lack of empirical studies demanded understanding of those factors that address ABC adoption at South African public TVET colleges. This study therefore assessed finance staff members’ perceptions of those factors that would support the introduction of this costing system.Research approach/design and method: This study ascertained these opinions and knowledge by surveying 30 members of the finance staff at six TVET colleges using a questionnaire.Main findings: The study’s population perceived that lack of top management support, the colleges’ cost structure and technical factors are barriers to the implementation of ABC in their institutions.Practical/managerial implications: South African public colleges should address those obstructing factors as the successful adoption of ABC will facilitate the accurate calculation of their operational costs.Contribution/value-add: The study identifies those factors that would facilitate the adoption of ABC and proposes a model that would assist in the implementation of this costing system in South African public colleges.
The relationship between hope and optimism, ethical leadership and person-organisation fit
Authors: Grobler Anton , Joubert Yvonne T.
Published: April 2020

Background: Ethical leadership is viewed as a challenge globally, with person-organisation fit, as well as hope and optimism, being regarded as an essential element of employee well-being and, ultimately, productivity.Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the employees’ perceived ethical leadership in the organisation and the employees’ person-organisation fit, hope and optimism.Setting: Employees of 30 organisations in South Africa were sampled and there were 1663 respondents.Methods: A typical positivist methodology – based on an empirical approach, using a cross-sectional design and the quantitative analysis of the data obtained from the surveys – was utilised in this study.Results: It was found that there is a strong, positive relationship between ethical leadership and hope and optimism (as a composite construct). It was further found that person-organisation fit mediates this relationship.Conclusion: Recommendations were made to enhance hope and optimism from an institutional (including human resources) as well as leadership level. Recommendations were also made for further research.
Praxis for Accelerated Improvement in Research (PAIR)
Authors: Anito Jr. Jovito C. , Limjap Auxencia A. , Padagas Reynold C.
Published: April 2020

This article introduces the Praxis for Accelerated Improvement in Research (PAIR) as a transformative research management paradigm drawn from the participatory action research program focused on research production and publication in a private higher education institution in Manila, Philippines. PAIR mentoring scheme upholds establishing a committed and caring relationship between the mentor and the mentee, thereby developing a shared vision towards research. PAIR mentoring further underscores the need to institute a university research infrastructure to support its research programs and initiatives. This participatory and transformative approach to research management tendered significant (and accelerated) improvement in the Scopus® metrics of the university. Reflecting from the researchers’ and research participants’ journey in implementing and embracing change and improvement in the university research programs, this article argues that researchers need to advance connectedness, conviviality, optimism, shared vision, and prudence in all aspects of research. This article thereby recommends learning and researching within the lens of participatory and transformative paradigm. The authors further recommend to higher education institutions establishment of a sustained mentoring program where mentors and mentees mutually agree and commit to advance the research vision of the university collectively. Finally, this article reasons in favor of an institutional research infrastructure that nurtures not just the knowledge and skills in research, but also the attitude and values of its research stakeholders towards research and the overall research program of the organization.
Global One Health Case Competition: Building Capacity for Addressing Infectious Threats
Authors: Porta Carolyn M. , Kibuuka Robert , Rwego Innocent B. , Nyatanyi Thierry , Mindje Mapendo , Ndayambaje Benjamin , Alemu Besufekad
Published: April 2020

Extracurricular inter-professional activities advance pre-service student skills and confidence before joining the workforce. This article describes an extracurricular model, whereby students engaged in experiential learning, and had the opportunity to challenge themselves in interprofessional groups guided by faculty and inspired by professionals in their respective fields. The Global One Health Case Competition involved students from the University of Rwanda in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, and required students in teams to address an Ebola outbreak containment and response scenario.  Forty students, seven faculty coaches, and five judges participated in this event.  Students gained collaborative teamwork skills as they developed comprehensive strategies for managing a response to a zoonotic disease outbreak, considering political, financial, logistical, and other factors. Faculty strengthened skills in writing complex case studies for a competition model, and in mentoring of multidisciplinary student groups. Case competition is an effective educational mechanism for building the outbreak response capacity of our future workforce before they are in their real-world professional roles responding to actual zoonotic and other infectious disease threats.
Saudi Standardized Tests and English Competence: Association and Prediction for Freshmen Medical Students’ Performance in Chemistry
Authors: Althewini Abdulaziz
Published: April 2020

The research is created to investigate the prediction of admission criteria for medical student achievement in chemistry in Saudi Arabia. It examines if the General Aptitude Test (GAT), the Scholastic Achievement Admission Test (SAAT), and English competence, can to a certain extent predict and foretell students’ achievement in the chemistry. The study sample consists of 240 participants, providing their grades in the admission criteria and chemistry. Regression analyses are utilized to define the weight of individual admission criterion prediction for student achievement in chemistry. It illustrates that admission criteria could predict students’ grades in chemistry with a variance of 30%. The results also show English competence does play a more significant rule in predicting students’ performance in chemistry. More research is needed to examine whether these criteria are also predictors with a large scale of students’ population.
Propaganda and the Nihilism of the Alt-Right
Authors: Wimberly Cory ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2020

The alt-right is an online subculture marked by its devotion to the execution of a racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic politics through trolling, pranking, meme-making, and mass murder. It is this devotion to far-right politics through the discordant conjunction of humor and suicidal violence this article seeks to explain by situating the movement for the first time within its constitutive online relationships. This article adds to the existing literature by viewing the online relationships of the alt-right through the genealogy of propaganda. Through situating the alt-right alongside the genealogy of propaganda, the article offers new insights into the social isolation, increasingly extreme social and political positions, nihilism, and violence that have emerged within the alt-right. The article concludes by applying the lessons of the alt-right for online organizing across the political spectrum and argues that a class-based politics of the left is an important part of countering the rise of the alt-right.
Determinants of Academic Results of the Students of a Public University of Bangladesh
Authors: Bashu Laxmi , Ahmed Mohammad Bashir , Rahman Md. Moshiur , Islam Md. Matiul
Published: April 2020

Academic results of students in most universities have become a concern of inquiry and have become a top priority among educators who have vowed to make a difference in producing quality graduates locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Researchers have long been interested in exploring variables and/or techniques which significantly contribute to the results of learners. The main purpose of the study was to analyze the academic results and to identify the determinants of the academic results of students of different Disciplines under Life Science School of a public university, Bangladesh. Twenty four selected characteristics were included as determinants of academic results of the students. Data were collected from 67 randomly selected students irrespective of gender, from five Disciplines under Life Science School of that public university. Data were gathered through personal interview using a pre-tested interview schedule during 25 January to 15 February, 2018. Most (86.5%) of the respondents had obtained very good (3.00-3.49) and good (3.50-3.74) CGPA in their academic results. Majority (64.2%) were female and above one-third (35.8%) were male with ratio of 1:1.18 (male: female). Most (80.6%) of them had medium (9.1-9.49) to higher (9.5-10) previous academic results. Most (92.5%) of the respondents were low to medium readers. Highest proportion (44.8%) of them were late night readers. Majority (62.7%) of the respondents were introvert in nature. Most of the respondents spent low (38.8%, ˂4 hours) to medium (43.3%, 4-6 hours) amount of time in academic learning. Among the various determinants of the study only gender, previous academic results (SSC and HSC), reading time and character type (introvert) of the respondents’ contributed significantly on the academic results. Rest of the determinants did not have any influence on their academic results. The university authority should consider the contributing determinants positively to boost up the students’ academic results.
Effects of Different Organic Manures on Early Seedling Growth of Massularia acuminata (G. Don) Bullock Ex Hoyle
Authors: Majolagbe M. O. , Awotedu B. F. , Ajekigbe J. M. , Banjo T. A. , Onifade A. O.
Published: April 2020

Aims: Selection of suitable soil amendment is a very crucial attempt for improving seedling production and growth of Massularia acuminata as a forest nursery plants on a sustainable basis can be enhanced over a given period of time.

Study Design: Comparative effects of different organic manures on the seedlings growth of Massularia acuminate.

Place and Duration of Study: Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, between February, 2019 and August 2019.

Methodology: Various concentrations of different types of organic manures; poultry manure, cow dung and horse dung were mixed with the topsoil separately to raise the seedlings of Massularia acuminata, comparative seedlings height growth, the stem diameter growth and the number of leaves per seedlings were examined to determine the development of the seedlings.

Results: The results revealed that, organic manure application generally enhanced the growth of the seedlings, improved seedlings height, number of leaves and collar diameter. Also, with increasing rate of application of organic manures from 0 g to 50 g per seedlings, all seedlings growth parameters were improved. 10 g and 30 g manure had significant effects on plant growth with seedlings height 15.29 cm and 15.10 cm, number of leaves per seedlings (19.80 and 19.43) and collar diameter (6.58 mm and 6.57 mm) with Q2 and Q3 respectively as compared with the control (5.18 mm). Highest seedling growth was observed in poultry application with seedlings height 14.42 cm, number of leaves (19.63) and collar diameter (6.31 mm).

Conclusion: The use of poultry manure and cattle dung at increased concentrations of 10 g and  30 g are recommended to be beneficial for sustainable healthy seedling production.
Performance of Direct Seeded Rice under Integrated Nutrient Management Practices in Old Alluvial Soils of West Bengal
Authors: Pandit Tapas Kumar , Mookherjee Saikat , Karforma Jyotirmay
Published: April 2020

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2018-19 and 2019-20 at the farm of Regional Research station, Old Alluvial Zone, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Majhian, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal to study the Performance of direct seeded rice (var. GB-1) under integrated nutrient practices. Highest number of effective tillers plant-1 (17.81), panicle length (29.56 cm) and number of filled grains panicle-1 (262.15) as well as seed yield (3051.89 kg ha-1) have been observed where direct seed rice crop received 75% of the recommended dose of fertilizers, FYM @ 5ton ha-1 and brown manuring with dhaincha. Highest number of effective tillers plant-1 (18.86), panicle length (28.89 cm) and number of filled grains panicle-1 (260.54) and seed yield (3079.92 kg ha-1) have also been observed with spraying of Vermiwash and N-P-K 19:19:19 at 35 DAS and 55 DAS respectively to the direct seeded rice crop. An increasing trend in residual fertility status has also been observed with this treatment compared to the initial fertility status of the soil. This treatment can be an acceptable option of integrated nutrient management practice for the direct seeded rice growers of the old alluvial zone.
Water Hyacinths–biomass Production Potential at a Waste Water Treatment Plant
Authors: Dölle K. , Tong J. , Wang Q.
Published: April 2020

The growth of Eichhornia crassipes under outdoor conditions was examined during a 42-day test in a wastewater treatment plants primary clarifier, trickling filter and secondary clarifier using municipal residential wastewater as the chosen supplier of nutrients.

Test results showed that Eichhorn crassipes plants gained a significant amount of biomass in a short period. Plants could increase their biomass 15.1-fold from the initial weight of 457.6 g to 6898.8 g for the primary clarifier and 12.6-fold from the initial weight of 288.2 g to 3635.0 g for the secondary clarifier. Plant growth in the trickling filter was limited by factors such has as observed bird picking, Cladophra algae growth in the trickling filter and on the roots of Eichhorn crassipes, and intermittent exposure to nutrients contained in the municipal residential wastewater.
Deep learning with diffusion basis spectrum imaging for classification of multiple sclerosis lesions
Authors: Ye Zezhong , George Ajit , Wu Anthony T. , Niu Xuan , Lin Joshua , Adusumilli Gautam , Naismith Robert T. , Cross Anne H. , Sun Peng , Song Sheng‐Kwei
Published: April 2020

Objective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions are heterogeneous with regard to inflammation, demyelination, axonal injury, and neuronal loss. We previously developed a diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) technique to better address MS lesion heterogeneity. We hypothesized that the profiles of multiple DBSI metrics can identify lesion‐defining patterns. Here we test this hypothesis by combining a deep learning algorithm using deep neural network (DNN) with DBSI and other imaging methods.

Methods

Thirty‐eight MS patients were scanned with diffusion‐weighted imaging, magnetization transfer imaging, and standard conventional MRI sequences (cMRI). A total of 499 regions of interest were identified on standard MRI and labeled as persistent black holes (PBH), persistent gray holes (PGH), acute black holes (ABH), acute gray holes (AGH), nonblack or gray holes (NBH), and normal appearing white matter (NAWM). DBSI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) were applied to the 43,261 imaging voxels extracted from these ROIs. The optimized DNN with 10 fully connected hidden layers was trained using the imaging metrics of the lesion subtypes and NAWM.

Results

Concordance, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were determined for the different imaging methods. DBSI‐DNN derived lesion classification achieved 93.4% overall concordance with predetermined lesion types, compared with 80.2% for DTI‐DNN model, 78.3% for MTR‐DNN model, and 74.2% for cMRI‐DNN model. DBSI‐DNN also produced the highest specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy.

Conclusions

DBSI‐DNN improves the classification of different MS lesion subtypes, which could aid clinical decision making. The efficacy and efficiency of DBSI‐DNN shows great promise for clinical applications in automatic MS lesion detection and classification.
Cortical hyperexcitability evolves with disease progression in ALS
Authors: Menon Parvathi , Higashihara Mana , van den Bos Mehdi , Geevasinga Nimeshan , Kiernan Matthew C. , Vucic Steve
Published: April 2020

Objective

Cortical hyperexcitability has been established as an early feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The evolution of cortical hyperexcitability with ALS progression remains to be fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate changes in cortical function in ALS with disease progression.

Methods

Cortical function assessed by threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) along with clinical phenotyping was prospectively undertaken on 444 patients presenting with suspected ALS (345 ALS; 99 neuromuscular mimics). Disease stage was defined as follows: (1) King’s clinical staging system and (2) proportion of disease duration statistically categorized into tertials.

Results

Cortical hyperexcitability was evident across all ALS stages, being more prominent in later stages of ALS as indicated by increased motor‐evoked potential amplitude (P < 0.05), as well as longer disease duration as reflected by reduced short‐interval intracortical inhibition (P < 0.05). Prolonged central motor conduction time was evident with disease progression. These changes were accompanied by reduction in neurophysiological index (P < 0.001) and compound muscle action potential amplitude (P < 0.01), progressive muscle weakness (P < 0.001), and decline in the ALS functional rating scale (P < 0.001).

Interpretation

This study established an increase in cortical hyperexcitability with increased disease duration in ALS, mediated by cortical disinhibition and direct increase in corticomotoneuronal excitability.
Using Observation to Determine Teachable Moments Within a Serious Game: A GridlockED as Medical Education (GAME) Study
Authors: Brar Gurmun , Lambert Sam , Huang Simon , Dang Rebecca , Chan Teresa M.
Published: April 2020

Background

The use of serious games as an educational tool may be an effective strategy to improve knowledge and skill among health care trainees. GridlockED is a serious board game designed to simulate a shift in the emergency department (ED) that incorporates concepts such as prioritization in a multipatient environment and stewardship of finite resources. Serious games can present concepts to learners that are not easily accessible through other teaching methods. GridlockED was designed to demonstrate the principles behind ED flow and how to prioritize in a complex multipatient environment. The objective of this study was to identify teaching points to which learners are exposed while playing the GridlockED game.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational study from May to August 2017. Practicing emergency physicians, residents, and nurses were recruited as participants to play GridlockED. Participants were instructed on how to play the game and then engaged in playing GridlockED, during which their gameplay was video recorded. The videos of the play sessions were qualitatively analyzed using an interpretive description technique. All teaching points explicitly stated by players or implicitly observed by researchers were recorded.

Results

Teaching points were identified in the GridlockED play sessions centered around the concepts of patient prioritization and staff placement. Major themes present in gameplay, as well as deviations from reality and frequent misconceptions about emergency care, were also identified.

Conclusion

Observations of experienced ED practitioners reveal that the GridlockED board game creates opportunities for engaging medical learners in systems‐level teaching. Our findings will help create the basis for future education modules, but further study is required to ensure that junior trainees actually learn when playing the game.
Comparison of Shockwave aerification and conventional aerification methods on athletic fields
Authors: Dalsgaard Tim O. , Thoms Adam W. , Christians Nick E. , Mertz Isaac , Horton Robert
Published: April 2020

The Shockwave (Imants) offers the potential to minimally disrupt the playing surface, relieve soil compaction, and potentially lower surface hardness. However, data are lacking on how the Shockwave compares to traditional aerification. The effects of hollow‐tine (HT), solid‐tine (ST), and Shockwave with a single pass (SW1) and perpendicular passes (SW2) were investigated and compared to an untreated control (C) for surface hardness, surface stability, soil moisture, water infiltration, percent green cover, and bulk density on established cultivar Rush Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf growing on native soil. Treatments were applied June–August with SW1 and SW2 receiving an additional treatment in September of each year. A modified Baldree traffic simulator was used to simulate 28 traffic events in the fall of each year. Data were analyzed using an exponential decay model, and the slope indicating cover loss event–1 was used to compare treatments. In both years of the study, the HT (–0.031 in 2017 and –0.085 in 2018) treatment had the least green cover loss per event. The SW2 (–0.051) had the greatest cover loss event–1 in 2017, while the C (–0.102) treatments experienced the largest cover loss event–1 in 2018. In 2017 after 20 simulated traffic events, surface hardness on SW2 treatments were 30% lower than the highest surface hardness. After simulated traffic in 2018, SW1 treatments resulted in 10% lower surface hardness compared to the hardest surface, indicating the Shockwave can reduce surface hardness. This research indicates that the Shockwave could replace ST in maintaining athletic fields.
Evaluation of experimentally obtained permeance based on module simulation: How should permeance be evaluated?
Authors: Moriyama Norihiro , Haraya Kenji , Nagasawa Hiroki , Kanezashi Masakoto , Tsuru Toshinori
Published: April 2020

Permeance and permeance ratio in binary separation generally are obtained from experimental data using an analytical permeance equation consisting of the logarithmic average of the partial pressure difference (hereafter, approximate permeance equation). The aim of the present study was to clarify the applicable range for this equation. First, the separation performance of a membrane module was calculated with various given membrane properties (permeance, permeance ratio) and operation conditions (pressure, flow rate) via numerical computation. The obtained concentrations and flow rates in the retentate and permeate were used to calculate permeances via approximate permeance equation, and the validity was discussed by comparing permeances used for numerical computation with obtained ones. The present work clarifies the validity of the approximate permeance equation, and yields a general guideline stipulating that the partial pressure difference across the membrane at the inlet and outlet should maintain more than 60% to obtain the correct permeance.
A Chiral Thermochromic Ferroelastic with Seven Physical Channel Switches
Authors: Xiong Ren‐Gen , Lu Si‐Qi , Zhang Zhi‐Xu , Cheng Hao , Li Peng‐Fei , Liao Wei‐Qiang
Published: April 2020

Switchable materials play an invaluable role in signal processing and encryption of smart devices. The development of multifunctional materials that exhibit switching characteristics in multiple physical channels has attracted widespread attention. Now, two chiral thermochromic ferroelastic crystals (S‐CTA)2CuCl4 and (R‐CTA)2CuCl4 (CTA=3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium) have been prepared with switchable properties in dielectricity, conductivity, second harmonic generation (SHG), piezoelectricity, ferroelasticity, chiral, and thermochromic properties. Compared with traditional phase‐transition materials with switching features, thermochromism brings additional spectral encryption possibilities for future information processing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first chiral thermochromic ferroelastic that exhibits switching properties in seven physical channels. This work is expected to promote further exploration of multifunctional molecular switchable materials.
Crystalline Diradical Dianions of Pyrene‐Fused Azaacenes
Authors: Chen Chao , Ruan Huapeng , Feng Zhongtao , Fang Yong , Tang Shuxuan , Zhao Yue , Tan Gengwen , Su Yuanting , Wang Xinping
Published: April 2020

Although diradicals and azaacenes have been greatly attractive in fundamental chemistry and functional materials, the isolable diradical dianions of azaacenes are still unknown. Herein, we describe the first isolation of pyrene‐fused azaacene diradical dianion salts [(18‐c‐6)K(THF)2]+[(18‐c‐6)K]+⋅12−.. and [(18‐c‐6)K(THF)]2+⋅22−.. by reduction of the neutral pyrene‐fused azaacene derivatives 1 and 2 with excess potassium graphite in THF in the presence of 18‐crown‐6. Their electronic structures were investigated by various experiments, in conjunction with theoretical calculations. It was found that both dianions are open‐shell singlets in the ground state and their triplet states are thermally readily accessible owing to the small singlet–triplet energy gap. This work provides the first examples of crystalline diradical dianions of azaacenes with considerable diradical character.
Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation via Catalytically Generated Aminocarbene Complexes: Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydroaminative Cyclization of Enynes with Secondary Amines
Authors: Takano Shotaro , Shiomi Ryosuke , Morimoto Yoshihiko , Kochi Takuya , Kakiuchi Fumitoshi
Published: April 2020

We report a hydroaminative cyclization of enynes using phosphine‐quinolinolato rhodium catalysts. The hydroaminative cyclization of 2‐vinylphenylacetylene derivatives with secondary amines gives 2‐aminoindenes in good yields. The reaction is considered to proceed through carbon–carbon bond formation on a catalytically generated aminocarbene ligand.
Concise Synthesis of (+)‐[13C4]‐Anatoxin‐a by Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of a Cyclic Iminium Ion
Authors: Lacharity Jacob J. , Mailyan Artur K. , Chen Karen Y. , Zakarian Armen
Published: April 2020

An asymmetric total synthesis of [13C4]‐anatoxin‐a ([13C4]‐1) has been developed from commercially available ethyl [13C4]‐acetoacetate ([13C4]‐15). The unique requirements associated with isotope incorporation inspired a new, robust, and highly scalable route, providing access to 0.110 g of this internal standard for use in the detection and precise quantification of anatoxin‐a in freshwater. A highlight of the synthesis is a method that leverages a cyclic iminium ion racemization to achieve dynamic kinetic resolution in an enantioselective Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) cyclization.
A unified model of shared brain structural alterations in patients with different mental disorders who experience own‐thought auditory verbal hallucinations—A pilot study
Authors: Zhuo Chuanjun , Wang Chunxiang , Song Xueqin , Xu Xuexin , Li Gongying , Lin Xiaodong , Xu Yong , Tian Hongjun , Jiang Deguo , Wang Wenqiang , Zhou Chunhua
Published: April 2020

Objective

To explore shared brain structural alterations in patients diagnosed with mental disorders who experience own‐thought auditory verbal hallucinations (OTAVHs).

Methods

A cohort of 143 first‐diagnosis, nonmedicated patients with OTAVHs was enrolled: 25 with schizophrenia (FUSCH‐OTAVH), 20 with major depression disorder (FUMDD‐OTAVH), 28 with bipolar disorder (FUBD‐OTAVH), 22 patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (FUPTSD‐OTAVH), 21 with anxiety disorder (FUAD‐OTAVH), and 27 with borderline personality disorder (FUBPD‐OTAVH); 25 healthy controls (HCs) participated. The Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS), multiple psychometric scales, voxel‐based morphometry (VBM), tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS), and multiple regression were used.

Results

Compared with HCs, patients had increased occipital cortex, dorsal prefrontal cortex (PFC), and striatum gray matter volumes (GMVs), a reduced insular cortex (IC) GMV, and an impaired frontooccipital fasciculus. The following differences were found versus HCs: FUSCH‐OTAVH, reduced PFC and occipital GMVs, increased striatum and thalamus GMVs, impaired arcuate fasciculus, u‐shaped bundle, optic tract, and upper longitudinal fasciculus (LF); FUMDD‐OTAVH, increased posterior frontotemporal junction and hippocampus GMVs; FUMN‐OTAVH, increased posterior frontotemporal junction and parietal cortex GMVs, reduced hippocampus GMV, impaired upper LF; FUPTSD‐OTAVH, increased temporal, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens GMVs; FUBPD‐OTAVH, increased frontotemporal junction and hippocampus GMVs, impaired upper/lower LF; and FUAD‐OTAVH, increased frontal and temporal cortex, hippocampus GMVs.

Conclusions

The present findings provide evidence consistent with a bottom‐up and top‐down reciprocal action dysfunction hypothesis of AVHs and with the dopamine hypothesis of AVHs. We observed specific features related to OTAVHs in patients with different mental disorders. The findings, though complex, provide clues for further studies of specific mental disorders.
Effectiveness of Zhong‐Yong thinking based dialectical behavior therapy group skills training versus supportive group therapy for lowering suicidal risks in Chinese young adults: A randomized controlled trial with a 6‐month follow‐up
Authors: Yang Xueling , Liu Ding , Wang You , Chen Yu , Chen Weichen , Yang Caiyan , Zhang Peining , Ding Siyuan , Zhang Xiaoyuan
Published: April 2020

Background

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a first‐line treatment for the prevention of suicide. Zhong‐Yong thinking could be viewed as a Chinese way of dialectical thinking, has long been a culturally dictating thinking style in China. To enhance cultural adaptability, we integrated Zhong‐Yong thinking into DBT group skills training and examined its efficacy in suicidal prevention compared with a supportive group therapy and a wait‐list group in high‐risk suicidal Chinese college students.

Methods

A total of 97 suicidal participants were randomized to either Zhong‐Yong thinking based DBT group skills training (DBTZYT, n = 33), or supportive group therapy (SGT; n = 32), or wait‐list group (WL; n = 32). DBTZYT was a 12‐week program based on Zhong‐Yong thinking instead of dialectical thinking, coaching participants mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Supportive group therapy was a 12‐week program aiming at improving interpersonal effectiveness and emotion regulation skills. Outcome measures were assessed at pre‐ and post‐treatment and 6‐month follow‐up.

Results

At post‐treatment measures, the levels of suicidal ideation, hopelessness, psychache symptoms, and general psychopathology had significantly decreased in both intervention groups; at the 6‐month follow‐up measures, the intervention effects were better maintained in the DBTZYT group rather than in the SGT group. Specifically, DBTZYT was more effective in relieving participants’ long‐term obsessive‐compulsive, anxiety, hostility, phobic, psychotic, and additional symptoms.

Conclusions

Zhong‐Yong thinking not only could integrate with DBT skills training in Chinese young adult population, but also has special strength in enhancing DBT’s efficacy.
Network changes in patients with phobic postural vertigo
Authors: Huber Judita , Flanagin Virginia L. , Popp Pauline , zu Eulenburg Peter , Dieterich Marianne
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Functional dizziness comprises a class of dizziness disorders, including phobic postural vertigo (PPV), that cause vestibular symptoms in the absence of a structural organic origin. For this reason, functional brain mechanisms have been implicated in these disorders.

Methods

Here, functional network organization was investigated in 17 PPV patients and 18 healthy controls (HCs) during functional magnetic resonance imaging with a visual motion stimulus, data initially collected and described by Popp et al. (2018). Graph theoretical measures (degree centrality [DC], clustering coefficient [CC], and eccentricity) of 160 nodes within six functional networks were compared between HC and PPV patients during visual motion and static visual patterns.

Results

Graph theoretical measures analyzed during the static condition revealed significantly different DC in the default‐mode, sensorimotor, and cerebellar networks. Furthermore, significantly different group differences in network organization changes between static visual and visual motion stimulation were observed. In PPV, DC and CC showed a significantly stronger increase in the sensorimotor network during visual stimulation, whereas cerebellar network showed a significantly stronger decrease in DC.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the altered visual motion processing seen in PPV patients may arise from a modified state of sensory and cerebellar network connectivity.
Reduced uptake of [11C]‐ABP688, a PET tracer for metabolic glutamate receptor 5 in hippocampus and amygdala in Alzheimer’s dementia
Authors: Treyer Valerie , Gietl Anton F. , Suliman Husam , Gruber Esmeralda , Meyer Rafael , Buchmann Andreas , Johayem Anass , Unschuld Paul G. , Nitsch Roger M. , Buck Alfred , Ametamey Simon M. , Hock Christoph
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Metabotropic glutamate receptors play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease due to their involvement in processes of memory formation, neuroplasticity, and synaptotoxity. The objective of the current study was to study mGluR5 availability measured by [11C]‐ABP688 (ABP) in patients with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's dementia (AD).

Methods

A bolus‐infusion protocol of [11C]‐ABP688 was applied in 9 subjects with AD and 10 cognitively healthy controls (Controls) to derive distribution volume estimates of mGluR5. Furthermore, we also estimated cerebral perfusion by averaging early frame signal of initial ABP bolus injection.

Results

Subjects with Alzheimer's dementia (mean age: 77.3/SD 5.7) were older than controls (mean age: 68.5/SD: 9.6) and scored lower on the MMSE (22.1/SD2.7 vs. 29.0/SD0.8). There were no overall differences in ABP signal. However, distribution volume ratio (DVR) for ABP was reduced in the bilateral hippocampus (AD: 1.34/SD: 0.40 vs. Control: 1.84/SD:0.31, p = .007) and the bilateral amygdala (AD:1.86/SD:0.26 vs. Control:2.33/SD:0.37 p = .006) in AD patients compared to controls.

Estimate of cerebral blood flow was reduced in the bilateral hippocampus in AD (AD:0.75/SD:0.10 vs. Control:0.86/SD:0.09 p = .02).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate reduced mGluR5 binding in the hippocampus and amygdala in Alzheimer's dementia. Whether this is due to synaptic loss and/or consecutive reduction of potential binding sites or reflects disease inherent mechanisms remains to be elucidated in future studies.
LC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS for the Profiling of the Metabolites and in Vitro Enzymes Inhibition Activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Oxalis corniculata Collected from Ramechhap District of Nepal
Authors: Prasad Pandey Bishnu , Prakash Pradhan Suman , Adhikari Kapil
Published: April 2020

The objective of this study was to profile the chemical components and biological activity analysis of crude extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Oxalis corniculata. Results revealed that the analyzed plant materials encompass the high amount of total phenolic and flavonoids content and have significant antioxidant activities. Furthermore, methanol extracts are the potential source of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase and elastase inhibitors. High resolution mass spectrometry revealed the presence of diverse metabolites such as quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranoside, myricetin 3‐rhamnoside, bersaldegenin 1,3,5‐orthoacetate, bryophyllin C, syringic acid, caffeic acid, p‐coumaric acid, and quercetin in B. pinnatum and isoorientin, swertisin, apigenin 7,4′‐diglucoside, vitexin, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, ethyl gallate, 3,3′,4′‐trihydroxy‐5,7‐dimethoxyflavone, and diosmetin‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside in O. corniculata. Our finding suggested that these two plant species have high medicinal importance and are potential source of inhibitors for modern pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics industries.
Silyl Anion Initiated Hydroboration of Aldehydes and Ketones
Authors: Stanford Martin W. , Bismuto Alessandro , Cowley Michael J.
Published: April 2020

Hydroboration is an emerging method for mild and selective reduction of carbonyl compounds. Typically, transition‐metal or reactive main‐group hydride catalysts are used in conjunction with a mild reductant such as pinacolborane. The reactivity of the main‐group catalysts is a consequence of the nucleophilicity of their hydride ligands. Silicon hydrides are significantly less reactive and are therefore not efficient hydroboration catalysts. Here, a readily prepared silyl anion is reported to be an effective initiator for the reduction of aldehydes and ketones requiring mild conditions, low catalyst loadings and with a good substrate scope. The silyl anion it is shown to activate HBpin to generate a reactive borohydride in situ which reacts with aldehydes and ketones to afford the hydroboration product.
Atrial fibrillation fingerprinting; spotting bio‐electrical markers to early recognize atrial fibrillation by the use of a bottom‐up approach (AFFIP): Rationale and design
Authors: Starreveld Roeliene , Knops Paul , Ramos Kennedy S. , Roos‐Serote Maarten C. , Bogers Ad J.J.C. , Brundel Bianca J.J.M. , de Groot Natasja M.S.
Published: April 2020

Background

The exact pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains incompletely understood and treatment of AF is associated with high recurrence rates. Persistence of AF is rooted in the presence of electropathology, defined as complex electrical conduction disorders caused by structural damage of atrial tissue. The atrial fibrillation fingerprinting (AFFIP) study aims to characterize electropathology, enabling development of a novel diagnostic instrument to predict AF onset and early progression.

Hypotheses

History of AF, development of post‐operative AF, age, gender, underlying heart disease, and other clinical characteristics impact the degree of electropathology.

Methods

This study is a prospective observational study with a planned duration of 48 months. Three study groups are defined: (1) patients with (longstanding) persistent AF, (2) patients with paroxysmal AF, and (3) patients without a history of AF, all undergoing open‐chest cardiac surgery. Intra‐operative high‐resolution epicardial mapping is performed to identify the patient‐specific electrical profile, whereas the patient‐specific biological profile is assessed by evaluating proteostasis markers in blood samples and atrial appendage tissue samples. Post‐operative continuous rhythm monitoring is performed for detection of early post‐operative AF. Late post‐operative AF (during 5‐year follow‐up) is documented by either electrocardiogram or 24‐hour Holter registration.

Results

The required sample size for this study is estimated at 447 patients. Up till now, 105 patients were included, of whom 36 have a history of AF.

Conclusion

The AFFIP study will elucidate whether electrophysiological and structural characteristics represent a novel diagnostic tool, the AF fingerprint, to predict onset and early progression of AF in cardiac surgery patients.
Bifurcation analysis of nonlinear and supernonlinear dust–acoustic waves in a dusty plasma using the generalized (r, q) distribution function for ions and electrons
Authors: Taha Ragab M. , El‐Taibany Wael F.
Published: April 2020

Bifurcation analysis of dust acoustic (DA) periodic waves in three components, unmagnetized dusty plasma system is investigated using the generalized (r, q) distribution function for ions and electrons. Depending on the different parameters of the system considered, all possible phase portraits, including periodic, homoclinic, superperiodic, and superhomoclinic trajectories, are presented. The existence of rarefactive and compressive solitary waves is proved. Also, the plasma system under consideration supports both nonlinear and supernonlinear DA periodic waves. It has been found that the double spectral indices r and q play a decisive effect on the bifurcation of the waves.
Not all body image constructs are created equal: Predicting eating disorder outcomes from preoccupation, dissatisfaction, and overvaluation
Authors: Askew Autumn J. , Peterson Carol B. , Crow Scott J. , Mitchell James E. , Halmi Katherine A. , Agras W. Stewart , Haynos Ann F.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Diverse terminology has been used to operationalize body image disturbance in eating disorders. However, the differential validity of these terms and their underlying constructs to predict outcomes among heterogeneous eating disorders is unknown. This study evaluated the validity of body image constructs to predict eating disorder and negative psychological symptoms concurrently and prospectively over 2 years in a transdiagnostic clinical sample.

Methods

Women with heterogeneous eating disorder diagnoses (n = 448) completed assessments at baseline, 12‐month, and 24‐month follow‐up. Cross‐sectional and cross‐lagged generalized linear models examined effects of three body image constructs (i.e., weight and shape preoccupation, overvaluation, and dissatisfaction) on concurrent and subsequent outcomes (i.e., global eating disorder symptoms, binge eating, purging, fasting, self‐esteem, and depression).

Results

In concurrent analyses, preoccupation was significantly associated with all outcomes (ps = .01 to <.001), overvaluation with all outcomes (ps = .01 to <.001) except binge eating (p = .06), and dissatisfaction with all outcomes (ps < .001) except purging (p = .38). In prospective analyses, preoccupation predicted Eating Disorder Examination global (p = .003) and fasting (p < .001), overvaluation predicted binge eating (p = .01), and body dissatisfaction did not predict any outcomes.

Discussion

Preoccupation, overvaluation, and dissatisfaction are differentially related to eating disorder and psychiatric outcomes, indicating that no one body image construct can capture clinical risk in eating disorders. Preoccupation was the most consistent concurrent and longitudinal predictor; this construct may warrant further attention in assessment and diagnosis. Further investigation of these constructs in diverse samples is encouraged.
Linking patterns and processes of tree community assembly across spatial scales in tropical montane forests
Authors: Bañares‐de‐Dios Guillermo , Macía Manuel J. , Granzow‐de la Cerda Íñigo , Arnelas Itziar , Martins de Carvalho Gabriel , Espinosa Carlos I. , Salinas Norma , Swenson Nathan G. , Cayuela Luis
Published: April 2020

Many studies have tried to assess the role of both deterministic and stochastic processes in community assembly, yet a lack of consensus exists on which processes are more prevalent and at which spatial scales they operate. To shed light on this issue, we tested two nonmutually exclusive, scale‐dependent hypotheses: (1) that competitive exclusion dominates at small spatial scales; and (2) that environmental filtering does so at larger ones. To accomplish this, we studied the functional patterns of tropical montane forest communities along two altitudinal gradients, in Ecuador and Peru, using floristic and functional data from 60 plots of 0.1 ha. We found no evidence of either functional overdispersion or clustering at small spatial scales, but we did find functional clustering at larger ones. The observed pattern of clustering, consistent with an environmental filtering process, was more evident when maximizing the environmental differences among any pair of plots. To strengthen the link between the observed community functional pattern and the underlying process of environmental filtering, we explored differences in the climatic preferences of the most abundant species found at lower and higher elevations and examined whether their abundances shifted along the elevation gradient. We found (1) that greater community functional differences (observed between lower and upper tropical montane forest assemblies) were mostly the result of strong climatic preferences, maintained across the Neotropics; and (2) that the abundances of such species shifted along the elevational gradient. Our findings support the conclusion that, at large spatial scales, environmental filtering is the overriding mechanism for community assembly, because the pattern of functional clustering was linked to species’ similarities in their climatic preferences, which ultimately resulted in shifts in species abundances along the gradient. However, there was no evidence of competitive exclusion at more homogeneous, smaller spatial scales, where plant species effectively compete for resources.
Interactive effects of large‐ and local‐scale environmental gradients on phenotypic differentiation
Authors: Benes Kylla , Bracken Matthew E. S.
Published: April 2020

Intraspecific differentiation across a steep environmental gradient depends on the relative influences of evolutionary, organismal, and environmental processes. But steep environmental gradients may be nested within larger‐scale, regional conditions that could influence these processes at the local scale. Therefore, we hypothesized that phenotypic differentiation along a steep environmental gradient would vary among regions. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment on rocky intertidal shores, a habitat characterized by gradients in abiotic and biotic stress, in three regions of the Gulf of Maine. We used the ubiquitous and ecologically important rockweed species Fucus vesiculosus to quantify differentiation in growth, tissue nitrogen, and nitrogen productivity between upper and lower intertidal individuals. We found that phenotypic differentiation between tide heights varied among traits and regions. Although tissue nitrogen did not vary among any treatment combinations, growth and nitrogen productivity response were region specific. A strong effect of transplant height was found in all regions; however, an effect of home (source) height was only detectable in the central Gulf of Maine. Our study reveals that intraspecific responses to steep environmental gradients vary among populations, but the mechanisms underlying these patterns remain unknown. Given the roles that rockweeds play as food and habitat, these in situ patterns of growth and nitrogen productivity could have important community‐ and ecosystem‐level consequences.