bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiences from the teacher-researcher’s perspective on learning study
Authors: Johansson Patrik , Thorsten Anja
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and discuss experiences, in terms of challenges and opportunities, of teacher-researchers who engage in research on the learning study approach. The following two questions will be addressed: how can the teaching experience influence, and become an asset, in the research process and what challenges do teachers face when they enter the research practice?

Design/methodology/approach

Each question will be explored through some empirically grounded themes. The analysis is based on experiences from participation in a PhD program, where learning study was used as a method and variation theory was the main theoretical framework. One learning study was focusing on creative writing in primary school and the other was focusing on historical primary source analysis in upper secondary school.

Findings

The first question is addressed through the following themes: choosing and identifying research problems; planning and conducting research lessons; analyzing research lessons and students’ learning; and process of self-reflection, and the second question through: teaching as an object of research; to use and develop theories; and communication and review in research. The findings indicate that learning study is a practice-based research approach where teaching experience and academic skills are intertwined in many ways. Both approaches bring opportunities as well as challenges.

Originality/value

The paper is expected to contribute insights and knowledge about the advantages, as well as hindrances to overcome, for teacher-researchers who use learning study as a research method. The results can also be related to the performing of action research in teachers’ classroom practice.
Editorial review
Authors: Elliott John
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discern and discuss links and connections between the ideas and insights contained in the articles published in Issue 6.2, in a way which portrays the key features of lesson study in an international context, its conceptual relationship with the ideas of Lawrence Stenhouse, and its analytic potential to effect pedagogical transformation in a global context.

Design/methodology/approach

To create a basis for a fruitful discussion about the critical features of Lesson and Learning Studies as it globalises between readers and the authors of the eight texts published, three of which are authored by practicing school teachers.

Findings

The author pinpoints four critical implementation issues that should provide a focus for further deliberation about how to realise the potential of lesson and learning studies for improving the quality of teaching and learning in educational institutions. These are: developing methods of analysis that disrupt and challenge the cultural scripts that shape teaching and learning in educational institutions; developing conditions and support systems that enable teachers not only to develop their practice through lesson and learning study, but also to participate in the development of theories that can powerfully inform such study; creating sustainable programmes of high-quality lesson and learning studies in educational institutions when they may stand in a state of tension with the prevailing organisational culture; and exploring the potential of creative methodological mixes, using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, for improving the quality of teaching and learning through lesson and learning study.

Originality/value

This editorial review provides a criterial framework for evaluating the quality of programmes of lesson and learning studies in educational institutions.
Energy challenges: isolating results due to behavior change
Authors: Boulton Kelly , Pallant Eric , Bradshaw-Wilson Casey , Choate Beth , Carbone Ian
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Approximately 700 colleges and universities have committed to climate neutrality, which will require significant reductions in energy consumption. This paper aims to explore the effectiveness of an Annual Energy Challenge in curtailing electricity use by changing consumption behaviors at one liberal arts college.

Design/methodology/approach

From 2010 to 2014, Allegheny College (Meadville, PA, USA) ran four-week energy challenges. Electricity consumption was measured and compared to a baseline year of 2008. An alternate baseline, more granular data for 20 sub-metered buildings and historic utility bill consumption trends were further analyzed to identify any persisting change and understand the impact of behavior change separate from efficiency retrofits, changes in population and normal seasonal shifts.

Findings

Electricity consumption during the challenge period dropped an average of 9 per cent compared to the 2008 baseline and 6 per cent compared to the baseline of the 4 weeks preceding each challenge. Consumption trends changed in the years during challenge implementation compared to the years before engaging the campus community. All analyses reinforce that the challenge reduces electricity consumption. However, results must be analyzed in multiple ways to isolate for behavior change.

Practical implications

The analyses used to isolate energy challenge results due to behavior change are replicable at other institutions and would allow campuses to compare results and share proven strategies.

Originality/value

While many campuses organize energy challenges, few have published details about the results both during the challenge and continuing afterwards. Nor has a research explored the need to put results into contexts such as natural seasonal trends to isolate the impacts of behavior change.
Estimating non‐indigenous species establishment and their impact on biodiversity, using the Relative Suitability Richness model
Authors: Leung Brian , Bradie Johanna
Published: January 2017

Key questions in invasion biology include where will a non‐indigenous species (NIS) establish, and how will it affect biodiversity? Scientists have addressed the first question, largely through correlating species’ distributions with environmental factors (i.e. species distribution models, SDM). Conceptually, SDMs reflect a species’ abiotic constraints, but in reality, they measure the realized rather than fundamental niche. This is a limitation of SDMs, but analysed correctly, it may also be a strength since SDMs already incorporate the outcome of species interactions.

We postulate that we can use the relative predicted probabilities of occurrences in each location from SDMs to predict the outcome of interactions between species. Based on this idea, we develop the Relative Suitability Richness (RSR) model, and generate two protocols to (i) assess theoretically whether we can predict the probability of establishment, and (ii) by conducting counterfactual analyses, the extent to which we can infer the impact of NIS on biodiversity.

Species distribution models based solely on abiotic factors have the potential to predict species establishment well, even when biotic interactions are strong. However, predictions improved with inclusion of biotic data, even with only partial information. Even with weak environmental predictors and no community data, macro‐scale predictions could still be strong and one can estimate loss of native populations, as long as the fitting environment was representative of the prediction environment. If environmental conditions change, predictions were still possible so long as either good environmental predictors and/or biotic information was available.

Policy implications. Risk analyses are often recommended to guide management practices; they depend upon forecasting the likelihood and severity of an invasion. The Relative Suitability Richness protocols developed here predict non‐indigenous species occurrences and impact, using even partial biotic data on native species occurrences, to provide key information needed to estimate invasion risk, prioritize management effort and advance invasive species policy.
Would behavioral thermoregulation enable pregnant viviparous tropical lizards to cope with a warmer world?
Authors: LÓPEZ‐ALCAIDE Saúl , NAKAMURA Miguel , SMITH Eric N. , MARTÍNEZ‐MEYER Enrique
Published: January 2017

Sceloporus lizards depend on external heat to achieve their preferred temperature (Tsel) for performing physiological processes. Evidence both in the field and laboratory indicates that pregnant females of this Genus select body temperatures (Tb) lower than 34 °C as higher temperatures may be lethal to embryos. Therefore, thermoregulation is crucial for successful embryo development. Given the increase in global air temperature, it is expected that the first compensatory response of species that inhabit tropical climates will be behavioral thermoregulation. We tested whether viviparous Sceloporus formosus group lizards in the wild exhibited differences in thermoregulatory behavior to achieve the known Tsel for developing embryos regardless of local thermal conditions. We quantified field active body temperature, thermoregulatory behavior mechanisms (time of sighting, microhabitat used and basking time) and available microhabitat thermal conditions (i.e. operative temperature) for 10 lizard species during gestation, distributed along an altitudinal gradient. We applied both conventional and phylogenic analyses to explore whether Tb or behavioral thermoregulation could be regulated in response to different thermal conditions. These species showed no significant differences in field Tb during gestation regardless of local thermal conditions. In contrast, they exhibited significant differences in their behavioral thermoregulation associated with local environmental conditions. Based on these observations, the differences in thermoregulatory behavior identified are interpreted as compensatory adjustments to local thermal conditions. We conclude that these species may deal with higher temperatures predicted for the tropics by modulating their thermoregulatory behavior.
Inhalation of Alcohol Vapor: Measurement and Implications
Authors: MacLean Robert Ross , Valentine Gerald W. , Jatlow Peter I. , Sofuoglu Mehmet
Published: January 2017

Decades of alcohol research have established the health risks and pharmacodynamic profile of oral alcohol consumption. Despite isolated periods of public health concern, comparatively less research has evaluated exposure to alcohol vapor. Inhaled alcohol initially bypasses first‐pass metabolism and rapidly reaches the arterial circulation and the brain, suggesting that this route of administration may be associated with pharmacological effects that increase the risk of addiction. However, detailed reviews assessing the possible effects of inhaled alcohol in humans are lacking. A comprehensive, systematic literature review was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed to examine manuscripts studying exposure to inhaled alcohol and measurement of biomarkers (biochemical or functional) associated with alcohol consumption in human participants. Twenty‐one publications reported on alcohol inhalation. Fourteen studies examined inhalation of alcohol vapor associated with occupational exposure (e.g., hand sanitizer) in a variety of settings (e.g., naturalistic, laboratory). Six publications measured inhalation of alcohol in a controlled laboratory chamber, and 1 evaluated direct inhalation of an e‐cigarette with ethanol‐containing “e‐liquid.” Some studies have reported that inhalation of alcohol vapor results in measurable biomarkers of acute alcohol exposure, most notably ethyl glucuronide. Despite the lack of significantly elevated blood alcohol concentrations, the behavioral consequences and subjective effects associated with repeated use of devices capable of delivering alcohol vapor are yet to be determined. No studies have focused on vulnerable populations, such as adolescents or individuals with alcohol use disorder, who may be most at risk of problems associated with alcohol inhalation.
Alcohol‐Impaired Driving and Perceived Risks of Legal Consequences
Authors: Sloan Frank A. , McCutchan Sabrina A. , Eldred Lindsey M.
Published: January 2017

Background

Driving while impaired (DWI) is a threat to public health. Codified legal sanctions are a widely implemented strategy to reduce DWI. However, it is unclear that sanctioning affects individual risk perceptions so as to deter alcohol‐impaired driving.

Methods

Using survey data collected from individual drivers, police, and defense attorneys specializing in DWI in 8 U.S. cities, we investigated whether risk perceptions about legal consequences for alcohol‐impaired driving, both the risk of being stopped if driving while alcohol‐impaired and receiving specific penalties following a DWI, deter alcohol‐impaired driving. First, we analyzed how different drivers' risk perceptions about being pulled over and facing criminal sanctions related to their self‐reported alcohol‐impaired driving in the year following the interview at which risk perceptions were elicited. Second, using data from an experimental module in which individual's risk perceptions were randomly updated by the interview, we analyzed how each driver's beliefs about his or her own future alcohol‐impaired driving responded to randomly generated increases in the apprehension probability and sanction magnitude.

Results

Higher probabilities as estimated by the individuals of being pulled over corresponded to less alcohol‐impaired driving in both analyses. Conversely, there was no statistical relationship between perceptions of criminal sanctions for DWI and alcohol‐impaired driving with 1 exception—a small significant negative relationship between duration of jail time following a DWI conviction and alcohol‐impaired driving.

Conclusions

Perceptions regarding the threat of being apprehended for alcohol‐impaired driving were related to actual self‐reported driving, while perceived sanctions following a DWI conviction for DWI generally were unrelated to either actual self‐reported alcohol‐impaired driving or the person's estimate of probability that he or she would drive while alcohol‐impaired in the following year. Increasing certainty of apprehension by increasing police staffing and/or conducting sobriety checks is a more effective strategy for reducing alcohol‐impaired driving than legislating increased penalties for DWI.
Acid‐suppression medications and bacterial gastroenteritis: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Wei Li , Ratnayake Lasantha , Phillips Gabby , McGuigan Chris C. , Morant Steve V. , Flynn Robert W. , Mackenzie Isla S. , MacDonald Thomas M.
Published: January 2017

Aims

To investigate whether acid‐suppression medicines (ASMs) increase the risk of bacterial gastroenteritis.

Methods

A population‐based, propensity‐score matched cohort study using a record‐linkage database in Tayside, UK. The study consisted of 188 323 exposed to ASMs (proton‐pump inhibitors and histamine‐2 receptor antagonists) and 376 646 controls (a propensity‐score matched cohort from the rest of population who were not exposed to ASMs) between 1999 and 2013. The main outcome measure was a positive stool test for Clostridium difficile, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella or Escherichia coli O157. The association between ASMs and risk of bacterial gastroenteritis was assessed by a Cox regression model.

Results

There were 22 705 positive test results (15 273 C. difficile [toxin positive], 6590 Campylobacter, 852 Salmonella, 129 Shigella and 193 E. coli O157, not mutually exclusive) with a total of 5 729 743 person‐years follow up time in Tayside, 1999–2013. The adjusted hazard ratios for culture positive diarrhoea for the proton‐pump inhibitors and histamine‐2 receptor antagonists exposed vs. unexposed cohort were 2.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.33, 3.17) during follow–up time for samples submitted from the community and 1.28 (95% CI 1.08, 1.52) for samples submitted from hospitals. Compared with the unexposed cohort, patients in the exposed group had increased risks of C. difficile and Campylobacter [adjusted hazard ratios of 1.70 (95% CI 1.28, 2.25), 3.71 (95% CI 3.04, 4.53) for community samples, and 1.42 (95% CI 1.17, 1.71), 4.53 (95% CI 1.75, 11.8) for hospital samples, respectively].

Conclusions

The results suggest that community prescribed ASMs were associated with increased rates of C. difficile and Campylobacter positive gastroenteritis in both the community and hospital settings.
Evaluation of DNA Damage in HepG2 Cells and Mutagenicity of Garcinielliptone FC, A Bioactive Benzophenone
Authors: da Silva Prado Lismare , da Silva Juliana , Garcia Ana Letícia Hilario , Boaretto Fernanda Brião Menezes , Grivicich Ivana , Conter Lucas Umpierre , de Oliveira Salvi Aguisson , Reginatto Flávio Henrique , Vencato Suele Bierhals , de Barros Falcão Ferraz Alexandre , Picada Jaqueline Nascimento
Published: January 2017

Garcinielliptone FC (GFC) is a polyprenylated benzophenone isolated from the hexanic extract of Platonia insignis seeds with potential pharmacological effects on the central nervous system. In a pre‐clinical study, this compound showed anticonvulsant action, becoming a candidate to treat epilepsy disorders. However, genotoxicological aspects of GFC should be known to ensure its safe use. This study investigated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects of GFC. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the colorimetric assay of MTT (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) (2–100 μg/mL) for 3, 6 and 24 hr. The genotoxic and mutagenic potentials were analysed using the alkaline version of the comet assay, the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus cytome assay in HepG2 cells, and the Salmonella/microsome assay with the strains TA98, TA97a, TA100, TA102 and TA1535, with and without metabolic activation. GFC concentrations above 50 μg/mL were cytotoxic at all experimental times. Viability of HepG2 cells was higher than 70% after exposure to GFC 2–30 μg/mL for 3 hr in the MTT test. No GFC concentration was mutagenic or genotoxic in the Salmonella/microsome and comet assays. Nuclear division index decreased, indicating the cytotoxic effect of the compound, while micronucleus and nuclear bud frequencies rose after treatment with the highest GFC concentration tested (30 μg/mL). Nucleoplasmatic bridges were not observed. The results indicate that GFC is cytotoxic and mutagenic to mammalian cells, pointing to the need for further studies to clarify the toxicological potentials of this benzophenone before proceeding to clinical studies.
Nature meets nurture in religious and spiritual development
Authors: Granqvist Pehr , Nkara Frances
Published: January 2017

We consider nurture's (including culture's) sculpting influences on the evolved psychological predispositions that are expressed in religious and spiritual (R&S) development. An integrated understanding of R&S development requires a move away from the largely one‐sided (nature‐or‐nurture) and additive (nature + nurture) accounts provided in the extant literature. R&S development has been understood as an expression of evolved cognitive modules (nature) on the one hand, and of socialization and social learning (nurture) on the other, or in similar albeit additive terms (e.g., nature produces the brain/mind, culture fills in the details). We argue that humans’ evolved psychological predispositions are substantially co‐shaped by environmental/cultural input, such as relational experiences and modelling at the microlevel through belief and value systems at the macrolevel. Nurture's sculpting of nature is, then, expressed in R&S development. Finally, for heuristic purposes, we illustrate a fully integrated nature–nurture model with attachment theory and its application to R&S development.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Development unfolds as a function of nature–nurture interaction.

R&S development has mostly been understood from the point of view of separate nature or nurture models.

What does this study add?

A collected consideration of the intricate interactions between nature and nurture in development.

A sketch, examples, and a conceptual toolbox of how nature and nurture interact in R&S development.
Results of a phase I‐II study of fenretinide and rituximab for patients with indolent B‐cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Cowan Andrew J. , Stevenson Phillip A. , Gooley Ted A. , Frayo Shani L. , Oliveira George R. , Smith Stephen D. , Green Damian J. , Roden Jennifer E. , Pagel John M. , Wood Brent L. , Press Oliver W. , Gopal Ajay K.
Published: January 2017

Fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid, induces apoptotic cell death in B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL) and acts synergistically with rituximab in preclinical models. We report results from a phase I‐II study of fenretinide with rituximab for B‐NHLs. Eligible diagnoses included indolent B‐NHL or mantle cell lymphoma. The phase I design de‐escalated from fenretinide at 900 mg/m2 PO BID for days 1–5 of a 7‐day cycle. The phase II portion added 375 mg/m2 IV rituximab weekly on weeks 5–9 then every 3 months. Fenretinide was continued until progression or intolerance. Thirty‐two patients were treated: 7 in phase I, and 25 in phase II of the trial. No dose‐limiting toxicities were observed. The phase II component utilized fenretinide 900 mg/m2 twice daily with rituximab. The most common treatment‐related adverse events of grade 3 or higher were rash (n = 3) and neutropenia (n = 3). Responses were seen in 6 (24%) patients on the phase II study, with a median duration of response of 47 months (95% confidence interval, 2–56). The combination of fenretinide and rituximab was well tolerated, yielded a modest overall response rate, but with prolonged remission durations. Further study should focus on identifying the responsive subset of B‐NHL.
Impact of interleukin 13 (IL13) genetic polymorphism Arg130Gln on total serum immunoglobulin (IgE) levels and interferon (IFN)-γ gene expression
Authors: Smolkova B , Tulinska J , Palkovicova Murinova L , Buocikova V , Liskova A , Rausova K , Kuricova M , Patayova H , Sustrova M , Neubauerova Svorcova E , Ilavska S , Szabova M , Nemessanyi T , Jahnova E , Dusinska M , Ciznar P , Fuortes L
Published: January 2017

This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the extent of genetic susceptibility by targeting variants in interleukin (IL)−4/IL-13 signalling pathways leading to atopic disease in early childhood. We evaluated involvement of five single nucleotide polymorphisms IL4 C-590T, IL13 C-1055T, IL13 Arg130Gln, IL4RA Ile50Val and IL4RA Gln576Arg, in the control of serum total and antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels. Furthermore, we analysed their association with changes in gene expression of five cytokines having key roles in inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune response [IL-4, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-8 and IL-10]. Total and antigen-specific IgE levels in serum and gene expression of selected cytokines in peripheral blood were measured in 386 children aged 1–8 years. TaqMan allelic discrimination, amplification refractory mutation system–polymerase chain reaction (ARMS–PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) methods validated by sequencing were used for genotyping. All genotypes for children with total and antigen-specific IgE levels in the normal range were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Gene expression analyses were carried out using TaqMan gene expression assays. We found elevated total IgE levels in carriers of IL13 Arg130Gln variant allele [odds ratio (OR) = 1·84; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·16-2·93]. This effect was more apparent for boys (OR = 2·31; 95% CI = 1·25-4·28). However, no significant association was observed for the other four variants examined. We found up-regulation of IFN-γ in children with elevated serum total IgE levels carrying the Arg130 allele (P = 0·005). No differences were found for IL4, IL8 or IL10, while IL13 gene expression was under the detection limit. IL13 Arg130Gln genotypes can play a role in genetic susceptibility to allergy via regulation of serum total IgE levels and affecting IFN-γ gene expression.
Comparison between two antimicrobial protocols with or without guided bone regeneration in the treatment of peri‐implantitis. A histomorphometric study in dogs
Authors: Ramos Umberto Demoner , Suaid Flavia Adelino , Wikesjö Ulf M. E. , Susin Cristiano , Taba Mario , Novaes Arthur Belém
Published: January 2017

Objectives

This study used a dog model to evaluate two antimicrobial protocols with or without guided bone regeneration (GBR) in the surgical reconstruction of peri‐implantitis defects.

Material and methods

Eight beagle dogs subject to ligature‐induced peri‐implantitis were used. The animals either received antimicrobial photodynamic therapy or topical tetracycline hydrochloride combined with GBR or as stand‐alone surgical interventions. Block biopsies of the defect sites for histological analysis were obtained at euthanasia, 12 weeks postsurgery. The primary outcome of the study was re‐osseointegration; secondary outcomes included alveolar bone gain and remaining defect characteristics. The effects of the implant site, early exposure, and type of antimicrobial protocol on bone regeneration were also evaluated.

Results

No significant differences were observed between the two antimicrobial protocols, and the adjunctive use of GBR failed to significantly improve re‐osseointegration or bone gain using either protocol. Buccal sites and implant early exposure negatively affected bone regeneration.

Conclusion

Both antimicrobial therapies stand‐alone or combined with GBR allowed similar and limited bone gain.
The crystal structure of PknI from Mycobacterium tuberculosis shows an inactive, pseudokinase‐like conformation
Authors: Lisa María‐Natalia , Wagner Tristan , Alexandre Matthieu , Barilone Nathalie , Raynal Bertrand , Alzari Pedro M. , Bellinzoni Marco
Published: January 2017

Eukaryotic‐like Ser/Thr protein kinases (ePKs) have been identified in many bacterial species, where they are known to mediate signalling mechanisms that share several features with their eukaryotic counterparts. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, PknI is one of the 11 predicted ePKs and it has been related to bacterial virulence. In order to better understand the molecular basis of its role in mycobacterial signalling, we solved the crystal structure of the PknI cytoplasmic domain. We found that even though PknI possesses most conserved elements characteristic of Hanks‐type kinases, it is degraded in several motifs that are essential for the ePKs catalytic activity. Most notably, PknI presents a remarkably short activation segment lacking a peptide–substrate binding site. Consistent with this observation and similar to earlier findings for eukaryotic pseudokinases, no kinase activity was detected for the catalytic domain of PknI, against different substrates and in various experimental conditions. Based on these results, we conclude that PknI may rely on unconventional mechanism(s) for kinase activity and/or it could play alternative role(s) in mycobacterial signalling.

Database

Atomic coordinates and structure factors for the catalytic domain of M. tuberculosis PknI are in the Protein Data Bank under the accession codes 5M06 (wild‐type PknI + ADP), 5M07 (PknI_C20A), 5M08 (PknI_C20A_R136A) and 5M09 (PknI_C20A_R136N).
Experimental fatigue crack growth analysis and modelling in part‐through circumferentially pre‐cracked pipes under pure bending load
Authors: Sahu V K , Ray P K , Verma B B
Published: January 2017

In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the fatigue crack growth in a part‐through circumferentially notched pipe specimen. It has been observed that under four‐point bend cyclic load, the crack propagates in a transverse plane in the radial direction initially followed by propagation in the circumferential direction. The crack extension in the circumferential direction resulted crack growth retardation in the radial direction. This behaviour of the fatigue crack growth has been modelled, and a fatigue life prediction methodology based on an exponential model has been applied for prediction of fatigue crack growth.
Can We Rule Out Meningitis from Negative Jolt Accentuation? A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sato Ryota , Kuriyama Akira , Luthe Sarah Kyuragi
Published: January 2017

Background

Jolt accentuation has been considered to be the most sensitive physical finding to predict meningitis. However, there are only a few studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of jolt accentuation. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of jolt accentuation and investigate whether it can be extended to patients with mild altered mental status.

Methods

We performed a single center, retrospective observational study on patients who presented to the emergency department in a Japanese tertiary care center from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2016. Jolt accentuation evaluated in patients with fever, headache, and mild altered mental status with Glasgow Coma Scale no lower than E2 or M4 was defined as “jolt accentuation in the broad sense.” Jolt accentuation evaluated in patients with fever, headache, and no altered mental status was defined as “jolt accentuation in the narrow sense.” We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity in both groups.

Results

Among 118 patients, the sensitivity and specificity of jolt accentuation in the broad sense were 70.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 58.0%‐80.8%) and 36.7% (95% CI: 25.6%‐49.3%). The positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 1.12 (95% CI: 0.87‐1.44) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.48‐1.34), respectively. Among 108 patients, the sensitivity and specificity of jot accentuation in the narrow sense were 75.0% (95% CI: 61.8%‐84.8%) and 35.1% (95% CI: 24.0%‐48.0%). The positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 1.16 (95% CI: 0.90‐1.48) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.40‐1.28), respectively.

Conclusions

Jolt accentuation itself has a limited value in the diagnosis of meningitis regardless of altered mental status. Therefore, meningitis should not be ruled out by negative jolt accentuation.
Effects of age of onset on disease characteristics in non‐segmental vitiligo
Authors: Solak Berna , Dikicier Bahar Sevimli , Cosansu Nur C. , Erdem Teoman
Published: January 2017

In patients with vitiligo, the clinical and laboratory features of the disease may vary according to time of onset. This is addressed in the literature by only a few studies with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical features of patients with non‐segmental vitiligo and to establish the association between vitiligo and autoimmune diseases with a focus on time of disease onset. A total of 224 vitiligo patients for whom complete medical records were available were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic data, scores on the Vitiligo Area Score Index (VASI), clinical features, vitiligo disease activity, repigmentation status, presence of any accompanying autoimmune disease, antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers, serum levels of glucose, thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4) hormone, anti‐thyroid peroxidase (anti‐TPO), and anti‐thyroglobulin (anti‐TG) were recorded. The prevalence of halo nevi was significantly higher (P < 0.001) among children than in other patient groups. The prevalence of leukotrichia was higher in adults with adult‐onset disease than in either pediatric patients or adults with childhood‐onset disease (P = 0.002). Both anti‐TG and anti‐TPO levels were significantly higher in adults with adult‐onset disease than in pediatric patients and adult patients with childhood‐onset disease. The prevalence of autoimmune disease was 22.2%. Anti‐TG levels were significantly higher in patients with treatment‐related repigmentation than in those without repigmentation. This study shows that clinical features and associations with autoimmune disease may vary according to the age of onset of vitiligo.
Demographic, health behavioral, and self‐management abilities associated with disease severity among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An exploratory study
Authors: Wang Lan , Tao Yan‐Xia , Dong Xiao‐Yan , Zhang Qing , Zheng Hong , Zheng Ya‐Shu , Tang Xing‐Yue , Xu Jing‐Rui , Zhao Yue
Published: January 2017

This study aimed to identify the association between demographic characteristics, health behaviors, self‐management abilities, and disease severity among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study was conducted from January to December 2015 in 4 hospitals in China. The DOSE index was assessed by grade of dyspnea (D), airflow obstruction (O), current smoking status (S), and frequency of exacerbation in the last year (E). Self‐management abilities were assessed by the COPD self‐management scale. DOSE index associations with demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and self‐management abilities were examined with multiple regression analysis. In total, 100 participants were recruited into the study. In univariate analysis, higher symptom management, lower daily life management, and lower self‐efficacy in self‐management abilities were significantly related to higher DOSE index. In multiple regression analysis, physical activity, body mass index, and gender were negatively related to DOSE index. The study highlighted the importance of physical activity, nutritional status, and gender difference in managing disease severity in COPD. Professional nurses should develop individualized intervention programs and specifically increase physical activity for men and poor nutritional status for patients with COPD.
The relationship between training and innovation activities in enterprises
Authors: Børing Pål
Published: January 2017

We examine the relationship between enterprises’ use of employee training (or education) as a method to stimulate new ideas or creativity among their staff and enterprises’ innovation activities. A data set of 5204 Norwegian enterprises is used. Based on correlation coefficients, we find a positive relationship between enterprises’ use of employee training and their innovation activities. This relationship is not found significant for innovative enterprises that developed the innovations mainly by themselves or together with external partners if we control for enterprises’ use of brainstorming sessions and/or work teams to stimulate new ideas or creativity among their staff. Training can, however, be argued to be indirectly related to innovation strategies, as it is combined with other human resource practices.
Labour Market Limbo: The Uneven Integration of Co‐Ethnic Argentine Immigrants in Spain
Authors: García Angela S.
Published: January 2017

Immigration and citizenship laws that discriminate by race, ethnicity, and national origins are increasingly illegitimate in contemporary democracies, yet laws that grant privileged access and membership to immigrants who share natives' ethnicity persist. This enduring positive selection rests upon the assumption that co‐ethnicity fosters integration. Countering this logic, this article centers on co‐ethnics' insertion into local labour markets. It draws from a case study of Aguaviva, Spain, a depopulating village in which both co‐ethnic Argentines and Romanian immigrants reside. The analysis qualifies the trend of deracialization in immigration and citizenship policy and shows that positive preferences do not uniformly foster integration. In dual labour market systems, co‐ethnics struggle because they are not different enough for secondary sector jobs reserved for immigrant “others,” yet in the primary sector they enter into direct competition with natives.
Effect of family sense of coherence on internalized stigma and health‐related quality of life among individuals with schizophrenia
Authors: Hsiao Chiu‐Yueh , Lu Huei‐Lan , Tsai Yun‐Fang
Published: January 2017

Health‐related quality of life is an increasingly critical outcome of mental healthcare, yet its disease‐independent attributes, particularly family‐focused resilient indicators, for individuals with schizophrenia have not been explicitly examined. The aim of this study was to explore the degree of health‐related quality of life and to examine the mediating effect of family sense of coherence on internalized stigma and health‐related quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia. A cross‐sectional and correlational study design was used. A total of 111 individuals with schizophrenia were enrolled from the in‐patient psychiatric rehabilitation services of two psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan. Face‐to‐face structured interviews were applied to collect information. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses. The results indicated that affected individuals experienced impaired health‐related quality of life. Family sense of coherence partially mediated the relationship between internalized stigma and health‐related quality of life. This study indicates that knowledge about the role of family sense of coherence in mental health rehabilitation may assist mental healthcare professionals to provide therapeutic interventions to address internalized stigma, thereby promoting health‐related quality of life in individuals living with schizophrenia.
Environmental enrichment for Killer whales Orcinus orca at zoological institutions: untried and untested
Authors: Law G. , Kitchener A. C.
Published: January 2017

Despite a history in zoological institutions stretching back more than 50 years, with associated improvements in husbandry and breeding, the keeping of Killer whales Orcinus orca in zoos and aquariums has become highly controversial. The recent decision to stop the current breeding programme in the USA does not obviate the need to continue to improve husbandry as the whales in zoological institutions today will survive for decades to come. In this paper we outline several novel ideas for enriching the lives of Killer whales through provision of intergroup communication, and enhancement of feeding methods, health and fitness, and the ambient environment, all of which are aimed at eliciting natural behaviours seen in the wild. The enrichments proposed here may require adaptation for use with Killer whales and many could be modified for use with other cetacean species. We believe that by providing species‐appropriate enrichment, both the welfare and educational value of Killer whales and other cetaceans can be greatly enhanced in the future.
Complex phenomena understanding in electricity through dynamically linked concrete and abstract representations
Authors: Taramopoulos A. , Psillos D.
Published: January 2017

The present study investigates the impact of utilizing virtual laboratory environments combining dynamically linked concrete and abstract representations in investigative activities on the ability of students to comprehend simple and complex phenomena in the field of electric circuits. Forty‐two 16‐ to 17‐year‐old high school students participated in a guided‐inquiry‐based teaching intervention utilizing a virtual laboratory environment and were assigned to three conditions: functional dynamically linked concrete and abstract representations of objects (CA approach), functional concrete representations of objects alone (C approach) and functional abstract representations of objects alone (A approach). All conditions used the same instructor, instructional method and materials. A pretest–post‐test scheme was used to assess the students' conceptual evolution. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance of the results indicates that after instruction all groups show a similar significant improvement in comprehending simple phenomena in electric circuits. However, for complex phenomena, the CA approach significantly outperforms the other two. It seems, therefore, that in the field of electric circuits, investigative activities utilizing virtual laboratory environments with dynamically linked concrete and abstract representations of objects may foster enhanced understanding of phenomena with a high degree of complexity for high school students.
Aphid specialization on different summer hosts is associated with strong genetic differentiation and unequal symbiont communities despite a common mating habitat
Authors: Vorburger C. , Herzog J. , Rouchet R.
Published: January 2017

Specialization on different host plants can promote evolutionary diversification of herbivorous insects. Work on pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) has contributed significantly to the understanding of this process, demonstrating that populations associated with different host plants exhibit performance trade‐offs across hosts, show adaptive host choice and genetic differentiation and possess different communities of bacterial endosymbionts. Populations specialized on different secondary host plants during the parthenogenetic summer generations are also described for the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae complex) and are usually treated as different (morphologically cryptic) subspecies. In contrast to pea aphids, however, host choice and mate choice are decoupled in black bean aphids, because populations from different summer hosts return to the same primary host plant to mate and lay overwintering eggs. This could counteract evolutionary divergence, and it is currently unknown to what extent black bean aphids using different summer hosts are indeed differentiated. We addressed this question by microsatellite genotyping and endosymbiont screening of black bean aphids collected in summer from the goosefoot Chenopodium album (subspecies A. f. fabae) and from thistles of the genus Cirsium (subspecies A. f. cirsiiacanthoides) across numerous sites in Switzerland and France. Our results show clearly that aphids from Cirsium and Chenopodium exhibit strong and geographically consistent genetic differentiation and that they differ in their frequencies of infection with particular endosymbionts. The dependence on a joint winter host has thus not prevented the evolutionary divergence into summer host‐adapted populations that appear to have evolved mechanisms of reproductive isolation within a common mating habitat.
Stand By Your Man: Wives' Emotion Work During Men's Unemployment
Authors: Rao Aliya Hamid
Published: January 2017

Recent research on unemployment has not sufficiently acknowledged how unemployment reverberates within families, particularly emotionally. This article uses data from more than 50 in‐depth interviews to illuminate the emotional demands that men's unemployment makes beyond the unemployed individual. It shows that wives of unemployed men do two types of emotion work—self‐focused and other‐focused—and both are aimed toward facilitating husbands' success in the emotionally arduous white‐collar job‐search process. This article extends research on emotion work by suggesting that participants perceive wives' emotion work as a resource with potential economic benefits in the form of unemployed men's reemployment. The findings furthermore suggest that as a resource, wives' emotion work is shaped by the demands of the labor market that their husbands encounter.
Effect of ingredients on rheological, physico‐sensory, and nutritional characteristics of omega‐3‐fatty acid enriched eggless cake
Authors: Abhay Kumar N. , Prasada Rao U.J.S. , Jeyarani T. , Indrani D.
Published: January 2017

The effect of defatted soya flour (DS), flax seed powder (FS) in combination (DSFS) with emulsifiers such as glycerol monostearate, GMS (DSFSG) and sodium stearoyl‐2‐lactylate, SSL (DSFSS) on the rheological, physico‐sensory, protein subunit composition by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), fatty acid profile, and nutritional characteristics of eggless cake was studied. Use of DSFS, DSFSG, and DSFSS increased the amylograph peak viscosity, hot and cold paste viscosities similar to the egg. Addition of DSFS, DSFSG, and DSFSS increased viscosity of eggless cake batter; cake volume and the overall quality score (OQS) of eggless cake. Among these, highest improvement in OQS was brought about by DSFSG. According to SDS‐PAGE results, the improvement by DSFSG is due to crosslinking of wheat‐soya‐flax proteins similar to wheat‐egg proteins crosslinking. The eggless cake with DSFSG was found to be rich in omega‐3‐fatty acid as it contained 0.6% of linolenic acid compared to 0.1% each of cake with egg and eggless cake.

Practical applications

As eggs are significant source of cholesterol, there has been an increased interest in search of ingredients that can replace egg in cakes. Hence, recent trend in the baking industry is to produce eggless cake using a combination of different ingredients and additives. However, there is no scientific information on the interaction of non‐egg protein with wheat protein in building up the structure and also to improve the nutritional quality with respect to protein and fatty acids profiles of eggless cake. The information generated on the use of combination of defatted soya flour and flax seed along with emulsifiers will be helpful for the commercial manufacture of omega‐3‐fatty acid rich eggless cake with desired quality attributes.
Degenerative Valvular Disease in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Results of theUKBreed Scheme 1991–2010
Authors: Swift S. , Baldin A. , Cripps P.
Published: January 2017

Background

Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCSs) are predisposed to degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) and studies have indicated a genetic cause.

Animals

A total of 8,860 CKCSs were examined at shows or private clinics from 1991 to 2010.

Objectives

To analyze the effects of a breed scheme for CKCS on the age at which a murmur consistent with DMVD was first detected.

Methods

The presence or absence of a murmur consistent with mitral regurgitation was noted and age a murmur was first detected recorded.

Results

A total of 16,887 examinations were performed on 8,860 dogs. The median age dogs developed a murmur were slightly younger in male than female dogs (7.8 versus 8.3 years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.4–8.1 versus 8.0–8.4,P< .001) and cardiologists detected murmurs in younger dogs than did general practitioner (GP) veterinary surgeons (7.2 versus 8.6 years, 95%CI7.0–7.4 versus 8.3–8.7P< .001). In bitches examined byGPvets during the study, there was a significantly increased age of detection of murmurs over time (8.6–9.2 years, 95%CI8.3–9.1 and 8.5–10.9,P= .001) but not for male dogs examined byGPvets or dogs of either sex examined by cardiologists.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study suggests that the age incidence of murmurs associated with DMVD might be increased by application of breeding guidelines based on auscultation alone. This benefit was only seen in a subgroup and compliance of breeders with this voluntary scheme was poor.
Empirical Evidence on the Effectiveness of Social Public Procurement Policy: The Case of the Swiss Apprenticeship Training System
Authors: Leiser Mirjam Strupler , Wolter Stefan C.
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we assess the effectiveness of a social public procurement policy in Switzerland that gives firms that train apprentices a preferential treatment. We estimate the effectiveness of this social procurement policy on a firm's training participation, training intensity, and training quality using information from a representative and large firm survey. The results show that the policy increases the number of training firms, and does not affect training quality negatively. However, the effect is limited in size, as only small firms and firms operating in sectors where public procurement represents a large share of the business, are affected positively.