bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth Patterns and Individual Variation in Mid‐sagittal Facial Soft Tissue Depth from Childhood to Adulthood
Authors: McKinnon Meghan R. , Simpson Ellie K. , Henneberg Maciej
Published: March 2018

Previous studies have used longitudinal samples to investigate growth of the skeletal aspects of the face, although far less has been done on facial soft tissue. This study uses a larger sample than previous studies on the same data (Denver and Fels growth series) to explore covariation of bony and soft facial dimensions comprehensively from childhood to adulthood. A total of 1036 lateral cephalometric radiographs were digitized from 60 individuals, and distances between facial landmarks were measured using ImageJ. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed all bony facial landmark distances were significantly different (p > 0.05) between age groups; however, only half were significantly different between sexes. Further analysis showed the effect of age (calculated as eta‐squared) explained a greater percentage of total variation (20%) than sex (15%). Overall, soft tissue changes between 0 and 19 years of age were small (<3 mm) and only some were correlated to underlying facial skeleton dimensions.
Influence Factors Regarding the Effectiveness of Automated Ballistic Comparison on 0.38 Special Caliber Bullets and Cartridge Cases
Authors: dos Santos Lehi Sudy , Vieira Muterlle Palloma
Published: March 2018

Factors influencing effectiveness of automated comparisons, test‐fired bullets, and cartridge cases from 0.38 Special revolvers were logged into the Evofinder® Ballistic ID System. Tests were performed as follows: First test correlated test‐fires of the same type, second test compared different types of ammunition components, third test replicated the second test in a larger database, and fourth test replicated the third test with students having no previous firearm identification experience. System effectiveness with projectiles in the first test was 0.89. With cartridge cases, effectiveness was 0.79 with combined results, but analysis of separate results by breech face and firing pin revealed low effectiveness by breech face (0.40). In the second, third, and fourth tests, effectiveness with projectiles were 0.61, 0.51, and 0.44. In addition, these tests had effectiveness with cartridge cases equivalent to 0.55, 0.43, and 0.44. Results are useful to establish routine protocols, system improvements, or comparative assessment of other electronic systems.
Featured Collection Introduction: Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters
Authors: Alexander Laurie C. , Fritz Ken M. , Schofield Kate A. , Autrey Bradley C. , DeMeester Julie E. , Golden Heather E. , Goodrich David C. , Kepner William G. , Kiperwas Hadas R. , Lane Charles R. , LeDuc Stephen D. , Leibowitz Scott G. , McManus Michael G. , Pollard Amina I. , Ridley Caroline E. , Vanderhoof Melanie K. , Wigington Parker J.
Published: March 2018

Connectivity is a fundamental but highly dynamic property of watersheds. Variability in the types and degrees of aquatic ecosystem connectivity presents challenges for researchers and managers seeking to accurately quantify its effects on critical hydrologic, biogeochemical, and biological processes. However, protecting natural gradients of connectivity is key to protecting the range of ecosystem services that aquatic ecosystems provide. In this featured collection, we review the available evidence on connections and functions by which streams and wetlands affect the integrity of downstream waters such as large rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. The reviews in this collection focus on the types of waters whose protections under the U.S. Clean Water Act have been called into question by U.S. Supreme Court cases. We synthesize 40+ years of research on longitudinal, lateral, and vertical fluxes of energy, material, and biota between aquatic ecosystems included within the Act's frame of reference. Many questions about the roles of streams and wetlands in sustaining downstream water integrity can be answered from currently available literature, and emerging research is rapidly closing data gaps with exciting new insights into aquatic connectivity and function at local, watershed, and regional scales. Synthesis of foundational and emerging research is needed to support science‐based efforts to provide safe, reliable sources of fresh water for present and future generations.
Physical and Chemical Connectivity of Streams and Riparian Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Synthesis
Authors: Fritz Ken M. , Schofield Kate A. , Alexander Laurie C. , McManus Michael G. , Golden Heather E. , Lane Charles R. , Kepner William G. , LeDuc Stephen D. , DeMeester Julie E. , Pollard Amina I.
Published: March 2018

Streams, riparian areas, floodplains, alluvial aquifers, and downstream waters (e.g., large rivers, lakes, and oceans) are interconnected by longitudinal, lateral, and vertical fluxes of water, other materials, and energy. Collectively, these interconnected waters are called fluvial hydrosystems. Physical and chemical connectivity within fluvial hydrosystems is created by the transport of nonliving materials (e.g., water, sediment, nutrients, and contaminants) which either do or do not chemically change (chemical and physical connections, respectively). A substantial body of evidence unequivocally demonstrates physical and chemical connectivity between streams and riparian wetlands and downstream waters. Streams and riparian wetlands are structurally connected to downstream waters through the network of continuous channels and floodplain form that make these systems physically contiguous, and the very existence of these structures provides strong geomorphologic evidence for connectivity. Functional connections between streams and riparian wetlands and their downstream waters vary geographically and over time, based on proximity, relative size, environmental setting, material disparity, and intervening units. Because of the complexity and dynamic nature of connections among fluvial hydrosystem units, a complete accounting of the physical and chemical connections and their consequences to downstream waters should aggregate over multiple years to decades.
Hydrological, Physical, and Chemical Functions and Connectivity of Non‐Floodplain Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review
Authors: Lane Charles R. , Leibowitz Scott G. , Autrey Bradley C. , LeDuc Stephen D. , Alexander Laurie C.
Published: March 2018

We reviewed the scientific literature on non‐floodplain wetlands (NFWs), freshwater wetlands typically located distal to riparian and floodplain systems, to determine hydrological, physical, and chemical functioning and stream and river network connectivity. We assayed the literature for source, sink, lag, and transformation functions, as well as factors affecting connectivity. We determined NFWs are important landscape components, hydrologically, physically, and chemically affecting downstream aquatic systems. NFWs are hydrologic and chemical sources for other waters, hydrologically connecting across long distances and contributing compounds such as methylated mercury and dissolved organic matter. NFWs reduced flood peaks and maintained baseflows in stream and river networks through hydrologic lag and sink functions, and sequestered or assimilated substantial nutrient inputs through chemical sink and transformative functions. Landscape‐scale connectivity of NFWs affects water and material fluxes to downstream river networks, substantially modifying the characteristics and function of downstream waters. Many factors determine the effects of NFW hydrological, physical, and chemical functions on downstream systems, and additional research quantifying these factors and impacts is warranted. We conclude NFWs are hydrologically, chemically, and physically interconnected with stream and river networks though this connectivity varies in frequency, duration, magnitude, and timing.
Biota Connect Aquatic Habitats throughout Freshwater Ecosystem Mosaics
Authors: Schofield Kate A. , Alexander Laurie C. , Ridley Caroline E. , Vanderhoof Melanie K. , Fritz Ken M. , Autrey Bradley C. , DeMeester Julie E. , Kepner William G. , Lane Charles R. , Leibowitz Scott G. , Pollard Amina I.
Published: March 2018

Freshwater ecosystems are linked at various spatial and temporal scales by movements of biota adapted to life in water. We review the literature on movements of aquatic organisms that connect different types of freshwater habitats, focusing on linkages from streams and wetlands to downstream waters. Here, streams, wetlands, rivers, lakes, ponds, and other freshwater habitats are viewed as dynamic freshwater ecosystem mosaics (FEMs) that collectively provide the resources needed to sustain aquatic life. Based on existing evidence, it is clear that biotic linkages throughout FEMs have important consequences for biological integrity and biodiversity. All aquatic organisms move within and among FEM components, but differ in the mode, frequency, distance, and timing of their movements. These movements allow biota to recolonize habitats, avoid inbreeding, escape stressors, locate mates, and acquire resources. Cumulatively, these individual movements connect populations within and among FEMs and contribute to local and regional diversity, resilience to disturbance, and persistence of aquatic species in the face of environmental change. Thus, the biological connections established by movement of biota among streams, wetlands, and downstream waters are critical to the ecological integrity of these systems. Future research will help advance our understanding of the movements that link FEMs and their cumulative effects on downstream waters.
Glucose excursions and hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with mitiglinide/voglibose versus glimepiride: A randomized cross‐over trial
Authors: Fujimoto Kanta , Shibayama Yui , Yamaguchi Eriko , Honjo Sachiko , Hamasaki Akihiro , Hamamoto Yoshiyuki
Published: March 2018

Background

Glucose excursions and hypoglycemia are associated with cardiovascular complications. However, no studies have evaluated glucose excursions and the frequency of hypoglycemia in patients treated with mitiglinide/voglibose versus glimepiride as add‐on to dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor therapy.

Methods

This cross‐over trial included 20 patients with type 2 diabetes. After initiating vildagliptin 100 mg, patients were randomly assigned to receive mitiglinide 10 mg/voglibose 0.2 mg three times daily for 3 days followed by glimepiride 1 mg once daily for the subsequent 3 days as add‐on therapy, or vice versa. Glucose excursions and hypoglycemia frequency were measured using 24‐h continuous glucose monitoring. Metabolic profile changes were evaluated using a meal tolerance test.

Results

The mean glucose levels in the mitiglinide/voglibose and glimepiride phases were identical (8.01 vs 8.24 mmol/L, respectively). However, during the mitiglinide/voglibose phase compared with the glimepiride phase, the standard deviation of glucose (1.30 vs 2.10 mmol/L; P < 0.001), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (3.47 vs 5.28 mmol/L; P < 0.001), M‐value (24.6 vs 70.0; P < 0.001), continuous overlapping net glycemic action for a 1‐h time interval (22.6 vs 31.0; P < 0.001), and area under the curve >10 mmol/L (0.18 vs 0.52 mmol/L per h; P < 0.001) were significantly lower. Hypoglycemia (glucose <3.8 mmol/L) was not observed during the mitiglinide/voglibose phase, but occurred 0.35 times/day in those taking glimepiride. Moreover, the mitiglinide/voglibose phase had higher premeal and lower post‐meal glucose levels than the glimepiride phase.

Conclusions

Adding mitiglinide/voglibose to vildagliptin therapy results in more efficient postprandial glucose control and less hypoglycemia than adding glimepiride.
DISRUPTING YOUR DISRUPTOR
Authors: MARKIDES COSTAS
Published: March 2018

Your organisation is playing the first game. An innovator attacks you and plays a second. How should you respond? Develop a third, says Costas Markides
Sex‐specific regulation of aging in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Hotzi Bernadette , Kosztelnik Mónika , Hargitai Balázs , Takács‐Vellai Krisztina , Barna János , Bördén Kincső , Málnási‐Csizmadia András , Lippai Mónika , Ortutay Csaba , Bacquet Caroline , Pasparaki Angela , Arányi Tamás , Tavernarakis Nektarios , Vellai Tibor
Published: March 2018

A fascinating aspect of sexual dimorphism in various animal species is that the two sexes differ substantially in lifespan. In humans, for example, women's life expectancy exceeds that of men by 3–7 years. Whether this trait can be attributed to dissimilar lifestyles or genetic (regulatory) factors remains to be elucidated. Herein, we demonstrate that in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the significantly longer lifespan of hermaphrodites—which are essentially females capable of sperm production—over males is established by TRA‐1, the terminal effector of the sex‐determination pathway. This transcription factor directly controls the expression of daf‐16/FOXO, which functions as a major target of insulin/IGF‐1 signaling (IIS) and key modulator of aging across diverse animal phyla. TRA‐1 extends hermaphrodite lifespan through promoting daf‐16 activity. Furthermore, TRA‐1 also influences reproductive growth in a DAF‐16‐dependent manner. Thus, the sex‐determination machinery is an important regulator of IIS in this organism. These findings provide a mechanistic insight into how longevity and development are specified unequally in the two genders. As TRA‐1 is orthologous to mammalian GLI (glioma‐associated) proteins, a similar sex‐specific mechanism may also operate in humans to determine lifespan.
The impact of deal‐proneness on WTP estimates in incentive‐aligned value elicitation methods
Authors: Shi Lijia , Xie Jing , Gao Zhifeng
Published: March 2018

Even after controlling for hypothetical biases, some incentive‐aligned value elicitation methods still produce different willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) estimates. In this study, we compare WTP estimates from three incentive‐aligned value elicitation methods: real choice experiment (RCE), real double‐bounded dichotomous contingent valuation (RCVM), and Becker–DeGroot–Marschak auction (BDM). We find that participants’ aggressiveness in obtaining low prices (i.e., “deal‐proneness”) influences WTP estimates in the BDM auction, but not those elicited from the RCE and RCVM. The participants with higher levels of deal‐proneness tend to submit lower bids in the BDM auction. The discrepancies in WTP estimates between different incentive‐aligned procedures are narrower for participants with lower levels of deal‐proneness. Our results indicate that the bids in BDM auctions may be understated and the auction mechanism may induce the “gambling behavior” of people who are deal‐prone. That is, whether the BDM auction is truly incentive‐aligned is again called into question. We also discuss the practical implications for food retailers.
Progesterone improves perinatal neuromotor outcomes in a mouse model of intrauterine inflammation via immunomodulation of the placenta
Authors: Novak Christopher M. , Ozen Maide , McLane Michael , Alqutub Sadiq , Lee Ji Yeon , Lei Jun , Burd Irina
Published: March 2018

To assess the fetal neuroprotective potential of progesterone using a well‐validated mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced intrauterine inflammation (IUI). Embryonic day 17 pregnant mouse dams (n = 69) were randomly allocated to receive 17‐hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17‐OHPC), micronized progesterone (MP), or vehicle 1 hour prior to intrauterine injection of phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) or LPS. After 6 hours, mice were killed for the collection of placentas and fetal brains, or pregnancy continued for the evaluation of preterm birth (PTB) and offspring neuromotor function. Placentas and fetal brains were analyzed by mini‐mRNA array for 96 immune markers with individual confirmatory qPCR. Progesterone pre‐treatment before LPS‐induced IUI improved neuromotor tests in offspring at PND5 compared to no pre‐treatment (P < .05). In placentas, 17‐OHPC, but not MP, significantly reduced CXCL9 (P < .05) with a trend toward a lower level of CXCL10. In fetal brains, 17‐OHPC significantly reduced CXCL9 compared to no pre‐treatment (P < .05) and IL‐1β compared to pre‐treatment with MP (P < .01). Progesterone pre‐treatment prior to LPS‐induced IUI improved offspring neuromotor outcomes. 17‐OHPC, but not MP, resulted in greater immunomodulation of T cell‐mediated immunity in placenta and fetal brain, suggesting a possible mechanism for the observed neuroprotective effects.
Rapid vertical motions and formation of volcanic arc gaps: Plateau collision recorded in the forearc geological evolution (Costa Rica margin)
Authors: Andjić Goran , Baumgartner Peter O. , Baumgartner‐Mora Claudia
Published: March 2018

The collision of bathymetric features with modern convergent margins has been investigated with the full range of tools used in geosciences. Hence, a comprehensive picture exists of the characteristic effects of collision events on the evolution of convergent margins. In contrast, much less studies documented past collisions of bathymetric features with convergent margins, as colliding features were generally lost to subduction. The arc‐trench system of southern Central America provides modern and past textbook examples of active margin interaction with incoming bathymetric reliefs. Here, we propose a synthesis which combines basin and terrane analysis of the forearc of northern Costa Rica and takes up the challenge of documenting past episodes of plateau accretion to the active margin. As illustrated in modern examples, our study shows that kilometric uplift of the overriding plate and termination of the volcanic arc activity are the most profound effects of colliding/accreting oceanic plateaus. Kilometric uplift of the forearc is documented by short‐lived (ca. 3 m.y.) occurrences of shallow‐water deposits in an overall deep‐water forearc record. These shallow deposits contain material reworked from underlying sedimentary and basement lithologies. The development of spatial gaps in arc volcanism is deduced from the transition from arc‐derived turbidites to pelagic sediments. Eventually, end of the collision event is evidenced by the subsidence of the whole forearc to deep‐water environments. Basin subsidence is accompanied or followed by renewed volcanic arc activity and coeval arc‐derived sedimentation, which may occur 1–7 m.y. after plateau collision. These past episodes of plateau accretion are archetypal for the following reasons: (a) they may be studied in outcrop, whereas most of the modern collisions of plateaus largely occur underwater; (b) no tectonic or metamorphic imprint has significantly complicated the forearc geological record; (c) the colliding feature and the sedimentary response to its collision are both preserved in the forearc geology; (d) they may be used as analogues for any setting where a bathymetric feature is suspected to have caused rapid forearc uplift and cessation of the volcanic arc activity.
Degradation for better survival? Role of ubiquitination in epithelial morphogenesis
Authors: Cheng Xiaoxiang , Zheng Jun , Li Gang , Göbel Verena , Zhang Hongjie
Published: March 2018

As a prevalent post‐translational modification, ubiquitination is essential for many developmental processes. Once covalently attached to the small and conserved polypeptide ubiquitin (Ub), a substrate protein can be directed to perform specific biological functions via its Ub‐modified form. Three sequential catalytic reactions contribute to this process, among which E3 ligases serve to identify target substrates and promote the activated Ub to conjugate to substrate proteins. Ubiquitination has great plasticity, with diverse numbers, topologies and modifications of Ub chains conjugated at different substrate residues adding a layer of complexity that facilitates a huge range of cellular functions. Herein, we highlight key advances in the understanding of ubiquitination in epithelial morphogenesis, with an emphasis on the latest insights into its roles in cellular events involved in polarized epithelial tissue, including cell adhesion, asymmetric localization of polarity determinants and cytoskeletal organization. In addition, the physiological roles of ubiquitination are discussed for typical examples of epithelial morphogenesis, such as lung branching, vascular development and synaptic formation and plasticity. Our increased understanding of ubiquitination in epithelial morphogenesis may provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial regeneration and maintenance.
A retrospective multicenter study of carbon‐ion radiotherapy for major salivary gland carcinomas: Subanalysis of J‐CROS 1402 HN
Authors: Hayashi Kazuhiko , Koto Masashi , Demizu Yusuke , Saitoh Jun‐ichi , Suefuji Hiroaki , Okimoto Tomoaki , Ohno Tatsuya , Shioyama Yoshiyuki , Takagi Ryo , Ikawa Hiroaki , Nemoto Kenji , Nakano Takashi , Kamada Tadashi ,   the Japan Carbon‐Ion Radiation Oncology Study Group
Published: March 2018

A retrospective multicenter study was carried out to assess the clinical outcomes of carbon‐ion radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies (Japan Carbon‐Ion Radiation Oncology Study Group [J‐CROS] study: 1402 HN). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of carbon‐ion radiotherapy in patients with major salivary gland carcinoma. Sixty‐nine patients treated with carbon‐ion radiotherapy at four Japanese institutions were analyzed. Thirty‐three patients (48%) had adenoid cystic carcinomas, 10 (14%) had mucoepidermoid carcinomas, and 26 (38%) had other disease types. Three patients (4%) had T1 disease, 8 (12%) had T2, 25 (36%) had T3, and 33 (48%) had T4. The median radiation dose was 64 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) in 16 fractions. The median gross tumor volume was 27 mL. The median follow‐up period was 32.7 months. The 3‐year local control rate and overall survival rate were 81% and 94%, respectively. Regarding acute toxicities, seven patients had grade 3 mucositis and seven had grade 3 dermatitis. Regarding late toxicities, one patient had grade 3 dysphagia and one had a grade 3 brain abscess. No grade 4 or worse late reactions were observed. In conclusion, definitive carbon‐ion radiotherapy was effective with acceptable toxicity for major salivary gland carcinomas.
Quantifying effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning across times and places
Authors: Isbell Forest , Cowles Jane , Dee Laura E. , Loreau Michel , Reich Peter B. , Gonzalez Andrew , Hector Andy , Schmid Bernhard
Published: March 2018

Biodiversity loss decreases ecosystem functioning at the local scales at which species interact, but it remains unclear how biodiversity loss affects ecosystem functioning at the larger scales of space and time that are most relevant to biodiversity conservation and policy. Theory predicts that additional insurance effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning could emerge across time and space if species respond asynchronously to environmental variation and if species become increasingly dominant when and where they are most productive. Even if only a few dominant species maintain ecosystem functioning within a particular time and place, ecosystem functioning may be enhanced by many different species across many times and places (β‐diversity). Here, we develop and apply a new approach to estimate these previously unquantified insurance effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning that arise due to species turnover across times and places. In a long‐term (18‐year) grassland plant diversity experiment, we find that total insurance effects are positive in sign and substantial in magnitude, amounting to 19% of the net biodiversity effect, mostly due to temporal insurance effects. Species loss can therefore reduce ecosystem functioning both locally and by eliminating species that would otherwise enhance ecosystem functioning across temporally fluctuating and spatially heterogeneous environments.
Genetic diversity and relationship between domesticated rye and its wild relatives as revealed through genotyping‐by‐sequencing
Authors: Schreiber Mona , Himmelbach Axel , Börner Andreas , Mascher Martin
Published: March 2018

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is a cereal grass that is an important food crop in Central and Eastern Europe. In contrast to its close relatives wheat and barley, it was not a founder crop of Neolithic agriculture, but is considered a secondary domesticate that may have become a crop plant only after a transitory phase as a weed. As a minor crop of only local importance, genomic resources in rye are underdeveloped, and few population genetic studies using genomewide markers have been published to date. We collected genotyping‐by‐sequencing data for 603 individuals from 101 genebank accessions of domesticated rye and its wild progenitor S. cereale subsp. vavilovii and related species in the genus Secale. Variant detection in the context of a recently published draft sequence assembly of cultivated rye yielded 55,744 single nucleotide polymorphisms with present genotype calls in 90% of samples. Analysis of population structure recapitulated the taxonomy of the genus Secale. We found only weak genetic differentiation between wild and domesticated rye with likely gene flow between the two groups. Moreover, incomplete lineage sorting was frequent between Secale species because of either ongoing gene flow or recent speciation. Our study highlights the necessity of gauging the representativeness of ex situ germplasm collections for domestication studies and motivates a more in‐depth analysis of the interplay between sequence divergence and reproductive isolation in the genus Secale.
Place Meaning, Sense of Belonging, and Personalization Among University Students in Turkey
Authors: Dazkir Sibel S.
Published: March 2018

This study is focused on place meaning, sense of belonging, and personalization of place among Turkish university students staying in on‐campus housing. Thirty‐three participants from a private university in Turkey were interviewed about their family homes, residence halls, and their favorite nonresidential settings. The results include what type of personal, social, and place attributes impacted the meanings and feelings the students associated with those settings, how and why they personalized those settings, the role of meaningful objects on place meaning, and gender differences regarding perception of place attributes.
Training Younger Volunteers to Promote Technology Use Among Older Adults
Authors: Brown Leacey E. , Strommen Jane
Published: March 2018

Older adults demonstrate a wide variation in technology skills. Ecological systems theory suggests that technology adoption is the product of process, person, context, and time. Factors that impact the acquisition and transmission of technology skills emerge as a result of processes within and among people and systems. Subjective aging, one factor impacted by ecological systems, is particularly relevant to intergenerational technology training programs. The purpose of this article was to describe the development of an intergenerational technology training program that utilized a subjective aging intervention to enhance technology learning among older adults.
Edme Mariotte and the Beginning of Quantitative Hydrogeology
Authors: Deming David
Published: March 2018

Article impact statement: In the 17th century, Edme Mariotte established hydrogeology as a quantitative science by demonstrating that precipitation was sufficient to account for stream flow.
Saudi dental hygienists’ opinions regarding establishing a professional association
Authors: Joufi AI , Wilder RS , Curran AE , Brame JL
Published: March 2018

Aim

To assess the opinions of dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia regarding the establishment of a professional association including the role it should have to meet their professional needs.

Methods

A cross‐sectional electronic survey using Qualtrics was utilized. IRB exemption was obtained prior to distribution. Although there are 298 licensed Saudi dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia, email addresses were only available for 101 respondents: those obtained previously by direct contact for the purpose of initiation of a professional association and those referred by the direct contacts. Subjects were emailed a link to the survey.

Results

Seventy‐seven subjects responded fully to the survey yielding a response rate of 70.3%. Most 91.5% (n = 65) of the respondents favoured the establishment of a Saudi dental hygiene professional association. Eighty‐eight per cent (n = 59) responded that such an association would promote development of the profession in the country at least somewhat and 86.6% (n = 58) agreed that their professional needs could be met by its establishment. Interestingly, half of those who did not support the creation of the professional association believed it would promote development of the profession and meet professional needs.

Conclusions

A representative sample of dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia support the establishment of a professional association and feel that it would advocate and promote the dental hygiene profession in the country and meet their professional needs.
HOUSING PRICE AND FUNDAMENTALS IN A TRANSITION ECONOMY: THE CASE OF THE BEIJING MARKET
Authors: Han Bing , Han Lu , Zhu Guozhong
Published: March 2018

This article develops a dynamic rational expectations general equilibrium framework that links house value to fundamental economic variables such as income growth, demographics, migration, and land supply. Our framework handles nonstationary dynamics as well as structural changes in fundamentals that are commonplace in transition economies. Applying the framework to Beijing, we find that the equilibrium house price and rent under reasonable parameterizations of the model are substantially lower than the data. We explore potential explanations for the discrepancies between the model and the data.
Characteristic of filamentous fungal diversity and dynamics associated with wheat Qu and the traditional fermentation of Chinese rice wine
Authors: Ji Zhongwei , Jin Jianshun , Yu Guansong , Mou Rang , Mao Jian , Liu Shuangping , Zhou Zhilei , Peng Lin
Published: March 2018

Chinese rice wine, a traditional alcoholic beverage, is fermented from steamed rice with a starter culture of wheat Qu which is either inoculated spontaneously with various microorganisms in natural environment or inoculated artificially with certain microorganisms. The diversity of filamentous fungi in wheat Qu and the fermentation mashes of Chinese rice wine was studied by high‐throughput sequencing. The results indicated that filamentous fungi varied in wheat Qu and fermentation periods. Moreover, Aspergillus was the dominant filamentous fungi at genus levels. On that basis, quantitative real‐time PCR was used to quantify some dominant Aspergillus species. It was found that Aspergillus species in wheat Qu were more abundant than that in various fermentation mashes and continually decreased until the end of rice wine fermentation. Furthermore, it was found that different organic acids were produced by microorganisms at different fermentation stages might due to the changes of oxygen and nutrient content.
How Does Performance Management Affect Workers? Beyond Human Resource Management and Its Critique
Authors: Tweedie Dale , Wild David , Rhodes Carl , Martinov‐Bennie Nonna
Published: March 2018

While performance management (PM) is pervasive across contemporary workplaces, extant research into how performance management affects workers is often indirect or scattered across disciplinary silos. This paper reviews and synthesizes this research, identifies key gaps and explores ‘recognition theory’ as a nascent framework that can further develop this important body of knowledge. The paper develops in three main stages. The first stage reviews ‘mainstream’ human resource management (HRM) research. While this research analyses workers’ reactions to performance management in some depth, its focus on serving organizational goals marginalizes extra‐organizational impacts. The second stage reviews more critical HRM research, which interprets performance management as a disciplinary, coercive or inequitable management device. While this literature adds an important focus on organizational power, there is scope to analyse further how PM affects workers’ well‐being. To develop this strand of PM research, the third stage turns to the emerging field of recognition theory independently developed by Axel Honneth and Christophe Dejours. The authors focus especially on recognition theory's exploration of how (in)adequate acknowledgement of workers’ contributions can significantly affect their well‐being at the level of self‐conception. Although recognition theory is inherently critical, the paper argues that it can advance both mainstream and critical performance management research, and also inform broader inquiry into recognition and identity at work.
The positive association of infant weight gain with adulthood body mass index has strengthened over time in the Fels Longitudinal Study
Authors: Lucas K. , James P. , Choh A. C. , Lee M. , Czerwinski S. A. , Demerath E. W. , Johnson W.
Published: March 2018

Background

Infant weight gain is positively related to adulthood body mass index (BMI), but it is unknown whether or not this association is stronger for individuals born during (compared with before) the obesity epidemic.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to examine how the infant weight gain–adulthood BMI association might have changed across successive birth year cohorts spanning most of the 20th century.

Methods

The sample comprised 346 participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study. Confounder‐adjusted regression models were used to test the associations of conditional weight‐for‐length Z‐score, capturing weight change between ages 0–2 years, with young adulthood BMI and blood pressure, including cohort [1933–1949 {N = 137}, 1950–1969 {N = 108}, 1970–1997 {N = 101}] as an effect modifier.

Results

Conditional weight‐for‐length Z‐score was positively related to adulthood BMI, but there was significant effect modification by birth year cohort such that the association was over two times stronger in the 1970–1997 cohort (β 2.31; 95% confidence interval 1.59, 3.03) compared with the 1933–1949 (0.98; 0.31, 1.65) and 1950–1969 (0.87; 0.21, 1.54) cohorts. A similar pattern was found for systolic blood pressure.

Conclusions

The infant weight gain–adulthood BMI association was over two times stronger among a cohort born during the obesity epidemic era compared with cohorts born earlier in the 20th century.
Probiotic supplementation increases obesity with no detectable effects on liver fat or gut microbiota in obese Hispanic adolescents: a 16‐week, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Jones R. B. , Alderete T. L. , Martin A. A. , Geary B. A. , Hwang D. H. , Palmer S. L. , Goran M. I.
Published: March 2018

Background

Numerous studies have shown that there are links between obesity, liver fat and the gut microbiome. However, there are mixed results on whether probiotics could impact the gut microbiome and/or help to decrease liver fat and obesity outcomes.

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether a probiotic supplement (VSL#3®) intervention altered gut microbiota and/or gut hormones associated with appetite regulation. The secondary aim of this study was to determine whether VSL#3® altered body composition and liver fat and fibrosis.

Methods

We conducted a double‐blind, randomized placebo‐controlled trial in 19 obese Latino adolescents. The intervention consisted of three packets per day of VSL#3® or a matched placebo for 16 weeks. Pre‐intervention and post‐intervention measures included gut microbial abundance, gut appetite regulating hormones, anthropometrics, body composition, liver fat and liver fibrosis. We conducted linear models to determine whether there were any significant differences in the changes in these outcomes following VSL#3® intervention.

Results

Compared with placebo, adolescents that received VSL#3 had significant increases in total adiposity (%) (+1.7 ± 0.6 vs. −1.3 ± 0.5, p < 0.01) and trunk adiposity (%) (+3.3 ± 0.8 vs. −1.8 ± 0.8, p < 0.01) with no significant effects on liver fat/fibrosis, insulin/glucose, gut microbial abundances or gut hormones.

Conclusion

VSL#3 supplementation may lead to increased adiposity in obese Latino adolescents with no significant detectable changes in gut microbiota, gut appetite‐regulating hormones, liver fat and fibrosis and dietary intake. However, it is important to note that recruitment efforts were terminated early and the sample size fell short of what was planned for this trial.
Superior temperature‐stable dielectrics for MLCCs based on Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐NaNbO3 system modified by CaZrO3
Authors: Jia Wenxu , Hou Yudong , Zheng Mupeng , Xu Yuru , Yu Xiaole , Zhu Mankang , Yang Kuiyong , Cheng Huarong , Sun Shuying , Xing Jie
Published: March 2018

An ultra‐wide temperature stable ceramic system based on (1−x) [0.94(0.75Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3−0.25NaNbO3)−0.06BaTiO3]−xCaZrO3 (CZ100x) is developed for capacitor application in this study. All samples exhibit characteristics of pseudocubic structures in XRD patterns. With CaZrO3 addition, the coupling effect of polar nanoregions (PNRs) is weakening, leading to greatly improved temperature stability of dielectric properties. Among all samples, the most attractive properties are obtained in the composition of CZ10 at <15% variation in dielectric permittivity spanning from −55°C to 400°C and lower than 0.02 of dielectric loss of between −60°C and 300°C, accompanied by high DC resistivity (107 Ω m at 300°C, calculated by fitting Jonscher's power law). Furthermore, tentative multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) composed of CZ10 dielectric and Ag:Pd (70:30) internal electrode layers were fabricated by tape casting and cofiring processes. Temperature‐stable dielectric property in formation of MLCC was successfully realized, with small ΔC/C25°C (<15%) and loss factor (≤ 0.02) between −55°C and 340°C. Meanwhile, CZ10‐based MLCC showed temperature‐insensitive energy storage density of 0.31−0.35 J/cm3 and high‐energy efficiency of above 77% at 120 kV/cm in the range of −55 to 175°C. All of these exhibit wonderful temperature‐stable dielectric properties and indicate the promising future of CZ10 dielectric as high‐temperature ceramic capacitors.
Mental distress and health‐related quality of life among type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients using self‐monitoring of blood glucose: A cross‐sectional questionnaire study in Japan
Authors: Tanaka Nagaaki , Yabe Daisuke , Murotani Kenta , Ueno Shinji , Kuwata Hitoshi , Hamamoto Yoshiyuki , Kurose Takeshi , Takahashi Nobuo , Akashi Tomoyuki , Matsuoka Takashi , Osonoi Takeshi , Minami Masae , Shimono Dai , Seino Yutaka ,   the Positive SMBG Study Group Investigators
Published: March 2018

Aims/Introduction

The present multicenter, cross‐sectional survey was initiated to evaluate self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)‐associated mental distress among patients with diabetes.

Materials and Methods

The survey was carried out in patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes using SMBG recruited from 42 medical institutions. Profiles of Mood States 2 and diabetes therapy‐related quality of life questionnaires were used to evaluate mood status and health‐related quality of life. Two original questionnaires were also developed to evaluate SMBG ‘importance,’ ‘painfulness’ and ‘confidence’ among patients, and to evaluate physician attitudes to SMBG use.

Results

Questionnaires from 517 type 1 diabetes and 1,648 type 2 diabetes patients showed that 46.0% of type 1 diabetes and 37.5% of type 2 diabetes patients reported ‘painfulness,’ and that these patients reporting ‘painfulness’ showed significantly higher Profiles of Mood States 2 scores, lower diabetes therapy‐related quality of life scores and higher glycated hemoglobin compared with those not reporting ‘painfulness,’ whereas the number of their daily SMBG tests were comparable. Patients reporting ‘painfulness’ also reported that SMBG use was significantly less important. Whether or not patients recognized the importance of SMBG use was well correlated with the frequency of physicians checking patient diaries.

Conclusions

Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes patients reporting ‘painfulness’ in SMBG use had more mental distress, lower health‐related quality of life and higher glycated hemoglobin regardless of their number of daily SMBG tests. The importance of SMBG use was recognized less by patients experiencing pain, and the importance of SMBG use was recognized more in medical institutions in which physicians regularly checked SMBG diaries to provide meaningful feedback to patients in clinical settings.
Cross‐Country Heterogeneity in Students’ Reporting Behavior: The Use of the Anchoring Vignette Method
Authors: Vonkova Hana , Zamarro Gema , Hitt Collin
Published: March 2018

Self‐reports are an indispensable source of information in education research but they are often affected by heterogeneity in reporting behavior. Failing to correct for this heterogeneity can lead to invalid comparisons across groups. The researchers use the parametric anchoring vignette method to correct for cross‐country incomparability of students’ reports on teacher's classroom management. Their analysis is based on the data from the Programme for International Student Assessment 2012. The results show significant variation in implicit standards across countries. Correlations between countries’ average teacher classroom management levels and external variables like students test scores and public expenditure per pupil change substantially after vignette adjustment. The researchers conclude that the anchoring vignettes method shows potential to enhance the comparability of self‐reported measures in education.
Evaluating Intervention Effects in a Diagnostic Classification Model Framework
Authors: Madison Matthew J. , Bradshaw Laine
Published: March 2018

The evaluation of intervention effects is an important objective of educational research. One way to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention is to conduct an experiment that assigns individuals to control and treatment groups. In the context of pretest/posttest designed studies, this is referred to as a control‐group pretest/posttest design. The transition diagnostic classification model (TDCM) was recently developed to assess growth, defined as change in attribute mastery status over time, in a diagnostic classification model framework. The TDCM, however, does not model multiple groups, and therefore is not able to analyze data from a control‐group pretest/posttest designed experiment. In this study, we extend the TDCM to model multiple groups, thereby enabling the examination of group‐differential growth in attribute mastery and the evaluation of intervention effects. The utility of the multigroup TDCM is demonstrated in the evaluation of an innovative instructional method in mathematics education.
Evidence for sperm storage in common smoothhound shark Mustelus mustelus and paternity assessment in a single litter from South Africa
Authors: Maduna S. N. , Van Wyk J. H. , Da Silva C. , Gennari E. , Bester‐Van Der Merwe A. E.
Published: March 2018

The present histological study of adult female common smoothhound shark Mustelus mustelus demonstrates that the species can store sperm in their oviducal glands. In addition, single paternity of a litter of 22 pups is reported, contributing to further knowledge regarding the genetic and behavioural mating strategy of M. mustelus.
Effect of surfactants and gelatin on the stability, rheology, and encapsulation efficiency of W1/O/W2 multiple emulsions containing avocado oil
Authors: Dias Sarah Vitorino Estevam , Züge Luana Carolina Bosmuler , Santos Alexandre Ferreira , Scheer Agnes de Paula
Published: March 2018

The main aim of this study was to determine the effect of emulsifiers on the stability, rheology. and encapsulation efficiency of W1/O/W2 multiple emulsions, which contain avocado oil and NaCl encapsulated. The primary emulsion contained 5 or 6 wt % polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) and 3 or 4 wt % gelatin, and the secondary emulsion contained 2 wt % Tween 40 or Tween 80. Each of the emulsions prepared presented non‐Newtonian shear thinning and concentrate solution behavior at 25 °C. Emulsions containing Tween 40 had a higher stability than those containing Tween 80. The best encapsulation efficiency was obtained for the emulsion containing 6 wt % PGPR, 3 wt % gelatin, and 2 wt % of Tween 40, which retained 92% of NaCl in the inner aqueous phase after 20 days of storage at 4 °C. Therefore, the use of Tween 40 combined with PGPR and gelatin has great potential to form stable multiple emulsions. Furthermore, emulsions combined with avocado oil can be associated with health benefits.

Practical applications

This article presents a study on the effects of stabilizer concentrations on some properties of multiple emulsions prepared with avocado oil. Tween 40 was used as secondary emulsifier and was found to be a good alternative to Tween 80, one of the most commonly used emulsifiers in the food industry. Besides that, avocado oil has a great potential as food ingredient, due to its health benefits, but is scarcely used and studied. The characterization of multiple emulsions is presented along with a proposal of using them in the production of several food products.
Bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on stainless steel surface and their in vitro inhibition by marine fungal extracts
Authors: Mahyudin Nor Ainy , Mat Daud Noor Ifatul Hanim , Ab Rashid Nor‐Khaizura Mahmud , Muhialdin Belal J. , Saari Nazamid , Noordin Wan Norhana
Published: March 2018

This study evaluates anti‐biofilm activity of four extracts from marine fungi; Penicillium citrinum PR1T4, Sarocladium strictum PP2L4, Aspergillus sydowii PR3T13, and Aspergillus spp. PR5T4 against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 19115), Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi (ATCC 14028). The ability of bacterial cells to adhere, detach, and form biofilm on stainless steel surface were examined and ethyl acetate extract of the fungal culture (15 mg/ml) were tested for anti‐biofilm activity for 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days. E. coli showed the highest ability to adhere (>8 log CFU/cm2) and lowest detachment (<4 log CFU/cm2) after 24, 48, and 72 hr. Extract PP2L4 had the highest anti‐biofilm activity against S. typhi (1.70 ± 0.04 log CFU/cm2). Fungal extracts, bacteria, and incubation period were significant factors and their interactions were significant. The results showed that marine fungal extracts are important natural sources for anti‐biofilm agents that have high potential as food‐contact surface sanitizers.

Practical applications

Biofilm removal from food contact surfaces has been one of the greatest challenges for food industry. There have been efforts to explore natural agents with anti‐biofilm properties. This study showed that marine‐derived fungal extracts significantly reduced the number of attached cell on stainless steel discs and, therefore, is potential candidates for anti‐biofilm agents. Special attention would be given to the fungal isolate (S. strictum PP2L4) that presented a promising activity against the gram‐negative S. typhi. As the active fungal extracts were unable to completely remove the adhered bacterial cells, optimization is recommended to increase probability of isolating active compounds capable for complete biofilm removal. The active compounds could be used in sanitizer formulation and applied on various food‐contact surfaces (e.g., stainless steel and plastic) at food related industries such as in institutional food service kitchens as well as home kitchens.