bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct aspiration versus follicular flushing in poor responders undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Haydardedeoglu B , Gjemalaj F , Aytac PC , Kilicdag EB
Published: March 2017

Objective

To compare follicle flushing three times with direct follicular aspiration in poor responders. Our hypothesis was that follicle flushing three times in poor responders would result in similar oocyte yield compared with direct aspiration in poor responders.

Design

A randomised controlled trial performed between January 2015 and June 2015.

Setting

University hospital.

Population or sample

Eighty eligible poor responders, who were defined as having five or fewer follicles ≥13 mm in average diameter with at least two follicles having maximum diameters >17 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration. Monofollicular cycles, including natural cycles, were excluded from the current trial.

Methods

In the double‐lumen needle group, oocyte retrieval was performed by flushing three times with 2 ml in each follicle and in the single‐lumen group direct follicle aspiration was performed.

Main outcome measure

Number of metaphase II oocytes retrieved.

Results

The mean number of metaphase II oocytes was similar in both groups (1.9 ± 0.1 versus 2.1 ± 0.1, respectively). The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were similar in both groups (32.5% versus 25% and 25% versus 22.5%, respectively). The only significant difference between the two groups was the duration of oocyte retrieval (178.4 ± 13.4 versus 236.3 ± 24.1 seconds, respectively, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Follicular flushing is time consuming and has similar results compared with direct follicle aspiration in poor responders.

Tweetable abstract

Direct follicle aspiration versus flushing in poor responders yields similar metaphase II oocytes.
Learning on the fly: How rural junior doctors learn during consultations with retrieval physicians
Authors: Baker Timothy , Kumar Koshila , Kennedy Marcus
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study explores how rural junior doctors learn while consulting retrieval physicians about critically ill and injured patients, as well as the tensions characterising teaching and learning in this setting.

Methods

Data were collected via three focus groups, involving rural junior doctors (n = 8), rural senior doctors (n = 3) and retrievalists (n = 3). The discussions were transcribed and subject to multistage coding.

Results

Rural junior doctors believe they learn from interactions with retrieval physicians. Their learning was greatest when the retrieval physician explained his or her clinical reasoning and provided feedback. The level of stress was sometimes overwhelming and learning ceased. Both groups described limited time for teaching due to the medical needs of the patient and the needs of concurrent patients. Retrieval physicians were not certain that rural junior doctors wanted to learn. Rural junior doctors hold retrievalists in very high regard.

Conclusion

Support provided by retrievalists extends the abilities of the junior doctors and often results in learning. When junior doctors are extended too far, they become overwhelmed and learning ceases. Junior doctors would like the retrievalists to spend more time explaining their actions and providing feedback. Even when both retrievalists and junior doctors are interested in teaching, it may not occur due to misunderstandings and differences in status.
Cross‐level effects of high‐commitment work systems on work engagement: the mediating role of psychological capital
Authors: Chen Shu‐Ling
Published: March 2017

This study integrates theories from strategic human resource management and the job demands – resources model and focuses on exploring the cross‐level relationship between high‐commitment work systems and work engagement. It includes further investigation into whether the emerging core construct of positive psychological capital plays a role in mediating the effects of high‐commitment work systems on work engagement. Data were collected from multiple sources, including 94 managers and 344 service employees at 47 stores in Taiwanese retail chain enterprises. The study's results show that high‐commitment work systems are positively correlated with work engagement and mediate work engagement through psychological capital. The implications of this research and possible limitations and directions for future research are then discussed.
Regulatory Oversight of Financial Reporting: Securities and Exchange Commission Comment Letters
Authors: Johnston Rick , Petacchi Reining
Published: March 2017

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reviews company filings (10‐Q, 10‐K, S‐1, etc.) submitted to them. If a review identifies potential deficiencies, the SEC staff sends the company a comment letter seeking clarification, additional information, and ultimately, perhaps, revision of the filing or future filings. We examine the content, resolution, and ensuing informational consequences of SEC comment letters. The content analysis shows that nearly half of all comments involve accounting application, financial reporting, and disclosure issues. More than 17 percent of our sample cases result in immediate amended filings to resolve the issue(s) arising from the comment letters, and financial statements and/or footnotes are frequently revised. Following comment letter resolution, the adverse selection component of the bid‐ask spread declines and Earnings Response Coefficients (ERCs) increase. Our results provide little support for the conjecture that the market interprets the receipt of a comment letter as a signal that the firm has poor reporting quality. Finally, we find no evidence that comment letter firms increase the quantity or change the type of voluntary disclosure, thereby eliminating a possible competing explanation for the improved information environment. We conclude the SEC's oversight has beneficial informational effects.
Clinical benefits of treatment with SQ house dust mite sublingual tablet in house dust mite allergic rhinitis
Authors: Demoly P. , Kleine‐Tebbe J. , Rehm D.
Published: March 2017

Treatment with SQ (standardised quality) house dust mite sublingual tablet for 1 year resulted in a decreased probability of having an allergic rhinitis (AR) exacerbation day (from 11% [placebo] to 5% [SQ house dust mite sublingual tablet]) and an increased probability of having a mild AR day (from 16% [placebo] to 34% [SQ house dust mite sublingual tablet]).
Observation method identifies that a lack of canonical babbling can indicate future speech and language problems
Authors: Lohmander A , Holm K , Eriksson S , Lieberman M
Published: March 2017

Aim

We investigated how accurate observations of canonical babbling (CB) were and explored predictive babbling measures in children with and without medical diagnoses of conditions that can lead to speech and language problems.

Methods

From 2012 to 2014 this Stockholm‐based study recruited 38 children aged nine months to 21 months with medical diagnoses and 30 children aged 10 months without diagnoses and included 21 previously studied 12‐month‐old children without medical diagnoses. CB and consonant sound production were directly observed by video recording natural play with a caregiver. The percentage of CB was calculated from each recording, and a validated observation form was used. How accurately the children with and without CB were classified was investigated with sensitivity and specificity. The groups were compared using predictive babbling variables.

Results

The observation method identified children with and without CB well, with a specificity of 0.89 and sensitivity of 0.93, respectively. Children with predictive babbling measures were identified in the clinical group (specificity 0.93–0.97), and a lack of these measures indicated a risk of being in the clinical group (odds ratios > 10). The sensitivity was low (0.32–0.42).

Conclusion

Observation effectively identified a lack of CB and supported the importance of assessing babbling measures.
Children aged two to four are able to scribble and draw using a smartphone app
Authors: Yadav Savita , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: March 2017

Aim

Drawing apps are an attractive medium, and this study assessed the fluency and skills with which children aged two to four drew using an app on a smartphone.

Methods

We provided 90 children between two and four years of age with a drawing app at a playschool in an upper‐class suburb in New Delhi in November 2016. The app allowed them to draw by sliding their finger on the screen and selecting the drawing colour from a palette. The children were given five minutes to draw with the app.

Results

All the children were able to draw with the app. The children aged two and three were in the scribbling stage. The children aged two typically drew zigzag lines with a single colour, while the children aged three were able to draw distinct lines and shapes with multiple colours. The children aged four had moved from the scribbling stage to the preschematic stage. They drew multicoloured figures identifiable as real‐world objects and were able to explain what they were drawing.

Conclusion

We found that drawing apps were appropriate for young children aged two to four and may be used by them along with other drawing media.
The role of the e‐tutor in synchronous online problem‐based learning: A study in a Master Public Health Programme
Authors: de Jong Nynke , Verstegen Daniëlle M. L. , Könings Karen D.
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study is to compare the role of the tutor in an online and a face‐to‐face problem‐based learning (PBL) session to shed light on potential differences of the tutor role in both settings. In this practice‐based study we compared the two groups with the same tutor undertaking the same module. Students completed questionnaires about tutor performance, student characteristics and the module. Marks on the end‐of‐module test were analysed. The tutor was interviewed about his expectations and experiences. One session of each group was recorded and analysed qualitatively. Results show tutor tasks appeared to be comparable in both settings with regard to “content and pedagogical content knowledge,” “group dynamics,” “process instruction” and “intermediary between faculty and students.” The face‐to‐face group rated tutor performance lower than the online students. Students and tutor identified the absence of nonverbal cues as a limitation of online PBL. In online sessions the tutor additionally provided technical support and moderated the chat box. It is recommended to involve an extra person in online sessions who is responsible for technical issues. This person could also check the chat box for messages of students. Future research should focus on the necessity of an extra tutor training for online sessions.
Genetic background of the rare Yus and Gerbich blood group phenotypes: homologous regions of the GYPC gene contribute to deletion alleles
Authors: Gourri Elise , Denomme Gregory A. , Merki Yvonne , Scharberg Erwin A. , Vrignaud Cedric , Frey Beat M. , Peyrard Thierry , Gassner Christoph
Published: March 2017

The GYPC gene encodes the glycophorins C and D. The two moieties express 12 known antigens of the Gerbich blood group system and functionally stabilize red blood cell membranes through their intracellular interaction with protein 4.1 and p55. Three GYPC exon deletions are responsible for the lack of the high‐frequency antigens Ge2 (Yus type, exon 2 deletion), Ge2 and Ge3 (Gerbich type, exon 3 deletion), and Ge2 to 4 (Leach type, exons 3 and 4 deletion), but lack exact molecular description. A total of 29 rare blood samples with Yus (GE:‐2,3,4) and Gerbich (GE:‐2,‐3,4) phenotypes, including individuals of Middle‐Eastern, North‐African or Balkan ancestry were examined genetically. All phenotypes could be explained by 4 different Yus alleles, characterized by deletions of exon 2 and adjacent introns, and 3 different Gerbich alleles, with deletions of exon 3 and adjacent introns. A 3600 base pair GYPC region, encompassing exon 2 and flanking region, shares a high degree of sequence homology with a region flanking exon 3, probably representing an evolutionary duplication event. Defining the expression of Gerbich variants presently relies on rare serological reagents. Our approach substitutes the serological characterization with a precise genotype approach to identify the rare Yus and Gerbich alleles.
Oral health conceptual knowledge and its relationships with oral health outcomes: Findings from a Multi‐site Health Literacy Study
Authors: Macek Mark D. , Atchison Kathryn A. , Chen Haiyan , Wells William , Haynes Don , Parker Ruth M. , Azzo Shurouk
Published: March 2017

Objectives

In 2010, a health literacy instrument designed to measure oral health conceptual knowledge was introduced. This developmental work was limited in that it included a relatively small and homogeneous study population and few oral health measures against which to test concurrent validity. The purpose of the present investigation is to expand upon the earlier work by utilizing a larger study sample and additional outcome variables.

Methods

Data for this report came from the Multi‐site Oral Health Literacy Research Study (MOHLRS), a large, cross‐sectional survey conducted at two university‐based dental clinics in the United States. MOHLRS included multiple assessments administered during face‐to‐face interviews. Conceptual knowledge was measured with the Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge (CMOHK). Questions about self‐efficacy, utilization, and dental beliefs and attitudes were also asked. Covariates included recruitment site, age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, and languages spoken.

Results

Overall, 18% of 909 adult participants exhibited “low” conceptual knowledge. CMOHK scores were significantly associated with three health literacy instruments, the REALM, Short‐test of functional health literacy in adults (TOFHLA), and confidence filling out forms. In both bivariate and multivariable analyses, CMOHK scores were also significantly associated with dental beliefs and attitudes and self‐efficacy to prevent both dental caries and periodontal disease. CMOHK scores were not associated with utilization, measured either as having a dental visit or a dental cleaning in the last year.

Conclusions

The present investigation provides additional support for the CMOHK's validity. Researchers are encouraged to incorporate oral health conceptual knowledge into their theoretical frameworks, especially as it relates to beliefs and self‐efficacy.
CHA2DS2‐VASc scores predict major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Ooi Hean , Chen Li‐Hsiou , Ni Yung‐Lun , Shen Huan‐Ting , Lee Yen‐Hsien , Chu Yi‐Chun , Fang Ke‐Chih , Chen I‐Hung , Hsu Shu‐Lan , Chen Hsing‐Chun , Huang Chien‐Hsiu , Fan Kuo‐Sheng , Lai Chun‐Liang , Hang Liang‐Wen
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently experience concurrent comorbidities; therefore, risk assessment for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) is very important.

Objectives

We explored the association between COPD and risk of MACEs with three common clinical events: acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic stroke (IS), and cardiovascular death (CVD).

Methods

We evaluated the predictive value of the CHA2DS2‐VASc score (congestive heart failure [C], hypertension [H], age [A], diabetes [D], stroke [S], and vascular disease [VASc]) for MACEs in COPD patients. In this observational study, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 29 258 patients with COPD between 2005 and 2009 in relation to MACE risk using the CHA2DS2‐VASc score. We calculated the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a significance level of .05.

Results

Patients with COPD had significantly (P < .001) increased risk of MACEs, and a high prevalence of CHA2DS2‐VASc scores ≥ 6, predicting MACEs (16.1%), AMI (3.3%), IS (8.7%), and CVD (4.0%). A good discrimination was found for MACEs, IS events, and CVD events (AUC = 0.740, 0.739, and 0.778, respectively) but poorer discrimination for AMI events (AUC = 0.697).

Conclusion

Early lifestyle modifications and antithrombotic therapy may be essential for COPD patients at a high risk of MACEs, that is, those with CHA2DS2‐VASc scores ≥ 6.
Toward a Conceptual Expansion of Ownership and Post‐2015 Global Development Policy: Illustrations from the Jamaican Experience
Authors: Graham Vaughn F.
Published: March 2017

Is ‘ownership’ still relevant to the post‐2015 era? Since 2000, global efforts have concentrated on reforming prescriptive aid relationships by promoting ownership by recipient countries. However, there have been many challenges operationalizing ownership at the country and sectoral levels, and the post‐2015 era will present more challenges. This is because traditional donors, the private sector and philanthropic actors will now need to partner to finance the post‐2015 Global Goals, and it is unclear how recipients will retain meaningful ownership. This article discusses how ownership is not monolithic, as different understandings have always been simultaneously reflected and challenged over time. In so doing it proposes analytical clarity around the concept, and raises questions and implications for post‐2015 development practice.
What moved share prices in the nineteenth‐century London stock market?†
Authors: Campbell Gareth , Quinn William , Turner John D. , Ye Qing
Published: March 2017

Using a new weekly blue‐chip index, this article investigates the causes of stock price movements on the London market between 1823 and 1870. We find that economic fundamentals explain about 15 per cent of weekly and 34 per cent of monthly variation in share prices. Contemporary press reporting from the London Stock Exchange is used to ascertain what market participants thought was causing the largest movements on the market. The vast majority of large movements were attributed by the press to geopolitical, monetary, railway‐sector, and financial‐crisis news. Investigating the stock price changes on an independent list of events reaffirms these findings, suggesting that the most important specific events that moved markets were wars involving European powers.
Inter‐communal institutions in medieval trade
Authors: Kallioinen Mika
Published: March 2017

This article examines the institutional structure of medieval overseas trade to explain why trade thrived even in the absence of the state. The literature has dealt mainly with intra‐coalition or intra‐community relations. However, the literature does not answer the question of how institutions could be created that could support interaction between a large number of distant communities and between merchants who did not necessarily know one another. This article presents such an institution that prevailed in the Baltic Sea region in the late middle ages, referred to here as the inter‐communal conciliation mechanism. In case of a dispute, conciliation took place between town councils, rather than the merchants involved in the dispute, thus combining individual liability and communal enforcement. Exploration of the documents reveals a task‐specific regularity of behaviour, which was the general practice among merchants to turn to the council of their own community when they had problems in a foreign town, instead of being obliged to solve disputes by themselves. This institution provided a permanent, centralized, and relatively impartial enforcement mechanism to respond to breaches. It was therefore well adapted to large, at least partially anonymous markets, such as the Baltic Sea region, with dozens of towns and thousands of merchants.
Construction of families of probability boxes and corresponding membership functions at different fractiles
Authors: Dutta Palash , Hazarika G.C.
Published: March 2017

Uncertainty comes in many forms in the real world and is an unavoidable component of human life. Generally, two types of uncertainties arise, namely, aleatory and epistemic uncertainty. Probability is a well established mathematical tool to handle aleatory uncertainty and fuzzy set theory is a tool to handle epistemic uncertainty. However, in certain situations, parameters of probability distributions may be tainted with epistemic uncertainty; and so, representation of parameters of probability distributions may be treated as fuzzy numbers (may be of different shapes). A probability box (P‐box) can be constructed when parameters are not precisely known. In this paper, an attempt has been made to construct families of P‐boxes when parameters of probability distributions are bell shaped or normal fuzzy numbers; and from these families of P‐boxes, membership functions are generated at different fractiles for different alpha levels.
Variations in thickness of fault‐controlled dikes and its implications: A case study of Gosung area, South‐East Korea
Authors: Edwards Paul , Choi Jin‐Hyuck , Kim Young‐Seog
Published: March 2017

Dikes are natural records that can be used to understand the way magma flows in the crust. Coastal platform outcrops in Gosung, South Korea, show clear evidences that their intrusion took place along pre‐existing fractures. We analyzed outcropping dikes, measuring variations in dike thickness as well as fracture density (cumulative number of fractures along strike) and geometry around the dikes. The geometry and thickness variations of dikes intruded along pre‐existing fractures can be interpreted to understand the effect of pre‐existing fractures to evolution on magma flow, especially related with fault damage zones. This helps us to gain a better understanding of magma and fluid flow along pre‐existing fractures. Magma flow is greater along planes that strike perpendicular to the direction of least compressive horizontal stress, and along well connected fractures that show a high degree of connectivity. At the fault tip and linkage damage zone, there is a concentration of extensional fractures; in these areas injected dikelets can form. As faults become linked, the fracture density increases, until they become fully linked and act as one through‐going fault plane. As faults evolve, the boundary conditions of the faults vary and this has an impact on dike characteristics. Fracture geometry around dikes that intruded pre‐existing faults can be used as a record of fault evolution and this can give insights into how the maturity of a fault system can affect to the related magma or fluid flow characteristics.
Model and algorithm for bilevel multisized terminal location‐routing problem for the last mile delivery
Authors: Zhou Lin , Lin Yun , Wang Xu , Zhou Fuli
Published: March 2017

The last mile delivery is regarded as one of the most expensive but least efficient stretches in the business‐to‐customer supply chain. Designing the last mile delivery system in a lean way is crucial to serve customers efficiently and economically. To address this issue, we propose a bilevel multisized terminal location‐routing problem (BL‐MSTLRP) with simultaneous home delivery and customer's pickup services. The solution method is proposed by combining genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA), called self‐adaptive SGA. Studies for designing the last mile delivery system in a real‐world environment indicate the validity of the proposed model based on the comparison of different scenarios. Numerical experiments are also conducted to evaluate the performance of the presented SGA. Computational results show that the hybrid approach efficiently solves the BL‐MSTLRP.
Related Party Transactions, Corporate Governance and CEO Compensation
Authors: Balsam Steven , Gifford Richard H. , Puthenpurackal John
Published: March 2017

Examining the years 2001–2012, we document a decrease in reported CEO related party transactions (RPTs) and an increase in reported outside director RPTs, with the largest change occurring around the 2006 Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) RPT disclosure changes. Our analysis of the determinants of RPTs and their association with CEO compensation also shows an impact of the SEC disclosure change, as we find support for the weak governance hypothesis in the pre‐2006 period and some support for the efficient contracting hypothesis post‐2005. While our results vary by model, pre‐2006, consistent with weak governance we find that outside director RPTs are positively associated with CEO compensation, with our estimates of the impact ranging from 8 to 18% depending on the model. In the post‐2005 period, this result dissipates, and we find some evidence consistent with the efficient contracting hypothesis. Overall we find that the SEC RPT disclosure change appears to have had a significant impact on reported RPTs, the determinants of those RPTs, and the impact of those RPTs on CEO compensation.
Are Entrenched Managers’ Accounting Choices More Predictive of Future Cash Flows?
Authors: Lail Bradley E. , Martin Gregory W.
Published: March 2017

We examine the role manager entrenchment has on firms’ financial reporting quality. More specifically, we test whether entrenched managers’ reported accruals deviate from industry norms and whether entrenched managers’ abnormal accruals are more (or less) predictive of future cash flows. Consistent with implications from prior research, we find that firms with entrenched managers generally report lower levels of abnormal accruals (in an absolute sense), but the abnormal accruals utilized by entrenched managers are more predictive of future cash flows. Contrary to a more traditional view of manager entrenchment, our evidence suggests that entrenched managers report higher quality abnormal accruals. While prior research provides evidence that manager entrenchment is associated with negative economic outcomes, we argue that attempts to limit entrenchment are unlikely to improve financial reporting quality and may actually lower quality. Future corporate governance research should consider not only the level but also the quality of the association between accounting choices and manager entrenchment.
The activity of the carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1 promoter in human liver‐derived cells is dependent on hepatocyte nuclear factor 3‐beta
Authors: Chen Zhanfei , Tang Nanhong , Wang Xiaoqian , Chen Yanling
Published: March 2017

Carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1 (CPS1) is the rate‐limiting enzyme in the first step of the urea cycle and an indispensable enzyme in the metabolism of human liver. However, CPS1 epigenetic regulation involves promoter analysis and the role of liver‐enriched transcription factors (LETFs), which is not fully elucidated. In this work, the promoter region of hCPS1 gene was cloned, and its activity was investigated. An LETF, hepatocyte nuclear factor 3‐beta (HNF3β), was found to promote the transcriptional expression of CPS1 in liver‐derived cell lines. In addition, dual‐luciferase reporter assay shows that the essential binding sites of the HNF3β may exist in the oligonucleotide −70 nt to +73 nt. Two putative binding sites are available for HNF3β. Mutation analysis results show that the binding site 2 of HNF3β was effective, and the transcriptional activity of CPS1 promoter significantly decreased after mutation. Electrophoretic mobile shift assay (EMSA) and ChIP assay confirmed that HNF3β can interact with the binding site in the CPS1 promoter region of −70 nt to +73 nt promoter region in vivo and in vitro to regulate the transcription of CPS1. Moreover, HNF3β overexpression enhanced the transcription of CPS1 and consequently improved the mRNA and protein levels of CPS1, whereas the knockdown of HNF3β showed the opposite effects. Finally, urea production in cells was measured, and ammonia detoxification improved significantly in cells after transfection with HNF3β. HNF3β plays a vital role in regulation of CPS1 gene and could promote the metabolism of ammonia by regulating CPS1 expression.
Will a matchmaker invite her potential rival in?
Authors: Pal Rupayan , Ramani Vinay
Published: March 2017

This paper analyzes optimal strategies of an incumbent intermediary, who matches agents on the two sides of a market, in the presence of entry threat under alternative scenarios. It shows that, when entry is free, strategic entry accommodation is the optimal choice of the incumbent—not entry deterrence, unless the variation in agents' types is small. Entry accommodation remains optimal for the incumbent for a wide range of parametric configurations even when there is a fixed cost of entry. These results are in sharp contrast to the predictions of existing models of entry.
The Extent and Scope of Prosthodontic Practice in Iowa
Authors: Ettinger Ronald L. , Goettsche Zachary S. , Qian Fang
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this questionnaire was to ask general dentists in private practice in the state of Iowa about the extent and scope of their prosthodontic practice.

Materials and Methods

A 22‐item questionnaire was developed and tested on 5 general dentists. The Iowa Dental Association agreed to electronically distribute the survey to all general practice dentists in their database. After three rounds, a total of 289 responses were received from the 996 general dentists in the database.

Results

The average age of the respondents was 50.3 ± 13.2 years (range 28 to 78 years), and 56.3% were in solo practice. The respondents stated that 68.1% had made at least one set of complete dentures and 88.9% had made a removable partial denture (RPD) in the last 3 months, while 76.4% had restored a least one implant in the last 3 months and 11.6% had surgically placed one. Nearly 20% of the respondents had a digital impression scanner in their office. There was a statistically significant difference between the dentists who had made complete dentures in the past 3 months and those who had not with regard to age, gender, and years in practice (p < 0.05 for all instances). No significant difference was found between the general dentists who had made an RPD in the past 3 months and those who had not. Compared to their counterparts, general dentists who had an AEGD or GPR training (p = 0.0312), whose primary practices were in cities of 50,000+ (p = 0.0065), or had a digital scanner (p = 0.0062) and a CAD/CAM milling machine (p = 0.0504) in their office were more likely to have restored an implant in the last 3 months. Furthermore, the general dentists who had surgically placed an implant in the last 3 months were more likely to be male (p = 0.0301) or have a digital impression scanner (p < 0.0001) and/or a CAD/CAM milling machine (p = 0.0007) in their office.

Conclusions

The majority of general dentists in this survey are still making complete and partial removable dentures, and a majority is using implants, while only a minority is surgically placing them.

Practical  implications

Although Iowa general dentists are carrying out sophisticated procedures such as implant placement and restoring implants, as well as using digital technology, there is still a need for removable prosthodontic services in their practices. Therefore, these skills will still need to be taught in dental school.
‘The kids are alert’: Generation Y responses to employer use and monitoring of social networking sites
Authors: Hurrell Scott A. , Scholarios Dora , Richards James
Published: March 2017

Employer monitoring of employees’ and job applicants’ social networking site (SNS) data is widespread and growing, but remains ethically, legally and efficaciously controversial. Examining this emergent source of tension in the employment relationship, this paper explores how Generation Y employees experience and perceive employer use and monitoring of SNSs, and whether employer‐related concerns influenced their online behaviour. A survey of 385 employed students revealed widespread SNS engagement amongst respondents, with many experiencing some form of employer SNS use. Employer SNS use was, however, generally perceived negatively. Negativity took the form of procedural justice violations based on issues such as invasion of privacy. Nevertheless, many students displayed alertness through actively managing online profiles which, in turn, marginally yet significantly increased their justice perceptions. The study has ethical and practical implications for employer monitoring and use of SNSs, as well as contributing to our understanding of young people's online behaviour.
The effectiveness and promising strategies of obesity prevention and treatment programmes among adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds: a systematic review
Authors: Kornet‐van der Aa D. A. , Altenburg T. M. , van Randeraad‐van der Zee C. H. , Chinapaw M. J. M.
Published: March 2017

This review aimed to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of obesity prevention and treatment programmes for adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. A secondary aim was to identify potential successful intervention strategies for this target group. PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library were searched from January 2000 up to February 2016. Intervention studies targeting adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds were included, with body mass index as outcome. Secondary outcomes were other adiposity measures, physical activity, diet, sedentary behaviour and screen time. Two independent reviewers extracted data, coded intervention strategies and conducted quality assessments. Fourteen studies were included: nine obesity prevention and five obesity treatment studies. Two preventive and four treatment studies showed significant beneficial effects on body mass index. Five of six studies (four preventive, one treatment studies) measuring dietary behaviour reported significant intervention effects. Evidence on other secondary outcomes was inconclusive. We found no conclusive evidence for which specific intervention strategies were particularly successful in preventing or treating obesity among disadvantaged adolescents. However, the current evidence suggests that involving adolescents in the development and delivering of interventions, the use of experiential activities and involvement of parents seem to be promising strategies. More high quality studies are needed. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42016041612
Bt rice in China — focusing the nontarget risk assessment
Authors: Li Yunhe , Zhang Qingling , Liu Qingsong , Meissle Michael , Yang Yan , Wang Yanan , Hua Hongxia , Chen Xiuping , Peng Yufa , Romeis Jörg
Published: March 2017

Bt rice can control yield losses caused by lepidopteran pests but may also harm nontarget species and reduce important ecosystem services. A comprehensive data set on herbivores, natural enemies, and their interactions in Chinese rice fields was compiled. This together with an analysis of the Cry protein content in arthropods collected from Bt rice in China indicated which nontarget species are most exposed to the insecticidal protein and should be the focus of regulatory risk assessment.
COPD exacerbation and diaphragmatic dysfunction: Conditions with mutual influence influencing outcomes?
Authors: Schreiber Annia , Esquinas Antonio M.
Published: March 2017

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Effect of aerosolized antipseudomonals on Pseudomonas positivity and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation
Authors: Moore Cody A. , Pilewski Joseph M. , Venkataramanan Raman , Robinson Keven M. , Morrell Matthew R. , Wisniewski Stephen R. , Zeevi Adriana , McDyer John F. , Ensor Christopher R.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To describe the effects of aerosolized antipseudomonals (AAPs) on Pseudomonas (PS) culture positivity, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), and acute cellular rejection (ACR) in lung transplant recipients (LTRs).

Methods

Single‐center, retrospective cohort study was performed of adult LTRs treated with either AAP for ≥28 days vs no AAP therapy or AAP therapy <28 days, indexed to a matched median date post lung transplantation (LT). Primary outcome was freedom from PS positivity by positive bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial wash at 1 year. Secondary outcomes were freedom from BOS or BOS progression and ACR burden (defined by the novel composite rejection standardized score. Normality was assessed, and univariate and multivariate parametric and non‐parametric statistical tests were used to assess baseline characteristics and outcomes, where appropriate. Freedom from events was compared using the Kaplan‐Meier method with log‐rank conversion and risk was assigned using multivariable Cox proportional hazards (PH) modeling.

Results

In total, 293 LTRs (105 with AAP, 188 with no AAP) were included. Median ages in AAP and control cohorts were 51 (30‐63) and 62 (54‐67) years (P<.01). Median AAP duration was 198 (interquartile range 94‐395) days. Time to median positive PS culture was similar between AAP (median 1.02 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.74‐1.22] years) and control (median 0.96 [95% CI 0.72‐1.21] years). Log‐rank test for time‐to‐PS positivity was similar for both groups (log‐rank P=.26). Incidence of PS culture positivity at 1 year was similar in APP vs controls (59.0% vs 54.8%, P=.48). In the non‐cystic fibrosis (CF) subgroup, AAP use was protective against PS recurrence on univariate Cox PH model (hazard ratio [HR] 0.55, 95% CI 0.38‐0.83) and on multivariate Cox PH adjusting for age and induction (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38‐0.83). Incidence of new‐onset BOS or BOS progression in APP vs control at 1 (17.1% vs 14.9%, P=.61) and 3 (38.1% vs 37.8%, P=.96) years was similar. CRSS was similar in APP vs control group at 1 year (0.42 vs 0.33, P=.41).

Conclusion

AAP use was not associated with less PS positivity, BOS, or ACR in all LTRs. In the non‐CF subgroup analysis, treatment with AAPS was associated with protection against recurrent PS. Limitations include retrospective design, heterogeneous AAP therapy among LTRs, and potential convenience sampling of LTRs receiving AAPs for >28 days at our center. Larger assessments and better controlled analyses are required to further define efficacy of AAPs after LT.
A multidomain enzyme, with glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities, is involved in a chloroplastic pathway for glycerol synthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Morales‐Sánchez Daniela , Kim Yeongho , Terng Ee Leng , Peterson Laura , Cerutti Heriberto
Published: March 2017

Understanding the unique features of algal metabolism may be necessary to realize the full potential of algae as feedstock for the production of biofuels and biomaterials. Under nitrogen deprivation, the green alga C. reinhardtii showed substantial triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation and up‐regulation of a gene, GPD2, encoding a multidomain enzyme with a putative phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP) motif fused to glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) domains. Canonical GPD enzymes catalyze the synthesis of glycerol‐3‐phosphate (G3P) by reduction of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP). G3P forms the backbone of TAGs and membrane glycerolipids and it can be dephosphorylated to yield glycerol, an osmotic stabilizer and compatible solute under hypertonic stress. Recombinant Chlamydomonas GPD2 showed both reductase and phosphatase activities in vitro and it can work as a bifunctional enzyme capable of synthesizing glycerol directly from DHAP. In addition, GPD2 and a gene encoding glycerol kinase were up‐regulated in Chlamydomonas cells exposed to high salinity. RNA‐mediated silencing of GPD2 revealed that the multidomain enzyme was required for TAG accumulation under nitrogen deprivation and for glycerol synthesis under high salinity. Moreover, a GPD2‐mCherry fusion protein was found to localize to the chloroplast, supporting the existence of a GPD2‐dependent plastid pathway for the rapid synthesis of glycerol in response to hyperosmotic stress. We hypothesize that the reductase and phosphatase activities of PSP–GPD multidomain enzymes may be modulated by post‐translational modifications/mechanisms, allowing them to synthesize primarily G3P or glycerol depending on environmental conditions and/or metabolic demands in algal species of the core Chlorophytes.
Analysis of Written English: The Case of Female University Students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ababneh Islam
Published: March 2017

This research sheds some light on the difficulties faced by Saudi students when writing in the English language by examining specific writing errors committed by the students. Fifty female students in their fourth year of study at the University of Tabuk in the department of languages and translation who were enrolled in the subject of error analysis (a kind of linguistic analysis that emphasizes the errors learners make in a target language) were given a quiz to write approximately one page about each one of three topics: effects of social media on Saudi social life, Saudi marriage customs, and Saudi economy. The quiz was graded and the writing errors were classified into four main categories: grammatical, syntactic, substance, and lexical types following Hubbard et al. (1996) classifications of errors. Then, the number of errors in each category was counted and the corresponding frequency was calculated. The findings of this study show that most frequent types of errors made by the students were in the categories of grammar (tenses, singular/plural, articles), syntax (subject-verb agreement), and substance (spelling).
Defining the Good Citizen: Online Conceptions of American Members of the Yahoo! Answers Community
Authors: Keynan Irit , Lazar Alon
Published: March 2017

Educators invest serious effort in bringing their students to adopt the notions of the 'good citizen'. Based on the growing impact of informal learning through social media, especially when asking for online help in civic education assignments, previous studies called for investigating the role of online platforms as arenas of informal civic education. This paper takes up this gauntlet, analyzing inputs of American members of the Yahoo! Answers online community in response to students' queries concerning the definition of the 'good citizen'. The results show a passive and conformist concept of the 'good citizen' that corresponds with previous studies' findings about this image in educational programs and among pre-service teachers, contrary to formal statements regarding the goal of civic education. The paper suggests that there is a feedback loop between offline and online platforms concerning the 'good citizen', which calls for the attention of educators and researches.
Towards a symplectic version of the Chevalley restriction theorem
Authors: Bulois Michael , Lehn Christian , Lehn Manfred , Terpereau Ronan
Published: March 2017

If $(G,V)$ is a polar representation with Cartan subspace $\mathfrak{c}$ and Weyl group $W$, it is shown that there is a natural morphism of Poisson schemes $\mathfrak{c}\oplus \mathfrak{c}^{\ast }/W\rightarrow V\oplus V^{\ast }/\!\!/\!\!/G$. This morphism is conjectured to be an isomorphism of the underlying reduced varieties if$(G,V)$ is visible. The conjecture is proved for visible stable locally free polar representations and some other examples.
Quantitative Elastohydrodynamic Film-Forming for an Oil/Refrigerant System
Authors: Bair Scott , Habchi Wassim , Baker Mark , Pallister David M.
Published: March 2017

The first calculations of film thickness for an oil/refrigerant system using quantitative elastohydrodynamics are reported in this work. It is demonstrated that primary measurements of the properties of the oil/refrigerant system can be employed to accurately predict film thickness in concentrated contacts. An unusual response to lubricant inlet temperature is revealed, wherein the film thickness may increase with temperature as a result of decreasing refrigerant solubility in oil when the inlet pressure is high. There is competition between the reduction in viscosity of the oil and the reduction of refrigerant concentration with increased temperature. For high inlet pressure, the dilution effect is dominant, whereas for low inlet pressure, the temperature dependence of the viscosity of the solution dominates over the range of inlet temperatures considered. It seems that only central film thicknesses have been experimentally measured for oil/refrigerant systems leaving these calculations as the only means of assessing the minimum.
The pernicious effect of retroactive changes in the Code: Darevskia and nomenclatorial stability, a reply to BUSACK et al. (2016)
Authors: Arribas Oscar Javier , Ananjeva Natalia B. , Carranza Salvador , Doronin Igor V. , Harris David James , Orlov Nikolai L. , Orlova Valentina F.
Published: March 2017

Busack et al. (2016) concluded that the name Darevskia should be attributed to Arribas (1999) instead of Arribas (1997), rendering the latter name a junior synonym of Caucasilacerta Harris et al. (1998). In this paper, we provide a detailed answer to Busack et al. (2016) and argue that Arribas (1997) fulfilled the publication requirements of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) in place in 1997 and, therefore, Darevskia Arribas, 1997 is a valid name. In order to clarify this issue, a case has been submitted to the ICZN. To avoid unnecessary confusion in Old World Lacertid taxonomy, we recommend that until the commission rules on this case, Arribas (1997) should continue to be considered the authority of both Darevskia and Iberolacerta.
A study of voice production characteristics of astronuat speech during Apollo 11 for speaker modeling in space
Authors: Yu Chengzhu , Hansen John H. L.
Published: March 2017

Human physiology has evolved to accommodate environmental conditions, including temperature, pressure, and air chemistry unique to Earth. However, the environment in space varies significantly compared to that on Earth and, therefore, variability is expected in astronauts' speech production mechanism. In this study, the variations of astronaut voice characteristics during the NASA Apollo 11 mission are analyzed. Specifically, acoustical features such as fundamental frequency and phoneme formant structure that are closely related to the speech production system are studied. For a further understanding of astronauts' vocal tract spectrum variation in space, a maximum likelihood frequency warping based analysis is proposed to detect the vocal tract spectrum displacement during space conditions. The results from fundamental frequency, formant structure, as well as vocal spectrum displacement indicate that astronauts change their speech production mechanism when in space. Moreover, the experimental results for astronaut voice identification tasks indicate that current speaker recognition solutions are highly vulnerable to astronaut voice production variations in space conditions. Future recommendations from this study suggest that successful applications of speaker recognition during extended space missions require robust speaker modeling techniques that could effectively adapt to voice production variation caused by diverse space conditions.