bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Healthy Is Homeschool? An Analysis of Body Composition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Authors: Kabiri Laura S. , Mitchell Katy , Brewer Wayne , Ortiz Alexis
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Public school children regularly participate in school‐based physical activity, physical education, and fitness testing. However, almost 2 million American children are homeschooled. The purpose of this research was to assess the body composition of elementary school‐aged homeschool children and their corresponding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

METHODS

This research explored the body composition and CVD risk of 145 homeschool children aged 5–11 years using body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and waist circumference. Chi‐square and Mann‐Whitney U tests examined differences in CVD risk within the homeschool population.

RESULTS

Overall, homeschool children had average BMI z‐scores (SD [range]) with a mean of −0.11 (0.97 [−3.47 to 2.53]). Unhealthy classifications were seen in 11.2% of the sample by BMI, 19.6% by percent body fat, and 49.7% by waist circumference. Statistical analysis revealed no difference in CVD risk between sexes (χ2(1) = 0.062, p = .804) or ethnicities (χ2(1) = 0.927, p = .336) but increased prevalence in children aged 5–9 years (U = 1427, z = −4.559, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost half of elementary school‐aged homeschool children showed increased risk for CVD and need regular assessment of central adiposity.
Examining Predictors of Breakfast Skipping and Breakfast Program Use Among Secondary School Students in the COMPASS Study
Authors: Godin Katelyn M. , Patte Karen A. , Leatherdale Scott T.
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Many Canadian schools offer breakfast programs; however, students' engagement in these programs is low, while breakfast skipping is highly prevalent among youth. This study examined whether the availability of breakfast programs supports adolescents' regular breakfast eating, and identified characteristics of breakfast skippers who are not using these programs.

METHODS

Data from 30,771 secondary school students from Ontario and Alberta, Canada, participating in Year 3 (2014‐2015) of the COMPASS study were used for descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Participants were categorized by self‐reported breakfast eating and school breakfast program use.

RESULTS

Sixteen percent of participants reported using school breakfast programs. Breakfast skipping was highly prevalent among participants, regardless of their breakfast program use. Characteristics significantly associated with program use included traveling to school via public transit or a school bus, being a bullying victim, and having a high school connectedness score. A desire to lose weight and non‐involvement in school sports were significantly associated with being a “breakfast skipper/nonprogram user.”

CONCLUSIONS

School breakfast programs do not consistently support regular breakfast eating, even among adolescents actively engaged in these programs. Future research should identify and evaluate practices to bolster participation in breakfast programs and promote regular breakfast eating among adolescents.
Comparative analysis of microbial diversity and bacterial seedling disease‐suppressive activity in organic‐farmed and standardized commercial conventional soils for rice nursery cultivation
Authors: Takahashi Hideki , Matsushita Yuko , Ito Toyoaki , Nakai Yutaka , Nanzyo Masami , Kobayashi Takashi , Iwaishi Shinji , Hashimoto Tomoyoshi , Miyashita Shuhei , Morikawa Toshiyuki , Yoshida Shigenobu , Tsushima Seiya , Ando Sugihiro
Published: January 2018

The outbreak of rice plant diseases can be effectively suppressed in organic farming systems. However, the mechanisms of disease suppression by organic farming systems are not well understood. When Burkholderia‐infected rice seeds were sown and cultivated on nine organic‐farmed soils which were supplied by nine independent organic rice farmers or standardized commercial conventional soils, the emergence of bacterial seedling diseases was suppressed to equivalent degrees in nine organic‐farmed soils, whereas the diseases occurred in two commercial conventional soils. In any organic or commercial conventional soil sown with healthy rice seeds as a control, the diseases did not appear. Upon physicochemical analysis of the nine organic‐farmed soils, component common to these organic‐farmed soils seemed to not be directly associated with disease‐suppressive activity. However, microbiome analyses indicated that the bacterial population in these nine organic‐farmed soils was more diverse than those in commercial conventional soils. Intriguingly, the diverse bacterial population structures of organic‐farmed soils were preserved after irrigating and sowing rice seeds, but that of commercial conventional soils was clearly changed by them. Thus, organic‐farmed soils seem to maintain robust bacterial populations despite the irrigation and seedling growth. Indeed, pathogenic Burkholderia in infected rice seeds also did not proliferate in the seedling grown on organic‐farmed soils. Taken together, the common feature of organic‐farmed soils might be the correlation between bacterial seedling disease‐suppressive activity and higher robustness of the diversified microbiome.
Nutrient concentrations in the surface sediments of Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe: A shallow, hypereutrophic, subtropical artificial lake
Authors: Tendaupenyu P. , Magadza C. H. D.
Published: January 2018

A lake‐wide survey in Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe, was performed to (i) examine the spatial distribution of three sediment grain sizes; (ii) determine their nutrient concentrations; and (iii) analyse the relationships between the measured surface sediment variables in the three sediment grain sizes. The results of this study indicated sand, silt and mud sediments occupied about 24, 22 and 54%, respectively, of the lake area. All the measured physicochemical variables varied significantly among the three sediment grain sizes (P < 0.05, anova). High values for pH, dissolved oxygen and NO3 were observed in the sand sediments, while water depth, electrical conductivity, soluble reactive phosphorus, NH4, total phosphorus, total nitrogen and total organic carbon were observed in the mud sediments. In the silt sediments, most measured variables showed intermediate values. Intervariable correlation indicated varied correlation patterns among the three sediment grain sizes. Information generated in this study is essential for an accurate delineation of the spatial extent of nutrient and contaminant distribution in the sediment of Lake Chivero and will facilitate the ability of lake managers to derive a comprehensive nutrient budget of the lake as a means of establishing realistic target conditions for lake restoration.
Probing promise versus performance in longer read fungal metabarcoding
Authors: Kennedy Peter G. , Cline Lauren C. , Song Zewei
Published: January 2018

This article is a Commentary on Tedersoo et al., 217: 1370–1385.
Human activity reduces niche partitioning among three widespread mesocarnivores
Authors: Smith Justine A. , Thomas Austen C. , Levi Taal , Wang Yiwei , Wilmers Christopher C.
Published: January 2018

Anthropogenic disturbances can constrain the realized niche space of wildlife by inducing avoidance behaviors and altering community dynamics. Human activity might contribute to reduced partitioning of niche space by carnivores that consume similar resources, both by promoting tolerant species while also altering behavior of species (e.g. activity patterns). We investigated the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on habitat and dietary niche breadth and overlap among competing carnivores, and explored if altered resource partitioning could be explained by human‐induced activity shifts. To describe the diets of coyotes, bobcat, and gray foxes, we designed a citizen science program to collect carnivore scat samples in low‐ (‘wildland’) and high‐ (‘interface’) human‐use open space preserves, and obtained diet estimates using a DNA metabarcoding approach. Habitat use was determined at scat locations. We found that coyotes expanded habitat and dietary niche breadth in interface preserves, whereas bobcats and foxes narrowed both niche breadth measures. High human use was related to increased dietary niche overlap among all mesocarnivore pairs, increased coyote habitat overlap with bobcats and foxes, and a small reduction in habitat overlap between bobcats and foxes. The strongest increase in diet overlap was among coyotes and foxes, which was smaller in magnitude than their habitat overlap increase. Finally, coyote scats were more likely to contain nocturnal prey in interface preserves, whereas foxes appeared to reduce consumption of nocturnal prey. Our results suggest that dominant and generalist mesocarnivores may encroach on the niche space of subordinate mesocarnivores in areas with high human activity, and that patterns in resource use may be related to human‐induced activity shifts.
Patterns of size variation in bees at a continental scale: does Bergmann's rule apply?
Authors: Gérard Maxence , Vanderplanck Maryse , Franzen Markus , Kuhlmann Michael , Potts Simon G. , Rasmont Pierre , Schweiger Oliver , Michez Denis
Published: January 2018

Body size latitudinal clines have been widley explained by the Bergmann's rule in homeothermic vertebrates. However, there is no general consensus in poikilotherms organisms in particular in insects that represent the large majority of wildlife. Among them, bees are a highly diverse pollinators group with high economic and ecological value. Nevertheless, no comprehensive studies of species assemblages at a phylogenetically larger scale have been carried out even if they could identify the traits and the ecological conditions that generate different patterns of latitudinal size variation. We aimed to test Bergmann's rule for wild bees by assessing relationships between body size and latitude at continental and community levels. We tested our hypotheses for bees showing different life history traits (i.e. sociality and nesting behaviour). We used 142 008 distribution records of 615 bee species at 50 × 50 km (CGRS) grids across the West Palearctic. We then applied generalized least squares fitted linear model (GLS) to assess the relationship between latitude and mean body size of bees, taking into account spatial autocorrelation. For all bee species grouped, mean body size increased with higher latitudes, and so followed Bergmann's rule. However, considering bee genera separately, four genera were consistent with Bergmann's rule, while three showed a converse trend, and three showed no significant cline. All life history traits used here (i.e. solitary, social and parasitic behaviour; ground and stem nesting behaviour) displayed a Bergmann's cline. In general there is a main trend for larger bees in colder habitats, which is likely to be related to their thermoregulatory abilities and partial endothermy, even if a ‘season length effect’ (i.e. shorter foraging season) is a potential driver of the converse Bergmann's cline particularly in bumblebees.
Recent Excavation and Recording at the New Neolithic Rock Art Site of Vallée Aux Noirs, Buthiers (Seine‐et‐Marne, France)
Authors: Cassen Serge , Grimaud Valentin , Lescop Laurent , Petit Christophe , Robin Guillaume
Published: January 2018

Following the exceptional discovery of Neolithic engravings on a boulder at Vallée aux Noirs in the Fontainebleau forest, south of Paris, an excavation trench was opened in order to access the buried part of the decorated rock panel and explore the stratigraphic context of the artwork. A palaeosol was found two metres below the modern ground level, underneath multiple layers of sterile sandy soil forming a very compact sequence from which only one archaeological artefact was recovered – an Iron Age fibula (c.200–300 BC). Dating of the palaeosol was attempted through two different methods: AMS dates from charcoal suggest a significant span from the Early Bronze Age to the Iron Age, while two more consistent OSL dates point to formation of the palaeosol during the Late Neolithic (3500–3000 cal BC). The entire engraved rock surface (16 m2), including its buried part, was fully recorded. Four main semiotic groups were identified: a typical fifth‐millennium crook‐hafted axe with a ring, two boats with steering oars, and a central, very tall human figure dominating the composition from its 3.5‐metre height.
Patterns of ecological diversification in thelodonts
Authors: Ferrón Humberto G. , Martínez‐Pérez Carlos , Turner Susan , Manzanares Esther , Botella Héctor
Published: January 2018

Here we explore the spatial, temporal and phylogenetic patterns of ecological diversification for the entire clade of thelodonts, one of the earliest groups of vertebrates and longest lasting of the Palaeozoic agnathans in the fossil record. Parsimony and maximum‐likelihood methods are used to reconstruct ancestral states of their geographical distributions, habitats and lifestyles. Our results support the concept that thelodonts originated during the Middle?–Late Ordovician probably in marine open waters of Laurasia, with a demersal lifestyle on hard substrates being the ancestral condition for the whole clade. Later, thelodonts underwent a complex ecological diversification and palaeobiogeographical history, comparable in many aspects to those of some major groups of living fishes. Different modes of life evolved repeatedly and a wide range of habitats were colonized by distinct groups, including deep waters and brackish marine and/or freshwater environments. Diadromous strategies presumably appeared on nine different occasions. The palaeobiogeographical history of thelodonts reveals significant differences in the dispersal potential of some major groups. Dispersal of thelodontiforms entailed displacements over long distances and the crossing of deep‐water biogeographical barriers, whereas those of furcacaudiforms were always limited to areas interconnected by shallow platforms. We propose that the evolution of pelagic larval stages in thelodontiforms might explain this biogeographical pattern and could satisfactorily account for the greater evolutionary success of this group.
Pollen germination and in vivo fertilization in response to high‐temperature during flowering in hybrid and inbred rice
Authors: Shi Wanju , Li Xiang , Schmidt Ralf C. , Struik Paul C. , Yin Xinyou , Jagadish S.V. Krishna
Published: January 2018

High‐temperature during flowering in rice causes spikelet sterility and is a major threat to rice productivity in tropical and subtropical regions, where hybrid rice development is increasingly contributing to sustain food security. However, the sensitivity of hybrids to increasing temperature and physiological responses in terms of dynamic fertilization processes is unknown. To address these questions, several promising hybrids and inbreds were exposed to control temperature and high day‐time temperature (HDT) in Experiment 1, and hybrids having contrasting heat tolerance were selected for Experiment 2 for further physiological investigation under HDT and high‐night‐time‐temperature treatments. The day‐time temperature played a dominant role in determining spikelet fertility compared with the night‐time temperature. HDT significantly induced spikelet sterility in tested hybrids, and hybrids had higher heat susceptibility than the high‐yielding inbred varieties. Poor pollen germination was strongly associated with sterility under high‐temperature. Our novel observations capturing the series of dynamic fertilization processes demonstrated that pollen tubes not reaching the viable embryo sac was the major cause for spikelet sterility under heat exposure. Our findings highlight the urgent need to improve heat tolerance in hybrids and incorporating early‐morning flowering as a promising trait for mitigating HDT stress impact at flowering.
The next generation of melanocyte data: Genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional resource datasets and analysis tools
Authors: Loftus Stacie K.
Published: January 2018

The number of melanocyte‐ and melanoma‐derived next generation sequence genome‐scale datasets have rapidly expanded over the past several years. This resource guide provides a summary of publicly available sources of melanocyte cell derived whole genome, exome, mRNA and miRNA transcriptome, chromatin accessibility and epigenetic datasets. Also highlighted are bioinformatic resources and tools for visualization and data queries which allow researchers a genome‐scale view of the melanocyte.
Insufficient sleep syndrome: An unrecognized but important clinical entity
Authors: Kohyama Jun , Anzai Yuki , Ono Makoto , Kishino Ai , Tamanuki Keita , Takada Kazuma , Inoue Kento , Horiuchi Maho , Hatai Yoshiho
Published: January 2018

Background

A sleep clinic for adults and children was established in the Tokyo Bay Urayasu Ichikawa Medical Centre, in August 2012. Given that few sleep clinics are available in Japan specifically for children, this clinic provides the opportunity to provide data on child patients with sleep problems.

Methods

Records of patients who visited the sleep clinic at the Tokyo Bay Urayasu Ichikawa Medical Centre aged ≤20 years at the first visit were retrospectively examined, along with the initial and final diagnoses.

Results

Of 2,157 patients who visited the sleep clinic at Tokyo Bay Urayasu Ichikawa Medical Centre between August 2012 and March 2017, 181 were ≤20 years old. In these 181 patients, the most frequent final diagnosis was insufficient sleep syndrome (ISS),n= 56, followed by circadian rhythm sleep–wake disorder,n= 28; insomnia,n= 28; and sleep‐related movement disorder,n= 15.

Conclusions

Insufficient sleep produces various brain dysfunctions in both adults and children, and is associated with behavioral, cognitive and physical problems, as well as with atypical early development. Insufficient sleep has also been reported to cause obesity. Insufficient sleep‐induced obesity is often associated with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome. More effort is needed to ensure that children are receiving sufficient sleep.
A latent state‐trait analysis of interoceptive accuracy
Authors: Wittkamp Martin F. , Bertsch Katja , Vögele Claus , Schulz André
Published: January 2018

Interoceptive accuracy (IAc), that is, the ability to accurately perceive one's own bodily signals, is widely assumed to be a trait, although experimental manipulations such as stress may affect IAc. We used structural equation modeling to estimate the reliability of IAc, and the proportions of individual differences in IAc, explained by a trait and occasion‐specific effects of situation and person‐situation interactions. We assessed IAc in 59 healthy participants (40 women, MAge = 23.4 years) on three consecutive measurement occasions, approximately 1 week apart, in a rest and poststress condition, using a heartbeat counting and a heartbeat discrimination task. The results showed fair temporal stability (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥ 0.38) and good reliability (Mdn = .63; range .49–.83) for both methods. While around 40% of the variance of a single IAc measurement could be explained by a trait, approximately 27% was accounted for by occasion‐specific effects of situation and person‐situation interaction. These results suggest that IAc measures are relatively consistent and that situations and person‐situation interactions impact IAc as measured at a certain point in time. An aggregation across at least two measurements is recommended when using IAc as a trait variable.
Managing strategic intellectual property assets in the fuzzy front end of new product development process
Authors: Cho Yonghee , Kirkewoog Sema , Daim Tugrul U.
Published: January 2018

The strategic use of intellectual property (IP) is crucial for technology‐based companies to gain competitive advantage. The recent transformation of the US patent system brings new challenges and opportunities in this arena. In this regard, this study attempts to identify techniques which can help with IP evaluation and selection in the fuzzy front end (FFE) of new product development (NPD) process. This study combines data collection methods such as mining the literature, conducting in‐depth interviews, surveying questionnaires, and analyzing cases. This research serves as an analysis of modern literature and identifies a multicriteria weighted scoring model that can be employed to help with the patent decision process. The criterion to discern patent eligibility is a contended discussion. For this survey administration, 300 companies, as the targeted sample, were randomly selected to be reached from LexisNexis database. Consequently, this paper identifies the key decision criteria to incorporate into this model and obtains weights gathered from surveying IP professionals and R&D managers in US‐based electronics manufacturing firms (SIC code: 36). This study proposes a structured approach to identify ideas that should be patented in the FFE of NPD process by way of an analysis of pertaining literature and case studies. The technique we present in this paper could be essential for many firms to achieve IP success as their strategic means. Moreover, this tool can help R&D managers not only speed up the FFE of NPD process but also make more informed and target‐worthy decisions for IP filing.
Dynamic Economic Resilience and Economic Recovery from Disasters: A Quantitative Assessment
Authors: Xie Wei , Rose Adam , Li Shantong , He Jianwu , Li Ning , Ali Tariq
Published: January 2018

This article analyzes the role of dynamic economic resilience in relation to recovery from disasters in general and illustrates its potential to reduce disaster losses in a case study of the Wenchuan earthquake of 2008. We first offer operational definitions of the concept linked to policies to promote increased levels and speed of investment in repair and reconstruction to implement this resilience. We then develop a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model that incorporates major features of investment and traces the time‐path of the economy as it recovers with and without dynamic economic resilience. The results indicate that resilience strategies could have significantly reduced GDP losses from the Wenchuan earthquake by 47.4% during 2008–2011 by accelerating the pace of recovery and could have further reduced losses slightly by shortening the recovery by one year. The results can be generalized to conclude that shortening the recovery period is not nearly as effective as increasing reconstruction investment levels and steepening the time‐path of recovery. This is an important distinction that should be made in the typically vague and singular reference to increasing the speed of recovery in many definitions of dynamic resilience.
Latent Variable Modelling with Non-Ignorable Item Non-Response: Multigroup Response Propensity Models for Cross-National Analysis
Authors: Kuha Jouni , Katsikatsou Myrsini , Moustaki Irini
Published: January 2018

When missing data are produced by a non-ignorable non-response mechanism, analysis of the observed data should include a model for the probabilities of responding. We propose such models for non-response in survey questions which are treated as measures of latent constructs and analysed by using latent variable models. The non-response models that we describe include additional latent variables (latent response propensities) which determine the response probabilities. We argue that this model should be specified as flexibly as possible, and we propose models where the response propensity is a categorical variable (a latent response class). This can be combined with any latent variable model for the survey items, and an association between the latent variables measured by the items and the latent response propensities then implies a model with non-ignorable non-response. We consider in particular such models for the analysis of data from cross-national surveys, where the non-response model may also vary across the countries. The models are applied to data on welfare attitudes in 29 countries in the European Social Survey.
Change, Challenge, and Prospects for a Diversity Paradigm in Social Psychology
Authors: Jones James M. , Dovidio John F.
Published: January 2018

In the current work, we discuss how moving beyond the traditional emphasis in social psychology on differences in group memberships to diversity has both theoretical and practical benefits for the field and for policy. Specifically, we introduce a diversity paradigm that builds upon and complements traditional approaches to the study of prejudice and social identity by (1) incorporating multiple levels of analysis; (2) studying a range of different mechanisms that account for the separate and joint influences of factors operating at societal, group, and individuals levels; (3) including relations among multiple groups and recognizing the diversity that exists within diversity; and (4) examining both the potential benefits as well as the challenges of diversity. A diversity paradigm is important and timely because of rapidly changing technologies and shifts in demographics that increase encounters among members of diverse groups. We discuss several of the pressing questions and point to possible answers based on diversity principles and research. Questions such as “Why is accomplishing diversity objectives so challenging/difficult?”; “How is a focus on diversity different from a focus on prejudice and stereotyping?”; “Why is it important to have, promote and value diversity?”; and “What does/should approaches to diversity encompass?” In the final section, we identify possible paths forward in conceptualizing the paradigm and apply the work to the diversity challenges that lie ahead.
Health Disparities due to Diminished Return among Black Americans: Public Policy Solutions
Authors: Assari Shervin
Published: January 2018

There are persistent and pervasive disparities in the health of Black people compared to non‐Hispanic Whites in the United States. There are many reasons for this gap; this article explores the role of “Blacks’ diminished gain” as a mechanism behind racial health disparities. Diminished gain is a phenomenon wherein the health effects of certain socioeconomic resources and psychological assets are systematically smaller for Blacks compared to Whites. These patterns are robust, with similar findings across different resources, assets, outcomes, settings, cohorts, and age groups. However, the role of diminished gain as a main contributing mechanism to racial health disparities has been historically overlooked. This article reviews the research literature on diminished gain and discusses possible causes for it, such as the societal barriers created by structural racism. Policy solutions that may reduce Blacks’ diminished gain are discussed.
Weight Bias and Stigma: Public Health Implications and Structural Solutions
Authors: Pearl Rebecca L.
Published: January 2018

Weight bias is a widespread form of prejudice that leads to the stigmatization of individuals who are perceived to have excess weight. Several psychological theories have been used to explain weight bias and to understand its negative impact on the mental and physical health of individuals with overweight and obesity. Top‐down approaches are needed to reduce weight stigma and its adverse health consequences at the population‐level. Potential targets for stigma‐reduction policies include weight‐based discrimination in the workplace, bullying and discrimination in educational settings, stigma in health care, and stereotypical media portrayals. These proposed policies have strong support from the public and stakeholders and, with further implementation and evaluation, may serve as promising structural interventions for addressing societal weight stigma.
Interventions to Reduce Blatant and Subtle Sexual Orientation‐ and Gender Identity Prejudice (SOGIP): Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Authors: Cramwinckel Florien M. , Scheepers Daan T. , van der Toorn Jojanneke
Published: January 2018

Given its prevalence and impact, it is important that prejudice against sexual‐and gender identity minorities is reduced and that negative behaviors against these minorities are prevented. We introduce and provide a definition of the term Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Prejudice (SOGIP), and discuss its determinants and configurations as well as ways to measure it. Furthermore, we review the recent social psychological literature on SOGIP‐reducing interventions, identify scientific knowledge gaps regarding these interventions, and offer recommendations on how to apply the available knowledge to real‐life situations. We conclude that there are many interventions currently being employed to target SOGIP with some seeming more effective than others. Particularly promising interventions are those aimed at evoking empathy and perspective taking and those aimed at developing alliances between minority and majority members. However, there is still room for improvement. Overall, little empirical evidence speaks to the robustness of intervention effects, its underlying mechanisms, duration, and boundary conditions. Researchers should focus on all aspects of SOGIP (i.e., sexual orientation prejudice as well as gender identity prejudice); different expressions of prejudice (i.e., blatant and subtle), actual behavior towards minorities, and on both perpetrators and targets of prejudice. By joining forces, researchers and practitioners should aim to overcome practical and theoretical obstacles in evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Policy makers should support initiatives that test, improve, implement and distribute intervention programs, and can help bring together researchers and practitioners.
Time‐dependent distinct roles of Toll‐like receptor 4 in a house dust mite‐induced asthma mouse model
Authors: Ishii T. , Niikura Y. , Kurata K. , Muroi M. , Tanamoto K. , Nagase T. , Sakaguchi M. , Yamashita N.
Published: January 2018

House dust mites (HDMs) are a common source of allergens that trigger both allergen‐specific and innate immune responses in humans. Here, we examined the effect of allergen concentration and the involvement of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the process of sensitization to house dust mite allergens in an HDM extract‐induced asthma mouse model.　Intranasal administration of HDM extract induced an immunoglobulin E response and eosinophilic inflammation in a dose‐dependent manner from 2.5 to 30 μg/dose. In TLR4‐knockout mice, the infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils into the lung was decreased compared with that in wild‐type mice in the early phase of inflammation (total of three doses). However, in the late phase of inflammation (total of seven doses), eosinophil infiltration was significantly greater in TLR4‐knockout mice than in wild‐type mice. This suggests that the roles of TLR4 signaling are different between the early phase and the later phase of HDM allergen‐induced inflammation. Thus, innate immune response through TLR4 regulated the response to HDM allergens, and the regulation was altered during the phase of inflammation.
Learning for oneself: A Confucian‐inspired case for moral formation in ethics pedagogy
Authors: Duperon Matthew
Published: January 2018

This article explores the disconnection between ethical theory and ethical practice in ethics courses at secular U.S. colleges and universities. In such contexts academic ethics focuses almost exclusively on “ethical reasoning” and leaves the business of practical moral formation of students in the realm of “student life.” I argue this disconnection is inevitable given the dominant understanding that moral formation must be guided by a consistent ethical theory, and must eventuate in certain prosocial behaviors, while norms of pluralism and free inquiry mandate that academic courses not attempt to dictate certain views or behaviors as normative. Drawing on the Confucian model of moral cultivation expressed by the early Chinese figure Mengzi, I argue for a different understanding of moral formation that focuses on open‐endedness, self‐direction, and the acquisition of skills in directing attention and will. This approach avoids the most serious challenges to practical moral formation in secular contexts, and I suggest some broadly applicable principles for implementing these ideas in ethics courses.
Lost in the great divide: Motivation in religious studies classrooms
Authors: Gravett Emily O.
Published: January 2018

One of the most illuminating finds in Barbara E. Walvoord's Teaching and Learning in College Introductory Religion Courses (2008) is what she calls “the great divide,” a mismatch between instructors’ goals for their courses, which are academic, and the students’ reasons for taking them, which relate to their personal interests and development. Motivation – or, rather, the lack thereof – is not explicitly considered as a potential victim of this mismatch. This article will turn its attention squarely to this issue. First, I will review data about the “great divide” and link them to the common practice of asking our students to bracket the personal when they take our courses. The article will juxtapose this practice with what research tell us about motivation, which will allow us to further explore why the divide Walvoord and others have identified is so problematic. The article will conclude with pedagogical strategies that can help instructors intentionally influence motivation in religion courses. Ultimately, I suggest that we may be doing students – as well as ourselves, as the purveyors of our discipline – a disservice, if we do not attend to (or, worse, if we actively avoid) what we know motivates students to learn.
Decentered online Bible instruction: How active learning enhances the study of Scripture
Authors: Troftgruben Troy M.
Published: January 2018

The field of biblical studies lends itself well to decentered online learning – a kind that uses active learning to engage primary texts and their interpretations. Not only does such an approach work well in online and hybrid formats, it more readily welcomes readings that are more contextual, constructive, and collaborative. Three aspects best characterize a decentered approach to active learning online: an orientation toward primary texts, collaborative inquiry, and enhanced learner initiative. This essay describes the significance of each in turn, along with naming some best practices. I argue that this approach not only shifts focus toward learners and the learning environment, it works particularly well for teaching Bible courses online and in hybrid formats where interpretation of primary sources is the fundamental goal.
Immunization in end stage renal disease: The perception of waiting list patients
Authors: Camargo Leonardo Figueiredo , Lother Alessandra Martins , Mazzali Marilda , Stucchi Raquel S. B.
Published: January 2018

Background

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease is increasing worldwide, as well as the number of patients in kidney transplant waiting lists. In order to prevent infections related to immunosuppressive therapy, immunization guidelines for CKD patients before transplantation have been proposed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate adherence to immunization in a cohort of CKD patients in transplant waiting list and their renal replacement therapy clinics.

Methods

CKD patients older than 18 years old, receiving renal replacement therapy longer than 12 months and included in kidney transplant waiting list at University of Campinas (Unicamp) were enrolled.

Results

From February 2014 to December 2015, 105 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Complete hepatitis B vaccination was observed in 73% and influenza vaccine in 67%. None of the other vaccine protocols reached 50% of coverage. Patients receiving immunization at primary health units presented higher coverage for diphtheria, tetanus (dT), measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and hepatitis B vaccines, while patients immunized at renal replacement therapy clinics showed higher prevalence of pneumococcus (pneumo23).

Conclusion

The low rates of immunization could reflect the RRT's clinics knowledge about the vaccines guidelines and its application on daily care. We suggest an integration between transplant center and RRT clinics, through lectures, periodic checking of vaccination cards, and easy to follow guidelines in order to provide a better vaccine coverage and to obtain higher immunization rates.
Economic integration across Latin America: Evidence from labour markets, 1990–2013
Authors: Lederman Daniel , Robertson Raymond
Published: January 2018

Combining macroeconomic and microeconomic data and three indicators of international market integration, this paper assesses the degree to which Latin American labour markets are integrated. The results suggest that relative to East Asia, Latin American labour markets are somewhat more integrated, but considerable differences across countries persist. In addition, the evidence indicates that the degree of labour market integration across Latin American borders is significantly less than that of labour markets within the United States in two of the three indicators. These differences may suggest opportunities for efficiency gains from further labour market integration.
Endotracheal tube placement during computed tomography of brachycephalic dogs alters upper airway dimensional measurements
Authors: Liu Nai‐Chieh , Troconis Eileen L. , McMillan Matthew , Genain Marie‐Aude , Kalmar Lajos , Price David J. , Sargan David R. , Ladlow Jane F.
Published: January 2018

Computed tomography (CT) is used to document upper airway lesions in dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. The presence of an endotracheal tube during CT scanning is often required for general anesthesia. We hypothesized that the endotracheal tube placement would change the soft tissue dimensions of the upper airway. The aims of this prospective, method comparison study were to evaluate the reliability of the previously reported upper airway CT measurements with endotracheal tube placement, and to propose measurements that are minimally affected by the endotracheal tube. Twenty brachycephalic dogs were included in this study. Each dog underwent head/neck CT with an endotracheal tube, followed by a second scan without the endotracheal tube. Ten measurements of the soft palate, nasopharynx, and trachea were performed. Tracheal dimension was significantly larger with the endotracheal tube compared to without, whereas the soft palate cross‐sectional area was significantly smaller with the endotracheal tube than without the endotracheal tube. The influence of the endotracheal tube on the caudal nasopharynx cross‐sectional (transverse‐sectional) area varied with a mean proportional absolute difference of 35%. Rostral soft palate thickness, tracheal perimeter, and cross‐sectional area of the rostral nasopharynx were the measurements least affected by the endotracheal tube (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.964, 0.967, and 0.951, respectively). Therefore, we proposed that these three measurements may be most useful for future brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome studies that require CT scanning of intubated animals. However, with endotracheal tube placement, measurements of soft palate length, caudal nasopharyngeal cross‐sectional area, and trachea height and width may not be reliable.
Frictional Study of the Soft and Hard Solid Interface Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Thakre Avinash A. , Singh Arun K.
Published: January 2018

The present study includes the investigation on the frictional dynamics of hard and soft solid interface using low velocity linear tribometer. The effects of gelatin concentration, nanoparticles concentration, normal stress, and sliding velocity on the static and dynamic frictional shear stresses acting on the sliding gel block are studied using response surface methodology (RSM). The shear sliding experiments are conducted in steady sliding regime, well above the critical velocity. L31 orthogonal array consisting of five levels for each factor is selected for the experimentation and second-order quadratic model has been generated for both the responses. The mathematic models are validated with the available trends mentioned in the literature.
Backpack Weight and the Scaling of the Human Frame – II
Authors: O’Shea Michael J.
Published: January 2018

The backpack weight a hiker is capable of carrying depends on several factors. These include the hiker’s weight, body mass index (BMI), fitness, and training. It can also depend on the terrain on which the hiker travels, e.g., off-trail or on-trail. However, online advice has tended to focus on the hiker’s weight and suggests that pack weight should be a certain percentage of the hiker’s weight. We developed a model of how the ability of a hiker to carry a backpack depends on the weight of the hiker. Modeling such real-life situations helps grab the attention of students in introductory physics. We have expanded on our earlier idea and present a more sophisticated model of an adult backpacker. In particular, we generalize our model for scaling of the human frame, and investigate how the ability to carry a backpack (within our model) varies with the form of scaling used.
The Indeterminate Case of Classical Static Friction When Coupled with Tension
Authors: Hahn Kenneth D. , Russell Jacob M.
Published: January 2018

It has been noted that the static friction force poses challenges for students and, at times, even their instructors. Unlike the gravitational force, which has a precise and unambiguous magnitude (FG = mg), the magnitude and direction of the static friction force depend on other forces at play. Friction can be understood rather well in terms of complicated atomic-scale interactions between surfaces. Ringlein and Robbins survey aspects of the atomic origins of friction, and Folkerts explores factors that affect the value of static friction. However, what students typically encounter in an introductory course ignores the atomic origins of friction (beyond perhaps a brief overview of the atomic model). The rules of dry friction (i.e., non-lubricated surfaces in contact) taught in introductory physics were originally published in 1699 by Guillaume Amontons. Amontons’s first law states that the force of friction is directly proportional to the applied load, i.e., f = μFN, where FN is the normal force and μ is the coefficient of friction. His second law states that the force of friction is independent of the macroscopic area of contact. These laws were verified by Coulomb in 1781.
Reflective Writing for a Better Understanding of Scientific Concepts in High School
Authors: El-Helou Joseph , Kalman Calvin S.
Published: January 2018

Science teachers can always benefit from efficient tools that help students to engage with the subject and understand it better without significantly adding to the teacher’s workload nor requiring too much of class time to manage. Reflective writing is such a low-impact, high-return tool. What follows is an introduction to reflective writing, and more on its usefulness for teachers is given in the last part of this article.
Simple Examples of the Interpretation of Changes in Kinetic and Potential Energy Under Galilean Transformations
Authors: Ginsberg Edw. S.
Published: January 2018

The compatibility of the Newtonian formulation of mechanical energy and the transformation equations of Galilean relativity is demonstrated for three simple examples of motion treated in most introductory physics courses (free fall, a frictionless inclined plane, and a mass/spring system). Only elementary concepts and mathematics, accessible to students at that level, are used. Emphasis is on pedagogy and concepts related to the transformation properties of potential energy.
Science at Home: Measuring a Thermophysical Property of Water with a Microwave Oven
Authors: Levine Zachary H.
Published: January 2018

An attempt to calibrate a conventional oven led to making a measurement of a thermophysical property of water using items found in the author’s home. Specifically, the ratio of the energy required to heat water from the melting point to boiling to the energy required to completely boil away the water is found to be 5.7. This may be compared to the standard value of 5.5. The close agreement is not representative of the actual uncertainties in this simple experiment (Fig. 1). Heating water in a microwave oven can let a student apply the techniques of quantitative science based on questions generated by his or her scientific curiosity.
Evaluation of speech improvement following obturator prostheses for patients with palatal defect
Authors: Wu Shuyi , Huang Xiaoqiong , Wang Junjie , Hong Nanrui , Li Yan
Published: January 2018

Palatal defect is a common maxillofacial defect after maxillectomy that can be repaired by obturator prostheses, which can effectively improve patients' speech. However, comprehensive evaluation methods for speech recovery are still controversial and remain undefined. A prospective cohort study on 34 patients with palatal defect and 34 healthy controls was performed. Patients received obturator prostheses and their speech was recorded without and then with obturators. Participants pronounced six Chinese vowels and 100 syllables for recording. This paper evaluated the recovery of speech function of patients through the combination of subjective and objective assessment methods. Recruited listeners evaluated the speech intelligibility (SI) of 100 syllables. Vowel formant frequency and quantified vowel nasalization were measured using analysis software. The SI of patients improved significantly after wearing obturators. F2 values of six vowels in patients with obturators were higher than patients without obturators and close to the corresponding values in normal controls. The differences in F2 of /i/ and /u/, (A1-P1) of /i/ and /u/ for patients without and with obturator use were significant. Patients' ability to control the pronunciation of /i/ and /u/ improved greatly with obturators. These provide clinical evidence of the treatment outcomes in patients with palatal defect who received obturators.
How to defeat a nerve agent
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: January 2018

Urgent efforts are underway to find better countermeasures to the potent chemical weapons.
S1P-dependent interorgan trafficking of group 2 innate lymphoid cells supports host defense
Authors: Huang Yuefeng , Mao Kairui , Chen Xi , Sun Ming-an , Kawabe Takeshi , Li Weizhe , Usher Nicholas , Zhu Jinfang , Urban Joseph F. , Paul William E. , Germain Ronald N.
Published: January 2018

Inflammatory ILC2s are itinerant sentinels

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a population of immune cells that play important roles in tissue homeostasis and barrier immunity to helminths. Recent work has suggested that ILC2s are primarily long-term residents of tissues that do not readily recirculate. Huanget al.now demonstrate, however, that these findings do not necessarily hold true for the interleukin-25 (IL-25)–responsive KLRG1hi“inflammatory” ILC2 (iILC2) subset (see the Perspective by Mjösberg and Rao). In response to exogenous IL-25 or helminth infection, iILC2 precursors in the small intestinal lamina propria proliferate and alter their expression of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors. They then traffic to both lymphatic and nonlymphatic organs in a partly S1P-dependent manner, participating in vital anti-helminth and tissue repair responses.

Science, this issue p.114; see also p.36