bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Variation in Student Achievement and Behavior Within a Portfolio Management Model
Authors: McEachin Andrew J. , Welsh Richard Osbourne , Brewer Dominic James
Published: August 2016

A growing number of states experimented with alternative governance structures in response to pressure to raise student achievement. Post-Katrina experimentation in New Orleans was widely regarded as a model example of new governance reforms and provided a unique opportunity to learn about the variation in student achievement and behavior within and between school sectors and school types. Our results indicated many of the sector and school type combinations that produced higher math and English Language Arts achievement also positively impacted students’ behavior, suggesting that the achievement results were not merely driven by teaching to the test. Finally, our results suggested in a low-performing district, schools may benefit from the collaborative opportunities of belonging to a local school district or network of schools.
Three-Stage Least Squares Analysis of Postrehabilitation Pavement Performance
Authors: Sarwar M. Tawfiq , Anastasopoulos Panagiotis C.
Published: August 2016

Recent studies have provided improvements in the forecasting accuracy of pavement performance modeling, by statistically modeling pavement performance indicators as a system of seemingly unrelated regression equations (SURE). This approach accounts for cross-equation error correlation as a means to control for unobserved factors that lead pavements in poor condition to observe poor performance indicators. In the state of Indiana, the most common pavement performance indicators are the international roughness index (IRI), the rutting depth, and the pavement condition rating (PCR). Even though the first two indicators can be accurately measured, the PCR is based on engineers’ observations of the pavement surface. Therefore, it is possible that the PCR may be measured as a function of the observable IRI and rutting depth. This paper explores this possibility by estimating a three-stage least squares (3SLS) model of IRI, rutting depth, and PCR, using data collected between 1999 and 2011 in Indiana. All three pavement performance indicators are found to be affected by traffic characteristics, previous pavement condition, treatment and surface characteristics, drainage performance, and weather conditions. In addition, the PCR is found to also be significantly affected by the IRI and rutting depth measurements. The results of the 3SLS and SURE models are counterposed, with the 3SLS models providing significant improvements in the forecasting accuracy of the pavement performance. Therefore, pavement performance modeling with 3SLS has the potential to help roadway agencies cut costs through a more effective and efficient allocation of pavement management resources.
Prediction of Pavement Performance: Application of Support Vector Regression with Different Kernels
Authors: Ziari Hasan , Maghrebi Mojtaba , Ayoubinejad Jalal , Waller S. Travis
Published: August 2016

The pavement performance model is a basic part of the pavement management system. The prediction accuracy of the model depends on the number of effective variables and the type of mathematical method that is used for modeling the pavement performance. In this paper, the capability of the support vector machine (SVM) method is analyzed for predicting the future of the pavement condition. Five kernel types of SVM algorithm are formed and nine input variables of the proposed models are extracted from the range of effective variables on the pavement condition. The international roughness index is used as the pavement performance index. The results show that the Pearson VII Universal kernel can accurately predict pavement performance in its life cycle.
Pattern of Lipid Profile in Chronic Renal Failure Patient with GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 on Conservative Treatment Versus Maintenance Haemodialysis
Authors: Islam Md Daharul , Islam Mohammad Rafiqul , Rahman SM Tajdit , Akhter Khaleda , Tarannum Adiba , Uddin Khwaja Nazim
Published: August 2016

The incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasing worldwide and are associated with poor outcomes. It becomes apparent that the severity of CKD along with CVD severity in any population makes a devastated combination for both patients and healthcare system. Identification of CKD as a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is attributed to dyslipidemia, and therefore an expectation of effective intervention to diminish premature cardiovascular mortality and progression of renal disease to increase longevity is imperative, thus this study may explore the lipid profile in chronic renal failure patient; on conservative treatment and maintenance haemodailysis treatment. A cross sectional comparative study was carried out to find out the Pattern of lipid profile in chronic renal failure patient with GFR < 60 ml/min on conservative treatment versus maintenance haemodialysis admitted in a selected hospital of Dhaka city. Total 128 study population were selected according to selection criteria among which 62 subjects were on maintenance dialysis (designated as group A) and 66 subjects were on conservative treatment of CKD (designated as group B). On average cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride level were more in group B than group A. On the other hand, HDL level was more in group A than group B and it was statistically insignificant. At the same time average LDL/HDL ratio was higher in group B than group A. But all these differences were statistically insignificant. Among the group A patients average triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL level were higher in stage 4 CKD patients than stage 5 CKD patients. Average HDL level was higher in stage 5 CKD patients than stage 4 CKD patients. Among the group B patients average triglyceride and LDL level were higher in stage 4 CKD patients. But none of these two differences were statistically significant. On the other hand, average total cholesterol level was higher in stage 3 CKD patients and it was statistically significant(p<0.05). HDL level was higher in stage 5 patients. But this difference was not statistically significant. In group A LDL/HDL ratio was more in stage 4 CKD patients and it was statistically significant(p<0.05). Average LDL/HDL ratio was highest in stage 4 CKD patients in group B and it was statistically significant (p<0.05). Our study had showed that mean lipid profile is better in patients of CKD on dialysis than those on conservative treatment, but there is no statistical significance as sample size very small. A multicentric prospective study involving larger number of study population giving adequate statistical power is recommended for conclusive comment on the possible factors associated with dyslipidaemia in CKD patients.Bangladesh J Medicine Jul 2016; 27(2) : 55-61
Transplantation of Pro-Oligodendroblasts, Preconditioned by LPS-Stimulated Microglia, Promotes Recovery after Acute Contusive Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Lin Xiaojing , Zhao Tingbao , Walker Melissa , Ding Aishi , Lin Shide , Cao Yongcheng , Zheng Jinfeng , Liu Xiaohong , Geng Ming , Xu Xiao-Ming , Liu Shaojun
Published: August 2016

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant clinical challenge, and to date no effective treatment is available. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) transplantation has been a promising strategy for SCI repair. However, the poor posttransplantation survival and deficiency in differentiation into myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs) are two major challenges that limit the use of OPCs as donor cells. Here we report the generation of an OL lineage population [i.e., pro-oligodendroblasts (proOLs)] that is relatively more mature than OPCs for transplantation after SCI. We found that proOLs responded to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia conditioned medium (L+M) by preserving toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression, improving cell viability, and enhancing the expression of a myelinating OL marker myelin basic protein (MBP), compared to other OL lineage cells exposed to either LPS-stimulated (L+M) or nonstimulated microglia conditioned medium (L-M). When L+M-stimulated proOLs were intrathecally delivered through a lumbar puncture after a T10 thoracic contusive SCI, they promoted behavioral recovery, as assessed by the Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale, stride length, and slips on the grid tests. Histologically, transplantation of L+M proOLs caused a considerable increase in intralesional axon numbers and myelination, and less accumulation of invading macrophages when compared with the vehicle control or OPC transplantation. Thus, transplantation of proOLs, preconditioned by L+M, may offer a better therapeutic potential for SCI than OPCs since the former may have initiated the differentiation process toward OLs prior to transplantation.
Antifibrotic Effects of Human Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Established Biliary Fibrosis Induced in Rats
Authors: Sant'anna Luciana B. , Hage Raduan , Cardoso Maria Angélica G. , Arisawa Emilia A. L. , Cruz Maria Martin , Parolini Ornella , Cargnoni Anna , Sant'anna Nilson
Published: August 2016

Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components in the liver parenchyma that distorts the normal architecture and hepatic function. Progressive fibrosis could end in the advanced stage known as cirrhosis, resulting in the need to resort to liver transplantation. Amniotic membrane (AM) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic approach for chronic liver diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, antiscarring, and wound-healing effects. We have recently shown that AM can be used as a patch on the liver surface at the same time of fibrosis induction, resulting in significantly reduced progression and severity of biliary fibrosis. Here we investigated the effects of human AM on the established rat model of liver fibrosis, induced by the bile duct ligation (BDL). We also explored the effect of AM on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), the main profibrogenic factor in hepatic fibrosis, and the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Two weeks after BDL, the liver was covered with a fragment of AM or left untreated. Six weeks later, the fibrosis was first assessed by the semiquantitative Knodell and the METAVIR scoring systems and, thereafter, by CellProfiler digital image analysis to quantify the area occupied by collagen deposition, ductular reactions (DRs), activated myofibroblasts, and TGF-β1. The hepatic cytokines were determined by ELISA. AM-treated rats showed a significantly lower score compared to the control BDL rats (2.5 ± 0.9 vs. 3.5 ± 0.3, respectively; p < 0.05). The collagen deposition, DRs, number of activated myofibroblasts, and TGF-β1 were all reduced to about 50% of levels observed in untreated BDL rats. These findings suggest that AM, when applied as a patch onto the liver surface, is useful for treating well-established cholestatic fibrosis, and the mechanism was partly by means of downregulating the profibrotic factor TGF-β1 and IL-6.
Recent Advances in Whale-Watching Research: 2014–2015
Authors: Parsons E. C. M. , Scarpaci Carol
Published: August 2016

Whale-watching research encompasses a wide variety of disciplines and fields of study, including monitoring the biological impacts of whale-watching activities on cetaceans and assessments of the effectiveness of whale-watching management and regulations, to the sociological and economic
aspects of whale watching on communities hosting such activities. This article is the latest in a series of annual digests, which describes the variety and findings of whale-watching studies published over the past year, since June 2014.
Spatial analysis and identification of high risk plague regions in Pakistan based on associated rodent species distribution
Authors: Shabbir Madiha , Aleem Maha , Javed Sundus , Wagner David M , Keim Paul S , Eqani Syed Ali Musstjab Akbar Shah , Bokhari Habib
Published: August 2016

Plague, caused by Yersinia pestitis, is an infectious bacterial disease that has a high fatality rate if untreated. Rodents are plague reservoirs and play an important role in disease spread. Plague cases have been reported extensively since the second pandemic from the 14th century in countries sharing borders with Pakistan, such as China and India, as well as nearby countries including Russia and central Asia. Despite being centrally located in a plague-infested geographical zone, there has been no plague incidence reported from Pakistan. This study aims to pinpoint some of the potentially important aspects of the disease, which have to be considered when assessing potential risk associated with a plague outbreak in Pakistan. In this context, the occurrence and distribution of plague-associated rodent reservoirs in different regions of Pakistan in relation to those found in the neighboring countries were mapped. In addition, the climatic factors that may also influence disease spread by affecting the growth of the bacteria are also discussed. The combined epidemiological and ecological surveillance studies suggest a prevalence of several potential rodent carriers in certain districts with the possibility of a plague outbreak in Pakistan.
Are healthcare workers ready for Ebola? An assessment of their knowledge and attitude in a referral hospital in South India
Authors: Ahmad Akram , Khan Muhammad Umair , Jamshed Shazia Qasim , Kumar Bandari Deepak , Kumar Gogikar Sudhir , Reddy Puchchakayala Goverdhan , Ajmera Sudhakar
Published: August 2016

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic to be a public health emergency of international concern. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the highest risk of infection, as they may come into contact with patients’ blood or fluids. This study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitudes of HCWs towards EVD in India. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a multispecialty public sector referral hospital of Telangana, India. Knowledge and attitude of HCWs were evaluated using a pre-validated questionnaire. A sample of 278 participants was selected to participate in this study. The Chi-squared test was used to assess the relationship between attitudes and demographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used examine the association between knowledge and study variables. Results: Of 257 participants who responded (92.4% response rate), 157 (61.1%) were females. The majority of the respondents were physicians (n = 117, 45.5%). Radio and television were the major sources of information about EVD reported by participants (89%). Overall knowledge of HCWs was poor (mean knowledge score: 6.57 ± 2.57). Knowledge of physicians and experienced workers (≥ 10 years) was significantly higher than their respective groups. The overall attitude of the participants was positive (mean attitude score: 1.62 ± 0.57). Significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitude were observed. Conclusions: The findings indicate that participants lack basic understanding of EVD. We recommend future studies be conducted across India to identify and subsequently bridge the knowledge gaps among HCWs.
Ability of a Urine Assay of Type II Collagen Cleavage by Collagenases to Detect Early Onset and Progression of Articular Cartilage Degeneration: Results from a Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Poole A. Robin , Ha Nhuan , Bourdon Suzanne , Sayre Eric C. , Guermazi Ali , Cibere Jolanda
Published: August 2016

Objective.

To evaluate the association of a sandwich assay for cartilage collagenase-mediated degradation, the C2C human urine sandwich assay (IB-C2C-HUSA), with early and late knee cartilage pathology and with progression of cartilage damage.

Methods.

A population-based cohort with knee pain, age 40–79 years, was evaluated at baseline (n = 253) and after mean 3.3 years (n = 161). We evaluated the IB-C2C-HUSA and a related competitive inhibition assay (C2C). The C2C assay was applied to serum (sC2C) and urine (uC2C). Based on knee radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3 subgroups [no cartilage pathology, preradiographic cartilage pathology, and radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA)] were evaluated cross-sectionally for association with biomarker levels. Longitudinally, we evaluated whether baseline assays predict subsequent progression of cartilage degeneration, defined by MRI cartilage loss.

Results.

Cross-sectionally, statistically significant differences were seen in the 3 subgroups for IB-C2C-HUSA (p < 0.001), with the highest levels seen in ROA, and for sC2C (p = 0.023), while no differences were seen for uC2C (p = 0.501). Baseline IB-C2C-HUSA levels were higher in progressors vs nonprogressors (p = 0.003). In logistic regression analysis, only baseline IB-C2C-HUSA was associated with an increased risk of progression of cartilage damage (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.03–3.09).

Conclusion.

The IB-C2C-HUSA degradation assay detects the generation of a pathology-related cartilage collagen peptide(s) that increase(s) with onset of degeneration of knee articular cartilage. The baseline values are associated with progression of cartilage degeneration over 3 subsequent years. This assay may have value in clinical OA trials. Further, it points to collagenase activity as a therapeutic target for controlling degeneration of articular cartilage.
Health State Utilities and Disease Duration in Systemic Sclerosis: Is There an Association?
Authors: Raymakers Adam J.N. , Tsao Nicole W. , Marra Carlo A. , Clements Philip J. , Khanna Dinesh
Published: August 2016

Objective.

Health state utility values (HSUV) are used as weightings to calculate quality-adjusted life years in economic evaluations. Evidence suggests that patients’ perceptions of a new diagnosis for a chronic disease, while initially poor, may improve over time. The objective of this study was to examine the association between disease duration and direct HSUV scores in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods.

Our study included patients with SSc from a US SSc center. An interviewer administered direct HSUV techniques including the visual analog scale (VAS), time tradeoff (TTO), and standard gamble (SG). We calculated the Short Form 6D HSUV from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Additional clinical and demographic variables were collected.

Results.

The mean age of the SSc sample (n = 223) was 51 years (SD 16) with the majority being women (84%). Median disease duration was 5 years (interquartile range 1.5–9). Mean (SD) HSUV scores were 0.67 (0.19) for the VAS, 0.76 (0.28) for the TTO, 0.84 (0.22) for the SG, and 0.65 (0.13) for the SF-6D. In patients with early disease (defined as ≤ 2 yrs, n = 78), the mean HSUV values were 0.64 (VAS), 0.70 (TTO), 0.80 (SG), and 0.63 (SF-6D) versus for those with a longer disease duration: 0.69, 0.79, 0.87, and 0.67, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the SG measure showed a significant and positive association with disease duration measured as a continuous variable and using a threshold of 2 years (p = 0.047 and p = 0.023, respectively).

Conclusion.

Greater disease duration showed a positive association with a direct measure (SG) of utility elicitation after a period of 2 years.
Induction of Th1-Biased T Follicular Helper (Tfh) Cells in Lymphoid Tissues during Chronic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Defines Functionally Distinct Germinal Center Tfh Cells
Authors: Velu Vijayakumar , Mylvaganam Geetha Hanna , Gangadhara Sailaja , Hong Jung Joo , Iyer Smita S. , Gumber Sanjeev , Ibegbu Chris C. , Villinger Francois , Amara Rama Rao
Published: August 2016

Chronic HIV infection is associated with accumulation of germinal center (GC) T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in the lymphoid tissue. The GC Tfh cells can be heterogeneous based on the expression of chemokine receptors associated with T helper lineages, such as CXCR3 (Th1), CCR4 (Th2), and CCR6 (Th17). However, the heterogeneous nature of GC Tfh cells in the lymphoid tissue and its association with viral persistence and Ab production during chronic SIV/HIV infection are not known. To address this, we characterized the expression of CXCR3, CCR4, and CCR6 on GC Tfh cells in lymph nodes following SIVmac251 infection in rhesus macaques. In SIV-naive rhesus macaques, only a small fraction of GC Tfh cells expressed CXCR3, CCR4, and CCR6. However, during chronic SIV infection, the majority of GC Tfh cells expressed CXCR3, whereas the proportion of CCR4+ cells did not change, and CCR6+ cells decreased. CXCR3+, but not CXCR3−, GC Tfh cells produced IFN-γ (Th1 cytokine) and IL-21 (Tfh cytokine), whereas both subsets expressed CD40L following stimulation. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated an accumulation of CD4+IFN-γ+ T cells within the hyperplastic follicles during chronic SIV infection. CXCR3+ GC Tfh cells also expressed higher levels of ICOS, CCR5, and α4β7 and contained more copies of SIV DNA compared with CXCR3− GC Tfh cells. However, CXCR3+ and CXCR3− GC Tfh cells delivered help to B cells in vitro for production of IgG. These data demonstrate that chronic SIV infection promotes expansion of Th1-biased GC Tfh cells, which are phenotypically and functionally distinct from conventional GC Tfh cells and contribute to hypergammaglobulinemia and viral reservoirs.
Innate Invariant NKT Cell Recognition of HIV-1–Infected Dendritic Cells Is an Early Detection Mechanism Targeted by Viral Immune Evasion
Authors: Paquin-Proulx Dominic , Gibbs Anna , Bächle Susanna M. , Checa Antonio , Introini Andrea , Leeansyah Edwin , Wheelock Craig E. , Nixon Douglas F. , Broliden Kristina , Tjernlund Annelie , Moll Markus , Sandberg Johan K.
Published: August 2016

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are innate-like T cells that respond rapidly with a broad range of effector functions upon recognition of glycolipid Ags presented by CD1d. HIV-1 carries Nef- and Vpu-dependent mechanisms to interfere with CD1d surface expression, indirectly suggesting a role for iNKT cells in control of HIV-1 infection. In this study, we investigated whether iNKT cells can participate in the innate cell–mediated immune response to HIV-1. Infection of dendritic cells (DCs) with Nef- and Vpu-deficient HIV-1 induced upregulation of CD1d in a TLR7-dependent manner. Infection of DCs caused modulation of enzymes in the sphingolipid pathway and enhanced expression of the endogenous glucosylceramide Ag. Importantly, iNKT cells responded specifically to rare DCs productively infected with Nef- and Vpu-defective HIV-1. Transmitted founder viral isolates differed in their CD1d downregulation capacity, suggesting that diverse strains may be differentially successful in inhibiting this pathway. Furthermore, both iNKT cells and DCs expressing CD1d and HIV receptors resided in the female genital mucosa, a site where HIV-1 transmission occurs. Taken together, these findings suggest that innate iNKT cell sensing of HIV-1 infection in DCs is an early immune detection mechanism, which is independent of priming and adaptive recognition of viral Ag, and is actively targeted by Nef- and Vpu-dependent viral immune evasion mechanisms.
Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Histoplasmosis from a Colombian Hospital
Authors: Caceres Diego H. , Tobón Angela M. , Cleveland Angela Ahlquist , Scheel Christina M. , Berbesi Dedsy Y. , Ochoa Jesús , Restrepo Angela , Brandt Mary E. , Chiller Tom , Gómez Beatriz L.
Published: August 2016

Histoplasmosis is common among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PLWHA) in Latin America, but its diagnosis is difficult and often nonspecific. We conducted prospective screening for histoplasmosis among PLWHA with signs or symptoms suggesting progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH) and hospitalized in Hospital La María in Medellín, Colombia. The study's aim was to obtain a clinical and laboratory profile of PLWHA with PDH. During 3 years (May 2008 to August 2011), we identified 89 PLWHA hospitalized with symptoms suggestive of PDH, of whom 45 (51%) had histoplasmosis. We observed tuberculosis (TB) coinfection in a large proportion of patients with PDH (35%), so all analyses were performed adjusting for this coinfection and, alternatively, excluding histoplasmosis patients with TB. Results showed that the patients with PDH were more likely to have Karnofsky score ≤ 30 (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.97–4.06), liver compromised with hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly (PR = 1.77, CI = 1.03–3.06) and elevation in serum of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase to values > 40 mU/mL (PR = 2.06, CI = 1.09–3.88 and PR = 1.53, CI = 0.99–2.35, respectively). Using multiple correspondence analyses, we identified in patients with PDH a profile characterized by the presence of constitutional symptoms, namely weight loss and Karnofsky classification ≤ 30, gastrointestinal manifestations with alteration of liver enzymes and hepatosplenomegaly and/or splenomegaly, skin lesions, and hematological alterations. Study of the profiles is no substitute for laboratory diagnostics, but identifying clinical and laboratory indicators of PLWHA with PDH should allow development of strategies for reducing the time to diagnosis and thus mortality caused by Histoplasma capsulatum.
Visceral Leishmaniasis Control and Elimination: Is There a Role for Vaccines in Achieving Regional and Global Goals?
Authors: Mo Annie X. , Pesce John , Hall B. Fenton
Published: August 2016

In September 2015, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases organized a workshop to address the roles of vaccines in achieving regional and global goals for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) control and elimination, a critical step in determining desired product characteristics as well as research and development needs and opportunities. Although current regional programs and strategies are making progress to control and perhaps eliminate the disease in some endemic areas, such as India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, workshop participants concluded that vaccines would still be necessary to sustain elimination efforts and ultimately block and reduce transmission. In addition, vaccines would be valuable and even critical tools for other areas of the world, such as east Africa, where treatment options are more limited and control programs for VL are less effective. Because different disease foci present different epidemiological features, product characteristics should be carefully designed to reflect vaccines that either target common antigens for all forms of VL or are tailored to fit regional needs.
Short communication: Automated testing of accelerometer transverse
sensitivity with a flexure-based XY compliant stage
Authors: Li Tiemin , Du Yunsong , Ji Wei , Liu Zhihua , Cai Chenguang
Published: August 2016

Abstract. This paper presents the automated testing of accelerometer transverse sensitivity with a flexure-based compliant stage which can provide vibration on the XY plane. An experimental platform is set up, and the circular tracking error is first obtained to verify the feasibility of the stage. The transverse sensitivity of a three-axis piezoelectric accelerometer is subsequently tested, and it is below 3 %. The difference of the transverse sensitivity under various frequencies is 0.4 %, while the difference of measured direction angle is 2.49, which validates the accuracy of the proposed method.
Connectedness and disconnectedness to new and old media within different age groups
Authors: Jung Joo-Young
Published: August 2016

Guided by diffusion of innovation theory, this study compares patterns of connectedness and disconnectedness to the Internet and traditional media within and across select age groups (20–39, 40–59, and 60 or over) by conducting a randomly sampled survey in Tokyo, Japan. The oldest age group fell behind younger age groups not only in regards to ownership and access, but also the scope and intensity of Internet connectedness. Within age groups, disparities in Internet connectedness was found in the oldest age group, while disparities in connecting to television, newspapers and radio was found in the youngest and middle age groups. Mass media connectedness was found to have a negative relationship with PC Internet connectedness in the oldest age group. Implications for the evolution of media connectedness and disconnectedness across different generations are discussed.
Association of cytochrome P450 2A6 polymorphism, anxiety, and environmental factors with cigarette smoking by Thai adults
Authors: Buathong Napakkawat , Kalayasiri Rasmon , Chaliyavilaskul Pajaree , Phetnoi Khwanruan , Ratananupong Thanapoom
Published: August 2016

Background

The effects and associations of genetic variation, psychological, and environment factors associated with cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence remain largely unknown.

Objective

To determine the influence and association of functional genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6), anxiety, and environmental factors on cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand between October 2014 and June 2015. We recruited 127 Thai adult smokers when they visited for an annual physical check-up. Participants completed questionnaires regarding demographic characteristics, The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and The Thai Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Blood was collected for CYP2A6 genotyping to determine the enzyme metabolism level/group.

Results

Factors associated with significantly greater cigarette consumption were age and being ultrarapid/ extensive metabolizers (UM/EM). Anxiety and smoking by household family members were significantly associated with the degree of nicotine dependence. We observed associations between severe nicotine dependence and genotype (UM/EM) and age (b = 0.037; P = 0.005), intermediate metabolizers (IM) and age (b = 0.031; P = 0.43), UM/EM and anxiety (b = 0.258; P < 0.001), IM and anxiety (b = 0.285; P < 0.001), UM/EM and household smoking in the family members (b = 1.427; P = 0.003), and IM and smoking by household family members (b = 1.293; P = 0.024).

Conclusions

Information regarding the association between the gene encoding enzyme metabolism, anxiety, and their interactions may be beneficial for selecting treatment choices for smoking cessation for individual genotypic metabolizers.
Examining Capacity within the Local Food Economy: Lessons Learned from the Appalachian Region in Mississippi
Authors: Holland Joseph “Jody”
Published: August 2016

Recent federal funding has increased research and capacity building efforts that concentrate on developing sustainable local food systems. Drawing from capacity building approaches, I proposed a multi-level, multi-discipline project to promote economic development by examining the capacity of the local food system. The Appalachian Regional Commission funded the project. This article reports on the findings from this project. Using field notes, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups, I determined capacity deficiencies in the local food system in the Appalachian region in Mississippi. The findings suggest that local infrastructure is piecemealed, and the fragmentation in the system creates major coordination issues for policy implementation. Also, education and training are concerns, as well as public policy within the region. Although major capacity issues were exposed in the local food system, this exploratory research created an environment for solutions to emerge that may move the local food economy forward.
Oral Health in Appalachia: Regional, State, Sub-State, and National Comparisons
Authors: Krause Denise D. , Cossman Jeralynn S. , May Warren L.
Published: August 2016

This study compares oral health measures within Appalachia, Appalachian states, and the rest of the United States to determine which geographic areas experienced the poorest oral health. We aggregated oral health indicators from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to estimate prevalence of poor oral health indicators between Appalachian and non-Appalachian regions, as well as metropolitan and non-metropolitan differences within regions. Regional, state, sub-state, and national comparisons of oral health indicators and determinants of health are reported. Central and southern Appalachian regions (based on geographical description, not ARC designation) experienced poorer oral health than northern Appalachia. Mississippi and West Virginia scored especially low in oral health indicators. Oral health indicators were significantly worse in non-metropolitan areas of Appalachian states than in metropolitan areas, and all oral health measures were significantly worse in metropolitan areas of Appalachia than in metropolitan areas across the United States. However, Appalachian non-metropolitan residents were no more or less likely to have had a dental visit than non-metropolitan residents across the United States. It is important to emphasize that not all of Appalachia experiences poor oral health outcomes. While areas of Appalachia had some of the poorest oral health outcomes in the nation, other areas had better outcomes than poor rural areas in other states.
The Uses and Misuses of Appalachian Culture
Authors: Obermiller Phillip J. , Maloney Michael E.
Published: August 2016

The facile use of “Appalachian culture” in much thinking and writing does no service to the region or its people. This article offers a critique of static conceptions of Appalachian culture and argues for a more dynamic and flexible approach. After examining its own suppositions, this essay concludes that, in lieu of frequent allusions to “Appalachian culture,” more attention should be paid to the multiple heritages Appalachians enjoy and the contemporary identities they are creating.
A Synthetic Player for Ayὸ Board Game Using Alpha-Beta Search and Learning Vector Quantization
Authors: Ayilara Oluwatobi, A. , Ajayi Anuoluwapo, O. , Jimoh Kudirat, O.
Published: August 2016

Game playing especially, Ayὸ game has been an important topic of research in artificial intelligence and several machine learning approaches have been used, but the need to optimize computing resources is important to encourage significant interest of users. This study presents a synthetic player (Ayὸ) implemented using Alpha-beta search and Learning Vector Quantization network. The program for the board game was written in Java and MATLAB. Evaluation of the synthetic player was carried out in terms of the win percentage and game length. The synthetic player had a better efficiency compared to the traditional Alpha-beta search algorithm.
Flexibility of Iranian Teachers Teaching Methods and High School Students’ Gains
Authors: Mohammadi Mehdi , Ahmadipour Naeimeh , Kouhdasht Reza Norouzi , Bordbar Najmeh
Published: August 2016

The teaching skills are the key element for all teachers. The main objective of this descriptive study was to investigate the relationship between Flexibility of Iranian Teachers Teaching Methods and High school Students’ emotional, social and intellectual gains as a model. The study population included all Shiraz high schools teachers and their students. By stratified random sampling, 100 teachers and for each of them, 4 students were selected. Data instruments were flexible personal style questionnaires (Taggart & Hausladen, 1993) and students gains subscale of college student experiences questionnaire (Kuh & pace, 2002). After measurement of validity and reliability of instruments, they were distributed  among sample and data was collected. Data was analyzed by inferential statistical methods included Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. The results showed that: 1. There is a relationship between teachers’ intuitive and logical teaching style and student gains. 2. The intuitive teaching style of teachers is stronger predictor of student gains.
Checking the Relationship between Quality of Work Life and Employees Job Satisfaction of Education District 10 of Tehran
Authors: Najafifar Rogheyeh
Published: August 2016

Considering the fact that in all of the organization including education organization quality of work life today has found a special place, because this reason lack and vacuum of working life quality cause employees have not spirit that they should have to work, and this leads to job satisfaction and ultimately employee productivity reduce and working environment and career seem hollow. So in this research tried to assess the relationship between work life quality and job satisfaction in Education Organization of Tehran. This research was conducted in period is July and August 2015. The research method is descriptive and correlational and the study population included all employees in the Education Organization 10 District of Tehran. The total number is 100 people. That according to Cochran formula was calculated sample size of over 79 people. In this study, for the data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistical methods such as Kolmogorov - Smirnov correlation test was used. The study results showed that 8 independent variable of this research significantly have significant relationship with dependent variable job satisfaction.
The Influence of Optic and Polarographic Dissolved Oxygen Sensors Estimating the Volumetric Oxygen Mass Transfer Coefficient (KLa)
Authors: Baquero-Rodríguez Gustavo Andrés , Lara-Borrero Jaime A.
Published: August 2016

Aeration is usually the most energy intensive part of the wastewater treatment process. Optimizing the aeration system is essential for reducing energy costs. Field tests oriented to estimate parameters related to oxygen transfer are a common approach to compare aeration systems. The aim of this research is to assess the effect of dissolved oxygen probe lag on oxygen transfer parameter estimation. Experimental procedures regarding to process automation and control were applied to quantify dissolved oxygen probe lag. We have measured oxygen transfer in clean water, under a wide range of conditions (airflow rate, diffuser characteristics and diffuser density), with optic and polarographic sensors for dissolved oxygen measurement. The oxygen transfer was measured as per ASCE Standard procedures. Nonparametric statistical tests were used to compare the estimated volumetric mass transfer coefficient KLa with different sensors. According to the results, there is not significant influence of the probe lag (also known as time constant) or probe characteristics on the parameters used to assess oxygen transfer efficiency. This fact has great relevance in common practice of aerobic process for wastewater treatment because dissolved oxygen monitoring is used as an input for decision making related to the energy optimization in the aeration system. Findings from these tests contradict previous studies which claim that lag time in polarographic sensors for the dissolved oxygen measurement can bias estimate KLa.
AOAC INTERNATIONAL's Technical Division on Reference Materials (TDRM) Reference Materials Database
Authors: Zink Donna
Published: August 2016

The Technical Division on Reference Materials (TDRM) of AOAC INTERNATIONAL recommends policy and criteria to facilitate the development and use of reference materials (RMs) in the validation, implementation, and routine use of AOAC INTERNATIONAL methods. To aid analysts in these areas, TDRM has developed a searchable online database to identify RMs suitable for use with AOAC Official Methods of AnalysisSM (OMA). RMs can be queried by analyte, by analyte and matrix, or by the selection of an OMA, based on analytes and matrixes described within the scope of the selected method. Only essential information is included in the database, to maximize usefulness and minimize the effort required to keep information current. Additional information, such as measurement uncertainty and purchasing instructions, is available through a link to the producer's Web site, when that information is available online. Data sets are solicited on a voluntary basis from National Metrology Institutes and accredited producers. Consideration of ease-of-use and ease-of-operation is a guiding principle in this database, as is cost management.
Fabrication of crystalline Ge thin films by co-deposition of Au and Ge at low substrate temperatures (<200 °C) without post annealing
Authors: Sugiyama Takatoshi , Mishiba Naoya , Kamiko Masao , Kyuno Kentaro
Published: August 2016

Crystalline Ge thin films with (111) orientation are obtained by co-depositing Au and Ge on a substrate heated to ∼170 °C, with Au segregating at the film surface, which is desirable for selective etching. Although in the conventional metal-induced crystallization method using Au as a catalyst, a bilayer of Au and amorphous Ge layers have to be annealed for Ge to crystallize, the film in this study is already crystalline in the as-deposited state. The effective crystallization process implies the existence of a supercooled liquid alloy layer at the growth front.
Consideration in Using the LSCN in Sural Flap Sensory Reconstruction: An Anatomic Evaluation
Authors: Wang Fang , Li Lianxin , Zhou Dongsheng , Zhu Dongsheng , Li Wensheng
Published: August 2016

The distally based or the reverse pedicle sural flap (abbreviated as the sural flap) is widely used for the coverage of soft-tissue defects in the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Clinical studies have tended to confirm that almost all the cases receiving the sural nerve (SN) anastomosed to the recipient nerve had sensory reconstruction for the weight-bearing heel in past decades. However, these results were incompletely consistent with the published anatomic literature about the variations of the SN branches in the lower legs. We conducted a clinical anatomic study to clarify some ambiguous view points in the sensory reconstruction of sural flap. Thirty-two lower legs of Chinese cadavers were dissected, and the data about distribution and variations of the SN branches were collected. The medial sural cutaneous nerve (MSCN) and the peroneal communicating branch (PCB) had no sensory subbranches to the upper and middle posterolateral surface of the lower leg except that the PCB had sensory subbranches in one leg. The lateral sural cutaneous nerve (LSCN) ramified 1 to 8 sensory subbranches to above the area in 24 of 32 (75%) legs. The LSCN is the nerve of choice for sensory reconstruction of the sural flap, anatomically; at most, about two-thirds to three-fourths (65%–75%) of the sural flap could have the sensate reconstruction via anastomosis. In contrast, the PCB nerve offers a very low possibility of reinnervation. The MSCN cannot neurotize the sural flap, although protective sensation recovery may be obtained.
Expanding the genetic code of Escherichia coli with phosphotyrosine
Authors: Fan Chenguang , Ip Kevan , Söll Dieter
Published: August 2016

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important post‐translational modifications in nature. However, the site‐specific incorporation of O‐phosphotyrosine into proteins in vivo has not yet been reported. Endogenous phosphatases present in cells can dephosphorylate phosphotyrosine as a free amino acid or as a protein residue. Therefore, we deleted the genes of five phosphatases from the genome of Escherichia coli with the aim of stabilizing phosphotyrosine. Together with an engineered aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase (derived from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii tyrosyl‐tRNA synthetase) and an elongation factor Tu variant, we were able to cotranslationally incorporate O‐phosphotyrosine into the superfolder green fluorescent protein at a desired position in vivo. This system will facilitate future studies of tyrosine phosphorylation.
Open boundary conditions for tidally and subtidally forced circulation in a limited‐area coastal model using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS)
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Gan Jianping
Published: August 2016

In limited‐area ocean models, open boundary conditions (OBCs) often create dynamic inconsistencies and perform poorly in resolving tidal or subtidal flow when both forces exist. Orlanski‐type radiation OBCs are reasonably efficient at treating the subtidally forced flow, and Flather‐type OBCs are commonly adapted for the tidally forced flow. However, neither of them performs well when tidal and subtidal forces simultaneously drive the flows. We have developed a novel OBC that integrates the active OBC in Gan and Allen (2005) and a Flather‐type OBC. This new OBC accommodates the concurrent Tidal and Subtidal (TST) forcing, and the respective tidal or subtidal forcing, at the open boundary of a limited‐area model. This new TST‐OBC treats the tidal component with a Flather‐type OBC, and it separates subtidal barotropic and baroclinic components into local (forced) and global (unforced) components. Then an unforced Orlanski‐type OBC can be applied to the global part. We applied the TST‐OBC to all model variables to reduce dynamic inconsistence. Using the Regional Ocean Modeling System, we applied the TST‐OBC to the shallow East China Sea shelf where strong tidal and subtidal forces over complex topography govern the circulation. Our numerical experiments and analyses suggest that the TST‐OBC was robust for both concurrent tidal‐subtidal forcing and solely tidal or subtidal forcing at the open boundary. It reduced spurious energy reflection, and, overall, it performed better than an Orlanski‐type or Flather‐type OBC in reproducing realistic tidal and subtidal shelf circulation.
Critical Approaches to the Study of Emotions in English Language Teaching and Learning
Authors: Benesch Sarah
Published: August 2016

This entry discusses emotions in English language teaching and learning from a critical perspective, meaning that emotions are theorized as contextual, relational, and shifting. This is a departure from the dominant cognitive perspective, which theorizes emotions as innate, universal, monolithic, and tied to particular outcomes. The small but growing literature on emotions in critical applied linguistics is reviewed, with implications for future research.
One‐Pot Fabrication of a Novel Agar‐Polyacrylamide/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Double Network Hydrogel with High Mechanical Properties
Authors: Zhu Pang , Hu Meng , Deng Yonghong , Wang Chaoyang
Published: August 2016

A new kind of agar‐polyacrylamide/graphene oxide (agar‐PAM/GO) nanocomposite double network (DN) hydrogels is successfully synthesized using one‐pot method. The agar‐PAM/GO DN hydrogel consists of first agar network cross‐linked via hydrogen bond and second PAM network with GO severing as physically cross‐linking agent. The factors that influence the mechanical properties of agar‐PAM/GO DN gel is investigated. The DN hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties with fracture strain of 4 600% and fracture strength of 332 kPa. In addition, the DN hydrogel shows a good fatigue resistance and self‐healing ability.
Immobilization of Penicillin Acylase on Macroporous Adsorption Resin CLX1180 Carrier
Authors: Liu Donglei , Chen Zhenbin , Long Jiapeng , Zhao Yingyu , Du Xueyan
Published: August 2016

This work reported a novel immobilization method of penicillin acylase (PA) using nucleophilic substitution reaction between benzyl chloride on macroporous adsorption resin (MAR) and amino groups on PA. Nucleophilic substitution reaction of benzyl chloride was reported for the first time in enzyme immobilization. The work was conducted as follows: Firstly, an apolar MAR, LX1180, was chemically modified, that is, chloromethylated, to prepare benzyl chloride LX1180 (CLX1180). Then, CLX1180 was used as a support to immobilize PA through nucleophilic substitution. The influence of reaction conditions, such as immobilization time, temperature, pH, and the amount of PA, on the loading ratio and catalytic activity were investigated and optimized. Besides, this study indicated that the immobilization reaction was a diffusion‐controlled reaction. Finally, the structure of immobilized PA was characterized using FTIR, and the stability for catalyst activity was explored by investigating the reusability of the sample, and the result indicated that PA was immobilized on the surface of CLX1180 successfully and presented an excellent stability of catalyst activity. It proposed a simple and promising way to immobilize PA for enzyme catalysis.