bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-378 suppressed osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells and impaired bone formation via inactivating Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Feng Lu , Zhang Jin-fang , Shi Liu , Yang Zheng-meng , Wu Tian-yi , Wang Hai-xing , Lin Wei-ping , Lu Ying-fei , Lo Jessica Hiu Tung , Zhu Da-hai , Li Gang
Published: July 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to serve as silencers to repress gene expression at post-transcriptional level. Multiple miRNAs have been demonstrated to play important roles in osteogenesis. MiR-378, a conserved miRNA, was reported to mediate bone metabolism and influence bone development, but the detailed function and underlying mechanism remain obscure. In this study, the miR-378 transgenic (TG) mouse was developed to study the role of miR-378 in osteogenic differentiation as well as bone formation. The abnormal bone tissues and impaired bone quality were displayed in the miR-378 TG mice, and a delayed healing effect was observed during bone fracture of the miR-378 TG mice. The osteogenic differentiation of MSCs derived from this TG mouse was also inhibited. We also found that miR-378 mimics suppressed while anti-miR-378 promoted osteogenesis of human MSCs. Two Wnt family members Wnt6 and Wnt10a were identified as bona fide targets of miR-378, and their expression were decreased by this miRNA, which eventually induced the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Finally, the sh-miR-378 modified MSCs were locally injected into the fracture sites in an established mouse fracture model. The results indicated that miR-378 inhibitor therapy could promote bone formation and stimulate healing process in vivo. In conclude, miR-378 suppressed osteogenesis and bone formation via inactivating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, suggesting miR-378 may be a potential therapeutic target for bone diseases.
JBrowse Connect: A server API to connect JBrowse instances and users
Authors: Yao Eric , Buels Robert , Sen Taner Z. , Stein Lincoln , Holmes Ian
Published: July 2019

We describe JBrowse Connect, an optional expansion to JBrowse that allows live messaging via WebSockets, notifications for new annotation tracks, heavy-duty analyses initiated by the user from within the browser, and other dynamic features. We present JBlast, an example application of JBrowse Connect that allows users to specify and execute BLAST searches, managed by a Galaxy instance, as well as tracking job progress and viewing results, all in the context of the browser.
The structural quality of maternal health services in primary health care facilities in Tanzania: Findings from a baseline study
Authors: Kapologwe Ntuli A. , Kalolo Albino , Isanzu Naomi H. , Borghi Josephine , Kibusi Stephen M.
Published: July 2019

Background

Structural quality of maternal health services remains a key indicator of highly performing health care system. Evidence attest to the fact that introduction of the new interventions in the health care system does not necessarily lead into improvement of the target outcome, such as quality of health services delivered. This study aimed at assessing the structural quality of maternal health services prior to introduction of Direct Health Facility Financing (DHFF) program.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in 42 public primary health facilities between January and mid February 2018. Observational were used to collect the data from health facilities. The collected information was on privacy, hygiene and sanitation, obstetric emergences, sterilization, maternal death audit reviews and waste management. Collected data were analyzed by using SPSS.

Results

All 42 (100%) primary health facilities that were assessed were public primary health facilities, of which 14 (33.3%) were health centers and 28 were dispensaries. The furthest primary health facilities from the district head office were 140 Kms and the nearest 2 Kms. Focusing on; - privacy, hygiene and sanitation, obstetric emergences, sterilization, maternal death audit reviews and waste management assessed eight areas of Structural qualities. Majority (68.9%) of Health Centers has less than 39 skilled staff while some of them they have up to 129 health service providers and majority (92.8%) of Dispensaries have less than 15 staff and some have 1 staff.

By comparing Dispensary and Health center performances on structural quality indicated relatively low differences among the attributes assessed. Specifically, they did not show statistical significant differences except for obstetric emergencies (p < .005), sterilization (p=. 034) and overall structural quality (p=. 018). With regard to rural-urban performance on structural quality, there was no statistical significant difference on total performance. Similarly, there was no significant differences between rural and urban health facilities on other assessed attributes of structural quality (p >.05) except for sterilization in which urban facilities performed significantly higher than the rural facilities [M=41.2, SD=27.7, 61.3, SD=28.4, respectively (p= .028)]. On the other hand, marginal differences were observed on individual assessed attributes. For examples, rural facilities performed relatively higher than urban ones on privacy (41.2 and 32.0), maternal death reviews (31.4 and 30.7) and waste management (49.0 and 47.3) respectively.

Conclusion

Generally facilities performed low on the structural quality indicators of maternal health services provision however; they had high performance on sterilization and emergence obstetric care.
Virtual screening identifies novel high-affinity σ1 receptor ligands
Authors: Greenfield Daniel A. , Schmidt Hayden R. , Sliz Piotr , Kruse Andrew C.
Published: July 2019

The σ1 receptor is a transmembrane protein implicated in several pathophysiological conditions, including neurodegenerative disease1, drug addiction2, cancer3, and pain4. However, there are no high-throughput functional assays for σ1 receptor drug discovery. Here, we assessed high-throughput structure-based computational docking for discovery of novel ligands of the σ1 receptor. We screened a library of over 6 million compounds using the Schrödinger Glide package, followed by experimental characterization of top-scoring candidates. 77% of tested candidates bound σ1 with high affinity (10-550 nM). These include compounds with high selectivity for the σ1 receptor compared to the genetically unrelated but pharmacologically similar σ2 receptor, as well as compounds with substantial cross-reactivity between the two receptors. These results establish structure-based virtual screening as a highly effective platform for σ1 receptor ligand discovery.
Aging Skeletal Muscle Proteomics Finds Changes in Spliceosome, Immune factors, Proteostasis and Mitochondria
Authors: Ubaida-Mohien Ceereena , Lyashkov Alexey , Gonzalez-Freire Marta , Tharakan Ravi , Shardell Michelle , Moaddel Ruin , Semba Richard D. , Chia Chee W. , Gorospe Myriam , Sen Ranjan , Ferrucci Luigi
Published: July 2019

A progressive decline of skeletal muscle strength with aging is a primary cause of mobility loss and frailty in older persons, but the molecular mechanisms of such decline are not fully understood. Here, using quantitative discovery proteomic data from skeletal muscle specimens collected from 58 healthy persons aged 20 to 87 years show that ribosomal proteins and proteins related to energetic metabolism, including those related to the TCA cycle, mitochondria respiration, and glycolysis were underrepresented in older persons. Proteins with important roles in innate and adaptive immunity, involved in proteostasis and regulation of alternative splicing were all overrepresented in muscle from older persons. Changes with aging of alternative splicing were confirmed by RNA-seq. Overall, older muscle has a profound deficit of energetic metabolism, a pro-inflammatory environment and increased proteostasis. Upregulation of the splicing machinery maybe an attempt to compensate for these changes and this could be tested in future studies.
A novel method for merging academic social network ontologies using formal concept analysis and hybrid semantic similarity measure
Authors: Priya M. , Ch. Aswani Kumar
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to merge the ontologies that remove the redundancy and improve the storage efficiency. The count of ontologies developed in the past few eras is noticeably very high. With the availability of these ontologies, the needed information can be smoothly attained, but the presence of comparably varied ontologies nurtures the dispute of rework and merging of data. The assessment of the existing ontologies exposes the existence of the superfluous information; hence, ontology merging is the only solution. The existing ontology merging methods focus only on highly relevant classes and instances, whereas somewhat relevant classes and instances have been simply dropped. Those somewhat relevant classes and instances may also be useful or relevant to the given domain. In this paper, we propose a new method called hybrid semantic similarity measure (HSSM)-based ontology merging using formal concept analysis (FCA) and semantic similarity measure.

Design/methodology/approach

The HSSM categorizes the relevancy into three classes, namely highly relevant, moderate relevant and least relevant classes and instances. To achieve high efficiency in merging, HSSM performs both FCA part and the semantic similarity part.

Findings

The experimental results proved that the HSSM produced better results compared with existing algorithms in terms of similarity distance and time. An inconsistency check can also be done for the dissimilar classes and instances within an ontology. The output ontology will have set of highly relevant and moderate classes and instances as well as few least relevant classes and instances that will eventually lead to exhaustive ontology for the particular domain.

Practical implications

In this paper, a HSSM method is proposed and used to merge the academic social network ontologies; this is observed to be an extremely powerful methodology compared with other former studies. This HSSM approach can be applied for various domain ontologies and it may deliver a novel vision to the researchers.

Originality/value

The HSSM is not applied for merging the ontologies in any former studies up to the knowledge of authors.
Trichophyton tonsurans‐induced kerion celsi with decreased defensin expression and paradoxically increased interleukin‐17A production
Authors: Goto Yoshihiro , Suzuki Takahiro , Suzuki Yoko , Anzawa Kazushi , Mochizuki Takashi , Tamura Takashi , Makimura Koichi , Aoshima Masahiro , Ito Taisuke , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: July 2019

We report a case of kerion celsi due to Trichophyton tonsurans. An 18‐year‐old male student judo practitioner had alopecic patches, black dots and subcutaneous abscesses on the right temporal region. The damaged hair represented endothrix infection with T. tonsurans, as assessed by mycological examinations. He was treated with oral itraconazole without any therapeutic effect, followed by terbinafine with good effect. A skin biopsy showed neutrophil, lymphocyte and histiocyte infiltration into the dermis and subcutaneous tissue with abscesses around a number of dilated hair follicles. Immunostaining showed that the expression level of human β‐defensin 2 (HBD‐2) was decreased in the epidermis of the alopecic and adjacent skin. Because interleukin (IL)‐17A generally induces HBD‐2 production by epidermal keratinocytes, we also immunohistochemically investigated IL‐17A expression. Unexpectedly, many IL‐17A‐bearing cells were found around destructed hair follicles, indicating that IL‐17A expression was not attenuated, but rather increased in the skin lesion. Our case suggests that IL‐17A‐upregulated antimicrobial peptide expression is disordered in kerion celsi, and severe inflammation with IL‐17A may cause tissue damage and resultant scar.
Effects of forest windstorm disturbance on invasive plants in protected areas of southern Illinois, USA
Authors: Daniels Melissa K. , Larson Eric R.
Published: July 2019

Invasive plant populations respond positively to light increase from windstorm‐caused canopy damage, but are typically out‐competed over time as the tree canopy recovers. Some invasive plants have the ability to slow or even completely prevent canopy regrowth. It is important to understand invasive plant dynamics in windstorm blowdowns to inform effective forest management. We hypothesized that blowdown areas are more invaded than unaffected forest and that invadedness of a blowdown will decrease with increasing time since disturbance and increase with disturbance magnitude.

We used Landsat imagery to identify 31 blowdowns caused by one of three storms in southern Illinois of the United States: 2006 tornado, 2009 derecho or 2017 tornado. We statistically matched these blowdowns to areas of unaffected forest based on slope, aspect, elevation, distance to a road and distance to a trail. We surveyed blowdown and unaffected units for invasive plants in summer 2018. Disturbance magnitude was measured in two ways: per cent change in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and area of blowdown.

Overall, blowdowns were more invaded than their statistically matched areas. Invadedness of blowdowns decreased with increasing time since disturbance, indicating that the blowdowns are recovering as tree canopy regrowth shades out invasive plants. Per cent change in NDVI was not a supported predictor of blowdown invadedness, but invadedness was strongly positively related to blowdown size. Larger blowdowns recover more slowly than smaller disturbances due to different recovery pathways, providing more time and opportunity for the spread and establishment of invasive plants.

Synthesis. Our findings suggest that although blowdowns contained higher cover of invasive plants than forest unaffected by windstorms, invasive plants were responding negatively to canopy regrowth. Land managers should prioritize treatment of invasive plants in larger and more recent blowdowns.
The impact of supplementing goats' milk with quinoa extract on some properties of yoghurt
Authors: El‐Shafei Samah M S , Sakr Sally S , Abou‐Soliman Nagwa H I
Published: July 2019

This study investigated the impact of supplementing goats' milk with quinoa extracts, in the range of 5, 10 and 15 g/100 g on the milk fermentation. The properties of yoghurt produced from this milk, which include viscosity, microstructure and sensory acceptability, were assessed. The supplementation of goats' milk with quinoa extracts, particularly permeate extract, reduced the fermentation time and enhanced the viability of lactic acid bacteria. Supplementation of yoghurt with increased levels of quinoa extracts increased the apparent viscosity and changed the yoghurt protein matrix. Panellists highly accepted the yoghurt that contained quinoa permeate extract.
Support provision for students with Special Educational Needs in Irish Primary Schools
Authors: Rose Richard , Shevlin Michael
Published: July 2019

The provision of support for students with special educational needs in schools is seen as a critical factor in the development of inclusive education. The means through which support is provided, continues to be based upon assumptions that individualized learning approaches may remediate learning difficulties. This paper reports findings from a longitudinal study of provision for students with special educational needs conducted in The Republic of Ireland. The authors identify in‐class and withdrawal approaches to support and consider the impact and efficacy of these. It is suggested that the withdrawal of students from class continues to be a dominant model, and that this approach has limitations and may not be conducive to the promotion of inclusive practice. Drawing upon data obtained through interviews with service users (students and parents/carers), and service providers (teachers, paraprofessionals, principals), and those gained from a national survey, the authors present the authentic voices of individuals to illustrate the experiences and opinions of those directly involved in special education in schools.
A Review of Hot Beverage Temperatures—Satisfying Consumer Preference and Safety
Authors: Abraham John , Diller Kenneth
Published: July 2019

Hot beverages are served ubiquitously in the food‐service industry as well as at residences and other venues. Coffee and tea beverages, in particular, are brewed at temperatures that are sufficiently high to cause immediate and serious risk for scald injuries. On the other hand, numerous research studies have been performed to identify the preferred consumption temperatures for hot beverages. The outcome of these mutually reinforcing studies is that the preferred drinking temperatures are significantly below the often‐encountered brewing temperatures (∼200 °F). Consequently, there is great need to distinguish brewing temperatures from serving temperatures. Serving consumers beverages at very high temperatures is not only unnecessary (from a preference standpoint) but also unsafe. An appropriate range for service temperatures is (130 to 160 °F).

Practical Application

Often times, hot beverages are served at temperatures near their brewing temperature; far hotter than preferred by consumers. This practice creates unnecessary risk to the consumer. A more rationale recommended range of service temperatures is 130 to 160 °F. This recommendation balances a range of consumer preferences and safety.
Blue–green opponency and trichromatic vision in the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) explored using light emitting diodes
Authors: Stukenberg Niklas , Poehling Hans‐Michael
Published: July 2019

Visual orientation in the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is the result of “wavelength‐specific behaviours.” Green–yellow elicits “settling behaviour” while ultraviolet (UV) radiation initiates “migratory behaviour.” The only available physiological study of the photoreceptors' spectral efficiency showed peaks in the green and the UV range and whitefly vision was said to be dichromatic so far. In order to study the visual behaviour of T. vaporariorum, 19 narrow‐bandwidth light emitting diodes (LEDs) covering the UV‐A and visible range were used in combination with light scattering acrylic glass screens in a small‐scale choice arena under greenhouse conditions. Multiple‐choice and dual‐choice assays were performed, resulting in LED‐based behavioural action spectra of settling (green) and migratory behaviour (UV). A potential inhibitory blue–green chromatic mechanism was studied by combining yellow with different bluish LEDs. Intensity dependencies were illustrated by changing LED intensities. Regarding the “settling response,” highest attraction was achieved by a green LED with a centroid wavelength of 550 nm, while a blue LED with 469 nm proved to be most inhibitory. Besides this inhibitory interaction, an intensity dependence was observed within the action spectrum in the green–yellow range. “Migratory behaviour” was elicited the most by the UV LED with the shortest available wavelength of 373 nm. The results provide compelling behavioural evidence for the presence of a green and a yet undescribed blue sensitive photoreceptor and a blue–green opponent mechanism. Furthermore, empirical colour choice models were built and receptor peaks were estimated around 510–520 nm (green), 480–490 nm (blue) and 340–370 nm (UV). Consequently, a trichromatic receptor setup is suggested for T. vaporariorum.
Combined administration of varenicline and bupropion produces additive effects on accumbal dopamine and abolishes the alcohol deprivation effect in rats
Authors: Söderpalm Bo , Danielsson Klara , de Bejczy Andrea , Adermark Louise , Ericson Mia
Published: July 2019

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is detrimental to health and causes preterm death. Unfortunately, available pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments have small effect sizes, and improved treatments are needed. Smoking and AUD share heritability and are pharmacologically associated, since drug‐induced dopamine (DA) output in nucleus accumbens (nAc) involves nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in both cases. Smoking therapy agents, such as the partial nAChR agonist varenicline or the DA/noradrenaline transporter inhibitor bupropion, could potentially also be used for AUD. To investigate this hypothesis, the effects of varenicline, bupropion, or a combination of the two on nAc DA levels, ethanol intake, and the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE) were examined. In vivo microdialysis showed that varenicline (1.5 mg/kg) and bupropion (2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg) elevated nAc DA levels and that the combination produced additive effects. Five days treatment with varenicline, bupropion, or the combination did not suppress ethanol consumption, as compared with vehicle‐treated control. However, combined administration of varenicline and bupropion completely blocked the ADE when readministering ethanol following 14 days of abstinence. Since ADE is considered highly predictive for the clinical outcome in man, our data suggest that the combination of varenicline and bupropion could be a promising treatment for AUD.
Microdissection TESE (mTESE) following adult orchidopexy for undescended intra‐abdominal and inguinal testicles – surgical techniques and outcomes from a single‐centre cohort
Authors: Sangster P. , Alnajjar H. M. , Ahmed K. , Christodoulidou M. , Williamson E. , Kelly J. D. , Dawas K. , Ralph D. , Muneer A.
Published: July 2019

Introduction and objectives

Adult undescended testicles (UDTs) often present to fertility specialists with subfertility or azoospermia and with either an intra‐abdominal or inguinal testicle(s). Performing an orchidopexy followed by a surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) is a potential option to retrieve spermatozoa. A microdissection TESE (mTESE) procedure is performed to retrieve mature spermatozoa for use in ICSI. This paper reviews the outcomes of mTESE in adults following an orchidopexy.

Material and methods

A cohort of azoospermic patients underwent adult orchidopexy over a 10‐year period at a single specialist centre. Data were collected retrospectively from the patient records retrieved from an institutional database. All patients underwent pre‐operative imaging to localize the testicles, serum testosterone levels and a semen analysis. Separate intraoperative testicular biopsies were performed to exclude intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN) and to analyse the Johnsen score.

Results

Twelve patients (age range 18–36 years) underwent orchidopexy procedures for either intra‐abdominal or inguinal testicles. Mean follow‐up was 34 months (range 13–58). Ninety per cent of patients had bilateral UDT with azoospermia. Pre‐operative testosterone levels were within the normal range (mean 13.9 nmol/L; range 9.1–24.2). Five pelvic testicles (from four patients) were brought down and underwent a delayed mTESE. A total of nine inguinal orchidopexy procedures were carried out in eight men, and spermatozoa were found and preserved in three patients. None of the men with intra‐abdominal testicles had mature spermatozoa present following a delayed mTESE. Overall, SSR was successful in 37.5% of the patients. Histological analysis showed no cases of ITGCN and the Johnsen scores ranged from 1 to 3.3.

Conclusions

Microdissection TESE following orchidopexy for inguinal testicles can result in a successful SSR in over 1/3rd of patients. Intra‐abdominal testicles appear to lack spermatogonia although the testicles can still be preserved for endogenous hormone production. Adult orchidopexy allows preservation of endogenous testosterone, easier self‐examination and an immediate or delayed mTESE in azoospermic patients.
Solo single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a safe substitute for conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Suh Suk‐Won , Choi YoungRok , Han Ho‐Seong , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Cho Jai Young , Choi Yoo‐Shin , Lee Seung‐Eun , Jeong Jaehong
Published: July 2019

Background

Despite the incremental application of single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC), this procedure has technical difficulties, including physical disturbance and an unstable surgical view through the small incision; therefore, we introduce the solo SILC (S‐SILC) technique using a laparoscopic scope holder, as a simple, fixed and easy‐to‐perform procedure for an unassisted surgeon.

Methods

We performed a comparative analysis of S‐SILC (n = 566) and conventional three‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 874) performed from January 2013 to December 2016 at multiple centres.

Results

There was no significant difference of operative time between the two groups (P = 0.176); however, S‐SILC showed a higher incidence of intraoperative gallbladder perforation, especially in the initial period (17.0% versus 2.3%, P < 0.001); and shorter post‐operative hospital stay (3.3 ± 1.7 versus 1.9 ± 2.7 days, P < 0.001) than conventional three‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were no significant differences in major post‐operative complications between the two groups (P = 0.909) and operation type (P = 0.971) was not a significant risk factor for major post‐operative complications in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

S‐SILC is a feasible and safe procedure; however, careful selection of surgical candidates is necessary in the early period of the experience with this method.
No significant associations between breastfeeding practices and overweight in 8‐year‐old children
Authors: Bjertnæs Asborg A. , Grundt Jacob H. , Donkor Hilde M. , Juliusson Petur B. , Wentzel‐Larsen Tore , Vaktskjold Arild , Markestad Trond , Holten‐Andersen Mads N.
Published: July 2019

Aim

The aim was to examine if breastfeeding practices were associated with body mass index (BMI) and risk of overweight or obesity in third grade (8 years) of elementary school.

Methods

In a regional cohort, we related BMIz‐scores and presence of overweight or obesity at 8 years of age with ever being breastfed and with duration of exclusive and partial breastfeeding after adjusting for potential confounders. Parents completed questionnaires on breastfeeding and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors at school entry, and public health nurses measured height and weight. For non‐participants, the nurses anonymously reported these measurements together with sex and age.

Results

90% of participants had been breastfed. In adjusted analyses, BMIz‐scores were not significantly related to whether or not the child had been breastfed (P = .64), or to the duration of exclusive (P = .80) or partial breastfeeding (P = .94). Logistic regression also showed no significant association between breastfeeding measures and overweight or obesity.

Conclusion

This study on 8‐year‐old Norwegian children did not support a commonly held notion that breastfeeding reduces the risk of overweight or obesity.
An ecological perspective on learner‐constructed learning spaces
Authors: Damşa Crina , Nerland Monika , Andreadakis Zacharias E.
Published: July 2019

This paper argues for the need to develop a relational, emergent and plural understanding of learning spaces. We take an ecological perspective on learning, which allows us to conceptualize learning spaces as (co‐)constructed by learners; emerging through learners' practices, interactions and activities; and facilitated by pedagogical arrangements. In the co‐construction of spaces for learning, tapping into various ecologies of resources—whether intellectual, relational or digital material—becomes an organic, iterative, agentic endeavour for learners. This paper proposes a set of principles to synthesize this conceptualization and facilitates an understanding of such emergent learning spaces. An empirical illustration extracted from a collaborative student project in software engineering education contributes to grounding the conceptual argument and provides a clarifying example. Ultimately, this contribution suggests that in order to support the emergence of learning spaces that are resource‐rich and conducive to learning, educational contexts and pedagogical arrangements must provide both the framing conditions and also the flexibility and permeability required to access the wider ecologies of resources made available through digital technologies.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Learning spaces can be individual or collective.

Physical space is an important element that can facilitate or hinder learning.

Technology can contribute to hosting learning spaces (eg, online).

What this paper adds

A potential new conceptualization drawing on an ecological perspective on learning.

Insights into how learning spaces are customized versions of the learners' intellectual, relational or digital‐material resources available in various contexts.

Examples of how learning spaces are constitutive through learners' individual or collective practices, based on affordances provided by pedagogical designs.

Propositions on how pedagogical designs can provide learners with opportunities to access wider ecologies of resources made available through digital technologies.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Teachers need support to develop pedagogical designs that support learners in creating their own learning spaces.

Helping students to create their learning spaces requires guidance, which must be facilitated by appropriate institutional infrastructures and conditions.

Professional learning approaches are needed to build teachers' knowledge and capacities to support students.

Institutional arrangements must be open to change.
Going immersive in a community of learners? Assessment of design processes in a multi‐setting architecture studio
Authors: Sopher Hadas , Fisher Gewirtzman Dafna , Kalay Yehuda E.
Published: July 2019

Future learning spaces (FLSs), such as immersive virtual environments, have expanded the architectural studio beyond traditional spaces, offering new affordances for learning communities (LCs) to enculturate design practices. These developments raise a need to assess how different spaces foster intended learning activities. In response, we developed a model to assess the way (LCs) are supported during the design process. Our model aggregates learners' design decisions, along with their physical, virtual and social settings, into units called knowledge construction activities. These are then linked with subsequent units, to create design development graphs. The model was applied to two studio courses that used a conventional classroom and a technology‐enhanced immersive FLS. Analyses show that each space supported different learning activities. Notably, the immersive FLS was shown to support design convergence, considered to be an essential skill. While advancing concepts related to design pedagogy, the model can support additional designers of FLS for (LCs) when integrating multiple spaces.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Future Learning Spaces (FLSs), such as immersive virtual environments (IVEs), have expanded the architectural studio beyond traditional spaces, offering new affordances for design learning communities to enculturate expert design practices.

IVEs are known to support spatial perception and enhance design flow, suitable for constructing design knowledge.

Studio assessments mostly focus on learners' final outcomes and learner–teacher communication.

What this paper adds

New knowledge about how an immersive FLS can foster the emergence of design learning communities.

An analytical toolkit to measure the way IVEs affect the enculturation of design skills, particularly in divergent and convergent activities.

A comprehensive method to map design learning processes and analyze learning progress.

Implications for practice and/or policy

The educational sector can use this model to evaluate the way technology‐enhanced learning spaces for learning communities meet given educational goals.

The education community can use this method as a powerful and efficient tool to design multiple‐setting courses and develop teaching strategies to support learning communities in FLSs.
Frontline treatment of elderly non transplant‐eligible multiple myeloma patients using CyBorD with or without thalidomide‐based consolidation: a retrospective multi‐centre analysis of real‐world data
Authors: Chan Henry , Chai Kern , Shih Steven , Lewsey Rebecca , Chen Kevin , McDiarmid Bridgett , Jackson Sharon , Simpson David
Published: July 2019

Bortezomib in combination with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (CyBorD, is a well‐established frontline chemotherapy regimen for patients with multiple myeloma, but prospective data on elderly non‐transplant eligible patients is limited. A total of 155 patients aged 70 years or older with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who received at least one cycle of CyBorD chemotherapy in three centres across New Zealand were evaluated. Partial response or better was achieved in 79·4%, of whom 52·9% achieved at least a very good partial response. After a median follow‐up of 31·9 months, the median event‐free survival (EFS) was 17·0 months (age 70–80 years, 17·7 months; age above 80 years, 8·6 months; P = 0·002). The median overall survival was 45·1 months (age 70–80, 49·8 months; above 80, 33·3 months; P = 0·003). Amongst those who had seven or more cycles of treatment, those who had a pre‐planned switch to bortezomib‐thalidomide‐dexamethasone (VTD) consolidation had a superior median EFS of 25·4 months, compared with 20·3 months in the CyBorD only group (P = 0·028). This is the largest real‐world dataset on the efficacy of CyBorD in the elderly population, and pre‐planned switch to VTD was associated with better outcomes.
Cost–utility analysis of focal high‐intensity focussed ultrasound vs active surveillance for low‐ to intermediate‐risk prostate cancer using a Markov multi‐state model
Authors: Bénard Antoine , Duroux Thomas , Robert Grégoire
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To estimate the relative cost‐effectiveness of focal high‐intensity focussed ultrasound (F‐HIFU) compared to active surveillance (AS) in patients with low‐ to intermediate‐risk prostate cancer, in France.

Patients and Methods

A Markov multi‐state model was elaborated for this purpose. Our analyses were conducted from the French National Health Insurance perspective, with a time horizon of 10 years and a 4% discount rate for cost and effectiveness. A secondary analysis used a 30‐year time horizon. Costs are presented in 2016 Euros (€), and effectiveness is expressed as quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). Model parameters’ value (probabilities for transitions between health states, and cost and utility of health states) is supported by systematic literature reviews (PubMed) and random effect meta‐analyses. The cost of F‐HIFUin our model was the temporary tariff attributed by the French Ministry of Health to the overall treatment of prostate cancer byHIFU(€6047).

Our model was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2010 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). Uncertainty about the value of the model parameters was handled through probabilistic analyses.

Results

The five health states of our model were as follows: initial state (ASor F‐HIFU), radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, metastasis, and death.

Transition probabilities from the initial F‐HIFUstate relied on four articles eligible for our meta‐analyses. All were non‐comparative studies. Utilities relied on a single cohort in San Diego,CA,USA.

For a fictive cohort of 1000 individuals followed for 10 years, F‐HIFUwould be €207 520 more costly and would yield 382 lessQALYs thanAS, which means thatASis cost‐effective when compared to F‐HIFU. For a threshold value varying from €0 to 100 000/QALY, the probability ofASbeing cost‐effective compared to F‐HIFUvaried from 56.5% to 60%. This level of uncertainty was in the same range with a 30‐year time horizon.

Conclusion

Given existing published data, our results suggest thatASis cost‐effective compared to F‐HIFUin patients with low‐ and intermediate‐risk prostate cancer, but with high uncertainty. This uncertainty must be scaled down by continuing to supply the model with new published data and ideally through a randomised clinical trial that includes cost‐effectiveness analyses.
Burnout and innovative work behaviours for survivors of downsizing: An investigation of boundary conditions
Authors: Hammond Michelle , Cross Christine , Farrell Ciara , Eubanks Dawn
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study is to explore conditions in which innovative behaviour can have either desirable or undesirable effects. The current study surveyed employees who remained in an organization following downsizing. Voice costs and perceived influence were measured as boundary conditions. Based on our understanding of Conservation of Resources theory, these variables may be particularly important to consider how individuals view innovative work behaviours in stressful situations such as experiencing downsizing. The results of this study revealed that engagement in innovative work behaviours (IWB) was associated with reduced burnout in employees when they perceived few costs of speaking up in the post downsized environment, but at very high perceptions of voice cost (above 1.74 standard deviations above the mean), this relationship was positive. Similarly, and contrary to what was expected, engagement in IWB was negatively related to burnout when employees perceived they had little influence within the organization. We discuss possible interpretations of this unexpected result. This study adds to the small body of work that examines outcomes, rather than predictors, of innovative behaviour and also identifies conditions in which engaging in innovative behaviours has a negative impact on the individual.
Preparation of carboxylated graphene oxide nanosheets/polysulphone hollow fibre separation membranes with improved separation and dye adsorption properties
Authors: Shi Wenying , Zeng Xianhua , Li Hongbin , Zhou Rong , Zhang Haixia , Qin Xiaohong
Published: July 2019

Novel hollow fibre polysulphone (PSF) separation membranes were prepared via the incorporation of carboxylated graphene oxide (cGO) in membrane matrix during the dry‐wet spinning process to improve the membrane performance of water flux and dye adsorption. The surface composition and morphology of the prepared cGO‐incorporated hollow fibre membranes were characterised by means of Fourier Transform–infrared spectra and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of different cGO contents on membrane surface hydrophilicity, separation performance, anti‐compaction and adsorption properties were investigated through measurements of the water contact angle, cross‐flow filtration and methylene blue (MB) adsorption experiments. The results demonstrated that the cGO‐incorporated membranes had more hydrophilic surfaces, higher permeation flux, better anti‐compaction properties and a higher adsorption rate of MB than that of the PSF control membrane. When cGO content was 0.45 wt.%, the pure water flux of the modified membrane increased from 90.56 to 148.26 l m−2 h−1 at 0.1 MPa; also, rejections of bovine serum albumin and polyethylene glycol (PEG‐20000) maintained relatively high values of 98.81 and 93.89%, respectively. The incorporation of cGO nanosheets could effectively improve membrane anti‐compaction properties and the adsorption rate of MB.
A scoping review of post‐disaster social support investigations conducted after disasters that struck the Australia and Oceania continent
Authors: Kaniasty Krzysztof , de Terte Ian , Guilaran Johnrev , Bennett Simon
Published: July 2019

This scoping review provides a summary of research findings on social support dynamics in the wake of disasters that occurred on the continent of Australia and Oceania between 1983 and 2013. Forty‐one studies, quantitative and qualitative, were summarised, investigating different facets of post‐disaster supportive interactions. All inquiries assessed disasters resulting from natural hazards, with the majority of them conducted following events in Australia and New Zealand. The review revealed similar patterns of post‐disaster social support dynamics that routinely unfold after disastrous incidents all over the world. Consistent with the disaster mental health literature, the documentation of social support mobilisation and social support deterioration processes was common. Salutary direct effects of supportive behaviours on post‐disaster psychological distress were also highly evident. Most studies, however, posed research questions or hypotheses that lacked empirical or theoretical grounding. In conclusion, the review offers several recommendations on how to advance research on post‐disaster social support.
Hunting and mountain sheep: Do current harvest practices affect horn growth?
Authors: LaSharr Tayler N. , Long Ryan A. , Heffelfinger James R. , Bleich Vernon C. , Krausman Paul R. , Bowyer R. Terry , Shannon Justin M. , Klaver Robert W. , Brewer Clay E. , Cox Mike , Holland A. Andrew , Hubbs Anne , Lehman Chadwick P. , Muir Jonathan D. , Sterling Bruce , Monteith Kevin L.
Published: July 2019

The influence of human harvest on evolution of secondary sexual characteristics has implications for sustainable management of wildlife populations. The phenotypic consequences of selectively removing males with large horns or antlers from ungulate populations have been a topic of heightened concern in recent years. Harvest can affect size of horn‐like structures in two ways: (a) shifting age structure toward younger age classes, which can reduce the mean size of horn‐like structures, or (b) selecting against genes that produce large, fast‐growing males. We evaluated effects of age, climatic and forage conditions, and metrics of harvest on horn size and growth of mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis ssp.) in 72 hunt areas across North America from 1981 to 2016. In 50% of hunt areas, changes in mean horn size during the study period were related to changes in age structure of harvested sheep. Environmental conditions explained directional changes in horn growth in 28% of hunt areas, 7% of which did not exhibit change before accounting for effects of the environment. After accounting for age and environment, horn size of mountain sheep was stable or increasing in the majority (~78%) of hunt areas. Age‐specific horn size declined in 44% of hunt areas where harvest was regulated solely by morphological criteria, which supports the notion that harvest practices that are simultaneously selective and intensive might lead to changes in horn growth. Nevertheless, phenotypic consequences are not a foregone conclusion in the face of selective harvest; over half of the hunt areas with highly selective and intensive harvest did not exhibit age‐specific declines in horn size. Our results demonstrate that while harvest regimes are an important consideration, horn growth of harvested male mountain sheep has remained largely stable, indicating that changes in horn growth patterns are an unlikely consequence of harvest across most of North America.
What is this moment we are caught in?
Authors: Bansel Peter , Perell Daniel , Tang Shawna
Published: July 2019

Our response to the question ‘What is this moment we are caught in?' is articulated through our collaborative reading of Berlant's (2011) Cruel Optimism (Durham, NC: Duke University Press). Cruel optimism, Berlant suggests, is a desire for something that undermines its own potentiality. As queer academics we expose the cruelty of our desires to live a good academic life, and we do so from our different positions as postdoctoral fellow, tenured academic and PhD candidate. In labouring to consolidate relationships and practices that hold the promise of our own sustainability, we give accounts of the material and affective work we perform to constitute what Berlant calls an intimate public, a collective space of mediation that functions as a key tactic to manage our academic life. These accounts take the form of three vignettes, each inflected by the specificities of our different positions and histories of becoming academics. We use Berlant as a point of departure to both interrogate practices of self‐management and find possibilities for a collective response to the moments in which we find ourselves caught.
Burden of mild haemophilia A: Systematic literature review
Authors: Peyvandi Flora , Tavakkoli Fatemeh , Frame Diana , Quinn Jennifer , Kim Benjamin , Lawal Adebayo , Lee Mimi C. , Wong Wing Y.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Although the clinical manifestations of severe haemophilia A (HA) are well studied, the challenges, if any, of living with mild HA are not clearly delineated to date.

Aim

To assess available evidence of clinical risks and societal/economic impacts of disease in adult patients with mild HA using a systematic literature review.

Methods

Prespecified study selection criteria were applied in a comprehensive literature search. Included studies varied in design and reported outcomes of interest for adults (≥13 years of age) with mild HA.

Results

Seventeen studies with a total of 3213 patients met eligibility criteria (published or presented in English, 1966‐2017). Most studies were observational, and the outcomes reported were too sparse and dissimilar to support a formal meta‐analysis. Mean annual bleeding rates ranged from 0.44 to 4.5 episodes per patient per year. Quality of life (QoL; SF‐36 General Health) was impacted compared to healthy controls. Health care costs and productivity were seldom assessed and no robust comparisons to healthy controls were available.

Conclusion

Quantifying outcomes for adult patients with mild HA remains challenging, with estimates of key QoL and cost data often based on small data sets and without comparison to population norms. Therefore, the clinical impact of mild haemophilia may be under‐represented and unmet needs may remain unaddressed. As paradigm‐changing therapies for HA emerge, stronger knowledge of mild HA can guide the development of care options that minimize burden and enhance the QoL for this segment of the haemophilia community, and for the haemophilia community in totality.
Effect of mixing on the properties of nanocarbon containing Al2O3‐C continuous casting refractories
Authors: Pilli Venkatesh , Sarkar Ritwik
Published: July 2019

The functional refractories used in steel casting operations are usually made up of alumina‐carbon compositions having graphite as the major source of carbon. In recent times, to reduce the carbon content and to enhance the performance by designing microstructure at nano‐sized level, several nano carbon sources and organic binders are introduced to traditional carbon‐based refractories. The homogenous distribution of nano carbon sources within the refractory composition is important to get the advantages of its use. In the present work, nanocarbon black is used along with graphite in the alumina‐carbon system. Three different mixing procedures are followed and how mixing effects the physical and mechanical properties is evaluated. The mixing order with proper nanocarbon distribution throughout the batch composition provided significant improvement in the properties. The microstructural analysis and in situ phase developments in the samples at different temperatures are also studied.