bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An empirical study on the online learning experience of MOOCs: Indian students’ perspective
Authors: Pillai Rajasshrie , Sivathanu Brijesh
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the online learning experience (LE) of massive open online courses (MOOCs) among the students in India using the lens of community of inquiry (CoI) model and two additional contextual factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted a survey using a structured questionnaire among the undergraduate and postgraduate students to examine the LE of MOOCs using the CoI framework and contextual variables – technical barrier (TB) and hedonic motivation (HD). The primary data were analyzed with the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

The results show that teaching presence (TP) influences cognitive presence (CP) and social presence (SP). SP influences CP. It is also found that TP, SP and CP influence the LE of MOOCs. It is found that TB negatively influences LE but is not significant and HD significantly influences LE positively for MOOCs.

Research limitations/implications

This study has a few limitations as it is a cross-sectional study in India, which surveyed undergraduate and postgraduate MOOCs learners, and caution needs to be taken while generalizing the outcomes. Further studies can be conducted across other countries considering demographic factors like age, gender, income groups, education and profession.

Practical implications

This research highlights the antecedents influencing the LE of MOOC learners using the CoI framework which will help the MOOC designers and marketers to apprehend the factors influencing LE. The results of this research will help them formulate suitable strategies in the design and delivery of MOOCs to improve the LE of learners.

Originality/value

This unique research investigates and empirically validates the CoI framework to understand LE of MOOC learners in India. This research extends the CoI framework by adding contextual factors – TB and HD in the context of a developing country.
The arrival of a new principal and the school staff
Authors: Oplatka Izhar , Ben Or Hamutal
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore teachers’ responses to the arrival of new principals (NPs) into their school. More specifically, the paper poses three questions: How do teachers perceive the arrival of an NP into their school? How do teachers cope with the arrival of an NP? What are the factors affecting teachers’ responses towards the arrival of an NP?

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Israeli teachers who experienced the arrival of an NP into their school during the last three years.

Findings

The perceived image of the former principal in the teachers’ lounge and the manner in which s/he left principalship seem to greatly influence teachers’ responses towards the NP. Likewise, the first personal conversations of the NP with the teachers are highly influential on their responses to his/her arrival into their school.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the critical role of emotions towards the former principal in the induction stages of NPs.
Islamic ethics, capital structure and profitability of banks; what makes Islamic banks different?
Authors: Toumi Kaouther
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate whether the Islamic banks (IBs) and the conventional banks (CBs) could be distinguished from one another on the basis of their capital structure, profitability and their respective determinants with using a multivariate statistical method for analysis of data.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a comparative study based on a predictive model, the binary logistic regression, using a sample of 53 listed CBs and 45 listed IBs from the Middle East region for the period 2006-2014.

Findings

The binary logistic regression reveals that profitability and capital structure are good predictors that help to distinguish between the two categories of banks. Results suggest that higher are the net margin and capital ratio, higher is the probability that the bank is Islamic. For the return on assets, results show that lower is this value; higher is the likelihood that the bank is Islamic. Regarding their related determinants, the findings suggest first that banks with higher dividend payout policy, financing ratio, costs ratio and insolvency risk are more likely to be Islamic. Second, results suggest that banks with lower collaterals, size and credit risk are more likely to be Islamic.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the growing literature on corporate finance and Islamic banking. Analyzing the capital structure and profitability of the two categories of banks is important for investors, financial analysts and regulators. Understanding the differences contributes to understand how following Islamic finance principles and being under Sharīʿah governance could impact the bank profitability and financial decision, as well as investors behavior.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the scare literature dedicated to the use of the multivariate statistical methods for the analysis of data to compare the financial characteristics of IBs and CBs.
The effect of social contexts and formation of individualism–collectivism orientation on knowledge sharing intention: the case of workers in Korea
Authors: Kim Sang Soo
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to pay attention to the role of social contexts, including perceived relationship conflict and coworker support in creating an individualistic or collectivistic disposition, and how organization members differently behave to share knowledge depending on their personal dispositions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was set and PLS-SEM was used to validate the proposed eight hypotheses. A total of 462 survey data were collected from workers in Korea to test the model.

Findings

The findings revealed that both perceived relationship conflict and coworker support positively influence knowledge sharing intention by facilitating formation of individualism and collectivism orientation. In other words, individualism and collectivism are motivated by different factors, which applies equally to knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

This study makes an initial step to explain the relationship between knowledge sharing behavior and individualism–collectivism orientation by using social contexts as a potential antecedent. Especially, along with perceived co-worker support, perceived relationship conflict was also found to have a positive impact on knowledge sharing intention through individualism orientation, which is a significant contribution to the field of knowledge management.
Corporate governance and the impact to the R&D lab
Authors: Markus Arjan , Swift Tim
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the strength of corporate governance influences the firm’s ability to retain their key knowledge workers or inventors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper links agency and innovation theory to develop the hypotheses. Agency theory predicts that the interests of employees are counter to those of firm owners. The authors predict that as shareholder power grows as corporate governance strengthens, inventors who are highly productive, and those who pursue risky but valuable exploratory innovation will leave the firm. Given prior scholarship in innovation theory establishing the critical contributions that new knowledge creation and exploratory innovation make to firms’ competitive advantage, the authors consider whether stronger firm-level corporate governance leads to the erosion of the firm’s competitive advantage. The hypotheses are empirically tested using generalized least squares estimation on a data set that combines data on firms, their patents and the governance provisions these firms adopt.

Findings

Using a 10-year sample of publicly traded US firms, the authors find that stronger corporate governance erodes the very foundation of a firm’s innovation capabilities. Stronger corporate governance reduces management job security, which makes managers more risk-averse. This heightened “managerial myopia” results in increased departures of highly valuable inventors employed by the firm. The authors show that these departing inventors are more productive inventors than those who remain and engage in more exploratory R&D than the remaining inventors at the firm.

Originality/value

The findings raise questions on the appropriateness of the adoption of governance provisions strengthening shareholder rights in firms pursuing innovation.
“Sometimes the whole map is red”: applying geographical assessment methods to safeguard adolescents from harm in communities
Authors: Lloyd Jenny
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities of geographical child protection assessment methods for adolescents victimised in extra-familial contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Presenting empirical evidence from an action research study within one child protection service in the UK, the study draws upon qualitative data from practice observations, case review, training and five context assessments.

Findings

Safety mapping and neighbourhood observations provide options to assess extra-familial contexts. Findings reveal that these methods support practitioners to build local knowledge of areas supporting interventions into community places rooted in principles of child protection.

Research limitations/implications

While geographical methods are already used by the police to map the locations of crimes, these methods provide opportunities to account for young people’s own experiences of harm and support interventions into neighbourhood spaces supporting a contextual safeguarding approach to adolescent harm.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the need for further testing of contextual safeguarding approaches and policy guidance that outlines whose role it is to protect children in communities.

Social implications

Geographical assessment methods provide a route to engage with young people’s lived experience of place. And develop interventions that target contexts and not just individuals affected by extra-familial harm.

Originality/value

The paper presents original research into the use of geographical assessment methods to be used within a child protection framework.
Extending the knowledge on cause-related marketing (CrM) campaign with focus on skepticism
Authors: Deb Madhurima , Amawate Vibhas
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to gain insight on evaluation of cause-related marketing (CrM) campaigns by the millennial with focus on skepticism, brand identity and patronage intention.

Design/methodology/approach

To attain the above objective a conceptual model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The finding suggests that sub-segments exist among millennial segments. They can be classified into hedonic, utilitarian, individualistic and collectivists. Compared to utilitarian and individualistic customers hedonic and collectivists were found to evaluate CrM campaign more favorably. Utilitarian and individualistic depict skepticism toward CrM campaign.

Practical implications

The in-depth knowledge gained about millennials is expected to benefit academicians and marketers alike. Academicians will be enriched by the knowledge of the micro-segments that exists among the millennial and how that had differential impact on their skepticism while evaluating CrM campaign. The marketers involved in the designing and implementation of the CrM campaign will be benefited from the in-depth knowledge of segments with lower and higher levels of skepticism. Such knowledge gained will help them develop more effective CrM campaign.

Originality/value

One of the contributions of the present study is that it extends the existing knowledge about millennials, particularly in the context of CrM campaign evaluation integrating it with other important variables such as skepticism, brand identity and patronage intention.
In vitro vRNA–vRNA interactions in the H1N1 influenza A virus genome
Authors: Miyamoto Sho , Noda Takeshi
Published: December 2019

The genome of influenza A virus consists of eight‐segmented, single‐stranded, negative‐sense viral RNAs (vRNAs). Each vRNA contains a central coding region that is flanked by noncoding regions. It has been shown that upon virion formation, the eight vRNAs are selectively packaged into progeny virions through segment‐specific packaging signals that are located in both the terminal coding regions and adjacent noncoding regions of each vRNA. Although recent studies using next‐generation sequencing suggest that multiple intersegment interactions are involved in genome packaging, contributions of the packaging signals to the intersegment interactions are not fully understood. Herein, using synthesized full‐length vRNAs of H1N1 WSN (A/WSN/33 [H1N1]) virus and short vRNAs containing the packaging signal sequences, we performed in vitro RNA binding assays and identified 15 intersegment interactions among eight vRNAs, most of which were mediated by the 3′‐ and 5′‐terminal regions. Interestingly, all eight vRNAs interacted with multiple other vRNAs, in that some bound to different vRNAs through their respective 3′‐ and 5′‐terminal regions. These in vitro findings would be of use in future studies of in vivo vRNA–vRNA interactions during selective genome packaging.
Comparison of sulfide‐oxidizingSulfurimonasstrains reveals a new mode of thiosulfate formation in subsurface environments
Authors: Lahme Sven , Callbeck Cameron M. , Eland Lucy E. , Wipat Anil , Enning Dennis , Head Ian M. , Hubert Casey R.J.
Published: December 2019

Sulfur‐oxidizingSulfurimonasspp. are widespread in sediments, hydrothermal vent fields, aquifers and subsurface environments such as oil reservoirs where they play an important role in the sulfur cycle. We determined the genome sequence of the oil field isolateSulfurimonassp. strain CVO and compared its gene expression during nitrate‐dependent sulfide oxidation to the coastal sediment isolateSulfurimonas denitrificans. Formation of elemental sulfur (S0) and high expression of sulfide quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) genes indicates that sulfide oxidation in both strains is mediated by SQR. Subsequent oxidation of S0was achieved by the sulfur oxidation enzyme complex (SOX). In the coastalS. denitrificans, the genes are arranged and expressed as two clusters:soxXY1Z1ABandsoxCDY2Z2H, and sulfate was the sole metabolic end product. By contrast, the oil field strain CVO has only thesoxCDY2Z2Hcluster and notsoxXY1Z1AB. Despite the absence of thesoxXY1Z1ABcluster, strain CVO oxidized S0to thiosulfate and sulfate, demonstrating thatsoxCDY2Z2Hgenes alone are sufficient for S0oxidation inSulfurimonasspp. and that thiosulfate is an additional metabolic end product. Screening of publicly available metagenomes revealed thatSulfurimonasspp. with only thesoxCDY2Z2Hcluster are widespread suggesting this mechanism of thiosulfate formation is environmentally significant.
Impact of sanitation, safe drinking water and health expenditure on infant mortality rate in developing economies
Authors: Lu Zhou , Bandara Jayatilleke S. , Paramati Sudharshan Reddy
Published: December 2019

Despite of significant growth in all walks of life, the issue of infant mortality still a major concern in most of the developing economies. The World Development Indicators have reported that 4.45 million infants died across the globe in 2015, meaning that 32 deaths per every 1,000 live births. A number of times, the World Health Organization (WHO) have stressed the significance of sanitation, safe drinking water and healthcare facilities in reducing infant mortality rate, though most developing countries still lacks in these services. Given this background, the present study aims to examine the role of sanitation, water facilities and health expenditure on infant mortality rate across a panel of 84 developing economies using annual data from 1995 to 2013. The study also account for per capita income and depth of food deficiency as the control factors in the model. The findings of this study establish a significant long‐run equilibrium association among the variables. The long‐run elasticities on infant mortality suggest that improved water and sanitation facilities, health expenditure and per capita income substantially reduce infant mortality rate, while food deficiency increases. Given these findings, we suggest that increasing access to improved water, sanitation and healthcare facilities will significantly reduce child mortality in developing economies around the world.
Variations in the care of agitated patients in Australia and New Zealand ambulance services
Authors: Nambiar Dhanya , Pearce James W , Bray Janet , Stephenson Michael , Nehme Ziad , Masters Stacey , Brink Deon , Smith Karen , Arendts Glenn , Fatovich Daniel , Bernard Stephen , Haskins Brian , Grantham Hugh , Cameron Peter
Published: December 2019

Objective

The objective of the present study is to examine variations in paramedic care of the agitated patient, including verbal de‐escalation, physical restraint and sedation, provided by ambulance services in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

To examine the care of agitated patients, we first identified and reviewed all clinical practice guidelines for the management of agitated patients in Australian and New Zealand ambulance services between September and November 2018. We then conducted a structured questionnaire to obtain further information on the training, assessment and care of agitated patients by the ambulance services. Two authors extracted the data independently, and all interpretations and results were reviewed and confirmed by relevant ambulance services.

Results

There were 10 independent clinical practice guidelines for the care of agitated patients in the 10 ambulance services. All services reported training in the management of agitated patients, and two services used a validated tool to assess the level of agitation. All services used physical restraint, although six services required police presence to restrain the patient. All ambulance services used some form of sedation, typically divided into the management of mild to moderate, and severe agitation. The most common agent for sedation was midazolam, while ketamine was the most common agent for sedating severely agitated patients. The maximum dose was varied, and contraindications for sedating agents varied between services.

Conclusions

There were wide variations across the ambulance services in terms of the assessment of agitation, as well as the use of physical restraint and sedation.
Multiple microRNAs control ecdysone signaling in the midgut of Spodoptera litura
Authors: Luo Wei , Huang Li‐Xia , Qin Shuang‐Kang , Zhang Xian , Feng Qi‐Li , Gu Jun , Huang Li‐Hua
Published: December 2019

Metamorphosis is one of the most important physiological processes in insects. It is regulated by a serial of ecdysone cascade genes. Recently, lots of microRNAs (miRNAs) were investigated in insects; however, their function in metamorphosis is largely unknown. In the present study, the dynamics of a small RNA population was investigated by RNA sequencing from the midgut of a lepidopteran pest Spodoptera litura during larval–pupal metamorphosis. A total of 101 miRNAs were identified, and 75 miRNAs were differentially expressed during the metamorphic process. The relationship between these differentially expressed miRNAs and 12 ecdysone cascade genes was analyzed by four classical software programs, and a multiple‐to‐multiple regulatory network was found to exist between these miRNAs and their targets. Among them, miR‐14‐3p and its two targets (EcR and E75) were chosen for further validation. MiR‐14‐3p had higher expression level in the 6th instar larvae as compared with either the prepupae or pupae, which was opposite to that of both EcR and E75, two ecdysone cascade genes. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that both EcR and E75 were regulated by miR‐14‐3p. Interestingly, the 3′ untranslated regions are nearly identical to each other among different transcript variants of the ecdysone cascade genes, including EcR, USP, E75, E74, E78, E93, Hr3, Hr4, Hr39, Krh1 and Ftzf1. Thus, different transcript variants of one ecdysone cascade gene could be regulated by the same miRNA. The above data suggest that the ecdysone signaling pathway is under the tight control of miRNA. These findings expand our understanding of the mechanism of insect metamorphosis and may also provide a novel possibility for the control of pest insects in the future.
Why have public mass shootings become more deadly?
Authors: Lankford Adam , Silver James
Published: December 2019

Research Summary

Public mass shootings in the United States have become substantially more deadly over time. We document this increase, offer a model to explain it, review supporting evidence for the model, and present new findings on offenders from 1966 to 2019. It appears that societal changes have led to more public mass shooters who are motivated to kill large numbers of victims for fame or attention, as well as to more shooters who have been directly influenced by previous attackers. They often spend extended time planning their attacks and are increasingly likely to acquire powerful weapons and develop specific strategies to enhance their lethality.

Policy Implications

New policies should be aimed at addressing the aforementioned factors. For instance, the deadliest public mass shooters’ desires for fame and attention might be countered by a change in media coverage policies. Additionally, the deadliest perpetrators’ lengthy planning periods have been associated with more warning signs being reported to police, so that type of information could justify denying many potential attackers access to firearms through extreme risk protection orders and red flag laws.
Algorithmic approach to forecasting rare violent events
Authors: Berk Richard A. , Sorenson Susan B.
Published: December 2019

Research Summary

Mass violence, almost no matter how defined, is (thankfully) rare. Rare events are difficult to study in a systematic manner. Standard statistical procedures can fail badly, and usefully accurate forecasts of rare events often are little more than an aspiration. We offer an unconventional approach for the statistical analysis of rare events illustrated by an extensive case study. We report research aimed at learning about the attributes of very‐high‐risk intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators and the circumstances associated with their IPV incidents reported to the police. “Very high risk” is defined as having a high probability of committing a repeat IPV assault in which the victim is injured. Such individuals represent a very small fraction of all IPV perpetrators; these acts of violence reported to the police are rare. To learn about them nevertheless, we sequentially apply in a novel fashion three algorithms to data collected from a large metropolitan police department: stochastic gradient boosting, a genetic algorithm inspired by natural selection, and agglomerative clustering. We try to characterize not just perpetrators who on balance are predicted to reoffend but also who are very likely to reoffend in a manner that leads to victim injuries. Important lessons for forecasts of mass violence are presented.

Policy Implications

If one intends to forecast mass violence, it is probably important to consider approaches less dependent on statistical procedures common in criminology. Given that one needs to “fatten” the right tail of the rare events distribution, a combination of supervised machine learning and genetic algorithms may be a useful approach. One can then study a synthetic population of rare events almost as if they were an empirical population of rare events. Variants on this strategy are increasingly common in machine learning and causal inference. Our overall goal is to unearth predictors that forecast well. In the absence of sufficiently accurate forecasts, scarce resources to help prevent mass violence cannot be allocated where they are most needed.
Rapid response to mass shootings
Authors: Reeping Paul M. , Jacoby Sara , Rajan Sonali , Branas Charles C.
Published: December 2019

Research Summary

We conducted a scoping review of literature indexed in the National Library of Medicine's journal citation database, MEDLINE, and Scopus to identify articles in which the rapid response of hospital staff, emergency medical services personnel, the police, and the public to mass shootings is covered. Sixty‐five articles were included, and critical themes related to reducing the harm from a mass shooting were summarized.

Policy Implications

According to our findings, when mass shootings occur in the United States, several evidence‐informed steps can be taken from the moment the first bullet is fired until the last injured individual is transported to the hospital to promote a rapid response that can reduce death and disability. Ten recommendations are made ranging from recognition of the need for rapid response and bystander training to triage and transport training of police and avoidance of over‐response.
Effects of thalidomide on Th17, Treg cells and TGF‐β1/Smad3 pathway in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis
Authors: Lu Yi , Zhao Cheng , Lei Ling , Tao Zhiqing , Zheng Leting , Wen Jing , Li Xi
Published: December 2019

Objective

To evaluate the immune regulatory and anti‐fibrosis function of thalidomide (Thal) in systemic sclerosis (SSc), we investigated the effects of Thal on: (a) Th17 and Treg cell production; (b) related factors expression; and (c) transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1/Smad3 pathway, using a mouse model of SSc.

Methods

Forty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a normal control (NC) group, SSc group (bleomycin [BLM]‐induced experimental SSc), BLM + Thal (10 mg/kg/day) group, BLM + Thal (20) group, and BLM + Thal (30) group. Thal was administered a day after BLM. At the end of the animal experiments, mouse tissues were collected for detection of pathological changes and hydroxyproline content. Flow cytometry, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and other methods were used to measure Th17, Treg cell population and their related factors, as well as TGF‐β1/Smad3 pathway expression.

Results

Thal treatment: (a) reduced skin, and pulmonary tissue fibrosis, inflammation score, and hydroxyproline content (P < .001) in BLM‐induced SSc mice; (b) reduced the percentages of Th17 cells and associated interleukin (IL)‐17A expression (both P < .05) but increased the percentages of Treg cells and its transcription factor Foxp3 expression (both P < .05); (c) correlation analysis found positive correlations between Th17/Treg ratio, the inflammatory score of the skin and pulmonary tissues, hydroxyproline content, and type I collagen messenger RNA expression (r = .8546, .8656, .6902, .6807, .8118, and .8424, respectively, P < .01); (d) Thal inhibited TGF‐β1 expression and Smad3 phosphorylation (both P < .05); (e) TGF‐β1 was positively correlated with the IL‐17A and Th17/Treg ratio (r = .5856, P = .005; r = .6684, P = .0107, respectively).

Conclusion

Thal can effectively prevent skin and pulmonary tissue fibrosis in a mouse model of SSc through the TGF‐β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and can rectify the distortion of the Th17/Treg balance in SSc by potentially regulating Th17 and Treg cell production, as well as their related factors expression.
Downregulation of Rab17 promotes cell proliferation and invasion in non‐small cell lung cancer through STAT3/HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling
Authors: Wang Mingliang , Wang Wendong , Ding Jingmin , Wang Jiashun , Zhang Jun
Published: December 2019

Background

Rab GTPases play a key role in regulating intercellular vesicle trafficking in both exo‐ and endocytic pathways. Recent studies have reported that Rab small GTPases and the associated regulatory proteins and effectors are involved in many cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological role of Rab17 in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the relative mechanism.

Methods

Rab17 expression in human NSCLC cell lines and tissues was evaluated using real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR), western blot and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. NSCLC cell lines with RAB17 stable knockdown were generated to explore its function in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we investigated the potential mechanism of Rab17 by identifying the expression levels of STAT3/HIF‐1α/VEGF pathway using western blot analysis.

Results

Decreased Rab17 expression was correlated with poor overall survival in NSCLC patients. The functional assays showed that knockdown of Rab17 could promote tumorigenic properties of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo, including enhanced cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion and migration, angiogenesis and tumor xenograft growth, and suppressed apoptosis. Moreover, Rab17 downregulation decreased epithelial marker E‐cadherin and increased mesenchymal markers Vimentin and β‐catenin, suggesting knockdown of Rab17 induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Conclusion

Downregulation of Rab17 promotes cell invasion and enhances tumorigenicity in part through the STAT3/HIF‐1α/VEGF pathway, which may represent a novel potential therapeutic target.
Compromised steady‐state germinal center activity with age in nonhuman primates
Authors: Shankwitz Kimberly , Pallikkuth Suresh , Sirupangi Tirupataiah , Kirk Kvistad Daniel , Russel Kyle Blaine , Pahwa Rajendra , Gama Lucio , Koup Richard A. , Pan Li , Villinger Francois , Pahwa Savita , Petrovas Constantinos
Published: December 2019

Age‐related reductions in vaccine‐induced B cells in aging indicate that germinal centers (GCs), the anatomical site where the development of humoral responses takes place, may lose efficacy with age. We have investigated the baseline follicular and GC composition in nonhuman primates (NHPs) with respect to their age. There was a marked reduction in follicular area in old animals. We found significantly lower normalized numbers of follicular PD1hi CD4 T (Tfh) and proliferating (Ki67hi) GC B cells with aging, a profile associated with significantly higher numbers of potential follicular suppressor FoxP3hiLag3hi CD4 T cells. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between Tfh and follicular CD8 T cells (fCD8) only in young animals. Despite the increased levels of circulating preinflammatory factors in aging, young animals had higher numbers of monocytes and granulocytes in the follicles, a profile negatively associated with numbers of Tfh cells. Multiple regression analysis showed an altered association between GC B cells and other GC immune cell populations in old animals suggesting a differential mechanistic regulation of GC activity in aging. Our data demonstrate defective baseline GC composition in old NHPs and provide an immunological base for further understanding the adaptive humoral responses with respect to aging.
Chronic Voluntary Ethanol Drinking in Cynomolgus Macaques Elicits Gene Expression Changes in Prefrontal Cortical Area 46
Authors: Walter Nicole A. R. , Zheng Christina L. , Searles Robert P. , McWeeney Shannon K. , Grant Kathleen A. , Hitzemann Robert
Published: December 2019

Background

Genome‐wide profiling to examine brain transcriptional features associated with excessive ethanol (EtOH) consumption has been applied to a variety of species including rodents, nonhuman primates (NHPs), and humans. However, these data were obtained from cross‐sectional samples which are particularly vulnerable to individual variation when obtained from small outbred populations typical of human and NHP studies. In the current study, a novel within‐subject design was used to examine the effects of voluntary EtOH consumption on prefrontal cortex (PFC) gene expression in a NHP model.

Methods

Two cohorts of cynomolgus macaques (n = 23) underwent a schedule‐induced polydipsia procedure to establish EtOH self‐administration followed by 6 months of daily open access to EtOH (4% w/v) and water. Individual daily EtOH intakes ranged from an average of 0.7 to 3.7 g/kg/d. Dorsal lateral PFC area 46 (A46) brain biopsies were collected in EtOH‐naïve and control monkeys; contralateral A46 biopsies were collected from the same monkeys following the 6 months of fluid consumption. Gene expression changes were assessed using RNA‐Seq paired analysis, which allowed for correction of individual baseline differences in gene expression.

Results

A total of 675 genes were significantly down‐regulated following EtOH consumption; these were functionally enriched for immune response, cell adhesion, plasma membrane, and extracellular matrix. A total of 567 genes that were up‐regulated following EtOH consumption were enriched in microRNA target sites and included target sites associated with Toll‐like receptor pathways. The differentially expressed genes were also significantly enriched in transcription factor binding sites.

Conclusions

The data presented here are the first to use a longitudinal biopsy strategy to examine how chronic EtOH consumption affects gene expression in the primate PFC. Prominent effects were seen in both cell adhesion and neuroimmune pathways; the latter contained both pro‐ and antiinflammatory genes. The data also indicate that changes in miRNAs and transcription factors may be important epigenetic regulators of EtOH consumption.
Sex Differences in the Expression of the α5 Subunit of the GABAA Receptor in Alcoholics with and without Cirrhosis of the Liver
Authors: Janeczek Paulina , Colson Natalie , Dodd Peter R. , Lewohl Joanne M.
Published: December 2019

Background

Alcohol exposure alters the expression of a large number of genes, resulting in neuronal adaptions and neuronal loss, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. miRNAs are gene repressors that are abundant in the brain. A recent study identified ~ 35 miRNAs that are up‐regulated in the prefrontal cortex of human alcoholics and predicted to target genes that are down‐regulated in the same region. Although interactions between alcohol‐responsive miRNAs and their target genes have been predicted, few studies have validated these predictions.

Methods

We measured the expression of GABAAα5 mRNA in the prefrontal and motor cortices of human alcoholics and matched controls using real‐time PCR. The expression of miR‐203 was measured in a subset of these cases. The predicted interaction of miR‐203 and GABRA5 was validated for miR‐203 using a luciferase reporter assay.

Results

In both frontal and motor cortices, the expression of GABAAα5 was significantly lower in cirrhotic alcoholics compared with controls. Further, the pattern of expression between the groups was significantly different between males and females. The expression of miR‐203 was higher in the prefrontal cortex of cirrhotic alcoholics compared with controls and uncomplicated alcoholics. These differences were particularly marked in female cases. Cotransfection of GABRA5 with miR‐203 in HEK293T cells reduced luciferase reporter activity.

Conclusion

There are sex differences in the expression of GABAAα5 and miR‐203 in the brain of human alcoholics which are particularly marked in alcoholics with cirrhosis of the liver. Further, miR‐203 may mediate the changes in expression of this GABAA receptor isoform that is brought about by alcohol exposure.
Impact of hospital resection volume and service capability on post‐operative mortality following gastrectomy
Authors: Narendra Aaditya , Baade Peter D. , Aitken Joanne F. , Fawcett Jonathan , Smithers B. Mark
Published: December 2019

Background

Improved post‐operative mortality following gastrectomy for cancer in hospitals with higher resection volumes has not been reported in Australia. Using a population‐based study in Queensland, we aimed to compare post‐operative mortality following gastrectomy between high‐ and low‐volume hospitals stratified by their service capability.

Methods

All patients undergoing gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma in Queensland between 2001 and 2015 were obtained from the Queensland Oncology Repository. Hospital service capability was defined using the 2015 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare hospital peer groupings. Hospitals were grouped into ‘high‐volume (≥5 gastrectomies annually), high service capability’ (HVHS); ‘low‐volume (<5), high service capability’; and ‘low‐volume, low service capability’ (LVLS). Negative binomial regression models were used to compare 30‐ and 90‐day mortality rates between hospital groups adjusting for age, sex, socio‐economic status, Charlson and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, treatment regimen, stage and time‐period. Potential mediation of mortality differences between hospital groups due to differences in the type of gastrectomy performed was also examined.

Results

LVLS hospitals have higher adjusted 30‐day (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65–5.35) and 90‐day (IRR 1.95, 95% CI 1.23–3.09) mortality rates compared with HVHS hospitals. There is no significant difference in adjusted 30‐day (IRR 1.16, 95% CI 0.48–2.79) and 90‐day (IRR 1.12, 95% CI 0.59–2.13) mortality rates comparing low‐volume, high service capability hospitals with HVHS hospitals. The type of gastrectomy performed did not significantly influence differences in mortality compared between hospital groups.

Conclusion

In the Australian environment, post‐operative mortality following gastric cancer surgery may be optimized by centralizing gastrectomy away from hospitals characterized by LVLS.
Mitochondrial fusion promoter restores mitochondrial dynamics balance and ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy in an optic atrophy 1‐dependent way
Authors: Ding Mingge , Liu Chaoyang , Shi Rui , Yu Mingzhe , Zeng Ke , Kang Junjun , Fu Feng , Mi Mantian
Published: December 2019

Aim

Imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics including suppressed mitochondrial fusion has been observed in diabetic hearts. However, it is still unknown whether mitochondrial fusion promoter is an effective protection to diabetic hearts. This study was designed to explore the efficacy of mitochondrial fusion promoter on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods

Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg/d) intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. Seven weeks after vehicle or STZ injection, control or diabetic rats were treated with the vehicle or a mitochondrial fusion promoter‐M1 (2 mg/kg/d) intraperitoneally for 6 weeks. Moreover, M1 was administrated to the primary cardiomyocytes cultured in normal glucose medium (NG, 5.5 mmol/L) or high glucose (HG, 33 mnol/L).

Results

Administration of M1 significantly promoted mitochondrial fusion and attenuated the reduction in optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) expression in diabetic hearts. Importantly, M1 treatment attenuated oxidative stress, improved mitochondrial function and alleviated DCM in diabetic rats. In HG‐treated cardiomyocytes, M1 treatment consistently increased the expression of Opa1, promoted mitochondrial fusion, enhanced mitochondrial respiratory capacity and reduced mitochondria‐derived superoxide production, all of which were blunted by Opa1 siRNA knockdown. In addition, selective upregulation of Opa1 alone can also promote mitochondrial fusion, improve mitochondrial function and inhibit mitochondria‐derived superoxide production in HG‐cultured cardiomyocytes.

Conclusion

Our findings show for the first time that mitochondrial fusion promoter M1 effectively balances mitochondrial dynamics and protects against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) via an Opa1‐dependent way, suggesting that promoting mitochondrial fusion might be a potential therapeutic strategy for DCM.
Clothing color mediates lizard responses to humans in a tropical forest
Authors: Fondren Andrea , Swierk Lindsey , Putman Breanna J.
Published: December 2019

Identifying how ecotourism affects wildlife can lower its environmental impact. Human presence is an inherent component of ecotourism, which can impact animal behavior because animals often perceive humans as predators and, consequently, spend more time on human‐directed antipredator behaviors and less on other fitness‐relevant activities. We tested whether human clothing color affects water anole (Anolis aquaticus) behavior at a popular ecotourism destination in Costa Rica, testing the hypothesis that animals are more tolerant of humans wearing their sexually selected signaling color. We examined whether clothing resembling the primary signaling color (orange) of water anoles increases number of anole sightings and ease of capture. Research teams mimicked an ecotourism group by searching for anoles wearing one of three shirt treatments: orange, green, or blue. We conducted surveys at three different sites: a primary forest, secondary forest, and abandoned pasture. Wearing orange clothing resulted in more sightings and greater capture rates compared with blue or green. A higher proportion of males were captured when wearing orange whereas sex ratios of captured anoles were more equally proportional in the surveys when observers wore green or blue. We also found that capture success was greater when more people were present during a capture attempt. We demonstrate that colors “displayed” by perceived predators (i.e., humans) alter antipredator behaviors in water anoles. Clothing choice could have unintended impacts on wildlife, and wearing colors resembling the sexually selected signaling color might enhance tolerance toward humans.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Changes in young children's oral health‐related behaviours and caregiver knowledge: A cluster randomized controlled trial in Brazil
Authors: Menegaz Aryane Marques , Quevedo Luciana de Ávila , Muniz Ludmila Correa , Finlayson Tracy L. , Ayala Guadalupe X. , Cascaes Andreia Morales
Published: December 2019

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to improve young children's oral health‐related behaviours and caregiver knowledge.

Methods

This paper reports on findings from a cluster randomized controlled trial, 12 months after of baseline, conducted in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Two Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) and 170 caregiver‐child dyads were assigned to an intervention group, and two PHCs and 174 dyads were assigned to a control group. Children's oral hygiene behaviours, sugar consumption and use of dental services were the outcomes analysed as well as changes in caregiver knowledge. The impact of the intervention was assessed using multilevel mixed‐effects model regressions and the change rate ratios (IRR) were expressed.

Results

There were positive and significant changes in favour of the intervention group in children's oral hygiene behaviours, use of dental services, and caregivers’ knowledge of oral health. For example, children in the intervention group were more likely to have brushed with fluoride toothpaste at least two times a day (IRR 1.43, 95% CI 1.06‐1.92), to have brushed their teeth before bedtime (IRR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02‐1.84), and to have used dental services for preventive care (IRR 2.54, 95% CI 2.02‐3.19) than children in the control group.

Conclusion

This intervention had positive effects on children's oral health‐related behaviours and caregivers’ oral health knowledge.
Conservation enforcement: Insights from people incarcerated for wildlife crimes in Nepal
Authors: Paudel Kumar , Potter Gary R. , Phelps Jacob
Published: December 2019

There are long‐standing debates about the effectiveness and social impacts of enforcement‐based conservation, particularly as investments into enforcement increase in response to growing alarm about Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT). However, there is little data on the people subject to this enforcement, including prison sentences, species targeted, what motivates and deters them, and the social impacts of enforcement. This study identified 384 individuals across Nepal who were in prison for IWT offences in late 2016, and involved interviews (n = 116) focused on respondents' trade practices, economic circumstances and motivations. IWT prisoners represented 10–20% of the total prison populations in two regions and often received stiff sanctions, with a range of downstream impacts on respondents' families. Most respondents were arrested for their involvement in the rhinoceros trade (61%). Most were poor (56%) and from indigenous communities (75%), highlighting potentially inequitable impacts of enforcement. Despite common assumptions about the links between IWT, poverty and organized crime, most respondents were motivated by the desire to earn extra income and by the ease of IWT compared to other employment. IWT was neither a primary livelihood strategy, nor had the attributes for formal organized crime. Respondents, particularly poor respondents, seemed to underestimate the risks of detection and incompletely understood the scale of sanctions. Improved public awareness about the scale and social impacts of sanctions could help increase deterrence effects while reducing unintended social harms of enforcement.
Detection of LV apical thrombus by three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Fazlinezhad Afsoon , Narayanasamy Hemalatha , Wilansky Susan , Naqvi Tasneem Z.
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Patients with apical myocardial infarction are at higher risk of developing left ventricular (LV) thrombi. Standard transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is commonly used in assessing cardiac source of embolic cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Contrast‐enhanced transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) improves sensitivity for thrombus detection compared with noncontrast TTE, and however for LV apical thrombi, contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) outperform both TTE and TEE in some studies.

Case

A 67‐year‐old man with history of prior myocardial infarction (MI), four‐vessel coronary artery bypass surgery, congestive heart failure with LV ejection fraction of 30%, and diabetes mellitus presented to our facility with acute right occipital‐parietal stroke and recent history of left lower extremity ischemia. Head and neck MRI and MR angiography found multiple posterior circulation infarcts suggestive of cardio‐embolic etiology. TTE image quality was suboptimal even after contrast use to evaluate for LV thrombus, and due to renal insufficiency, MRI or CT was precluded and 3DTEE identified large LV apical thrombus with mobile components.

Conclusion

3DTEE may increase the detection of LV apical thrombi as well as evaluating its characteristics by live imaging as well as by offline reconstruction. TEE may be a useful diagnostic modality, especially in patients with decreased renal function, where iodinated contrast for cardiac CT or Gadolinium for MRI may be contraindicated. Multimodality imaging studies may further prove the utility of 3D echocardiographic imaging in the detection of LV apical thrombus.
Framework and operationalisation challenges for quantitative comparative research in higher education
Authors: Seeber Marco
Published: December 2019

The increasing availability of data on higher education systems, institutions and their members creates new opportunities for comparative research adopting a quantitative approach. The value of future studies crucially depends on the capability to recognise and address some major methodological challenges existing in quantitative comparative research in higher education. The higher education context presents in fact specific features that can hinder comparisons, and political and social processes occurred in recent decades further enhanced complexity. This article aims to discuss key challenges that are currently met in quantitative comparative research in higher education while developing the conceptual framework and in research operationalisation, to discuss possible solutions and the value of configurational and multilevel analytical approaches in identifying meaningful objects of comparisons, to take into account the complexity of the higher education context and in identifying causal relationships.