bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A qualitative study to improve the student learning experience
Authors: Jastania Raid A. , Balata Gehan F. , Abd El-Hady Mohamed I.S. , Gouda Ahmad , Abd El-Wahab Mohamad , Temraz Abeer , Ibrahim Nashwa M. , Beshr Eman , Mahdi Abeer Y. , Mousa Rabab , Tag Batool F. , Hisham Hadeel , El-Sofiani Ibtehal
Published: July 2017

Purpose

For any educational institution, student satisfaction is an important goal. Thus, the purpose of the study is to use a structured improvement process, define–measure–analyse–improve–control (DMAIC) methodology, to improve students’ satisfaction regarding their learning experience at the College of Pharmacy/Umm Al-Qura University.

Design/methodology/approach

The study first defines the problem and develops the project charter. Then the study visualizes the students’ learning experience process that is defined using a flow chart and a value stream map. Students’ voices were captured through a modified version of a survey developed by Levitz (2015-2016) that covered different aspects of the students’ learning experience. Next, Pareto analysis and cause-and-effect diagrams were used to identify the few vital factors affecting students’ satisfaction. The net promoter score was chosen as a primary metric to measure students’ satisfaction regarding their learning experience.

Findings

The analysis results revealed that there were eight areas of dissatisfaction: poor catering services, improper physical environment, students’ feedback being overlooked, inappropriate measures for course delivery, absence of appropriate advice about future career, inefficient field experience and finally and poor academic support. Based on these results, an improvement plan was prepared and the first stage of the plan was implemented. The success of the plan was investigated by measuring the net promoter score which was increased by about 11.9 per cent after implementation of the first stage of the plan.

Originality/value

The study emphasizes that the DMAIC methodology can be applied successfully to improve students’ learning experience and to discover additional value for students.
The inherited risk of retained placenta: a population based cohort study
Authors: Endler M , Cnattingius S , Granfors M , Wikström A‐K
Published: July 2017

Objective

To investigate whether retained placenta in the first generation is associated with an increased risk of retained placenta in the second generation.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Sweden.

Population

Using linked generational data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register 1973–2012, we identified 494 000 second‐generation births with information on the birth of the mother (first‐generation index birth). For 292 897 of these births there was information also on the birth of the father.

Methods

Risk of retained placenta in the second generation was calculated as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) by unconditional logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) according to whether retained placenta occurred in a first generation birth or not.

Main outcome

Retained placenta in the second generation.

Results

The risk of retained placenta in a second‐generation birth was increased if retained placenta had occurred at the mother's own birth (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.52–1.82), at the birth of one of her siblings (aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.43–1.76) or both (aOR 2.75, 95% CI 2.18–3.46). The risk was slightly increased if retained placenta had occurred at the birth of the father (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.07–1.41). For preterm births in both generations, the risk of retained placenta in the second generation was increased six‐fold if retained placenta had occurred at the mother's birth (OR 6.55, 95% CI 2.68–16.02).

Conclusion

There is an intergenerational recurrence of retained placenta on the maternal and most likely also on the paternal side. The recurrence risk seems strongest in preterm pregnancies.

Tweetable abstract

A population‐based cohort study suggests that there is an intergenerational recurrence of retained placenta.
My experiences with Indigenist methodologies
Authors: MacDonald Katherine
Published: July 2017

Traditionally, geographic research and engagement with Indigenous communities have largely been developed within a western research paradigm and have historically been linked to colonial practices such as extraction and/or domination. The consequences of these research practices and paradigms have been the further marginalisation of Indigenous people globally. However, geographers are increasingly being influenced by a range of Indigenous scholars from both within and beyond the discipline who highlight the colonial foundations of geographic knowledge and the ongoing production of colonial relations, and who are calling for a decolonisation of knowledge through the use of Indigenist methodologies. After exploring this shift, this paper moves to a discussion of my engagement with research in Indigenous communities using Indigenist methodologies, including the emotions and thought processes that emerged during my own research journey, which led me to southern Guyana and the Makushi and Wapishana peoples who reside in the northern savannah environments of the Amazon basin. I conclude by sharing how I am continuing that journey using Indigenist approaches in my work in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, and by encouraging future scholars to challenge traditional geographic research methods.
Histone variants expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Asadipour Maryam , Hassan‐Zadeh Vahideh , Aryaeian Naheed , Shahram Farhad , Mahmoudi Mahdi
Published: July 2017

Aim

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the expression of four histone variants, implicated in the regulation of gene expression, in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls.

Method

We analyzed the expression of three genes encoding histone variants H3.3, H2A.Z, macroH2A1.1 and macroH2A1.2 in PBMC samples of 50 patients with RA, diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, and 51 matched healthy controls using SYBR green real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Mann–Whitney U‐test and Spearman correlation were used for data analysis.

Results

The expression of H2A.Z was increased by 1.51‐fold (P < 0.001) and the expression of H3.3 was increased by 1.13‐fold (P = 0.048) in PBMCs of patients with RA compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between Disease Activity Score (DAS‐28) based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the expression of H2A.Z.

Conclusions

Given the role of H3.3 and H2A.Z in nucleosome positioning, chromatin structure and transcription regulation, we suggest that lymphocytes and monocytes, the main cell subtypes in PBMCs of RA patients, possess a more accessible chromatin.
Tuberculosis and biologics in rheumatology: A special situation
Authors: Handa Rohini , Upadhyaya Sundeep , Kapoor Sanjiv , Jois Ramesh , Pandey Bimlesh D. , Bhatnagar Anuj K. , Khanna Ashwani , Goyal Vishal , Kumar Kamal
Published: July 2017

India has a huge patient burden of rheumatic diseases (RDs) including rheumatoid arthritis. The use of biologics has transformed the treatment paradigm for RD; however, biologic treatment‐related infections (especially tuberculosis [TB]) are an area of potential concern for TB‐endemic nations like India. Anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy impairs the physiological TNF‐mediated signaling and may cause reactivation and dissemination of latent TB infection (LTBI). Careful screening is, thus, crucial in RD patients who are about to commence anti‐TNF treatment. To date, there is no consensus available for the screening, evaluation and treatment of LTBI as well as on the drug dosage and duration regimen (monotherapy or combination therapy) in the Indian population. An evidence‐based algorithm for LTBI screening and management in RD patients undergoing biologic disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug therapy is suggested in this review for Indian rheumatologists. The proposed algorithm guides physicians through a step‐wise screening approach, including medical history, tuberculin skin test, interferon gamma release assay, chest radiograph and management of LTBI with isoniazid therapy or its combination with rifampicin. Further, the provided algorithm can aid the national bodies (such as National TB Control Program) in formulating recommendations for LTBI in this high‐risk population.
A multicenter study to evaluate oxidative stress by oxidation–reduction potential, a reliable and reproducible method
Authors: Agarwal A. , Arafa M. , Chandrakumar R. , Majzoub A. , AlSaid S. , Elbardisi H.
Published: July 2017

Seminal oxidative stress (OS) is well‐known to affect male fertility status. The discrepancy in OS measurement has hindered its clinical use as a quality indicator for semen. Some tests measured single markers of oxidants or reductants, leading to lack of standardization of results. Oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) is a better representative for OS as it provides an overall measure of the activity of both oxidants and reductants. ORP assessment by MiOXSYS has been introduced as a measure of OS with high specificity in differentiating fertile from infertile semen samples. This is a retrospective study comparing data from semen analysis and ORP measurements between two andrology laboratories in the USA and Qatar over a period of 12 months. The same protocol was followed by both laboratories. The USA dataset contained 194 patients and 51 fertile donors, while the Qatar dataset contained 400 patients and 50 fertile donors. In both datasets and in the combined dataset, the infertile group had significantly lower sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, and normal morphology as well as higher ORP levels compared to fertile men (p < 0.05). When comparing data from both centers, the infertile group showed significant difference between both datasets regarding progressive motility and morphology (p < 0.001). Also, the percentage of patients with abnormal semen volume, sperm count, total and progressive motility were significantly different between both datasets (p < 0.05). ORP levels showed no significant difference between both datasets (p < 0.08). ROC analysis indicated that ORP cutoff value of 1.42 mV/106/mL in the USA group, Qatar group, and combined dataset can accurately differentiate fertile from infertile semen groups. Although other semen parameters showed significant differences between the two centers, ORP remained consistent in both datasets individually or in combined data. This proves its reproducibility and reliability.
National data study showed that adolescents living in poorer households and with one parent were more likely to be bullied
Authors: Låftman SB , Fransson E , Modin B , Östberg V
Published: July 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess whether sociodemographic household characteristics were associated with which Swedish adolescents were more likely to be bullied.

Methods

The data were derived from the Swedish Living Conditions Survey and its child supplements from the survey years 2008–2011. The analyses included information on 3951 adolescents aged 10–18 years. Exposure to bullying was reported by adolescents, and information on sociodemographic household characteristics was reported by parents and obtained from official registers. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the data.

Results

Adolescents were more likely to be bullied if they lived in households with no cash margin, defined as the ability to pay an unexpected bill of 8000 Swedish Kronor or about 800 Euros, and if they lived with just one custodial parent. In the unadjusted analyses, elevated risks were identified if adolescents lived in working class households and had unemployed and foreign‐born parents. However, these associations were at least partly accounted for by other sociodemographic household characteristics, in particular the lack of a cash margin.

Conclusion

This study showed that Swedish adolescents living in households with more limited financial resources had an increased risk of being bullied, supporting results from previous international research.
‘Will I want these stickers tomorrow?’ Preschoolers’ ability to predict current and future needs
Authors: Martin‐Ordas Gema
Published: July 2017

Between 3 and 5 years of age, children develop the ability to plan for their own and others' future needs; however, they have great difficulty predicting future needs that conflict with current ones. Importantly, this ability has only been tested in the domain of physiological states (e.g., thirst). Therefore, it is still an open question whether in a different context preschoolers can disengage from their current needs to secure a different future one. In a Resource Allocation task, 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds had to distribute three types of rewards between themselves and another child for either ‘right now’ or ‘tomorrow’. Children's current needs were manipulated by providing them (or not) with their preferred reward at beginning of the task. Only 5‐year‐olds could predict future needs that conflict with their current ones and act accordingly. Younger children's performance is discussed in the context of temporal and social distance.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

By the age of 4, children can plan for their own and others' future needs.

Seven‐year‐old children still have difficulty predicting future physiological needs that conflict with their current ones.

What does this study add?

In a Resource Allocation task, preschoolers had to share rewards with another child for ‘right now’ or ‘tomorrow’.

Children's current needs were manipulated by providing them (or not) with their preferred reward.

This study shows that 5‐year‐olds can predict future (non‐physiological) needs that conflict with their current ones.
Pregnancy in women with nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Time to conceive and outcome
Authors: Eyal Ori , Ayalon‐Dangur Irit , Segev‐Becker Anat , Schachter‐Davidov Anita , Israel Shoshana , Weintrob Naomi
Published: July 2017

Objective

Nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) is common among Ashkenazi Jews (1:400). It is associated with various degrees of postnatal virilization, irregular menses and infertility. Therapy of symptomatic subjects consists of physiologic doses of glucocorticoids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of glucocorticoid treatment on fertility and on pregnancy outcome in women with NCAH.

Design, Setting and Patients

This retrospective study included 75 women diagnosed with NCAH who were followed in our clinic and sought fertility between 2008 and 2015.

Results

Seventy‐two women succeeded in conceiving (187 pregnancies). Time to conception was 4.0 ± 7 months without and 3.3 ± 3 months with glucocorticoid therapy (P = .43). Seventeen pregnancies were achieved by glucocorticoid therapy after failure to conceive spontaneously. Time to conception before therapy initiation was 10.2 ± 11.4 months compared to 3.3 ± 3.4 months after therapy initiation (P = .02). Of 187 pregnancies, 135 (72%) resulted in live births, 38 (20.3%) ended in spontaneous miscarriages during the first trimester, seven (3.7%) were electively terminated, three (1.6%) were ectopic and four (2.1%) were ongoing during the study with similar rate in glucocorticoid treated and untreated pregnancies.

Conclusions

The 96% pregnancy rate among our cohort of NCAH females was similar to the 95% rate reported for the normal population. Glucocorticoid therapy may shorten the time to conceive in a subgroup of women with NCAH. Glucocorticoid therapy did not affect the rate of first trimester miscarriage. Our 77% live birth rate was similar to the 72% live birth rate in the current healthy US population.
EXAMINING REGULATORY CAPTURE: EVIDENCE FROM THE NHL
Authors: DeAngelo Gregory , Nowak Adam , Reimers Imke
Published: July 2017

Regulatory capture has garnered significant attention, but poses a difficult empirical exercise since most relationships between regulators and regulated parties occur behind closed doors. In this research, we overcome this problem by analyzing an environment where the behavior of both the regulator and regulated parties are publicly available. Specifically, we utilize data from the National Hockey League (NHL) to examine the impact of general experience as a referee as well as experience refereeing a particular team on the assignation of penalties. We find that gaining general experience as a referee significantly reduces the number of penalties that a referee assigns. However, as a referee gains experience refereeing a specific team, they significantly reduce the number of penalties assessed to this team relative to teams that they have less experience refereeing, confirming that regulatory capture is observed among referees and teams in the NHL. (JEL G18, L51, K42)
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study of the effects of levetiracetam on cognition, mood, and balance in healthy older adults
Authors: Schoenberg Mike R. , Rum Ruba S. , Osborn Katie E. , Werz Mary Ann
Published: July 2017

Objective

The cognitive and mood effects of levetiracetam (LEV) in older adults are not known. This study compared the cognitive and mood effects ofLEVto placebo in healthy older adults.

Methods

Cognitive, mood, and balance variables were compared betweenLEVand placebo using a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study with two 5‐week treatment periods. Healthy volunteers (n = 20) aged 65–80 (mean age 72.4) received eitherLEVor placebo in which theLEVtarget dose was 1,000 mg/day. Volunteers, aged 65–80, were without epilepsy to limit potentially confounding the impact of seizures and/or underlying neuropathology on outcomes.LEVwas initiated at 250 mg twice a day for 2 weeks, then increased to 500 mg twice a day for 2 weeks, and then tapered to 250 mg twice a day for 1 week. This was randomized with placebo for the two treatment arms. Measures included standardized neuropsychological, mood, and balance tests yielding 32 variables. Balance was assessed using subjective report (e.g., A‐B neurotoxicity scale) and objective data (e.g., Berg Balance Scale).

Results

AverageLEVserum concentration was 16.9 (standard deviation [SD}7.7). Repeated‐measuresanalysis of variance (ANOVA)found no differences betweenLEVand placebo phases for 29 (90.6%) of 32 variables including no change in balance. Performance onLEVwas better than placebo on a visual memory (MCGComplex Figure Recall; p = 0.007) and two attention tests (Trail Making Test, Part A, p = 0.009; Stroop Interference, p = 0.004). There was a trend for greater irritability and fatigue (POMSAnger and Fatigue) during theLEVphase (p = 0.029, p = 0.035). Effect‐size changes were generally small (Cohen d < 0.5).

Significance

LEVwas well tolerated in this elderly population in terms of cognition, mood, and balance. When anticonvulsant medication is indicated for older adults,LEVhas pharmacokinetic advantages, and these data indicate no adverse impact on cognition or balance.
Extending electronic length frequency analysis in R
Authors: Taylor M. H. , Mildenberger T. K.
Published: July 2017

Electronic length frequency analysis (ELEFAN) is a system of stock assessment methods using length‐frequency (LFQ) data. One step is the estimation of growth from the progression of LFQ modes through time using the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF). The option to fit a seasonally oscillating VBGF (soVBGF) requires a more intensive search due to two additional parameters. This work describes the implementation of two optimisation approaches (“simulated annealing” and “genetic algorithm”) for growth function fitting using the open‐source software “R.” Using a generated LFQ data set with known values, the accuracy of the soVBGF parameter estimation was evaluated. The results indicate that both optimisation approaches are capable of finding high scoring solutions, yet settings regarding the initial restructuring process for LFQ bin scoring (i.e. “moving average,”) and the fixing of the asymptotic length parameter (L∞) are found to have significant effects on parameter estimation error. An outlook provides context as to the significance of the R‐based implementation for further testing and development, as well as the general relevance of the method for data‐limited stock assessment.
MYC expression and translocation analyses in low‐grade and transformed follicular lymphoma
Authors: Aukema Sietse M , van Pel Roel , Nagel Inga , Bens Susanne , Siebert Reiner , Rosati Stefano , van den Berg Eva , Bosga‐Bouwer Anneke G , Kibbelaar Robby E , Hoogendoorn Mels , van Imhoff Gustaaf W , Kluin‐Nelemans Hanneke C , Kluin Philip M , Nijland Marcel
Published: July 2017

Aims

Low‐grade follicular lymphoma (FL) (grade 1/2, FL1/2) has an annual risk of transformation of ≈3%, which is associated with aberrations in CDKN2A/B, TP53, and MYC. As in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, high MYC expression in transformed FL (tFL) might predict a MYC breakpoint.

Methods and results

We quantified MYC expression by immunohistochemistry and digital analysis in 41 paired biopsies from 20 patients with FL1/2 with subsequent transformation and in four isolated biopsies of tFL. As controls, 28 biopsies of FL1/2 without transformation (median follow‐up of 105 months) and nine biopsies of FL3A/B were analysed. In the 20 FL1/2–tFL pairs, MYC expression was significantly higher in tFL than in the initial FL1/2 biopsies (median 54% versus 6%; 7% in FL3A, and 35% in FL3B). MYC breaks (MYC‐R) were detected in eight of 21 (38%) tFLs analysed by fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH), with a median MYC score of 86%. In two of the analysed tFL cases, the translocation was already detected in antecedent FL1/2. MYC partners were immunoglobulin (IG) loci in three of eight cases (one IGL, one IGH, and one IGK) and non‐IG in five of eight cases (two PAX5, one BCL6, and two unknown). Of the eight MYC‐R+ cases, six were BCL2+/MYC+ double‐hit, one was BCL2+/BCL6+/MYC+ triple‐hit, and one was MYC+ single‐hit. All three IG‐MYC+ cases showed a MYC expression level of >85%, whereas the five cases with a non‐IG MYC partner had a wider range of expression (median 68%, range 13–86%). Among the 13 MYC‐R− tFLs, two groups with almost dichotomous MYC expression could be observed (three cases showed ≥90% MYC expression), suggesting alternative mechanisms of MYC activation.

Conclusions

we show an increase in MYC expression from FL1/2 to tFL. MYC breakpoints were present in ≈40% of the cases, which is markedly higher than in de novo DLBCL. MYC expression was uniformly high in cases with an IG‐MYC translocation but much more heterogeneous and in part independent of the presence of a MYC break in non‐IG‐MYC and MYC‐negative cases.
Evidence that dispersal barriers influence blaberoid cockroach assemblages in a neotropical savanna–forest matrix
Authors: Evangelista Dominic A. , Russell Gareth , Russell Kimberly N. , Bourne Godfrey , Ware Jessica L.
Published: July 2017

The forest refuge hypothesis to explain Amazonian diversity places an importance on dry savanna as a landscape feature isolating populations of humid forest‐dwelling animals. Leaf‐litter cockroaches are a useful group to study this as they are terrestrial and occupy a high‐humidity microclimate.

We examine the role of savanna, forests and flood zones in affecting blaberoid cockroach assemblage composition in the north Rupununi of Guyana, an expansive savanna–forest matrix. We test whether stretches of dry savanna and flood zones are barriers to dispersal for leaf‐litter cockroaches.

Our study area is the ˜10 000 hectares of Karanambu Eco‐Lodge. We collected 1061 individuals of 17 species from 28 sites. Using a landscape classification based on satellite imagery, we generated models of relative isolation of the 28 sites using a cost of travel algorithm. We also used non‐metric multi‐dimensional scaling and Mantel tests to determine whether the similarity of cockroach assemblages could be explained by different landscape categories (savanna, forests and flood zones) or by geographic distance.

We identified a single model that best predict observed variation in cockroach abundance and species richness. Differences in assemblage similarity were largely due to differences in the savanna–forest habitat axis. Geographic distance was also found to effect assemblage similarity.

Our data suggest that savannas are barriers to dispersal, whereas flood zones are not. Future investigation of savanna driving speciation in some species is warranted, and this is a key feature of the forest refuge hypothesis.
Viscous flow of medieval cathedral glass
Authors: Gulbiten Ozgur , Mauro John C. , Guo Xiaoju , Boratav Olus N.
Published: July 2017

A popular urban legend concerns the apparent flow of stained glass windows in medieval cathedrals, where the glass windows are commonly observed to be thicker at the bottom than they are at the top. Advances in glass transition theory and experimental characterization techniques now allow for us to address this urban legend directly. In this work, we investigate the dynamics of a typical medieval glass composition used in Westminster Abbey. Depending on the thermal history of the glass, the room temperature viscosity is on the order of 1024 to 1025 Pa·s, about 16 orders of magnitude lower than found in a previous study of soda lime silicate glass. This measurement is in quantitative agreement with a newly derived model for the composition dependence of the nonequilibrium viscosity of glass. Despite this significantly lower value of the room temperature viscosity, the viscosity of the glass is much too high to observe measurable viscous flow on a human time scale. Using analytical expressions to describe the glass flow over a wall, we calculate a maximum flow of ~1 nm over a billion years.
Investing in the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities for Companies and Investors
Authors: Schramade Willem
Published: July 2017

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of ambitious targets for making the world a better place. For both companies and their investors, the pursuit of SDGs offers a “path to value” while addressing social problems—but a path that presents significant risks as well as opportunities.

To prepare themselves for the SDGs, companies and investors will have to take a number of steps: (1) determine the extent of their exposures to those SDGs that are most relevant to their businesses or investment approaches; (2) set specific goals for contributing to the most relevant and material SDGs, which means among other things reflecting such goals in incentives through the use of carefully designed metrics, or key performance indicators (KPIs); and (3) establish a system for measuring and reporting on contributions to the SDGs.

For investors, it is important to recognize that not all SDGs are equally investable and that reporting on key SDG performance indicators is still too new and uneven to rely on for investment purposes. To overcome this problem, the author's firm has developed a tagging approach that alerts investors to companies' main SDG exposures. As better data becomes available, the metrics and reporting will improve.

Although companies are increasingly referring to the SDGs in their investor communications, corporate discussion of targets and KPIs on the SDGs is rare. But reporting of such KPIs is likely to become the norm as investors begin to expect companies to report on their progress on achieving their goals. The author offers a number of hypothetical KPIs for SDGs while providing several examples of pioneering companies.
Unknown Intracardiac Electrogram
Authors: Prystowsky Eric N.
Published: July 2017

Watch a video presentation of this article.

For additional educational resources, please visit Medtronic Academy .
Comparative pathogenicity of Vibrio spp., Photobacterium damselae ssp. damselae and five isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida ssp. achromogenes in juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)
Authors: Bowden T J , Bricknell I R , Preziosi B M
Published: July 2017

Juvenile Atlantic halibut (~100 mg, Hippoglossus hippoglossus) were exposed to Vibrio proteolyticus, a Vibrio spp. isolate, Photobacterium damselae ssp. damselae and five different isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida ssp. achromogenes via an hour‐long bath immersion to ascertain their variation in pathogenicity to this fish species. Results were analysed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Analysis of the data from challenges using A. salmonicida ssp. achromogenes revealed three survival values of zero and a spread of values from 0 to 28.43. Challenges using a Vibrio spp isolate, V. proteolyticus and P. damselae resulted in Kaplan–Meier survival estimates of 31.21, 50.41 and 57.21, respectively. As all bacterial species tested could induce juvenile halibut mortalities, they must all be considered as potential pathogens. However, the degree of pathogenicity of A. salmonicida is isolate dependent.
Clarification of jamun juice by centrifugation and microfiltration: Analysis of quality parameters, operating conditions, and resistance
Authors: Ghosh Payel , Pradhan Rama Chandra , Mishra Sabyasachi
Published: July 2017

Jamun is a subtropical minor fruit having many medicinal values. It has a distinguish flavor and color. The fruit pulp was depectinized with enzyme at low temperature and the obtained juice was used for clarification process. A comparison between physicochemical properties and operating parameters were performed between centrifuged and microfiltered clarified juice. Several operating conditions (speed and time) for centrifugation and pressure and membrane pore size for microfiltration (MF) had been chosen. Juice obtained from MF with a pressure of 137.89 kPa and membrane pore size of 0.45 µm has the best result in terms of clarity, turbidity, color, and protein concentration. Permeate flux declination was observed after a certain time period (130 min) due to macromolecules and fiber particles present in the initial juice. Fouling of the membrane was due to cake layer resistance (65%), which gave the maximum contribution to the total resistance, but a good percentage of restoration of membrane was observed after CIP treatment. The study will be helpful for scaling up the clarification process in industrial level.

Practical applications

Syzygium cumini, known as jambul, jambolan, jamblang, or jamun, is a tropical tree in the flowering plant family of Myrtaceae. A fresh food contains all the nutrients needed for good health, but because it may not always be possible to obtain fresh food, preservation becomes necessary. Clarification is necessary for making homogeneous juice. An attempt has been taken to clarify the jamun juice with microfiltration with different membrane as well as pressure. The data have been compared with traditional clarification process, that is, centrifugation. This article describes the optimization parameter for clarification process as well as the membrane resistance. The results will be helpful to clarify the juice in industrial level and for further research to clarify any other pulpy juice.
Exploring approaches to dietetic assessment of a common task across different universities through assessment moderation
Authors: Palermo C. , Volders E. , Gibson S. , Kennedy M. , Wray A. , Thomas J. , Hannan‐Jones M. , Gallegos D. , Beck E.
Published: July 2017

Background

Assessment presents one of the greatest challenges to evaluating health professional trainee performance, as a result of the subjectivity of judgements and variability in assessor standards. The present study aimed to test a moderation procedure for assessment across four independent universities and explore approaches to assessment and the factors that influence assessment decisions.

Methods

Assessment tasks designed independently by each of the four universities to assess student readiness for placement were chosen for the present study. Each university provided four student performance recordings for moderation. Eight different academic assessors viewed the student performances and assessed them using the corresponding university assessment instrument. Assessment results were collated and presented back to the assessors, together with the original university assessment results. Results were discussed with assessors to explore variations. The discussion was recorded, transcribed, thematically analysed and presented back to all assessors to achieve consensus on the emerging major learnings.

Results

Although there were differences in absolute scores, there was consistency (12 out of 16 performances) in overall judgement decisions regarding placement readiness. Proficient communication skills were considered a key factor when determining placement readiness. The discussion revealed: (i) assessment instruments; (ii) assessor factors; and (iii) the subjectivity of judgement as the major factors influencing assessment.

Conclusions

Assessment moderation is a useful method for improving the quality of assessment decisions by sharing understanding and aligning standards of performance.
Filamin A expression predicts early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy
Authors: Donadon Matteo , Di Tommaso Luca , Soldani Cristiana , Franceschini Barbara , Terrone Alfonso , Mimmo Antonio , Vitali Eleonora , Roncalli Massimo , Lania Andrea , Torzilli Guido
Published: July 2017

Background & Aims

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy is very high. A predictive marker of early recurrence (ER) capable of personalizing follow‐up and developing a new target therapy would be beneficial. The overexpression of Filamin‐A (FLNA), a cytoskeleton protein with scaffolding properties, has recently been associated with progression in tumours. The aim of this study was to test the expression of FLNA in a cohort of patients operated for HCC.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent hepatic resection at Humanitas Clinical and Research Center between January 2004 and December 2014 was analysed. FLNA was tested, using a tissue microarray, in the HCC and in the surrounding tissues. The endpoint was the role of FLNA expression in predicting ER of HCC after hepatectomy. Analyses were performed following the REMARK guidelines.

Results

A total of 113 patients were considered. FLNA was expressed only in the tumoral tissue. Several variables, including T stage, tumour number, tumour size, type of viral hepatitis, type of hepatectomy and intra and peritumoral immune‐reactivity to FLNA were significantly associated with ER by univariate analysis. With multivariate analysis, only T stage (HR=2.108; P=.002), tumour number (HR=1.586; P=.023), intra‐tumoral (HR=2.672; P<.001) and peritumoral immune‐reactivity to FLNA (HR=2.569; P<.001), significantly correlated with ER. The logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced T stage (OR=2.985; P=.001), HCV‐infection (OR=1.219; P=.008) and advanced tumour grading (OR=2.781; P=.002) were associated with intratumoral FLNA immune‐reactivity.

Conclusions

FLNA expression predicts recurrence of HCC after hepatectomy. This finding provides important insights that would help physicians to personalize follow‐up strategies.
Weighing the risks: Morbid obesity and diabetes are associated with increased risk of death on the liver transplant waiting list
Authors: Kardashian Ani A. , Dodge Jennifer L. , Roberts John , Brandman Danielle
Published: July 2017

Background & Aims

Obesity is a growing problem in liver transplant (LT) candidates, paralleling the US obesity epidemic and increase in LT for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). While post‐LT survival appears to be similar in obese and non‐obese patients, data are scarce regarding risk of waitlist dropout in patients with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). We examined the impact of obesity on waitlist mortality and evaluated predictors of dropout in LT candidates with morbid obesity or NASH.

Methods

Competing risk analyses were performed in candidates listed between 3/2002‐12/2013 to evaluate predictors of waitlist removal or death. Variables with P‐value <.05 in univariable models or clinically relevant were included in multivariable models.

Results

Eighty‐four thousand two hundred and fifty‐four patients (34% female, median age 55, 15% Hispanic) were included. Compared to those with BMI 25‐29.9 kg/m2, candidates with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 were more likely to be female (46% vs 28%), diabetic (25% vs 18%) and have NASH (35% vs 13%); all P < .001. After adjusting for well‐recognized predictors of waitlist dropout, including ascites severity, morbid obesity (HR = 1.27, CI 1.20‐1.36) and diabetes (HR = 1.14, CI 1.11‐1.17) were independent predictors of dropout. Morbid obesity remained a predictor (HR = 1.27, CI 1.10‐1.47) of dropout in patients without ascites (24%). In NASH patients, morbid obesity (HR = 1.21, CI 1.07‐1.37) and diabetes (HR = 1.15, CI 1.06‐1.23) were also associated with a higher dropout risk. In patients with morbid obesity, diabetes trended towards a higher dropout risk but was not significant (HR = 1.12, CI 0.995‐1.26).

Conclusions

Morbid obesity and diabetes are independent predictors of death in LT candidates.
“Those who care much, understand much.” Maternal perceptions of children's appetite: Perspectives from urban and rural caregivers of diverse parenting experience in Bangladesh
Authors: Naila Nurun , Nahar Baitun , Lazarus Monica , Ritter Gaelen , Hossain Muttaquina , Mahfuz Mustafa , Ahmed Tahmeed , Denno Donna , Walson Judd , Ickes Scott
Published: July 2017

Appetite in children is an important determinant of nutritional intake and growth. The information used by caregivers to understand children's appetite can help inform infant and young child feeding promotion and appetite assessment. We conducted a qualitative study to (a) explore maternal perceptions and responses to children's appetite and (b) to identify how these factors differ by type of caregiver, level of maternal experience, and urban versus rural context. We used purposive sampling to recruit mothers and alternate caregivers into 14 total focus group discussions (six to eight participants in each group; N = 95) in both urban and rural settings in Bangladesh. To understand children's appetite, caregivers monitor children's dietary patterns, emotional signs, and physical and verbal cues. Healthy appetite was observed by willingness to eat diverse foods, finish offered portions, and by acceptance of foods without excessive prompting. Child illness was cited for a cause of low appetite, which was manifested through fussiness, and avoiding commonly consumed foods. Mothers described a limited set of feeding practices (offering diverse foods, playing, and cheering children with videos) to encourage consumption when children lacked appetite. Mothers' stress related to work was noted as a barrier to identifying appetite cues. Urban mothers described a lower access to instrumental social support for child feeding but informational support than mothers in the rural setting. Understanding caregivers' perceptions of children's appetite may inform strategies to improve responsive feeding and tool development to assess changes in appetite as early indicators of change in health or nutrition status among high‐risk children.
Genome‐scale data reveal that endemic Poecilia populations from small sulphidic springs display no evidence of inbreeding
Authors: Brown Anthony P. , Greenway Ryan , Morgan Samuel , Quackenbush Corey R. , Giordani Luca , Arias‐Rodriguez Lenin , Tobler Michael , Kelley Joanna L.
Published: July 2017

Populations with limited ranges can be highly vulnerable to changes in their environment and are, thus, of high conservation concern. Populations that experience human‐induced range reductions are often highly inbred and lack genetic diversity, but it is unknown whether this is also the case for populations with naturally small ranges. The fishes Poecilia sulphuraria (listed as critically endangered) and Poecilia thermalis, which are endemic to small hydrogen sulphide‐rich springs in southern Mexico, are examples of such populations with inherently small habitats. We used geometric morphometrics and population genetics to quantify phenotypic and genetic variation within and among two populations of P. sulphuraria and one population of P. thermalis. Principal component analyses revealed phenotypic and genetic differences among the populations. Evidence for inbreeding was low compared to populations that have undergone habitat reduction. The genetic data were also used to infer the demographic history of these populations to obtain estimates for effective population sizes and migration rates. Effective population sizes were large given the small habitats of these populations. Our results imply that these three endemic extremophile populations should each be considered separately for conservation purposes. Additionally, this study suggests that populations in naturally small habitats may have lower rates of inbreeding and higher genetic diversity than expected, and therefore may be better equipped to handle environmental perturbations than anticipated. We caution, however, that the inferred lack of inbreeding and the large effective population sizes could potentially be a result of colonization by genetically diverse ancestors.
Ethical Pragmatism
Authors: Donelson Raff
Published: July 2017

Beginning with a thought experiment about a mysterious Delphic oracle, this article motivates, explains, and attempts to defend a view it callsEthical Pragmatism. Ethical Pragmatism is the view that we can and should carry on our practice of moral deliberation without reference to moral truths, or more broadly, without reference to metaethics. The defense the article mounts tries to show that neither suspicions about the tenability of fact‐value distinctions, nor doubts about the viability of global pragmatism, nor worries about the “force” of ethical injunctions without reference to moral truths constitute good reason to reject Ethical Pragmatism.
The Philosophical Use and Misuse of Science
Authors: Kingsbury Justine , Dare Tim
Published: July 2017

Science is our best way of finding out about the natural world, and philosophers who write about that world ought to be sensitive to the claims of our best science. There are obstacles, however, to outsiders using science well. We think philosophers are prone to misuse science: to give undue weight to results that are untested; to highlight favorable and ignore unfavorable data; to give illegitimate weight to the authority of science; to leap from scientific premises to philosophical conclusions without spelling out their relevance; to treat mere resonance between a scientific theory and a philosophical view as empirical evidence for the philosophical view. This article identifies and illustrates some of the ways in which philosophers misuse science, explains why these pitfalls are easy to fall into, and concludes with suggestions for avoiding them.
Effectiveness, safety and comfort of StatLock securement for peripherally‐inserted central catheters: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Luo Xianwu , Guo Yi , Yu Huidan , Li Sheng , Yin Xiaohong
Published: July 2017

In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we evaluated the effectiveness, safety and comfort of StatLock for the securement of peripherally‐inserted central catheters. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database were searched. Randomized, controlled trials comparing StatLock with tape or suture on the performance of securing peripherally‐inserted central catheters were selected. Meta‐analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Thirteen randomized, controlled trials involving 1970 patients were included. Our results showed that StatLock reduced the incidence of catheter dislodgement and unplanned removal. Moreover, patients in the StatLock group had lower incidence of skin ulceration, phlebitis, catheter‐related bloodstream infection, and cellulitis, and felt more comfortable compared with those in the control group. Current evidence suggests that the StatLock securement device offer advantages over tape and suture in preventing catheter‐related complications and improving patient comfort. However, as considerable heterogeneity was found among the included studies, and the quality of evidence for main outcomes was relatively low, the results should be viewed with caution.
The importance of moral emotions for effective collaboration in culturally diverse healthcare teams
Authors: Cook Catherine , Brunton Margaret
Published: July 2017

Moral emotions shape the effectiveness of culturally diverse teams. However, these emotions, which are integral to determining ethically responsive patient care and team relationships, typically go unrecognised. The contribution of emotions to moral deliberation is subjugated within the technorational environment of healthcare decision‐making. Contemporary healthcare organisations rely on a multicultural workforce charged with the ethical care of vulnerable people. Limited extant literature examines the role of moral emotions in ethical decision‐making among culturally diverse healthcare teams. Moral emotions are evident in ethnocentric moral perspectives that construct some colleagues' practices as ‘other’. This article examines how moral emotions are evoked when cultural dissonance influences nurses' moral perceptions. We use a qualitative investigation of teamwork within culturally diverse healthcare organisations. We use Haidt's () account of moral emotions to examine practice‐based accounts of 36 internationally educated and 17 New Zealand educated nurses practising in New Zealand. The study provides evidence that moral emotions are frequently elicited by communication and care practices considered ‘foreign’. The main implication is that although safe practice in healthcare organisations is reliant on highly functioning teams, collaboration is challenged by interprofessional power relations of contested culturally shaped values. We address practice‐based strategies that enable engagement with moral emotions to enhance effective teamwork.
Seed desiccation mechanisms co‐opted for vegetative desiccation in the resurrection grass Oropetium thomaeum
Authors: VanBuren Robert , Wai Ching Man , Zhang Qingwei , Song Xiaomin , Edger Patrick P. , Bryant Doug , Michael Todd P. , Mockler Todd C. , Bartels Dorothea
Published: July 2017

Resurrection plants desiccate during periods of prolonged drought stress, then resume normal cellular metabolism upon water availability. Desiccation tolerance has multiple origins in flowering plants, and it likely evolved through rewiring seed desiccation pathways. Oropetium thomaeum is an emerging model for extreme drought tolerance, and its genome, which is the smallest among surveyed grasses, was recently sequenced. Combining RNA‐seq, targeted metabolite analysis and comparative genomics, we show evidence for co‐option of seed‐specific pathways during vegetative desiccation. Desiccation‐related gene co‐expression clusters are enriched in functions related to seed development including several seed‐specific transcription factors. Across the metabolic network, pathways involved in programmed cell death inhibition, ABA signalling and others are activated during dehydration. Oleosins and oil bodies that typically function in seed storage are highly abundant in desiccated leaves and may function for membrane stability and storage. Orthologs to seed‐specific LEA proteins from rice and maize have neofunctionalized in Oropetium with high expression during desiccation. Accumulation of sucrose, raffinose and stachyose in drying leaves mirrors sugar accumulation patterns in maturing seeds. Together, these results connect vegetative desiccation with existing seed desiccation and drought responsive pathways and provide some key candidate genes for engineering improved drought tolerance in crop plants.