bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interinstitutional collaboration for end-user bioinformatics training: Cytoscape as a case study
Authors: Brandenburg Marci D. , Garcia-Milian Rolando
Published: April 2017

Background: This case study describes the value of and need for interinstitutional collaboration to train biomedical researchers in data visualization, using Cytoscape network analysis software as an example. To provide training on Cytoscape software to Yale University biomedical researchers, a collaboration was formed between the Yale Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library’s (CWML’s) biomedical sciences research support librarian and the University of Michigan (U-M) Taubman Health Sciences Library’s bioinformationist, who has expertise in Cytoscape software.Case Presentation: The U-M bioinformationist offered a webinar to the Yale community, followed by a one-day onsite workshop. This collaboration allowed Yale biomedical researchers and librarians to receive training on Cytoscape software, in addition to giving the Yale librarian a collaborator for answering future questions about the software.Conclusions: This collaboration furthered the U-M bioinformationist’s role in the field as an expert in Cytoscape instruction, while also establishing the CWML as a leader in providing support for analyzing and visualizing molecular data at Yale University. The authors found this collaboration to be a successful way for librarians to fill end-user training gaps in rapidly changing fields such as bioinformatics.
Mapping the Association of College and Research Libraries information literacy framework and nursing professional standards onto an assessment rubric
Authors: Willson Gloria , Angell Katelyn
Published: April 2017

Objective: The authors developed a rubric for assessing undergraduate nursing research papers for information literacy skills critical to their development as researchers and health professionals.Methods: We developed a rubric mapping six American Nurses Association professional standards onto six related concepts of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. We used this rubric to evaluate fifty student research papers and assess inter-rater reliability.Results: Students tended to score highest on the “Information Has Value” dimension and lowest on the “Scholarship as Conversation” dimension. However, we found a discrepancy between the grading patterns of the two investigators, with inter-rater reliability being “fair” or “poor” for all six rubric dimensions.Conclusions: The development of a rubric that dually assesses information literacy skills and maps relevant disciplinary competencies holds potential. This study offers a template for a rubric inspired by the ACRL Framework and outside professional standards. However, the overall low inter-rater reliability demands further calibration of the rubric. Following additional norming, this rubric can be used to help students identify the key information literacy competencies that they need in order to succeed as college students and future nurses. These skills include developing an authoritative voice, determining the scope of their information needs, and understanding the ramifications of their information choices. This article has been approved for the Medical Library Association’s Independent Reading Program.
Open Science Framework (OSF)
Authors: Foster Erin D. , Deardorff Ariel
Published: April 2017

The Open Science Framework (OSF) is a free, open source, research workflow web application developed and maintained by the Center for Open Science (COS).
Reflection Circles: Professional Development and Accountability for Youth Workers
Authors: Abraham Shaina Beth
Published: April 2017

This article explores how to support Youth Workers and ensure accountability through the use of reflection circles.  Youth Workers report having a higher sense of responsibility in their work than is often required of them. This article proposes a model that includes youth, youth workers, employers, intermediaries, and funders in a process to strengthen the abilities of all youth workers.  A holistic approach to supporting Youth Workers through reflection circles will ensure they are getting the support they need to improve and continuing to build their sense of responsibility, replacing the need for traditional accountability systems.
Practice What We Preach: Supervisory Practice for Youth Worker Professional Development
Authors: Peluso Angel
Published: April 2017

As a practitioner-researcher in the NorthStar Youth Worker Fellowship and a youth program supervisor, I have seen that adults who work directly with youth need to be partners in their own development just as they partner with young people to encourage their development. A workplace that partners in developing its youth workers actively encourages three things: authentic relationships, emotional safety, and reflective learning. In this article I share how I began exploring this topic and its implications for organizations. Bringing authentic relationships, safety, and reflective learning into the workplace provides a model of effective professional development of front-line youth workers.
Beyond Evidence-Based Interventions for Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Authors: Scribner-O'Pray Emily
Published: April 2017

This article examines how the field of adolescent sexual health came to embrace evidence-based interventions (EBIs); whether or not this approach is effective in meeting the needs of adolescents, especially those at high risk for teen pregnancy; concerns related to the scaling up of EBIs; and identifies issues which must be resolved as we move forward.
Social Justice Youth Work: Actualizing Youth Rights
Authors: McDaniel Monica
Published: April 2017

This article explores models of prevention/intervention and positive youth development within the context of social justice. Both of these models seek to support young people, but they have vastly different methods and goals. The author argues that these models fall short of effectively supporting youth because they neglect to interrogate how power, privilege and oppressive forces shape a young person's identity and how that young person engages with society. Therefore, a new approach to working with youth is needed: a social justice youth work model. The author proposes this model as a means for youth and adults to work together to achieve a high quality of life in an equitable world. The paper outlines three steps to enact this approach with young people: 1. develop self-awareness within youth and adults; 2. build solidarity across differences; and 3. take action towards dismantling unjust systems. In order to do this work successfully, adults must first interrogate their own motivations for engaging in social justice work with youth.
Investing in Youth Work: Learning from Complexity
Authors: Denissen Cunnien Kari
Published: April 2017

This article proposes key elements for a system of support for youth workers to develop their professional skills and capabilities by using a human development approach.  The article argues that narrowed and bureaucratic approaches to professional development can ignore the complex dynamics of human development that support engaged learning and continuous growth and improvement.  The author suggests a more dynamic system where professional development in grounded by practice; employs reflection, mentorship and coaching; and supports healthy organizational culture to foster high quality youth work.
Practitioner Inquiry Matters: Questions by and for Youth Workers
Authors: Walz Lindsay , Tompkins Hayley
Published: April 2017

The Journal of Youth Development’s subtitle is “Bridging Research and Practice,” yet too often our publications reflect a one-way bridge— studies that, at best, have implications for practice. Less represented are practitioner inquiries that rely on practitioner experience and expertise. This special issue aims to bridge the research-practice divide with scholarship produced by youth work practitioners. This article provides a rationale for practitioner inquiry, describes a fellowship effort to support it, and then offers an overview of the ten practitioner inquiries featured in this special issue.
Matrix Tests as a Means of the Students’ Level of Logical Thinking Diagnosis
Authors: Roman Yavich , Gein Alexander , Gerkerova Alexandra
Published: April 2017

Nowadays pedagogical testing technology has become the basic tool for diagnosis and assessment of the level of students’ mastery of learning material. Primarily they allow testing the acquired knowledge and skills in their use as a technology of the definite types of problems solution. Thus, the level of logical reasoning development plays a significant role in the successful mastery of many subjects (mathematical courses in particular). So, the problem of objective and measurable criteria for assessing the impact of the level of logical reasoning on the mastery of mathematical subjects is of current concern. We have studied the scientific sources that describe the testing technologies use for assessment of academic achievement as well as the level of logical reasoning development. We have found that the existing methods are based only on the individual work of the teacher with a student and don’t suggest any diagnosing technology. The goal of our research is to prove the effectiveness of our method as compared to the traditional one.
Corruption and Administration of Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria
Authors: Chinyere Amini-Philips, , Chukwuma Ogbuagwu,
Published: April 2017

Corruption in this paper refers to absurd or deviant disposition of people in institutions of higher learning whichviolates the ethical standards. The prevalence of corruption in tertiary institutions is viewed to negate the core values ofeducation at this level. Major themes discussed included definition of corruption, corruption in Nigerian society andhigher learning institutions, highlighting the various aspects and shapes of corruption in Nigerian higher institutions.Dimensions of corruption identified included students, lecturers, non-academic staff and administrators. The shapes ofcorruption among students included bribing of lecturers for unmerited grades, cultism, examination malpractice,attacks on lecturers for stopping students from indulging in examination malpractice, fiscal extortion from innocentstudents by fellow students who form themselves into “lecturers’ boys”. Forms of corruption among lecturers includeddemanding huge amount of money, sex from female students for high grade, etc. Among non-teaching staff, the shadesof corruption included monetary extortion from students before they see their results, demanding of money fromunsuspecting parents in the guise that they are lecturers with a promise to secure admission for their children/wards,they also act as agents for lecturers, receiving money from students for higher grades after examination. At theadministrator's level, shades of corruption included misappropriation and misapplication of fund meant for capitalprojects, offer of admission to undeserving students for a fee while deserving candidates are by-passed, amongst others.Impact of corruption on higher education administration was discussed and means that can be adopted or adapted tocurb the menace were suggested.
A Meta-Analysis of Vocabulary Learning Strategies of EFL Learners
Authors: Nematollahi Batoul , Behjat Fatemeh , Kargar Ali Asghar
Published: April 2017

Vocabulary learning is one of the crucial matters in second language learning. There is a vast body of research in this field which has been done by famous researchers around the world, but still there is no specific solution for extending lexical knowledge in the best way. Therefore, we have conducted a meta-analysis on a body of 30 research projects to investigate the usefulness of different strategies of vocabulary learning. The results showed that the strategies which are used by students are as follows in order: determination, cognitive, memory, meta-cognitive, and social strategies. Besides, it seems that guessing from context and using the dictionary are among the strategies which are most favored by successful students. In addition, the relationship between context, treatment, and methodology by vocabulary learning strategy were studied. It was clear that learners of different contexts would prefer different strategies, and teachers used specific strategies according to their syllabus. For further research, it is suggested to select a larger body of studies. It is advised to make teachers aware of the importance of choosing an appropriate strategy of vocabulary learning for language learners to pave the way of improving lexical knowledge for them.
Grammar Errors Made by ESL Tertiary Students in Writing
Authors: Singh Charanjit Kaur Swaran , Jageer Singh Amreet Kaur , Abd Razak Nur Qistina , Ravinthar Thilaga
Published: April 2017

The educational context in Malaysia demands students to be equipped with sound grammar so that they can produce good essays in the examination. However, despite having learnt English in primary and secondary schools, students in the higher learning institutions tend to make some grammatical errors in their writing. This study presents the grammatical errors made by tertiary students in their writing. The participants were a group of Diploma students who sat for a university entrance exam. One hundred and forty-four written essays of the students were collected and analysed using content analysis. Findings revealed that subject-verb agreement and tenses were the most common type of errors. Students over-generalised and perceived that the tenses could be used interchangeably. Another common error found was in the students’ construction of complex sentence. In such constructions, they failed to include essential and nonessential clauses. If teachers do not teach strategies to assist students in comprehending the concept of Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA), tenses, essential and nonessential clauses, these students will continue to make such errors in their tertiary education. The findings may have useful implications for English language teachers as understanding students’ learning difficulties and providing appropriate grammar instruction is the key to effective teaching for ESL teachers.
Trust in School Principals: Teachers’ Opinions
Authors: Balyer Aydin
Published: April 2017

Trust is considered as one of the essential elements at schools. Although it is important, there is relatively little research on trust in educational settings. Research indicate that trust across school affects much of a school’s functioning and it is a critical resource as principals embark on improvement plans. In this regard, it is a matter of question whether teachers trust in their principals as school leaders, in their administrative implementations and in their principals’ personalities. Therefore, this qualitative study purposed to discover teachers’ opinions on their trust in their school principals. Results reveal that teachers of this sample do not trust in their principals in all sub-themes in general. It can be concluded that there is a lack of trust in their principals in all sub-themes among teachers at schools. It is recommended that principals should be chosen and appointed to their posts with a more careful way.
Assessment of Educational Neuromyths among Teachers and Teacher Candidates
Authors: CANBULAT Tuncay , KIRIKTAS Halit
Published: April 2017

The aim of study is to determine the neuromyth level of teachers and pre-teachers and reveal if there is significant difference in terms of some variables (gender, class, etc.). Research was designed in survey model. The research sample was formed with 241 teachers and 511 teacher candidates. In the collection of data, “Educational neuromyhts test” that has 31 questions with options “right, wrong, I have no idea” that was created by the authors by applying reliability studies. Score that can be taken from measuring tool are in the range of 0-31. According to the findings; while teachers are having an average score of “18,87”, teacher candidates received an average score of “16,70”. According to this result, teacher and teacher candidates have misplaced half of the questions of neurometry. While comparing the scores of teachers and teacher candidates, a significant difference in favor of the teachers (p=.000) were found. The results of the research are expected to led to a debate on “brain and learning” issues.
Math Madness: Coloring, Reasoning, and Celebrating
Authors: Wasserman Nicholas H.
Published: April 2017

Looking for a way to influence elementary school culture about mathematics prompted this author's use of graph-coloring problems in an activity with second graders.
Understanding Standard Units of Measure
Authors: Orona Cynthia , Carter Vinson , Kindall Heather
Published: April 2017

This article applies STEM in a second-grade classroom by connecting literature and focusing on the mathematical concept of standard units of measure. Contributors to the iSTEM (Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) department share ideas and activities that stimulate student interest in the integrated fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in K–grade 6 classrooms.
The Reality of Buffalo Breeding in Basra Governorate
Authors: Tabeekh Mudhar A.S. Abu , Abdul Mohsen Hamed Abdul Majid Abdul , Jaberi Amal A. Al
Published: April 2017

Buffaloes in Iraq represent the most productive animal since its domestication in Mesopotamia about pre-historic era. Domestic water buffalo (Babalus Babalis) are common in the marshes of southern Iraq. On Sunday the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, added the marshlands and the ancient Sumerian cities that once flourished among them to its list of sites. The marshes today remain one of the poorest areas. Residents living on tiny floating islands fish, tend water buffalo and gather reeds. Little published research could be found into the numbers or environmental impacts of water buffalo in Basra governorate. One of the research objectives was to survey the water buffalo in this region including Al Dear, Al Hartha, Abu Alkhasib, Shat Alarab, Al Qurna, Al Mdainah, Imam Sadiq, Imam Qaim, Al Faw, Al Nshwa, Al Zubair and in Basra center. This study was conducted to evaluate all aspects of the river buffalo for the period from 2012-2016. Comprehensive knowledge of the breed characteristics, its population size and structure, taxonomy, geographical distribution and most important diseases is required to have effective management. As the marsh Arabs or Ma'adan complain of problems with some common buffalo diseases, such as those infecting the hoofs and the tongue, providing of veterinary services would be of critical value for buffalo breeding from an economical prospective.
Ressources humaines : du mode hiérarchique au mode transversal et participatif, les bibliothèques sont-elles prêtes au changement ?
Authors: Accart Jean-Philippe
Published: April 2017

À partir de trois études de cas (Bibliothèque nationale suisse, Faculté des sciences de l’Université de Genève, Bibliothèques et Archives de la Ville de Lausanne), il m’a été possible d’expérimenter trois manières de conduire des équipes et des projets de services, et donc des changements. Plusieurs constats peuvent en être tirés : le management participatif est bénéfique pour conduire des projets et des équipes vers le succès ; la démarche projet est un plus pour construire des équipes solides ; le leadership peut être partagé en se fondant sur la confiance réciproque. Dépendant fortement du contexte de travail, des compétences à disposition et des orientations stratégiques prises, le management par projet et le management transversal sont de réelles opportunités de développement pour les équipes.
La situation des emplois de bibliothécaire à temps partiel aux États-Unis : prélude à une crise ?1
Authors: Wilkinson Zara T.
Published: April 2017

Beaucoup de bibliothécaires aux États-Unis travaillent à temps partiel après avoir obtenu leur diplôme d’études supérieures en bibliothéconomie et sciences de l’information, mais on n’en sait très peu sur ces emplois. Cet article dévoile les résultats de deux projets de recherche qui examinent l’emploi à temps partiel en bibliothèques et les conditions de travail des bibliothécaires à temps partiel.
A causal relationship between face-patch activity and face-detection behavior
Authors: Sadagopan Srivatsun , Zarco Wilbert , Freiwald Winrich A
Published: April 2017

The primate brain contains distinct areas densely populated by face-selective neurons. One of these, face-patch ML, contains neurons selective for contrast relationships between face parts. Such contrast-relationships can serve as powerful heuristics for face detection. However, it is unknown whether neurons with such selectivity actually support face-detection behavior. Here, we devised a naturalistic face-detection task and combined it with fMRI-guided pharmacological inactivation of ML to test whether ML is of critical importance for real-world face detection. We found that inactivation of ML impairs face detection. The effect was anatomically specific, as inactivation of areas outside ML did not affect face detection, and it was categorically specific, as inactivation of ML impaired face detection while sparing body and object detection. These results establish that ML function is crucial for detection of faces in natural scenes, performing a critical first step on which other face processing operations can build.
Concerted action of neuroepithelial basal shrinkage and active epithelial migration ensures efficient optic cup morphogenesis
Authors: Sidhaye Jaydeep , Norden Caren
Published: April 2017

Organ formation is a multi-scale event that involves changes at the intracellular, cellular and tissue level. Organogenesis often starts with the formation of characteristically shaped organ precursors. However, the cellular mechanisms driving organ precursor formation are often not clear. Here, using zebrafish, we investigate the epithelial rearrangements responsible for the development of the hemispherical retinal neuroepithelium (RNE), a part of the optic cup. We show that in addition to basal shrinkage of RNE cells, active migration of connected epithelial cells into the RNE is a crucial player in its formation. This cellular movement is driven by progressive cell-matrix contacts and actively translocates prospective RNE cells to their correct location before they adopt neuroepithelial fate. Failure of this migration during neuroepithelium formation leads to ectopic determination of RNE cells and consequently impairs optic cup formation. Overall, this study illustrates how spatiotemporal coordination between morphogenic movements and fate determination critically influences organogenesis.
Subcellular tracking reveals the location of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in microalgae and visualises its uptake by marine bacteria
Authors: Raina Jean-Baptiste , Clode Peta L , Cheong Soshan , Bougoure Jeremy , Kilburn Matt R , Reeder Anthony , Forêt Sylvain , Stat Michael , Beltran Victor , Thomas-Hall Peter , Tapiolas Dianne , Motti Cherie M , Gong Bill , Pernice Mathieu , Marjo Christopher E , Seymour Justin R , Willis Bette L , Bourne David G
Published: April 2017

Phytoplankton-bacteria interactions drive the surface ocean sulfur cycle and local climatic processes through the production and exchange of a key compound: dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). Despite their large-scale implications, these interactions remain unquantified at the cellular-scale. Here we use secondary-ion mass spectrometry to provide the first visualization of DMSP at sub-cellular levels, tracking the fate of a stable sulfur isotope (34S) from its incorporation by microalgae as inorganic sulfate to its biosynthesis and exudation as DMSP, and finally its uptake and degradation by bacteria. Our results identify for the first time the storage locations of DMSP in microalgae, with high enrichments present in vacuoles, cytoplasm and chloroplasts. In addition, we quantify DMSP incorporation at the single-cell level, with DMSP-degrading bacteria containing seven times more 34S than the control strain. This study provides an unprecedented methodology to label, retain, and image small diffusible molecules, which can be transposable to other symbiotic systems.
Open Access Policies and Academic Freedom: Understanding and Addressing Conflicts
Authors: Johnston David James
Published: April 2017

The adoption of open access (OA) policies that require participation rather than request it is often accompanied by concerns about whether such mandates violate researchers’ academic freedoms. This issue has not been well explored, particularly in the Canadian context. However the recent adoption of an OA policy from Canada’s major funding agencies and the development of the Fair access to Science and Technology Research Act (FASTR) in the United States has made addressing the issue of academic freedom and OA policies an important issue in academic institutions. This paper will investigate the relationship between OA mandates and academic freedom with the context of the recent OA policy at the University of Windsor as a point of reference. While this investigation concludes that adopting OA policies that require faculty participation at the institutional level should not be an issue of academic freedom, it is important to understand the varied factors that contribute to this tension. This includes misunderstandings about journal based (gold) and repository based (green) OA, growing discontent about increased managerialism in universities and commercialization of research, as well as potential vagueness within collective agreements’ language regarding academic freedom and publication. Despite these potential roadblocks, a case can be made that OA policies are not in conflict with academic freedom given they do not produce the harms that academic freedom is intended to protect.
Sevoflurane postconditioning protects the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury via activation of the JAK2–STAT3 pathway
Authors: Wu Jianjiang , Yu Jin , Xie Peng , Maimaitili Yiliyaer , Wang Jiang , Yang Long , Ma Haiping , Zhang Xing , Yang Yining , Zheng Hong
Published: April 2017

Background

Sevoflurane postconditioning (S-post) has similar cardioprotective effects as ischemic preconditioning. However, the underlying mechanism of S-post has not been fully elucidated. Janus kinase signaling transduction/transcription activator (JAK2–STAT3) plays an important role in cardioprotection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cardioprotective effects of S-post are associated with activation of the JAK2–STAT3 signal pathway.

Methods

An adult male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rat model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was established using the Langendorff isolated heart perfusion apparatus. At the beginning of reperfusion, 2.4% sevoflurane alone or in combination with AG490 (a JAK2 selective inhibitor) was used as a postconditioning treatment. The cardiac function indicators, myocardial infarct size, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release, mitochondrial ultrastructure, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation rates, ATP content, protein expression of p-JAK, p-STAT3, Bcl-2 and Bax were measured.

Results

Compared with the I/R group, S-post significantly increased the expression of p-JAK, p-STAT3 and Bcl-2 and reduced the protein expression of Bax, which markedly decreased the myocardial infarction areas, improved the cardiac function indicators and the mitochondrial ultrastructure, decreased the mitochondrial ROS and increased the ATP content. However, the cardioprotective effects of S-post were abolished by treatment with a JAK2 selective inhibitor (p< 0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the cardioprotective effects of S-post are associated with the activation of JAK2–STAT3. The mechanism may be related to an increased expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 after S-post, which reduced mitochondrial ROS generation and increased mitochondrial ATP content, thereby reducing apoptosis and myocardial infarct size.
Lagrangian scheme to model subgrid‐scale mixing and spreading in heterogeneous porous media
Authors: Herrera P. A. , Cortínez J. M. , Valocchi A. J.
Published: April 2017

Small‐scale heterogeneity of permeability controls spreading, dilution, and mixing of solute plumes at large scale. However, conventional numerical simulations of solute transport are unable to resolve scales of heterogeneity below the grid scale. We propose a Lagrangian numerical approach to implement closure models to account for subgrid‐scale spreading and mixing in Darcy‐scale numerical simulations of solute transport in mildly heterogeneous porous media. The novelty of the proposed approach is that it considers two different dispersion coefficients to account for advective spreading mechanisms and local‐scale dispersion. Using results of benchmark numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed approach is able to model subgrid‐scale spreading and mixing provided there is a correct choice of block‐scale dispersion coefficient. We also demonstrate that for short travel times it is only possible to account for spreading or mixing using a single block‐scale dispersion coefficient. Moreover, we show that it is necessary to use time‐dependent dispersion coefficients to obtain correct mixing rates. On the contrary, for travel times that are large in comparison to the typical dispersive time scale, it is possible to use a single expression to compute the block‐dispersion coefficient, which is equal to the asymptotic limit of the block‐scale macrodispersion coefficient proposed by Rubin et al. (1999). Our approach provides a flexible and efficient way to model subgrid‐scale mixing in numerical models of large‐scale solute transport in heterogeneous aquifers. We expect that these findings will help to better understand the applicability of the advection‐dispersion‐equation (ADE) to simulate solute transport at the Darcy scale in heterogeneous porous media.
Multidecadal oceanographic changes in the western Pacific detected through high‐resolution bomb‐derived radiocarbon measurements on corals
Authors: Hirabayashi S. , Yokoyama Y. , Suzuki A. , Miyairi Y. , Aze T.
Published: April 2017

High‐resolution measurements of radiocarbon (14C) in corals can be used to reconstruct past variability in ocean conditions. Here we report seasonal Δ14C changes in coral from Ishigaki Island, Japan, and compare with previously reported data from Palau and Guam. Our data clearly indicate a significant increase in Δ14C from 1947 to 1998 related to atmospheric nuclear bomb testing. The three early Δ14C spikes related to the atmospheric nuclear bomb tests in the US Proving Grounds at Bikini and Enewerak atoll conducted in 1954, 1956, and 1958 were detected from the Ishigaki coral. After 1976, variability in the Mindanao Dome region related to North Equatorial Current (NEC) bifurcation latitude migration affected the Δ14C difference between Palau and Guam, whereas the difference between Ishigaki and Guam was not correlated with the bifurcation latitude. The Δ14C difference between Ishigaki and Guam may be due to mesoscale eddies in the Kuroshio area. On the decadal scale, the northward shift of NEC bifurcation latitude after 1976, the year as known as Pacific Decadal Oscillation regime shift from negative to positive, was concurrent with the abundant westward‐propagating mesoscale eddies in the Subtropical Countercurrent region and stronger Kuroshio transport off the east Taiwan, which may be represented by a smaller Δ14C difference between Ishigaki and Guam after 1976.
Latent constructs underlying sensory subtypes in children with autism: A preliminary study
Authors: Hand Brittany N. , Dennis Simon , Lane Alison E.
Published: April 2017

Recent reports identify sensory subtypes in ASD based on shared patterns of responses to daily sensory stimuli [Ausderau et al., 2014; Lane, Molloy, & Bishop, 2014]. Lane et al. propose that two broad sensory dimensions, sensory reactivity and multisensory integration, best explain the differences between subtypes, however this has yet to be tested. The present study tests this hypothesis by examining the latent constructs underlying Lane's sensory subtypes. Participants for this study were caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 2–12 years. Caregiver responses on the Short Sensory Profile (SSP), used to establish Lane's sensory subtypes, were extracted from two existing datasets (total n = 287). Independent component analyses were conducted to test the fit and interpretability of a two‐construct structure underlying the SSP, and therefore, the sensory subtypes. The first construct was largely comprised of the taste/smell sensitivity domain, which describes hyper‐reactivity to taste and smell stimuli. The second construct had a significant contribution from the low energy/weak domain, which describes behaviors that may be indicative of difficulties with multisensory integration. Findings provide initial support for our hypothesis that sensory reactivity and multisensory integration underlie Lane's sensory subtypes in ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1364–1371. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Planarized and Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer: A Concept for Fluorophores Showing Two Independent Rotations in Excited State
Authors: Haberhauer Gebhard
Published: April 2017

TICT (twisted intramolecular charge transfer) compounds are characterized by showing a rotation around a single bond in the excited state: starting from an almost planar geometry in the ground state, a twisted system is formed in the electronic excited state. The previously reported PLICT (planarized intramolecular charge transfer) compounds show inverse behavior: starting from a twisted geometry in the electronic ground state, a planarized system is formed in the excited state by rotation around a single bond. Here, a concept for planarized and twisted intramolecular charge transfer (PLATICT) states is presented which amalgamates both (TICT and PLICT) effects. Due to an intramolecular charge transfer, both a twisting around one single bond and a planarization around another one occurs. In sum, the PLATICT system shows two independent rotations around different axes in the excited state. By means of quantum chemical calculations (TD‐cam‐B3LYP and CC2) and experimental studies, it is demonstrated that N‐aryl‐substituted 1‐aminoindoles are able to form photoinduced PLATICT states. In the fluorescence spectra of N‐aryl‐substituted 1‐aminoindoles with a methoxycarbonyl or a cyano group as substituent in the aryl ring, very large Stokes shifts (ca. 18 000 cm−1; >250 nm) are observed. The two independent rotations in the excited state, the very large Stokes shifts and their easy availability starting from indoline, make them very attractive for use as optical switches and motors in various fields of chemistry.
Factors influencing the toxicity of Headline® fungicides to terrestrial stage toads
Authors: Cusaac J. Patrick W. , Mimbs William H. , Belden Jason B. , Smith Loren M. , McMurry Scott T.
Published: April 2017

Amphibians are susceptible to exposure from contaminants via multiple pathways. Pyraclostrobin fungicides have been shown to be toxic to terrestrial amphibians at environmentally relevant concentrations; however, these studies did not account for factors that may influence exposure and effects, such as fungicide formulation, age of the individual, exposure route, and physiological state of the individual. We examined Headline® and Headline AMP® fungicide toxicity to adult Anaxyrus cognatus and Anaxyrus woodhousii by direct overspray, as well as acute toxicity of Headline AMP to juvenile A. cognatus through direct overspray, previously exposed soils, and diet. We also assessed effects of hydration state on fungicide toxicity in juvenile A. cognatus and sublethal effects of fungicide exposure on prey-orientation ability of juvenile A. cognatus. Neither formulation of Headline caused mortality of adult A. cognatus and A. woodhousii at up to 5 times the maximum label rate in North American corn (1052 and 879 mL formulation/ha for Headline AMP and Headline fungicides, respectively, corresponding to 1.52 and 2.2 μg pyraclostrobin/cm2, respectively). Exposures of juvenile A. cognatus to Headline AMP via direct overspray and previously exposed soils (2 types) resulted in median lethal rate (LR50) values of 2.4, 3.34, and 3.61 μg pyraclostrobin/cm2, respectively. Dietary Headline AMP exposure was not toxic, prey-orientations were not influenced by exposure, and effects were similar between dehydrated and hydrated treatments (LR50 = 2.4 and 2.3 μg pyraclostrobin/cm2, respectively). These results, combined with exposure concentrations reported in previous studies, suggest that risk of acute mortality for amphibians in terrestrial environments is low and is dictated by body size and site-specific factors influencing exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2679–2688. © 2017 SETAC
Hepatitis B virus infection is associated with younger median age at diagnosis and death in cancers
Authors: Wei Xiao‐li , Luo Hui‐yan , Li Chao‐feng , Jin Ying , Zeng Zhao‐lei , Ju Huai‐qiang , Wu Qi‐nian , Wang Yun , Mao Min‐jie , Liu Wan‐li , Jia Wei‐hua , Zhang Hui‐zhong , Li Yu‐hong , Wang Feng , Xu Rui‐hua
Published: April 2017

Several non‐hepatocellular cancers were linked with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study was aimed to quantify the potential associations between HBV infection and multiple non‐hepatocellular cancers. Continuous cases, including 5,715 non‐cancer and 40,963 cancer cases diagnosed from 2008 to 2014 in Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center were analyzed. HBV DNA and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) were examed in gastric cancer tissues by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. After adjusting for age, sex, year of diagnosis, smoking, drinking and family history of cancer, significant associations were found between serum HBsAg and frequently reported HBV‐related non‐hepatocellular cancers, including non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.89 (1.65–2.16)], as well as total other non‐hepatocellular cancers [AOR and 95% CI: 1.12 (1.03–1.22)]. The median ages at diagnosis, all‐cause death and cancer‐specific death of serum HBsAg positive cancer patients were all significantly younger than those with serum HBsAg negative. HBV DNA was detected in 12.4% (34/275) gastric cancer tissues and HBcAg was most commonly detected in lymphocytes. This was the first report that HBV infection had a modest but significant nonspecific association with total non‐hepatocellular cancers. Median age at diagnosis and death was significantly younger in serum HBsAg positive cancer patients. The underlying mechanism needs further investigation.
Insights into BRCA1/2 Genetic Counseling from Ethnically Diverse Latina Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Rajpal Neha , Muñoz Juliana , Peshkin Beth N. , Graves Kristi D.
Published: April 2017

Despite the disproportionate underuse of genetic counseling and testing for BRCA1/2 (BRCA)‐associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) risk among Latinas, little is known about the associated barriers and facilitators. We conducted in‐depth qualitative interviews with 20 at‐risk Latina women from diverse backgrounds. Eligible women were diagnosed with breast cancer <50 years, with or without a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer (>1 first‐degree relative diagnosed <50 years). All interviews were conducted in Spanish, audio recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Two bilingual coders used thematic analyses to identify 7 main themes. Results revealed very low levels of awareness and knowledge about HBOC and BRCA genetic counseling. Interestingly, for most Latinas, competing life demands and cultural concerns (fatalismo and destino) did not strongly influence personal beliefs about genetic counseling. In addition, older women were equally as interested in education, cancer prevention, and BRCA genetic counseling as younger women. These findings suggest that Latinas, regardless of age, increasingly acknowledge and prioritize their own health. Women reported their main motivator to undergo counseling was concern about family members’ cancer risks. Main barriers included financial and insurance concerns, and lack of awareness about genetic services. Investigating the beliefs and attitudes of diverse populations of Latinas at risk for HBOC reveals logistical barriers to BRCA genetic counseling uptake within this under‐represented community. Efforts are needed to provide at‐risk Latina breast cancer survivors’ knowledge of and access to genetic counseling and testing based on risk status and Latinas’ increasing responsiveness and uptake of these services.
Effect of Fatty Acid Unsaturation on Phytosteryl Ester Degradation
Authors: Raczyk Marianna , Kmiecik Dominik , Przybylski Roman , Rudzińska Magdalena
Published: April 2017

This study examined the thermo‐oxidative degradation of stigmasterol fatty acids esters. Stigmasterol stearate, oleate, linoleate and linolenate were synthesized by chemical esterification and their purity evaluated by 1H‐NMR and GC–MS. The degradation of stigmasterol esters was examined after heating them at 60 and 180 °C for 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 h. It was established that stigmasterol esters were prone to thermo‐oxidative degradation, with time and temperature affecting the degree of degradation. The unsaturation of fatty acids affected the rate of stigmasteryl ester degradation. The kinetics of StS and StO degradation were similar and the additional double bonds in StL and StLn resulted in their faster decomposition. The esters degraded faster at 180 than at 60 °C. The sterol and fatty acid molecules degraded at different rates, such that the fatty acid moiety deteriorated faster than the sterol at both temperatures, independent of the time of heating and the level of unsaturation.
Ancient shrinking spherical interfaces in the Allen–Cahn flow
Authors: Gkikas Konstantinos T. , del Pino Manuel
Published: April 2017

We consider the parabolic Allen–Cahn equation in

\mathbb{R}^{n}

,

n \geq 2

,

u_{t} = \mathrm{\Delta }u + (1−u^{2})u\:\text{ in }\mathbb{R}^{n} \times (−\infty ,0].

We construct an ancient radially symmetric solution

u(x,t)

with any given number

k

of transition layers between

−1

and

+1

. At main order they consist of

k

time-traveling copies of

w

with spherical interfaces distant

O(\mathrm{\log }⁡|t|)

one to each other as

t\rightarrow −\infty

. These interfaces are resemble at main order copies of the
shrinking sphere
ancient solution to mean the flow by mean curvature of surfaces:

|x| = \sqrt{−2(n−1)t}

. More precisely, if

w(s)

denotes the heteroclinic 1-dimensional solution of

w^{″} + (1−w^{2})w = 0

w( \pm \infty ) = \pm 1

given by

w(s) = \mathrm{\tanh }⁡\left(\frac{s}{\sqrt{2}}\right)

we have

u(x,t) \approx \sum \limits_{j = 1}^{k}(−1)^{j−1}w(|x|−\rho _{j}(t))−\frac{1}{2}(1 + (−1)^{k})\:\text{ as }t\rightarrow −\infty

where

\rho _{j}(t) = \sqrt{−2(n−1)t} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(j−\frac{k + 1}{2}\right)\mathrm{\log }⁡\left(\frac{|t|}{\mathrm{\log }⁡|t|}\right) + O(1),\:j = 1,…,k.
Changes in metabolic risk factors over 10 years and their associations with late‐life cognitive performance: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Hughes Timothy M. , Craft Suzanne , Baker Laura D. , Espeland Mark A. , Rapp Stephen R. , Sink Kaycee M. , Bertoni Alain G. , Burke Gregory L. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Michos Erin D. , Luchsinger José A. , Fitzpatrick Annette L. , Hayden Kathleen M.
Published: April 2017

Background

We examined whether changes in metabolic factors over 10 years were associated with cognitive performance.

Methods

Participants from the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis were followed since baseline (2000–2002) with five clinical examinations. At exam 5 (2010–2012), they received a short cognitive battery (Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument [CASI], Digit Symbol Coding [DSC], and Digit Span [DS]). We examined associations between baseline metabolic factors and their changes over time before cognitive testing.

Results

Among 4392 participants, baseline metabolic disorders (fasting glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressures) were significantly associated with poorer CASI, DSC, and DS scores measured 10 years later. Increases in blood pressure were associated with lower cognitive performance. Results did not differ by race/ethnicity and were stronger among those without the APOE ε4 allele.

Conclusions

Cognitive performance was associated with antecedent abnormalities in glucose metabolism and blood pressure increases. Findings appeared stronger among APOE ε4‐negative participants.
Multidimensional assessment of challenging behaviors in advanced stages of dementia in nursing homes—The insideDEM framework
Authors: Teipel Stefan , Heine Christina , Hein Albert , Krüger Frank , Kutschke Andreas , Kernebeck Sven , Halek Margareta , Bader Sebastian , Kirste Thomas
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Assessment of challenging behaviors in dementia is important for intervention selection. Here, we describe the technical and experimental setup and the feasibility of long‐term multidimensional behavior assessment of people with dementia living in nursing homes.

Methods

We conducted 4 weeks of multimodal sensor assessment together with real‐time observation of 17 residents with moderate to very severe dementia in two nursing care units. Nursing staff received extensive training on device handling and measurement procedures. Behavior of a subsample of eight participants was further recorded by videotaping during 4 weeks during day hours. Sensors were mounted on the participants' wrist and ankle and measured motion, rotation, as well as surrounding loudness level, light level, and air pressure.

Results

Participants were in moderate to severe stages of dementia. Almost 100% of participants exhibited relevant levels of challenging behaviors. Automated quality control detected 155 potential issues. But only 11% of the recordings have been influenced by noncompliance of the participants. Qualitative debriefing of staff members suggested that implementation of the technology and observation platform in the routine procedures of the nursing home units was feasible and identified a range of user‐ and hardware‐related implementation and handling challenges.

Discussion

Our results indicate that high‐quality behavior data from real‐world environments can be made available for the development of intelligent assistive systems and that the problem of noncompliance seems to be manageable. Currently, we train machine‐learning algorithms to detect episodes of challenging behaviors in the recorded sensor data.
Penoscrotal Strangulation Caused by a Steel Ring: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Jiqing , Wang Xueming , Li Zhulin , Zhang Junhui , Zhang Xiaodong , Xing Nianzeng
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Strangulation of the penis and scrotum by a constricting object has been rarely reported.

Aim

To describe a man with penoscrotal strangulation caused by a steel ring and its successful removal.

Methods

A 28-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 7-hour history of a steel ring lodged at the base of his penis and scrotum. Removal was accomplished with the assistance of fire brigade personnel who used their hydraulic cable cutter to shear the ring. During the removal, there were no complications.

Results

The hydraulic cable cutter avoided thermal injury and shortened removal time compared with procedures described in the literature. The patient's recovery was uneventful, with erectile function restored after 1 week.

Conclusion

Genital incarceration is an urgent clinical situation requiring prompt treatment. However, suitable tools for removing the foreign object are not readily available in emergency and urology departments. Cooperation with other disciplines, even non-medical disciplines, can result in creative and timely measures for removal of the object.