bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-ATOM: Ultrahigh-throughput single-cell quantitative phase imaging with subcellular resolution
Authors: Lee Kelvin C. M. , Lau Andy K. S. , Tang Anson H. L. , Wang Maolin , Mok Aaron T. Y. , Chung Bob M. F. , Yan Wenwei , Shum Ho Cheung , Cheah Kathryn S. E. , Chan Godfrey C. F. , So Hayden K. H. , Wong Kenneth K. Y. , Tsia Kevin K.
Published: January 2019

A growing body of evidence has substantiated the significance of quantitative phase imaging (QPI) in enabling cost-effective and label-free cellular assay, which provides useful insights into understanding biophysical properties of cells and their roles in cellular functions. However, available QPI modalities are limited by the loss of imaging resolution at high throughput and thus run short of sufficient statistical power at the single cell precision to define cell identities in a large and heterogeneous population of cells – hindering their utility in mainstream biomedicine and biology. Here we present a new QPI modality, coined multi-ATOM that captures and processes quantitative label-free single-cell images at ultra-high throughput without compromising sub-cellular resolution. We show that multi-ATOM, based upon ultrafast phase-gradient encoding, outperforms state-of-the-art QPI in permitting robust phase retrieval at a QPI throughput of >10,000 cell/sec, bypassing the need for interferometry which inevitably compromises QPI quality under ultrafast operation. We employ multi-ATOM for large-scale, label-free, multi-variate, cell-type classification (e.g. breast cancer sub-types, and leukemic cells versus peripheral blood mononuclear cells) at high accuracy (>94%). Our results suggest that multi-ATOM could empower new strategies in large-scale biophysical single-cell analysis with applications in biology and enriching disease diagnostics.
Assessment of gibberellin (GA4+7) mediated changes on grain filling, hormonal behaviour and antioxidants in high-density maize (Zea Mays L.)
Authors: Cui Wenwen , Zuo Bingyun , Song Quanhao , Kamran Muhammad , Ali Shahzad , Han Qingfang , Jia Zhikuan
Published: January 2019

Dense plant cultivation is an efficient approach to improve the maize production by maximizing the utilization of energy and nutrient. However, dense plant populations may aggravate the abortion rate of young grains and result in fewer number of kernels per ear. Grain filling rate and duration play a decisive role in maize grain yield. Therefore, increasing plant density, consideration of enhancing the grain filling rate and duration of individual maize plant and regulating crop senescence would be the first priority. In this study, we examined the regulatory effects of GA4+7 under two application methods (shank-smearing and silk-smearing). Shank-soaking with GA4+7 at the rate of 0 (CK1), 10 (T1), 60 (T2), and 120 (T3) mg L-1, while silk-smearing at the rate of 0 (CK2), 10 (S1), 60 (S2), and 120 (S3) mg L-1 were used. The results showed that GA4+7 improved the grain filling rate by increasing the content of auxin, gibberellin and zeatin and abscisic acid in grains compared to control plants. In addition, The auxin, gibberellin and zeatin contents in the grains were positively and significantly correlated with the maximum grain weight and the maximum and mean grain-filling rates; the abscisic acid level was positively correlated with the maximum grain weight and the maximum and mean grain-filling rates. Moreover, GA4+7 increased the activities of superoxide dismutases, catalases, peroxidases, and reduced the malondialdehyde content in leaves compared with untreated plants. At the rate of 60 mg L-1, GA4+7 showed the greatest effect for shank-smearing and silk-smearing (T2 and S2), followed by 10 mg L-1 (T1) for shank-smearing and 120 mg L-1 (S3) for silk-smearing. Our results suggest that application of 60 mg L-1 GA4+7 for smearing application could efficiently be used for changed the level of hormones in grains and antioxidant enzymes in ear leaf, would be useful for enhancing grain filling rate and delaying leaves senescence, and resulting in an increasing of maize grain yield.
Inclusive medical rehabilitation for persons with disability due to leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, and diabetes mellitus: Mapping the gap in three leprosy endemic districts in Indonesia
Authors: Denny Hanifa Maher , Dharmawan Yudhy , Ginandjar Praba , Widjanarko Bagoes , Sriatmi Ayun , Umamah Aizzatul , Sakundarno Mateus , Prasetyanti Widya
Published: January 2019

Medical rehabilitation for person with disability in Indonesia is still an issue. This research aimed to explore Inclusive medical rehabilitation for persons with disability due to leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, and diabetes mellitus in three regions in Indonesia. The qualitative study was employed to gather data from disability patients, health workers in PHCs, medical rehabilitation services for leprosy, DM, and LF in hospitals.

The results indicated that the gap on medical rehabilitation for person with disability due to leprosy, lymphatic filariasis and diabetes mellitus in three regions were due to some differences in their geographical aspects, availability of referral hospital for treating leprosy and filariasis, supervision, human resource competencies.
Influence of Gurney flaps on aerodynamic characteristics of a canard-configuration aircraft
Authors: Wei Zhongcheng , Zhan Jingxia , He Xi , Wang Jinjun
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to mount Gurney flaps at the trailing edges of the canards and investigate their influence on aerodynamic characteristics of a simplified canard-configuration aircraft model.

Design/methodology/approach

A force measurement experiment was conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel. Hence, the height and shape effects of the Gurney flaps on the canards were investigated.

Findings

Gurney flaps can increase the lift and pitching-up moment for the aircraft model tested, thereby increasing the lift when trimming the aircraft. The dominant parameter to influence aerodynamic characteristics is the height of Gurney flaps. When the flap heights are the same, the aerodynamic efficiency of the triangular Gurney flaps is higher than that of the rectangular ones. Moreover, the canard deflection efficiency will be reduced with Gurney flaps equipped, but the total aerodynamic increment is considerable.

Practical implications

This paper helps to solve the key technical problem of increasing take-off and landing lift coefficients, thus improving the aerodynamic performance of the canard-configuration aircraft.

Originality/value

This paper recommends to adopt triangular Gurney flaps with the height of 3 per cent chord length of the canard root (c) for engineering application.
Does academic major matter in mobile assisted language learning? A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Thongsri Nattaporn , Shen Liang , Yukun Bao
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of mobile assisted language learning (MALL) in vocabulary learning among English foreign language learners in China with a lens on academic major difference. This study hypothesizes that academic majors including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM differentiate the learners’ perception of computer self-efficacy (CSE) and MALL learning performance as well as moderate the effect of CSE on language learning performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Sample data for this study were collected from 200 university students enrolled in both STEM and non-STEM majors. Under the quasi-experiment, this study had been conducted vocabulary training, pre-test, post-test and a questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, a statistical analysis technique based on ANOVA and regression were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results support hypotheses that CSE, learning score and satisfaction are rated higher for STEM students than non-STEM ones and indicate the effect of CSE on language learning performance is stronger for STEM students than non-STEM ones in using MALL.

Originality/value

This paper addressed important issues in language learning on the academic major difference. The findings would be the guidelines for educational organizations to motivate and stimulate students with sustainable self-confidence important not only for improvement in students’ language learning achievements and outcomes but also for the advancement of mobile technology in language learning.
Does work engagement mediate the perceived career support- and career adaptability- work performance relationship?
Authors: Gupta Manish
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of work engagement between the relationship of perceived career support and work performance as well as between the relationship of career adaptability and work performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected form 606 i-generation liquid knowledge workers. They had completed their internship program in the industry for a period of at least one month. Regression analysis was carried out to test the hypothesized framework.

Findings

Most of the results indicated support for the hypotheses. Work engagement was found to be mediating the perceived career support and work performance relationship fully. However, work engagement was found to be mediating the career adaptability and work performance relationship only partially.

Research limitations/implications

Engaging liquid workers plays a crucial role in passing the positive effects of perceived career support and career adaptability to work performance.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that managers may take steps to enhance engagement levels of the employees so that it can help the interns high on perceived career support and career adaptability perform well at work.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is unique that tests and finds the intervening role of work engagement between work performance and the two career-related constructs.
Researching the history of marginalized issues in management research
Authors: Choudhury Kaul Sanjukta , Sandhu Manjit Singh , Alam Quamrul
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The design and implementation of an interpretive framework to study historically marginalized issues in management is a distinct area of research. This paper aims to propose a multi-method interpretive framework, integrating a historiographical approach and an archival investigation, and use the case of business responses to disability in colonial and post-independence India to elucidate the proposed framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a summary of a proposed framework for the historical study of marginalized social issues using an interpretive paradigm. It also outlines the advantages and limitations of the proposed framework.

Findings

This paper makes a methodological contribution in multi-method interpretive research design for the historical study of socially constructed issues, neglected because of deep prejudice and social exclusion, that offer complex challenges for modern businesses seeking inclusive workplace strategies.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a research framework that contextualizes social issues in history (historiographical study) and cases of business responses to these issues (archival study) for the examination of historically marginalized issues in the business–society relationship.
Moral hazard and adverse selection effects of cost‐of‐production crop insurance: evidence from the Philippines
Authors: He Juan , Zheng Xiaoyong , Rejesus Roderick M. , Yorobe Jose M.
Published: January 2019

This article examines the moral hazard and adverse selection effects of cost‐of‐production (COP) crop insurance products. Building on existing crop insurance models of moral hazard, as well as a survey‐based data set that allows us to separately identify moral hazard from adverse selection, we find evidence that farmers insured under COP contracts spend more on chemical fertilizers and pesticides (i.e. those inputs whose costs determine the indemnity payments). However, since these same COP insured farmers are still likely to use less inputs (like effort) whose costs do not enter the indemnity payment formula, and yield depends on both types of inputs (i.e. the determinants and non‐determinants of the indemnity payments), the final moral hazard effect of COP insurance on yields is ambiguous. Our analysis also suggests that farmers who tend to spend less on chemical fertilizers and pesticides are the ones with private information on soil conditions and pest incidence. These are the types of farmers who adversely select into COP contracts that only cover weather related losses.
Additional Challenges in Democracy Support and the Need for Donors to Confront some Neglected Issues
Authors: Lotshwao Kebapetse
Published: January 2019

For democracy support to make meaningful sense, therefore, donors should balance their interests with those of the populations of the recipient countries. In many recipient countries, some real political issues are ignored by donors. In Botswana, for instance, donors are mute on the need for constitutional reform.
Money, Millennials and Human Rights: Sustaining ‘Sustainable Investing’
Authors: Ruggie John Gerard , Middleton Emily K.
Published: January 2019

The first part of this paper examines the rise and current state of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. The second addresses the conceptual and statistical weakness of the S domain. The third describes how drawing on internationally recognized human rights standards can strengthen the S and thereby improve the robustness and comparability of ESG aggregations. This should interest investors, issuers, and human rights advocates alike.
Progesterone modulates the T‐cell response via glucocorticoid receptor‐dependent pathways
Authors: Hierweger Alexandra Maximiliane , Engler Jan Broder , Friese Manuel A. , Reichardt Holger M. , Lydon John , DeMayo Francesco , Mittrücker Hans‐Willi , Arck Petra Clara
Published: January 2019

Problem

Steroid hormones such as progesterone and glucocorticoids rise during pregnancy and are accountable for the adaptation of the maternal immune system to pregnancy. How steroid hormones induce fetal tolerance is not fully understood. We hypothesized that steroid hormones selectively regulate the T‐cell response by promoting T‐cell death.

Method of study

We incubated murine spleen cells isolated from non‐pregnant and pregnant mice with physiological concentrations of steroid hormones in vitro and analyzed T‐cell subsets after 48 h of incubation.

Results

We found that progesterone and the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone induce T‐cell death. CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells were refractory toward progesterone‐induced cell death, in contrast to conventional CD4+ T cells, which resulted in a preferential enrichment of CD4+ Tregcells in culture. T cells isolated from pregnant mice at early and late gestation showed comparable sensitivity to steroid‐induced cell death. The target receptor for progesterone in immune cells is controversially discussed. We provide here support of progesterone binding to the glucocorticoid receptor as only T cells lacking the glucocorticoid but not the progesterone receptor showed resistance against progesterone‐induced death.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that high levels of progesterone during pregnancy can induce selective T‐cell death by binding the glucocorticoid receptor. Although physiological hormone concentrations were used, due to different bioavailability of steroid hormones in vivo these results have to be validated in an in vivo model. This mechanism might ensure immunological tolerance at the feto‐maternal interface at gestation.
Pre‐operative optimisation of the surgical patient with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes: a practical review
Authors: Levy N. , Dhatariya K.
Published: January 2019

Peri‐operative hyperglycaemia, whether the cause is known diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes or stress hyperglycaemia, is a risk factor for harm, increased length of stay and death. There is increasing evidence that peri‐operative hyperglycaemia is a modifiable risk factor, and many of the interventions required to improve the outcome of surgery must be instituted before the actual surgical admission. These interventions depend on communication and collaboration within the multidisciplinary team along each stage of the patient journey to ensure that integration of care occurs across the whole of the patient‐centred care pathway.
Peri‐operative care pathways: re‐engineering care to achieve the ‘triple aim’
Authors: Grocott M. P. W. , Edwards M. , Mythen M. G. , Aronson S.
Published: January 2019

Elective surgical pathways offer a particular opportunity to plan radical change in the way care is delivered, based on patient need rather than provider convenience. Peri‐operative pathway redesign enables improved patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), population/public health, and healthcare value (outcome per unit of currency). Among physicians with the skills to work within peri‐operative medicine, anaesthetists are well positioned to lead the re‐engineering of such pathways. Re‐engineered pre‐operative pathways open up opportunities for intervention before surgery including shared decision‐making, comorbidity management and collaborative behavioural change. Individualised, risk‐adapted, intra‐operative interventions will drive more reliable and consistent care. Risk‐adapted postoperative care, particularly around transitions of care, has a significant role in improving value through peri‐operative medicine. Improved integration with primary care providers offers the potential for minimising errors around transitions of care before and after surgery, as well as maximising opportunities for population health interventions, including lifestyle modification (e.g. activity/exercise, smoking and/or alcohol cessation), pain management and sleep medicine. Systematic data collection focused on quality improvement is essential to drive continuous clinical improvement and will be enabled by technological development in predictive analytics, systems modelling and artificial intelligence.
The relationship between the cortisol awakening response and cortisol reactivity to a laboratory stressor
Authors: Dienes Kimberly , Gartland Nicola , Ferguson Eamonn
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The cortisol awakening response (CAR) and cortisol reactivity to an acute laboratory stressor both involve steep increases in cortisol secretion and are associated with preparing the body to deal with stressors ahead. Alterations in both have been linked to negative clinical and health outcomes. However, these two aspects of our biological stress response have rarely been directly compared, and the extant research focuses on state, rather than trait CAR. Given the similar roles of the CAR and cortisol reactivity, and their relationships to psychopathology, it is important to understand whether trait CAR and cortisol reactivity to acute stressors are related and whether a blunted CAR may be predictive of blunted cortisol reactivity across an acute laboratory stress task.

Design

Cross‐sectional. Participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) the week after daily assessment of the CAR.

Methods

Salivary cortisol secretion across the TSST was compared to the CAR, sampled across five weekdays at waking (S1) and 30 min past waking, for 54 female participants.

Results

A smaller CAR, lower peak cortisol, and blunted CAR increase were all significantly related to a steep rise and flattened slope of recovery in cortisol secretion following the TSST. Additionally, lower S1 was predictive of a blunted rise in cortisol secretion from baseline to immediately post‐task.

Conclusion

There was a significant relationship between trait CAR and cortisol secretion across the TSST. The results provided mixed support for hypotheses. A blunted CAR was associated with impaired recovery in cortisol secretion following the TSST, but, surprisingly, a rapid rise in cortisol peaking immediately following the stress task.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

The CAR and cortisol reactivity to an acute laboratory stress task both are thought to marshal the body's resources to deal with stress.

Both the CAR and cortisol reactivity have been related to psychosocial states and clinical and health outcomes in past research.

State CAR has been linked to cortisol reactivity to stressors, and a greater CAR is thought to help an individual deal with stressors in the day ahead.

What does this study add?

The current study predicts trait CAR sampled across multiple days from the rise and recovery in cortisol secretion across an acute stress test.

Comparison of trait CAR and cortisol reactivity may clarify both their relationship to each other and to clinical and health outcomes.
Recall cues interfere with retrieval from visuospatial working memory
Authors: Tabi Younes Adam , Husain Masud , Manohar Sanjay G.
Published: January 2019

Visuospatial working memory allows us to hold multiple visual objects over short delays. It is typically tested by presenting an array of objects, then after a delay showing a ‘probe’ indicating which memory item to recall or reproduce by adjusting a target feature. However, recent studies demonstrate that information at the time of probe can disrupt recall. Here, in three experiments we test whether traditional memory probes, which contain features that compete with the feature to be recalled, may themselves interfere with performance. We asked participants to report the direction of one of the several coloured arrows in memory, based on its colour. First, we demonstrate that recall is better when the probe is initially just a coloured dot, rather than a coloured arrow which has to be adjusted to match orientation memory, consistent with interference from features of the probe itself. Second, this interference is present even when a mask follows the memory array, suggesting that the interference does not work by degrading immediate or iconic memory. Finally, when items are shown sequentially, the first and last items are invulnerable to probe interference. Our findings support recent theories of associative recall, in which probes reactivate features in WM, retrieving information by pattern completion.
Systematic planning can rapidly close the protection gap in Australian mammal havens
Authors: Ringma Jeremy , Legge Sarah , Woinarski John C.Z. , Radford James Q. , Wintle Brendan , Bentley Joss , Burbidge Andrew A. , Copley Peter , Dexter Nicholas , Dickman Chris R. , Gillespie Graeme R. , Hill Brydie , Johnson Chris N. , Kanowski John , Letnic Mike , Manning Adrian , Menkhorst Peter , Mitchell Nicola , Morris Keith , Moseby Katherine , Page Manda , Palmer Russell , Bode Michael
Published: January 2019

In the last 30 years, islands and fenced exclosures free of introduced predators (collectively, havens) have become an increasingly used option for protecting Australian mammals imperiled by predation by introduced cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). However, Australia's network of havens is not expanding in a manner that maximizes representation of all predator‐susceptible taxa, because of continued emphasis on already‐represented taxa. Future additions to the haven network will improve representation of mammals most efficiently if they fill gaps in under‐represented predator‐susceptible taxa, particularly rodents. A systematic approach to expansion could protect at least one population of every Australian predator‐susceptible threatened mammal taxon by the addition of 12 new havens to the current network. Were the current haven network to be doubled in number in a systematic manner, it could protect three populations of every Australian predator‐susceptible threatened mammal taxon.
Aortic‐flow propagation velocity is associated with proteinuria and left ventricular hypertrophy in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients
Authors: Tosun Veysel , Güntekin Ünal , Şimşek Hakkı , Kandemir Yasemin B.
Published: January 2019

Objective

Subclinical target organ damage (TOD) is an important long‐term complication of hypertension and is associated with cardiovascular events and death. Aortic‐flow propagation velocity (APV) is one of the arterial stiffness parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of APV on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and proteinuria.

Methods

A total of 149 newly diagnosed HT patients were included in the study. Urine samples and blood tests were obtained from each patient for diagnosis of proteinuria. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination. All patients’ APV measurements, carotid intima‐media thicknesses (CIMT), and ankle‐brachial indexes (ABI) were measured and recorded.

Results

The LVH (+) group consisted of 47 patients, and the LVH (−) group consisted of 102 patients. The proteinuria (+) group consisted of 32 patients, and the proteinuria (−) group consisted of 117 patients. Average CIMT was significantly higher in both proteinuria (+) and LVH (+) groups compared with the (−) groups. ABI and APV were significantly lower in both proteinuria (+) and LVH (+) groups compared with the (−) groups. APV was negatively correlated with LVH, proteinuria, and CIMT and positively correlated with ABI. In the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, APV was the significant independent predictor of proteinuria. Additionally, APV and ABI were found to be independent predictors of LVH or/and proteinuria.

Conclusion

Hypertensive patients who had TOD had worse consequences of APV, CIMT, and ABI. APV had a powerful predictive value to identify the patients with higher risk of TOD among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.
The contribution of myostatin (MSTN) and additional modifying genetic loci to race distance aptitude in Thoroughbred horses racing in different geographic regions
Authors: Hill E. W. , McGivney B. A. , Rooney M. F. , Katz L. M. , Parnell A. , MacHugh D. E.
Published: January 2019

Background

Race distance aptitude in Thoroughbred horses is highly heritable and is influenced largely by variation at the myostatin gene (MSTN).

Objectives

In addition to MSTN, we hypothesised that other modifying loci contribute to best race distance.

Study design

Using 3006 Thoroughbreds, including 835 ‘elite’ horses, which were >3 years old, had race records and were sampled from Europe/Middle‐East, Australia/New Zealand, North America and South Africa, we performed genome‐wide association (GWA) tests and separately developed a genomic prediction algorithm to comprehensively catalogue additive genetic variation contributing to best race distance.

Methods

48,896 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes were generated from high‐density SNP genotyping arrays. Heritability estimates, tests of GWA and genomic prediction models were derived for the phenotypes: average race distance, best race distance for elite, nonelite and all winning horses.

Results

Heritability estimates were high ( = 0.51, best race distance – elite;  = 0.42, best race distance – nonelite;  = 0.40, best race distance – all) and most of the variation was attributed to the MSTN gene. MSTN locus SNPs were the most strongly associated with the trait and included BIEC2‐438999 (ECA18:66913090; P = 4.51 × 10−110, average race distance; P = 2.33 × 10−42, best race distance – elite). The genomic prediction algorithm enabled the inclusion of variation from all SNPs in a model that partitioned horses into short and long cohorts following assignment of MSTN genotype. Additional genes with minor contributions to best race distance were identified.

Main limitations

The nongenetic influence of owner/trainer decisions on placement of horses in suitable races could not be controlled.

Conclusions

MSTN is the single most important genetic contributor to best race distance in the Thoroughbred. Employment of genetic prediction models will lead to more accurate placing of horses in races that are best suited to their inherited genetic potential for distance aptitude.
Spatial heterogeneity and short‐term oxygen dynamics in the rhizosphere of Vallisneria spiralis: Implications for nutrient cycling
Authors: Marzocchi Ugo , Benelli Sara , Larsen Morten , Bartoli Marco , Glud Ronnie N.
Published: January 2019

Aquatic macrophytes modify the sediment biogeochemistry via radial oxygen loss (ROL) from their roots. However, the variation in ROL and its implication for nutrient availability remains poorly explored.

Here, we use planar O2 optodes to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of oxic niches within the rhizosphere of Vallisneria spiralis and their alteration following variable light and ambient O2 levels. The effect of ROL on NH4+ and PO43− distribution in the rhizosphere was evaluated by a combination of 15N isotopic techniques, 2D sampling, and electron microscopy.

A single specimen of V. spiralis could maintain an oxidised sediment volume of 41–47 cm3 and 10–27 cm3 in the rhizosphere at 100% and 38% dissolved oxygen saturation in the overlying water, respectively. Whatever the environmental conditions, the ROL was, however, very heterogeneous and dependent on root age and architecture of the root system.

ROL stimulated the coupling between denitrification and nitrification in the sediment both under dark (+25 μmol N‐N2 m−2 hr−1) and light (+70 μmol N‐N2 m−2 hr−1) conditions. This, in combination with plant uptake, contributed to intense removal of NH4+ from the pore water. Similarly, PO43− was highly depleted in the rhizosphere. The detection of Fe‐P plaques on the roots surface indicated substantial entrapment of P as a consequence of ROL.

The extensive spatio‐temporal heterogeneity of oxic and anoxic conditions ensured that aerobic and anaerobic processes co‐occurred in the rhizosphere and this presumably reduced potential nutrient limitation while maximising plant fitness in an otherwise hostile reduced environment.
Development of new methodologies for the chromogenic estimation of betrixaban concentrations in plasma
Authors: Siriez Romain , Evrard Jonathan , Dogné Jean‐Michel , Pochet Lionel , Bouvy Céline , Lessire Sarah , Mullier François , Douxfils Jonathan
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Chromogenic anti‐Xa assays are the most appropriate tests to estimate the amount of betrixaban in plasma but the sensitivity of available tests is limited and improvements are needed to encompass the on‐therapy range.

Methods

Betrixaban was spiked at concentrations ranging from 0 to 500 ng/mL in plasma from healthy donors. Three commercial tests were used (Biophen®DiXaI®, STA®Liquid Anti‐Xa, and HemosIL®Liquid Anti‐Xa), and adaptation of their sample dilution scheme was performed. These new methodologies were also tested on plasma spiked with amounts of unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), or fondaparinux covering the on‐therapy ranges to evaluate their sensitivity to indirect factor Xa inhibitors.

Results

Results showed concentration‐dependent decreases in OD/min inversely proportional to the dilutions. While modifications improve the sensitivity of these tests to betrixaban (eg, ½*OD/min of 502 ng/mL [95% CI: 495‐508 ng/mL] for Biophen®DiXaI® [1:50] is reduced to 51 ng/mL [95% CI: 50‐52 ng/mL] for improved Biophen®DiXaI® [1:5]), results also showed an increased sensitivity to indirect factor Xa inhibitors, except for Biophen®DiXaI® which remains insensitive to UFH and LMWH.

Conclusions

Results showed that the improvement of current chromogenic anti‐Xa methodologies enhances the sensitivity of these assays to betrixaban but also to indirect factor Xa inhibitors. This lack of specificity may lead to overestimation of betrixaban concentrations in patients bridged with heparins. To avoid this cross‐interference, the use of the Biophen®DiXaI® may be a solution except for fondaparinux which remains active even in the presence of the Biophen®DiXaI®’s specific buffer. For the other chromogenic assays, the conception and validation of specific buffer is required.
How much self‐presentation behavior do applicants from the United Arab Emirates exhibit?
Authors: Husain Zafar , Dayan Mumin , Pathak Raghuvar Dutt , Langer Markus , König Cornelius J.
Published: January 2019

Applicants from different cultures vary in their self‐presentation behavior during job interviews. This study investigates self‐presentation behavior in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the second largest economy in the Arab world. Specifically, it examines self‐presentation behavior of applicants from the UAE and compares it to the behavior of American, European, and Chinese applicants from previous studies. The randomized response technique was used to gather self‐presentation prevalence data of 111 UAE applicants regarding self‐presentation behavior in their last job interview. Prevalence rates were lower than those from the United States and from China but higher than those from Iceland and from Switzerland. Results indicate that though UAE culture values modesty, UAE applicants still engage in distinct self‐presentation behavior.
Bridging the Institutional Gaps: International Education as a Migration Industry
Authors: Liu‐Farrer Gracia , Tran An Huy
Published: January 2019

This article examines the education‐migration industry that has channelled students from China and Viet Nam into Japan over the past three decades and discusses the conditions for the emergence of such an industry, the major actors and the reasons for their changing roles and practices. It argues that the education‐migration industry in Japan emerged because of the discrepant institutional logics. Japan's reluctance to open the door for labour import, despite its acute labour shortage, has turned international education into a sanctioned channel of labour migration and thereby created opportunities for international education to become a thriving migration industry. As long as this institutional gap remains, government regulations will only create new sources of power and profits for brokers who can navigate complex regulations and employ illicit means to satisfy the legal requirements. The education‐migration industry is therefore a derivative of Japan's immigration regime and actively interacts with government policies.
All Things in Moderation? Threshold Effects in Adolescent Extracurricular Participation Intensity and Behavioral Problems
Authors: Matjasko Jennifer L. , Holland Kristin M. , Holt Melissa K. , Espelage Dorothy L. , Koenig Brian W.
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

School‐based extracurricular activity participation is one of the primary avenues for prosocial activity engagement during adolescence. In this study, we test the “overscheduling hypothesis” or whether the negative relationship between structured activity intensity (ie, hours) and adolescent bullying and fighting levels off or declines at moderate to high intensity (ie, threshold effects).

METHODS

This study uses the Dane County Youth Survey (N = 14,124) to investigate the relationship between school‐based extracurricular activity participation intensity and bullying perpetration and physical fighting and whether there are threshold effects of activity participation intensity.

RESULTS

The results indicate that there is a negative relationship between extracurricular activity participation intensity and bullying perpetration and physical fighting and that there are threshold effects in these relationships at 3 to 4 hours per week. Results also suggest that low‐income adolescents engage in more fighting than other youth and the negative relationship between activity participation intensity and physical fighting was mainly concentrated among low‐income adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

School‐based extracurricular activity participation—in moderation (ie, up to 3‐4 hours per week)—may provide a positive, supportive context that could be a promising prevention strategy for bullying and fighting. Implications for future research on how school‐based extracurricular activity participation intensity benefits adolescent functioning are discussed.
Identifying the Inclusion of National Sexuality Education Standards Utilizing a Systematic Analysis of Teen Dating Violence Prevention Curriculum
Authors: Wilson Kelly L. , Szucs Leigh E. , Shipley Meagan , Fehr Sara K. , McNeill Elisa B. , Wiley David C.
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Violent behaviors have devastating impacts on youth and adolescents. National standards offer a framework for age and developmentally appropriate health education expectations. This study provides findings from a systematic review and analysis of teen dating violence (TDV) prevention curricula using National Sexuality Education Standards (NSES) and National Health Education Standards (NHES).

METHODS

Evidence‐based and/or practice informed interventions for TDV prevention were compiled and analyzed. We used a standardized review instrument to analyze each curriculum (N = 11); each curriculum was reviewed independently and results met inter‐rater agreement requirements. Data were analyzed to determine NSES and NHES inclusion.

RESULTS

This study provides findings from the TDV prevention curriculum analysis using the NSES. Five NSES topic areas were addressed in the TDV prevention curriculum and included personal safety, healthy relationships, identity, sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficieny virus, and pregnancy and reproduction. Personal safety was the most included topic and ranged from 37% to 77%. Healthy relationships were the second most included NSES and ranged from 11% to 53%. Inclusions of NHES skills, as they are embedded within the NSES, are identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Curricula decision‐makers gain insight by conducting reviews before recommendations are made or the adoption process is complete. The NSES and NHES support expectations for TDV prevention and can guide curricula adoption for a school or district. School professionals should work together to ensure TDV prevention curricula complements sexuality education units. While TDV curricula may cover critical topics, a singular focus on one content area cannot replace comprehensive sexuality education.
Who Suffers Most From Being Involved in Bullying—Bully, Victim, or Bully‐Victim?
Authors: Mark Lauraliisa , Värnik Airi , Sisask Merike
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Bullying has been associated with many mental health problems. The effect of bullying has been found to be affected by the way students are involved in bullying. The purpose of the study was to explore the association between mental well‐being, hopelessness, and being involved in bullying (as a bully, victim, or bully‐victim), and to detect more harmful bullying types to students' mental well‐being.

METHODS

The study was conducted among Estonian students from grades 5 to 9 (N = 2048). The survey was nationwide, cross‐sectional, anonymous, and web‐based by nature. Mental well‐being was assessed by using WHO‐5 well‐being index and hopelessness by 1‐item Beck Hopelessness Scale.

RESULTS

The odds for being severely distressed (ie, students expressing both poor mental well‐being and hopelessness) were greater for both sexes bullying others and being victims of bullying. For bully‐victims the odds were greater for girls only. The victims of extensive cyber bullying expressed the lowest level of mental well‐being for both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Boys might be the most vulnerable if being pure victims, while girls if being bully‐victims. More attention should be paid to cyber bullying, as victims of extensive cyber bullying had the lowest level of mental well‐being.
Comparing Physical Activity Behavior of Children During School Between Balanced and Traditional School Day Schedules
Authors: Clark Andrew F. , Wilk Piotr , Gilliland Jason A.
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Some Canadian schools have modified their daily schedules from the traditional school day (TSD) schedule (two 15‐minute breaks and one 60‐minute break) to a balanced school day (BSD) schedule (two 40‐minute breaks). While this change increases daily planning and instructional time, it also changes the amount of time available for moderate‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

METHODS

This study uses a case‐control design to examine differences in objectively measured MVPA between children in 3 schools using a BSD schedule and 3 schools using a TSD schedule. Study participants (aged 10‐12 years) were recruited from schools in Ontario, Canada.

RESULTS

Regardless of schedule type, girls had lower MVPA than boys, and as both boys and girls got older their MVPA significantly decreased. The findings indicate there was no statistically significant difference in the total minutes of in‐school MVPA between children from BSD schools and children from TSD schools. MVPA was significantly higher for older girls attending BSD schools than older girls attending TSD schools, suggesting that implementing a BSD may help curb declining MVPA as girls enter adolescence.

CONCLUSION

Despite encouraging findings, more rigorous studies (ie, pre‐post experiments with control) are needed to better understand how changing schedules impacts children's health.
Barriers to the implementation of isoniazid preventive therapy for tuberculosis in children in endemic settings: A review
Authors: Grace Samuel G
Published: January 2019

Isoniazid preventive therapy is one of the key interventions in reducing the risk of active disease among children exposed to tuberculosis. However, initiation and maintenance of this treatment is poor in many areas. This review summarises the existing literature on barriers to implementation of isoniazid preventive therapy for tuberculosis in children in endemic settings. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases were used to search for primary research studies published between 1998 and 2018, specifically mentioning isoniazid preventive therapy, tuberculosis and children. Barriers identified in most study settings included absence of parental risk perception, health‐care worker knowledge gaps and treatment access. Focusing on patient‐centred care, enhancing community and health‐care worker education and securing stable medication supply to effectively deliver this therapy is crucial in order to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality from tuberculosis.
Q fever vaccination of children in Australia: Limited experience to date
Authors: Armstrong Mark , Francis Josh , Robson Jenny , Graves Stephen , Mills Deborah , Ferguson John , Nourse Clare
Published: January 2019

Aim

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in both adults and children. Australia is the only country that has produced and registered a Q fever vaccine for human use, but this vaccine is licenced only for people aged over 15 years as data and experience in children are limited. This review describes the experience of Q fever vaccination of known paediatric cases in Australia to date.

Methods

Patients aged younger than 15 years who received the Q fever vaccination had data abstracted from medical records after consent was obtained from the relevant guardians. Data on risk factors for Q fever, skin testing procedure, dose of vaccination, adverse effects and follow‐up assessment were obtained.

Results

Twelve children were identified as having received the Q fever vaccination. Vaccination was feasible, with empirical weight‐based dose adjustment performed for younger children. There were no significant adverse effects.

Conclusions

Q fever vaccine may be safe in children and should be considered in children who are at significant risk of Q fever infection. Safe vaccine protocols with proven efficacy will allow children of all ages to be protected. Prospective studies of vaccination in children are indicated. Expanding available Q fever registries to include children would allow outcomes to be systematically followed.
Standard concentration infusions of inotropic and vasoactive drugs in paediatric intensive care: a strategy for patient safety
Authors: Barreto Heloisa Arruda Gomm , Sestren Bianca , Boergen-Lacerda Roseli , Soares Leonardo Cavadas da Costa
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different standard concentration infusions for high-alert inotropic and vasoactive drugs in paediatric intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods

Retrospective data analysis was performed on drug prescriptions for patients in paediatric ICUs. A matrix was developed based on optimal concentration recommendations for each drug, taking into consideration solution stability and patient safety. Hypothetical volumes were calculated for three standard solutions (high concentration – HC, low concentration – LC and fluid restriction – FR) and compared to the actual administered volumes to evaluate the impact of the volumes of each standard solution for varying weight ranges in paediatric care. Finally, a risk assessment of the standard infusions was conducted using the NPSA 20 tool along with an assessment of the pharmacoeconomic impact.

Key findings

The results suggest the need for at least two standard concentrations for each of the studied drugs in order to attend to the different weight ranges and clinical conditions of paediatric patients in intensive care.

Conclusions

High concentration is ideal for patients up to 20 kg. For patients over 20 kg, FR is recommended, while LC should only be used in specific situations. Modifying the hospital pharmacotherapy system to include standard solutions is safer and reduces the risks of adverse effects. The pharmacoeconomic analysis did not show any impact on costs, although a reduction in adverse effects should be considered.
Bayesian Inference for ARFIMA Models
Authors: Durham Garland , Geweke John , Porter‐Hudak Susan , Sowell Fallaw
Published: January 2019

This article develops practical methods for Bayesian inference in the autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model using the exact likelihood function, any proper prior distribution, and time series that may have thousands of observations. These methods utilize sequentially adaptive Bayesian learning, a sequential Monte Carlo algorithm that can exploit massively parallel desktop computing with graphics processing units (GPUs). The article identifies and solves several problems in the computation of the likelihood function that apparently have not been addressed in the literature. Four applications illustrate the utility of the approach. The most ambitious is an ARFIMA(2,d,2) model for the Campito tree ring time series (length 5405), for which the methods developed in the article provide an essentially uncorrelated sample of size 16,384 from the exact posterior distribution in under four hours. Less ambitious applications take as little as 4 minutes without exploiting GPUs.
Cyber‐physical approach to the optimization of semiactive structural control under multiple earthquake ground motions
Authors: Zhang Ruiyang , Phillips Brian M.
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a cyber‐physical approach to optimize the semiactive control of a base‐isolated structure under a suite of earthquakes. The approach uses numerical search algorithms to guide the exploration of the design space and real‐time hybrid simulation (RTHS) to evaluate candidate designs, creating a framework for real‐time hybrid optimization (RHTO). By supplanting traditional numerical analysis (i.e., finite element methods) with RTHS, structural components that are difficult to model can be represented accurately while still capturing global structural performance. The efficiency of RTHO is improved for multiple design excitations with the creation of a multiinterval particle swarm optimization (MI‐PSO) algorithm. As a proof‐of‐concept, RTHO is applied to improve the seismic performance of a base‐isolated structure with supplemental control. The proposed RTHO framework with MI‐PSO is a versatile technique for multivariate optimization under multiple excitations. It is well suited for the accurate and rapid evaluation of structures with nonlinear experimental substructures, in particular, those that do not undergo permanent damage such as structural control devices. The RTHO framework integrates popular optimization algorithms with advanced experimental methods, creating an exciting new cyber‐physical approach to design.