bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Journalism’s fortune tellers: Constructing the future of news
Authors: Lowrey Wilson , Shan Zhou
Published: September 2016

How do future-of-news experts construct accounts of the future of journalism and on what do they base these accounts? What do their methods imply about manifest and latent reasons for constructing these accounts in the first place? This exploratory study adapts a model from the sociology of work, which provides a typology of strategies that guide decision-making in ‘future work’ – that is, work that involves collective and systematic efforts to predict and legitimize predictive claims. We first examine economic literature on uncertainty and risk, which explains the extreme difficulty of making predictions in an environment of high uncertainty. We then situate journalism ‘future work’ within the literature on the social construction of the future, and using Fine’s model, outline strategies pursued in this construction. We conduct an exploratory qualitative content analysis of published predictions written by ‘future of news’ experts, examining the strategies they use to legitimize their predictive claims. Findings show mixed support for Fine’s model and some support for rival strategies for supporting claims about the future, for example, a path-dependence strategy of extending the known present into the future.
‘Fool me once, shame on you’: Direct personal experience and media trust
Authors: Livio Oren , Cohen Jonathan
Published: September 2016

While the issue of citizens’ declining trust in journalists has received much attention in both research and public discourse, relatively little research has examined how individuals’ evaluations of the accuracy of media coverage of events they witnessed personally may have long-term effects on the level of trust in journalists. Using the responses of Israeli adults (n = 405) to an online survey, this study explored various predictors of public trust in journalists and found that perceived correspondence between direct personal experience and news reports was the strongest predictor of trust in journalists and the only one that remained significant when controlling for all other factors. In addition, general levels of public trust in journalists were found to be in small decline. These findings suggest that declining levels of trust in journalists may be associated with actual evaluations of the quality of media performance by individuals, thus refocusing the question of trust on journalistic practice rather than on audience attributes. At the same time, the fact that personal and possibly anecdotal evidence may have significant long-term effects on audience levels of trust is potentially problematic from a democratic standpoint. We discuss the implications and limitations of our findings.
Efficacy of lycopene on modulation of renal antioxidant enzymes, ACE and ACE gene expression in hyperlipidaemic rats
Authors: Khan Nazish Iqbal , Noori Shafaq , Mahboob Tabassum
Published: September 2016

Introduction:

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lycopene on renal tissue antioxidant enzymes and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression and serum activity in diet-induced hyperlipidaemia.

Methods:

Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats (200–250 g weight), 5–6 months of age, were randomly selected and divided into four groups. Group I received normal diet; group II received 24 g high fat diet/100 g of daily diet; group III received 24 g high fat diet/100 g daily diet and 200 ml of lycopene extract (twice a week) for 8 weeks; and group IV received 200 ml oral lycopene extract twice a week for 8 weeks.

Results:

A marked increase was observed in plasma urea and creatinine levels, serum C-reactive protein, kidney weight, tissue renal malonyldialdehyde level, ACE gene expression and serum level, while a decrease catalase level among hyperlipidaemic rats was observed. Histologically, interstitial inflammation and proliferation was seen. Lycopene supplementation significantly decreased plasma urea and creatinine, serum ACE, renal tissue malonyldialdehyde level and C-reactive protein level, while it increased tissue antioxidant enzymes level and total protein. Tissue inflammation and proliferation was improved.

Conclusions:

This finding suggests that supplementation of lycopene is effective for renal antioxidant enzymes, ACE gene expression and ACE serum level in hyperlipidaemic rats.
Volume regulatory hormones and plasma volume in pregnant women with sickle cell disorder
Authors: Afolabi Bosede B , Oladipo Olajumoke O , Akanmu Alani S , Abudu Olalekan O , Sofola Olusoga A , Broughton Pipkin Fiona
Published: September 2016

Background:

Sickle cell disease (haemoglobin SS (HbSS)) mainly affects those of West African origin and is associated with hypervolaemia. Plasma volume rises by up to 50% in normal pregnancy but was previously found to be paradoxically contracted in late sickle cell pregnancy. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is activated very early in human pregnancy to support the plasma volume expansion. We hypothesised that activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system would be blunted in pregnant women with sickle cell disease.

Materials and methods:

We measured plasma volume and concentrations of plasma renin, angiotensinogen, aldosterone and other volume-related hormones in a cross-sectional study of pregnant and non-pregnant Nigerian women with HbSS or HbAA.

Results:

Plasma volume was higher in non-pregnant HbSS than HbAA women, but had not risen by 16 weeks, unlike plasma volume in HbAA women. The concentration of plasma renin also rose significantly less by 16 weeks in HbSS; angiotensinogen and aldosterone concentrations increased.

Conclusions:

The lower plasma renin concentration at 16 weeks with HbSS could be either primary or secondary to vasoconstriction related to inadequate vasodilator activity. The contracted plasma volume might then stimulate aldosterone synthesis by non-angiotensin II dependent stimulation. Studies of vasodilators such as nitric oxide, vasodilator eicosanoids or the PlGF/VEGF/sFlT-1 axis in pregnant HbSS and HbAA women will test this hypothesis.
Multimodal robotic system for upper-limb rehabilitation in physical environment
Authors: Díez Jorge A , Catalán José M , Lledó Luis D , Badesa Francisco J , Garcia-Aracil Nicolás
Published: September 2016

This article researches the feasibility of use of a multimodal robotic system for upper-limb neurorehabilitation therapies in physical environments, interacting with real objects. This system consists of an end-effector upper-limb rehabilitation robot, a hand exoskeleton, a gaze tracking system, an object tracking system, and electromyographic measuring units. For this purpose, the system architecture is stated, explaining the detailed functions of each subsystem as well as the interaction among them. Finally, an experimental scenario is designed to test the system with healthy subjects in order to check whether the system is suitable for future experiments with patients.
A simple control algorithm for controlling biped dynamic walking with stopping ability based on the footed inverted pendulum model
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Liu Guocai , Zha Fusheng , Guo Wei , Li Mantian , Cai Hegao
Published: September 2016

In biped walking, dynamic balance ability is an important evaluation index. Zero-moment-point-based trajectory control is a common method for biped dynamic walking, but it requires complex control mechanisms that limit its applications. With the help of passive dynamics, the biped walking based on the inverted pendulum model can achieve dynamic walking in a simple way; however, it has no stopping ability, which is necessary for practical use. To solve this problem, this article proposes a footed inverted pendulum model and develops a simple three-part decomposition control algorithm for controlling biped dynamic walking based on the model. In the control algorithm, the biped walking is decomposed into three separate control parts: body posture, body height, and body velocity. Body posture is controlled by the stance hip, body height is controlled by the stance knee, and body velocity is controlled by the stance ankle and swing foot placement simultaneously. A simulation is presented to analyze the foot’s effect on the inverted pendulum model. Two hardware experiments exploring velocity control and balance are described, with the results showing that the biped can achieve dynamic walking with stopping ability by using the simple control algorithm based on the footed inverted pendulum model.
A new dynamic seven-stage model for thickness prediction of the film between valve plate and cylinder block in axial piston pumps
Authors: Zhang Chao , Huang Shaokang , Du Jun , Wang Xingjian , Wang Shaoping , Zhang Haiyan
Published: September 2016

Axial piston pumps are very important to the hydraulic system on aircrafts, and their reliability plays critical role for ensuring the reliability and safety of aircrafts. The thickness prediction of the film between valve plate and cylinder block has received considerable concerns. This article presents a new dynamic seven-stage model for the thickness prediction of the film between valve plate and cylinder block in axial piston pumps. By dividing the rotation of the cylinder into seven stages, the complete analytical expression of the pressure distributions between valve plate and cylinder block is derived. The lubrication film forces and torques exerted on the cylinder block are then calculated and the film is determined by analyzing the complex dynamics of cylinder block. Experiments have been conducted and the results show that the proposed model is effective.
Reliability-based multidisciplinary design and optimization for twin-web disk using adaptive Kriging surrogate model
Authors: Zhang Mengchuang , Gou Wenxuan , Yao Qin
Published: September 2016

Compared with the conventional single web disk, the twin-web disk has been designed as the future trend of the high-pressure turbine disk by the US Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology program due to its breakthrough in weight loss, strength, and heat transfer efficiency. However, as a crucial component, the high-pressure turbine disk of aerocraft needs a high reliability and a steady quality at the same time. The traditional deterministic multidisciplinary design of optimization method sometimes could not be able to satisfy both the two requirements and depends heavily on the selection strategy of safety factor. In this article, reliability-based multidisciplinary design optimization has been performed to find a proper shape of twin-web disk with the minimum weight. The structural strength reliability analysis is performed using Monte Carlo simulation and set as the constraints in order to ensure the stability and safety. Kriging approximation is performed to reduce the computational cost. Then, the optimal points obtained by reliability-based multidisciplinary design optimization and common multidisciplinary design optimization are compared. The results show that the reliability-based multidisciplinary design optimization can obtain a better performance and less weight, which could be a reference in designing the twin-web disk for industry.
Reproduction method of the relative position and posture of vehicle ends on the test bench
Authors: Zhang Lan , Su Jian , Chen Qiuyu , Wang Qiming , Xu Guan
Published: September 2016

An inter-vehicle relationship test bench which can simulate the relative motion of the adjacent vehicle ends is introduced. The test bench is driven by 14 actuators. A three-dimensional model including track, train, and test bench is established to solve the control instructions of the 14 actuators. The posture of the train running on the track is converted to the control instructions of the actuators based on the theory of space coordinates position and pose transformation. A virtual prototype model of the test bench is established before bench test to check the control instructions of the actuators and solve the relative position and posture of the adjacent vehicle ends. After determining the safety and reliability of the test, the bench test is carried out to measure the relative position and posture of the adjacent vehicle ends and compare with the results of the simulation. The error of the test and simulation is small, which proves the correctness of the test. The test proves that the inter-vehicle relationship test bench has the ability to simulate the actual running state of two adjacent vehicle ends and can provide design reference for the design of the inter-vehicle connections of new vehicle model.
Good cop, bad cop
Authors: Berkovich Izhak , Eyal Ori
Published: September 2016

Research on school principals’ behaviours that affect teachers’ emotional states is limited. Currently, the focus is primarily on extreme manifestations of mistreatment and emotional abuse; normative daily behaviours, such as emotionally manipulative ones, have yet to be explored. The purpose of the present study is to investigate primary school principals’ manipulative behaviours, that is, principals’ actions aimed at enlisting others to advance their goals by stimulating emotions. Based on the self-report scale of Austin et al. (2007), we developed a modified other-report scale to explore principals’ emotionally manipulative behaviours with both negative and positive orientations. The scale was used in a cross-sectional field survey, in which teachers rated their principals’ manipulative behaviours. We found support for the prevalence of both types of principals’ emotionally manipulative behaviours and of their effects on teachers’ negative and positive emotions arising from interactions with the principals. We also found that principals who ranked higher in negative and positive emotionally manipulative behaviours self-reported having greater controlling tendencies. The findings and their implications are discussed.
Applications and mechanisms of immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis and asthma
Authors: Kappen Jasper H. , Durham Stephen R. , Veen Hans In ’t , Shamji Mohamed H.
Published: September 2016

Clinical and immunologic tolerance are hallmarks of successful allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Clinical benefits such as reduced symptoms, pharmacotherapy intake and improvement of quality of life persist following cessation of treatment. Successful AIT is associated with suppression of allergic inflammatory cells such as mast cells, eosinophils and basophils in target organs. Furthermore, AIT down-regulates type 2 innate lymphoid cells and allergen-specific type 2 T-helper (Th2) cells. The immunologic tolerant state following AIT is associated with the induction of distinct phenotypes of regulatory T-cells (T-regs) including interleukin (IL)-10-, IL-35- and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β- producing T-regs and FoxP3+ T-regs. B-cell responses, including the induction of IL-10+ regulatory B-cells (B-regs) and the production of IgG4-associated blocking antibodies are also induced following successful AIT. These events are associated with the suppression of antigen-specific Th2 responses and delayed immune deviation in favour of Th1 type responses. Insight into the mechanisms of AIT has allowed identification of novel biomarkers with potential to predict the clinical response to AIT and also novel therapeutic strategies for more effective and safer AIT.
Cardiovascular complications of diabetes
Authors: Haththotuwa Randula
Published: September 2016

Globally, the incidence of diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. The cardiovascular complications from diabetes lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In this article, we will look at the impact of diabetes on health and healthcare, particularly that related to cardiovascular complications. We will also explore our current understanding of the strong links that exist between diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the key role played by primary care physicians in helping patients with diabetes reduce their risk of future CVD.
Seasonal and diurnal patterns of activity in honeybees (Apis spp.) on the northern edge of the Asian tropics; their implications for the climate-change resilience of pollination
Authors: Cui Qinglan , Corlett Richard T.
Published: September 2016

Apis honeybees are very important pollinators in tropical Asia but their diversity declines rapidly north of the tropics. This suggests that climate is a major control on their distributions and that climate change may influence the services they provide. Four Apis honeybees coexist in a flower-rich botanical garden in Yunnan, China, on the northern margin of the tropics (21o41′N): A. florea and A. andreniformis (small, open-nesting), A. cerana (medium, cavity-nesting), and A. dorsata (large, open-nesting). We made standardized observations of their diurnal and seasonal activity patterns and recorded temperature, humidity, and solar radiation at flowers being visited. A. dorsata comprised two-thirds of honeybee individuals observed, although this species was largely absent from July to November. A. cerana was active on each day that observations were made and tolerated temperatures of 7℃–41.5℃ (including observations from two other sites in Yunnan). The other species had higher minimum temperature thresholds for activity, but A. florea had a higher maximum temperature tolerance (46.5℃) and A. dorsata was sometimes active at night. Generalized linear models showed abundances of A. cerana and A. dorsata had positive relationships with numbers of flowers and negative ones with temperature. A. florea abundance had a positive relationship with temperature, while the presence of A. andreniformis was positively related to temperature and humidity. Apis bees visited 48.6% of the flower species observed. Impacts of projected warming over coming decades are expected to vary among species, but overall pollination services by honeybees at this site seem likely to be resilient.
Status of wildlife at trophy hunting sites in the Ugalla Game Reserve of Western Tanzania
Authors: Wilfred Paulo , MacColl Andrew D.C.
Published: September 2016

In western Tanzania’s wildlife ecosystems, both commercial and subsistence uses of wildlife take place. Commercial use is largely through trophy hunting in designated hunting areas while subsistence use is predominantly carried out by local people for food and as a source of cash income. Assessing the status of wildlife populations in hunting areas is of supreme importance if unsustainable use is to be controlled. In this study, we carried out road transect surveys to estimate the density, group size and sex ratio of selected species of exploited wildlife in Ugalla Game Reserve, western Tanzania, to determine whether population characteristics differed between the Ugalla east and Ugalla west hunting sites. Overall, estimates of density and group size were higher at Ugalla east than Ugalla west. Of the individual species, the helmeted guineafowl had the highest population density, followed by impala and topi. Waterbuck had the lowest population density. When comparing our findings with population densities reported in other studies, especially in the more protected Katavi National Park in western Tanzania, our estimates were much lower. Sex ratios varied considerably among species although they were generally skewed towards females. Future studies should integrate data from subsistence and trophy hunting and evaluate the status of wildlife taking into account habitat characteristics.
Habitat and conservation status of molinillo (Magnolia sambuensis) and laurel arenillo (Magnolia katiorum), two endangered species from the lowland, Colombia
Authors: González Marcela Serna , Urrego Giraldo Ligia Estela
Published: September 2016

The conservation of the Magnoliaceae family is considered a priority worldwide, especially in Colombia, where all of its 36 species are seriously endangered while frustratingly little is known about their ecology. We therefore, assessed some ecological aspects of two lowland forest species: laurel arenillo ( Magnolia katiorum) and molinillo ( M. sambuensis). The first is an endemic species of the Urabá region in northwestern Colombia, and the second is distributed from Panama to Colombia along the Chocó Biogeographical region. Both species have a very low tree density and are found in forest stands that are disturbed by the timber exploitation of valuable woody species. The trees of both species had an average height of 26 m and shared similar environmental conditions such as soil (25°C) and air (28°C) temperatures, soil moisture (113%), and slope (25%). A redundancy analysis showed that each Magnolia species grows in a different community. Laurel arenillo was not a clear dominant species in a more diverse forest community, and was positively associated to altitude, longitudinal slope, and soil humidity. In contrast, molinillo was positively associated to air temperature and transversal slope and was negatively associated with longitudinal slope. This species was the most dominant in its community, which was less diverse than that of laurel arenillo. The last species should be considered a priority for conservation while the conservation status of molinillo should be further reviewed. Both species displayed large, fragrant, eye-catching flowers throughout most of the year.
A method to the martyrdom
Authors: Long David M.
Published: September 2016

Employees have an enduring concern with how they appear to others, and will seek to claim certain attributions to strengthen their workplace image. In this research, a model of exemplification is presented. This model is an impression management strategy, whereby employees seek to claim the attributions of dedicated, moral, or generous by strategically displaying for audiences a willingness to do more or better than is necessary at work. This model draws from the literature on identity and impression management, and applies an interpersonal-perception framework to make predictions about exemplifying performances or the behaviors employees may act out to earn these attributions, potential audience reactions to those performances, and the influence those reactions might have on subsequent exemplifying performances.
A multilevel model of multiteam motivation and performance
Authors: Rico Ramón , Hinsz Verlin B. , Burke Shawn , Salas Eduardo
Published: September 2016

Teams are increasingly engaged in networked interaction across both team and organizational boundaries in order to achieve complex, higher order goals. In contrast to theoretical work on goal pursuit within isolated teams, there is an absence of theoretical models focused on systems composed of such teams. In response, we propose a predictive model to improve understanding of the nature of motivational processes leading to performance in interdependent systems of teams. This model is grounded on goal hierarchy characteristics (goal level, priority, and degree of compatibility) and functional process interdependence (sequential, reciprocal, intensive) that differentially affect both goal setting and goal striving processes across component team and multiteam levels. The model also illustrates how goal choice and goal striving in multiteam systems (MTSs) can be viewed from multilevel and multiphasic perspectives. We discuss the implications of the model for understanding, researching, and effectively managing the motivational mechanisms underlying MTSs performance.
Pervasively Offside
Authors: Mudrick Michael , Burton Laura , Lin Carolyn A.
Published: September 2016

Women remain underrepresented in sport media despite increased opportunities in other facets of sport and journalism. Further, women who have held positions in sport media are often perceived as being less credible than men in the field. In an effort to understand why these perceptions exist, the present study examined the influence of gender-role stereotyping and sexism on perceived sportscaster credibility. Using a posttest-only quasi-experimental design, 544 participants watched a video of a basketball debate between a male and female sportscaster, in addition to assessing the credibility of these sportscasters. Participant attitudes toward the sportscaster, gender-role stereotyping, and sexism as well as media consumption intentions were also measured. Results indicated that participants’ endorsement of gender stereotypes and level of sexism had a negative effect on the perceived credibility of the female sportscaster. Credibility was also found to have a significant relationship with attitudes toward the sportscaster, which in turn was related to media consumption intentions.
Toward More Patient-Centered and Prevention-Oriented Oral Health Care
Authors: Leggett H. , Duijster D. , Douglas G.V.A. , Eaton K. , van der Heijden G.J.M.G. , O’Hanlon K. , Whelton H. , Listl S. ,   on Behalf of the ADVOCATE Consortium
Published: September 2016

ADVOCATE (Added Value for Oral Care) is a project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program, which aims to develop strategies for a system transition toward more patient-centered and prevention-oriented oral health care delivery within health care systems. This system should balance the restorative and preventive approaches in dental and oral health care. ADVOCATE is a partnership among 6 European Union member states, which involves collaboration among universities, state-funded health care providers, and private insurance companies in Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Aridhia, a biomedical informatics company based in Scotland. There are 6 interrelated work packages, which aim to address the following objectives: 1) in-depth evaluation of oral health care systems in European Union member states to identify best system designs for oral disease prevention, 2) development of a set of measures to provide information on oral care delivery and oral health outcomes, 3) evaluation of a feedback approach in dental practice that aims to facilitate a change toward preventive oral health care delivery, and 4) economic evaluation of strategies to promote preventive oral health care and development of policy recommendations for oral health care systems. The project is novel in its use of data that are routinely collected by health insurance organizations, as well as the engagement of key stakeholders from dental teams, insurers, patients, and policy makers in guiding the development and progress of the project. This article outlines in detail the objectives and research methodology of the ADVOCATE project and its anticipated impact.

Knowledge Transfer Statement: This commentary describes the development of policy options to promote a greater focus on disease prevention in general dental practice. The approach builds on identifying the comparative effectiveness of alternative incentive schemes, as well as methods to monitor clinical and patient-derived measures of success in creating health for patients. The article describes the development and application of the measures and the evaluation of their success in orienting clinical practice more toward disease prevention.
C1q and HMGB1 reciprocally regulate human macrophage polarization
Authors: Son Myoungsun , Porat Amit , He Mingzhu , Suurmond Jolien , Santiago-Schwarz Frances , Andersson Ulf , Coleman Thomas R. , Volpe Bruce T. , Tracey Kevin J. , Al-Abed Yousef , Diamond Betty
Published: September 2016

Key Points

C1q can form a multimolecular signaling complex with HMGB1, RAGE, and LAIR-1 in lipid rafts. C1q and HMGB1 together promote monocytes to differentiate to an anti-inflammatory phenotype.
Independent Contributions of Nocturnal Hot Flashes and Sleep Disturbance to Depression in Estrogen-Deprived Women
Authors: Joffe Hadine , Crawford Sybil L. , Freeman Marlene P. , White David P. , Bianchi Matt T. , Kim Semmie , Economou Nicole , Camuso Julie , Hall Janet E. , Cohen Lee S.
Published: September 2016

Context:

Women are at increased risk for mood disturbance during the menopause transition. Hot flashes (HFs), sleep disruption, and fluctuating estradiol levels correlate with menopause-associated depression but co-occur, making cause and effect relationships difficult to disentangle.

Objective:

Using a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) experimental model, we investigated whether depressive symptoms are associated with HFs and/or are explained by concomitant sleep fragmentation in the absence of estradiol fluctuation.

Design and Intervention:

Depressive symptoms, objective polysomnographic sleep parameters, subjective sleep quality, serum estradiol, and HFs were assessed before and 4 weeks after open-label depot GnRHa (leuprolide 3.75-mg) administration.

Setting:

Academic medical center.

Participants:

Twenty-nine healthy nondepressed premenopausal volunteers (mean age, 27.3 years).

Results:

Serum estradiol was rapidly and uniformly suppressed. HFs developed in 69% of the subjects. On univariate analysis, worsening of mood was predicted by increases in time in light sleep (stage N1), number of transitions to wake, non-REM arousals, subjective sleep quality, and reductions in perceived sleep efficiency (all P < .045), as well as the number of nighttime (P = .006), but not daytime (P = .28), HFs reported. In adjusted models, the number of nighttime HFs reported, increases in non-REM arousals, time in stage N1, transitions to wake, and reduced sleep quality remained significant predictors of mood deterioration (P ≤ .05).

Conclusions:

Depressive symptoms emerged after estradiol withdrawal in association with objectively and subjectively measured sleep disturbance and the number of nighttime, but not daytime, HFs reported. Results suggest that sleep disruption and perceived nighttime HFs both contribute to vulnerability to menopause-associated depressive symptoms in hypoestrogenic women.
What Does Debt Relief Do for Development? Evidence from India's Bailout for Rural Households
Authors: Kanz Martin
Published: September 2016

This paper studies the impact of debt relief, using a natural experiment arising from India's “Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme,” one of the largest household-level debt relief initiatives in history. I find that debt relief has a substantial impact on household balance sheets, but does not affect savings, consumption and investment, as predicted by theories of debt overhang or balance sheet distress. Instead, debt relief leads to greater reliance on informal credit, reduced investment, and lower agricultural productivity. Consistent with moral hazard generated by the bailout, beneficiaries are significantly less concerned about the reputational consequences of future default. (JEL D14, G28, O12, O16, O18, Q14, Q18)
Iron Deficiency and Schooling Attainment in Peru
Authors: Chong Alberto , Cohen Isabelle , Field Erica , Nakasone Eduardo , Torero Maximo
Published: September 2016

Do nutritional deficiencies contribute to the intergenerational persistence of poverty by reducing the earnings potential of future generations? To address this question, we made available supplemental iron pills at a health center in rural Peru and encouraged adolescents to take them via media messages. School administrative data provide novel evidence that reducing iron deficiency results in a large and significant improvement in school performance and aspirations for anemic students. Our findings demonstrate that combining low-cost outreach efforts and local supplementation programs can be an affordable and effective method of reducing rates of adolescent iron deficiency anemia. (JEL I21, I23, I26, J24, J31, Q51, Q53)
Habit Formation in Voting: Evidence from Rainy Elections
Authors: Fujiwara Thomas , Meng Kyle , Vogl Tom
Published: September 2016

We estimate habit formation in voting—the effect of past on current turnout—by exploiting transitory voting cost shocks. Using county-level data on US presidential elections from 1952–2012, we find that rainfall on current and past election days reduces voter turnout. Our estimates imply that a 1-point decrease in past turnout lowers current turnout by 0.6–1.0 points. Further analyses suggest that habit formation operates by reinforcing the direct consumption value of voting and that our estimates may be amplified by social spillovers. (JEL D72, D83, N42)
The Impact of High School Financial Education: Evidence from a Large-Scale Evaluation in Brazil
Authors: Bruhn Miriam , de Souza Leão Luciana , Legovini Arianna , Marchetti Rogelio , Zia Bilal
Published: September 2016

We study the impact of a comprehensive high school financial education program spanning 6 states, 892 schools, and approximately 25,000 students in Brazil through a randomized control trial. The program increased student financial proficiency by a quarter of a standard deviation and raised grade-level passing rates. Short-term financial behaviors, however, show mixed results with significant improvements in students' savings and budgeting as well as positive spillovers to parents, but also an increase in students' use of expensive credit to make consumer purchases. (JEL D14, I21, O12, O16)
Assessment of forearm muscle spasticity with sonoelastography in patients with stroke
Authors: Yaşar Evren , Adigüzel Emre , Kesikburun Serdar , Yenihayat Itır , Yilmaz Bilge , Alaca Rıdvan , Tan Arif K
Published: September 2016

Objective:

The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of sonoelastography to show muscle stiffness in post-stroke spasticity, and the relationship between sonoelastography findings and clinical spasticity scores in the spastic forearm muscles.

Methods:

This study was carried out in a university rehabilitation centre. 23 patients with stroke with forearm muscle spasticity (≥1+ using the Modified Ashworth scale score and ≥1 using the Tardieu scale) were included. Sonoelastography parameters (elasticity index and elasticity ratio) were measured from the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles on the affected and unaffected sides.

Results:

Both elasticity index and elasticity ratio of the wrist and finger flexors on the hemiplegic side were significantly increased compared with those on the healthy side (p < 0.05). The Tardieu angle of finger flexors was negatively correlated with the elasticity index and elasticity ratio measured in the spastic flexor digitorum profundus (r = −0.418 and r = −0.469, respectively). Tardieu angle of finger flexors was negatively correlated with the elasticity index measured in the spastic flexor digitorum superficialis (r = −0.435). There was no correlation between other parameters.

Conclusion:

Sonoelastography may provide objective assessment of spasticity both in diagnosis and follow-up. To strengthen this prediction, further studies are necessary.

Advances in knowledge:

The results of this study represent that sonoelastography is a promising evaluation method for forearm muscle spasticity.
Identificação laboratorial de micobactérias em amostras respiratórias de pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose pulmonar no Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Distrito Federal (LACEN-DF)
Laboratory identification of mycobacteria from respiratory samples of patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in samples isolated at the Central Laboratory of Public Health of the Federal District (LACEN-DF)
doi:10.12662/2317-3076jhbs.v4i3.712.p187-192.2016
Authors: Oliveira Gabriel da Silva , Lima Glaura Regina de Castro e Caldo , Silva Joaquim Xavier da , Naves Janeth de Oliveira Silva , Monteiro Filho Carlos Maximiliano do Rêgo
Published: September 2016

Introdução: O diagnóstico rápido e preciso da tuberculose (TB) e o início precoce do tratamento são fatores de grande importância para reduzir e minimizar o risco de contágio pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nesse contexto, as principais metodologias empregadas no Brasil para o diagnóstico da TB são os testes de baciloscopia e de cultura. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever os resultados de três técnicas laboratoriais para o diagnóstico da TB pulmonar. Métodos: Foram analisados dados de baciloscopias e culturas de 10.418 prontuários de pacientes de ambos os sexos, diferentes idades e locais de residência, no período de janeiro de 2011 a junho de 2014. Resultados: Foram analisados os prontuários de 284 pacientes com resultado positivo para o Complexo Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (CMTB). Dos 284 pacientes positivos para o CMTB, 210 apresentaram BAAR positivos (73,9%) e 74 negativos (26,1%). Nos cultivos em meio LJ, 255 amostras foram positivas (89,7%) e 29 negativas (10,3%), enquanto no meio de cultivo líquido Bactec MGIT® a positividade foi de 276 (97,1%) e 8 negativas (2,9 %). Conclusões: Observou-se que a identificação de BAAR em exame direto continua a ser de suma importância no diagnóstico precoce da TB. Os métodos de cultura, principalmente o sistema Bactec-MGIT®, mostraram neste estudo um incremento de 23,2% no diagnóstico da TB pulmonar.
Characterization of the microbiota of the skin and oral cavity of Oreochromis niloticus
Caracterização da microbiota da pele e cavidade oral de Oreochromis niloticus
doi:10.12662/2317-3076jhbs.v4i3.767.p193-197.2016
Authors: Lima Junior Edmar Maciel , Bandeira Tereza de Jesus Pinheiro Gomes , Miranda Marcelo José Borges de , Ferreira Guilherme Emilio , Parente Ezequiel Aguiar , Piccolo Nelson Sarto , De Moraes Flho Manoel Odorico
Published: September 2016

Introduction: Fish are usually exposed to higher microbial loads than land or air animals. The microbiota of fish mostly consists of Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., Shewanella putrefasciens, Acinetobacter spp. and Moraxella spp. The objective of this study was to analyze the oral cavity, and skin tissue microbiota on the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a fish species raised commercially in Brazil. Methods: Samples were collected from the oral cavity and skin of 20 Nile tilapia specimens (Oreochromis niloticus), each weighing approximately 1,000 grams. The samples were cultures for quantitative analysis on sheep blood agar (SBA) and chromID™ CPS® agar (CPS). Results: Eleven different bacterial species were identified on CPS and SBA plates. Gram-negative species were the most prevalent, while gram-positive Globicatella spp, Streptococcus spp and Enterococcus faecalis were also found. Pseudomonas aeruginosa species were isolated from all samples. Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis was found in 70 and 60% of the skin and oral samples, respectively. Conclusion: For all samples studied, the microbial load was less than 100,000 CFU/g of tissue. This value is a cutoff standardized for the American Society of Microbiology to differentiate the causal agent from the colonizers. In light of this result and considering the absence of infectious signs in the fish samples, we conclude that the CFU values found in this study reflect a normal, non-infectious colonization/microbiota.
Pattern of triple negative epithelial ovarian cancer in indigenous African women
Authors: Ajani Mustapha Akanji , Salami Ayodeji Akeem , Awolude Olutosin Alaba , Oluwasola Abideen Olayiwola
Published: September 2016

Background: Triple negative epithelial ovarian cancer (TNEOC)  refers to ovarian carcinomas that do not express estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor- type 2 (HER-2/neu).  The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of triple negative epithelial ovarian cancer in indigenous African women.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of ER, PR and HER-2/neu expression in 90 Nigerian patients with histologically diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer. Lack of expression of ER, PR and HER2/neu antigens was used to determine carcinomas that are among the TNEOC. We also compared the clinicopathological parameters (age, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, grade and histological subtype) in patients with TNEOC and non- TNEOC .

Results: Thirty-eight (42.2%) of the 90 tumours diagnosed as EOC were negative for ER, PR and HER2/neu expression. There was no significant association between TNEOC with other parameters such as age, FIGO stage and histological grade. Sixteen (66.7%) of the 24 mucinous carcinomas were triple negative, while only 21 (33.3%) of the 63 serous carcinomas were triple-negative and one (50%) of the two endometrioid carcinomas was triple negative. There was a significant association between triple-negative tumours and histological subtypes of EOC (p = 0.034).

Conclusions: A subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer that is negative for ER, PR and HER-2/neu has been discovered in indigenous African women. TNEOC expression is high and is comparable to the triple negative breast cancer subtype seen in people of African ancestry. Future study of TNEOC in a large sample size should be considered.
A Behavioral Model of Forecasting: Naive Statistics on Mental Samples
Authors: Tong Jordan , Feiler Daniel
Published: September 2016

Most operations models assume individuals make decisions based on a perfect understanding of random variables or stochastic processes. In reality, however, individuals are subject to cognitive limitations and make systematic errors. We leverage established psychology on sample naivete to model individuals’ forecasting errors and biases in a way that is portable to operations models. The model has one behavioral parameter and embeds perfect rationality as a special case. We use the model to mathematically characterize point and error forecast behavior, reflecting an individual’s beliefs about the mean and variance of a random variable. We then derive 10 behavioral phenomena that are inconsistent with perfect rationality assumptions but supported by existing empirical evidence. Finally, we apply the model to two operations settings, inventory management and queuing, to illustrate the model’s portability and discuss its numerous predictions. For inventory management, we characterize order decisions assuming behavioral demand forecasting. The model predicts that even under automated cost optimization, one should expect a pull-to-center effect. It also predicts that this effect can be mitigated by separating point forecasting from error forecasting. For base stock models, it predicts that safety stocks are too small (large) for short (long) lead times. We also express the steady-state behavior of a queue with balking, assuming rational joining decisions but behavioral wait-time forecasts. The model predicts that joining customers tend to be disappointed in their experienced waits. Also, for long (short) lines, it predicts customers have more (less) disperse wait-time beliefs and tend to overestimate (underestimate) the true wait-time variance.

This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Sequential Search with Refinement: Model and Application with Click-Stream Data
Authors: Chen Yuxin , Yao Song
Published: September 2016

We propose a structural model of consumer sequential search under uncertainty about attribute levels of products. Our identification of the search model relies on exclusion restriction variables that separate consumer utility and search cost. Because such exclusion restrictions are often available in online click-stream data, the identification and corresponding estimation strategy is generalizable for many online shopping websites where such data can be easily collected. Furthermore, one important feature of online search technology is that it gives consumers the ability to refine search results using tools such as sorting and filtering based on product attributes. The proposed model can integrate consumers’ decisions of search and refinement. The model is instantiated using consumer click-stream data of online hotel bookings provided by a travel website. The results show that refinement tools have significant effects on consumer behavior and market structure. We find that the refinement tools encourage 33% more searches and enhance the utility of purchased products by 17%. Most websites by default rank search results according to their popularity, quality, or relevance to consumers (e.g., Google). When consumers are unaware of such default ranking rules, they may engage in disproportionately more searches using refinement tools. Consequently, overall consumer surplus may deteriorate when total search cost outweighs the enhanced utility. In contrast, if the website simply informs consumers that the default ranking already reflects product popularity, quality, or relevance, consumers search less and their surplus improves. We also find that refinement tools lead to a less concentrated market structure.

This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.
A Laughing Matter: Patterns of Laughter and the Effectiveness of Working Dyads
Authors: Wang Lu , Doucet Lorna , Waller Mary , Sanders Karin , Phillips Sybil
Published: September 2016

Poor communication in teams has been found to result in disappointing team performance. Integrating research on team communication and laughter, we tested hypotheses about the relationship between working dyads’ patterns of laughter and their open communication and effectiveness. We examined two patterns of laughter: shared laughter occurs when both individuals laugh frequently in a dyad, and unshared laughter occurs when one individual in a dyad laughs frequently, but the other does not. Using data collected from 93 flight simulations in two aviation courses, we found that dyads engage in more open communication and are more effective when one member laughs frequently, but the other member does not. In addition, we found that the agreeableness of a dyad member reduces team effectiveness by increasing the likelihood of shared laughter. These results highlight the important role of laughter in team interactions and expand the growing literature on the role of emotions in teams.
First-Year Community College Students' Perceptions of and Attitudes Toward Intrusive Academic Advising
Authors: Donaldson Paul , McKinney Lyle , Lee Mimi , Pino Diana
Published: September 2016

For this study, we analyzed the relationship between intrusive academic advising and community college student success. Utilizing a qualitative, single-case study design, we conducted interviews with 12 students who participated in an intrusive advising program at a large, urban community college in Texas. Analysis of the interview data revealed the benefits, limitations, and contributions to success of intrusive advising. This study addresses a notable gap in the extant literature, as few researchers have published empirical examinations on the impact of intrusive academic advising within the community college context. The findings can be used to improve the delivery of academic advising and student support services at community colleges.
Advising Doctoral Students in Education Programs
Authors: Craft Christy Moran , Augustine-Shaw Donna , Fairbanks Amanda , Adams-Wright Gayla
Published: September 2016

Because almost one half of students enrolled in American doctoral programs do not complete their degrees, the factors that lead to doctoral student attrition need to be identified. Research suggests that the nature of the advisor–advisee relationship contributes to the persistence levels of doctoral students. In this study, we conducted a content analysis of institutional documents related to advising in two types of doctoral programs in education. Using data collected from a purposeful sample from universities, we analyzed policies, procedures, and expectations related to doctoral student advising. The findings lead to important implications for clarifying roles of advisors and expectations for graduate student advising.