bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Classroom Attendance and Learning Strategies on the Learning Outcome
Authors: Tetteh Godson Ayertei
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between the student’s class attendance and learning strategies that will influence Bloom et al. (1956) learning outcome or performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from undergraduate students in their final year. Student identification number was subsequently matched to observe initial, final assessments and responses from questionnaire using parts of MSLQ (Pintrich et al., 1991). Hypotheses were tested, and data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Findings

Students’ learning strategies and class attendance are in fact related. Thus, class attendance, students’ study time and the mid-semester exams could explain more than 34.0 per cent of the variance. The results show that class attendance, mid-semester exams and study time had a significant positive influence on the learning outcome.

Research limitations/implications

This study used undergraduate students in a university in Ghana, and may not necessarily be applicable universally. Also, teachers’ expectancies were not controlled. Another potential limitation was that TQM was the only subject area used for this study.

Practical implications

This study will recommend teachers to work individually with students in setting appropriate goals for each exam and frequently offer feedback. The results may influence on-line teaching and the student’s role in teaching and learning in the class.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to literature by examining how the student’s learning strategies, class attendances, study time, gender, status (part time student or full time student) influence the learning outcome or performance. This paper findings will provide educators new ways to understand student behavior and to assist them in achieving learning success.
Short-term study abroad and the development of intercultural maturity
Authors: Opengart Rose
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze the journal entries of study abroad students from a college of business that participated in four separate nine-day study abroad programs to identify whether the development of intercultural maturity is possible in a short-term study abroad program and if learning and development differ based on race/cultural background.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used content analysis of student journals. The journal entries of 33 students from four different short-term study abroad trips served as the data from which a qualitative content analysis using nvivo was conducted.

Findings

Development of intercultural maturity can, in fact, occur from a short-term (10-day) study abroad program. Student development progressed through the first two levels of the Intercultural Maturity Framework, with multicultural students progressing further. All students achieved first and second levels of the Developmental Trajectory of Intercultural Maturity on the King and Baxter Magolda (2005) framework in all three areas, including cognitive, intrapersonal and interpersonal.

Research limitations/implications

The author realizes the limitations of one form of data, the journal, and thus proposes for the future both pre-travel questions to encourage further critical thinking and learning and additional methods of obtaining data.

Practical implications

This study suggests that it might be advantageous to re-design the experience, whereby the students are guided with particular questions before or at the start of the study abroad program, to propel them forward in the process of critical reflection and development of intercultural maturity.

Originality/value

This study specifically applies the framework of King and Baxter Magolda’s (2005) Intercultural Maturity framework to examine the extent to which intercultural maturity of business students can be developed within the constraints of a short-term (nine-day) study abroad program. It also adds the dimension of comparing multicultural student development to non-multicultural student development.
Learning style preferences of postgraduate students
Authors: Yousef Darwish Abdulrahamn
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This study aims to incorporate the Honey and Mumford’s learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) to assess the learning style preferences of postgraduate students at the British University in Dubai (BUiD), as well as investigating whether there are statistically significant differences in such preferences from demographic and academic characteristics perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 200 students (males and females) in various postgraduate programs. Descriptive statistics analysis presented the main characteristics of the respondents and the results of the study. The independent samples t-test and Kurskal–Wallis test determined if there are significant differences in learning style preferences among the postgraduate students because of their demographic and academic characteristics.

Findings

The results revealed that postgraduate students preferred the theorist (20.36), reflector (20.31), pragmatist (19.00) and activist (18.62) learning styles, while no significant statistical differences were found across the four learning styles from demographic and academic characteristics standpoint.

Research/limitations implications

On one hand, the present study has several limitations. First, the findings of the study are based on data from only single university. Second, the sample is limited to postgraduate students. Third, the results are based on a self-reported questionnaire, which might affect their reliability. On the other hand, this study has some implications for educators and students. Its results could help educator adopt appropriate teaching styles and strategies that match the preferred learning styles of the majority of their students. Students themselves could also benefit from knowing their own learning style.

Originality/value

The present study is the first scholarly attempt to explore learning style preferences of postgraduate students in the UAE higher education context.
The role of informal institutions in explaining student’s academic engagement
Authors: Ghecham Mahieddine Adnan , Hamada Nuha
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the role of students’ cultural background in explaining their academic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper aims at achieving the research objective with the use of questionnaires and structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

This paper shows that students’ code of conduct, which is grounded in their cultural background, affects their level of engagement in learning process. The paper supports, on one hand, the idea of extensive use of formative assessment techniques as a way of improving students’ engagement; it argues, on the other hand, that their effectiveness could be limited because of the bad impact of the students’ norms.

Originality/value

The paper aims at achieving the objective of the research using an interdisciplinary approach borrowing from the field of economics while discussing a research gap that covers a region that require more attention in the field of education.
Differentiated evolution rather than revolution
Authors: Stoten David William
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the reform and development of the MBA within pre-1992 and post-1992 universities in the United Kingdom with reference to New Institutionalism and field theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted the approaches of Navarro (2008) and Kars-Unluoglu (2016) that involved a web-based review of those pre-1992 universities listed in the Financial Times “top-100” MBAs, as well as a review of a regional grouping of four post-1992 universities.

Findings

The findings echo the work of Wilkins and Huisman (2012) who argued that British business schools were stratified into distinct organisational fields, each catering for their own market. While the pre-1992 universities are able to offer a wide array of electives and pathways to enable personalisation and specialisation of the curriculum, post-1992 universities appear to offer a more constrained curriculum offer. The reform of the MBA should be seen as part of a wider agenda of professionalisation.

Research limitations/implications

Albeit following on other research that used this research strategy, this web-based review would have benefited from closer interrogation of curriculum content through interviews with Programme Leaders/Directors. Future research should involve a larger sample from the post-1992 sector.

Originality/value

This paper provides an up-to-date analysis of the direction taken by British universities. It shows that the MBA market is differentiated with an elite focussed more catering for an international market than the post-1992 universities who still exhibit a commitment to their local market.
Assessing critical incidents in the post-formation phase: a matter of entrepreneurial expertise?
Authors: Heinrichs Karin , Jäcklin Benjamin
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Entrepreneurs can easily slide into severe economic crises (Fichman and Levinthal, 1991), in particular in the first years after founding. Additionally, research shows that entrepreneurs often lack a realistic evaluation of the entrepreneurial risks and barriers. Referring to research on cognitive and networked expertise (Ericsson et al., 2006; Hakkarainen et al., 2004), recognising and reflecting on potential failure may help to prevent or manage upcoming crises (Mitchell et al., 2008). Thus, this paper aims to test whether assessing upcoming crises in a new venture varies along with the level of entrepreneurial expertise.

Design/methodology/approach

In a cross-sectional design with three subgroups (start-up consultants, entrepreneurs and students), this study evaluated critical incidents that have already been validated as likely to emerge in the post-formation phase (Heinrichs and Jäcklin, 2017). Entrepreneurial expertise was measured by seven indicators, chosen based on the approaches of cognitive and networked expertise.

Findings

By applying latent profile analyses, the participants were grouped along these indicators of expertise in three levels. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among the profiles in perceiving critical incidents. Experts rated the incidents significantly higher than semi-experts and novices towards indicating financial risks (medium effect) and the probability that the entrepreneur could manage the upcoming crises (large effect).

Originality/value

The results call for developing and evaluating interventions, e.g. case-oriented entrepreneurship education courses (Heinrichs, 2016), that foster future entrepreneurs’ expertise in perceiving and managing entrepreneurial risks to prevent entrepreneurial failure.
Cultural intelligence and mindfulness: teaching MBAs in Iran
Authors: Cray David , McKay Ruth , Mittelman Robert
Published: September 2018

Purpose

A dynamic global economy has increased the need for cross-cultural flexibility and cultural intelligence (CQ). While a large literature has examined various means to increase CQ in student and expatriate populations, its importance for teachers in cross-cultural settings has been largely unexamined. This paper aims to use the experiences of a group of professors in an MBA programme in Iran to investigate the effect of their activity on their cross-cultural skills.

Design/methodology/approach

Using structured interviews and content analysis, the authors draw on the experiences of business faculty from a Canadian business school who helped deliver an MBA programme in Iran to investigate how their experiences in a country new to them were reflected in the components of CQ.

Findings

Using an established model of CQ, the authors find contributions to all three facets, knowledge, mindfulness and behaviour, indicating that such exchanges can be regarded as important for students and teachers alike in an international educational context.

Originality/value

With more and more teaching extending across cultural boundaries in both domestic and international settings, the capacity of instructors to read, interpret and react to the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of their students is an important factor in the success of these programs. To this point, at least within the business education literature, the influence of such encounters on the instructors involved has been neglected.
Putting eggs in a different basket: a typology of Islamic symbols and services
Authors: Abdur Rehman Mohsin , Samad Sarminah , Kashif Muhammad
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This study aims to explore how consumers gain identity from consumption of religious symbols in a Muslim, collectivist cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed 63 consumers, recruited by means of a purposive sampling technique. The interviews focused on exploration of Islamic services and religious symbols which were later categorized as high and low religious symbols and services.

Findings

The results reveal a typology of religious symbols and Islamic religious services as perceived by Muslim informants. They recalled Mosque for prayer, Hijab for promotion of Islamic education and Khana Kaaba for performance of Hajj and Umrah services. Furthermore, the spiritual and emotional connections via consumption of Islamic acts as services are explored.

Practical Implications

The marketing managers need to understand and realize the importance of these classifications. A symbol which is perceived as non-religious must be avoided while branding various services. Furthermore, efforts are needed to advocate performance of religious activities in addition to consumption of various service brands. This can really add value to the lives of Muslim consumers – a realization that can emotionally connect consumers with service brands. However, religion is of paramount importance while designing, offering and promoting services.

Originality/Value

The study of services marketing based on consumption of religious symbols and services in a Muslim context are unique to this study. The typology of low and high religious services and symbols is also significant contribution of this study.
Brave new world: service robots in the frontline
Authors: Wirtz Jochen , Patterson Paul G. , Kunz Werner H. , Gruber Thorsten , Lu Vinh Nhat , Paluch Stefanie , Martins Antje
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The service sector is at an inflection point with regard to productivity gains and service industrialization similar to the industrial revolution in manufacturing that started in the eighteenth century. Robotics in combination with rapidly improving technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), mobile, cloud, big data and biometrics will bring opportunities for a wide range of innovations that have the potential to dramatically change service industries. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential role service robots will play in the future and to advance a research agenda for service researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a conceptual approach that is rooted in the service, robotics and AI literature.

Findings

The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, it provides a definition of service robots, describes their key attributes, contrasts their features and capabilities with those of frontline employees, and provides an understanding for which types of service tasks robots will dominate and where humans will dominate. Second, this paper examines consumer perceptions, beliefs and behaviors as related to service robots, and advances the service robot acceptance model. Third, it provides an overview of the ethical questions surrounding robot-delivered services at the individual, market and societal level.

Practical implications

This paper helps service organizations and their management, service robot innovators, programmers and developers, and policymakers better understand the implications of a ubiquitous deployment of service robots.

Originality/value

This is the first conceptual paper that systematically examines key dimensions of robot-delivered frontline service and explores how these will differ in the future.
Teacher agency over curriculum and professional learning: lock-step
Authors: Wild Andrew , Galosy Jodie , Kagle Melissa , Gillespie Nicole , Rozelle Jeff
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how a group of International Baccalaureate (IB) Physics teachers exercise collective agency by initiating and facilitating their own collaboration using online tools across time zones and school contexts. The paper seeks to inform teacher communities, school leaders, policy and the growing body of literature about teacher agency.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses qualitative case study approach. Data were gathered from individual interviews, classroom observations and the group’s meeting agendas, notes and reflections.

Findings

Central to the group’s work is a norm of teaching “lock-step,” meaning they teach approximately the same lesson at approximately the same time. The norm enabled them to exercise collective agency over the curriculum and professional learning by establishing conditions for sharing knowledge and experiences and fostering accountability while still allowing for some individual adaptation.

Practical implications

An implication for teacher communities is that the norm of lock-step may be of benefit for improving curriculum (or other educational reforms) when the intention of the norm is to advance the collective (vs marching at the same pace). The study underscores the value of school leaders providing opportunities for teacher choice and voice in the design and facilitation of their learning communities.

Originality/value

The case of the IB Physics group contrasts decades of research showing that teachers cling to their autonomy. Group members were willing to give up a good deal of their individual autonomy for the benefits they derived from their collaboration.
The effectiveness of 8 weeks individualized balanced low calorie diet on measures of central obesity and body composition
Authors: Ghannadiasl Fatemeh
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess eight weeks individualized balanced low-calorie diet on anthropometric measurements and body composition in apparently healthy obese women.

Design/methodology/approach

Forty apparently healthy obese women (body mass index: 27.5-40 kg/m2and age: 18-40 years) were recruited from the nutrition clinic in the north-west of Iran, Ardabil city. Anthropometric measurements and body composition analysis were done at baseline and after the intervention.

Findings

During eight weeks, individualized balanced low-calorie diet resulted in a significant decrease in body weight (−4.0 ± 0.3 kg,p< 0.001), body mass index (−1.6 ± 0.1 kg/m2,p< 0.001), waist circumference (−2.9 ± 0.3 cm,p< 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (−0.01 ± 0.004,p= 0.001), waist-to-height ratio (−0.02 ± 0.002,p< 0.001), per cent body fat (−1.1 ± 0.2 per cent,p< 0.001), fat mass (−2.5 ± 0.3 kg,p< 0.001), visceral fat level (−0.8 ± 0.1,p< 0.001), visceral fat area (−11.3 ± 2.3 cm2,p< 0.001), trunk mass fat (−1.2 ± 0.1 kg,p< 0.001), left arm mass fat (−0.2 ± 0.03 kg,p< 0.001), right arm mass fat (−0.2 ± 0.03 kg,p< 0.001), left leg mass fat (−0.4 ± 0.1 kg,p< 0.001), right leg mass fat (−0.4 ± 0.05 kg,p< 0.001), abdominal volume index (−1.1 ± 0.1 m2,p< 0.001), conicity index (−0.007 ± 0.002 m2/3/kg1/2,p= 0.001) and body adiposity index (1.0 ± 0.1 per cent,p< 0.001).

Research limitations implications

The limitation concerns the generalizability to the general population of obese women. Future studies should take sex differences into consideration. These studies may focus on the long-term benefits.

Originality/value

Balanced low-calorie diet-induced moderate weight loss alone may represent an effective strategy for reducing metabolic risk factors among obese women.
UCYN‐A3, a newly characterized open ocean sublineage of the symbiotic N2‐fixing cyanobacterium Candidatus Atelocyanobacterium thalassa
Authors: Cornejo‐Castillo Francisco M. , Muñoz‐Marín Maria del Carmen , Turk‐Kubo Kendra A. , Royo‐Llonch Marta , Farnelid Hanna , Acinas Silvia G. , Zehr Jonathan P.
Published: September 2018

The symbiotic unicellular cyanobacterium Candidatus Atelocyanobacterium thalassa (UCYN‐A) is one of the most abundant and widespread nitrogen (N2)‐fixing cyanobacteria in the ocean. Although it remains uncultivated, multiple sublineages have been detected based on partial nitrogenase (nifH) gene sequences, including the four most commonly detected sublineages UCYN‐A1, UCYN‐A2, UCYN‐A3 and UCYN‐A4. However, very little is known about UCYN‐A3 beyond the nifH sequences from nifH gene diversity surveys. In this study, single cell sorting, DNA sequencing, qPCR and CARD‐FISH assays revealed discrepancies involving the identification of sublineages, which led to new information on the diversity of the UCYN‐A symbiosis. 16S rRNA and nifH gene sequencing on single sorted cells allowed us to identify the 16S rRNA gene of the uncharacterized UCYN‐A3 sublineage. We designed new CARD‐FISH probes that allowed us to distinguish and observe UCYN‐A2 in a coastal location (SIO Pier; San Diego) and UCYN‐A3 in an open ocean location (Station ALOHA; Hawaii). Moreover, we reconstructed about 13% of the UCYN‐A3 genome from Tara Oceans metagenomic data. Finally, our findings unveil the UCYN‐A3 symbiosis in open ocean waters suggesting that the different UCYN‐A sublineages are distributed along different size fractions of the plankton defined by the cell‐size ranges of their prymnesiophyte hosts.
From Maggie to May: Forty Years of (De)industrial Strategy
Authors: Silverwood James , Woodward Richard
Published: September 2018

Upon becoming Prime Minister, Theresa May installed industrial strategy as one of the principal planks of her economic policy. May's embrace of industrial strategy, with its tacit acceptance of a positive role for the state in steering and coordinating economic activity, initially appears to be a decisive break with an era dating back to Margaret Thatcher, in which government intervention was regarded as heresy. Whilst there are doubtless novel features, this article argues that continuity is the overriding theme of May's industrial strategy. First, despite the reluctance to confess it, like every UK government over the past forty years, May is proposing to intervene selectively to ‘pick winners’. Moreover, the strategy envisages extending assistance to industries which have been in receipt of substantial government resources since the 1970s. Likewise, the backing anticipated for industries identified in May's strategy is dwarfed by that given to those which are not, most notably the financial services sector. Far from radically rebalancing the structure of the UK economy, May's strategy seems destined to entrench the deindustrialisation with which its governments have grappled for almost a century.
Hypernatraemia in 39 hospitalised foals: clinical findings, primary diagnosis and outcome
Authors: Collins NM , Carrick JB , Russell CM , Axon JE
Published: September 2018

Objective

To evaluate hypernatraemia in foals presenting as medical emergencies to an intensive care unit (ICU) to determine the prevalence, clinical findings, primary diagnosis and outcome.

Methods

Retrospective case study of records from Thoroughbred foals aged less than 3 months that presented to an ICU as medical emergencies in 2002–12. Data retrieved included signalment, clinical findings, laboratory results, primary diagnosis and outcome. Foals with hypernatraemia (serum sodium > 145 mmol/L) on admission laboratory data were identified and further evaluated.

Results

A total of 39 of 1718 foals (2.3%) were diagnosed with hypernatraemia; all foals were less than 7 days of age. The most common primary diagnoses in the foals with hypernatraemia were neonatal syndrome (19/39, 48.7%) and sepsis (15/39, 38.5%). Foals with hypernatraemia at presentation were more likely to die or be euthanased during their hospitalisation than foals with a normal serum sodium concentration on ICU admission (33.3% vs 16.1%; odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–4.6; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Admission hypernatraemia was an uncommon but important electrolyte abnormality in this population of hospitalised foals. Although the short‐term outcome in survivors was most likely dependent on the underlying disease process, hypernatraemia was negatively associated with outcome in hospitalised foals.
A prospective study on ultra‐wide diameter dental implants for immediate molar replacement
Authors: Hattingh André , Hommez Geert , De Bruyn Hugo , Huyghe Marie , Vandeweghe Stefan
Published: September 2018

Background

Although wide diameter implants are well documented, little is known about ultra‐wide diameter implants (>6 mm). This study evaluates the clinical outcome of ultra‐wide diameter implants, placed in molar extraction sockets.

Materials and Methods

Ultra‐wide diameter implants (7‐9 mm) were placed immediately after molar extraction in a 1‐stage protocol, without raising a flap or using any bone grafts. After 4 months, the implant was loaded with a single screw‐retained crown. Bone loss was evaluated using peri‐apical radiographs. Plaque and bleeding were recorded. Crown and papilla dimensions were measured and compared with the contra‐lateral tooth.

Results

Fifty‐one patients (36 male and 15 female), mean ages 61 years old, were treated with 26 implants in the maxilla and 25 implants in the mandible. The majority had a thick (#19) or medium (#31) biotype. After a mean‐follow‐up period of 23 months, the mean bone level was located 1.16 mm apical of the implant‐abutment junction (SD 0.42, range 0.00‐2.45) while the actual bone remodeling associated with socket healing resulted in a mean coronal movement of the bone level of 0.15 mm. The mean insertion torque was 116 Ncm (SD 53, range 10‐250). There were no differences in papilla height (P = .55), crown length (P = .32), zenith (P = .84), and bucco‐palatal dimensions (P = .38). There was a significant difference in the mesio‐distal dimension (P = .01). Mean probing depth was 2.59 mm at the implant and 2.23 mm at the contra‐lateral tooth (P = .001). There was significantly more plaque at the tooth compared to the implant (P = .01), but there was no significant difference in terms of bleeding on probing (P = .08). Patient satisfaction was high with 72.5% of the patients experiencing no problems at all.

Conclusions

Ultra‐wide diameter implants have a predictable outcome, demonstrating very little bone loss. Papilla and crown dimensions were comparable to the contra‐lateral natural tooth.
Stigmatizing images in the media – a cross‐national survey
Authors: Sievert K. , Lobstein T. , Baker P.
Published: September 2018

Images accompanying articles on obesity in the media may contribute to a stigmatizing narrative of personal blame for the condition. We report a pilot study of online newspapers in 15 countries to determine the use of positive and negative imagery used to accompany articles on obesity. We undertook a visual content analysis of images accompanying articles on obesity from the top five newspapers of each country. We then ranked countries according to the ratio of positive to negative imagery used. A total of 195 images were analysed. The majority of images scored negatively (i.e. were likely to be stigmatizing). Media in Hong Kong, South Africa, Italy and Morocco had the highest prevalence of stigmatizing imagery, whereas Japan and New Zealand displayed the lowest. Public media in all the countries surveyed show stigmatizing imagery associated with obesity, but there was variability between countries. As the global prevalence of obesity rises and advocacy groups raise awareness of stigma, we hope for an improvement in the images used in the media.
Discovery of swimming larvae in Elmidae (Coleoptera: Byrrhoidea)
Authors: Hayashi Masakazu , Sota Teiji
Published: September 2018

The aquatic larvae of the family Elmidae (Coleoptera) have been considered unable to swim because they lack swimming setae on their body and legs. We discovered that riffle beetle larvae (Leptelmis gracilis Sharp) are in fact able to swim. After opening the tuft‐like gills on the last abdominal segment they swim by repeatedly bending the abdomen into a U‐shape very quickly and in a wavy manner, while their head and thorax move anteriorly, resulting in a sigmoidal body shape. The flat bodies of L. gracilis larvae could be advantageous for swimming compared to the cylindrical or semicylindrical bodies of larvae in related genera.
Aqueous‐Phase Sampling with NAPL Exclusion Using Ceramic Porous Cups
Authors: Gefell Michael J. , Kanematsu Masa , Vlassopoulos Dimitri , Lipson David S.
Published: September 2018

Article impact statement: We demonstrate aqueous sampling methods using ceramic porous cups to exclude NAPL from water samples, even in direct contact with NAPL.
Mode I interlaminar fracture behavior of 2D woven ceramic matrix composites
Authors: Mansour Rabih , Morscher Gregory N.
Published: September 2018

Interlaminar fracture properties of melt‐infiltrated woven SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites were investigated using traditional and wedge‐loaded double cantilever beam methods. The two methods produced comparable GIC results for some specimens. The difference in boundary conditions between the two methods appeared to influence the crack propagation path. The DCB method, having free‐end boundary condition, allowed more interaction between the crack and the composite microstructure than the wedge method did. The effect of fiber tow layout sequence had an effect on the interlaminar properties. Higher toughness was observed for the orientation where crack propagation occurs between planes with more transverse tows. Jump‐arrest phenomenon was found to have higher significance on the rising R‐curve behavior than fiber bridging.
Large‐scale synthesis of hafnium carbide nanowires via a Ni‐assisted polymer infiltration and pyrolysis
Authors: Fu Yanqin , Zhang Yulei , Ren Jincui , Li Tao , Wang Haohao
Published: September 2018

Hafnium carbide (HfC) nanowires were successfully synthesized on C/C composites via a Ni‐assisted polymer infiltration and pyrolysis. Before synthesizing HfC nanowires, the composition and microstructure of the organic HfC precursor and its pyrolyzed products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The effect of heat‐treatment temperature on the morphology and microstructure of HfC nanowires were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Results show that HfC nanowires exhibits three‐layer core‐shell structure, including HfC core, HfO2 inner shell (~2 nm) and carbon nanosheet outer shell (~1 nm). The obtained HfC nanowire is typically grown along <01> with the diameters of ~100 nm and the length of several micrometers. The growth of HfC nanowire follows the combination of top‐type vapor‐liquid‐solid and solid‐liquid‐solid mechanism.
Creative Risk‐Taking: Developing Strategies for First Year University Students in the Creative Industries
Authors: Choi Jaz Hee‐Jeong , Payne Alice , Hart Phoebe , Brown Alice
Published: September 2018

This article reports on the findings of a study investigating creative risktaking behaviours of the commencing university students enrolled in three units across three disciplines: Interactive and Visual Design, Fashion Design, and Film, Screen and Animation. The study employs an action research methodology in order to help students develop confidence and competence in creative risk‐taking. Upon analysis from relevant literature three key provisions for the study are proposed, being: P1 An open and playful learning environment that encourages sharing and challenging multiple perspectives; P2 An adequate period of time for students to develop and revise creative concepts; and P3 Opportunities to assess their own performance in developing creative risk‐taking capacities. The study draws on the students’ written self‐reflections to identify the key challenges and opportunities in encouraging creative risk‐taking among first year students, which are challenges of collaboration; creative resilience and self‐efficacy; and balancing creativity with technical competency. The article suggests several ways that educators can encourage students to take creative risks within higher education in preparation for careers in the creative industries.
Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the senescent phenotype of IPF lung fibroblasts
Authors: Schuliga Michael , Pechkovsky Dmitri V , Read Jane , Waters David W , Blokland Kaj E C , Reid Andrew T , Hogaboam Cory M , Khalil Nasreen , Burgess Janette K , Prêle Cecilia M , Mutsaers Steven E , Jaffar Jade , Westall Glen , Grainge Christopher , Knight Darryl A
Published: September 2018

Increasing evidence highlights that senescence plays an important role in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study delineates the specific contribution of mitochondria and the superoxide they form to the senescent phenotype of lung fibroblasts from IPF patients (IPF‐LFs). Primary cultures of IPF‐LFs exhibited an intensified DNA damage response (DDR) and were more senescent than age‐matched fibroblasts from control donors (Ctrl‐LFs). Furthermore, IPF‐LFs exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction, exemplified by increases in mitochondrial superoxide, DNA, stress and activation of mTORC1. The DNA damaging agent etoposide elicited a DDR and augmented senescence in Ctrl‐LFs, which were accompanied by disturbances in mitochondrial homoeostasis including heightened superoxide production. However, etoposide had no effect on IPF‐LFs. Mitochondrial perturbation by rotenone involving sharp increases in superoxide production also evoked a DDR and senescence in Ctrl‐LFs, but not IPF‐LFs. Inhibition of mTORC1, antioxidant treatment and a mitochondrial targeting antioxidant decelerated IPF‐LF senescence and/or attenuated pharmacologically induced Ctrl‐LF senescence. In conclusion, increased superoxide production by dysfunctional mitochondria reinforces lung fibroblast senescence via prolongation of the DDR. As part of an auto‐amplifying loop, mTORC1 is activated, altering mitochondrial homoeostasis and increasing superoxide production. Deeper understanding the mechanisms by which mitochondria contribute to fibroblast senescence in IPF has potentially important therapeutic implications.
Follistatin‐like protein 5 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inducing caspase‐dependent apoptosis and regulating Bcl‐2 family proteins
Authors: Li Chunlei , Dai Lei , Zhang Junfeng , Zhang Yujing , Lin Yi , Cheng Lin , Tian Hongwei , Zhang Xin , Wang Qingnan , Yang Qianmei , Wang Yuan , Shi Gang , Cheng Fuyi , Su Xiaolan , Yang Yang , Zhang Shuang , Yu Dechao , Wei Yuquan , Deng Hongxin
Published: September 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and deadly malignant tumors in the world, especially in China. Follistatin‐like protein 5 (FSTL5) is a member of the FSTL family, which is involved in cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and embryo development. We aimed to investigate the function and underlying mechanism of FSTL5 in HCC. FSTL5 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry staining in a liver cancer tissue microarray (TMA) and the correlation between FSTL5 and the prognosis of HCC patients was analysed. Further proliferation assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and xenograft tumor model were performed to investigate the bioeffects of FSTL5 in HCC in vitro and in vivo. We found that FSTL5 expression was downregulated in HCC tissues and positively correlated with the prognosis of patients with HCC at tumor node metastasis stage I/II. Overexpression of FSTL5 efficiently impaired HCC growth both in vivo and in vitro with an exogenous manner. Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that FSTL5 promoted HCC cell apoptosis in a caspase‐dependent manner and regulated Bcl‐2 family proteins. These results indicate that FSTL5 may be a potential novel target for HCC treatment, and a biomarker for tumor prognosis.
Why are red flowers so rare? Testing the macroevolutionary causes of tippiness
Authors: Ng Julienne , Smith Stacey D.
Published: September 2018

Traits that have arisen multiple times yet still remain rare present a curious paradox. A number of these rare traits show a distinct tippy pattern, where they appear widely dispersed across a phylogeny, are associated with short branches and differ between recently diverged sister species. This phylogenetic pattern has classically been attributed to the trait being an evolutionary dead end, where the trait arises due to some short‐term evolutionary advantage, but it ultimately leads species to extinction. While the higher extinction rate associated with a dead end trait could produce such a tippy pattern, a similar pattern could appear if lineages with the trait speciated slower than other lineages, or if the trait was lost more often that it was gained. In this study, we quantify the degree of tippiness of red flowers in the tomato family, Solanaceae, and investigate the macroevolutionary processes that could explain the sparse phylogenetic distribution of this trait. Using a suite of metrics, we confirm that red‐flowered lineages are significantly overdispersed across the tree and form smaller clades than expected under a null model. Next, we fit 22 alternative models using HiSSE (Hidden State Speciation and Extinction), which accommodates asymmetries in speciation, extinction and transition rates that depend on observed and unobserved (hidden) character states. Results of the model fitting indicated significant variation in diversification rates across the family, which is best explained by the inclusion of hidden states. Our best fitting model differs between the maximum clade credibility tree and when incorporating phylogenetic uncertainty, suggesting that the extreme tippiness and rarity of red Solanaceae flowers makes it difficult to distinguish among different underlying processes. However, both of the best models strongly support a bias towards the loss of red flowers. The best fitting HiSSE model when incorporating phylogenetic uncertainty lends some support to the hypothesis that lineages with red flowers exhibit reduced diversification rates due to elevated extinction rates. Future studies employing simulations or targeting population‐level processes may allow us to determine whether red flowers in Solanaceae or other angiosperms clades are rare and tippy due to a combination of processes, or asymmetrical transitions alone.
Recovery of quality of life after laparoscopic myomectomy
Authors: Tsuzuki Yoko , Tsuzuki Shinya , Wada Shinichiro , Fukushi Yoshiyuki , Fujino Takafumi
Published: September 2018

Aim

It is commonly thought that laparoscopic surgery leads to faster postoperative recovery for its low invasiveness. We evaluated postoperative quality of life (QOL) after laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) by using the Euro‐QOL 5 dimension (EQ‐5D) score and analyzed its relationship to surgical factors.

Methods

Between 2014 and 2016, 541 patients underwent LM at our institution. We included 86 patients in the final analysis (16% response rate) who replied to the EQ‐5D questionnaire, in order to investigate postoperative QOL. We evaluated patients’ EQ‐5D score before the operation and on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th postoperative day (POD). We investigated the degree of correlation between the EQ‐5D score and four surgical characteristics (operation time, intraoperative bleeding, number of resected myomas and weight of specimen). We examined correlation between EQ‐5D scores and chief complaints such as hypermenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, other pain, myoma enlargement, palpable tumor and desire for childbearing. We also examined correlation between EQ‐5D scores and other factors such as patient's age, infertility, history of abdominal surgery, marriage and body mass index.

Results

Full recovery, defined as an EQ‐5D score of 1.0, was reported 2.3% of patients by POD3, 18.6% by POD7, 58.1% by POD14, 73.3% by POD21 and 86.0% by POD28.

Longer duration of operation correlated weakly with poor recovery on POD3. Intraoperative bleeding, number of resected myomas and weight of the specimen did not significantly influence EQ‐5D score. There was no correlation between chief complaints or other factors mentioned above and EQ‐5D score.

Conclusions

More than a half of the patients undergoing LM included in our study reported full recovery of QOL after 2 weeks. The time to recover QOL was slightly influenced by the operation time. However, when LM was finished without any complications, postoperative QOL eventually seemed to improve regardless of the surgical characteristics such as operation time, intraoperative bleeding, number of resected myomas and weight of specimen.
TECTONIC EVOLUTION OF THE NORTHERN MARGIN OF THE CENOZOIC ARARAT BASIN, LESSER CAUCASUS, ARMENIA
Authors: Avagyan A. , Sosson M. , Sahakyan L. , Sheremet Y. , Vardanyan S. , Martirosyan M. , Muller C.
Published: September 2018

This paper investigates the structure of the northern margin of the Ararat depression in a study area in SE Armenia. The depression is a Cenozoic intermontane basin located to the south of the Lesser Caucasus. The purpose is to improve understanding of the basin's structure and origin within a regional tectonic framework which has been dominated since the Late Cretaceous by the closure of Neotethys and the Arabia‐Eurasia collision. We suggest that the depression is not a graben controlled by normal faults; rather, based on detailed observations, structures in the study area are interpreted as oblique‐slip reverse and thrust faults activated in post Oligocene‐Miocene times. These compressional faults resulted in the formation of asymmetric fold structures including the Lanjanist and Urts anticlines which are well expressed in the surface relief to the north of the Ararat depression. In general the structural pattern is complicated by secondary normal faults which resulted in superimposed gravitational slope processes and erosion.

Major structures in the study area originated in a compressional setting associated with the closure of Neotethys since the latest Cretaceous. Post‐collisional strike‐slip faulting was linked to convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian plate margins. Pliocene and Quaternary structures, some still active, show evidence of structural inheritance.

The Armenian portion of the Ararat depression contains obduction‐related nappes, anticlines and thrust faults which have potential as structural traps for hydrocarbons. These should be investigated in detail using advanced geophysical methods including 2D and 3D seismic analyses.
Telomere shortening: An innocent bystander at the crossroad of NASH with ageing and cardiometabolic risk?
Authors: Lonardo Amedeo , Lugari Simonetta , Nascimbeni Fabio
Published: September 2018

See Article on Page 1839
Effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface‐gene variability on markers of replication during treated human immunodeficiency virus‐HBV infection in Western Africa
Authors: Boyd Anders , Moh Raoul , Maylin Sarah , Abdou Chekaraou Mariama , Mahjoub Nadia , Gabillard Delphine , Anglaret Xavier , Eholié Serge Paul , Danel Christine , Delaugerre Constance , Zoulim Fabien , Lacombe Karine ,   the ANRS 12240 VarBVA study
Published: September 2018

Background & Aims

Replication markers exhibit substantial variation during chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, part of which can be explained by mutations on the surface (S) gene. We aimed to identify S‐gene mutations possibly influencing the quantification of HBV replication markers (MUPIQH) in HBV genotype E infection, common to Western Africa.

Methods

Seventy‐three antiretroviral treatment (ART)‐naïve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐HBV co‐infected patients from Côte d'Ivoire, initiating anti‐HBV‐containing ART, had available HBV S‐gene sequences. S‐gene MUPIQHs were screened at ART initiation based on lower HBV‐DNA or HBsAg quantification (qHBsAg) compared to wildtype. Their association with HBV virological response and qHBsAg slope during treatment was evaluated.

Results

Genotype E was predominant (95.9%). At ART initiation, median HBV‐DNA was 7.27 log10 copies/mL (IQR = 5.26‐8.33) and qHBsAg 4.08 log10 IU/mL (IQR = 3.49‐4.61). Twelve S‐gene MUPIQHs were identified among 21 patients (28.8%): sS140L (n = 4), sD144A (n = 1), sS167L (n = 2), sS174N (n = 6), sP178Q (n = 2), sG185L (n = 2), sW191L (n = 2), sP203Q/R (n = 2), sS204N/I/R/K/T/G (n = 7), sN207T (n = 2), sF212C (n = 1) and sV224A/Y (n = 7). MUPIQHs at positions s185+s191+s224 and s178+s204 were within highly covarying networks of S‐gene mutations. Older age (P = 0.02), elevated transaminases (P = 0.03) and anti‐hepatitis B “e” antibody‐positive serology (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with prevalent MUPIQHs at ART initiation. During treatment, baseline MUPIQHs were not associated with time‐to‐undetectable HBV‐DNA (P = 0.7) and qHBsAg levels decreased at similar rates between those with vs without MUPIQHs (P = 0.5).

Conclusion

Several novel S‐gene mutations were associated with reductions in replication markers among West African co‐infected patients. These mutations, however, do not affect response during antiviral treatment. Their diagnostic and clinical consequences need clarification.
Shooting at the poachers while the rhinos drown: Managing short‐ and long‐term threats to endangered wildlife in conservation reserves
Authors: Ranjan Ram
Published: September 2018

This paper addresses management challenges associated with conserving endangered wildlife facing multiple threats from illegal poaching, habitat encroachment, and climate and land‐use change‐induced flooding. While poaching and encroachment challenges in conservation parks are of immediate nature, climate‐related risks exist in the long term. The park manager faces a utility function that includes as its arguments local community’s incomes, benefits to the larger society from preserving threatened species and the financial costs of monitoring and land‐use change efforts. Using the case of single‐horned rhinos in the Kaziranga National Park, India, an optimal mix of monitoring and land‐use changes is designed in presence of tradeoffs between short‐ and long‐term management efforts. As monitoring only addresses immediate challenges associated with poaching and encroachment, long‐term climatic risks remain ignored. Land‐use management offers risk‐protection as well as risk‐insurance benefits with respect to climate change‐induced flooding of the park.

Recommendations for Resource Managers

It is important to incorporate both short‐ and long‐term risks posed to endangered wildlife while investing in conservation efforts. There may exist a tradeoff between mitigating short‐ and long‐run risks due to financial and physical resource constraints. However, ignoring long‐term risks to wildlife habitats can jeopardize past conservation efforts.

Land‐use management, both within and outside of conservation reserves, enhances resilience to climatic shocks through reducing flooding risks and must be an essential part of wildlife conservation efforts.

Conservation efforts ignoring local community welfare considerations can become suboptimal as they lead to reduced cooperation and potential conflicts. When wildlife conservation efforts account for local community welfare implications, optimal management plans could result in lower species abundance in the short term. However, increasing the park size through additional land enrollment can mitigate some of this tradeoff.