bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gatecrashing the visual cocktail party: How visual and semantic similarity modulate the own name benefit in the attentional blink
Authors: Dent Kevin , Cole Geoff G.
Published: May 2018

The “visual cocktail party effect” refers to superior report of a participant’s own name, under conditions of inattention. An early selection account suggests this advantage stems from enhanced visual processing. A late selection account suggests the advantage occurs when semantic information allowing identification as one’s own name is retrieved. In the context of inattentional blindness (IB), Mack and Rock showed that the advantage does not generalise to a minor modification of a participant’s own name, despite extensive visual similarity, supporting the late selection account. This study applied the name modification manipulation in the context of the attentional blink (AB). Participants were presented with rapid streams of names and identified a white target name, while also reporting the presence of one of two possible probes. The probe names appeared either close (the third item following the target: Lag 3) or far in time from the target (the eighth item following the target: Lag 8). The results revealed a robust AB; reports of the probe were reduced at Lag 3 relative to Lag 8. The AB was also greatly reduced for the own name compared to another name—a visual cocktail party effect. In contrast to the findings of Mack and Rock for IB, the reduced AB extended to the modified own name. The results suggest different loci for the visual cocktail party effect in the AB (word recognition) compared to IB (semantic processing).
The central locus of self-prioritisation
Authors: Janczyk Markus , Humphreys Glyn W , Sui Jie
Published: May 2018

Self-related information is under many circumstances processed in a preferred and biased way, leading to what has been termed the self-prioritisation effect (SPE). The SPE has been demonstrated with arbitrary stimuli assigned to self and others, thereby controlling the influence of familiarity, and originally been attributed to facilitated perceptual processing of self-related stimuli. Subsequent studies, however, casted doubts on this interpretation and suggested further possible sources for the SPE. In the present four experiments, we used the well-established psychological refractory period paradigm together with the locus of slack and the effect propagation logic to pinpoint the source of the SPE. The data consistently demonstrated the SPE across all experiments. More important, the results converge on the notion that the SPE has its source in a capacity-limited stage of central processing. The implications of these results are discussed in light of possible candidate processes as sources for the SPE, such as memory-related processing.
The intentions of Israeli nurses attending university programs to receive seasonal influenza vaccination
Authors: Lipovetski Olga , Delbar Vered , Bar-Yosef Eileen , Riesenberg Klaris , Saidel-Odes Lisa , Livshiz–Riven Ilana
Published: May 2018

Background:

Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) among medical personnel is a key factor in preventive medicine and patient safety.

Objective:

To identify social-cognitive predictors of Israeli Registered Nurses’ (RNs) intentions to receive SIV utilizing the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model, and to assess its predictive validity.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A structured, self-reported, anonymous, 43-item questionnaire, based on an extended version of the TPB, was administered to 80 nurses attending Master’s or Bachelor in Nursing degrees curriculums. A multivariable regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of influenza vaccination compliance among nurses.

Results:

A multivariable regression analysis indicated that two TPB model variables: control beliefs (β = 0.277, P < 0.01) and attitudes regarding SIV (β = 0.441, P < 0.001) contributed significantly to the prediction of RNs’ SIV intentions.

Conclusions:

The results of the current study indicate that the TPB may partially explain the intentions of RNs to receive SIV and illustrates the importance of beliefs and attitudes to health-related behaviours. It may direct us to seek interventions focusing on strengthening beliefs and attitudes to achieve higher intention levels to get vaccinated and thus affect the desired behaviours.
Health behavior-related indicator of lifestyle: application in the ELSA-Brasil study
Authors: Patrão Ana Luísa , Almeida Maria-da-Conceição C. , Alvim Sheila , Chor Dora , Aquino Estela M. L.
Published: May 2018

Various behaviors are considered health enhancing. Nevertheless, according to the current scientific literature, four health behaviors are considered particularly risky in view of their association with a group of chronic diseases: 1) smoking; 2) excessive alcohol consumption; 3) poor diet; and 4) lack of physical activity. Theoretically, it should be possible to make improvements to one’s health by maximizing the number of healthy behaviors and minimizing the unhealthy ones. However, in reality, the different behaviors interconnect to create more complex lifestyles. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to present the construction of a lifestyle indicator based on health behaviors selected in the ELSA-Brazil study. This indicator revealed two lifestyles: less healthy and healthier lifestyles. The model proved adequate and was confirmed using latent class analysis (LCA). Agreement was 83.2 between the indicator and the LCA results, with a kappa coefficient of 0.65. Women were more likely to have a healthier lifestyle than men, reinforcing the scientific consistency of the indicator, since this finding is in agreement with data from the scientific literature. The indicator created to define lifestyle was found to have scientific consistency and validity; therefore, its use can be recommended for future population-based studies concerning the promotion of health and healthy lifestyles.
A study of antibiotic prescription pattern in patients referred to tertiary care center in Northern India
Authors: Kaur Amritpal , Bhagat Rajan , Kaur Navjot , Shafiq Nusrat , Gautam Vikas , Malhotra Samir , Suri Vikas , Bhalla Ashish
Published: May 2018

Background:

Tremendous infectious disease burden and rapid emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens continues to burden our healthcare system. Antibiotic stewardship program often implements antibiotic policies that help in preventing unnecessary use of antibiotics and in optimizing management. To develop such a policy for management of infections in the emergency unit, it is important to analyze the information regarding antibiotic prescription patterns in patients presenting to the emergency room referred from various healthcare settings. This study was conducted with the aforementioned background.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective observational study in triage area of emergency unit of a tertiary care hospital. All the referred patients were screened for antibiotic prescription. Data extraction form was used to capture information on patient demographics, diagnosis and antibiotics prescribed. Antibiotic prescription details with regard to dosage, duration and frequency of antimicrobial administration were also recorded. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics as appropriate.

Results:

Out of 517 screened patients, 300 were prescribed antimicrobials. Out of 29 antibiotics prescribed, 12 were prescribed in more than 90% of patients. Broad spectrum antibiotics accounted for 67.3% of prescriptions. In 129 out of 300 patients, no evidence of infectious etiology was found.

Conclusion:

Our study highlights some common but serious lapses in antibiotic prescription patterns in patients referred from various healthcare settings. This emphasizes the need to provide training for rational use of antibiotics across healthcare settings.
Asthma-related health services and asthma control among women in Puerto Rico
Authors: Ortiz-Rivera María Calixta
Published: May 2018

Objectives:

This study evaluates social, behavioral, and environmental determinants to differentiate between active and inactive asthma and how predisposing, enabling, and need factors elucidate asthma-related health services and asthma control among women in Puerto Rico.

Methods:

This study analyzed secondary cross-sectional data from a subsample of 625 adult females who participated in the Asthma Call Back Survey in Puerto Rico. Logistic and multinomial regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between explanatory variables and asthma outcomes.

Results:

In total, 63% of women reported active asthma, from which 37.9% have not well controlled or very poorly controlled asthma. Women with active asthma were significantly more likely to be out of work, have middle income (US$25,000–<US$35,000), and be obese (≥30 kg/m2). Perceived need of health status is a good predictor to know the odds ratio of women to use emergency room. Women with poorly controlled asthma were significantly associated with increased units of physician urgent visits and emergency room visits.

Conclusion:

The findings confirmed significant determinants for active asthma and adds information on odds ratio for sensitive subgroups that utilize asthma-related health services in higher proportion than their counterparts. These associations suggest a development of asthma management plan targeting women to control the condition and reduce health-care utilization.
Intergenerational transmission in consumer behaviour: An integrative conceptual framework and future research directions
Authors: Guillemot Samuel
Published: May 2018

The concept of intergenerational transmission has given rise to a heterogenous body of research in consumer behaviour. It has been mobilised in domains as varied as consumer socialisation and heritage disposition. This article proposes an integrative conceptual framework for the intergenerational transmission of consumer behaviour. This framework has emerged from an interpretation of Erikson’s theory of human personality development. Its first contribution is that it links the developmental concerns of the younger and older generations (learning, differentiating, taking care and preserving) around the notion of intergenerational capital. Its second contribution is that it puts forward the concepts of sociocultural, economic, psychological and genetic capital, which serve to enrich and clarify the nature of intergenerational capital. Finally, it opens up new research directions, including a much-needed focus on the central role of the ‘pivot’ generation (the 30–65 age group) and on taking into account the concept of attachment in the study of the effect of inherited psychological resources on the adoption of consumer practices.
Training School Counselors in Program Evaluation
Authors: Astramovich Randall L. , Coker J. Kelly , Hoskins Wendy J.
Published: May 2018

Today's school counselors are faced with demands to demonstrate the impact and effectiveness oftheir counseling programs. Twenty-eight school counselors from a large Southwestern school district participated in a program evaluation training workshop designed to help them develop evaluation skills necessary for demonstrating program accountability. The majority of participants expressed high levels of interest in evaluating their programs but believed they needed more training in evaluation procedures. The authors discuss implications and make suggestions for future training and research on program evaluation in school counseling.
Child Abuse Reporting by School Counselors
Authors: Jill Bryant , Amy Milsom
Published: May 2018

A sample ofschool counselors (N = 263) in one Midwestern state completed questionnaires to share their child abuse reporting behaviors, influences with regard to making a decision to report, and perceived barriers to the reporting process. Participants indicated reporting the majority of suspected cases, and ele-mentary school counselors reported more cases than did high school counselors. Implications and recommendations are presented.
When Theory Collides with Practice: One Day in the Life of a Middle School Counselor
Authors: Chris Holowiak-Urquhart , Taylor Elizabeth R.
Published: May 2018

Viktor Frankl (1984) stated, “One of the main features of human existence is the capacity to rise above such conditions, to grow beyond them. Man is capable of changing the world for the better if possible and of changing himself for the better if necessary” (p. 133). Effective counselors do this daily, rising above conditions, seizing opportunities to change the world of the youth with whom they work, and, in so doing, changing themselves. One counselor records her day as it happened, illus-trating the roles and personal qualities that often are overlooked by counselor educators and researchers but are common to many school counselors. The names have been changed to protect confidentiality.
Comprehensive School Counseling Programs and Academic Achievement— A Rejoinder to Brown and Trusty
Authors: Sink Christopher A.
Published: May 2018

In this brief article, the author responds to Brown and Trusty's assertion that based on the deficiencies of existing comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) research, school counselors need not focus their time and effort on showing causal connections between their programs and measures of student academic achievement. Rather than defending the specific merits of the CSCP research, this rejoinder article addresses (a) the larger issue of whether Brown and Trusty have mischaracterized a key underlying results-based assumption of CSCPs, as well as (b) the value of multiple research paradigms in CSCP evaluation studies, and (c) the importance of systemic thinking and collaboration within CSCP research.
“No Child Left Behind”: Implications for School Counselors
Authors: Dollarhide Colette T. , Lemberger Matthew E.
Published: May 2018

In this qualitative study, 210 school counselors responded to a Web-based national survey exploring the effects of the No Child Left Behind legislation. They described how much they knew about the legislation, outlined the positive and negative effects of the legislation on their school counseling programs, and detailed their role in the testing process. Implications for school counselors in light of these findings are discussed.
Producing Evidence to Show Counseling Effectiveness in the Schools
Authors: Studer Jeannine R. , Oberman Aaron H. , Womack Reagan H.
Published: May 2018

School counselors have been remiss in documenting how the school counseling program is an essential component to the growth of school-aged youth. As a result, school counseling programs and personnel either have been eliminated or school counselors have been assigned duties that do not reflect their training and education. Many school counselors complain that existing assessment instruments either are too expensive or do not adequately reflect the program objectives and goals. This article provides a step-by-step model for designing testing instruments that can be effective in producing data that reflect program or intervention results. An example of how a middle school counselor assessed her leadership program is included.
Narrative Counseling for Professional School Counselors
Authors: Nafziger Jacinta , DeKruyf Lorraine
Published: May 2018

This article introduces narrative counseling concepts and techniques for professional school counselors. The authors provide a case study of narrative school counseling with an elementary student struggling with selective mutism. Examples also demonstrate how a narrative approach could be used at elementary, middle, and high school levels within various school counseling contexts, including small group counseling, classroom guidance, and consultation and advocacy. This article highlights the power and flexibility of a narrative approach to support students with a variety of needs as part of a comprehensive school counseling program.
Bringing Mental Health Needs into Focus through School Counseling Program Transformation
Authors: Gruman Diana H. , Marston Toby , Koon Holly
Published: May 2018

Professional school counselors are educational leaders with training and expertise to address the mental health concerns of students. Unfortunately, work conditions at some schools can create barriers to the delivery of effective mental health services. This article presents a case of one rural, diverse high school that transformed its school counseling program to better meet the mental health concerns of students. Through the use of data-based decision making, school-wide advisory, and a computerized identification system, the school counseling program now offers a more timely and effective delivery of mental health interventions to students in need.
The Importance of Determining Trainee Perspectives on Procedural Competencies During Spine Surgery Clinical Fellowship
Authors: Bateman Antony H. , Larouche Jeremie , Goldstein Christina L. , Sciubba Daniel M. , Choma Theodore J. , Lawrence Brandon , Cheng Joseph , Fehlings Michael G. , Paquette Scott J. , Yee Albert J. M.
Published: May 2018

Study Design:

Longitudinal survey.

Objective:

It remains important to align competence-based objectives for training as deemed important by clinical fellows to those of their fellowship supervisors and program educators. The primary aim of this study was to determine trainee views on the relative importance of specific procedural training competencies. Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate self-perceived confidence in procedural performance at the commencement and completion of fellowship.

Methods:

Questionnaires were administered to 68 clinical fellows enrolled in the AOSNA fellowship program during the 2015-2016 academic year. A Likert-type scale was used to quantify trainee perspectives on the relative importance of specific procedural competencies to their training base on an established curriculum including 53 general and 22 focused/advanced procedural competencies. We measured trainee self-perceived confidence in performing procedures at the commencement and completion of their program. Statistical analysis was performed on fellow demographic data and procedural responses.

Results:

Our initial survey response rate was 82% (56/68) and 69% (47/68) for the follow-up survey. Although most procedural competencies were regarded of high importance, we did identify several procedures of high importance yet low confidence among fellows (ie, upper cervical, thoracic discectomy surgery), which highlights an educational opportunity. Overall procedural confidence increased from an average Likert score of 4.2 (SD = 1.3) on the initial survey to 5.4 (SD = 0.8) by follow-up survey ( P < .0001).

Conclusions:

Understanding trainee goals for clinical fellowship remains important. Identification of areas of low procedural confidence and high importance to training experience will better guide fellowship programs and supervisors in the strategic delivery of the educational experience.
Are bilateral idiopathic clubfeet more severe than unilateral feet? A severity and treatment analysis
Authors: Agarwal Anil , Agrawal Nargesh , Barik Sitanshu , Gupta Neeraj
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

Evidences suggest that different subgroups of idiopathic clubfoot exist with differences in severity and treatment outcomes. This study compares the severity and treatment outcomes of unilateral and bilateral clubfoot.

Material and methods:

We retrospectively studied 161 patients (bilateral 66, unilateral 95) with primary idiopathic clubfeet to evaluate the differences in severity and treatment. The parameters analyzed were precasting Pirani score, number of casts required, pretenotomy Pirani score, pretenotomy dorsiflexion, rate of tenotomy, and post-tenotomy dorsiflexion achieved. A Pirani score of at least 5 was classified as very severe and 4.5 or less was classified as less severe.

Results:

There were 49=(74.24%) male and 17 (25.75%) female patients in the bilateral group and 76 (80%) male and 19 (20%) female patients in the unilateral group. Out of 95 unilateral patients, 34 were left sided (35.8%). Comparing severity, the mean precasting Pirani score in bilateral patients (5.4 ± 0.6) was statistically more than the unilateral patients (4.9 ± 0.7). The number of casts required was significantly more in bilateral feet compared to unilateral (bilateral 5.3 ± 1.7, unilateral 4.7 ± 1.7; p < 0.011). Achilles tenotomy was required in all feet. Post Ponseti treatment, the foot deformity correction achieved (pretenotomy Pirani score, pretenotomy, and post-tenotomy dorsiflexion) was statistically similar in both unilateral and bilateral feet.

Conclusions:

Idiopathic bilateral clubfoot was more severe than unilateral foot at initial presentation and required more number of corrective casts. Post Ponseti treatment, the deformity correction in bilateral foot was similar to unilateral foot.
The estimation of bone cyst volume using the Cavalieri principle on computed tomography images
Authors: Say Ferhat , Gölpınar Murat , Kılınç Cem Yalın , Şahin Bünyamin
Published: May 2018

Purpose:

To evaluate the volume of bone cyst using the planimetry method of the Cavalieri principle.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was carried out on data from 25 computed tomography (CT) images of patients with bone cyst. The volume of the cysts was calculated by two independent observers using the planimetry method. The procedures were repeated 1 month later by each observer.

Results:

The overall mean volume of the bone cyst was 29.25 ± 25.86 cm3. The mean bone cyst volumes calculated by the first observer for the first and second sessions were 29.18 ± 26.14 and 29.27 ± 26.19 cm3, respectively. The mean bone cyst volumes calculated by the second observer for the first and second sessions were 29.32 ± 26.36 and 29.23 ± 26.36 cm3, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no difference and high agreement between the first and second measurements of both observers. The Bland–Altman plots showed strong intraobserver and interobserver concordance in the measurement of the bone cyst volume. The mean total time necessary to obtain the cyst volume by the two observers was 5.27 ± 2.30 min.

Conclusion:

The bone cyst of the patients can be objectively evaluated using the planimetry method of the Cavalieri principle on CT. This method showed high interobserver and intraobserver agreement. This volume measurement can be used to evaluate cyst remodeling, including complete healing and cyst recurrence.
Revisiting Macroeconomy–Stock Market Relationship During Times of Economic Crisis: A Study of Emerging Markets
Authors: Sharma Gagan Deep , Srivastava Mrinalini , Jain Mansi
Published: May 2018

This article examines the relationship between six macroeconomic variables and stock market returns of 13 emerging markets from Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia in the context of global financial crisis of 2008. The findings reveal some commonality in determination and variation of returns with macroeconomic variables from pre-crisis (1st January 2005–31st March 2009) to post-crisis period (1st April 2009–31st March 2016). Further, results show co-integration among most of the macroeconomic variables depicting significant implications for investors and policymakers.
Does Endogeneity in Causal Relationships Matter: A Case of Board Independence and Firm’s Market Valuation
Authors: Sarpal Shivan
Published: May 2018

The credibility and rectitude of monitoring effectiveness of non-executive (outside) directors has been highly discussed in the past academia. In this light, the present research involves the testing of endogeneity in the relationship between board independence and firm performance as proxied by firm market valuation. It has utilized the multimethodological approach on the data set of top corporates listed in Indian context. Notably, the application of pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) (static as well as dynamic), fixed effects regression, and system generalized method of moments (GMM) approach under dynamic modeling methodologies has demonstrated varying effects, which in turn, too provide manifestation of the predilection for dynamic system GMM, dynamic pooled OLS, and fixed effects over static pooled OLS. Findings of the research have ultimately concluded insignificant relationship between board independence and firm value. This effect remained robust even after controlling for the effect of board size. The implications of the insignificant board independence–firm value relationship have also been discussed and, thereby, offer useful directions to the regulators and policymakers.
Stakeholder Value as an Organizing Principle for Strategic Planning
Authors: Fisher N.I.
Published: May 2018

This article describes an approach to introducing strategic planning to an enterprise, motivated by a primary focus on creating value for key stakeholders of the enterprise. Two key consequences of the approach are that the efforts of the enterprise are aligned in a coherent fashion to achieve targeted external stakeholder impact and that successful deployment of the strategic plan can be assessed explicitly in terms of external stakeholder value. The approach, which was developed initially in the context of strategic planning for professional societies, has been adopted in introducing strategic planning to university departments and would appear to have more general applicability to commercial enterprises.
The Value of Customer References to Potential Customers in Business Markets
Authors: Morgado Andre Vilares
Published: May 2018

The literature on referencing takes a firm stance on the value that vendors derive from marketing customer references. What the literature lacks, however, is empirical work that supports our current understanding of the value of customer references to the potential customer. The present exploratory research aims to demonstrate the value of customer references from the perspective of the potential customer. This goal will be achieved by considering a single case study that provides evidence for the value of customer references to potential customers in business markets. Three theoretical propositions emerge as key conceptual contributions: (a) customer references allow buying companies to establish their suppliers’ competence, assess the buying decision risk and forecast return on investment; (b) customer references deliver value by helping potential customers to identify new business needs and (c) potential customers benefit from being exposed to customer references insofar as they are sources of organizational learning. This work concludes by presenting recommendations for practitioners who wish to reap the full benefits of customer references.
A best practice framework to measure spatial variation in alcohol availability
Authors: Fry Richard , Orford Scott , Rodgers Sarah , Morgan Jennifer , Fone David
Published: May 2018

Alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related harms are an internationally reported phenomenon. There are multiple methods described in the literature to measure alcohol outlet density, but with very little commentary on the geographical underpinnings of the methods. In this paper, we present a framework to help practitioners and researchers choose the most appropriate spatial method of measuring alcohol outlet density. The framework includes components on theoretical geography, statistical implications and practical considerations, with an emphasis on population-level exposure. We describe the CHALICE alcohol outlet density measurement method that was developed to investigate the relationships between alcohol outlet density and population harm. The CHALICE method is compared to four other methods found in the published literature. We demonstrate the impact of methodological choices (e.g. network vs. Euclidean distances) on resulting alcohol outlet density scores. We conclude that wherever possible the best practice approach to modelling alcohol outlet density should be used to facilitate flexibility in subsequent statistical analysis and improve the transparency of the results.
Anterior–Posterior Persistent Fetal Vasculature With Multiple Stalks: Persistent Vasa Hyaloidea Propria
Authors: Rossin Elizabeth J. , VanderVeen Deborah K. , Yonekawa Yoshihiro
Published: May 2018

An 8-week-old boy referred for an abnormal pupil was found to have an atypical presentation of persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) with multiple vascular stalks. Examination under anesthesia with fluorescein angiography (FA) revealed 2 perfused persistent hyaloid vessels, one extending from the optic disc and another from the inferonasal retina. These vessels meet anteriorly to form a vascular network at the lens, which is the remnant of the tunica vasculosa lentis. Although the posterior portion of PFV typically presents as a single stalk attached at the optic disc, this case features an atypical presentation of 2 distinct vascular stalks, which may expand our understanding of ocular development and pathogenesis of PFV. We hypothesize that the aberrant additional stalk may represent failure of the vasa hyaloidea propria (tributaries of the hyaloid artery) to regress.
Analysis of the thrombotic and fibrinolytic activities of tumor cell–derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Durrieu Ludovic , Bharadwaj Alamelu , Waisman David M.
Published: May 2018

Key Points

Microvesicles, but not exosomes, from tumor cells have thrombotic activity. Tumor derived–exosomes can confer increased plasmin-generating capacity to a recipient cell.
An open-label, flexible dose adaptive study evaluating the efficacy of vortioxetine in subjects with panic disorder
Authors: Shah Anish , Northcutt Joanne
Published: May 2018

Background

Despite the current treatments available for panic disorder (PD), as many as one-third of patients have persistent and treatment-resistant panic attacks. Vortioxetine is an approved medicine for major depressive disorder and has been shown to have anxiolytic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its efficacy and safety in an adult population with a diagnosis of PD.

Methods

The study design was open label with flexible dose strategies (5, 10, or 20 mg) with a treatment period of 10 weeks. 27 male and female subjects aged between 18 and 60 years, who met DSM-IV criteria for PD with or without agoraphobia, or who had a Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) score > 8 at baseline were enrolled. Statistical significance was established by the Student’sTtest.

Results

A statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of panic attacks was measured with the PDSS with vortioxetine. In addition, a moderate improvement in the quality of life and no significant side effects were observed using the Quality-of-Life Scale and Monitoring of Side Effects Scale, respectively.

Conclusions

These results provide some support for the use of vortioxetine in the management of panic disorder.

Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID#: NCT02395510. Registered March 23, 2015,https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02395510
Schwann cell durotaxis can be guided by physiologically relevant stiffness gradients
Authors: Evans Elisabeth B. , Brady Samantha W. , Tripathi Anubhav , Hoffman-Kim Diane
Published: May 2018

Background

Successful nerve regeneration depends upon directed migration of morphologically specialized repair state Schwann cells across a nerve defect. Although several groups have studied directed migration of Schwann cells in response to chemical or topographic cues, the current understanding of how the mechanical environment influences migration remains largely understudied and incomplete. Therefore, the focus of this study was to evaluate Schwann cell migration and morphodynamics in the presence of stiffness gradients, which revealed that Schwann cells can follow extracellular gradients of increasing stiffness, in a form of directed migration termed durotaxis.

Methods

Polyacrylamide substrates were fabricated to mimic the range of stiffness found in peripheral nerve tissue. We assessed Schwann cell response to substrates that were either mechanically uniform or embedded with a shallow or steep stiffness gradient, respectively corresponding to the mechanical niche present during either the fluid phase or subsequent matrix phase of the peripheral nerve regeneration process. We examined cell migration (velocity and directionality) and morphology (elongation, spread area, nuclear aspect ratio, and cell process dynamics). We also characterized the surface morphology of Schwann cells by scanning electron microscopy.

Results

On laminin-coated polyacrylamide substrates embedded with either a shallow (∼0.04 kPa/mm) or steep (∼0.95 kPa/mm) stiffness gradient, Schwann cells displayed durotaxis, increasing both their speed and directionality along the gradient materials, fabricated with elastic moduli in the range found in peripheral nerve tissue. Uniquely and unlike cell behavior reported in other cell types, the durotactic response of Schwann cells was not dependent upon the slope of the gradient. When we examined whether durotaxis behavior was accompanied by a pro-regenerative Schwann cell phenotype, we observed altered cell morphology, including increases in spread area and the number, elongation, and branching of the cellular processes, on the steep but not the shallow gradient materials. This phenotype emerged within hours of the cells adhering to the materials and was sustained throughout the 24 hour duration of the experiment. Control experiments also showed that unlike most adherent cells, Schwann cells did not alter their morphology in response to uniform substrates of different stiffnesses.

Conclusion

This study is notable in its report of durotaxis of cells in response to a stiffness gradient slope, which is greater than an order of magnitude less than reported elsewhere in the literature, suggesting Schwann cells are highly sensitive detectors of mechanical heterogeneity. Altogether, this work identifies durotaxis as a new migratory modality in Schwann cells, and further shows that the presence of a steep stiffness gradient can support a pro-regenerative cell morphology.
Further Effects of Phylogenetic Tree Style on Student Comprehension in an Introductory Biology Course
Authors: Dees Jonathan , Bussard Caitlin , Momsen Jennifer L.
Published: May 2018

Phylogenetic trees have become increasingly important across the life sciences, and as a result, learning to interpret and reason from these diagrams is now an essential component of biology education. Unfortunately, students often struggle to understand phylogenetic trees. Style (i.e., diagonal or bracket) is one factor that has been observed to impact how students interpret phylogenetic trees, and one goal of this research was to investigate these style effects across an introductory biology course. In addition, we investigated the impact of instruction that integrated diagonal and bracket phylogenetic trees equally. Before instruction, students were significantly more accurate with the bracket style for a variety of interpretation and construction tasks. After instruction, however, students were significantly more accurate only for construction tasks and interpretations involving taxa relatedness when using the bracket style. Thus, instruction that used both styles equally mitigated some, but not all, style effects. These results inform the development of research-based instruction that best supports student understanding of phylogenetic trees.
Design and Assessment of Online, Interactive Tutorials That Teach Science Process Skills
Authors: Kramer Maxwell , Olson Dalay , Walker J. D.
Published: May 2018

Explicit emphasis on teaching science process skills leads to both gains in the skills themselves and, strikingly, deeper understanding of content. Here, we created and tested a series of online, interactive tutorials with the goal of helping undergraduate students develop science process skills. We designed the tutorials in accordance with evidence-based multimedia design principles and student feedback from usability testing. We then tested the efficacy of the tutorials in an introductory undergraduate biology class. On the basis of a multivariate ordinary least-squares regression model, students who received the tutorials are predicted to score 0.82 points higher on a 15-point science process skill assessment than their peers who received traditional textbook instruction on the same topic. This moderate but significant impact indicates that well-designed online tutorials can be more effective than traditional ways of teaching science process skills to undergraduate students. We also found trends that suggest the tutorials are especially effective for nonnative English-speaking students. However, due to a limited sample size, we were unable to confirm that these trends occurred due to more than just variation in the student group sampled.
Reading Quizzes Improve Exam Scores for Community College Students
Authors: Pape-Lindstrom Pamela , Eddy Sarah , Freeman Scott
Published: May 2018

To test the hypothesis that adding course structure may encourage self-regulated learning skills resulting in an increase in student exam performance in the community college setting, we added daily preclass online, open-book reading quizzes to an introductory biology course. We compared three control terms without reading quizzes and three experimental terms with online, open-book reading quizzes; the instructor of record, class size, and instructional time did not vary. Analyzing the Bloom’s taxonomy level of a random sample of exam questions indicated a similar cognitive level of high-stakes assessments across all six terms in the study. To control for possible changes in student preparation or ability over time, we calculated each student’s grade point average in courses other than biology during the term under study and included it as a predictor variable in our regression models. Our final model showed that students in the experimental terms had significantly higher exam scores than students in the control terms. This result shows that online reading quizzes can boost achievement in community college students. We also comment on the importance of discipline-based education research in community college settings and the structure of our community college/4-year institution collaboration.
Competing Discourses of Scientific Identity among Postdoctoral Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences
Authors: Price Rebecca M. , Kantrowitz-Gordon Ira , Gordon Sharona E.
Published: May 2018

The postdoctoral period is generally one of low pay, long hours, and uncertainty about future career options. To better understand how postdocs conceive of their present and future goals, we asked researchers about their scientific identities while they were in their postdoctoral appointments. We used discourse analysis to analyze interviews with 30 scholars from a research-intensive university or nearby research institutions to better understand how their scientific identities influenced their career goals. We identified two primary discourses: bench scientist and principal investigator (PI). The bench scientist discourse is characterized by implementing other people’s scientific visions through work in the laboratory and expertise in experimental design and troubleshooting. The PI discourse is characterized by a focus on formulating scientific visions, obtaining funding, and disseminating results through publishing papers and at invited talks. Because these discourses represent beliefs, they can—and do—limit postdocs’ understandings of what career opportunities exist and the transferability of skills to different careers. Understanding the bench scientist and PI discourses, and how they interact, is essential for developing and implementing better professional development programs for postdocs.
Size and clustering of ethnic groups and rates of psychiatric admission in England
Authors: Venkatesan Gayathri , Weich Scott , McBride Orla , Twigg Liz , Parsons Helen , Scott Jan , Bhui Kamaldeep , Keown Patrick
Published: May 2018

Aims and method

To compare rates of admission for different types of severe mental illness between ethnic groups, and to test the hypothesis that larger and more clustered ethnic groups will have lower admission rates. This was a descriptive study of routinely collected data from the National Health Service in England.

Results

There was an eightfold difference in admission rates between ethnic groups for schizophreniform and mania admissions, and a fivefold variation in depression admissions. On average, Black and minority ethnic (BME) groups had higher rates of admission for schizophreniform and mania admissions but not for depression. This increased rate was greatest in the teenage years and early adulthood. Larger ethnic group size was associated with lower admission rates. However, greater clustering was associated with higher admission rates.

Clinical implications

Our findings support the hypothesis that larger ethnic groups have lower rates of admission. This was a between-group comparison rather than within each group. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that more clustered groups have lower rates of admission. In fact, they suggest the opposite: groups with low clustering had lower admission rates. The BME population in the UK is increasing in size and becoming less clustered. Our results suggest that both of these factors should ameliorate the overrepresentation of BME groups among psychiatric in-patients. However, this overrepresentation continues, and our results suggest a possible explanation, namely, changes in the delivery of mental health services, particularly the marked reduction in admissions for depression.

Declaration of interest

None.
Computerized Approach to Creating a Systematic Ontology of Hematology/Oncology Regimens
Authors: Malty Andrew M. , Jain Sandeep K. , Yang Peter C. , Harvey Krysten , Warner Jeremy L.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The systemic treatment of cancer is primarily through the administration of complex chemotherapy protocols. To date, this knowledge has not been systematized, because of the lack of a consistent nomenclature and the variation in which regimens are documented. For example, recording of treatment events in electronic health record notes is often through shorthand and acronyms, limiting secondary use. A standardized hierarchic ontology of cancer treatments, mapped to standard nomenclatures, would be valuable to a variety of end users.

Methods

We leveraged the knowledge contained in a large wiki of hematology/oncology drugs and treatment regimens, HemOnc.org. Through algorithmic parsing, we created a hierarchic ontology of treatment concepts in the World Wide Web Consortium Web Ontology Language. We also mapped drug names to RxNorm codes and created optional filters to restrict the ontology by disease and/or drug class.

Results

As of December 2017, the main ontology includes 30,526 axioms (eg, doxorubicin is an anthracycline), 1,196 classes (eg, regimens used in the neoadjuvant treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive breast cancer, nitrogen mustards), and 1,728 individual entities. More than 13,000 of the axioms are annotations including RxNorm codes, drug synonyms, literature references, and direct links to published articles.

Conclusion

This approach represents, to our knowledge, the largest effort to date to systematically categorize and relate hematology/oncology drugs and regimens. The ontology can be used to reason individual components from regimens mentioned in electronic health records (eg, R-CHOP maps to rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) and also to probabilistically reconstruct regimens from individual drug components. These capabilities may be particularly valuable in the implementation of rapid-learning health systems on the basis of real-world evidence. The derived Web Ontology Language ontology is freely available for noncommercial use through the Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.
Outcome of Patients With Breast Cancer Treated in a Private Health Care Institution in Brazil
Authors: Boukai Alexandre , Gonçalves Aline C. , Padoan Monica , Andrade Perla , Carvalho Natalia , Lemos Flavio , Almeida Thamires , Salem Jonas , Gauí Maria F. D. , Teich Nelson , Araujo Luiz H.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Middle-income countries like Brazil often have a dichotomous health care system in which patients may be treated in either public or private institutions that differ substantially in terms of level of access to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Patients and Methods

This was a prospective, observational study to assess real-world data in 1,230 female patients with breast cancer who were treated in a private health care institution between 2012 and 2016 in Brazil.

Results

Breast cancer in these patients mostly was diagnosed at early (79.0% stages I or II) or locally advanced (16.1% stage III) stages. The primary tumor was resected in 89.0% of cases, most often through breast-conserving surgery (55.1%). Patients with locally advanced disease received more aggressive therapy (eg, higher rates of mastectomy, axillary dissection and chemotherapy use) than patients with early-stage disease. The estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) was 95.3%. Survival was significantly longer among patients with stage I or II disease (2-year OS, 97.9% and 97.5%, respectively) than those with stage III or IV disease (89.4% and 69.5%, respectively; P < .01). Tumor grade was also correlated with OS in the overall cohort ( P = .05); triple-negative status was only prognostic for patients with stage III disease ( P < .01).

Conclusion

The data provided aid understanding of the current scenario of breast cancer presentation and treatment in the Brazilian private health care system and may serve as a foundation to guide resource allocation. Our results reinforce the need to pursue adequate access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries to optimize patient outcome.
Delivering Precision Oncology in a Community Cancer Program: Results From a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Powell Steven F. , Dib Elie G. , Bleeker Jonathan S. , Keppen Michael D. , Mazurczak Miroslaw , Hack Keely M. , Gitau Mark M. , Steen Preston D. , Terstriep Shelby A. , Reynolds John , Landsverk Megan L. , Chan Chun-Hung , Nelson Morgan E. , Thompson Paul A. , Ellison Christie , Black Lora J. , Ford James M. , Chung Jon H. , Anhorn Rachel , Gaba Anu G.
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Precision oncology (PO) is a growing treatment approach in the era of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and matched therapies. Effective delivery of PO in the community has not been extensively studied. Our program developed a virtual molecular tumor board (MTB) strategy to help guide PO care.

Materials and Methods

Over 18 months, eligible adult patients with advanced, incurable solid tumor malignancies were enrolled in a molecular profiling (MP) study using the Foundation Medicine NGS panel. Results were reviewed through a weekly, videoconferenced MTB conducted across our largely rural integrated health system. Recommendations from the MTB were used to identify actionable alterations (AAs). Feasibility of PO care delivery was assessed as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of AAs, genomic matched treatments, genomic matched clinical trial enrollment, and clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 120 participants with a variety of advanced tumor types were enrolled. Of these, 109 (90.8%) had successful MP. Treatment on the basis of an AA was recommended by the MTB in 58% of patients (63 of 109) who had a successful MP result. For those completing MP, treatments included enrollment in a genomic matched clinical trial (n = 16; 14.6%) and genomic matched treatment with a Food and Drug Administration–approved agent (n = 23; 21.1%). Response and survival data were similar regardless of the matched treatment option chosen.

Conclusion

A video-conferenced MTB-facilitated NGS testing and treatment delivery system was implemented in our integrated community oncology program. Continued use of this model aims to increase understanding of the impact of PO in this setting.