bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the learning effectiveness of financial literacy from the microworld perspective: Evidence from the simulated transactional interactive concurrent system
Authors: Liu Chiung‐Wen , Ho Li‐An , Chueh Ting‐Yu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBecause the microworld can create a learning environment that allows learners to interact with the real world, the view of the microworld has been widely used in education and training. In this study, the simulated transactional interactive concurrent system (STICS) was used to provide an environment that simulates the stock market trading of the Taiwan Stock Exchange; the goal is to explore the effectiveness of using STICS in enhancing the financial literacy of students. This study adopts a quasi‐experimental design approach and divides students into two groups. The intervention group was made up of 42 students who learned financial knowledge aided by STICS, with a comparison group consisting of 43 students who learned with traditional lecturing and dictating methods. The study found that learners who used the STICS as an aid to learn financial knowledge had significantly better learning effectiveness than those who did not use STICS, in terms of motivation, attitude, and achievement. The intervention group also made significant improvements in average scores in learning motivation and achievement after 8 weeks of experimental teaching and learning.
14‐3‐3ζ binds to and stabilizes phospho‐beclin 1S295 and induces autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Tang Yufu , Zhang Yibing , Liu Shupeng , Sun Zhongyi , Wang Chunhui , Li Longfei , Zhou Wenping , Cheng Shuqun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractData from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) indicate that the expression levels of 14‐3‐3ζ and beclin 1 (a key molecule involved in cellular autophagy) are up‐regulated and positively correlated with each other (R = .5, P < .05) in HCC tissues. Chemoresistance developed in hepatoma cancer cells is associated with autophagy initiation. This study aimed to explore 14‐3‐3ζ’s role in regulating autophagy in HCC cells, with a focus on beclin 1. The co‐localization of 14‐3‐3ζ and beclin 1 was detectable in primary HCC tissues. To simulate in vivo tumour microenvironment (hypoxia), CSQT‐2 and HCC‐LM3 cells were exposed to 2% oxygen for 24 hours. The protein levels of 14‐3‐3ζ and phospho‐beclin 1S295 peaked at 12 hours following hypoxia. Meanwhile, the strongest autophagy flux occurred: LC3II was increased, and p62 was decreased significantly. By sequencing the coding area of BECN 1 gene of CSQT‐2 and HCC‐LM3 cells, we found that the predicted translational products of BECN 1 gene contained RLPS295VP (R, arginine; L, leucine; P, proline; S, serine; V, valine), a classic 14‐3‐3ζ binding motif. CO‐IP results confirmed that 14‐3‐3ζ bound to beclin 1, and this connection was markedly weakened when S295 was mutated into A295 (alanine). Further, 14‐3‐3ζ overexpression prevented phospho‐beclin 1S295 from degradation and enhanced its binding to VPS34, whilst its knockdown accelerated the degradation. Additionally, 14‐3‐3ζ enhanced the chemoresistance of HCC cells to cis‐diammined dichloridoplatium by activating autophagy. Our work reveals that 14‐3‐3ζ binds to and stabilizes phospho‐beclin 1S295 and induces autophagy in HCC cells to resist chemotherapy.
Review of non‐invasive vulvovaginal rejuvenation
Authors: Photiou L. , Lin M.J. , Dubin D.P. , Lenskaya V. , Khorasani H. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractVulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) or genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) may affect up to 90% of menopausal women. Features include vulvovaginal atrophy, vulvovaginal laxity, vulvovaginal dryness and irritation, dyspareunia, anorgasmia and urinary symptoms. The vulva, vagina and bladder are oestrogen‐responsive tissues, but oestrogen replacement therapy is not possible in women who have hormone‐responsive cancers or normal oestrogen levels. Therefore, there is a role for alternative treatments. To date, three non‐surgical energy‐based therapies have been proposed: fractional microablative CO2 laser, erbium:YAG laser and temperature‐controlled radiofrequency (RF). Our objective was to assess the available evidence for the safety and efficacy of erbium:YAG laser, microablative fractional CO2 laser and RF in the treatment of VVA/GSM. The authors reviewed the current published literature evaluating these therapies. All three therapies appear safe; however, all the studies were uncontrolled and used different protocols and outcome measurements. Therefore, comparison of treatments is difficult. It appears that there is more evidence in favour of the CO2 laser than the erbium:YAG laser. Both lasers have more evidence than RF. In conclusion, microablative CO2 laser, erbium:YAG laser and RF may be offered to patients suffering from VVA/GSM as an alternative or adjunct to conventional therapies. Further well‐conducted controlled studies are needed.
Long‐term stainability of interim prosthetic materials in acidic/staining solutions
Authors: Bitencourt Sandro B. , Kanda Roberta Y. , de Freitas Jorge Caroline , Barão Valentim A. R. , Sukotjo Cortino , Wee Alvin G. , Goiato Marcelo C. , Pesqueira Aldiéris A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the long‐term color stainability, translucency, and contrast ratio (CR) of different resins used to fabricate interim prostheses after immersion in acidic/staining solutions.Materials and MethodsA total of 160 specimens were divided into 16 groups (n = 10) according to the material (heat‐polymerized acrylic resin [HPAR], auto‐polymerized acrylic resin [APR], nanoparticulated bis‐acrylic resin [BR], and prefabricated poly(methyl methacrylate) block for CAD/CAM [CADR]) and immersion solutions (artificial saliva, cola beverage, coffee, and red wine). A spectrophotometer was used before and after each immersion period (7, 14, 28, 90, and 180 days). Color differences (CIEDE2000 and CIELab) were calculated. A three‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni test (α = .05) were used.ResultsAfter 180 days, the APR presented the highest value for coffee and the CADR presented the smallest value for the cola (P < .001). For the CR, the highest values were obtained at 180 days for BR in coffee (1.35) and wine (1.18) (P < .001). Higher translucency parameters were obtained in the BR and CADR in the initial, 14, 28, and 90 days (P < .001).ConclusionsFrom the greatest to the smallest staining potential, the solutions were classified as: wine > coffee > cola beverage > saliva, while for the materials as: APR > BR > HPAR > CADR.Clinical SignificanceThe knowledge of the long‐term optical behavior of interim prosthetic materials is important for clinicians to decide which material to use to match the dietary intake of their patients and their esthetic demands. Prefabricated blocks for CAD/CAM systems have been shown to maintaining their optical characteristics even after a long period of immersion in acidic/staining solutions.
Development and validation of a prognostic nomogram to predict survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving second‐line palliative chemotherapy
Authors: Hsu Chih‐Chung , Liu Keng‐Hao , Chang Pei‐Hung , Chen Ping‐Tsung , Hung Chia‐Yen , Hsueh Shun‐Wen , Yeh Kun‐Yun , Chen Yen‐Yang , Lu Chang‐Hsien , Hung Yu‐Shin , Chou Wen‐Chi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and AimGiven that a wide variation in tumor response rates and survival times suggests heterogeneity among the patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) who underwent second‐line (L2) chemotherapy, it is a challenge in clinical practice to identify patients who will receive the most benefit from L2 treatment.MethodsWe selected 183 APC patients who received L2 palliative chemotherapy between 2010 and 2016 from a medical center as the development cohort. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the prognostic factors and construct the nomogram. An independent cohort of 166 patients from three other hospitals was selected for external validation.ResultsThe nomogram was based on eight independent prognostic factors from the multivariate Cox model: sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, reason for first‐line treatment discontinuation, duration of first‐line treatment, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, tumor stage, body mass index, and serum carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 levels at the beginning of L2 treatment. The model exhibited good discrimination ability, with a C‐index of 0.733 (95% confidence interval, 0.681–0.785) and 0.724 (95% confidence interval, 0.661–0.787) in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. The calibration plots of the development and validation cohorts showed optimal agreement between model prediction and actual observation in predicting survival probability at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years.ConclusionsThis study developed and externally validated a prognostic model that accurately predicts the survival outcome of APC patients before L2 palliative chemotherapy, which could assist in clinical decision‐making, counseling for treatment, and most importantly, prognostic stratification of patients.
Development and growth of the pectoral girdle and fin skeleton in the extant coelacanthLatimeria chalumnae
Authors: Mansuit Rohan , Clément Gaël , Herrel Anthony , Dutel Hugo , Tafforeau Paul , Santin Mathieu D. , Herbin Marc 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe monobasal pectoral fins of living coelacanths and lungfishes are homologous to the forelimbs of tetrapods and are thus critical to investigate the origin thereof. However, it remains unclear whether the similarity in the asymmetrical endoskeletal arrangement of the pectoral fins of coelacanths reflects the evolution of the pectoral appendages in sarcopterygians. Here, we describe for the first time the development of the pectoral fin and shoulder girdle in the extant coelacanthLatimeria chalumnae, based on the tomographic acquisition of a growth series. The pectoral girdle and pectoral fin endoskeleton are formed early in development with a radially outward growth of the endoskeletal elements. The visualization of the pectoral girdle during development shows a reorientation of the girdle between the fetus and pup 1 stages, creating a contact between the scapulocoracoids and the clavicles in the ventro‐medial region. Moreover, we observed a splitting of the pre‐ and post‐axial cartilaginous plates in respectively pre‐axial radials and accessory elements on one hand, and in post‐axial accessory elements on the other hand. However, the mechanisms involved in the splitting of the cartilaginous plates appear different from those involved in the formation of radials in actinopterygians. Our results show a proportional reduction of the proximal pre‐axial radial of the fin, rendering the external morphology of the fin more lobe‐shaped, and a spatial reorganization of elements resulting from the fragmentation of the two cartilaginous plates.Latimeriadevelopment hence supports previous interpretations of the asymmetrical pectoral fin skeleton as being plesiomorphic for coelacanths and sarcopterygians.
Integration of nurses in general practice: A thematic synthesis of the perspectives of general practitioners, practice nurses and patients living with chronic illness
Authors: Aerts Naomi , Van Bogaert Peter , Bastiaens Hilde , Peremans Lieve 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo explore the views of general practitioners, practice nurses and patients on interprofessional collaboration in general practice and to understand to what extent the nurse–doctor relationship meets their needs and expectations.BackgroundTo address future challenges of primary health care, there is a need for integrated interprofessional collaboration care systems with a patient‐centred focus. Worldwide, there is an integration of nurses in general practice. However, in a transitioning Belgian context little is known about the perspectives of three key stakeholder groups.DesignThe results of four qualitative descriptive primary studies were triangulated and a secondary analysis resulted in a thematic synthesis within a pragmatic research paradigm.MethodsPrimary data were collected through individual, semi‐structured interviews with 7 general practitioners, 19 practice nurses and 21 patients living with chronic illness in 26 primary care centres with different nurse integration levels. We conducted a secondary analysis for the thematic synthesis of the different stakeholders’ perspectives. This study was reported in accordance with the COREQ checklist.ResultsFour overarching themes were found as follows: vision and mission at general practice level, patient‐centred care, practice nurse role development and interprofessional collaboration. Interprofessional collaboration within general practice ensures better response to patient needs. Evolution of the practice nurse role to autonomous decision‐making can be facilitated by clear vision and mission, team communication, complementarity of responsibilities and trust‐based professional relationships.ConclusionsThe key for patient‐centred care in a well‐organised practice is a clear vision and mission and well‐defined task description for interprofessional collaboration. General practice is urging for systematic guidance for the sustainable integration of a practice nurse.Relevance to clinical practiceOur study highlights opportunities and challenges to nurse integration in general practice from key stakeholders’ perspectives, which can inform other transitioning contexts.
Melatonin activates cell death programs for the suppression of uterine leiomyoma cell proliferation
Authors: Lin Po‐Han , Tung Yen‐Ting , Chen Hsin‐Yuan , Chiang Yi‐Fen , Hong Hui‐Chih , Huang Ko‐Chieh , Hsu Sung‐Po , Huang Tsui‐Chin , Hsia Shih‐Min 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe circadian nature of melatonin has a protective effect on the progression of female reproductive cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. However, the effect of melatonin on the growth of uterine leiomyoma is still unclear. In this study, we found that the growth of uterine leiomyoma ELT3 cells was reduced by treatment with melatonin. Treatment with melatonin increased the distribution of sub‐G1 phase and increased DNA condensation in ELT3 cells. Melatonin‐induced apoptosis and autophagy cell death progression were observed in ELT3 cells. Melatonin exerts a highly selective effect on primary normal human uterine smooth muscle (UtSMC) cells. The UtSMC cell cycle was arrested by melatonin treatment through up‐regulation of p21, p27, and PTEN protein expression, but melatonin did not further promote apoptosis program activation. Melatonin reduced cell proliferation in ELT3 cells underlying the activation of melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors, which in turn down‐regulated the Akt‐ERK1/2‐NFκB signaling pathway. Melatonin reduced ELT3 tumor growth in both xenograft and orthotopic uterine tumor mice models. The extracellular matrix of the tumor was also reduced by melatonin treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that melatonin potentially plays a role in suppression of uterine leiomyoma growth.
Assessing the role of nocturnal core body temperature dysregulation as a biomarker of neurodegeneration
Authors: Raupach Arabella K. , Ehgoetz Martens Kaylena A. , Memarian Negar , Zhong George , Matar Elie , Halliday Glenda M. , Grunstein Ronald , Lewis Simon J.G. 
Published: November 2019

SummaryThe vast majority of patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder will develop a neurodegenerative α‐synuclein‐related condition, such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies. The pathology underlying dream enactment overlaps anatomically with the brainstem regions that regulate circadian core body temperature. Previously, nocturnal core body temperature regulation has been shown to be impaired in Parkinson’s disease. However, no study to date has investigated nocturnal core body temperature changes in patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, which may prove to be an early objective biomarker for α‐synucleinopathies. Ten healthy controls, 15 patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, 31 patients with Parkinson’s disease and six patients with dementia with Lewy bodies underwent clinical assessment and nocturnal polysomnography with core body temperature monitoring. A validated cosinor method was utilised for core body temperature analysis. No differences in mesor, nadir or time of nadir were observed between groups. However, when compared with healthy controls, the amplitude of the nocturnal core body temperature (mesor minus nadir) was significantly reduced in patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, Parkinson’s disease with concurrent rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder and dementia with Lewy bodies (p < 0.001, p = 0.043 and p = 0.017, respectively). Importantly, this relationship was not seen in those patients with Parkinson’s disease without rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between amplitude of the core body temperature and self‐reported rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder symptoms. Changes in thermoregulatory circadian rhythm may be specifically associated with the pathology underlying rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder rather than simply that of α‐synucleinopathy. These findings implicate thermoregulatory dysfunction as a potential early biomarker for development of rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder‐associated neurodegeneration, and suggest that subpopulations with differing pathological underpinnings might exist in Parkinson’s disease.
Illuminating movement? Nocturnal activity patterns in chacma baboons
Authors: Ayers A. M. , Allan A. T. L. , Howlett C. , Tordiffe A. S. W. , Williams K. S. , Williams S. T. , Hill R. A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractRecent analyses have shown that typically diurnal primates may periodically exhibit some levels of activity at night. Despite this, there have been few studies that have explored whether diurnal primates living in temperate environments will extend their activity budgets to the nocturnal phase as a response to seasonal constraints. Using dual‐axis accelerometers, we explored whether chacma baboons (Papio ursinus; N = 3) in the western Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa, responded to seasonally fluctuating levels of day length, lunar illumination, wind speed, precipitation and temperature by heightening or lowering nocturnal activity levels. Our results showed that chacma baboons engaged in low levels of activity at night throughout the year. Although baboons had heighted nocturnal activity as a response to shorter days, moonlit nights and lower temperatures, these responses were most likely due to disturbed sleeping patterns rather than more active movement. Nocturnal activity significantly dropped in a female baboon throughout the course of her pregnancy and remained low after giving birth suggesting that females with infants must increase resting. Our results compliment previous analyses which suggest that although diurnal primates may periodically be active at night, there is limited evidence for strategic use of the nocturnal phase even in highly seasonal environments.
Genetic evidence reveals male‐biased dispersal of the Omei tree frog
Authors: Wang W. , Li J. , Wang H. , Ran Y. , Wu H. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSex‐biased dispersal, which influences species’ social organization, genetic structure and evolution, is an important life‐history event. Although sex‐biased dispersal in mammals and birds has been thoroughly studied, little is known about it in amphibians. In this study, we used eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci and two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes to infer patterns of dispersal of the Omei tree frog (Rhacophorus omeimontis). We found that the comparison between two types of markers showed higher FST values in mtDNA compared to microsatellites. Consistently, comparison of pairwise and overall FST values between the sexes revealed higher differentiation in females than in males. Furthermore, the inbreeding coefficient (FIS) and population gene diversity (HS) were lower in females than in males, whereas relatedness (r) was higher in females than in males. Females exhibited relatively higher correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance than males. Additionally, the mean assignment index (mAIC) was lower in males, whereas the variance of assignment index (vAIC) was higher in males. These evidences reflect higher genetic differentiation in females than in males, indicating male‐biased dispersal in the Omei tree frog. Considering the life history reported in this species, we discussed potential mechanisms driving the male‐biased dispersal in the Omei tree frog.
Agencement and Agency: If Gilles and Félix had met Stanley
Authors: Daniels John 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe concept of the assemblage set out in Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari's A Thousand Plateaus is brought into dialogue with the notion of ethical agency found in the writings of Stanley Hauerwas. The discussion is structured around the process of the agent's narrative formation. Elements of complexity theory, in particular emergence, are adduced in order to explicate the points of difference between Deleuze and Guattari and Hauerwas, as are the contributions of those like Manuel DeLanda who have sought to further develop Deleuzean‐Guattarian ideas. The conclusion proposes disciple and Church as emergent forms structured by the Christ‐event conceived as an abstract machine.
Contemplating the One who Remains the Same: Augustine, Swinburne, and Psalm 102 on the Relation between Divine Immutability and Theological Reason
Authors: Michelson Jared 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis article defends a classical doctrine of divine immutability by contending that the most influential objections lodged against it by theologians and philosophers such as Richard Swinburne–i.e. that divine immutability is speculative rather than practical, is philosophical rather than biblical, and fails to cohere with a ‘personal’ God who relates to creatures–are rooted in a particular construal of theological reason. I diagnose Swinburne’s account of theological reason with the help of Karl Barth’s interpretation of Anselm, and put forth a contrasting account of divine immutability, rooted in a distinct approach to theological reason, through a theological interpretation of Psalm 102, an analysis of the Creator/creature distinction, and an examination of Augustine’s De trinitate.
No sense of place: Geoscientisation and the epistemic erasure of geography
Authors: Cupples Julie 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis article explores the question of geoscientisation and its consequences for the discipline of geography. By geoscientisation, I am referring to the ways in which geography, under conditions of top‐down managerial neoliberalisation, has been subject to a range of administrative (re)locations in colleges and faculties of science and engineering and to forced mergers with programmes and departments in the physical sciences, most notably geology, earth sciences and environmental sciences/studies. It argues for a greater understanding of the forms of epistemic erasure and other negative consequences that geoscientisation engenders, especially for critical human geographers who find themselves in such administrative arrangements.
Explanation in mathematics: Proofs and practice
Authors: D'Alessandro William 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMathematicians distinguish between proofs that explain their results and those that merely prove. This paper explores the nature of explanatory proofs, their role in mathematical practice, and some of the reasons why philosophers should care about them. Among the questions addressed are the following: What kinds of proofs are generally explanatory (or not)? What makes a proof explanatory? Do all mathematical explanations involve proof in an essential way? Are there really such things as explanatory proofs, and if so, how do they relate to the sorts of explanation encountered in philosophy of science and metaphysics?