bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of pedagogical GAME model on students' PISA scientific competencies
Authors: Tsai Chun‐Yen , Lin Huann‐shyang , Liu Shu‐Chiu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to explore the effect of a pedagogical model of digital games on students' scientific competencies that are advocated by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). As a single game‐based learning strategy may not be enough to enhance such competencies, the online game in the current study incorporated the design of the proposed pedagogical gamification, assessment, modeling, and enquiry (GAME) model. The participants were 69 sixth grade students at one primary school in Taiwan. A quasi‐experimental design was adopted. The experimental group students learned with the GAME model, whereas the comparison group students only learned with traditional learning way. The results showed that the learning gain in scientific competencies of the experimental group was better than those of the comparison group. This study revealed that the GAME model has potential to promote students' PISA scientific competencies. It is suggested that the integral GAME model may serve as one kind of strategies to enhance students' scientific competencies.
Atrial septum biopsy for direct substrate characterization in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sepehri Shamloo Alireza , Husser Daniela , Buettner Petra , Klingel Karin , Hindricks Gerhard , Bollmann Andreas 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to describe and illustrate the technique of performing interatrial septum biopsy and to demonstrate its use for direct histological substrate characterization in atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods and ResultsBiopsies were performed in four patients who underwent AF catheter ablation. Bipal 7 bioptome was directed through a steerable sheath directly onto the septum. Fluoroscopic views as well as echocardiography‐guided techniques were utilized to confirm that the tip was oriented towards the interatrial septum. The bioptome was then placed on the right atrial (RA) septum and maneuvered to obtain the specimens (at least 1 mm in size) from the posterior septal region of the RA, adjacent to the fossa ovalis. Bioptome placement and sample acquisition were successful in all patients at the first attempt. No patient developed any minor or major complications during the procedure and hospital stay. All the biopsy specimens had proper qualities for histological assessments and revealed a variety of pathologies including fibrosis, inflammation, and fatty infiltration.ConclusionAtrial septum biopsies could be safely performed guided by fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography. The obtained specimens allowed for a detailed localized substrate characterization which is of great interest in AF.
The last stage in the life history of the European conger eel Conger conger: a transformation before death
Authors: Battaglia Pietro , Smith David , Ammendolia Giovanni , Cavallaro Mauro , Maggio Teresa , Consoli Pierpaolo , Guerrera Maria C. , Andaloro Franco , Romeo Teresa 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe taxonomic, morphological and meristic features of a dark eel caught by commercial trawling off the Gulf of Patti, southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, February 17, 2017, showed it to be a female Conger conger. Histological analysis of gonads demonstrated that the individual was in a post‐spawning phase. X‐ray radiographs showed widespread decalcification of skeleton and teeth loss, confirming a strong mobilisation of somatic energy reserves needed for reproductive development.
A CRITICAL REVIEW ON EVOLUTION OF RISK FACTORS AND FACTOR MODELS
Authors: Maiti Moinak 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this work is to critically evaluate the evolution of risk factors and factor models. A systematic and structured literature review is carried out to observe and understand the past trends and extant patterns/themes in the present research area, evaluate contributions and summarize knowledge, thereby identifying limitations, implications and potential directions of further research. The main message from the study is that evolution of risk factors and factor models are continuous and endless development. Still today over 300 risk factors are identified by the researchers and many other yet to be discovered but out of them all only few are significantly responsible in explaining the stock markets risk return relationship. Study classifies risk factors into two groups: global and specific risk factors. Study answer the question ‘whether evolution of risk factors and factor models are endless development’. Finally, the present study gives an appropriate direction to the future studies to be taken in terms of risk factors and factor models. Due to continuous evolution and changing of nature of the risk factor it seems quite impossible to have a stable efficient factor models that can explain stock market risk return relationship globally in long run.
SICK PAY INSURANCE AND SICKNESS ABSENCE: SOME EUROPEAN CROSS‐COUNTRY OBSERVATIONS AND A REVIEW OF PREVIOUS RESEARCH
Authors: Palme Mårten , Persson Mats 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAll European countries have some form of compulsory insurance against the loss of income due to temporary disability. The insurance schemes vary widely between countries both in terms of measurable entities (such as the compensation level) as well as in unmeasurable traits concerning the actual implementation of the programs. In this paper we use European Labour Force Survey data to study how the measurable differences in the programs is associated with differences in absence rates. We also summarize the theoretical literature on insurance principles in this field. Based on the empirical literature we then discuss how different forms of incentives may affect the work absence rate.
Managing Legitimacy in Business‐Driven Social Change: The Role of Relational Work
Authors: Girschik Verena 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper examines how companies manage their legitimacy in driving social change, drawing attention to how companies proactively negotiate their involvement with nonmarket actors. Building on the legitimacy‐as‐process perspective, I argue that companies construct the legitimacy of their involvement by engaging in relational work, that is, by investing efforts in shaping their relations with others and thereby redefining roles and responsibilities. To explore the role of relational work in business‐driven social change, I present an inductive, interpretive study of a pharmaceutical company’s efforts to build a market for its products by improving diabetes care in Indonesia. Grounded in the empirical study, I develop a process model to explain how legitimacy is redefined from the bottom‐up, that is, how a company’s involvement is re‐negotiated in situ and crafted to attain the social approval of a wider audience. Advancing the micro‐foundations of nonmarket strategy, the model offers new insights into how companies can organize with nonmarket actors and how they can effectively publicize their involvement as socially responsible. I also discuss the model’s implications for a more critical research agenda on the political responsibilities of companies in social change.
Kinetics of phosphorus absorption and expressions of related transporters in primary cultured duodenal epithelial cells of chick embryos
Authors: Cao Sumei , Zhang Shumin , Liu Guoqing , Zhang Liyang , Lu Lin , Zhang Rijun , Liao Xiudong , Luo Xugang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to investigate the kinetics of phosphorus (P) absorption and expressions of type IIb sodium‐dependent phosphate cotransporter (NaP‐IIb), inorganic phosphate transporters 1 and 2 (PiT‐1 and PiT‐2) in primary cultured duodenal epithelial cells of chick embryos. In experiment 1, the P absorptions across duodenal epithelial cell monolayers at different incubation time points (0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 min) were compared. In experiment 2, the kinetics of P absorption was performed at 40 min after incubation of duodenal epithelial cells with the media containing 0, 0.75, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, 24.0 and 48.0 mmol P/L as KH2PO4, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of NaP‐IIb, PiT‐1 and PiT‐2 in duodenal epithelial cells with the media containing 0, 6.0 and 48.0 mmol P/L were determined at 87 min after incubation. The results from experiment 1 showed that the P absorption increased linearly (p < .0001) from 0 to 80 min and the fastest increase occurred at 40 min; the asymptotic model was shown to have the best fit degree, and the optimal incubation time for saturable P absorption was determined to be 87 min. The kinetic curves of P absorption from experiment 2 demonstrated that P absorption was a mixed process of a non‐saturable diffusion plus a saturable carrier‐mediated transport across the duodenal epithelial cells. The high P concentration (48.0 mmol/L) decreased (p < .05) NaP‐IIb and PiT‐1 mRNA and protein levels and increased (p < .0001) PiT‐2 mRNA level. These results indicated that the P absorption across primary cultured duodenal epithelial cell monolayers of chick embryos was a mixed process of a non‐saturable diffusion plus a saturable carrier‐mediated transport and could be restricted by reducing the NaP‐IIb and PiT‐1 expressions while increasing the PiT‐2 expression at a high P concentration.
Discriminant analysis of four cultured populations of the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii, using morphology and single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers
Authors: Huang Jing , Xu Meng , He Maoxian 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this study, genetic diversity and genetic structure were assessed in the four major cultured populations of P. fucata martensii from Shenzhen (SZ), Hainan (HN), Zhanjiang (ZJ), and hybrid (HY), based on morphological multivariate analysis and 25 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The morphological characteristics of HN and HY populations were similar, and the average discriminant accuracy was 75.6%. All SNP loci comprised two alleles, and the average observed (H
o) and expected (H
e) heterozygosity of HY, SZ, HN, and ZJ populations were 0.2236–0.2734 and 0.2374–0.2870, respectively. The average polymorphism information content values of HY, SZ, HN, and ZJ populations were 0.1923–0.2272. Gene flow between HY and HN populations was frequent, with an N
m value of 6.0928, while that between SZ and the other three populations was less frequent. The combined cluster, genetic distance, and gene flow analyses indicate that the genetic background of HY and HN populations is similar, and they can be regarded as a single population. The ZJ population might originate from the HY population, while the SZ population should be independent. These results could assist the management of germplasm resources and selective breeding of pearl oysters.
Assessing the performance of Spanish secondary education institutions: Distinguishing between transient and persistent inefficiency, separated from heterogeneity
Authors: Salas‐Velasco Manuel 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper evaluated the performance of Spanish secondary schools whose 15‐year‐old students were assessed in mathematical competencies by the OECD (PISA program) in 2003 and 2012. The technique employed was the stochastic frontier analysis for panel data using a sample of schools which participated simultaneously in both waves. First, the parametric measurement of time‐varying technical inefficiency was done in this paper using three standard models. Second, we used the four random component stochastic frontier model proposed by Kumbhakar, Lien, and Hardaker [2014. Journal of Productivity Analysis, 41(2), 321–337] that distinguishes between residual or transient technical inefficiency and persistent technical inefficiency, separated from heterogeneity. Persistent (time invariant) inefficiency was a larger problem than residual (time varying) inefficiency when evaluating the educational performance of Spanish secondary schools over time. Finally, we introduced the recent model recommended by Badunenko and Kumbhakar [2017. European Journal of Operational Research, 260(2), 789–803] to accommodate heteroscedasticity associated with both heterogeneity and the noise terms, incorporating at the same time determinants of both persistent and time‐varying inefficiency. School inefficiency was presumably not caused by something unexpected within each year such as greater difficulty in hiring teachers, but rather by persistent factors such as classroom management—schools with better disciplinary climate tend to be less inefficient in educational production. In addition, we identified the motivation of the students of each school (interest in and enjoyment of mathematics) as the effect of heterogeneity on learning outcomes.
Ray fractions and carbohydrate dynamics of tree species along a 2750 m elevation gradient indicate climate response, not spatial storage limitation
Authors: Godfrey Jessie M. , Riggio Jason , Orozco Jessica , Guzmán‐Delgado Paula , Chin Alana R. O. , Zwieniecki Maciej A. 
Published: December 2019

Summary

Parenchyma cells in the xylem store nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC), providing reserves of energy that fuel woody perennials through periods of stress and/or limitations to photosynthesis. If the capacity for storage is subject to selection, then the fraction of wood occupied by living parenchyma should increase towards stressful environments.

Ray parenchyma fraction (RPF) and seasonal NSC dynamics were quantified for 12 conifers and three oaks along a transect spanning warm dry foothills (500 m above sea level) to cold wet treeline (3250 m asl) in California's central Sierra Nevada.

Mean RPF was higher for both conifer and oak species with warmer dryer ranges. [Correction added after first publication 30 January 2020: In the preceding sentence ‘Mean
RPF was lower’ was changed to ‘Mean RPF was higher’.] RPF variability increased with elevation or in relation to associated climatic variables in conifers – treeline‐dominant Pinus albicaulis had the lowest mean RPF measured (c. 3.7%), but the highest environmentally standardized variability index. Conifer RPF variability was explained by environment, increasing predominantly towards cooler wetter range edges. In oaks, NSC was explained by environment – values increasing for evergreen and decreasing for deciduous oaks with elevation. Lastly, all species surveyed appear to prioritize filling available RPF with sugar to achieve molarities that balance reasonable tensions over starch to maximize stored carbon.

RPF responds to environment but is unlikely to spatially constrain NSC storage.
Isolating the entire pulmonary venous component versus isolating the pulmonary veins for persistent atrial fibrillation: A propensity‐matched analysis
Authors: Elbatran Ahmed I , Gallagher Mark M , Li Anthony , Sohal Manav , Bajpai Abhay , Samir Rania , Tawfik Mazen , Nabil Ahmed , Abou‐Elmaaty Nabih Mervat , Saba Magdi M 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe outcomes of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are suboptimal. The entire pulmonary venous component (PV‐Comp), consisting of the pulmonary veins, their antra, and the area between the antra, provides triggers and substrate for AF. PV‐Comp isolation is an alternative strategy for persistent AF ablation.MethodsAmong 328 patients with persistent AF who underwent a first radiofrequency ablation procedure, 200 patients (PVI, n = 100; PV‐Comp isolation, n = 100) were selected by propensity score matching. Both groups were followed up for 1 year.ResultsAt 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up, atrial tachyarrhythmia (AF/atrial tachycardia) recurred in 41 and 61 patients in PVI group and 22 (P = .006) and 33 patients (P < .001) in PV‐Comp isolation group, respectively. PV‐Comp isolation was associated with longer mean time to recurrence (PVI: 8 months, PV‐Comp isolation: 10 months, log‐rank P < .001) and a lower probability of recurrence (odds ratio [OR] = 0.32; 95% confidence of interval [CI] = 0.18‐0.56, P < .001), with no increase in procedural complications (PVI: 5 of 100, PV‐Comp isolation: 6 of 100, P = .76). Procedure duration was longer in PV‐Comp isolation group (PVI: 186 ± 42 min, PV‐Comp isolation: 238 ± 44 min, P < .001), as well as fluoroscopy time (PVI: 22 ± 16 min, PV‐Comp isolation: 31 ± 21 min, P = .001).ConclusionPV‐Comp isolation for persistent AF reduced atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence up to 1 year compared with PVI alone. While procedure and fluoroscopy time increased, there was no difference in procedural complications.
Asymptotics of orthogonal polynomials with asymptotic Freud‐like weights
Authors: Long Wen‐Gao , Dai Dan , Li Yu‐Tian , Wang Xiang‐Sheng 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe derive uniform asymptotic expansions for polynomials orthogonal with respect to a class of weight functions that are real analytic and behave asymptotically like the Freud weight at infinity. Although the limiting zero distributions are the same as in the Freud cases, the asymptotic expansions are different due to the fact that the weight functions may have a finite or infinite number of zeros on the imaginary axis. To resolve the singularities caused by these zeros, an auxiliary function is introduced in the Riemann–Hilbert analysis. Asymptotic formulas are established in several regions covering the whole complex plane. We take the continuous dual Hahn polynomials as an example to illustrate our main results. Some numerical verifications are also given.
A name‐led approach to profile urban places based on geotagged Twitter data
Authors: Lai Juntao , Lansley Guy , Haworth James , Cheng Tao 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPlace is a concept that is fundamental to how we orientate and communicate space in our everyday lives. Crowdsourced social media data present a valuable opportunity to develop bottom‐up inferences of places that are integral to social activities and settings. Conventional location‐led approaches use a predefined spatial unit to associate data and space with places, which cannot capture the richness of urban places (i.e., spatial extents and their dynamic functions). This article develops a name‐led framework to overcome these limitations in using social media data to study urban places. The framework first derives place names from georeferenced Twitter data combining text mining and spatial point pattern analysis, then estimates the spatial extents by spatial clustering, and further extracts their dynamic functions with time, which makes up a complete place profile. The framework is tested on a case study in Camden Borough, London and the results are evaluated through comparisons to the Foursquare point of interest data. This name‐led approach enables the shift from space‐based analysis to place‐based analysis of urban space.
Severe acute Q fever pneumonia complicated by presumed persistent localized Q fever endocarditis in a renal transplant recipient: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Budgin Angela M. , Abidi Maheen Z. , Bajrovic Valida , Miller Matthew A. , Johnson Steven C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractQ fever in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is rarely described in the medical literature. We present a case of severe acute Q fever pneumonia that evolved into persistent localized Q fever endocarditis in a renal transplant recipient.
Spatial distribution and characteristics of HIV clusters in Ethiopia
Authors: Ying Roger , Fekadu Lelisa , Schackman Bruce R. , Verguet Stéphane 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesEthiopia’s HIV prevalence has decreased by 75% in the past 20 years with the implementation of antiretroviral therapy, but HIV transmission continues in high‐risk clusters. Identifying the spatial and temporal trends, and epidemiologic correlates, of these clusters can lead to targeted interventions.MethodsWe used biomarker and survey data from the 2005, 2011 and 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The spatial‐temporal distribution of HIV was estimated using the Kulldorff spatial scan statistic, a likelihood‐based method for determining clustering. Significant clusters (P < 0.05) were identified and compared based on HIV risk factors to non‐cluster areas.ResultsIn 2005, 2011 and 2016, respectively, 219, 568 and 408 individuals tested positive for HIV. Four HIV clusters were identified, representing 17% of the total population and 43% of all HIV cases. The clusters were centred around Addis Ababa (1), Afar (2), Dire Dawa (3) and Gambella (4). Cluster 1 had higher rates of unsafe injections (4.9%vs.2.2%,P < 0.001) and transactional sex (6.0%vs.1.6%,P < 0.001) than non‐cluster regions, but more male circumcision (98.5%vs.91.3%,P < 0.001). Cluster 2 had higher levels of transactional sex (4.9%vs.1.6%,P < 0.01), but lower levels of unsafe injections (0.8%vs.2.2%,P < 0.01). Cluster 3 had fewer individuals with> 1 sexual partner (0%vs.1.7%,P < 0.001) and more male circumcision (100%vs.91.3%,P < 0.001). Cluster 4 had less male circumcision (59.1%vs.91.3%,P < 0.01).ConclusionsIn Ethiopia, geographic HIV clusters are driven by different risk factors. Decreasing the HIV burden requires targeted interventions.
Ivermectin for causal malaria prophylaxis: a randomised controlled human infection trial
Authors: Metzger Wolfram G. , Theurer Antje , Pfleiderer Anne , Molnar Zsofia , Maihöfer‐Braatting Ditte , Bissinger Alfred L. , Sulyok Zita , Köhler Carsten , Egger‐Adam Diane , Lalremruata Albert , Esen Meral , Lee Sim Kim , Hoffman Stephen , Rabinovich Regina , Chaccour Carlos , Alonso Pedro , Mordmüller Benjamin G. , Kremsner Peter G. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveIvermectin is safe and widely used for treating helminth infections. It also kills arthropods feeding on treated subjects, including malaria vectors. Thus, ivermectin mass drug administration as an additional tool for malaria control is being evaluated by WHO. As in vitro data, animal experiments and epidemiological observations suggest that ivermectin has a direct effect on the liver stages of the malaria parasite, this study was designed to assess the prophylactic effect of ivermectin on Plasmodium falciparum controlled human malaria infection.MethodsA total of 4 volunteers were randomised to placebo, and 8 volunteers were randomised to receive ivermectin 0.4 mg/kg, orally, once 2 h before being experimentally infected intravenously with 3200 P. falciparum sporozoites. The primary endpoint was time to parasitaemia detected by positive thick blood smear; RT‐qPCR was performed in parallel.ResultsAll but one volunteer became thick blood smear positive between day 11 and day 12 after infection, and there was no significant effect of ivermectin on parasitaemia.ConclusionIvermectin – at the dose used – has no clinically relevant activity against the pre‐erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum.