bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Researchers’ perceptions of research misbehaviours: a mixed methods study among academic researchers in Amsterdam
Authors: Haven Tamarinde L. , Tijdink Joeri K. , Pasman H. Roeline , Widdershoven Guy , ter Riet Gerben , Bouter Lex M. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
There is increasing evidence that research misbehaviour is common, especially the minor forms. Previous studies on research misbehaviour primarily focused on biomedical and social sciences, and evidence from natural sciences and humanities is scarce. We investigated what academic researchers in Amsterdam perceived to be detrimental research misbehaviours in their respective disciplinary fields.

Methods
We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. First, survey participants from four disciplinary fields rated perceived frequency and impact of research misbehaviours from a list of 60. We then combined these into a top five ranking of most detrimental research misbehaviours at the aggregate level, stratified by disciplinary field. Second, in focus group interviews, participants from each academic rank and disciplinary field were asked to reflect on the most relevant research misbehaviours for their disciplinary field. We used participative ranking methodology inducing participants to obtain consensus on which research misbehaviours are most detrimental.

Results
In total, 1080 researchers completed the survey (response rate: 15%) and 61 participated in the focus groups (3 three to 8 eight researchers per group). Insufficient supervision consistently ranked highest in the survey regardless of disciplinary field and the focus groups confirmed this. Important themes in the focus groups were insufficient supervision, sloppy science, and sloppy peer review. Biomedical researchers and social science researchers were primarily concerned with sloppy science and insufficient supervision. Natural sciences and humanities researchers discussed sloppy reviewing and theft of ideas by reviewers, a form of plagiarism. Focus group participants further provided examples of particular research misbehaviours they were confronted with and how these impacted their work as a researcher.

Conclusion
We found insufficient supervision and various forms of sloppy science to score highly on aggregate detrimental impact throughout all disciplinary fields. Researchers from the natural sciences and humanities also perceived nepotism to be of major impact on the aggregate level. The natural sciences regarded fabrication of data of major impact as well. The focus group interviews helped to understand how researchers interpreted ‘insufficient supervision’. Besides, the focus group participants added insight into sloppy science in practice. Researchers from the natural sciences and humanities added new research misbehaviours concerning their disciplinary fields to the list, such as the stealing of ideas before publication. This improves our understanding of research misbehaviour beyond the social and biomedical fields.
Evaluation of inflammatory markers and mean platelet volume as short-term outcome indicators in young adults with ischemic stroke
Authors: Dahshan Ahmed , Ebraheim Asmaa M. , Rashed Laila A. , Farrag Mohammed A. , El Ghoneimy Ahmed T. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Studying outcome predictors in patients with onset of cerebral infarction in early adult life may enhance our knowledge of disease pathophysiology and prognosis.

Aim
The aim is to identify independent predictors of short-term outcome of first-ever ischemic stroke in young adults with special emphasis on inflammatory and thrombogenic markers.

Methods
We enrolled 33 patients aged 19–44 years with first-ever ischemic stroke admitted to Kasr Alainy Stroke Unit and 33 matched controls. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory (adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein, prolactin, and mean platelet volume) evaluations were carried out. Functional outcome at 7 days after stroke onset was assessed using the modified Rankin scale, and independent predictors were identified.

Results
The most frequently identified risk factor was cardiac abnormality. Patients exhibited significantly higher levels of baseline inflammatory and thrombogenic markers compared with controls. These markers were significantly correlated with the stroke severity. Logistic regression model showed that high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (odds ratios [OR] = 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04–0.24; P = 0.01) and large infarction size (OR = 0.11; 95% CI, 0.09–0.17; P = 0.04) but not the laboratory markers were independent predictors of unfavorable outcome.

Conclusion
Our data suggested that higher NIHSS scores and large infarction size served as independent predictors of short-term unfavorable outcome, while inflammatory and thrombogenic markers did not.
Impacts of some biostimulants on guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) plants
Authors: El-Lethy Safaa R. , Talaat Iman M. , Tarraf Shahira A. , El Moursi Abdalla 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Guar is an economic crop due to guar gum which is extracted from seeds and is used in several industries such as food, ink, plastics, pharmaceutical industry, and cosmetics. It can also be used as a cover crop, animal feed, and green manure. l-Tryptophan (l-β-3-indolylalanine) is a precursor of auxin which regulates plant growth and development. Nicotinamide is known as the amide form of vitamin B3. It is a constituent of the pyridine nucleotide coenzymes involved in many enzymatic oxidation-reduction reactions in cells. L-Tryptophan and nicotinamide are used in this study in order to improve guar growth, yield, and chemical constituents of seeds.

Results
The highest records of plant height and fresh and dry weights of leaves were recorded for plants treated with 300 mg/l nicotinamide followed by foliar treatment with 300 mg/l tryptophan. Fresh and dry weights of stems, number of pods/plant, fresh and dry weights of pods, pods yield, seeds yield, and straw yield followed the same trend. Total protein in guar seeds was significantly increased due to foliar treatment with tryptophan, especially in plants treated with 300 mg/l tryptophan, followed by plants treated with 300 mg/l nicotinamide. Total carbohydrates (mg/g dry wt.), total soluble sugars (mg/g dry wt.), total insoluble sugars (mg/g dry wt.), proline (μmol/g dry wt.), and total phenolic compounds (mg/g dry wt.) in the leaves followed the same trend.

Conclusion
It could be concluded that guar growth and yield are maximized with foliar treatment with nicotinamide (300 mg/l). Also, chemical constituents of seeds improved with nicotinamide and tryptophan treatments (each at 300 mg/l).
Development of an international survey attitude scale: measurement equivalence, reliability, and predictive validity
Authors: de Leeuw Edith , Hox Joop , Silber Henning , Struminskaya Bella , Vis Corrie 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDeclining response rates worldwide have stimulated interest in understanding what may be influencing this decline and how it varies across countries and survey populations. In this paper, we describe the development and validation of a short 9-item survey attitude scale that measures three important constructs, thought by many scholars to be related to decisions to participate in surveys, that is, survey enjoyment, survey value, and survey burden. The survey attitude scale is based on a literature review of earlier work by multiple authors. Our overarching goal with this study is to develop and validate a concise and effective measure of how individuals feel about responding to surveys that can be implemented in surveys and panels to understand the willingness to participate in surveys and improve survey effectiveness. The research questions relate to factor structure, measurement equivalence, reliability, and predictive validity of the survey attitude scale.The data came from three probability-based panels: the German GESIS and PPSM panels and the Dutch LISS panel. The survey attitude scale proved to have a replicable three-dimensional factor structure (survey enjoyment, survey value, and survey burden). Partial scalar measurement equivalence was established across three panels that employed two languages (German and Dutch) and three measurement modes (web, telephone, and paper mail). For all three dimensions of the survey attitude scale, the reliability of the corresponding subscales (enjoyment, value, and burden) was satisfactory. Furthermore, the scales correlated with survey response in the expected directions, indicating predictive validity.
Inpatient TIA and stroke care in adult patients in Germany - retrospective analysis of nationwide administrative data sets of 2011 to 2017
Authors: Eyding Jens , Bartig Dirk , Weber Ralph , Katsanos Aristeidis H. , Weimar Christian , Hacke Werner , Krogias Christos 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Comprehensive administrative data on TIA and stroke cases and treatment modalities are fundamental for improving structural conditions and adjusting future strategies of stroke care.

Methods
The nationwide administrative database (German federal statistical office) was used to extract all adult inpatient TIA and stroke cases and corresponding procedural codes for the period 2011–2017. Numbers were specified according to age, sex, stroke unit (SU) and critical care treatment (ICU), early transfer, and in-hospital mortality.

Findings
Inpatient adult TIA/stroke cases increased from annually 102,406 / 250,199 (2011) to 106,245 / 264,208 (2017). 84% of strokes were ischemic (AIS) also having the highest relative increase most likely due to more accurate coding within the time period, 68.2% of AIS were treated on SUs. 78% of hemorrhagic strokes were intracerebral hematomas (ICH; rather than subarachnoid hemorrhages [SAH]). Hemorrhagic strokes were increasingly treated on SUs (32.6% [2011], 37.8% [2017]). 68.8% of SAH were treated on ICUs (ICH:36.3%, AIS:10.3%). Early transfer in AIS increased (2.0 to 3.1%). Hemorrhagic strokes were associated with higher in-hospital mortality (SAH:19.6%, ICH:28.2%, AIS:7.3%).

Interpretation
The absolute increase of strokes presumably reflects the aging society and more awareness for cerebrovascular disease. The relative increase of AIS may be attributable to an increased neurological expertise. The increasing amount of early transfers in AIS reflects new specialized treatment options. Our findings reflect the need for structural adjustments in inpatient stroke care.
Defense and counter-defense in rice–virus interactions
Authors: Qin Jiaqi , Wang Ci , Wang Leqi , Zhao Shanshan , Wu Jianguo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRice viruses, known as “rice killer”, are vector-borne pathogens that cause severe disease and significant yield loss in rice production around the world. Rice virus disease is characterized by uncontrolled virus replication and the activation of host responses that contribute to pathogenesis. Underlying these phenomena is the potent suppression of rice antiviral responses, particularly the RNA silencing pathway and plant hormone pathways, which play vital roles in antiviral immunity. Classical rice virus disease control strategies include chemotherapeutics and use of disease resistance rice varieties. Here, we summarize recent advances in understanding the mechanisms behind the immune evasion and rice viral pathogenesis. Based on these mechanistic insights, we discuss how to combine different strategies for maintaining the effectiveness of rice resistance to viruses, and propose theoretical basis for the next generation of virus-resistant rice plants.
Understanding interactions in face-to-face and remote undergraduate science laboratories: a literature review
Authors: Wei Jianye , Treagust David F. , Mocerino Mauro , Lucey Anthony D. , Zadnik Marjan G. , Lindsay Euan D. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper reviews the ways in which interactions have been studied, and the findings of such studies, in science education in both face-to-face and remote laboratories. Guided by a systematic selection process, 27 directly relevant articles were analysed based on three categories: the instruments used for measuring interactions, the research findings on student interactions, and the theoretical frameworks used in the studies of student interactions. In face-to-face laboratories, instruments for measuring interactions and the characterisation of the nature of interactions were prominent. For remote laboratories, the analysis of direct interactions was found to be lacking. Instead, studies of remote laboratories were mainly concerned with their practical scope. In addition, it is found that only a limited number of theoretical frameworks have been developed and applied in the research design. Existent theories are summarised and possible theoretical frameworks that may be implemented in studies of interactions in undergraduate laboratories are proposed. Finally, future directions for research on the inter-relationship between student interactions and laboratory learning are suggested.
Biology education research: building integrative frameworks for teaching and learning about living systems
Authors: Nehm Ross H. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis critical review examines the challenges and opportunities facing the field of Biology Education Research (BER). Ongoing disciplinary fragmentation is identified as a force working in opposition to the development of unifying conceptual frameworks for living systems and for understanding student thinking about living systems. A review of Concept Inventory (CI) research is used to illustrate how the absence of conceptual frameworks can complicate attempts to uncover student thinking about living systems and efforts to guide biology instruction. The review identifies possible starting points for the development of integrative cognitive and disciplinary frameworks for BER. First, relevant insights from developmental and cognitive psychology are reviewed and their connections are drawn to biology education. Second, prior theoretical work by biologists is highlighted as a starting point for re-integrating biology using discipline-focused frameworks. Specifically, three interdependent disciplinary themes are proposed as central to making sense of disciplinary core ideas: unity and diversity; randomness, probability, and contingency; and scale, hierarchy, and emergence. Overall, the review emphasizes that cognitive and conceptual grounding will help to foster much needed epistemic stability and guide the development of integrative empirical research agendas for BER.
MRI evaluation of hepatic and cardiac iron burden in pediatric thalassemia major patients: spectrum of findings by T2*
Authors: Shehata Samar M. , Amin Mohamed I. , Zidan El Sayed H. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Iron deposition distorts the local magnetic field exerting T2* signal decay. Biopsy, serum ferritin, echocardiography are not reliable to adjust iron chelation therapy. Quantified MRI signal decay can replace biopsy to diagnose iron burden, guide treatment, and follow up. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of T2* in quantification of the liver and heart iron burden in thalassemia major patients. This cross-sectional study included 44 thalassemia patients who were referred to MRI unit, underwent T2* MRI.

Results
Twenty-one male (47.7%) and 23 female (52.3%) were included (age range 6–15 years, mean age 10.9 ± 2.9 years). Patients with excess hepatic iron show the following: 11/40 (27.5%) mild, (13/40) 32.5% moderate, and (14/40) 35% severe liver iron overload. High statistical significance regarding association between LIC and liver T2* (p = 0.000) encountered. Cardiac T2* values showed no relationship with age (p = 0.6).

Conclusion
T2* is a good method to quantify, monitor hepatic and myocardial iron burden, guiding chelation therapy and prevent iron-induced cardiac complications.
Can diffusion tensor imaging predict cerebral palsy in term neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy?
Authors: ElBeheiry Ahmed A. , Elgamal Mohamed A. , Ettaby Ashraf N. , Omar Tarek E. , Badeib Adham O. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundHypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a principal cause of pediatric mortality and morbidity, with possible neurologic sequel, such as cerebral palsy. Thus, it is of outmost importance to assess, shortly after birth, the prognosis of neonates with HIE. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in early prediction of cerebral palsy in term neonates with HIE. The study was carried out initially on 35 full-term neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with manifestations of HIE. Imaging was done at the age of 10.32 ± 1.78 days including conventional MRI and DTI (for detection of white matter injury). Thirty-three infants out of the initially examined 35 were finally evaluated at the age of 1 year with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd edition for development of cerebral palsy. Another MRI brain study was done at 1 year of age to evaluate the final brain imaging features and assess white matter integrity.ResultsSeventeen infants (17/33) were clinically normal while 16 (16/33) acquired cerebral palsy (CP) by the end of the first year. Initial conventional MRI showed false-negative results in 7 patients. Diffusion tensor imaging showed significantly different reduction in fractional anisotropy within the examined brain regions of interest (ROIs) between CP and normal outcome infants mostly at the posterior limb of the internal capsule, centrum semiovale, and corpus callosum with significant cutoff values of ≤ 0.435, ≤ 0.235, and ≤ 0.45, respectively.ConclusionsDiffusion tensor imaging is a valuable tool for early prediction of CP in HIE neonates.
Pembrolizumab As Second-Line Therapy in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in KEYNOTE-240: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Trial
Authors: Finn Richard S. , Ryoo Baek-Yeol , Merle Philippe , Kudo Masatoshi , Bouattour Mohamed , Lim Ho Yeong , Breder Valeriy , Edeline Julien , Chao Yee , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Yau Thomas , Garrido Marcelo , Chan Stephen L. , Knox Jennifer , Daniele Bruno , Ebbinghaus Scot W. , Chen Erluo , Siegel Abby B. , Zhu Andrew X. , Cheng Ann-Lii ,   on behalf of the KEYNOTE-240 investigators
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE Pembrolizumab demonstrated antitumor activity and safety in the phase II KEYNOTE-224 trial in previously treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). KEYNOTE-240 evaluated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS This randomized, double-blind, phase III study was conducted at 119 medical centers in 27 countries. Eligible patients with advanced HCC, previously treated with sorafenib, were randomly assigned at a two-to-one ratio to receive pembrolizumab plus best supportive care (BSC) or placebo plus BSC. Primary end points were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS; one-sided significance thresholds, P = .0174 [final analysis] and P = .002 [first interim analysis], respectively). Safety was assessed in all patients who received ≥ 1 dose of study drug. RESULTS Between May 31, 2016, and November 23, 2017, 413 patients were randomly assigned. As of January 2, 2019, median follow-up was 13.8 months for pembrolizumab and 10.6 months for placebo. Median OS was 13.9 months (95% CI, 11.6 to 16.0 months) for pembrolizumab versus 10.6 months (95% CI, 8.3 to 13.5 months) for placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.781; 95% CI, 0.611 to 0.998; P = .0238). Median PFS for pembrolizumab was 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.8 to 4.1 months) versus 2.8 months (95% CI, 2.5 to 4.1 months) for placebo at the first interim analysis (HR, 0.775; 95% CI, 0.609 to 0.987; P = .0186) and 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.8 to 4.1 months) versus 2.8 months (95% CI, 1.6 to 3.0 months) at final analysis (HR, 0.718; 95% CI, 0.570 to 0.904; P = .0022). Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 147 (52.7%) and 62 patients (46.3%) for pembrolizumab versus placebo; those that were treatment related occurred in 52 (18.6%) and 10 patients (7.5%), respectively. No hepatitis C or B flares were identified. CONCLUSION In this study, OS and PFS did not reach statistical significance per specified criteria. The results are consistent with those of KEYNOTE-224, supporting a favorable risk-to-benefit ratio for pembrolizumab in this population.
Distribution of benzalkonium chloride into the aqueous phases of submicron dispersed systems: emulsions, aqueous lecithin dispersion and nanospheres
Authors: Watrobska–Swietlikowska Dorota 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPartitioning of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) into the aqueous phases of submicron dispersed systems such as submicron emulsions, aqueous lecithin dispersion (WLD), and suspension of nanospheres (NLC) was studied. The aqueous phases of the investigated systems were obtained by ultracentrifugation and subsequently were subjected to ultrafiltration, which procedure allowed distinguishing between the fractions of free benzalkonium chloride (w) and those incorporated in the liposomal and micellar region (wlm). The fractions present in the oily phase and in the interphase of submicron emulsions were calculated. Despite the various composition of the investigated formulations and the initial concentration of BAC, w values were very small at 0.2–8.0%. The wlm value in submicron emulsions was increased by increasing the total concentration of preservative from 29.0 to 42.0%. Using polysorbate 80 instead of lecithin resulted in a distribution of BAC to aqueous–liposomal–micellar phase that was twice as high. The very low concentration of antimicrobial active form of benzalkonium chloride was analyzed in the aqueous phase of emulsions stabilized with lecithin as well as in aqueous lecithin dispersion and nanospheres (below 3%). Replacement of lecithin with polysorbate 80 in emulsions with polysorbate significantly increase (up to 8%) the fraction of benzalkonium chloride in the aqueous phase where microbial growth occurs.
Dhow Itineraries
Authors: Mahajan Nidhi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEver since 9/11, dhows, or Indian Ocean sailing vessels, have been viewed as inherently threatening to national and international security, as government authorities suspect that they are used to smuggle weapons and militants. Most recently, dhows that transport charcoal from Somalia to the United Arab Emirates have been implicated in funding al-Shabaab, a militant group. Rather than taking a presentist view, this article argues that these security concerns have emerged from a deep-rooted anxiety over mobility in the Indian Ocean, as dhow networks challenge state sovereignty. Dhows, once habituated to a world of layered sovereignty, have now been forced to contend with the boundaries of centralized sovereign states. Moreover, government and international law and policy such as economic liberalization in India have made the dhow trade more precarious, and pushed it into a shadow economy that ultimately converges with financing for al-Shabaab, even as this economy sustains seafaring populations in the midst of economic precarity. Tracing dhow itineraries in tandem with shifting regulations across South Asia and East Africa, the article charts an alternate course of Indian Ocean history, one in which dhow networks navigate multiple regulatory regimes and global shifts by operating in a shadow economy at the margins of states.