bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A non-destructive method to quantify leaf starch content in red clover
Authors: Frey Lea Antonia , Baumann Philipp , Aasen Helge , Studer Bruno , Kölliker Roland 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Grassland-based ruminant livestock production provides a sustainable alternative to intensive production systems relying on concentrated feeds. However, grassland-based roughage often lacks the energy content required to meet the productivity potential of modern livestock breeds. Forage legumes, such as red clover, with increased starch content could partly replace maize and cereal supplements. However, breeding for increased starch content requires efficient phenotyping methods. This study is unique in evaluating a non-destructive hyperspectral imaging approach to estimate leaf starch content in red clover for enabling efficient development of high starch red clover genotypes.Results We assessed prediction performance of partial least square regression models (PLSR) and validated model performance with an independent test set. Starch content of the training set ranged from 0.1 to 120.3 mg g -1 DW. The best cross-validated PLSR model explained 56% of the measured variation and yielded a root mean square error (RMSE) of 17 mg g -1 DW. Model performance decreased when applied to the independent test set (RMSE = 29 mg g -1 DW, R 2 = 0.36). Different filtering methods did not increase model performance.Conclusion The non-destructive spectral method presented here, provides a tool to detect large differences in leaf starch content of red clover. Breeding material can be sampled and selected according to their starch content without destroying the plant.
Ecological trait differences are associated with gene expression in the primary visual cortex of primates
Authors: Zintel Trisha Marie , Ely John J. , Raghanti Mary Ann , Hopkins William D. , Hof Patrick R. , Sherwood Chet C. , Kamilar Jason M. , Bauernfeind Amy L. , Babbitt Courtney C. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background : Primate species differ drastically from most other mammals in how they visually perceive their environments, which is important for foraging, predator avoidance, and detection of social cues. Although it is well established that primates display diversity in color vision and various ecological specializations, it is not understood how visual system characteristics and ecological adaptations may be associated with gene expression levels within the primary visual cortex (V1). Results : We performed RNA-Seq on V1 tissue samples from 28 individuals, representing 13 species of anthropoid primates, including hominoids, cercopithecoids, and platyrrhines. We explored trait-dependent differential expression (DE) by contrasting species with different visual system phenotypes and ecological traits. Between 4-25% of genes were determined to be differentially expressed in primates that varied in type of color vision (trichromatic or polymorphic di/trichromatic), habitat use (arboreal or terrestrial), group size (large or small), and primary diet (frugivorous, folivorous, or omnivorous). DE analyses revealed that humans and chimpanzees showed the most marked differences between any two species, despite the fact that they are only separated by 6-8 million years of independent evolution. Pathway enrichment analyses of DE genes demonstrated that changes in cellular metabolic pathways (e.g. glycolysis) contribute to altered gene expression in primate V1 more than neuron-specific processes (e.g. synaptic signaling). The exception to this trend is between human and chimpanzee, which exhibited DE for a number of processes related to cholinergic and GABAergic synaptic signaling. Conclusions : Our data significantly expand the number of primate species for which V1 expression data exists. These results show a combination of species-specific and trait-dependent differences in the evolution of gene expression in primate V1. We also show that human-specific changes in brain gene expression extend to the primary visual cortex in a manner similar to that reported of other brain regions.
Symptomatic treatment (using NSAIDS) versus antibiotics in uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lopez Albert Macaire Chua Ong , Tan Charles Jeffrey L. , II Antonio S. Yabon , Masbang Armin N. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Current guidelines recommend empiric antibiotics as first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTI. Despite proven benefits in treatment, antibiotic resistance rates still rise. Objectives: This meta-analysis aims to determine whether NSAIDs can serve as an effective and safe option in the treatment of uncomplicated lower UTI among non-pregnant women compared to antibiotics. Data Sources: PUBMED,MEDLINE,EMBASE,CENTRAL,ACP databases and other grey literature sources from inception to June 2019 were sought in the relevant search. Study Eligibility Criteria, Participants and Intervention: Randomized controlled trials that compare the use of NSAIDs versus antibiotics in non-pregnant women ≥ 18 years old with uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Methods: Primary outcomes were symptom resolution of UTI at Day 3 or 4 of intervention,and upper UTI complications. Secondary outcomes include persistence of positive urine culture despite treatment and need for another rescue antibiotic. Random and fixed-effects model for dichotomous data using Mantel-Haenszel and Peto odds method were reported at 95% CI followed by sensitivity analysis with substantial heterogeneity. Results: The probability of having a symptom resolution by Day 3 or 4 with NSAID use is only less than three-fourths of that with antibiotic treatment(RR: 0.69; 95% CIs [0.55, 0.86], I 2 =73).The odds of developing upper UTI complications with use of NSAIDs are 6.49 to 1 for antibiotics (Peto OR: 6.49, 95% CIs [3.02, 13.92], I 2 =0%).Secondary analysis showed that the NSAID group is 2.77x more likely to have persistence of a positive microbiologic urine culture than the antibiotic group (RR: 2.77; 95% CIs [1.95, 3.94], I 2 =36%).Treatment with NSAIDs are three times more likely to use a secondary or rescue antibiotic due to persistent or worsening symptoms as compared to antibiotics (RR: 3.10; 95% Cis [2.17, 4.43], I 2 =53%). Conclusion: This meta-analysis could not prove non-inferiority of NSAIDs over antibiotics. However,the authors would still recommend maintaining the use of empiric antibiotic therapy as the primary treatment for UTI because of limited NSAID benefits with complication risks.
Parental smoking status affects substance use by adolescents: A national cross-sectional study conducted in Korea
Authors: Lee Jinhee , Kwan Yunna , Min Seongho , Kim Min-Hyuk , Chun Ka Hye , Choi Sungwon , Ahn Joung-Sook 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: In the present study, we investigated the association between substance use by adolescents and parental smoking status based on data from the 2016 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, a national school-based survey. Methods: Data from a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents aged 12–18 years (n = 65,528) were analyzed, and the risk of substance use according to the parental smoking status was investigated. Results: We found that smoking by both parents was a greater risk factor for substance use by adolescents than smoking by any one parent. Moreover, maternal smoking was a greater risk for substance use by adolescents than paternal smoking. We also investigated sex differences in the risk of substance use as a result of the parental smoking status. The differences in the substance use status according to the sex of both parents and children were also identified after adjustment for second-hand smoking. Conclusions: Accurate evaluation of the family smoking environment and whole-family interventions are necessary for preventing and intervening in substance use by adolescents.
Multi-method appraisal of clinical quality indicators for the Emergency Medical Services in the Low- and Middle-Income Setting: The South African Perspective
Authors: Howard Ian , Cameron Peter , Castrén Maaret , Wallis Lee , Lindström Veronica 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Quality Indicator (QI) appraisal protocols are a novel methodology that combine multiple appraisal methods in order to comprehensively assess the “appropriateness” of QIs for a particular healthcare setting. However, they remain inadequately explored compared to the single appraisal method approach. The aim of this paper was to describe and test a QI appraisal protocol versus the single method approach, against a series of QIs potentially relevant to the South African Prehospital Emergency Care setting. Methods: An appraisal protocol was developed consisting of two categorical-based appraisal methods, the Qualify tool and Rand/Appropriateness method, combined with the qualitative analysis of the discussion generated during the consensus application of each method, by a QI Appraisal Working Group. Inter-rater reliability of each individual method was assessed prior to group consensus rating. Variation in the number of non-valid QIs identified between each method and the proportion of non-valid QIs identified between each method and the protocol were compared and assessed. Results: There was mixed inter-rater reliability of the individual methods prior to the group consensus. There was similarly poor to moderate correlation of the results obtained between the individual methods (Spearman’s rank correlation = 0.42, p<0.001). From a series of 104 QIs, 11 were identified that were shared between the appraisal methods. A further 19 QIs were identified and not shared by each method, highlighting the benefits of a multimethod approach. There was little evidence to support a difference in the proportion of non-valid QIs identified between individual methods (difference=-0.03); between the Quality tool and the protocol (difference=-0.05); or between the Rand method and the protocol (difference=-0.02). The outcomes were additionally evident in the group discussion analysis, which in and of itself added further input towards understanding and appraising the appropriateness of the QIs that would not have otherwise been captured or understood by the individual methods alone. Conclusion: The utilisation of a multi-method appraisal protocol offers multiple benefits, when compared to the single appraisal approach, and can provide the confidence that the outcomes of the appraisal will ensure a strong foundation on which the measurement framework can be QI successfully implemented and employed.
Language Learning Strategies in English Language Learning: A Survey Study
Authors: Hapsari Astri 
Published: January 2020

Strategic competence involves a number of learning and communication strategies which can be learned by language learners. These behaviors and thinking process can help second language learners to accelerate their target language learning. Teachers’ knowledge on these strategies will help language learners in overcoming the problems of their learning process. This survey study aims to describe students’ profile of strategic competence by mapping their language learning strategies. The participants were 106 students of Department of English Language Education in academic year 2014/2015. The instrument used was Oxford’s (1989) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) Worksheet, Version 7.0 for Speakers of Other Languages Learning English. Students’ profile of strategic competence in academic year 2014/2015 is: memory strategy (3.20), affective strategy (3.38), cognitive strategy (3.45), compensation strategy (3.46), social strategy (3.46), and metacognitive strategy (3.63). Therefore, the only strategy who has achieved high profile is metacognitive strategy (3.63). The other strategies are still on medium profile, which means all the students sometimes use the strategies. For the whole SILL strategies, students of Department of English Language Education, Universitas Islam Indonesia in academic year 2014/2015 get mean score 3.43, which also means on medium profile of strategic competence. From the result, it is recommended that the students need to develop the other five strategies from medium to high profile. Keywords: strategic competence, language learning strategies, survey study
“Digging Deep”: Using the Task Involvement Load Hypothesis to analyse textbooks for vocabulary learning potential
Authors: Ruegg Rachael , Brown Cherie 
Published: January 2020

In the process of vocabulary acquisition, the extent to which tasks require depth of processing, termed ‘task-induced involvement’ by Laufer and Hulstijn (2001), and the potential effects of this on subsequent vocabulary retention, deserve greater attention. Laufer and Hulstijn (2001) claim that when ‘need’, ‘search’ and ‘evaluation’ are required in order to complete a task, learners engage with words more deeply, thus optimizing potential for successful vocabulary retention. This study was designed to ascertain the extent to which tasks, in commonly used reading textbooks and integrated skills course books, induce ‘deep’ involvement with vocabulary, thus facilitating vocabulary retention. Tasks in 10 reading textbooks and 10 integrated skills course books were analysed in terms of the elements identified by Laufer and Hulstijn (2001). The results were then compared between the two types of textbooks in order to determine whether one is more effective than the other for vocabulary retention. The study found that the frequency of exposure to target vocabulary was insufficient for vocabulary acquisition. It was also found that many of the vocabulary activities investigated required little task-induced involvement, and more specifically, very few productive activities were found. Keywords: task-induced involvement, depth of processing, vocabulary acquisition, vocabulary retention, vocabulary learning
Syntactical Errors in Students’ Writing: A case study of multilingual classrooms in India
Authors: Hellystia Devi 
Published: January 2020

English is widely used as a tool for academic interaction in multilingual countries like India, however teaching English becomes very challenging particularly writing. Teachers have to face a heterogeneous group of students with a multilingual and multicultural background and they tend to bring their local languages and cultures which may affect their ability in English writing. There is an indication that the students insert patterns in their mother tongues when they are involved in writing activities. This paper deals with the syntactical errors found among multilingual learners from an Engineering college in Bhubaneswar, India. The tests were conducted for the undergraduate students who belonged to the 2nd and 4th semester. Written tests were conducted for 130 students in the form of passage and a written essay. The research finding showed that misordering is the highest error rate committed by students with a total percentage of 48%. It is followed by other findings they are, 24% of misformation, 8,2% of omission, and 20% of addition. Keywords: syntactical error, multilingual classrooms, multicultural
The Influence of Teachers’ Teaching Skills and School Organizational Culture on Students’Achievement
Authors: Anisah Anisah , Widyantoro Agus 
Published: January 2020

This research aims to investigate the effect of the teachers’ teaching skills and school organizational culture on the students’ learning achievement in English. The research was ex-post facto quantitative. The population comprised all Year VIII students of six SMPN’s in the District of Sintang. A sample of 260 students from six schools based on Krejcie and Morgan formula was established using the cluster sampling technique. The data were collected through Likert-scale questionnaires. The validity of the instrument was assessed in terms of content validity. The data were analyzed using the multiple linier regression analysis with two independent variables, anova test, and test of multiple linier regression analysis prerequisites (test of multicolinearity, heteroscedasticity, normality, and linierity). The results of the regression testing on the variable of teachers’ teaching skills show the coefficient β = 0.030, p <0.0001 (significant). The variable of school organizational culture shows the coefficient β = 0.014, p < 0.0001 (significant). The effect of these two variables together showsR² = 0.155, Ftest = 23.593, p < 0.0001 (significant). It is concluded that both teachers’ teaching skills and school organizational culture collectively have a significant effect on the English learning achievement. Keywords: teachers’ teaching skills, school organizational culture, English learning achievement
The Effectiveness of Using CIRC and CTL in Teaching and Learning Reading Comprehension
Authors: Ismawati Dian , Sugirin Sugirin 
Published: January 2020

Teaching reading in secondary level is aimed at teaching for comprehension. Comprehension occurs when the reader extracts and integrates various information from the text and combines it with what is already known. Reading comprehension is an intentional, active, interactive process that occurs before, during and after a person reads a particular piece of writing. When a person reads a text, he engages in a complex array of cognitive processes. In the teaching and learning process in SMP Negeri 1 Pecangaan, the teachers still dominate the activities. It emphasis on reading the text and then answers the questions based on the text and discussion to determine the correct answer. This is known as “Baca-Soal-Diskusi” technique (BSD). Concerned about the technique, the researcher thinks that the technique is not good enough. It can be seen that the students’ ability in understanding the text is not satisfactory enough. This research was aimed at describing(1) the difference of effectiveness between CIRC, CTLand conventional techniques and (2) which one is the most effective technique – CIRC, CTL, or conventional – in teaching and learning reading comprehension of grade VIII students of SMPN 1 Pecangaan.. This quasi experimental research used pretest posttest nonequivalent group design with teaching techniques as the independent variable and students’ reading comprehension as the dependent variable. The population of the research was the students of grade VIII of SMPN 1 Pecangaan in the academic year 2013/2014 with three classes were randomly chosen as the research sample. The data were gathered through pretest and posttest of students’ reading comprehension which were analyzed using Ancova continued by Scheffe test with the significance level of 0.05. The research results show that (1) There is a significant difference in the reading comprehension of the students taught using CIRC, that of those taught using the CTL, and that of those taught using the conventional technique with F = 3.68 and p = 0.03 (2) CIRC is the most effective technique among them with the sequence of effectiveness is CIRC followed by CTL and conventional technique. Keywords: CIRC technique, CTL technique, reading comprehension
An Analysis on Reading Strategies based on Metacognitive Awareness and Gender
Authors: Fauzi Chandra , Ashadi Ashadi 
Published: January 2020

This article is based on survey research which sought to identify the reading strategies used by the first-semester graduate students and to reveal the most dominant strategies used by stu­dents of different gender. The participants of this study were first-semester graduate students (N = 43) of a state teacher college. A five-point Likert Scale questionnaire named SORS (Sur­vey of Reading Strategies) was deployed to collect the data concerning the use of reading strate­gies. The findings demonstrated that the first-semester students were greatly conversant in reading strategies with overall mean score of 3.82 which means a high level of awareness. The first-semester students consecutively preferred Problem Solving Strategies to Global Read­ing Strategies or Support Reading Strategies eventhough all of these three subscales fell into highly-used strategy. Female students were found to use the strategies more frequently that their male counterparts did. Also, the results of individual reading strategies use revealed that both genders tended to reread the text and to circle or underline information in the text to help them understand what they read. However, pedagogical implications on the use of metacogni­tive strategies that would help students activate their higher order thinking skills in reading needs to be given attention. Keywords: reading strategies, metacognitive awareness, gender
واقع إدارة الخدمات المصرفية الإلكترونية والتحديات التي تواجهها في إقليم كوردستان العراق
Authors: Arif Ibrahim Mahdi , Rostam Kawa Mohammed 
Published: January 2020

تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على واقع تطبيق الخدمات المصرفية الإلكترونية لدى لبنوك العاملة في محافظة السليمانية، وذلك من كيفية إدارة هذه الخدمات والصعوبات التي تواجه هذه البنوك في تطبيقها، وقد قام الباحثان باستخدام المنهج الوصفي التحليلي في البحث، حيث تمثلت عينة الدراسة عدد من البنوك العاملة في محافظة السليمانية والمتمثلة في (بنك هولير، بنك كوردستان الدولي، بنك دجلة والفرات، بنك الشمال، بنك الموصل) والتي بدأت بتطبيق هذه الخدمات لزبائنــها في محافظة السليمانية، وذلك من خلال توزيع استمارة الاستبيان لهذا الغرض على الموظفين في الإدارات العليا والوسطى والدنيا متمثلة في( المدراء، ومسؤولي الشعب والوحدات والموظفين)، واستخدم الباحثان طريقة العينة العشوائية بتوزيع (65) استبانة، وكانت نسبة الاسترداد منها(59) استبانة بنسبة(90,76%).
وقد خلصت الدراسة إلى أن هناك بدايات لتطبيق الخدمات الإلكترونية لدى البنوك العاملة في محافظة السليمانية.
أزمة الرهن العقاري وانعكاساتها في اقتصاديات الدول العربية وطرق علاجها
Authors: Dawd Aljarcwse Sara Salm , Muhammad Laila Abdulkarim 
Published: January 2020

The foundations of financial engineering emanating from the capitalist economic thought free a significant impact in a financial crisis, the impact of this geometry appeared as a bubble shows here and there but in the end, rolling like a snowball larger than stretching long distances and become impact bigger and more and agreed that the financial crisis global in 2008 began in the mortgage sector in the United States of America real estate values ​​dropped, which led to weak bank's ability to repay its obligations to other financial institutions and the weakness of the ability of individuals to repay debts to the banks. But the truth is greater than this and are described in two sections deals with the first part, the causes of the mortgage bubble bursting in 2008 and defined the root causes and how to shift the mortgage crisis into a liquidity crisis and a crisis of inability to repay debt and benefits.
‫‪The‬‬ ‫‪second‬‬ ‫‪topic‬‬ ‫‪dealt‬‬ ‫‪with‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪impact‬‬ ‫‪of‬‬ ‫‪this‬‬ ‫‪crisis‬‬ ‫‪in‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪economies‬‬ ‫‪of‬‬ ‫‪some‬‬ ‫‪Arab‬‬ ‫‪countries,‬‬‫‪including‬‬ ‫‪oil‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪non-oil‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪their‬‬ ‫‪impact‬‬ ‫‪on‬‬ ‫‪certain‬‬ ‫‪economic‬‬ ‫‪variables‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪financial‬‬ ‫‪markets‬‬ ‫‪of‬‬‫‪these‬‬ ‫‪countries,‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪through‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪whole‬‬ ‫‪what‬‬ ‫‪has‬‬ ‫‪been‬‬ ‫‪presented‬‬ ‫‪research‬‬ ‫‪was‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪reach‬‬ ‫‪a‬‬ ‫‪set‬‬ ‫‪of‬‬‫‪conclusions‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪proposals‬‬ ‫‪notably‬‬ ‫‪that‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪main‬‬ ‫‪reason‬‬ ‫‪for‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪explosion‬‬ ‫‪of‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪financial‬‬ ‫‪bubble‬‬ ‫‪is‬‬‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪wrong‬‬ ‫‪use‬‬ ‫‪financial‬‬ ‫‪derivatives,‬‬ ‫‪expansion‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪over-the‬‬ ‫‪granting‬‬ ‫‪of‬‬ ‫‪mortgage‬‬ ‫‪loans‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬‫‪individuals‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪companies‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪meet‬‬ ‫‪with‬‬ ‫‪banking‬‬ ‫‪facilities‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪failure‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪diversify‬‬ ‫‪in‬‬ ‫‪guarantees‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬‫‪a‬‬ ‫‪focus‬‬ ‫‪on‬‬ ‫‪real‬‬ ‫‪estate‬‬ ‫‪collateral‬‬ ‫‪by‬‬ ‫‪US‬‬ ‫‪banks,‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪is‬‬ ‫‪reflected‬‬ ‫‪in‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪research‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪reach‬‬ ‫‪a‬‬‫‪recommendation‬‬ ‫‪that‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪adoption‬‬ ‫‪of‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪early‬‬ ‫‪warning‬‬ ‫‪indicators‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪monitor‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪internal‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬‫‪external‬‬ ‫‪environment‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪be‬‬ ‫‪able‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪detect‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪crisis‬‬ ‫‪in‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪beginning‬‬ ‫‪of‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪composition.‬‬