bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upper airway collapsibility measured using a simple wakefulness test closely relates to the pharyngeal critical closing pressure during sleep in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Osman Amal M , Carberry Jayne C , Burke Peter G R , Toson Barbara , Grunstein Ronald R , Eckert Danny J 
Published: April 2019

AbstractStudy ObjectivesA collapsible or crowded pharyngeal airway is the main cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, quantification of airway collapsibility during sleep (Pcrit) is not clinically feasible. The primary aim of this study was to compare upper airway collapsibility using a simple wakefulness test with Pcrit during sleep.MethodsParticipants with OSA were instrumented with a nasal mask, pneumotachograph and two pressure sensors, one at the choanae (PCHO), the other just above the epiglottis (PEPI). Approximately 60 brief (250 ms) pulses of negative airway pressure (~ –12 cmH2O at the mask) were delivered in early inspiration during wakefulness to measure the upper airway collapsibility index (UACI). Transient reductions in the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) holding pressure were then performed during sleep to determine Pcrit. In a subset of participants, the optimal number of replicate trials required to calculate the UACI was assessed.ResultsThe UACI (39 ± 24 mean ± SD; range = 0%–87%) and Pcrit (–0.11 ± 2.5; range: –4 to +5 cmH2O) were quantified in 34 middle-aged people (9 female) with varying OSA severity (apnea–hypopnea index range = 5–92 events/h). The UACI at a mask pressure of approximately –12 cmH2O positively correlated with Pcrit (r = 0.8; p < 0.001) and could be quantified reliably with as few as 10 replicate trials. The UACI performed well at discriminating individuals with subatmospheric Pcrit values [receiver operating characteristic curve analysis area under the curve = 0.9 (0.8–1), p < 0.001].ConclusionsThese findings indicate that a simple wakefulness test may be useful to estimate the extent of upper airway anatomical impairment during sleep in people with OSA to direct targeted non-CPAP therapies for OSA.
Myocarditis Prevalence in Paediatric Dengue Infection: A Prospective Study in Tertiary Hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Buntubatu Sarah , Prawirohartono Endy P , Arguni Eggi 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Awareness of cardiac involvement in dengue infection has potentially valuable management implications. To determine the prevalence of myocarditis in dengue severity, we conducted prospective study of paediatric dengue illness at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from period of July 2015 to May 2016. World Health Organization (WHO) Dengue Guideline 2011 classification system was used. Diagnosis of dengue infection was made based on either by dengue serology and/or NS1 test. Myocarditis was assessed based on elevation of cardiac enzymes, as creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), Troponin I (TnI) and by electrocardiography (ECG). Proportion between groups was compared using the Fisher’s exact test. We analysed 50 children with diagnosis of dengue fever (DF), 12 of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 23 of dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Myocarditis diagnosed in 53%, 75% and 96% of DF, DHF and DSS, respectively. We found that myocarditis was more prevalent significantly in DSS than DF (p = 0.003).
The Genomics of Selfing in Maize (Zea maysssp.mays): Catching Purging in the Act
Authors: Roessler Kyria , Muyle Aline , Diez Concepcion M. , Gaut Garren R.J. , Bousios Alexandros , Stitzer Michelle C. , Seymour Danelle K. , Doebley John F. , Liu Qingpo , Gaut Brandon S. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTIn plants, self-fertilization is both an important reproductive strategy and a valuable genetic tool. In theory, selfing increases homozygosity at a rate of 0.50 per generation. Increased homozygosity can uncover recessive deleterious variants and lead to inbreeding depression, unless it is countered by the loss of these variants by genetic purging. Here we investigated the dynamics of purging on genomic scale by testing three predictions. The first was that heterozygous, putatively deleterious SNPs were preferentially lost from the genome during continued selfing. The second was that the loss of deleterious SNPs varied as a function of recombination rate, because recombination increases the efficacy of selection by uncoupling linked variants. Finally, we predicted that genome size (GS) decreases during selfing, due to the purging of deleterious transposable element (TE) insertions. We tested these three predictions by following GS and SNP variants in a series of selfed maize (Zea maysssp.mays) lines over six generations. In these lines, putatively deleterious alleles were purged, and purging was more pronounced in highly recombining regions. Homozygosity increased more slowly than expected; instead of increasing by 50% each generation, it increased by 35% to 40%. Finally, three lines showed dramatic decreases in GS, losing an average of 398 Mb from their genomes over the short timeframe of our experiment. TEs were the principal component of loss, and GS loss was more likely for lineages that began with more TE and more chromosomal knob repeats. Overall, this study documented remarkable GS loss – as much DNA as threeArabidopsis thalianagenomes, on average - in only a few generations of selfing.
MicroRNAs expressed from FSHR and aromatase genes target important ovarian functions
Authors: Rooda Ilmatar , Kaselt Birgitta , Salumets Andres , Velthut-Meikas Agne 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have known roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of various biological processes including ovarian follicle development. We have previously identified miRNAs from human pre-ovulatory granulosa cells that are expressed from the intronic regions of two key genes in normal follicular development: FSH receptor (FSHR) and CYP19A1, the latter encoding the aromatase enzyme. In the present study, we aim to identify the targets regulated by those two miRNAs: hsa-miR-548ba and hsa-miR-7973, respectively. The miRNAs of interest were endogenously expressed in KGN cell-line, gene expression changes were analyzed by Affymetrix microarray and confirmed by RT-qPCR. Potential miRNA-regulated sequences were further filtered from the obtained results by bioinformatic target prediction algorithms and validated for direct miRNA:mRNA binding by luciferase reporter assay. Our results verified Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR), Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), Neogenin 1 (NEO1) and SP110 nuclear body protein (SP110) as target genes for hsa-miR-548ba. Hsa-miR-7973 target genes ADAM metallopeptidase domain 19 (ADAM19), Peroxidasin (PXDN) and Formin like 3 (FMNL3) also passed all verification steps. In conclusion we propose that hsa-miR-548ba may be involved in the regulation of follicle growth and activation via LIFR and PTEN. Hsa-miR-7973 may be implicated in the modulation of extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions. Taken together, our results suggest that those two miRNAs of interest have important regulatory roles in granulosa cells and in follicle development in general.Summary sentenceConfirmed targets of miRNAs hsa-miR-548ba and hsa-miR-7973 are involved in follicle recruitment, apoptosis, intercellular interactions and extracellular matrix remodeling pathways in KGN cells.
Bulked segregant analysis RNA-seq (BSR-Seq) validated a stem resistance locus in Aegilops umbellulata, a wild relative of wheat
Authors: Edae Erena A. , Rouse Matthew N. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMany disease resistance genes that have been transferred from wild relatives to cultivated wheat have played a significant role in wheat production worldwide. Ae. umbellulata is one of the species within the genus Aegilops that have been successfully used as sources of resistance genes to leaf rust, stem rust and powdery mildew. The objectives of the current work was to validate the map position of a major QTL that confers resistance to the stem rust pathogen races Ug99 (TTKSK) and TTTTF with an independent bi-parental mapping population and to refine the QTL region with a bulk segregant analysis approach. Two F2 bi-parental mapping populations were developed from stem rust resistant Ae. umbellulata accessions (PI 298905 and PI 5422375) and stem rust susceptible accessions (PI 542369 and PI 554395). Firstly, one of the two populations was used to map the chromosome location of the resistance gene. Later on, the 2nd population was used to validate the chromosome location in combination with a bulk segregant analysis approach. For the bulk segregant analysis, RNA was extracted from a bulk of leaf tissues of 12 homozygous resistant F3 families, and a separate bulk of 11 susceptible homozygous F3 families derived from the PI 5422375 and PI 554395 cross. The RNA samples of the two bulks and the two parents were sequenced for SNPs identification. Stem rust resistance QTL was validated on chromosome 2U of Ae. umbellulata in the same region in both populations. With bulk segregant analysis, the QTL position was delimited within 3.2 Mbp. Although there were a large number of genes in the orthologous region of the detected QTL on chromosome 2D of Ae. tauschii, we detected only two Ae. umbellulata NLR genes which can be considered as a potential candidate genes.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of hypertension in a community based cross sectional study done in Ward 14, Gwanda District, Matebeleland South, Zimbabwe
Authors: Chimberengwa Pugie Tawanda , Naidoo Mergan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundHypertension is a significant contributor to cardiovascular and renal diseases. In poor communities there is lack of awareness, poor treatment and control. However, it can be controlled by lifestyle modifications. The aim of this study was to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices with regards to hypertension in a rural disadvantaged community in Matebeleland South province of Zimbabwe.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. A pre-tested and validated interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic, awareness, treatment and control data among consenting hypertensive patients.Results304 respondents were enrolled into the study, their mean age was 59 years and 65.4% were females. Adding salt on the table (59.8%) was a risk factor. There were strong community beliefs in managing hypertension with herbs (50.7%) and use of traditional medicines (14.5%). Knowledge on hypertension was poor with 43.8% of hypertensive patients having had a discussion with a health worker on hypertension and 64.8% believing the main case of hypertension is stress while 85.9% stated palpitations as a symptom of hypertension. Defaulter rate was high at 30.9% with 25% of those on medication not knowing whether their blood pressure control status. Odds ratio for good knowledge for secondary and tertiary education were 3.68 (95%CI: 1.61-8.41) and 7.52 (95%CI: 2.76-20.46) respectively compared to no formal education. Those that believed in herbal medicines and those that used traditional medicines were 53% (95%CI: 0.29-0.76) and 68% (95%CI: 0.29-0.76) less likely to have good knowledge compared to those who did not believe and use traditional medicines respectively.ConclusionLack of education and poor socio-economic backgrounds were associated with poor knowledge on hypertension. Shortages of medication, poor health funding and weak health education platforms contributed to reduced awareness and control of hypertension in the community. Thus, community hypertension awareness, treatment and control needed to be upscaled.
Role of navigational ability in website visit duration
Authors: Bhatnagar Amit , Sinha Atish P. , Sen Arun 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
Online search effort is routinely measured by the duration of visit at the website as obtained from clicksream data or surveys. Measuring search effort by the time spent at a website assumes that all consumers who search for the same duration obtain the same amount of information. This would be acceptable if all consumers possessed the same navigational ability. In practice, different consumers have different levels of ability to navigate a website. The purpose of this study is to find whether an individual’s navigational ability has an influence on visit duration and purchase likelihood.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use visit duration data from a real website which makes it possible to partition the visit duration into the times spent on relevant and irrelevant pages. The data were collected through an experimental study. The authors develop an empirical model, comprising hazard and choice models, to assess the relationship between navigational ability and elements of website usage.

Findings
A consumer with poor navigational ability spends more time searching on the Web and has lower purchase probability compared to a consumer with superior ability.

Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to one data.

Practical implications
This research has managerial implications for website design, such as link-structure, appearance, size and the number of graphics.

Originality/value
This is the first study to research navigational ability’s influence on online consumer behavior.
Regional legislation to address climate change in China: necessity and feasibility
Authors: Zhang Jianwei , Jiang Xiaoyi , Pan Xiaobin 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
Legislation plays an essential role in addressing climate change in China. However, many barriers to formulating national legislation to address climate change have so far prevented its enactment. The bottom-up approach adopted in the international climate regime sets a good example. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the regional legislation to address climate change in China through exploring the following two questions: whether it is necessary to enact climate change legislation at regional level first and whether it is feasible to develop such regional legislation in the absence of national climate change law.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper analyses the necessity and feasibility of regional legislation to address climate change. Section 2 introduces the current legislative framework on climate change in China. Section 3 investigates whether it is better to push the legislative agenda at regional, rather than national level. Section 4 analyses the feasibility of establishing regional legislative systems. Section 5 explores the key issues in formulating and promoting regional legislation.

Findings
This paper concludes that it is necessary and feasible to pilot regional legislation before enacting national legislation. Under these circumstances, local governments can take the initiative to begin formulating regional legislation.

Originality/value
Addressing climate change needs immediate action and effective measures. It is, thus, necessary to reconsider the approach that China should adopt when developing legislation on climate change. This paper contributes to broadening current knowledge of regional climate change legislation in China.
Exploring the antecedents of sustainable tourism development
Authors: MacKenzie Niall , Gannon Martin Joseph 
Published: April 2019

PurposeThe authors use two historical case studies (UK and Costa Rica) to explore the antecedents and legitimisation of sustainable development in hospitality and tourism, demonstrating the value of historical analysis through careful consideration of motivations, context and development type under different circumstances.Design/methodology/approachUsing government and private archival materials, oral history testimonies, industry reports and secondary literature, the authors deploy careful historical analysis of developing and developed country approaches to two cases of hospitality and tourism development and how this impacts on notions of sustainability.FindingsIssues surrounding sustainability in hospitality and tourism are longstanding and impacted by their situated context. In considering “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches, this study finds that the private-sector is critical in legitimising tourism and hospitality development through addressing sustainability aims.Research limitations/implicationsIssues faced in developing hospitality and tourism markets should not be taken in isolation, and, by drawing upon historical cases, scholars can better-understand how developed tourism markets shape the sustainability of developing contexts.Practical implicationsThis study demonstrates how sustainability can be legitimised over time and in different contexts, in both government-led and business-led approaches, providing lessons for understanding the mechanisms by which to address these issues in future.Originality/valueHistorical analyses in hospitality and tourism remain relatively few. This study illustrates the theoretical and practical value of historical analysis of the pathway to legitimacy for sustainable tourism development.
Regional economic divergence and house prices: a comparison of Germany and the UK
Authors: Blaseio Benedikt , Jones Colin 
Published: April 2019

PurposeIncreasing regional wealth disparities have been explained by the role of agglomeration economies and the concentration of skilled mobile human capital. This paper aims to draw out the role of the housing market by considering the differential experience of Germany and the UK.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis is based on the comparison of regional house price trends in Germany and UK-based annual data from 1991 to 2015.FindingsRegional house price inequality is found to have increased in both countries with the spatial concentration of skilled human capital. However, the main conclusion is that there are differential paths to regional house price inequality explained by the parameters of each country’s housing market.Originality/valueThe research is the first to compare and explain differential regional house price trends across countries.
Modelling housing prices and market fundamentals: evidence from the Sydney housing market
Authors: Al-Masum Md Abdullah , Lee Chyi Lin 
Published: April 2019

PurposeHousing prices in Sydney have increased rapidly in the past three decades. This leads to a debate of whether Sydney housing prices have departed from macroeconomic fundamentals. However, little research has been devoted to this area. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by examining the long-run association between housing prices and market fundamentals. Further, it also examines the long-run determinants of housing prices in Greater Sydney.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis of this study involves two stages. The first stage is to estimate the presence of long-run relationship between housing prices and market fundamentals with the Johansen and Juselius Cointegration test. Thereafter, the determinants of housing prices in Greater Sydney is assessed by using a vector error correction model.FindingsThe empirical results show that Sydney housing prices are cointegrated with market fundamentals in the long run. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that market fundamentals such as gross disposable income, housing supply, unemployment rate and gross domestic product are the key long-run determinants of Sydney housing prices, reflecting that Sydney housing prices, in general, can be explained by market fundamentals in the long run.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings enable more informed and practical policy and investment decision-making regarding the relation between housing prices and market fundamentals.Originality/valueThis paper is the first study to offer empirical evidence of the degree to which the behaviour of housing prices can be explained by market fundamentals, from a capital city instead of at a national level, using a relatively disaggregated dataset of housing price series for Greater Sydney.
Personal values and the features of psychological contracts
Authors: Santos Maria Céu , Coelho Filipe , Gomes Jorge F.S. , Sousa Carlos M.P. 
Published: April 2019

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how personal values relate to the psychological contract employees establish with their employers.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consisted of 223 frontline employees from a major Portuguese company. The paper used stepwise regressions analysis to test the research hypotheses.FindingsCollectivistic-oriented values were generally related to psychological contract features such as long time frame, lower tangibility, flexibility, inequality and collective regulation. Conversely, individualistic-oriented values were generally associated with a short time frame and a more tangible, stable, equal and individually regulated type of contract with a narrow scope.Research limitations/implicationsThis study uses cross-sectional data collected from a single Portuguese company. While common method bias could potentially affect the results, various procedural remedies were used to control for it. Finally, the study relied on stepwise regression, which is a data-driven approach.Practical implicationsThe study supports the contentions that internal dispositions are related to psychological contracts.Originality/valueThis paper innovates by exploring how employees’ personal values are associated with the psychological contract from a feature-oriented approach. In addition, this study was carried out in Portugal, highlighting the importance of exploring existing models and theories in different cultural contexts.
The impact of intragroup relationship conflict on intention to re-enroll
Authors: Zhu Ying , Lynette Wang Valerie , Leach Evan , Cruthirds Kevin , Wang Yong 
Published: April 2019

PurposeScholars have identified several predictors of learner satisfaction, but little research addresses the impact of intragroup conflict in a virtual learning context. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potentially deleterious effects of perceived intragroup relationship conflict on virtual learners’ intention to re-enroll.Design/methodology/approachData were systematically collected from virtual learners using an online questionnaire and then analyzed by multiple regression models.FindingsThe results show that emotional expressiveness is an antecedent to perceived intragroup relationship conflict, and the relationship is moderated by individuals’ perceived enjoyment of computer-mediated communication. Virtual learners with a higher emotional expressiveness (i.e. extraverts) experience higher perceived relationship conflict, which in turn, lowers their intention to re-enroll.Research limitations/implicationsThe study confirms the antecedent and consequence of perceived intragroup relationship conflict in a virtual learning context.Practical implicationsEducational institutions and businesses may use three proposed strategies to deal with intragroup relationship conflict.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the limited knowledge on how to effectively manage virtual learning interactions by educational institutions and businesses.
Distribution of agricultural productivity gains in selected Feed the Future African countries
Authors: Moss Charles B. , Schmitz Andrew 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine investments in selected Feed the Future countries in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors examine three investments in Feed the Future countries (e.g. Rwanda and Uganda) in the context of non-traded goods, exports and imports. These investments include research and development in Ugandan cassava production, a value chain intervention in the coffee market channel in Rwanda and a program to increase the use of fertilizer for maize production in Rwanda. The authors also stress the importance of distributional impacts in terms of policymaking.

Findings
The results show that while there can be net gains from each investment discussed, the distributional effects of each are very different.

Originality/value
The findings will be useful for the development community and agribusiness policymaking.