bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell-intrinsic genetic regulation of peripheral memory-phenotype T cell frequencies
Authors: Chawla Amanpreet Singh , Kanodia Parna , Mukherjee Ankur , Jain Vaibhav , Kaur Gurvinder , Coshic Poonam , Chatterjee Kabita , Wadhwa Nitya , Mouli Natchu Uma Chandra , Sopory Shailaja , Bhatnagar Shinjini , Majumder Partha P. , George Anna , Bal Vineeta , Rath Satyajit , Prabhu Savit B. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMemory T and B lymphocyte numbers are thought to be regulated by recent and cumulative microbial exposures. We report here that memory-phenotype lymphocyte frequencies in B, CD4 and CD8 T-cells in 3-monthly serial bleeds from healthy young adult humans were relatively stable over a 1-year period, while recently activated -B and -CD4 T cell frequencies were not, suggesting that recent environmental exposures affected steady state levels of recently activated but not of memory lymphocyte subsets. Frequencies of memory B and CD4 T cells were not correlated, suggesting that variation in them was unlikely to be determined by cumulative antigenic exposures. Immunophenotyping of adult siblings showed high concordance in memory, but not of recently activated lymphocyte subsets, suggesting genetic regulation of memory lymphocyte frequencies. To explore this possibility further, we screened effector memory (EM)-phenotype T cell frequencies in common independent inbred mice strains. Using two pairs from these strains that differed predominantly in either CD4EM and/or CD8EM frequencies, we constructed bi-parental bone marrow chimeras in F1 recipient mice, and found that memory T cell frequencies in recipient mice were determined by donor genotypes. Together, these data suggest cell-autonomous determination of memory T niche size, and suggest mechanisms maintaining immune variability.
Lactate production without hypoxia in skeletal muscle during electrical cycling: Crossover study of femoral venous-arterial differences in healthy volunteers
Authors: Gojda Jan , Waldauf Petr , Hrušková Natália , Blahutová Barbora , Krajčová Adéla , Tůma Petr , Řasová Kamila , Duška František 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundAim of the study was to compare metabolic response of leg skeletal muscle during functional electrical stimulation-driven unloaded cycling (FES) to that seen during volitional supine cycling.MethodsFourteen healthy volunteers were exposed in random order to supine cycling, either volitional (10-25-50 W, 10 min) or FES assisted (unloaded, 10 min) in a crossover design. Whole body and leg muscle metabolism were assessed by indirect calorimetry with concomitant repeated measurements of femoral venous-arterial differences of blood gases, glucose, lactate and amino acids.ResultsUnloaded FES cycling, but not volitional exercise, led to a significant increase in across-leg lactate production (from −1.1±2.1 to 5.5±7.4 mmol/min, p<0.001) and mild elevation of arterial lactate (from 1.8±0.7 to 2.5±0.8 mM). This occurred without widening of across-leg VA O2 and CO2 gaps. Femoral SvO2 difference was directly proportional to VA difference of lactate (R2= 0.60, p=0.002). Across-leg glucose uptake did not change with either type of exercise. Systemic oxygen consumption increased with FES cycling to similarly to 25W volitional exercise (138±29% resp. 124±23% of baseline). There was a net uptake of branched-chain amino acids and net release of Alanine from skeletal muscle, which were unaltered by either type of exercise.ConclusionsUnloaded FES cycling, but not volitional exercise causes significant lactate production without hypoxia in skeletal muscle. This phenomenon can be significant in vulnerable patients’ groups.
RBM-5 modulates U2AF large subunit-dependent alternative splicing inC. elegans
Authors: Zhou Chuanman , Gao Xiaoyang , Hu Surong , Gan Wenjing , Jing Xu , Yong-Chao Ma , Long Ma 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA key step in pre-mRNA splicing is the recognition of 3’ splicing sites by the U2AF large and small subunits, a process regulated by numeroustrans-acting splicing factors. How thesetrans-acting factors interact with U2AFin vivois unclear. From a screen for suppressors of the temperature-sensitive (ts) lethality of theC. elegansU2AF large subunit geneuaf-1(n4588)mutants, we identified mutations in theRNAbindingmotif generbm-5, a homolog of the tumor suppressorRBM5.rbm-5mutations can suppressuaf-1(n4588)ts-lethality by loss of function and neuronal expression ofrbm-5was sufficient to rescue the suppression. Transcriptome analyses indicate thatuaf-1(n4588)affected the expression of numerous genes andrbm-5mutations can partially reverse the abnormal gene expression to levels similar to that of wild type. Thoughrbm-5mutations did not obviously affect alternative splicing per se, they can suppress or enhance, in a gene-specific manner, the altered splicing of genes inuaf-1(n4588)mutants. Specifically, the recognition of a weak 3’ splice site was more susceptible to the effect ofrbm-5. Our findings provide novelin vivoevidence that RBM-5 can modulate UAF-1-dependent RNA splicing and suggest that RBM5 might interact with U2AF large subunit to affect tumor formation.Author summaryRNA splicing is a critical regulatory step for eukaryotic gene expression and has been involved in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. How RNA splicing factors interactin vivoto affect the splicing and expression of genes is unclear. In studying the temperature-sensitive lethal phenotypes of a mutation affecting the splicing factor U2AF large subunit geneuaf-1in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans, we isolated suppressive mutations in therbm-5gene, a homolog of the human tumor suppressor geneRBM5.rbm-5is broadly expressed in neurons to enhance the lethality of theuaf-1mutants. We found that the uaf-1 mutation causes aberrant expression of genes in numerous biological pathways, a large portion of which can be corrected byrbm-5mutations. The abnormal splicing of multiple genes caused by theuaf-1mutation is either corrected or enhanced byrbm-5mutations in a gene-specific manner. We propose that RBM-5 interacts with UAF-1 to affect RNA splicing and the tumor suppressor function of RBM5 might involve U2AF-dependent RNA splicing.
PReMS: Parallel Regularised Regression Model Search for sparse bio-signature discovery
Authors: Hoggart Clive J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThere is increasing interest in developing point of care tests to diagnose disease and predict prognosis based upon biomarker signatures of RNA or protein expression levels. Technology to measure the required biomarkers accurately and in a time-frame useful to health care professionals will be easier to develop by minimising the number of biomarkers measured. In this paper we describe the Parallel Regularised Regression Model Search (PReMS) method which is designed to estimate parsimonious prediction models. Given a set of potential biomarkers PReMS searches over many logistic regression models constructed from optimal subsets of the biomarkers, iteratively increasing the model size. Zero centred Gaussian prior distributions are assigned to all regression coefficients to induce shrinkage. The method estimates the optimal shrinkage parameter, optimal model for each model size and the optimal model size. We apply PReMS to six freely available data sets and compare its performance with the LASSO and SCAD algorithms in terms of the number of covariates in the model, model accuracy, as measured by the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) and root predicted mean square error, and model calibration. We show that PReMS typically selects models with fewer biomarkers than both the LASSO and SCAD algorithms but has comparable predictive accuracy.Availability:(PReMS) is freely available as an R packagehttps://github.com/clivehoggart/PReMS
Dopamine maintains network synchrony via direct modulation of gap junctions in the crustacean cardiac ganglion
Authors: Lane Brian J , Kick Daniel R , Wilson David K , Nair Satish S , Schulz David J 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAbstract The Large Cell (LC) motor neurons of the crab (C. borealis) cardiac ganglion have variable membrane conductance magnitudes even within the same individual, yet produce identical synchronized activity in the intact network. In our previous study (Lane et al., 2016) we blocked a subset of K+conductances across LCs, resulting in loss of synchronous activity. In this study, we hypothesized that this same variability of conductances could make LCs vulnerable to desynchronization during neuromodulation. We exposed the LCs to serotonin (5HT) and dopamine (DA) while recording simultaneously from multiple LCs. Both amines had distinct excitatory effects on LC output, but only 5HT caused desynchronized output. We further determined that DA rapidly increased gap junctional conductance. Co-application of both amines induced 5HT-like output, but waveforms remained synchronized. Furthermore, DA prevented desynchronization induced by the K+channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA), suggesting that dopaminergic modulation of electrical coupling plays a protective role in maintaining network synchrony.
Parental expectations of and satisfaction with the services of preschool centres
Authors: Prayukvong Wanna , Sornprasith Amporn , Foster Morris John 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to study parental expectations of and satisfaction with overall services of preschool centres and to determine the factors which affect parents’ satisfaction in a part of one of Thailand’s southern provinces.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from parents of children attending 29 day-care or preschool centres in Songkhla Province, South Thailand, over a two-month period in the Spring 2014. The data were analysed mainly using descriptive statistics and some correlation analyses with subsequent logical interpretation.

Findings
Given the location and non-compulsory nature of the childcare provision being assessed, it would seem fair to say that the answer to the overarching objective was fairly positive. Expectations were non-trivial; parents looked for more than “baby-minding” and expected there to be some appropriately qualified staff. The perceived satisfaction levels indicate that there is nevertheless scope for improvement.

Research limitations/implications
The sample studied is from a limited geographical region of Thailand; hence, there must be some caution in making recommendations for the whole country.

Practical implications
As the outcomes being delivered are seen to be mainly positive by parents and guardians, the policy implication for the Thai Government is that they should continue to promote, and ideally enhance, this kind of early years provision. Results suggest that Thai parents would be well advised to make use of childcare centres to promote the socialisation and development of their children.

Originality/value
The originality of the work derives from the lack of similar systematic studies in Thailand and, in particular, for the rural southern provinces.
Undergraduate African–American student’s experience of racial microaggressions on a primarily white campus
Authors: Brezinski Kyle J. , Laux John , Roseman Christopher , O’Hara Caroline , Gore Shanda 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between African–American undergraduate students, racial microaggressions (RMAs) and college retention rates.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were obtained from a survey given out to African–American undergraduate students, recruited from a large, midwestern, predominantly white public university (n = 53).

Findings
The results indicate that students did experience a wide range of microaggressions. Furthermore, the data revealed a statistically significant relationship between the participants’ perceptions that others viewed them as if they were foreigners and did not belong to the place and the participants’ thoughts about dropping out during the ongoing semester [r(51) = 0.338, p = 0.05]. The results suggest that African–Americans frequently experience RMAs while on campus but these experiences are not significantly tied to their intentions to complete the ongoing semester or return for the subsequent semester.

Practical implications
This study shows that African–American students felt disconnected from the campus that they attend. This information may allow for faculty and staff members to assist in making students feel more welcomed and included in the classroom and on campus.

Originality/value
This is one of the few studies to provide evidence of the relationships between African–American undergraduate students, RMAs and college retention rates. In addition, most studies looking at the relationship between RMAs and retention are qualitative in nature. The use of a quantitative approach helps us eliminating possible observer bias and increasing sample size.
Validation of a short form of the Inventory of Organizational Learning Facilitators
Authors: Lauzier Martin , Barrette Jacques , Kenny Sandra , Lemyre Louise 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to develop a short form of the Inventory of Organizational Learning Facilitators (IOLF) by using the same factors as the long form to test the equivalence between two language versions (English and French) and to explore executives’ attitudes toward organizational learning (OL).

Design/methodology/approach
The structure of the long-form IOLF is based on five factors found in previous work: knowledge acquisition and transformation; OL culture; learning-focused leadership; OL support; and strategic management of new knowledge and learning. Two surveys of Canadian Federal Government executives assessed their perception of OL facilitators, organizational commitment, cynicism and intention to leave the organization. Correlational pattern analysis, conducted after confirmatory factor analyses, assessed the equivalence of the two language versions.

Findings
The short-form IOLF replicated the factor structure of previous work and demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency. Correlations showed equivalence between and across languages. Significant correlations with outcome variables, albeit in a cross-sectional design, supported predictive validity.

Research limitations/implications
This conceptually valid instrument can be adapted to English- and French-speaking populations. It can test hypotheses about the relationship between OL facilitators and individual, collective and organizational outcomes. The findings stem from self-report data in a cross-sectional design and require further research.

Practical implications
The short-form IOLF can quickly identify areas for improvement and monitor the evolution of an organization’s learning abilities.

Originality/value
This quick, efficient tool assesses OL context and can indicate factors likely to influence OL. This study offers empirically driven insights into conditions that influence executives’ attitudes.
Is Google scholar really scholarly?
Authors: Loan Fayaz Ahmad , Sheikh Shueb 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to identify the scholarly nature of the results retrieved by the Google Scholar on the five major global problems, i.e. global warming, economic recession, terrorism, HIV AIDS and child labour.

Design/methodology/approach
The five terms (global warming, economic recession, terrorism, HIV AIDS and child labour) were searched into the Google Scholar database, and the first 50 retrieved hits were manually analysed to record the relevant bibliographic details. The scholarship of the results was measured by quality indices like h-index, Altmetrics and Journal Impact Factor. The Scopus – the world’s biggest abstract and citation database – was used to identify the h-index of the prolific authors, citations of articles and impact factor of journals.

Findings
The study reveals that Google Scholar retrieves a good number of publications on the selected global problems from reputed publishers such as Nature Publishing Group, Elsevier, Cambridge University Press, Blackwell and Sage and published from well-developed countries such as the USA, UK and Switzerland. Google Scholar mostly retrieves articles and research papers from qualitative journals having a good impact factor such as Nature, Science, The Lancet, American Journal of Public Health, The Economic Journal, Social Science and Medicine and Annals of Tourism Research. These articles and books are contributed by the reputed authors having high h-index. The journal articles and books retrieved have also a good number of citations, although such results are limited. The results prove that Google Scholar is scholarly in nature to a great extent.

Research limitations/implications
The findings are limited to Google Scholar only and cannot be generalized for the rest of the search tools or databases. Further, the study included only five major global problems in the study, and thus, results cannot be applicable to other areas of knowledge.

Practical implications
The study is a checklist to know the retrieval performance of Google Scholar in terms of quality of content.

Originality/value
It is the first study of its kind that takes into account the nature of content on major global problems retrieved by the Google Scholar. It is also the first study that used bibliometric analysis to evaluate the quality of results retrieved.
Parent‐directed commentaries during children's hearing habilitation appointments: a practice in family‐centred care
Authors: Ekberg Katie , Scarinci Nerina , Hickson Louise , Meyer Carly 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundFamily‐centred care (FCC) is recognized as best practice in the delivery of early intervention services for children with hearing loss (HL) and their families. However, there has been little research involving direct observation of family‐centred communication practices in paediatric hearing habilitation appointments, which means little is currently known about how family members are involved within appointments, and how FCC is accomplished by health professionals through their interactions with families.AimsTo examine the interaction between hearing healthcare professionals, children with HL, and their parents within video‐recorded paediatric hearing habilitation appointments (including both audiology and speech and language therapy appointments), with a particular focus on how parents were involved in the interaction.Methods & ProceduresThe data for this study involved a corpus of 48 video‐recorded paediatric hearing habilitation appointments from three clinical sites (including 33 audiology appointments and 15 speech pathology appointments). Participants included 14 audiologists, 8 speech and language therapists, 41 children with HL (aged 18 months and over) and 48 of their attending family members (e.g., parents/carers). The data were analyzed using conversation analysis.Outcomes & ResultsAnalysis revealed one specific practice that health professionals used to engage parents in the interaction during child‐directed assessment and therapy tasks: that of ‘parent‐directed commentaries’, where health professionals shifted their attention to the parent(s) to describe or evaluate what they were observing during appointment tasks. Health professionals were observed to produce two types of parent‐directed commentaries: (1) a positive evaluation of the child's just‐prior response; and (2) an account for the child's prior behaviour (sometimes also accompanied by a positive evaluation). These commentaries appeared at systematic points in the interaction when the child had been displaying difficulty with their response to the health professional. The parent‐directed commentaries accomplished several important functions: they engaged the parent's attention in the interaction; focused the parent's attention on positive responses from the child (while shrouding less positive responses); played down potential negative perceptions of the child's previous missed/incorrect responses; and provided parents with reassurance of their child's progress during the ongoing task.Conclusions & ImplicationsThe parent‐directed commentaries identified in this study provide an example of the practical, interactional resources that health professionals can draw on within paediatric appointments to facilitate FCC with parents.
The importance of input and output legitimacy in democratic governance: Evidence from a population‐based survey experiment in four West European countries
Authors: STREBEL MICHAEL ANDREA , KÜBLER DANIEL , MARCINKOWSKI FRANK 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe study of subjective democratic legitimacy from a citizens’ perspective has become an important strand of research in political science. Echoing the well‐known distinction between ‘input‐oriented’ and ‘output‐oriented’ legitimacy, the scientific debate on this topic has coined two opposed views. Some scholars find that citizens have a strong and intrinsic preference for meaningful participation in collective decision making. But others argue, to the contrary, that citizens prefer ‘stealth democracy’ because they care mainly about the substance of decisions, but much less about the procedures leading to them. In this article, citizens’ preferences regarding democratic governance are explored, focusing on their evaluations of a public policy according to criteria related to various legitimacy dimensions, as well as on the (tense) relationship among them. Data from a population‐based conjoint experiment conducted in eight metropolitan areas in France, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom is used. By analysing 5,000 respondents’ preferences for different governance arrangements, which were randomly varied with respect to their input, throughput and output quality as well as their scope of authority, light is shed on the relative importance of different aspects of democratic governance. It is found, first, that output evaluations are the most important driver for citizens’ choice of a governance arrangement; second, consistent positive effects of criteria of input and throughput legitimacy that operate largely independent of output evaluations can be discerned; and third, democratic input, but not democratic throughput, is considered somewhat more important when a governance body holds a high level of formal authority. These findings run counter to a central tenet of the ‘stealth democracy’ argument. While they indeed suggest that political actors and institutions can gain legitimacy primarily through the provision of ‘good output’, citizens’ demand for input and throughput do not seem to be conditioned by the quality of output as advocates of stealth democratic theory suggest. Democratic input and throughput remain important secondary features of democratic governance.
Economic impacts of El Niño southern oscillation: evidence from the Colombian coffee market
Authors: Bastianin Andrea , Lanza Alessandro , Manera Matteo 
Published: June 2018

AbstractEl Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a naturally occurring phenomenon that affects weather around the world. Past ENSO episodes have had severe impacts on the economy of Colombia. We study the influence of ENSO on Colombian coffee production, exports, and price. Our structural econometric specification is consistent with an economic model of the market for Colombian coffee which, in the short run, is characterized by a downward‐sloping demand curve and by a vertical supply curve. We show that El Niño (i.e., positive shocks to ENSO) is beneficial for Colombian production and exports and decreases the real price of Colombian coffee. On the contrary, La Niña (i.e., negative shocks to ENSO) depresses Colombian coffee production and exports and increases price. However, the overall impact of ENSO shocks is small. Both in the short run and in the long run, shocks to international demand for Colombian coffee are more relevant than supply‐side shocks in Colombia in explaining the dynamics of the price of Colombian coffee. Our results suggest that a given coffee price shock can have beneficial, detrimental, or negligible effects on the Colombian economy, depending on its underlying cause. As a consequence, policy responses to coffee price shocks should be designed by looking at the causes of the shocks.