bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting sequential bilateral cochlear implantation performance in postlingually deafened adults; A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Smulders Yvette E. , Hendriks Thomas , Stegeman Inge , Eikelboom Robert H. , Sucher Cathy , Upson Gemma , Chester Browne Ronel , Jayakody Dona , Santa Maria Peter L. , Atlas Marcus D. , Friedland Peter L. 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveTo identify which preoperative patient characteristics influence sequential bilateral cochlear implantation performance and to create a statistical model that predicts benefit.DesignMulticentre retrospective cohort study.SettingAll patients were operated in four academic teaching hospitals in Perth, Australia, and followed up by audiologists of the Ear Science Institute Australia.ParticipantsA total of 92 postlingually deafened adult patients who had undergone sequential cochlear implantations between 19 June 1990 and 14 March 2016 were included. Patients were excluded if the 12‐month follow‐up consonant‐nucleus‐consonant (CNC) phoneme score was missing.Main outcome measureThe effect of 18 preoperative factors on the CNC phoneme score in quiet (at 65 dB SPL) with the second cochlear implant (CI2) one year after implantation.ResultsTwo factors were positively correlated to speech understanding with CI2: Wearing a hearing aid (HA) before receiving CI2 (r = 0.46, P = 0.00) and the maximum CNC phoneme score with the first CI (CI1) (r = 0.21, P = 0.05). Two factors were negatively correlated: the length of hearing loss before CI2 in the second implanted ear (r = −0.25, P = 0.02) and preoperative pure tone average (PTA) (0.5, 1, 2 kHz) before CI2 in the second implanted ear (r = −0.27, P = 0.01). The following model could be created: predicted CNC phoneme score with CI2 (%) = 16 + (44 * HA use before CI2 (yes)) − (0.22 * length of hearing loss before CI2 (years)) + (0.23 * CNC phoneme score with CI1 (%)). Because the effect of HA use before implantation played such a major role, we also created a model after exclusion of the HA factor: Predicted CNC phoneme score with CI2 (%) = 82 − (0.17 * length of hearing loss before CI2 (years)) − (0.27 * PTA in second implanted ear before CI2 (0.5, 1, 2 kHz)) + (0.20 * CNC phoneme score with CI1 (%)).ConclusionAdvanced age or a long interval between implantations does not necessarily lead to poor CI2 results. Patients who are successful HA users before CI2, who have a low PTA before CI2, a high CNC phoneme score with CI1 and a limited length of hearing loss before CI2, are likely to be successful CI2 recipients.
Empirical selection between least‐cost and current‐flow designs for establishing wildlife corridors in Gabon
Authors: Vanthomme Hadrien P. A. , Nzamba Brave S. , Alonso Alfonso , Todd Angelique F. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCorridors are intended to increase species survival by abating landscape fragmentation resulting from the conversion of natural habitats into human‐dominated matrices. Conservation scientists often rely on 1 type of corridor model, typically the least‐cost model or current‐flow model, to construct a linkage design, and their choice is not usually based on theory or empirical evidence. We developed a method to empirically confirm whether corridors produced by these 2 models are used by target species under current landscape conditions. We applied this method in the Gamba landscape between 2 national parks in southwestern Gabon. We collected signs of presence of African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus), and 2 apes, western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and central chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes troglodytes), on transects. We used patch‐occupancy models to identify least‐cost and current‐flow corridors for these 4 species. On average, 28.7% of current‐flow corridors overlapped with least‐cost corridors, confirming that the choice of corridor model can affect the location of the resulting linkage design. We validated these corridors by monitoring signs and examining camera detections on new transects within and outside modeled corridors. Current‐flow corridors performed better than least‐cost corridors for elephants, whereas the opposite was found for buffalo and apes. Locations of the highest priority corridors for the 3 taxa did not overlap, and only 18.3% of their combined surface was common among 2 species. We used centrality metrics to calculate the average contribution of corridor pixels to landscape connectivity and derived an index that can be used to prioritize corridors. As a result, we recommend protecting at least 17.4% of the land surface area around Gamba town to preserve the preferred travel routes of the target species.
Soft Order Commitment in Supply Chains: Role of Penalties and Rationing Rules
Authors: Tian Zhili , Tang Sammi Yu , Kouvelis Panos (Panos) 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIn some industries (e.g., semiconductors, electronics, and agribusiness), buyers place noncommitted orders (called soft orders) to manufacturers in an effort to guide the manufacturer's production decisions. After the buyers know their own demand, they place purchase orders (called firm orders). These orders are often placed very close to the production start time or even after the production start time so that it is not possible for the manufacturer to revise its production schedule. The discrepancies between the soft order and the firm order often result in high excess inventories at the manufacturer. Without any commitment related to the soft orders by the buyers and the production by the manufacturer, the soft orders are often not effective. We hence propose a penalty contract, through which the buyers pay a penalty for canceling some portion of their soft orders. This contract can perfectly coordinate the decentralized supply chain of one manufacturer and multiple buyers and can lead to Pareto improvement in profits relative to the wholesale price contract for all firms in the supply chain. Our results indicate that it is more likely for the contract to achieve coordination and Pareto improvement when the manufacturer allocates the supply in proportion to the firm orders than when it allocates the supply according to the soft orders. We also illustrate the contract by using the data from a leading manufacturer in the industry.
Measures used to quantify participation in childhood disability and their alignment with the family of participation‐related constructs: a systematic review
Authors: Adair Brooke , Ullenhag Anna , Rosenbaum Peter , Granlund Mats , Keen Deb , Imms Christine 
Published: July 2018

AimWe aimed to identify measures used to assess the participation of disabled children and to map the measures’ content to the family of participation‐related constructs (fPRC) to inform future research and practice.MethodSix databases were searched to identify measures used to assess participation in health, psychology, and education research. Included studies involved children aged 0 to 18 years with a permanent impairment or developmental disability and reported use of a quantitative measure of participation. A second search sought relevant literature about each identified measure (including published manuals) to allow a comprehensive understanding of the measure. Measurement constructs of frequently reported measures were then mapped to the fPRC.ResultsFrom an initial yield of 32 767 articles, 578 reported one or more of 118 participation measures. Of these, 51 measures were reported in more than one article (our criterion) and were therefore eligible for mapping to the fPRC. Twenty‐one measures quantified aspects of participation attendance, 10 quantified aspects of involvement as discrete scales, and four quantified attendance and involvement in a manner that could not be separated.InterpretationImproved understanding of participation and its related constructs is developing rapidly; thoughtful selection of measures in research is critical to further our knowledge base.What this paper adds

The fPRC can support our rapidly evolving and expanding understanding of participation.

Instruments selected to measure participation do not always align with emerging concepts.

Matching research aims to a chosen measure's content will improve understanding of participation.

Opportunities exist to develop validated participation measures, especially self‐reported measures of involvement.
Examining Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes toward Business Statistics in the United States and China
Authors: Wang Ping , Palocsay Susan W. , Shi Jinyan , White Marion M. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTThe rapid growth of analytics is bringing more attention to quantitative core curriculum requirements in undergraduate business programs. Statistical knowledge and skills are unequivocally recognized as essential cornerstone of business analytics. Furthermore, educational research has shown that academic performance in statistics classes is related to the attitudes that students bring to the course. This article assesses the reliability and validity of the Survey of Attitudes toward Statistics (SATS) in measuring noncognitive dimensions of attitudes among undergraduate business students. Sample data from U.S. and Chinese introductory business statistics classes were collected and analyzed to learn more about this aspect of student engagement across business schools located in countries with substantially different levels of success in international mathematics achievement testing, as well as differing cultural and educational practices. Results show that the six‐factor model structure of the SATS provides a good fit in both populations, with students entering business statistics holding only slightly positive attitudes toward the subject. Significant distinctions between four of the six attitude components were identified. Implications of measuring and improving these attitudes are discussed. Business statistics instructors are encouraged to use the survey as a standardized instrument to measure effects of interventions and make evidence‐based pedagogical decisions.
An Examination of College Students' Problem‐Solving Self‐Efficacy, Academic Self‐Efficacy, Motivation, Test Performance, and Expected Grade in Introductory‐Level Economics Courses
Authors: Ramos Salazar Leslie , Hayward Stephen L. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTThis study investigated whether self‐efficacy influenced students’ educational outcomes in introductory‐level economics courses. First, this study investigated the correlations between problem‐solving self‐efficacy, academic self‐efficacy, and motivation. Second, this study investigated whether problem‐solving and academic self‐efficacy served as predictors of students’ motivation, test performance, and expected grade. Correlational analyses suggest that problem‐solving and academic self‐efficacy are correlated with student motivation. Results show that problem‐solving self‐efficacy was a predictor of student motivation and test performance. Academic self‐efficacy and problem‐solving self‐efficacy were also predictors of their expected grade. Implications and future directions for economics education are also discussed.
Macaque parvocellular mediodorsal thalamus: dissociable contributions to learning and adaptive decision‐making
Authors: Chakraborty Subhojit , Ouhaz Zakaria , Mason Stuart , Mitchell Anna S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDistributed brain networks govern adaptive decision‐making, new learning and rapid updating of information. However, the functional contribution of the rhesus macaque monkey parvocellular nucleus of the mediodorsal thalamus (MDpc) in these key higher cognitive processes remains unknown. This study investigated the impact of MDpc damage in cognition. Preoperatively, animals were trained on an object‐in‐place scene discrimination task that assesses rapid learning of novel information within each session. Bilateral neurotoxic (NMDA and ibotenic acid) MDpc lesions did not impair new learning unless the monkey had also sustained damage to the magnocellular division of the MD (MDmc). Contralateral unilateral MDpc and MDmc damage also impaired new learning, while selective unilateral MDmc damage produced new learning deficits that eventually resolved with repeated testing. In contrast, during food reward (satiety) devaluation, monkeys with either bilateral MDpc damage or combined MDpc and MDmc damage showed attenuated food reward preferences compared to unoperated control monkeys; the selective unilateral MDmc damage left performance intact. Our preliminary results demonstrate selective dissociable roles for the two adjacent nuclei of the primate MD, namely, MDpc, as part of a frontal cortical network, and the MDmc, as part of a frontal‐temporal cortical network, in learning, memory and the cognitive control of behavioural choices after changes in reward value. Moreover, the functional cognitive deficits produced after differing MD damage show that the different subdivisions of the MD thalamus support distributed neural networks to rapidly and fluidly incorporate task‐relevant information, in order to optimise the animals’ ability to receive rewards.
A review of plasticity induced by auditory and visual tetanic stimulation in humans
Authors: Sanders Philip J. , Thompson Benjamin , Corballis Paul M. , Maslin Michael , Searchfield Grant D. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractLong‐term potentiation is a form of synaptic plasticity thought to play an important role in learning and memory. Recently noninvasive methods have been developed to induce and measure activity similar to long‐term potentiation in humans. Sensory tetani (trains of quickly repeating auditory or visual stimuli) alter the electroencephalogram in a manner similar to electrical stimulation that results in long‐term potentiation. This review briefly covers the development of long‐term potentiation research before focusing on in vivo human studies that produce long‐term potentiation‐like effects using auditory and visual stimulation. Similarities and differences between traditional (animal and brain tissue) long‐term potentiation studies and human sensory tetanization studies will be discussed, as well as implications for perceptual learning. Although evidence for functional consequences of sensory tetanization remains scarce, studies involving clinical populations indicate that sensory induced plasticity paradigms may be developed into diagnostic and research tools in clinical settings. Individual differences in the effects of sensory tetanization are not well‐understood and provide an interesting avenue for future research. Differences in effects found between research groups that have emerged as the field has progressed are also yet to be resolved.
Advanced mare age impairs the ability of in vitro‐matured oocytes to correctly align chromosomes on the metaphase plate
Authors: Rizzo M. , Ducheyne K. D. , Deelen C. , Beitsma M. , Cristarella S. , Quartuccio M. , Stout T. A. E. , de Ruijter‐Villani M. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBackgroundAdvanced mare age is associated with declining fertility and an increased risk of early pregnancy loss. Compromised oocyte quality is probably the primary reason for reduced fertility, but the defects predisposing to embryonic death are unknown. In women, advanced age predisposes to chromosome segregation errors during meiosis, which lead to embryonic aneuploidy and a heightened risk of miscarriage.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of advanced mare age on chromosome alignment and meiotic spindle morphology in in vitro‐matured (IVM) oocytes.Study designMorphometric and morphological analysis.MethodsTo investigate differences in spindle organisation and chromosome alignment between young and old mares, oocytes collected from slaughtered mares were divided into two groups depending on mare age (young, ≤14 years and old, ≥16 years), IVM and stained to visualise chromatin and alpha‐tubulin. Spindle morphology, morphometry and chromosome (mis)alignment were evaluated by confocal microscopy and 3D image analysis.ResultsOocytes from old mares showed a higher incidence of chromosome misalignment (47.4% vs. 4.5%; P<0.001) and a thicker metaphase plate (mean ± s.d.: 5.8 ± 1.0 μm vs. 4.9 ± 0.9 μm; P = 0.04) than oocytes from young mares. Although no differences in spindle morphometry were detected between old and young mares, an increased major spindle axis length was associated with chromosome misalignment (mean ± s.d.: 25.3 ± 6.1 μm vs. 20.8 ± 3.3 μm; P = 0.01) irrespective of age.Main limitationsThe oocytes were IVM and may not exactly reflect chromosome misalignment in vivo.ConclusionsAdvanced mare age predisposes to chromosome misalignment on the metaphase II spindle of IVM oocytes. The compromised ability to correctly align chromosomes presumably predisposes to aneuploidy in resulting embryos and thereby contributes to the age‐related decline in fertility and increased incidence of early pregnancy loss.
The Summary is available in Portuguese – see Supporting Information
Development of psoriasis by continuous neutrophil infiltration into the epidermis
Authors: Katayama Hiroshi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRemarkable effects of anti‐IL‐17A and anti‐IL‐23 antibodies on psoriasis indicate deep involvement of IL‐23/Th17 axis in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. According to the current immune theory, activation of dendritic cells initiates the generation of this axis. However, this theory is not enough to explain the mechanism, because the process of this activation is obscure and the antigen that is recognized by antigen‐presenting cells and pathogenic T cells has long been unidentified. Therefore, I thought of another theory as follows. Neutrophils are attracted by LTB4 at subcorneal portion and infiltrate into the epidermis. At the time of neutrophil migration through the basement membrane, basal keratinocytes in G0/G1 phase enter the cell cycle and begin to proliferate, according to the principle, “detachment‐mediated cell proliferation.” This passing is continuously repeated and leads to elongation of rete ridges. The IL‐23/Th17 axis is generated by interactions between infiltrated neutrophils and keratinocytes. Briefly, neutrophils infiltrated into the epidermis secrete IL‐17A, which acts on keratinocytes to express CCL20, a ligand for the chemokine receptor CCR6. Keratinocytes perturbed by neutrophil infiltration produce HSP70, followed by production of IL‐23 via TLR4 using HSP70 as an endogenous ligand for TLR4. Natural Th17 cells expressing CCR6 are recruited to psoriatic epidermis and expand there in the presence of IL‐23 and IL‐1β. In this manner, the framework of the IL‐23/Th17 axis is created, which acts to maintain or exacerbate psoriasis. Noteworthy is the fact that this axis causes positive feedback loop, starting from IL‐17A production by neutrophils and ending in IL‐17A production by nTh17 cells. Therapeutic mechanisms of anti‐IL‐17A and anti‐IL‐23 antibodies, targeting neutrophils, were also described.
Keep off the grass! New directions for geographies of yards and gardens
Authors: Lang Ursula 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis paper provides a critical assessment of geographic research on yards and private gardens, with a focus on how geographers study people's engagements with more than human organisms and surroundings. Geographies have come alive as assemblages of lively materials, distributed agencies, and animated political and material flows. At the same time, there is renewed interest on the part of geographers to better take into account lived experiences and the embodied politics of difference. Relations between people and their everyday surroundings are central to these critical analyses. This paper examines one such potent realm of these everyday engagements: the yard. These are spaces intimately bound up with uneven geographies of residential development, as well as places of creativity, care, and failure. Contemporary environmental efforts increasingly enroll the yard or garden as a crucial interface through which to refashion relations between water, infrastructure, particular species, chemical inputs, and food systems. This paper identifies two themes within contemporary yard and garden research, as well as ongoing tensions. I argue that the familiarity of such spaces to Anglophone geography challenges and invites further methodological experimentation and analysis. Yards and private gardens also provide purchase on pressing questions of social inequalities, property, and nature. Thus, I identify two directions for future yard research: developing more experimental methodological approaches beyond a focus on lawns and better situating yards within broader geographies of inequity and the production of geographic knowledge.
Association between exposure to antiretroviral drugs and the incidence of hypertension in HIV‐positive persons: the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) study
Authors: Hatleberg CI , Ryom L , d'Arminio Monforte A , Fontas E , Reiss P , Kirk O , El‐Sadr W , Phillips A , de Wit S , Dabis F , Weber R , Law M , Lundgren JD , Sabin C ,   the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) Study Group
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesPrevious studies have suggested that hypertension in HIV‐positive individuals is associated primarily with traditional risk factors such as older age, diabetes and dyslipidaemia. However, controversy remains as to whether exposure to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs poses additional risk, and we investigated this question in the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) cohort.MethodsThe incidence of hypertension [systolic blood pressure (BP) > 140 and/or diastolic BP > 90 mmHg and/or initiation of antihypertensive treatment] was determined overall and in strata defined by demographic, metabolic and HIV‐related factors, including cumulative exposure to each individual ARV drug. Predictors of hypertension were identified using uni‐ and multivariable Poisson regression models.ResultsOf 33 278 included persons, 7636 (22.9%) developed hypertension over 223 149 person‐years (PY) [incidence rate: 3.42 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.35–3.50) per 100 PY]. In univariable analyses, cumulative exposure to most ARV drugs was associated with an increased risk of hypertension. After adjustment for demographic, metabolic and HIV‐related factors, only associations for nevirapine [rate ratio 1.07 (95% CI: 1.04–1.13) per 5 years] and indinavir/ritonavir [rate ratio 1.12 (95% CI: 1.04–1.20) per 5 years] remained statistically significant, although effects were small. The strongest independent predictors of hypertension were male gender, older age, black African ethnicity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, use of lipid‐lowering drugs, high body mass index (BMI), renal impairment and a low CD4 count.ConclusionsWe did not find evidence for any strong independent association between exposure to any of the individual ARV drugs and the risk of hypertension. Findings provide reassurance that screening policies and preventative measures for hypertension in HIV‐positive persons should follow algorithms used for the general population.
A high‐reliability alumina‐platinum multilayer system for implantable medical devices
Authors: Knudsen Arne , Makino Hiroshi , Morioka Kengo , Otomaru Hidekazu , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Satoh Shingo , Thom Andrew , Munns Gordon , Yamamoto Joyce , Reiterer Markus 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA new Pt‐Al2O3 multilayer composite system has been developed and validated with an Accelerated Life Test (ALT) to confirm its potential for long‐term use in implantable medical devices (IMD). Panels containing over 100 Pt vias were subjected to highly accelerated immersion testing in deionized water at temperatures ranging from 90 to 175°C. Deionized water was employed as it best represents the IMD use environment. Degradation of individual Pt vias was evaluated using fluorescent dye infiltration into the subsurface of the panels. ALT guided refinement of materials and processing to produce a Pt‐Al2O3 multilayer composite system with promising performance for possible use in implantable devices.