bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Volume Change Characteristics of Eco-Friendly Mortar Mixes Produced with Geopolymeric Binder and Recycled Fine Aggregate
Authors: Saha Suman , Shaik Nisar , Rajasekaran Chandrasekaran 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
The production of geopolymer mortar using recycled fine aggregate (RFA) generated from concrete waste has significant potential to be a sustainable construction material. In this article, the volume change properties of the produced geopolymer mortar mixes are studied in terms of drying shrinkage up to the age of 180 days and reported as the percentage increase with respect to the shrinkage value of 3 days. The influence of RFA content, alkaline liquid (AL) in terms of the concentration of sodium hydroxide (SH) solution, the ratio of sodium silicate (SS) solution to SH solution, and the ratio of AL to fly ash (FA) were investigated on the drying shrinkage properties of the geopolymer mortar mixes. All the cast specimens were cured at 80°C for 24 hours. Higher drying shrinkage values were observed for the mortar mixes produced with higher RFA content, AL/FA, SS/SH ratio, and lower concentration of SH solution. Scanning electron microscope images were studied for the samples taken from the geopolymer mixes showing lower drying shrinkage values to understand the microstructure.
Evaluation of Apparatus Used to Test Liquid through Protective Materials: Comparison of a Modified Dot-Blot Apparatus to the ASTM Penetration Cell
Authors: Schwerin Matthew R. , Portnoff Lee , Furlong Jennifer L. , Das Srilekha S. , Gordon Edward A. , Woods Terry O. , Wood Steven C. , Lucas Anne D. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns used in the latest Ebola outbreak in Western Africa, are critical in preventing the spread of deadly diseases. Appropriate test systems and test soils are needed to adequately evaluate PPE. ASTM F903, Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquid, has been used for decades to test fabrics’ resistance to liquid penetration. However, this test apparatus requires at least 60 mL of test solutions, is labor intensive, and has problems with leakage around the gaskets. We compared the F903 test apparatus to a modified dot-blot apparatus to evaluate the visual penetration of a blood test soil. A series of commercially available gowns and drapes were tested in each apparatus. Using blood test soil at 2 psi, there was no statistically significant difference between the two methods except for in one gown. By comparing this gown in the ASTM test apparatus with and without a screen, the particular screen selected did not account for the difference between the dot-blot and F903 apparatuses; however, it is conceivable that a particular screen/fabric combination could account for this difference. The modified dot-blot apparatus was evaluated using three different test solutions: blood, vomit, and a labeled protein (goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G–horseradish peroxidase [GaR IgG-HRP]) in a blood test soil solution. This testing revealed significant difference in penetration for some of the PPE garments. The modified dot-blot had several large advantages over the ASTM apparatus—over six times less specimen volume and no edge or gasket leakage. In addition, nitrocellulose can be easily incorporated into the modified dot-blot apparatus, enabling the trapping of viruses and proteins that penetrate PPE—thus permitting the use of antibodies to quickly and sensitively detect penetration.
A New Family of Distributions Based on a Poly-Exponential Transformation
Authors: Chesneau Christophe , Bakouch Hassan S. , Sharma Vikas Kumar 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this article, we propose a new generator of distributions based on a polynomial-exponential transformation of an existing cumulative distribution function. It naturally arises when we deal with parallel-series systems. We study some of its mathematical properties, including moments, a moment generating function, some measures of uncertainty, and a distribution of order statistics. Maximum likelihood estimation along with an extensive simulation study is discussed. The applicability of some submodels of the family is illustrated by means of two hydrologic data sets over existing distributions.
Echoes of Emotions Past: How Neuromodulators Determine What We Recollect
Authors: Clewett David , Murty Vishnu P. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe tend to re-live emotional experiences more richly in memory than more mundane experiences. According to one recent neurocognitive model of emotional memory, negative events may be encoded with a larger amount of sensory information than neutral and positive events. As a result, there may be more perceptual information available to reconstruct these events at retrieval, leading to memory reinstatement patterns that correspond with greater memory vividness and sense of recollection for negative events. In this commentary, we offer an alternative perspective on how emotion may influence such sensory cortex reinstatement that focuses on engagement of the noradrenergic (NE) and dopaminergic (DA) systems rather than valence. Specifically, we propose that arousal-related locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system activation promotes the prioritization of the most salient features of an emotional experience in memory. Thus, a select few details may drive lower-level sensory cortical activity and a stronger sense of recollection for arousing events. By contrast, states of high behavioral activation, including novelty-seeking and exploration, may recruit the DA system to broaden the scope of cognitive processing and integrate multiple event aspects in memory. These more integrated memory representations may be reflected in higher-order cortical reinstatement at retrieval. Thus, the balance between activation in these neuromodulatory systems at encoding, rather than the valence of the event, may ultimately determine the quality of emotional memory recollection and neural reinstatement.
Verbal Fluency Is Affected by Altered Brain Lateralization in Adults Who Were Born Very Preterm
Authors: Tseng Chieh-En Jane , Froudist-Walsh Sean , Kroll Jasmin , Karolis Vyacheslav , Brittain Philip J. , Palamin Nadia , Clifton Hayley , Counsell Serena J. , Williams Steven C. R. , Murray Robin M. , Nosarti Chiara 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLanguage difficulties have been reported in children and adolescents who were born very preterm (<32 weeks’ gestation) and associated with an atypical lateralization of language processing, i.e., increased right-hemispheric engagement. This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and spherical deconvolution tractography to study the hemodynamic responses associated with verbal fluency processing (easy and hard letter trials) and verbal fluency-related white matter fiber tracts in 64 very preterm born adults and 36 adult controls (mean age: 30 years). Tractography of the arcuate fasciculus (AF) and frontal aslant tract (FAT) was performed. Tracts were quantified in terms of mean volume, hindrance modulated orientational anisotropy, and lateralization, assessed using a laterality index (LI) to indicate hemispheric dominance. During verbal fluency fMRI, very preterm participants displayed decreased hemodynamic response suppression in both the Easy > Rest and Hard > Rest conditions, compared to controls, in superior temporal gyrus (STG), insula, thalamus, and sensorimotor cortex, particularly in the right hemisphere. At the whole-group level, decreased hemodynamic response suppression in the right sensorimotor cortex was associated with worse on-line performance on the hard letter trials. Increased left-laterality in the AF was present alongside increased right hemispheric hemodynamic response suppression in controls. When only right-handed participants were considered, decreased hemodynamic response suppression in the right STG during hard letter trials was related to weaker left and right FAT white matter integrity in the preterm group only. These results show that verbal fluency is affected by altered functional lateralization in adults who were born very preterm.
Choice-Selective Neurons in the Auditory Cortex and in Its Striatal Target Encode Reward Expectation
Authors: Guo Lan , Weems Jardon T. , Walker William I. , Levichev Anastasia , Jaramillo Santiago 
Published: March 2019

Learned behavioral responses to sounds depend largely on the expected outcomes associated with each potential choice. Where and how the nervous system integrates expectations about reward with auditory sensory information to drive appropriate decisions is not fully understood. Using a two-alternative choice task in which the expected reward associated with each sound varied over time, we investigated potential sites along the corticostriatal pathway for the integration of sound signals, behavioral choice, and reward information in male mice. We found that auditory cortical neurons encode not only sound identity, but also the animal's choice and the expected size of reward. This influence of reward expectation on sound- and choice-related activity was further enhanced in the major striatal target of the auditory cortex: the posterior tail of the dorsal striatum. These results indicate that choice-specific information is integrated with reward signals throughout the corticostriatal pathway, potentially contributing to adaptation in sound-driven behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTLearning and maintenance of sensory-motor associations require that neural circuits keep track of sensory stimuli, choices, and outcomes. It is not clear at what stages along the auditory sensorimotor pathway these signals are integrated to influence future behavior in response to sounds. Our results show that the activity of auditory cortical neurons and of their striatal targets encodes the animals' choices and expectation of reward, in addition to stimulus identity. These results challenge previous views of the influence of motor signals on auditory circuits and identifies potential loci for integration of task-related information necessary for updating auditory decisions in changing environments.
Ambient temperature and prevalence of diabetes and insulin resistance in the Spanish population: Di@bet.es study
Authors: Valdés Sergio , Doulatram-Gamgaram Viyey , Lago Ana , García Torres Francisca , Badía-Guillén Rocío , Olveira Gabriel , Goday Albert , Calle-Pascual Alfonso , Castaño Luis , Castell Conxa , Delgado Elías , Menendez Edelmiro , Franch-Nadal Josep , Gaztambide Sonia , Girbés Joan , Gomis Ramón , Ortega Emilio , Galán-García José L , Aguilera-Venegas Gabriel , Soriguer Federico , Rojo-Martínez Gemma 
Published: March 2019

Objective
The activity of brown adipose tissue is sensitive to changes in ambient temperature. A lower exposure to cold could result in an increased risk of developing diabetes at population level, although this factor has not yet been sufficiently studied.

Design
We studied 5072 subjects, participants in a national, cross-sectional population-based study representative of the Spanish adult population (Di@bet.es study). All subjects underwent a clinical, demographic and lifestyle survey, a physical examination and blood sampling (75 g oral glucose tolerance test). Insulin resistance was estimated with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). The mean annual temperature (°C) in each individual municipality was collected from the Spanish National Meteorology Agency.

Results
Linear regression analysis showed a significant positive association between mean annual temperature and fasting plasma glucose (β: 0.087, P < 0.001), 2 h plasma glucose (β: 0.049, P = 0.008) and HOMA-IR (β: 0.046, P = 0.008) in multivariate adjusted models. Logistic regression analyses controlled by multiple socio-demographic variables, lifestyle, adiposity (BMI) and geographical elevation showed increasing odds ratios for prediabetes (WHO 1999), ORs 1, 1.26 (0.95–1.66), 1.08 (0.81–1.44) and 1.37 (1.01–1.85) P for trend = 0.086, diabetes (WHO 1999) ORs 1, 1.05 (0.79–1.39), 1.20 (0.91–1.59) and 1.39 (1.02–1.90) P = 0.037, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR ≥75th percentile of the non-diabetic population): ORs 1, 1.03 (0.82–1.30), 1.22 (0.96–1.55), 1.26 (0.98–1.63) (P for trend = 0.046) as the mean annual temperature (into quartiles) rose.

Conclusions
Our study reports an association between ambient temperature and the prevalence of dysglycemia and insulin resistance in Spanish adults, consistent with the hypothesis that a lower exposure to cold could be associated with a higher risk of metabolic derangements.
Sense of Coherence in People with and without Inflammatory Bowel Diseases – Is there a Difference?
Authors: Naftali Timna , Eindor-Abarbanel Adi , Ruhimovich Nahum , Shitrit Ariella Bar-Gil , Sklerovsky-Benjaminov Fabiana , Laish Ido , Matalon Shay , Shirin Haim , Milgrom Yael , Ziv-Baran Tomer , Broide Efrat 
Published: March 2019

Background & Aims: Sense of coherence (SOC) is a theoretical concept reflecting a person‘s resources and orientation, which enable individuals to cope with stressors in a health-promoting manner. In several multifactorial chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and systemic lupus erythematosus, SOC was correlated with disease development. It was also related with the emotional distress in patients with inflammatory boweldisease (IBD).The aim of this study was to investigate the possible correlation between low SOC scores and the presence of IBD.Methods: A total of 183 Crohn’s disease (CD) and 71 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients completed questionnaires including demographic data and the 13 items for the SOC questionnaire. The IBD patients were matched to 124 healthy people according to age, gender, education, employment status and marital status.Results: In the CD cohort, 96 patients were matched to the healthy cohort according to the propensity score value, and in the UC cohort 57 were matched. Patients with Crohns’ disease had a median SOC score of 63 (IQR 56-71), and healthy matching controls of 62.5 (IQR 55.25- 68.75) p=0.369. Patients with ulcerative patients had a median SOC score of 66 (IQR 56-73) and healthy controls 62 (IQR 55-69) p=0.354.Conclusions: In our study SOC was not related to the development of IBD. The question of whether SOC is associated with the development of chronic disease and particularly with IBD remains open.
Sequential Therapy for First-Line Helicobacter pylori Eradication: 10- or 14-Day Regimen?
Authors: Zullo Angelo , Fiorini Giulia , Scaccianoce Giuseppe , Portincasa Piero , De Francesco Vincenzo , Vassallo Roberto , Urban Flavia , Mogavero Giuseppe , Amato Arnaldo , Vaira Dino 
Published: March 2019

Background & Aim: Standard 10-day sequential therapy is advised as first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication by current Italian guidelines. Some data suggested that a 14-day regimen may achieve higher eradication rates. This study compared the efficacy of sequential therapy administered for either 10- or 14-days.Methods: This prospective, multicenter, open-label study enrolled patients with H. pylori infection without previous treatment. Patients were receiving a sequential therapy for either 10 or 14 days with esomeprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1 g (5 or 7 days) followed by esomeprazole 40 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg and tinidazole 500 mg (5 or 7 days), all given twice daily. Bacterial eradication was checked using 13C-urea breath test. Eradication cure rates were calculated at both Intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses.Results: A total of 291 patients were enrolled, including 146 patients in 10-day and 145 in the 14-day regimen. The eradication rates were 87% (95% CI = 81.5-92.4) and 90.3% (95% CI = 85.5-95.1) at ITT analysis with the 10- and 14-day regimen, respectively, and 92.7% (95% CI = 88.3-97) and 97% (95% CI = 94.2-99.9) at PP analysis (p =0.37). Among patients, who earlier had interrupted therapy, bacterial eradication was achieved in 8 out of 9 who completed the first therapy phase and performed at least ≥3 days of triple therapy in the second phase.Conclusion: This study found that both 10- and 14-day sequential therapies achieved a high eradication rate for first-line H. pylori therapy in clinical practice.
Prevalence of gluten-related disorders in Asia-Pacific region: a systematic review
Authors: Ashtari Sara , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin , Rostami Kamran , Rostami-Nejad Mohammad , Busani Luca , Tavirani Mostafa Rezaei , Zali Mohammad Reza 
Published: March 2019

Background & Aims: The epidemiology of gluten-related disorders (GRDs) is still an open field to be explored. We conducted this systematic review based on the current epidemiology knowledge of GRDs, focusing on the changing prevalence of GRDs reported in the Asia-Pacific region.Methods: We searched Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane database with the following MeSH terms and keywords: celiac disease (CD), wheat allergy (WA), non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and gluten ataxia (GA) and the prevalence studies published from January 1991 to January 2018. Each article was cross-referenced with “Asia-Pacific region” and countries in this regionsuch as Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and others.Results: We included 66 studies, which reported the prevalence of GRDs in the Asia-Pacific region. Prevalence of celiac disease was 0.32%-1.41% in healthy children and 0.05%-1.22% in the adult population, while the prevalence in the high risk population was higher (0.6%-11.8%). Previous studies have shown a very low incidence of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) (<0.001%) and gluten ataxia (GA) in this area. Few studies on NCGS outbreaks have been found in this area due to the lack of specific diagnostic biomarkers. Wheat allergy (WA), although uncommon in most Asian-Pacific countries, is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in this region.Conclusion: The results of this systematic review suggest the need to plan further proper epidemiological studies in order to understand the natural history of GRDs and to assess its burden on health systems.
Improving the Safety of Teratogen Prescribing Practices in a Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic
Authors: Cooper Ashley M. , Horwitz Mara , Becker Mara L. 
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVES:
Although teratogenic medications are commonly used to treat rheumatic disease, no standard model currently exists for educating adolescent patients about teratogenic risk or performing routine pregnancy screening. We performed a quality improvement project to increase education and pregnancy screening in girls and women of childbearing age prescribed teratogenic medications in our pediatric rheumatology clinic.

METHODS:
Eligible participants included female patients age 10 and older prescribed teratogenic medications in a single-center tertiary care pediatric rheumatology clinic. Seven plan-do-study-act cycles were completed to test the following interventions: visible project reminders, physician and nurse education, progress updates, previsit planning, and development of an electronic health record education template. Chart reviews were performed, and control charts were created for each aim to analyze improvement over time.

RESULTS:
At baseline, 57 of 231 (24.7%) clinic encounters of female patients age 10 years and older taking teratogenic medications had education documented within the last 12 months, and 47 of 231 (20.3%) had pregnancy screening performed at the visit. Implementation of our interventions resulted in improvement in documentation of annual teratogen education (904 of 1135; 79.6%) and routine pregnancy screening (940 of 1135; 82.8%), both of which were statistically significant (P &lt; .0001). Control charts revealed special cause with sustained improvement over &gt;1 year.

CONCLUSIONS:
The interventions made through this quality improvement project increased the frequency of both teratogen education and urine pregnancy screening in patients taking teratogenic medications. Development of a standardized education template in the electronic health record played a key role in sustaining these improvements over time.
AN ANALYSIS OF TEACHER PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON TEACHER PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA
Authors: Kagema Josphat , Irungu Cecilia 
Published: March 2019

Every organization has an objective towards optimum performance and the employees are the key drivers in achieving that. It is necessary therefore that the employees’ performance reach optimality for the success of the organization which is a primary goal of every organization including learning institutions. The present research investigated the influence of teacher performance appraisals on teacher performance in secondary schools in Kenya. Employing stratified and simple random sampling methods, 46 secondary schools with 460 teachers in two counties in Kenya were taken as samples. The variables under research included teacher remuneration, government policies, school administration, the school environment, and the school curriculum, which were under investigation in form of comparisons, explanations, and relationships on the aspects of teacher motivation to perform well. The research found that teacher appraisals influenced teacher performance. In general, the teachers perceived that government policies are unfavorable to them in terms of career advancement and introduction of the policies in place. The paper concludes with recommendations on application of the appraisal system to motivate teachers and thereby improve the performance of learners.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXTENT AND CHALLENGES OF ASSESSING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILLS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS: THE CASES OF WOLAYITA ZONE, ETHIOPIA
Authors: Bachore Mebratu Mulatu , Satenaw Amare 
Published: March 2019

The main objective of this study was to investigate the assessment of students’ speaking skill in some selected preparatory schools. It was a descriptive survey. The data was collected from teachers and students using questionnaire, interview and classroom observations. Taro Yemane (1996) formula was used to determine the sample size. Accordingly, 254 students were selected as samples using simple random sampling technique. But, six English language teachers who teach grade 11 students were selected using availably technique. The data collected via questionnaire was filled into SPSS and then, different statistical analysis such as frequency and percentage were computed from the data inserted in to SPSS. The result of statistical analysis was presented in the tables and pie chart. Besides, data obtained from interview were transcribed and categorized according to related themes. The study revealed that English teachers assess speaking skills of their students at different times. But, it was noted that the most teachers assess speaking skill during speaking lessons only. Regarding the frequency, many EFL teachers assess their students always, however, it was disclosed that there are teachers who assess their students speaking once in a month and even in a semester. The findings of the study also disclosed that different factors such as lack of adequate time, lack of sufficient material, large number of students per class, and teacher’s inappropriate way of assessing speaking skill affect the assessment of speaking skill.