bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The growth rates of dot enumeration ability predict mathematics achievements: A 5‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Liu Yingyi , Wong Terry Tin‐Yau 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundDot enumeration is the basic mathematics competency in young children and a significant indicator of later mathematics achievement.AimThe present study focused on (1) how children's dot enumeration ability changed as they progressed from late kindergarten years (K3) to the second year of primary school in Hong Kong (P2), and (2) the extent to which such changes are associated with students’ mathematics outcomes assessed at the fourth grade, including standardized mathematics achievement, whole number magnitude understanding, and rational number concept.Sample(s)Two hundred and eleven Hong Kong kindergarteners were recruited.MethodsThe participants’ dot enumeration was assessed from K3 to P2. Their mathematics outcomes were assessed at P4, including standardized mathematics achievement, whole number magnitude understanding, and rational number concept.ResultsThe changes in their dot enumeration speed reflected a linear growth pattern. Further, both the initial level and growth rate of dot enumeration predicted standardized mathematics achievement and whole number magnitude understanding 2 years later while only the latter predicted rational number concept.ConclusionsThe results indicate the importance of focusing on children's growth in a specific mathematics skill, in addition to their status at one single time point. Practical implications are discussed in this article.
A robust green traffic‐based routing problem for perishable products distribution
Authors: Tirkolaee Erfan Babaee , Hadian Shaghayegh , Weber Gerhard‐Wilhelm , Mahdavi Iraj 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNowadays, transportation and logistics are considered as the drivers of economic development in the countries due to their impacts on the main variables of the country's economy such as production, employment, price, and the cost of living. Statistics indicate that fuel consumption constructs a major part of transportation costs, where its optimization leads to the creation of an energy‐efficient and sustainable transportation system. On the other hand, vehicles' traffic is also one of the main criteria affecting the travel time of vehicles between demand nodes in a supply chain, increasing fuel consumption, and, consequently, damaging effects of greenhouse gasses. In this paper, a novel robust mixed‐integer linear programming model is developed for a green vehicle routing problem with intermediate depots considering different urban traffic conditions, fuel consumption, time windows of services, and uncertain demand for perishable products. To validate and solve the suggested model, CPLEX solver of GAMS software is employed as an exact method. Finally, a case study problem is investigated to evaluate the applicability of the proposed model and determine the optimal managerial insights and policies in the real‐world conditions using sensitivity analyses. Moreover, a novel robustness threshold comparison is conducted to find the optimal level of budget assignment.
Reduced‐intensity conditioning allogeneic transplant with dual T‐cell depletion in myelofibrosis
Authors: Salas Maria Queralt , Lam Wilson , Law Arjun Datt , Kim Dennis (Dong Hwan) , Michelis Fotios V. , Loach David , Al‐Shaibani Zeyad , Lipton Jeffrey Howard , Kumar Rajat , Mattsson Jonas , Viswabandya Auro 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundThere remains a significant mortality in recipients with MF who undergo allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo‐HSCT). The combination of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and post‐transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) provides good control of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) when peripheral blood stem cell grafts are used.MethodsWe report the outcome of 37 recipients with myelofibrosis who underwent reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) allo‐HSCT with ATG and PTCy. Median follow‐up was 16.4 months.ResultsNine (24.3%) recipients received 10/10 MRD grafts, 17 (45.9%) 10/10 MUD grafts, 4 (10.8%) 9/10 MUD grafts, and 7 (18.9%) haploidentical donor grafts. Six (16.3%) patients had graft failure. The cumulative incidence of grade II‐IV and grade III‐IV aGVHD at day +100 and moderate/severe chronic GVHD at 1 year was as follows: 13.5%, 5.4%, and 17%. There were no deaths secondary to GVHD. One‐year overall survival (OS), relapse‐free survival (RFS), non‐relapse mortality (NRM), and GVHD‐free/RFS (GRFS) were respectively 74.4%, 71.3%, 23%, and 43.3%. Those recipients who had worse KPS ≤ 80% had worse OS and RFS.ConclusionRIC allo‐HSCT with ATG and PTCy results in high OS and RFS in patients with myelofibrosis and absence of mortality secondary to GVHD. Further investigations are required to reduce NRM and graft failure rates.
Herbivore consumers face different challenges along opposite sides of the stoichiometric knife‐edge
Authors: Zhou Libin , Declerck Steven A. J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAnthropogenic activities have reshaped the relative supply rates of essential elements to organisms. Recent studies suggested that consumer performance is strongly reduced by food that is either very high or very low in relative phosphorus content. However, the generality of such ‘stoichiometric knife‐edge’ and its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We studied the response of a planktonic rotifer to a 10‐fold food carbon : phosphorus (C : P) gradient and confirmed the existence of the stoichiometric knife‐edge. Interestingly, we observed a complete homeostatic breakdown associated with strong growth reductions at high food C : P. In contrast, at low food C : P, animals maintained homeostasis despite pronounced performance reductions. Our results suggest that the mechanisms underlying adverse effects of stoichiometric imbalance are determined by both the identity of elements that are limiting and those that are present in excess. Negative effects of excess P reveal an additional way of how eutrophication may affect consumers.
A human skin model to evaluate the protective effect of compounds against UVA damage
Authors: Abadie S. , Bedos P. , Rouquette J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe main function of skin is to protect the body from external aggressions. Over time, normal skin ageing is accelerated by external stresses such as smoking, pollution, chemical products and radiation. UV light, in particular UVA, causes DNA damage, apoptosis and morphological modifications, which are responsible for both premature ageing and cancer. The aim of this study was to establish a discriminatory and sufficiently reproducible cutaneous model for evaluating UVA damage, to enable testing for effectiveness of potentially protective compounds.MethodsThe cutaneous model is based on Human skin explants irradiated with UVA. Deleterious effects on epidermis were observed and quantified by haematoxylin–eosin staining and by immunofluorescence of ɣ‐H2Ax, cytokeratin 5, involucrin and loricrin protein. Dermis deterioration was evaluated by transmission electronic microscopy and zymography in situ.ResultsWe were able to observe and quantify deleterious effects associated with UVA irradiation: epidermal and dermal disruption, appearance of Sunburn cells, increased DNA damage and induced apoptosis. The use of this model in the evaluation of protective compounds was first confirmed using sunscreens, then further validated with a panel of active ingredients which showed beneficial effects on epidermis morphology and DNA integrity after UVA exposure.ConclusionWe have developed a model and a standardized protocol, based on the use of human skin explants, which allows us to explore the protective effect of active ingredients to environmental stresses such as UVA.
Predictors of breakfast skipping among 14 to 16 years old adolescents in Jordan: The influential role of mothers
Authors: Ali Reem A. , Abdel Razeq Nadin M. , Al‐Kloub Manal I. , Alzoubi Fatmeh A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimTo assess the prevalence and identify the predictors of breakfast skipping among 14‐ to 16‐year‐old adolescents in Jordan, focusing on mother‐related variables.BackgroundBreakfast is an essential meal across one's entire lifespan and especially important during the adolescent years. The practice of skipping breakfast has become so prevalent among adolescents that it is now a well‐documented nutritional problem.DesignA descriptive cross‐sectional correlational design.MethodsA proportional cluster stratified sampling protocol was used to select 1896 adolescents and their mothers (1013) during the period of March to June 2016. A self‐reported questionnaire was used to collect data on breakfast‐skipping rates, the perceived reasons for this behavior, the perceived importance of consuming breakfast, and maternal encouragement of breakfast consumption.ResultsThe prevalence of breakfast skipping was 34.3% among adolescents and 21.5% among their mothers. A significant association was found between breakfast skipping among adolescents and their mothers (χ2 [1, n = 998] = 37.90, P = .001). Maternal encouragement of breakfast consumption, gender, and adolescent perception of the importance of this meal were found to be significant predictors of adolescent breakfast skipping.ConclusionThe findings highlight the importance of involving mothers in developing nutritional health plans aimed at promoting regular breakfast consumption among adolescents.
Women's decision‐making processes and experiences of vaginal birth after caesarean birth: A phenomenological study
Authors: Akgün Mehtap , Boz İlkay 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimTo discover, identify, and interpret the decision‐making processes and experiences of women on vaginal birth after caesarean section.MethodsThis Husserlian phenomenological qualitative study was conducted using semistructured individual interviews with 12 women who experienced vaginal birth after caesarean section between August and December 2017. Colaizzi's qualitative analysis method was used.ResultsFour themes emerged: “finding a way to have vaginal birth after caesarean section,” “healing by giving birth,” “advantageous birth,” and “being at the centre of the care,” with 13 subthemes. Women defined vaginal birth after caesarean section as an important aspect of their femininity and a sense of motherhood. The women noted that traumatic experiences in caesarean section birth had been removed with vaginal birth and regarded this as an important spiritual experience and life event. The women reported that the important advantage of vaginal birth after caesarean section was not being in need of others in the post‐partum period. However, women described negative experiences where health care professionals did not respect their birth preference or provide adequate information and support.ConclusionsContinuing professional development training is recommended in order to improve health care professionals' caring consciousness about the importance of shared decision making for women's birth type.
Practice pattern of non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer in Japan, Korea and Taiwan: A Web‐based survey
Authors: Choo Seol Ho , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Kitamura Hiroshi , Chen Chung‐Hsin , Pu Yeong‐Shiau , Lee Hyung‐Lae , Jeong Byong Chang , Kim Sun Il 
Published: September 2019

ObjectivesTo investigate the treatment pattern of non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer patients among urologists in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, with emphasis on compliance with important treatment guidelines.MethodsA Web‐based questionnaire survey was conceived by representative members of each country's urological oncology society and was open from June 2016 to February 2017 to each society's members. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used.ResultsA total of 2334 urologists were invited and 701 responded to the survey with a response rate of 30.0%. Instruments used during transurethral resection of bladder cancer varied significantly between countries and depended on their availability. The re‐transurethral resection rate for pT1 or high‐grade disease >50% of the time was significantly higher in Japan than in the other two countries, but the collective rate was just 49%. The frequency of intravesical therapy in intermediate‐ to high‐risk disease was generally consistent across countries. However, the choice of agent between chemotherapy and bacillus Calmette–Guérin was significantly different between countries. Maintenance bacillus Calmette–Guérin was used <10% of the time by 45% of respondents, the most important reasons being fear of side‐effects, followed by a lack of efficacy and shortage of drug supply.ConclusionsThere are significant differences between Japan, Korea and Taiwan in the management of intermediate‐ to high‐risk non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer. The results of this survey can serve as the basis for joint efforts to develop common clinical guidelines.
Language Acquisition, Employment Status, and the Earnings of Jewish and Non‐Jewish Immigrants in Israel
Authors: Chiswick Barry R. , Rebhun Uzi , Beider Nadia 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis article analyses the Hebrew language proficiency, probability of employment, and labour market earnings of immigrants in Israel. It uses the 2010/11 Immigrant Absorption Survey conducted by the Israeli CBS. In addition to standard immigration, demographic, and human capital variables, the analysis includes unique features: the study of long‐duration immigrants, analyses of males’ and females’ primary reasons for immigration, the subsidized intensive Hebrew language training programme, Ethiopian Jews, and Jewish and non‐Jewish immigrants from the Former Soviet Union. Results from multivariate analyses largely accord with the “standard theoretical model” of language proficiency regarding the mechanisms of “exposure”, “efficiency”, and “economic incentives”. Acquaintance with the local language increases the likelihood of being employed and has positive earnings outcomes. We discuss implications of the findings for public policy which can improve the adjustment of these new immigrants to their new society, hence also moderate inter‐group tensions.
International Travel Security and the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration
Authors: Koslowski Rey 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis article examines the security dimension of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact for Migration and explains how the global compacts expand international cooperation on travel security. Although the Global Compact on Refugees contains relatively few security‐related provisions, many of the Global Compact for Migration's commitments are largely devoted to increasing security by strengthening border controls, improving travel documents, collecting data, using new technologies, like biometrics, and sharing data. By agreeing to increase cooperation on international travel security aimed at reducing irregular migration, migrant origin states have won commitments from migrant destination states to improve conditions for their nationals working abroad. Given that both global compacts are non‐binding and states may take actions to realize some of the compacts’ commitments but not others, the actual consequences of the compacts may vary greatly and lead to unanticipated outcomes.
Taking a seat at the table: an educational model for nursing empowerment
Authors: Lamb D. , Hofman A. , Clark J. , Hughes A. , Sukhera A.M. 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundThe human resources for health crisis has generated much debate as to the radical changes necessary to mitigate the risks to universal health coverage. Nurses can make a significant impact on global health, if only they feel empowered to take their seat at the political table.AimThe aim of this paper was to outline nurse‐led initiatives to enhance organizational culture and clinical processes at the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. These have been designed and implemented by the United Kingdom (UK) Defence Medical Services to empower the nursing workforce in Pakistan.OutcomeAn educational model has been developed that will build capacity, within a workforce constrained by numbers, by bridging the gap between nursing theory and practice. It is geared to actively engage Pakistani nurses in quality improvement to ensure care is based on best evidence that will enhance patient outcomes.Conclusion and implications for nursing & health policyThe wider impact of the model has already been evidenced by nurses, country‐wide, who are gaining the necessary skills and confidence to realize their true potential in influencing the patient care pathway and future policy. This is crucial to the recruitment and retention of nurses who might otherwise seek alternative career paths if they lack a sense of value within the profession. Their renewed sense of value will enable them to find their voice and ability to contribute to the sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.
Impact of heat stress on pod‐based yield components in field pea (Pisum sativumL.)
Authors: Jiang Yunfei , Lindsay Donna L. , Davis Arthur R. , Wang Zhifa , MacLean Dustin E. , Warkentin Thomas D. , Bueckert Rosalind A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractElevated temperatures associated with climate change result in crops being exposed to frequent spells of heat stress. Heat stress results in reduced yield in field pea (Pisum sativumL.); it is therefore important to identify cultivars with improved pod and seed retention under heat to mitigate this loss. Objectives were to investigate the effect of heat stress on phenology, yield and pod‐based yield components. Sixteen pea cultivars were evaluated at normal and late (hot) seeding dates in the field in Arizona 2012 and in growth chambers with two temperature regimes (24/18°C and 35/18°C day/night temperature for 7 days) during reproductive development. We measured variation in the pattern of pod retention at four‐node positions on plants, seed retention by ovule position (stylar, medial and basal) within pods and screened cultivars for pod retention, seed retention and yield. Heat stress reduced seed yield by accelerating the crop lifecycle and reducing pod number and seed size. Heat stress had the most damaging effect on younger reproductive growth (flowers and pods developed later), resulting in ovary abortion from developing flowers. Heat also accelerated seed abortion in all ovule positions within pods. Two high‐yielding cultivars under control temperature, “Naparnyk” and “CDC Meadow”, maintained high yield in heat, and “MFR043” had the lowest yield. Cultivars “40‐10” and “Naparnyk” retained the most ovules and seeds per pod, and “MFR043” aborted seeds when exposed to heat. In half of the cultivars, ovules at the basal peduncle end of pods were likely to abort while ovules at the medial and stylar end positions developed into seeds. For seven of the field cultivars, ovules at the medial pod position also produced mature seeds. Cultivars “40‐10”, “Naparnyk” and “CDC Meadow” had greater pod and ovule retention or maintained high yield under heat stress, and were identified as heat‐tolerant cultivars. Our results allow for a better understanding of pod‐based yield components in field pea under heat stress and developing heat‐tolerant cultivars.
How to upgrade a leadless pacemaker to cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Lacour Thibaud , Bisson Arnaud , Bernard Anne , Fauchier Laurent , Babuty Dominique , Clementy Nicolas 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionWe sought to develop an efficient method to upgrade pacing‐induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) patients from a leadless pacemaker (LPM) to cardiac resynchronization therapy.Methods and ResultsThree consecutive patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, implanted with an LPM, with permanent right ventricular pacing, and who developed left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to PICM, were included. A conventional biventricular pacemaker with two different coronary sinus leads, one used for left lateral ventricular pacing, one for early right ventricular sensing, was implanted. It was then synchronized with the LPM working as the right ventricular pacing lead to provide biventricular pacing. The upgrading technique was feasible in all cases, without any perioperative complication. All patients had an improved clinical status during follow‐up.ConclusionThis new upgrading technique allows efficient cardiac resynchronization therapy in LPM patients while preventing tricuspid valve crossing and providing an increased battery longevity.
PFN1 and integrin‐β1/mTOR axis involvement in cornea differentiation of fibroblast limbal stem cells
Authors: Tomasello Laura , Coppola Antonina , Pitrone Maria , Failla Valentina , Cillino Salvatore , Pizzolanti Giuseppe , Giordano Carla 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEx vivo limbal stem cell transplantation is the main therapeutic approach to address a complete and functional re‐epithelialization in corneal blindness, the second most common eye disorder. Although important key points were defined, the molecular mechanisms involved in the epithelial phenotype determination are unclear. Our previous studies have demonstrated the pluripotency and immune‐modulatory of fibroblast limbal stem cells (f‐LSCs), isolated from the corneallimbus.We defined a proteomic profile especially enriched in wound healing and cytoskeleton‐remodelling proteins, including Profilin‐1 (PFN1). In this study we postulate that pfn‐1 knock down promotes epithelial lineage by inhibiting the integrin‐β1(CD29)/mTOR pathway and subsequent NANOG down‐expression. We showed that it is possible modulate pfn1 expression levels by treating f‐LSCs with Resveratrol (RSV), a natural compound: pfn1 decline is accompanied with up‐regulation of the specific differentiation epithelial genes pax6 (paired‐box 6), sox17 (sex determining region Y‐box 17) and ΔNp63‐α (p63 splice variant), consistent with drop‐down of the principle stem gene levels. These results contribute to understand the molecular biology of corneal epithelium development and suggest that pfn1 is a potential molecular target for the treatment of corneal blindness based on epithelial cell dysfunction.
LncRNA HOTAIRM1 promotes osteogenesis by controlling JNK/AP‐1 signalling‐mediated RUNX2 expression
Authors: Fu Lei , Peng Shifang , Wu Wanfeng , Ouyang Yi , Tan Deming , Fu Xiaoyu 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have potential ability to differentiate into osteocytes in response to in vitro specific induction. However, the molecular basis underlying this biological process remains largely unclear. In this study, we identify lncRNA HOTAIRM1 as a critical regulator to promote osteogenesis of MSCs. Loss of HOTAIRM1 significantly inhibits the calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase activity of MSCs. Mechanistically, we find that HOTAIRM1 positively modulates the activity of JNK and c‐Jun, both of which are widely accepted as crucial regulators of osteogenic differentiation. More importantly, c‐Jun is found to be functionally involved in the regulation of RUNX2 expression, a master transcription factor of osteogenesis. In detail, c‐Jun can help recruit the acetyltransferase p300 to RUNX2 promoter, facilitating acetylation of histone 3 at K27 site, therefore epigenetically activating RUNX2 gene transcription. In summary, this study highlights the functional importance of HOTAIRM1 in regulation of osteogenesis, and we characterize HOTAIRM1 as a promising molecular target for bone tissue repair and regeneration.