bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two‐year‐olds use adults' but not peers' points
Authors: Kachel Gregor , Moore Richard , Tomasello Michael 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn the current study, 24‐ to 27‐month‐old children (N = 37) used pointing gestures in a cooperative object choice task with either peer or adult partners. When indicating the location of a hidden toy, children pointed equally accurately for adult and peer partners but more often for adult partners. When choosing from one of three hiding places, children used adults’ pointing to find a hidden toy significantly more often than they used peers’. In interaction with peers, children's choice behavior was at chance level. These results suggest that toddlers ascribe informative value to adults’ but not peers’ pointing gestures, and highlight the role of children's social expectations in their communicative development.
World Bank technical assistance: Locating and cultivating sympathetic interlocutors
Authors: Bazbauers Adrian Robert 
Published: March 2018

AbstractInternational development agencies have need of sympathetic interlocutors in developing countries who are receptive to and capable of sustainably implementing global policy norms. This article analyses World Bank technical assistance (TA) as a tool used to stack the policy deck in its favour by identifying and cultivating those government officials receptive to its ideas. Pairing its analysis with the policy mobilities literature, the article considers two questions: how does the World Bank locate receptive actors and how does it socialize new actors into accepting its ideas and practices? Observing the World Bank's four main TA pillars, the article reviews the different strengths and weaknesses of these pillars in garnering domestic support. In critiquing the World Bank's attempts to identify and cultivate sympathetic interlocutors, the article provides new insights into the mechanisms that facilitate the transnational movement of policy.
Challenges in clinical teaching investigated: Towards sustainable staff recruitment and retention in dentistry
Authors: Veerasamy A. , Loch C. , Adam L. , Howe B. J. , Brunton P. A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPurposeThe study was conducted to identify possible factors and potential barriers that affect the retention and recruitment of clinical teaching staff at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand.MethodologyA short questionnaire survey was distributed to 47 clinical teaching staff to understand the retention strategies and barriers. The collected quantitative and qualitative data were analysed and presented.FindingsThe response rate was 96%, with an equal distribution of female and male clinicians. The majority of participants were European New Zealanders. Themes influencing retention strategies were the necessity of formal teaching skills, clinical teaching as a career pathway, pay progression, lack of support and heavy workload.Practical implicationsResults suggested that generally the respondents to this survey were motivated to give back to their profession through engaging in dental clinical teaching. This study identified that lack of a career development and minimal pay progression are major factors impacting on the retention of clinical teaching staff.
Teaching & Learning Tips 6: The flipped classroom
Authors: Shi Connie R. , Rana Jasmine , Burgin Susan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractChallenge: The “flipped classroom” is a pedagogical model in which instructional materials are delivered to learners outside of class, reserving class time for application of new principles with peers and instructors. Active learning has forever been an elusive ideal in medical education, but the flipped class model is relatively new to medical education. What is the evidence for the “flipped classroom,” and how can these techniques be applied to the teaching of dermatology to trainees at all stages of their medical careers?
Settlement Intentions and Immigrant Integration: The Case of Recently Arrived EU‐Immigrants in the Netherlands
Authors: Wachter Gusta G. , Fleischmann Fenella 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study is to examine the effect of settlement intentions on the integration of recently arrived EU‐immigrants in the Netherlands. Hypotheses on differences in integration, both shortly after arrival and over time, are derived from the intergenerational immigrant integration model. Based on two waves of the New Immigrants to the Netherlands Survey, a longitudinal multilevel model was estimated. Most differences were found with regard to the level of integration shortly after arrival. Immigrants who intended to stay had more contact with natives, were more proficient in Dutch, and consumed more host country media than immigrants who intend to leave. On the other hand, they worked fewer hours per week than immigrants who intend to leave. Differences over time were only found with regard to Dutch language proficiency: immigrants who intend to stay increased their proficiency more strongly than immigrants who intend to leave.
BASIS: The blood pressure awareness and insight scale
Authors: Gerretsen Philip , Kim Julia , Shah Parita , Quilty Lena , Balakumar Thushanthi , Caravaggio Fernando , Plitman Eric , Chung Jun Ku , Iwata Yusuke , Pollock Bruce G. , Dash Satya , Sockalingam Sanjeev , Graff‐Guerrero Ariel 
Published: March 2018

Impaired illness awareness or not accepting that one has hypertension (HTN) may be an important predictor of treatment adherence and optimal blood pressure control. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of available instruments to evaluate HTN awareness, and subsequently present a novel scale that measures the core domains of subjective illness awareness in HTN. Based on the absence of any validated HTN specific measure identified through our review, the Blood Pressure Awareness and Insight Scale (BASIS) was developed (www.illnessawarenessscales.com). An online survey platform was used to collect data on 100 participants. BASIS showed good concurrent (r(98) = .65, P < 0.001) and discriminant validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .75), and 1‐month test‐retest reliability (ICC = 0.77). BASIS is a comprehensive, easy‐to‐use instrument specifically designed to measure subjective HTN awareness. BASIS may be used in research studies and clinical practice to assess the impact of HTN awareness on treatment adherence and clinical outcomes.
Liraglutide, a human glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue, stimulates AKT‐dependent survival signalling and inhibits pancreatic β‐cell apoptosis
Authors: Kapodistria Katerina , Tsilibary Effie‐Photini , Kotsopoulou Eleni , Moustardas Petros , Kitsiou Paraskevi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLiraglutide, a human long‐lasting GLP‐1 analogue, is currently regarded as a powerful treatment option for type 2 diabetes. Apart from glucoregulatory and insulinotropic actions, liraglutide increases β‐cell mass through stimulation of β‐cell proliferation and islet neogenesis, as well as inhibition of β‐cell apoptosis. However, the underline molecular mechanisms have not been fully characterized. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which liraglutide preserves islet β‐cells in an animal model of overt diabetes, the obese db/db mice, and protects a mouse pancreatic β‐cell line (βTC‐6 cells) against apoptosis. Treatment of 12‐week‐old diabetic mice with liraglutide for 2 weeks had no appreciable effects on blood non‐fasting glucose concentration, islet insulin content and body weight. However, morphological and biochemical examination of diabetic mouse pancreatic islets demonstrated that liraglutide restores islet size, reduces islet β‐cell apoptosis and improves nephrin expression, a protein involved in β‐cell survival signalling. Our results indicated that liraglutide protects βTC‐6 cells from serum withdrawal‐induced apoptosis through inhibition of caspase‐3 activation. The molecular mechanism of the anti‐apoptotic action of liraglutide in βTC‐6‐cells comprises stimulation of PI3‐kinase‐dependent AKT phosphorylation leading to the phosphorylation, hence inactivation of the pro‐apoptotic protein BAD and inhibition of FoxO1 transcription factor. In conclusion, we provided evidence that the GLP‐1 analogue liraglutide exerts important beneficial effects on pancreatic islet architecture and β‐cell survival by protecting cells against apoptosis. These findings extend our understanding of the actions of liraglutide and further support the use of GLP‐1R agonists in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes.
Retracted: Tanshinone IIA prevents left ventricular remodelling via the TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signalling pathway in rats with myocardial infarction
Authors: Wu Dong‐Mei , Wang Yong‐Jian , Han Xin‐Rui , Wen Xin , Li Lei , Xu Lan , Lu Jun , Zheng Yuan‐Lin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this study, we aim to investigate the role of tanshinone IIA in myocardial infarction (MI), especially in left ventricular remodelling (VR) and the underlying mechanism involving the TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signalling pathway. Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats (n = 96) were selected, and 12 of them underwent sham surgery. The remaining 84 rats were subjected to MI modelling. HE and MT staining were carried out to estimate infract size, histopathological changes and fibrosis degree. Macrophage infiltration and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and Western blotting were used to determine the expression levels of TLR4, MyD88 and NF‐κB. Serum levels of IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐a, procollagen I Cpropeptide (PICP), and procollagen III N‐propeptide (PIIINP) were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The heart weight/body weight, mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular end‐systolic pressure (LVESP), +dP/dt and −dP/dt increased while the ventricular function and the left ventricular end‐diastole pressure (LVEDP) decreased in MI rats. Compared with the rats undergoing sham surgery, MI rats showed larger infarct size, severer fibrosis, higher expression levels of TLR4, NF‐κB‐P65, MyD88, IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐a, PICP and PIIINP as well as enhanced macrophage infiltration, cardiomyocyte apoptosis. After treatment with tanshinone IIA combined with LPS for 4 weeks, the rats showed better condition than those treated with only LPS. These results indicate that tanshinone IIA attenuates MI and prevents left VR. Importantly, inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signalling pathway is a key step in this process.
Immunohistochemical identification of nail matrix melanocytes
Authors: Rodríguez G. , Vargas E.J. , Abaúnza M.C. , Díaz Quijano D.M. , Melo‐Uribe M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundNo previous studies have been conducted to determine the normal number of nail matrix melanocytes in Latin American individuals. The objective of this work was to determine the number of melanocytes per linear millimetre present in the nail matrix and the nail bed in samples obtained from Colombian individuals.MethodsTwenty‐six unilateral biopsies were taken from 19 cadavers subjected to clinical and medico‐legal autopsies. These biopsy samples were processed with conventional histotechnology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with anti‐HMB‐45 and anti‐MiTF. Three sets of photographs (HE, HMB‐45 and MiTF) were taken of each biopsy sample and independently assessed by three pathologists. Each observer counted the number of melanocytes present in 1 linear mm of the nail matrix or bed.ResultsWe found an average of 4.6 melanocytes x linear mm with H & E staining, 9.8 with HMB‐45 and 12.4 with MiTF.ConclusionsThe use of IHC significantly increases and facilitates the identification of melanocytes in unilateral biopsies. Our IHC counts exceed the averages found in the literature. This finding warrants new studies to verify whether the Colombian population presents higher numbers of melanocytes in the nail matrix than other populations or whether the observed increase is a result of the use of MiTF.
Testing the dualistic model of passion using a novel quadripartite approach: A look at physical and psychological well‐being
Authors: Schellenberg Benjamin J. I. , Verner‐Filion Jérémie , Gaudreau Patrick , Bailis Daniel S. , Lafrenière Marc‐André K. , Vallerand Robert J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivePassion research has focused extensively on the unique effects of both harmonious passion and obsessive passion (Vallerand, 2015). We adopted a quadripartite approach (Gaudreau & Thompson, 2010) to test whether physical and psychological well‐being are distinctly related to subtypes of passion with varying within‐person passion combinations: pure harmonious passion, pure obsessive passion, mixed passion, and non‐passion.MethodIn four studies (total N = 3,122), we tested whether passion subtypes were differentially associated with self‐reported general health (Study 1; N = 1,218 undergraduates), health symptoms in video gamers (Study 2; N = 269 video game players), global psychological well‐being (Study 3; N = 1,192 undergraduates), and academic burnout (Study 4; N = 443 undergraduates) using latent moderated structural equation modeling.ResultsPure harmonious passion was generally associated with more positive levels of physical health and psychological well‐being compared to pure obsessive passion, mixed passion, and non‐passion. In contrast, outcomes were more negative for pure obsessive passion compared to both mixed passion and non‐passion subtypes.ConclusionsThis research underscores the theoretical and empirical usefulness of a quadripartite approach for the study of passion. Overall, the results demonstrate the benefits of having harmonious passion, even when obsessive passion is also high (i.e., mixed passion), and highlight the costs associated with a pure obsessive passion.
Full Gibbs Sampling Procedure for Bayesian System Identification Incorporating Sparse Bayesian Learning with Automatic Relevance Determination
Authors: Huang Yong , Beck James L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBayesian system identification has attracted substantial interest in recent years for inferring structural models and quantifying their uncertainties based on measured dynamic response in a structure. The relative plausibility of each structural model in a specified model class is quantified by its posterior probability from Bayes’ Theorem. The relative plausibility of each model class within a set of candidate model classes for the structure can also be assessed via Bayes’ Theorem. Computation of this posterior probability over all candidate model classes automatically applies a quantitative Ockham's razor that trades off a data‐fit measure with an information‐theoretic measure of model complexity, which penalizes model classes that “over‐fit” the data. In this article, we first present a general Bayesian system identification framework and point out that combining it with sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) is an effective strategy to implement the Bayesian Ockham razor. Then we review our recent progress in exploring SBL with the automatic relevance determination likelihood concept to detect and quantify spatially sparse substructure stiffness reductions. To characterize the full posterior uncertainty for this problem, an improved Gibbs sampling procedure for SBL is then developed. Finally, illustrative results are provided to compare the performance and validate the capability of the presented SBL algorithms for structural system identification.
Modulation of extreme temperatures in Europe under extreme values of the North Atlantic Oscillation Index
Authors: Beniston Martin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper reports on the influence that extreme values in the tails of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) Index probability density function (PDF) can exert on temperatures in Europe. When the NAO Index enters into its lowest (10% quantile or less) and highest (90% quantile or higher) modes, European temperatures often exhibit large negative or positive departures from their mean values, respectively. Analyses of the joint quantiles of the Index and temperatures (i.e., the simultaneous exceedance of particular quantile thresholds by the two variables) show that temperatures enter into the upper or lower tails of their PDF when the NAO Index also enters into its extreme tails, more often that could be expected from random statistics. Studies of this nature help further our understanding of the manner by which mechanisms of decadal‐scale climate variability can influence extremes of temperature—and thus perhaps improve the forecasting of extreme temperatures in weather and climate models.
Whole genome sequence and phenotypic characterization of a Cbm+ serotype e strain of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Avilés‐Reyes A. , Freires I. A. , Kajfasz J.K. , Barbieri D. , Miller J.H. , Lemos J.A. , Abranches J. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryWe report the whole genome sequence of the serotype e Cbm+ strain LAR01 of Streptococcus mutans, a dental pathogen frequently associated with extra‐oral infections. The LAR01 genome is a single circular chromosome of 2.1 Mb with a GC content of 36.96%. The genome contains 15 phosphotransferase system gene clusters, seven cell wall‐anchored (LPxTG) proteins, all genes required for the development of natural competence and genes coding for mutacins VI and K8. Interestingly, the cbm gene is genetically linked to a putative type VII secretion system that has been found in Mycobacteria and few other Gram‐positive bacteria. When compared with the UA159 type strain, phenotypic characterization of LAR01 revealed increased biofilm formation in the presence of either glucose or sucrose but similar abilities to withstand acid and oxidative stresses. LAR01 was unable to inhibit the growth of Strpetococcus gordonii, which is consistent with the genomic data that indicate absence of mutacins that can kill mitis streptococci. On the other hand, LAR01 effectively inhibited growth of other S. mutans strains, suggesting that it may be specialized to outcompete strains from its own species. In vitro and in vivo studies using mutational and heterologous expression approaches revealed that Cbm is a virulence factor of S. mutans by mediating binding to extracellular matrix proteins and intracellular invasion. Collectively, the whole genome sequence analysis and phenotypic characterization of LAR01 provides new insights on the virulence properties of S. mutans and grants further opportunities to understand the genomic fluidity of this important human pathogen.
Early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Chinese children: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Jiang Xiaodong , Shen Chun , Dai Yuan , Jiang Fan , Li Shenghui , Shen Xiaoming , Hu Yan , Li Fei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between food allergy and respiratory allergy and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children is rarely investigated. The objective of this study was to determine whether early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms are associated with the prevalence of ADHD in Chinese school‐age children.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted in school‐age children using cluster‐stratified methods from 9 cities across China between November and December 2005. A family and social environmental questionnaire including the diagnosis history of ADHD and allergic diseases (food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma), as well as general information, was completed by parents.ResultsThe prevalence of both allergic rhinitis (20.4%) and asthma (11.6%) in the food allergy group was significantly higher than in the non‐food allergy group (9.0% and 2.8%, respectively; both P < .001). The multivariable analysis showed that single food allergy (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13‐2.05, P = .005), food allergy complicated with allergic rhinitis or asthma (OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 2.19‐5.14, P < .001), and food allergy complicated with allergic rhinitis and asthma simultaneously (OR = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.05‐8.11, P < .001) were independently associated with the increased risk of ADHD.ConclusionsEarly food allergy is associated with ADHD in school‐age children. Early food allergy and respiratory allergy symptoms independently and synergistically contributed to higher risk of ADHD. Monitoring food allergy in early life could help in the early prediction and intervention for the consequent allergy march and ADHD in children.
Cross‐Country Differences in Unemployment: Fiscal Policy, Unions, and Household Preferences in General Equilibrium
Authors: Boone Brecht , Heylen Freddy 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe develop a five‐period overlapping generations model with individuals who differ by ability and with an imperfect labour market (union wage setting) for individuals of lower ability. The model explains human capital formation, hours worked, and unemployment within one coherent framework. Its predictions match the differences in the unemployment rate across 12 OECD countries remarkably well. A Shapley decomposition of these differences reveals an almost equal role for fiscal policy variables and union preferences. As to fiscal policy, differences in unemployment benefits play a much more important role than tax differences. Differences in households’ taste for leisure are unimportant.
Transfusion‐transmitted malaria masquerading as sickle cell crisis with multisystem organ failure
Authors: Maier Cheryl L. , Gross Phillip J. , Dean Christina L. , Chonat Satheesh , Ip Andrew , McLemore Morgan , El Rassi Fuad , Stowell Sean R. , Josephson Cassandra D. , Fasano Ross M. 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDFever accompanying vaso‐occlusive crisis is a common presentation in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and carries a broad differential diagnosis. Here, we report a case of transfusion‐transmitted malaria in a patient with SCD presenting with acute vaso‐occlusive crisis and rapidly decompensating to multisystem organ failure (MSOF).CASE REPORTAn 18‐year‐old African American male with SCD was admitted after multiple days of fever and severe generalized body pain. He received monthly blood transfusions as stroke prophylaxis. A source of infection was not readily identified, but treatment was initiated with continuous intravenous fluids and empiric antibiotics. The patient developed acute renal failure, acute hypoxic respiratory failure, and shock. He underwent red blood cell (RBC) exchange transfusion followed by therapeutic plasma exchange and continuous veno‐venous hemodialysis. A manual peripheral blood smear revealed intraerythrocytic inclusions suggestive of Plasmodium, and molecular studies confirmed Plasmodium falciparum infection. Intravenous artesunate was given daily for 1 week. A look‐back investigation involving two hospitals, multiple blood suppliers, and state and federal public health departments identified the source of malaria as a unit of RBCs transfused 2 weeks prior to admission.CONCLUSIONSClinical suspicion for transfusion‐related adverse events, including hemolytic transfusion reactions and transfusion‐transmitted infections, should be high in typically and atypically immunocompromised patient populations (like SCD), especially those on chronic transfusion protocols. Manual blood smear review aids in the evaluation of patients with SCD presenting with severe vaso‐occlusive crisis and MSOF and can alert clinicians to the need for initiating aggressive therapy like RBC exchange and artesunate therapy.