bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PD-L1–Independent Mechanisms Control the Resistance of Melanoma to CD4+ T Cell Adoptive Immunotherapy
Authors: Goding Stephen R. , Wilson Kyle A. , Rosinsky Carolyn , Antony Paul Andrew 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Immunotherapy is becoming the standard of care for melanoma. However, resistance to therapy is a major problem. Previously, we showed that tumor-specific, cytotoxic CD4+ T cells from tyrosinase-related protein 1 transgenic mice could overcome secondary resistance to recurring melanoma when anti–programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1) checkpoint blockade was combined with either anti–lymphocyte-activated gene 3 (LAG-3) Abs or depletion of tumor-specific regulatory T (Treg) cells. In this study, we show that PD-L1 expressed by the host, not B16 melanoma, plays a major role in the early stages of exhaustion or primary resistance. We observed durable regression of melanoma in tumor-bearing PD-L1−/−RAG−/− mice with transfer of naive tumor-specific CD4+ T cells. However, exhausted tumor-specific CD4+ T cells, which included tumor-specific Treg cells, failed to maintain durable regression of tumors in PD-L1−/−RAG−/− mice unless tumor-specific Treg cells were eliminated, showing nonredundant pathways of resistance to immunotherapy were present. Translating these findings to a clinically relevant model of cancer immunotherapy, we unexpectedly showed that anti–PD-L1 checkpoint blockade mildly improved immunotherapy with tumor-specific CD4+ T cells and irradiation in wild-type mice. Instead, anti–LAG-3 checkpoint blockade, in combination with tumor-specific CD4+ T cells and irradiation, overcame primary resistance and treated established tumors resulting in fewer recurrences. Because LAG-3 negatively regulates effector T cell function and activates Treg cells, LAG-3 blockade may be more beneficial in overcoming primary resistance in combination immunotherapies using adoptive cellular therapy and irradiation than blockade of PD-L1.
First-language raters’ opinions when validating word recordings for a newly developed speech reception threshold test
Authors: Panday Seema , Kathard Harsha , Pillay Mershen , Wilson Wayne 
Published: March 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to consider the value of adding first-language speaker ratings to the process of validating word recordings for use in a new speech reception threshold (SRT) test in audiology. Previous studies had identified 28 word recordings as being suitable for use in a new SRT test. These word recordings had been shown to satisfy the linguistic criteria of familiarity, phonetic dissimilarity and tone, and the psychometric criterion of homogeneity of audibility. Objectives: The aim of the study was to consider the value of adding first-language speakers’ ratings when validating word recordings for a new SRT test. Method: A single observation, cross-sectional design was used to collect and analyse quantitative data in this study. Eleven first-language isiZulu speakers, purposively selected, were asked to rate each of the word recordings for pitch, clarity, naturalness, speech rate and quality on a 5-point Likert scale. The percent agreement and Friedman test were used for analysis. Results: More than 20% of these 11 participants rated the three-word recordings below ‘strongly agree’ in the category of pitch or tone, and one-word recording below ‘strongly agree’ in the categories of pitch or tone, clarity or articulation and naturalness or dialect. Conclusion: The first-language speaker ratings proved to be a valuable addition to the process of selecting word recordings for use in a new SRT test. In particular, these ratings identified potentially problematic word recordings in the new SRT test that had been missed by the previously and more commonly used linguistic and psychometric selection criteria.
Investigating Public Perception of Occupational Therapy: An Environmental Scan of Three Media Outlets
Authors: Walsh Wendy E. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Using a phenomenological approach, this study investigated visibility and perception of the profession of occupational therapy in three media outlets. Content analysis occurred on LexisNexis Academic (LNA), Google Images, and Twitter platforms. Analysis of LNA identified the prevalence of articles about occupational therapy in domestic newspapers and similar media avenues, MaxQDA qualitative software coded Google Images from a search on occupational therapy, and AnalyzeWords evaluated Twitter feeds of four health care professions for presence and tone in a social media context. Results indicate that although occupational therapy is 100 years old, its presence in news and online platforms could be stronger. This study suggests that a clear professional identity for occupational therapy practitioners must be strategically communicated through academic and social platforms. Such advocacy promotes the profession, meets the next iteration of occupational therapy’s professional vision, and allows occupational therapy to remain a prominent and formidable stakeholder in today’s health care marketplace.
Date-stamping US housing market explosivity
Authors: Balcilar Mehmet , Katzke Nico , Gupta Rangan 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In this paper the authors set out to date-stamp periods of US housing price explosivity for the period 1830–2013. They make use of several robust techniques that allow them to identify such periods by determining when prices start to exhibit explosivity with respect to its past behaviour and when it recedes to long term stable prices. The first technique used is the Generalized supADF (GSADF) test procedure developed by Phillips et al. (Testing for multiple bubbles: Historical episodes of exuberance and collapse in the S&P 500, 2011a), which allows the recursive identification of multiple periods of price explosivity. The second approach makes use of Robinson’s test statistic (Efficient tests of nonstationary hypotheses, 1994), comparing the null of a unit root process against the alternative of specified orders of fractional integration. The analysis date-stamps several periods of US house price explosivity, allowing the authors to contextualize its historic relevance.
Error assessment of biogeochemical models by lower bound methods (NOMMA-1.0)
Authors: Sauerland Volkmar , Löptien Ulrike , Leonhard Claudine , Oschlies Andreas , Srivastav Anand 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Biogeochemical models, capturing the major feedbacks of the pelagic ecosystem of the world ocean, are today often embedded into Earth system models which are increasingly used for decision making regarding climate policies. These models contain poorly constrained parameters (e.g., maximum phytoplankton growth rate), which are typically adjusted until the model shows reasonable behavior. Systematic approaches determine these parameters by minimizing the misfit between the model and observational data. In most common model approaches, however, the underlying functions mimicking the biogeochemical processes are nonlinear and non-convex. Thus, systematic optimization algorithms are likely to get trapped in local minima and might lead to non-optimal results. To judge the quality of an obtained parameter estimate, we propose determining a preferably large lower bound for the global optimum that is relatively easy to obtain and that will help to assess the quality of an optimum, generated by an optimization algorithm. Due to the unavoidable noise component in all observations, such a lower bound is typically larger than zero. We suggest deriving such lower bounds based on typical properties of biogeochemical models (e.g., a limited number of extremes and a bounded time derivative). We illustrate the applicability of the method with two real-world examples. The first example uses real-world observations of the Baltic Sea in a box model setup. The second example considers a three-dimensional coupled ocean circulation model in combination with satellite chlorophyll a.
Assessment on Acacia Woodland Degradation in Dire-Dawa Administration, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Abay Nigus Gebremedhn , Haylemariyam Matiwos Belayhun 
Published: March 2018

Dry woodlands are vegetation formations which comprise of scrubs, bush lands, thickets, wooded grasslands and dense woodlands. The largest share of Ethiopia’s landmass is categorized as dryland, experiencing moisture stress during most days of the year. Hence, lowland woodlands are the largest remaining forests in Ethiopia, covering an estimated 55 million ha (48-6 per cent) of land. Beyond the socio-economic and ecological importance of forests Ethiopia experienced rapid loss of woodland vegetation annually. At country level the loss is attributed to low level of standard of living of farming community and their close dependency on forest and woodlands. Jeldessa, Gerba-Anano and Chiri-miti kebelles of Dire-Dawa administration which is located in the eastern part of the Ethiopia has a dense acacia woodland species occupying a total area of at 12250 hectare mainly found in Hurso, Jeldessa, Gerba-Anano and Chiri-miti kebelles. The dry forest which was home and source of forage to wildlife and local pastoral communities is dwindling from time to time. As there has been no study on site specific, this study was conducted to assess the recent degradation of dry land forest in Jeldessa, Gerba-Anano and Chiri-miti kebelles of Dire-Dawa administration. The study has employed questionnaire, interview, group discussions and field observation. The findings of the study shows acacia woodland vegetation of the kebelles have been subjected to degradation due to the ease accessibility of the kebelles connected by all-weather roads has triggered fetching of charcoal. Besides, easy money making from charcoal and its rising price has anticipated poor peoples to practice it as a means of livelihood. On the other hand, concentration of livestock, recurrent drought and prosopis juliflora invasion has perceived as major factors degradation. Therefore, the cumulative negative effect of the above factors has contributed to the fast deterioration of acacia woodland coverage. To this end, all concerned body’s particularly local customary institutions, agricultural and police departments have to work in harmony on providing alternative off farm activities. Furthermore, the government induced sedentary agriculture was widely practiced along the river sides of all kebelles therefore, further study on sustainable usage of grazing and woodland forest is very mandatory.
The forgotten cause of hypertension: A case report and literature review of the prevalence, diagnosis and management of primary aldosteronism
Authors: Barlow Mariah Pagath , Abdel-Latif Ahmed 
Published: March 2018

In recent years, primary aldosteronism (PA) has been found to have a much higher prevalence than previously thought, especially among those with resistant hypertension. As hypertension has become a prominent public health issue affecting billions of people, the number of patients potentially affected by PA is a significant. Current medical and surgical therapies for PA are highly effective, and as untreated PA can lead to significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality this stresses the importance of astute diagnosis and management on part of physicians. We present a case of a patient presenting with cardiovascular complications of untreated primary aldosteronism and review recent guidelines regarding screening, diagnosis, and management.
Mathematical Model for the Dynamics of Neisseria Gonorrhea Disease with Natural Immunity and Treatment Effects
Authors: Isa Adamu Ibrahim , Usman Sulaiman 
Published: March 2018

Neisseria gonorrhea infection; a sexually transmitted disease, is caused primarily by a type of germ; a bacteria called neisseria gonorrhea. The infection is a major public health challenge today due to the high incidence of infections accompanied by a dwindling number of treatment options especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. In this paper, we developed a mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of neisseria gonorrhea infection and studied the effect of natural immunity and treatment as the only available control interventions on the spread of the disease in a population. We computed the model disease-free equilibrium and analyzed its local and global stability in a well-defined positively invariant and attracting set Ω using the next-generation matrix plus linearization method and the comparison theorem respectively. The disease-free equilibrium was proved to be both locally and globally asymptotically stable if $R_0<1$ and unstable if $R_0>1$. We conducted sensitivity analysis of parameters in the basic reproduction number $R_0$ using the normalized forward sensitivity index method. Results of the analysis revealed that $R_0$ decreases with increase in treatment and natural immunity rates. The results of the numerical simulations carried out using MATLAB R2012B showed that there is increase in new infections due to increased contact with infected individuals in the susceptible population and that, with increased treatment rate and controlled death due to the disease in the population, neisseria gonorrhea infection would be wiped out within 300 days of the treatment intervention.
Urban Land Use Pattern and Road Network Characteristics Using GIS in Al Salt City, Jordan
Authors: Qtiashat Deya , Makhmreh Zeyad , Taleb Hala Abu , Khlaifat Ahmed 
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study is to analyze the land use pattern and roads network in relation to the population density and distribution. The GIS analysis tools was used to investigate and describe the characteristics of land use pattern. method by utilizing the methods of surveying and spatial statistical analysis, and studying the areas’ topography; which includes the optimal land use and assessment through aerial photography that determines the future urban development besides determining the role played by the roads network within the study area. The study show that the residential use is dominant in the study area with 77.19 %. The study also showed that the urban growth was random and accompanied by the increase demand on the use of land for residential purpose. The study recommended paying more attention to the agricultural activities in Al Salt city and establishing a commercial organization that attracts visitors from the capital city of Amman who would like to get out of the city busy life but still stay near the capital city of Amman.
Combating Academic Corruption: Quality Assurance and Accreditation
Authors: Eaton Judith S. 
Published: March 2018

The role of quality assurance and accrediting bodies in advancing academic integrity has long been clear. Increasingly, however, these bodies are also expected to focus on the challenging issue of academic corruption – practices such as plagiarism, fraudulent credentials, bribery – and how to end them. This article explores additional tools that quality assurance and accreditation may need to combat corruption, beyond advancing academic integrity.
The Growth of International Student Mobility Is Faltering
Authors: Van Damme Dirk 
Published: March 2018

After years of impressive growth, the number of international students seems to stabilize around 4.6 million. No further increase has been observed in recent years. Possible explanations include changes on the demand side, in particular the quantitative and qualitative growth of domestic higher education in countries such as China and India. Also, recent evolutions in the political climate in destination countries seem to have a deterring effect. International students are confronted with a less welcoming environmentand generally hostile attitudes toward immigration. As a result, international competition for fee-paying international students seems to slow down significantly.
Inflammatory markers and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Darweesh Sirwan K.L. , Wolters Frank J. , Ikram M. Arfan , de Wolf Frank , Bos Daniel , Hofman Albert 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionInflammatory markers are often elevated in patients with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it remains unclear whether inflammatory markers are associated with the risk of developing dementia.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library for prospective population‐based studies reporting associations between inflammatory markers and all‐cause dementia or AD. We used random effects meta‐analyses to obtain pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals of inflammatory markers (highest vs. lowest quantile) for all‐cause dementia and AD.ResultsFifteen articles from 13 studies in six countries reported data that could be meta‐analyzed. C‐reactive protein (HR = 1.37 [1.05; 1.78]), interleukin‐6 (HR = 1.40 [1.13; 1.73]), α1‐antichymotrypsin (HR = 1.54 [1.14; 2.80]), lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 activity (HR = 1.40 [1.03; 1.90]), and fibrinogen were each associated with all‐cause dementia, but neither was significantly associated with AD.DiscussionSeveral inflammatory markers are associated with an increased risk of all‐cause dementia; however, these markers are not specific for AD. Whether inflammatory markers closely involved in AD pathology are associated with the risk of AD remains to be elucidated.
The Nature of Notebooks: How Enlightenment Schoolchildren Transformed theTabula Rasa
Authors: Eddy Matthew Daniel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractJohn Locke's comparison of the mind to a blank piece of paper, thetabula rasa, was one of the most recognizable metaphors of the British Enlightenment. Though scholars embrace its impact on the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, they seldom consider why the metaphor was so successful. Concentrating on the notebooks made and used by the schoolchildren of Enlightenment Scotland, this essay contends that the answer lies in the material and visual conditions that gave rise to the metaphor's usage. By the time students had finished school, they had learned to conceptualize the pages, the script, and the figures of their notebooks as indispensable learning tools that could be manipulated by scores of adaptable folding, writing, and drawing techniques. In this article, I reveal that historicizing the epistemology and manipulability of student manuscript culture makes it possible to see that the success of Locke's metaphor was founded on its appeal to everyday note-keeping activities performed by British schoolchildren.
Investigating Construct Validity of the Cyber-Peer Experiences	Questionnaire
Authors: Moore Kendall D. , Fairchild Amanda J. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Cyberaggression and cybervictimization have gained momentum as a research focus given associated mental health sequelae. To date, however, there remains little consensus on the conceptualization and measurement of these constructs. The purpose of this study was to explore construct validity evidence for the Cyber-Peer Experiences Questionnaire (C-PEQ), a novel measure that assesses experiences of cyberaggression and cybervictimization. Undergraduate participants ( n = 735) completed an online survey including the C-PEQ and other theoretically related instruments. Confirmatory factor analysis did not provide support for the hypothesized two-factor model [MLM χ2(125) = 293.58, RMSEA = .06, CFI = .87, SRMR = .06]. The C-PEQ displayed evidence for internal consistency reliability. Evidence for convergent validity with theoretically similar constructs was mixed. Specific areas of model misspecification included items 1 and 2 on both subscales (altering social media friend lists). Future research may explore additional construct validity evidence of the C-PEQ in novel samples with these items removed.
Measurement Invariance Analysis of the Parental Stress	Index
Authors: Piskernik Bernhard , Supper Barbara , Ahnert Lieselotte 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. While parenting research continues to compare similarities and differences in mothers’ and fathers’ behaviors based on mean values on the respective dimensions, measurement invariance as a prerequisite for these comparisons has seldom been assured. The present study thus subjected the well-known Parenting Stress Index (PSI), widely used in models of family functioning, to a rigorous measurement invariance analysis based on ( N = 214) Austrian couples with children younger than 3 years of age. We evaluated configural, metric, scalar, and uniqueness invariance on item and subscale levels, and tested for structural invariance of means and variances of the PSI parent and child domain by second-order confirmatory factor analyses. As a result, only measurement differences on the scalar levels affected the factor scores, though negligibly. On the structural levels, no differences were found on the PSI child domain across parents, but on the PSI parent domain, mothers reported more stress.
A giant amphipathic helix from a perilipin that is adapted for coating lipid droplets
Authors: Čopič Alenka , Antoine-Bally Sandra , Giménez-Andrés Manuel , La Torre Garay César , Antonny Bruno , Manni Marco M. , Pagnotta Sophie , Guihot Jeanne , Jackson Catherine L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHow proteins are targeted to lipid droplets (LDs) and distinguish the LD surface from the surfaces of other organelles is poorly understood, but many contain predicted amphipathic helices (AHs) that are involved in targeting. We have focused on human perilipin 4 (Plin4), which contains an AH that is exceptional in terms of length and repetitiveness. Using model cellular systems, we show that AH length, hydrophobicity, and charge are important for AH targeting to LDs and that these properties can compensate for one another, albeit at a loss of targeting specificity. Using synthetic lipids, we show that purified Plin4 AH binds poorly to lipid bilayers but strongly interacts with pure triglycerides, acting as a coat and forming small oil droplets. Because Plin4 overexpression alleviates LD instability under conditions where their coverage by phospholipids is limiting, we propose that the Plin4 AH replaces the LD lipid monolayer, for example during LD growth.
Spatial correlation of elastic heterogeneity tunes the deformation behavior of metallic glasses
Authors: Wang Neng , Ding Jun , Yan Feng , Asta Mark , Ritchie Robert O. , Li Lin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMetallic glasses (MGs) possess remarkably high strength but often display only minimal tensile ductility due to the formation of catastrophic shear bands. Purposely enhancing the inherent heterogeneity to promote distributed flow offers new possibilities in improving the ductility of monolithic MGs. Here, we report the effect of the spatial heterogeneity of elasticity, resulting from the inherently inhomogeneous amorphous structures, on the deformation behavior of MGs, specifically focusing on the ductility using multiscale modeling methods. A highly heterogeneous, Gaussian-type shear modulus distribution at the nanoscale is revealed by atomistic simulations in Cu64Zr36 MGs, in which the soft population of the distribution exhibits a marked propensity to undergo the inelastic shear transformation. By employing a mesoscale shear transformation zone dynamics model, we find that the organization of such nanometer-scale shear transformation events into shear-band patterns is dependent on the spatial heterogeneity of the local shear moduli. A critical spatial correlation length of elastic heterogeneity is identified for the simulated MGs to achieve the best tensile ductility, which is associated with a transition of shear-band formation mechanisms, from stress-dictated nucleation and growth to structure-dictated strain percolation, as well as a saturation of elastically soft sites participating in the plastic flow. This discovery is important for the fundamental understanding of the role of spatial heterogeneity in influencing the deformation behavior of MGs. We believe that this can facilitate the design and development of new ductile monolithic MGs by a process of tuning the inherent heterogeneity to achieve enhanced ductility in these high-strength metallic alloys.