bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate‐mediated changes in marine ecosystem regulation during El Niño
Authors: Lindegren Martin , Checkley David M. , Koslow Julian A. , Goericke Ralf , Ohman Mark D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe degree to which ecosystems are regulated through bottom‐up, top‐down, or direct physical processes represents a long‐standing issue in ecology, with important consequences for resource management and conservation. In marine ecosystems, the role of bottom‐up and top‐down forcing has been shown to vary over spatio‐temporal scales, often linked to highly variable and heterogeneously distributed environmental conditions. Ecosystem dynamics in the Northeast Pacific have been suggested to be predominately bottom‐up regulated. However, it remains unknown to what extent top‐down regulation occurs, or whether the relative importance of bottom‐up and top‐down forcing may shift in response to climate change. In this study, we investigate the effects and relative importance of bottom‐up, top‐down, and physical forcing during changing climate conditions on ecosystem regulation in the Southern California Current System (SCCS) using a generalized food web model. This statistical approach is based on nonlinear threshold models and a long‐term data set (~60 years) covering multiple trophic levels from phytoplankton to predatory fish. We found bottom‐up control to be the primary mode of ecosystem regulation. However, our results also demonstrate an alternative mode of regulation represented by interacting bottom‐up and top‐down forcing, analogous to wasp‐waist dynamics, but occurring across multiple trophic levels and only during periods of reduced bottom‐up forcing (i.e., weak upwelling, low nutrient concentrations, and primary production). The shifts in ecosystem regulation are caused by changes in ocean‐atmosphere forcing and triggered by highly variable climate conditions associated with El Niño. Furthermore, we show that biota respond differently to major El Niño events during positive or negative phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), as well as highlight potential concerns for marine and fisheries management by demonstrating increased sensitivity of pelagic fish to exploitation during El Niño.
Understanding the influence tenure has on meanings of home and homemaking practices
Authors: Bate Bronwyn 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWithin Anglophone societies, the concept of home is closely tied to homeownership, and consequently, importance is placed on owner‐occupied tenure in the meaning and making of home. However, understanding home in this way is problematic because it excludes the significant proportion of people who rent both publicly and privately. This article provides an overview of the small amount of literature that examines the impact tenure has on the meaning and making of home within Anglophone societies, in particular, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Two key arguments are made. Firstly, tenure laws and policies make an important contribution in shaping how we understand, experience, and make home, yet tenure is often overlooked in literature that explores theories of home and homemaking. Secondly, the small amount of literature that does examine the experiences of renters focuses on how tenancy law could negatively impact or restrict renters within their homes. The cultures and practices of homemaking among renters are, for the most part, overlooked. Given the recent changes in housing trends, now, more than ever, it seems pertinent that we begin to understand some of the ways tenure might influence meanings of home and homemaking practices.
RNA‐Seq of Agropyron mongolicum Keng in response to drought stress
Authors: Ma Yanhong , Yu Xiaoxia , Yu Zhuo , Sun Fengcheng , Li Xiaodong , Li XiaoLei 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAgropyron mongolicum Keng is the predominant perennial forage crop in the steppes of the Inner Mongolian Plateau, China. It is known to be tolerant to drought, low temperature and salinity, and is also a valuable resource for wheat improvement. However, the corresponding molecular mechanism underlying the adaptation to water shortage in A. mongolicum remains uncharacterized. In this study, the molecular responses of A. mongolicum were compared during drought stress. Two libraries prepared from control and drought‐stressed plants were sequenced via the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. A total of 44733 unigenes were obtained using de novo assembly software, of which 31944 had BLAST hits in the NCBI non‐redundant database. 22659 unigenes were assigned to gene ontology (GO), 8451 unigenes to clusters of orthologous groups (COG), 5178 unigenes to kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and 20 850 unigenes to Swissprot database. There were significant differences in expression amongst a total of 2171 unigenes under drought‐stress conditions. These DEGs included 1300 GO terms and 83 KEGG pathways. Using next generation sequencing (NGS) technology, the transcriptome of A. mongolicum was studied; this provided important information for further gene expression and functional genomics studies, confirmed our results on the molecular mechanisms of drought response in A. mongolicum, and provides a useful resource for breeding of drought‐resistant crops.
Cross-sectional survey of patients’ need for information and support with medicines after discharge from hospital
Authors: Mackridge Adam J , Rodgers Ruth , Lee Dan , Morecroft Charles W , Krska Janet 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Background
Most patients experience changes to prescribed medicines during a hospital stay. Ensuring they understand such changes is important for preventing adverse events post-discharge and optimising patient understanding. However, little work has explored the information that patients receive about medicines or their perceived needs for information and support after discharge.

Objectives
To determine information that hospital inpatients who experience medicine changes receive about their medicines during admission and their needs and preferences for, and use of, post-discharge support.

Methods
Cross-sectional survey with adult medical inpatients experiencing medicine changes in six English hospitals, with telephone follow-up 2–3 weeks post-discharge.

Key findings
A total of 444 inpatients completed surveys, and 99 of these were followed up post-discharge. Of the 444, 44 (10%) were unaware of changes to medicines and 65 (16%) did not recall discussing them with a health professional, but 305 (77%) reported understanding the changes. Type of information provided and patients’ perceived need for post-discharge support differed between hospitals. Information about changes was most frequently provided by consultant medical staff (157; 39%) with pharmacists providing information least often (71; 17%). One third of patients surveyed considered community pharmacists as potential sources of information about medicines and associated support post-discharge. Post-discharge, just 5% had spoken to a pharmacist, although 35% reported medicine-related problems.

Conclusion
In north-west England, patient inclusion in treatment decisions could be improved, but provision of information prior to discharge is reasonable. There is scope to develop hospital and community pharmacists’ role in medicine optimisation to maximise safety and effectiveness of care.
Rapid risk assessment during the early weeks of the 2015‐2016 influenza season in Ukraine
Authors: Newitt Sophie , Mironenko Alla , Holubka Olha , Zaika Oleksandr , Gubar Olga , Jalava Katri , Brown Caroline , Demchyshyna Iryna , Dykhanovska Tetiana 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundSeveral eastern European countries reported a severe influenza season to the World Health Organization (WHO) during late 2015. A country‐specific rapid risk assessment for Ukraine was conducted to assess the season's severity and inform public health action.MethodsThe exposure and hazard were assessed using acute respiratory infection (ARI), severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), laboratory surveillance, virological and vaccine data from weeks 40/2015 to 7/2016 with comparison to 4 previous seasons to describe the influenza season start (5‐week consecutive increase in ARI or SARI), predominant virus types, geographical spread and affected age groups.ResultsThe exposure was characterised by an earlier and steeper increase in SARI (week 1/2016) and ARI (week 2/2016) compared to the previous 4 seasons. Transmission was across Ukraine with an increase in ARI and SARI cases aged 30‐64 years compared to 2014/15. Laboratory‐confirmed deaths increased from 11 in 2014/2015 to 342 in 2015/2016; the majority were 30‐64 years old and unvaccinated; and 63.5% had underlying conditions. Total population vaccination coverage was 0.3%. The hazard assessment found influenza virus A(H1N1)pdm09 accounted for >95% of viruses detected. Ukrainian virus strains (n = 62) were antigenically similar to vaccine strains and susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors.ConclusionsThe first weeks of the 2015/16 influenza season were more severe than previous seasons, with an earlier and steeper increase in severe cases and deaths, particularly in younger adults. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the predominant strain and was closely related to the seasonal vaccine strain with no evidence of resistance to antiviral drugs.
Influenza‐associated severe acute respiratory infections in 2 sentinel sites in Lebanon—September 2015 to August 2016
Authors: Saleh Majd , Bazzi Lara , Ismail Ebstissam , Mroueh Lina , Jammal Nisrine , Elkholy Amgad , Mrad Pamela , Samadi Ahmad Al , Hijazi Ahmad , Abiad Firass , Nsouli Ghazi , Rady Alissar , Khan Wasiq , Malik Mamunur , Zalloua Pierre , Ammar Walid , Ghosn Nada 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundGiven the sparse information on the burden of influenza in Lebanon, the Ministry of Public Health established a sentinel surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) to identify the attribution of influenza to reported cases. We aim to highlight the proportion of influenza‐associated SARI from September 1st, 2015 to August 31st, 2016 in 2 Lebanese hospitals.MethodsThe study was conducted in 2 sentinel sites located in Beirut suburbs and southern province of Lebanon. WHO's 2011 standardized SARI case definition was used. Data from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016 were reviewed, and all‐cause hospital admission numbers were obtained. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and tested by RT‐PCR. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted using STATA 13.ResultsThe 2 sentinel sites reported 746 SARI cases during the studied time frame: 467 from the southern province site and 279 from the Beirut suburbs site. SARI reports peaked between January and March 2016. All, except 4, cases were sampled, and a co‐dominance of influenza B (43%) and influenza A (H1N1) (41%) was evident. A high proportion of cases was reported in children <2 years 274 (37%). The proportional contribution of influenza‐associated SARI to all‐cause hospital admissions was high in children <2 years in the south (4.5% [95% CI: 3.1‐6.5]) and in children <5 years in Beirut (0.7% [95% CI: 0.6‐0.8]).ConclusionThis is the first study to highlight the proportion of influenza‐associated SARI in 2 hospitals in Lebanon. The findings will be beneficial for supporting respiratory prevention and immunization program policies.
Potency determination of inactivated H7 influenza vaccines using monoclonal antibody‐based ELISA and biolayer interferometry assays
Authors: Vasudevan Anupama , Woerner Amy , Schmeisser Falko , Verma Swati , Williams Ollie , Weir Jerry P. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundThe single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) assay, the accepted method for determining potency of inactivated influenza vaccines, measures an immunogenic form of the influenza hemagglutinin. Nevertheless, alternative methods for measuring vaccine potency have been explored to address some of the weaknesses of the SRID assay, including limited sensitivity and the requirement for large amounts of standardized reagents. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)‐based potency assays also have the ability to detect and measure relevant immunogenic forms of HA.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to continue evaluation of mAb‐based alternative methods for measuring the potency of inactivated influenza vaccines, focusing on A(H7N9) pandemic influenza vaccines.MethodsSeveral murine mAbs that recognize different epitopes on the H7 hemagglutinin (HA) were identified and characterized. These mAbs were evaluated in both a mAb‐capture ELISA and a mAb‐based biolayer interferometry (BLI) assay.ResultsResults indicated that potency of inactivated A(H7N9) vaccines, including vaccine samples that were stressed by heat treatment, measured by either alternative method correlated well with potency determined by the traditional SRID potency assay.ConclusionsThe availability of multiple H7 mAbs, directed to different HA epitopes, provides needed redundancy in the potency analysis as A(H7N9) viruses continue to evolve antigenically and suggests the importance of having a broad, well‐characterized panel of mAbs available for development of vaccines against influenza strains with pandemic potential. In addition, the results highlight the potential of mAb‐based platform such as ELISA and BLI for development as alternative methods for determining the potency of inactivated influenza vaccines.
Adjusting for heterogeneity of experimental data in genetic evaluation of dry matter intake in dairy cattle
Authors: Uddin M. E. , Meuwissen T. , Veerkamp R. F. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe objectives of the present study were (i) to find the best fitted model for repeatedly measured daily dry matter intake (DMI) data obtained from different herds and experiments across lactations and (ii) to get better estimates of the genetic parameters and better genetic evaluations. After editing, there were 572,512 daily DMI records of 3,495 animals (Holstein cows) from 11 different herds across 13 lactations and the animals were under 110 different nutritional experiments. The fitted model for this data set was a univariate repeated‐measure animal model (called model 1) in which additive genetic and permanent environmental (within and across lactations) effects were fitted as random. Model 1 was fitted as two distinct models (called models 2 and 3) based on alternative fixed effect corrections. For unscaled data, each model (models 2 and 3) was fitted as a homoscedastic (HOM) model first and then as a heteroscedastic (HET) model. Then, data were scaled by multiplying with particular herd‐scaling factors, which were calculated by accounting for heterogeneity of phenotypic within‐herd variances. Models were selected based on cross‐validation and prediction accuracy results. Scaling factors were re‐estimated to determine the effectiveness of accounting for herd heterogeneity. Variance components and respective heritability and repeatability were estimated based on a pedigree‐based relationship matrix. Results indicated that the model fitted for scaled data showed better fit than the models (HOM or HET) fitted for unscaled data. The heritability estimates of the models 2 and 3 fitted for scaled data were 0.30 and 0.08, respectively. The repeatability estimates of the model fitted for scaled data ranged from 0.51 to 0.63. The re‐estimated scaling factor after accounting for heterogeneity of residual variances was close to 1.0, indicating the stabilization of residual variances and herd accounted for most of the heterogeneity. The rank correlation of EBVs between scaled and unscaled data ranged from 0.96 to 0.97.
Facilitating application of language skills in authentic environments with a mobile learning system
Authors: Shadiev R. , Hwang W.‐Y. , Huang Y.‐M. , Liu T.‐Y. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe uncovered two critical issues in earlier studies: (a) some studies have shown that mobile learning technology is not beneficial for all students due to complexity of learning environments and student prior knowledge, skills, and experience and (b) familiarity of students with the authentic environments in which they learn using mobile technology did not receive much attention in earlier studies. To address these issues, we designed three learning tasks for a class of 26 junior high school students. The students applied language skills by completing the tasks in authentic environments individually in a first task, loosely collaborating with peers in a second task, and tightly collaborating with peers in a third task. A mobile learning system was also designed in this study to support students to accomplish the tasks. The aim of this study was to explore students' learning experiences using the learning system, their perceptions towards the system, and to assess how differently the students perform on the three tasks. According to our design, in the first task, the students took pictures of objects and described them orally or in writing using the mobile learning system. In the second task, after the students completed assignments, each student received comments from a partner through the system. In comments, the partner indicated flaws in student assignments and suggested how to fix them. In the third task, the students completed assignments, shared them using the system, and then exchanged comments with their partners face to face regarding issues related to their completed assignments and suggested how to improve them. Such learning behaviours in the three tasks enabled the students to practise writing and speaking skills. Our results demonstrate that most of the students highly valued our learning system and intend to use it in the future. Furthermore, the results show that the students performed best when they collaborated; namely, student performance was enhanced the most after the third task that required tight collaboration. Based on our results, we learned that students' familiarity with authentic environments is very important and beneficial for their learning. In addition, we learned that even in complex environment, less skilled and experienced students with low prior knowledge can perform well when they tightly collaborate with more skilled and experienced students with high prior knowledge, and our learning system can facilitate such collaboration.
Level of intrinsic motivation of distance education students in e‐learning environments
Authors: Fırat Mehmet , Kılınç Hakan , Yüzer Tevfik Volkan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAccording to researches, motivation that initiates and sustains behaviour is one of the most significant components of learning in any environment. Accordingly, level of intrinsic motivation triggers and sustains the interest of the open and distance education students when it comes to learning on their own in e‐learning environments. Despite a comprehensive literature regarding the motivation of those learning in traditional learning environments, the number of studies addressing the motivation of open and distance education students in e‐learning environments is not sufficient. In this context, this study aims at determining the level of intrinsic motivation of open and distance education students. Thus, data were collected from 1,639 distance education students in 22 programmes, through Intrinsic Motivation in e‐Learning Questionnaire developed and validated to that end. Analyses carried out indicate that the level of intrinsic motivation of open and distance education students is high in e‐learning environments, but there is not a statistically significant difference by gender, programme structure (graduate/undergraduate), instruction type (distance–blended), and academic disciplines.
Identification and analysis of a key long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs)‐associated module reveal functional lncRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Zhang Jian , Feng Chenchen , Song Chao , Ai Bo , Bai Xuefeng , Liu Yuejuan , Li Xuecang , Zhao Jianmei , Shi Shengshu , Chen Xin , Su Xiaojie , Li Chunquan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCardiac hypertrophy (CH) is a common disease that originates from long‐term heart pressure overload and finally leads to heart failure. Recently, long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted attention because they have broad and crucial functions in regulating complex biological processes. Some studies had found that lncRNAs play vital roles in complex cardiovascular diseases. However, the function and mechanism of lncRNAs in CH have not been elucidated. In our study, to investigate the potential roles of lncRNAs in CH, the Cardiac Hypertrophy‐associated LncRNAs‐Protein coding genes Network (CHLPN) was constructed by integrating gene microarray re‐annotation and subpathway enrichment analyses. After performing random walking with restart in CHLPN, we predicted 21 significant risk lncRNAs, of which 7 (Kis2, 1700110K17Rik, Gm17501, E330017L17Rik, C630043F03Rik, Gm9866 and Ube4bos1) formed a close module with their co‐expressed protein‐coding genes (PCGs). We found that the module might play crucial roles in the development of CH. In particular, 44 PCGs that were co‐expressed with six lncRNAs were enriched in CH‐related biological processes and pathways. We also found that some lncRNAs participated in the competitive endogenous RNA cross‐talk that might be involved in CH. These results indicate that the functional lncRNAs are related to post‐transcriptional regulation and could shed light on a new molecular diagnostic target of CH.
The application of systems thinking concepts, methods, and tools to global health practices: An analysis of case studies
Authors: Wilkinson Jessica , Goff Morgan , Rusoja Evan , Hanson Carl , Swanson Robert Chad 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectivesThis review of systems thinking (ST) case studies seeks to compile and analyse cases from ST literature and provide practitioners with a reference for ST in health practice. Particular attention was given to (1) reviewing the frequency and use of key ST terms, methods, and tools in the context of health, and (2) extracting and analysing longitudinal themes across cases.MethodsA systematic search of databases was conducted, and a total of 36 case studies were identified. A combination of integrative and inductive qualitative approaches to analysis was used.ResultsMost cases identified took place in high‐income countries and applied ST retrospectively. The most commonly used ST terms were agent/stakeholder/actor (n = 29), interdependent/interconnected (n = 28), emergence (n = 26), and adaptability/adaptation (n = 26). Common ST methods and tools were largely underutilized. Social network analysis was the most commonly used method (n = 4), and innovation or change management history was the most frequently used tool (n = 11). Four overarching themes were identified; the importance of the interdependent and interconnected nature of a health system, characteristics of leaders in a complex adaptive system, the benefits of using ST, and barriers to implementing ST.ConclusionsThis review revealed that while much has been written about the potential benefits of applying ST to health, it has yet to completely transition from theory to practice. There is however evidence of the practical use of an ST lens as well as specific methods and tools. With clear examples of ST applications, the global health community will be better equipped to understand and address key health challenges.