bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unobtrusive monitoring of learners’ interactions with educational games for measuring their working memory capacity
Authors: Khenissi Mohamed Ali , Essalmi Fathi , Jemni Mohamed , Kinshuk  , Chang Ting‐Wen , Chen Nian‐Shing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWorking memory capacity (WMC) plays an important role in the learning process, because learners need to hold and process some information in the short‐term memory while they are engaged in learning activities. Measuring learners’ WMC can be helpful to support and enhance their learning. For example, teachers can use this information to adapt their teaching strategies according to learners’ level of WMC. In addition, information about learner's WMC can be exploited by adaptive e‐learning systems for providing recommendations to support learners with low and high WMC. Furthermore, early detection of the level of individual learner's WMC is a very important step to be able to provide appropriate intervention for the learners. In this context, a number of tools are available in the literature to explicitly measure learner's WMC. However, most of them require considerable experience in the administration and interpretation of results. This study proposes an approach based on fuzzy logic for measuring learner's WMC in an unobtrusive manner, from learner's interactions with an educational game. Results of experiments proved the effectiveness of this method in measuring WMC. The educational game, used in this work, could help parents and teachers to know the WMC of their kids and learners. In addition, the proposed approach could be adapted by researchers working in this field to measure learners’ WMC using other educational games.
Trends in urological stone disease: a 5‐year update of hospital episode statistics
Authors: Heers Hendrik , Turney Benjamin W. 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveTo provide a 5‐year follow‐on update on the changes in prevalence and treatment of upper urinary tract (UUT) stone disease in England.MethodsData from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) website (http://www.hesonline.nhs.uk) were extracted, summarised, analysed, and presented.ResultsThe total number of UUT stone hospital episodes increased slightly from 83 050 in 2009–2010 to 86 742 in 2014–2015 (4.4% increase). The use of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for treating all UUT stones remained stable over the 5‐year study period following a significant increase in previous years. There was a 49.6% increase in the number of ureteroscopic stone treatments from 12 062 in 2009–2010 to 18 055 in 2014–2015. Increase in ureterorenoscopy (flexible ureteroscopy) showed the most rapid increase from 3 267 to 6 631 cases in the 5‐year study period (103% increase). The gap between the total number of ureteroscopies and SWL treatments continues to narrow. Open stone surgery continued to decline with only 30 reported cases in 2014–2015. Due to the continued rapid increase in the number of ureteroscopies performed, treatment for stone disease has continued to increase significantly in comparison to other urological activity.ConclusionThis study provides an update on the changing landscape of the management of UUT stones in England. It shows a sustained high prevalence of stone disease commensurate with levels in other developed countries. This study reveals a trend in the last 5 years to surgically intervene on a higher proportion of patients with stones. As in other countries, there is a significant increase in the use of ureteroscopy (particularly intrarenal flexible ureteroscopy) in England. These data have important implications for work‐force planning, training, service delivery, and research in the field of urolithiasis.
Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 cashew allergens share cross‐reactive CD4+ T cell epitopes with other tree nuts
Authors: Archila L. D. , Chow I‐T. , McGinty J. W. , Renand A. , Jeong D. , Robinson D. , Farrington M. L. , Kwok W. W. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryBackgroundAllergies to cashew are increasing in prevalence, with clinical symptoms ranging from oral pruritus to fatal anaphylactic reaction. Yet, cashew‐specific T cell epitopes and T cell cross‐reactivity amongst cashew and other tree nut allergens in humans remain uncharacterized.ObjectivesIn this study, we characterized cashew‐specific T cell responses in cashew‐allergic subjects and examined cross‐reactivity of these cashew‐specific cells towards other tree nut allergens.MethodsCD154 up‐regulation assay was used to determine immunodominance hierarchy among cashew major allergens at the T cell level. The phenotype, magnitude and functionality of cashew‐specific T cells were determined by utilizing ex vivo staining with MHC class II tetramers. Dual tetramer staining and proliferation experiments were used to determine cross‐reactivity to other tree nuts.ResultsCD4+ T cell responses were directed towards cashew allergens Ana o 1 and Ana o 2. Multiple Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 T cell epitopes were then identified. These epitopes elicited either TH2 or TH2/TH17 responses in allergic subjects, which were either cashew unique epitope or cross‐reactive epitopes. For clones that recognized the cross‐reactive epitope, T cell clones responded robustly to cashew, hazelnut and/or pistachio but not to walnut.ConclusionsPhylogenetically diverse tree nut allergens can activate cashew‐reactive T cells and elicit a TH2‐type response at an epitope‐specific level.Clinical relevanceLack of cross‐reactivity between walnut and cashew suggests that cashew peptide immunotherapy approach may not be most effective for walnut.
Bilateral aldosterone suppression and its resolution in adrenal vein sampling of patients with primary aldosteronism: analysis of data from the WAVES‐J study
Authors: Shibayama Yui , Wada Norio , Umakoshi Hironobu , Ichijo Takamasa , Fujii Yuichi , Kamemura Kohei , Kai Tatsuya , Sakamoto Ryuichi , Ogo Atsushi , Matsuda Yuichi , Fukuoka Tomikazu , Tsuiki Mika , Suzuki Tomoko , Naruse Mitsuhide 
Published: April 2016

SummaryContextIn adrenal vein sampling (AVS) for patients with primary aldosteronism, the contralateral ratio of aldosterone/cortisol (A/C) between the nondominant adrenal vein and the inferior vena cava is one of the best criteria for determining lateralized aldosterone secretion. Despite successful cannulation in some patients, the A/C ratios in the adrenal veins are bilaterally lower than that in the inferior vena cava (bilateral aldosterone suppression; BAS).ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of BAS in AVS and how to resolve this condition.Design and settingRetrospective study involving nine referral centres.PatientsFour hundred and ninety‐one patients who were confirmed as having primary aldosteronism and had an AVS between January 2006 and December 2013.MeasurementsThe prevalence of BAS before and after ACTH stimulation was compared. In addition, we investigated other methods for overcoming BAS.ResultsIn 304 patients with successful AVS before ACTH stimulation, BAS was observed in 29 (9·5%). BAS was resolved after ACTH stimulation in 22 patients. In 276 patients with successful AVS both before and after ACTH stimulation, the frequency of BAS was significantly reduced after ACTH (8·7% vs 2·5%, P < 0·01). In a few patients, BAS was also resolved by adding a sampling point at the common trunk of the left adrenal vein and by an alternative drainage vein from the adrenal tumour.ConclusionsBAS sometimes occurs in AVS without ACTH stimulation. ACTH stimulation significantly reduces BAS with a single AVS procedure.
Phylogeny of the tribe Abrotrichini (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae): integrating morphological and molecular evidence into a new classification
Authors: Teta Pablo , Cañón Carola , Patterson Bruce D. , Pardiñas Ulyses F. J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe tribe Abrotrichini (five genera and 14 living species) is a small clade within the speciose subfamily Sigmodontinae (Rodentia, Cricetidae), representing one of the extant successful radiations of mammals at southern high latitudes of the Neotropics. Its distribution is mostly Andean, reaching its greatest diversity in southern Argentina and Chile. We evaluate the phylogenetic relationships within this tribe through parsimony and Bayesian approaches based on 99 morphological characters (including 19 integumental characters, 38 skull characters, 31 dental characters, three postcranial skeletal characters, seven from the male accessory glands and phallus and one from the digestive system) and six molecular markers (one mitochondrial and five nuclear). We include representatives of all, except one, of the currently recognized species of living Abrotrichini plus one fossil form. Based on total evidence, we recovered a primary division between the genus Abrothrix and a group including the long‐clawed Abrotrichini, Chelemys, Geoxus, Notiomys and Pearsonomys. Both clades are recognized and named here as subtribes. The large degree of morphological variation observed within Abrothrix suggests that species in the genus fall into four groups, which we recognize as subgenera. In addition, the two known species of Chelemys do not form a monophyletic group, and Geoxus was recovered as paraphyletic with respect to Pearsonomys. To reconcile classification and phylogenetics, we describe a new genus for Chelemys macronyx and include Pearsonomys as a junior synonym of Geoxus. Our results highlight the importance of both morphology and molecules in resolving the phylogenetic relationships within this tribe. Based on biogeographical analyses, we hypothesize that Abrotrichini originated in south‐western South America by vicariance and then diversified mostly by successive dispersal events.
Hand Gesture and Mathematics Learning: Lessons From an Avatar
Authors: Cook Susan Wagner , Friedman Howard S. , Duggan Katherine A. , Cui Jian , Popescu Voicu 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA beneficial effect of gesture on learning has been demonstrated in multiple domains, including mathematics, science, and foreign language vocabulary. However, because gesture is known to co‐vary with other non‐verbal behaviors, including eye gaze and prosody along with face, lip, and body movements, it is possible the beneficial effect of gesture is instead attributable to these other behaviors. We used a computer‐generated animated pedagogical agent to control both verbal and non‐verbal behavior. Children viewed lessons on mathematical equivalence in which an avatar either gestured or did not gesture, while eye gaze, head position, and lip movements remained identical across gesture conditions. Children who observed the gesturing avatar learned more, and they solved problems more quickly. Moreover, those children who learned were more likely to transfer and generalize their knowledge. These findings provide converging evidence that gesture facilitates math learning, and they reveal the potential for using technology to study non‐verbal behavior in controlled experiments.
Moving Word Learning to a Novel Space: A Dynamic Systems View of Referent Selection and Retention
Authors: Samuelson Larissa K. , Kucker Sarah C. , Spencer John P. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTheories of cognitive development must address both the issue of how children bring their knowledge to bear on behavior in‐the‐moment, and how knowledge changes over time. We argue that seeking answers to these questions requires an appreciation of the dynamic nature of the developing system in its full, reciprocal complexity. We illustrate this dynamic complexity with results from two lines of research on early word learning. The first demonstrates how the child's active engagement with objects and people supports referent selection via memories for what objects were previously seen in a cued location. The second set of results highlights changes in the role of novelty and attentional processes in referent selection and retention as children's knowledge of words and objects grows. Together this work suggests that understanding systems for perception, action, attention, and memory, and their complex interaction, is critical to understand word learning. We review recent literature that highlights the complex interactions between these processes in cognitive development and point to critical issues for future work.
Surviving with a resident despot: do revegetated patches act as refuges from the effects of the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala) in a highly fragmented landscape?
Authors: Mortelliti Alessio , Ikin Karen , Tulloch Ayesha I.T. , Cunningham Ross , Stein John , Michael Damian , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimTo provide, through a large‐scale long‐term field study, an empirical evaluation of the extent to which revegetated patches act as refuges for woodland bird species in the face of enhanced abundance of a native despotic species in a highly fragmented landscape.LocationSouth‐west slopes, New South Wales, Australia.MethodsBirds were surveyed using point counts over a 9‐year period. Colonization/extinction dynamics of local bird populations were modelled using multiple‐season occupancy models.ResultsWe show how the spread of the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala), an indirect effect of habitat loss and fragmentation, is now the main driver of bird distribution patterns, affecting 65% of the studied species, including 10 species of conservation concern. Noisy miners both increased the risk that birds would become extinct in patches and prevented birds colonizing new patches. We discovered that restoration plantings, despite having low noisy miner abundance, rarely acted as a refuge for bird species: only 6 of 42 species, and only one of conservation concern, showed a positive response to plantings. Instead, bird species colonized or persisted more in regrowth or old growth sites where the abundance of the noisy miner was relatively low.Main conclusionsDespite a major restoration effort of replanted vegetation over several decades, the majority of our target bird species preferred native woodland patches over plantings, and particularly native patches with a low abundance of the noisy miner. Our study showed that conservation actions such as habitat restoration aimed at reversing the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation should be preceded by a careful threat‐mitigation prioritization considering, in particular, the indirect effects of fragmentation, such as the impact of despotic or invasive species. Our results support calls to manage noisy miners by undertaking actions that will reduce their numbers, such as through culling.
Optimal Strategies for Traditional versus Roth IRA/401(k) Consumption During Retirement
Authors: DiLellio James A. , Ostrov Daniel N. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTWe establish an algorithm that produces an optimal strategy for retirees to withdraw funds between their tax‐deferred accounts (TDAs), like traditional IRA/401(k) accounts, and their Roth IRA/401(k) accounts, in the context of a financial model based on American tax law. This optimal strategy follows a geometrically simple, intuitive approach that can be used to maximize the size of a retiree's bequest to an heir or, alternatively, to maximize a retiree's portfolio longevity. We give examples where retirees following the approach currently implemented by major investment firms, like Fidelity and Vanguard, will reduce their bequests by approximately 10% or lose 18 months of portfolio longevity compared to our optimal approach. Further, our strategy and algorithm can be extended to many cases where the retiree has additional, known yearly sources of money, such as income from part‐time work, taxable investment accounts, and Social Security.
The Efficacy of a Decision Support System in Enhancing Risk Assessment Performance
Authors: Song Qian , Chan Siew H. , Wright Arnold M. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTA pervasive challenge for decision‐makers is evaluating data of varying form (e.g., quantitative vs. qualitative) and credibility in arriving at an overall risk assessment judgment. The current study tests the efficacy of a Decision Support System (DSS) for facilitating auditors’ evaluation and assimilation of financial and nonfinancial information in accurately assessing the risk of material misstatements (RMM) in financial information. Utilizing the proximity compatibility principle, the DSS manipulates the display of cues either in an integral (where pieces of information are displayed on one computer screen) or separable (where pieces of information are displayed on different computer screens) format. Based on cognitive fit theory, we expect that the integral (separable) display best supports financial (nonfinancial) information processing, leading to enhanced risk assessment performance. In addition, we predict that consistent DSS display of financial and nonfinancial information facilitates risk assessment performance. Further, this study accentuates the importance of auditors’ preference for presentation of financial and nonfinancial information and consistent presentation of all the information in strengthening the effect of DSS display format on risk assessment performance. We design a case which includes a seeded high fraud risk. A total of 112 audit seniors participated in the experiment where the DSS display format was manipulated and the auditors’ RMM assessments and display preferences were measured. The results support the hypotheses and highlight the value of the DSS in enhancing risk assessment performance.
Difference among shock‐absorbing capabilities of mouthguard materials
Authors: Fukasawa Shintaro , Churei Hiroshi , Chowdhury Ruman Uddin , Shirako Takahiro , Shahrin Sharika , Shrestha Abhishekhi , Wada Takahiro , Uo Motohiro , Takahashi Hidekazu , Ueno Toshiaki 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the shock absorption capability of commercial thermoforming mouthguard sheet materials.Materials and methodsTwelve commercial thermoforming mouthguard sheet materials were selected as test materials. The impact test was applied by a free‐falling steel ball. When impact forces of approximately 660 N were applied on the commercial thermoforming mouthguard materials, the peak intensities were measured using the load cell sensor. The peak intensity and the time to peak intensity from the onset of the transmitted force were statistically analyzed using one‐way anova and Tukey's honest significant difference post hoc test (P < 0.05).ResultsStatistical analysis for the peak intensity and the time to peak intensity from the onset of the transmitted force revealed significant differences among the thirteen groups including the control. The peak intensity of the polystyrene–polyolefin copolymer‐based material was lower than the peak intensity of the EVA‐, polyolefin‐based material. Polyolefin‐based materials had a tendency of a long duration to reach peak intensity from the onset of the transmitted force.ConclusionThese results suggest that all of the commercially available mouthguard sheet materials had high shock‐absorbing capabilities.
Environmental tolerance governs the presence of reef corals at latitudes beyond reef growth
Authors: Mizerek Toni L. , Baird Andrew H. , Beaumont Linda J. , Madin Joshua S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimUnderstanding mechanisms that enhance survival outside the usual range of a taxonomic group is key to understanding diversity gradients, how range boundaries operate and how environmental change might influence geographical distributions. Our aims were: (1) to identify species‐level traits associated with reef‐building coral species whose ranges extend into high‐latitude, non‐reefal habitats (i.e. ‘beyond reef’), (2) determine if these patterns were consistent in different global regions, and (3) determine if traits associated with living beyond reef were related to enhanced dispersal or tolerance to harsher environmental conditions.LocationThree regions of the Central Indo‐Pacific with tropical–temperate gradients from 35° N to 36° S.MethodsScleractinian coral richness was collated and analysed as a function of latitude, region and whether or not reef accretion occurred. Species traits that are hypothesized to contribute to living beyond the environmental limits of carbonate reef accretion were compiled; these included traits associated with dispersal potential and environmental tolerance. The contribution of species traits to presence beyond reefs was then quantified using a binomial generalized linear mixed effects model.ResultsIn each region, coral species richness dropped by up to 73% where reef accretion ceased. Compared with corals restricted to coral reefs, the subset of species extending beyond reefs shared common traits related to environmental tolerance (larger depth ranges, more robust morphologies and tolerance of turbid water), but not to dispersal potential. Patterns were mostly consistent among regions.Main conclusionsWe show for the first time that coral species living successfully in beyond‐reef habitats share common characteristics that are consistent in three global regions. Environmental tolerance appears to play the dominant role in determining which species successfully establish beyond reefs. Our trait‐based approach sheds light on how species assemblages and ranges might be altered by environmental change or loss of reef habitats.
Meta‐analysis reveals an association between signal transducer and activator of transcription‐4 polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma risk
Authors: Zhang Li , Xu Kuihua , Liu Chuanmiao , Chen Jiasheng 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins play a multitude of important functions in liver pathophysiology. Recent studies have indicated associations of rs7574865 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the STAT4 gene with various autoimmune diseases. The association between STAT4 polymorphism and the risk of HCC has been analyzed in several studies, but results remain inconsistent. This study used a meta‐analysis approach to comprehensively investigate the correlation between STAT4 polymorphism and HCC risk based on previously published reports.MethodsStudies were searched from the databases of PubMed, EMBase, Web of Science, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure up to 31 December 2015. The meta‐analysis was carried out based on the statement of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses.ResultsEight published studies, consisting of 7503 HCC patients (cases) and 13 831 individuals without HCC (controls), were included in the present study. Meta‐analysis of the included studies revealed that STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism contributed to the risk of HCC under all four genetic models, consisting of the allelic model (G vs. T: odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19–1.30), the dominant effect model (GG + GT vs. TT: OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.26–1.84), the recessive effect model (GG vs. GT + TT: OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.21–1.50), and the co‐dominant effect model (GG vs.. TT: OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.42–2.10) comparisons. No publication bias was indicated from either visualization of the funnel plot or Egger's test.ConclusionA significantly increased risk of HCC associated with the rs7574865 G was found. The rs7574865 polymorphism might be used as one risk factor for HCC.