bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does instructor's image size in video lectures affect learning outcomes?
Authors: Pi Z. , Hong J. , Yang J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOne of the most commonly used forms of video lectures is a combination of an instructor's image and accompanying lecture slides as a picture‐in‐picture. As the image size of the instructor varies significantly across video lectures, and so do the learning outcomes associated with this technology, the influence of the instructor's image size should be evaluated. This study tested the effect of image size of the instructor on learners' experience of social presence, cognitive load, learning performance and satisfaction. In the study, 87 Chinese undergraduates were randomly assigned to view a video lecture with a small image of the instructor, with a medium image size of the instructor or with a large image of the instructor. The results of analyses of variances and analysis of covariance suggested that learners perceived the same level of social presence and cognitive load across video lectures with different image sizes of the instructor; learners who watched the video lecture with the small image of the instructor learned better than those who watched the video lectures with the medium and the large images of the instructors. Furthermore, learners who watched the video lecture with the small image and medium image of the instructor experienced more learning satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of image size of the instructor in video lecture learning.
CD38 promotes angiotensin II‐induced cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Guan Xiao‐Hui , Hong Xuan , Zhao Ning , Liu Xiao‐Hong , Xiao Yun‐Fei , Chen Ting‐Tao , Deng Li‐Bin , Wang Xiao‐Lei , Wang Jian‐Bin , Ji Guang‐Ju , Fu Mingui , Deng Ke‐Yu , Xin Hong‐Bo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCardiac hypertrophy is an early hallmark during the clinical course of heart failure and regulated by various signalling pathways. Recently, we observed that mouse embryonic fibroblasts from CD38 knockout mice were significantly resistant to oxidative stress such as H2O2‐induced injury and hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced injury. In addition, we also found that CD38 knockout mice protected heart from ischaemia reperfusion injury through activating SIRT1/FOXOs‐mediated antioxidative stress pathway. However, the role of CD38 in cardiac hypertrophy is not explored. Here, we investigated the roles and mechanisms of CD38 in angiotensin II (Ang‐II)‐induced cardiac hypertrophy. Following 14 days of Ang‐II infusion with osmotic mini‐pumps, a comparable hypertension was generated in both of CD38 knockout and wild‐type mice. However, the cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were much more severe in wild‐type mice compared with CD38 knockout mice. Consistently, RNAi‐induced knockdown of CD38 decreased the gene expressions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and reactive oxygen species generation in Ang‐II‐stimulated H9c2 cells. In addition, the expression of SIRT3 was elevated in CD38 knockdown H9c2 cells, in which SIRT3 may further activate the FOXO3 antioxidant pathway. The intracellular Ca2+ release induced by Ang‐II markedly decreased in CD38 knockdown H9c2 cells, which might be associated with the decrease of nuclear translocation of NFATc4 and inhibition of ERK/AKT phosphorylation. We concluded that CD38 plays an essential role in cardiac hypertrophy probably via inhibition of SIRT3 expression and activation of Ca2+‐NFAT signalling pathway. Thus, CD38 may be a novel target for treating cardiac hypertrophy.
Development of antimicrobial active film containing CINnamaldehyde and its application to snakehead (Ophiocephalus argus) fish
Authors: Ma Yichao , Li Li , Wang Yifen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractActive packaging containing plant essential oils as a food preservation method is attracting more and more attention. Bioactive films based on ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) incorporating with and without cinnamaldehyde (CIN）were prepared and characterized in this study. Physical and mechanical properties including tensile strength, elongation at break, water vapor permeability (WVP), oxygen permeability (OP), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and SEM image were investigated. Then active properties including release of bioactive element, antioxidant and antibacterial ability of the film sample were also conducted. Finally, the preservative effects of active films on snakehead dices stored at 4 ± 1 °C were performed by analyzing changes in pH value, water loss rate (WLR), total bacterial counts (TBC) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N). The results showed that film A with CIN possessed higher tensile strength and lower OP compared to those of EVOH film. Moreover, the film with active element had significant antioxidant and antibacterial ability. The radical scavenging rate of the active film reached as high as 39.01%. On day 10, the TBC of fish dices in EVOH film reached 6.07 log CFU/g and the TVB‐N was 16.83 mgN/100 g, while it took 14 days for fish dices packed with film A to reach similar levels. Therefore, active packaging may prolong shelf life of aquatic food and have significance for food preservation.Practical applicationsPackaging is an essential part of food preservation. Active packaging containing antimicrobial/antioxidant compounds should extend shelf life of the products. Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) is well known packing material for its excellent oxygen barrier property. Cinnamaldehyde (CIN) is extracted from Cinnamomum cassia Presl bark and exhibits antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms. The addition of CIN into EVOH not only enhances physical and mechanical properties of the film, but also shows significant antioxidant and antibacterial ability, which can prolong the shelf life of the products. The preservative effects of the active film on fresh snakehead fish presented in this study are valuable information for practical application of active packaging to aquatic products preservation in particular, and food in general.
Integrating Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment: Asking the Right Question
Authors: Suckling James R , Lee Jacquetta 
Published: March 2017

SummaryMobile phones offer many potential social benefits throughout their lifetime, but this life is often much shorter than design intent. Reuse of the phone in a developing country allows these social benefits to be fully realized. Unfortunately, under the current state of development of recycling infrastructure, recovery rates of phones after reuse are very low in those markets, which may lead to an environmental burden attributed to loss of materials to landfill. In order to recover those materials most effectively, recycling in developed countries may be the best option, but at a cost of the ability to reuse the phones. The issues facing integration of social and environmental concerns into a single life cycle assessment (LCA) and resulting challenges of identifying the disposal option with the most sustainable outcome are explored using mobile phones as a case study. These include obtaining sufficient geographical and temporal detail of the end‐of‐life options, collation and analysis of the large amounts of data generated, and weighting of the disparate environmental and social impact categories. The numerous challenges may mount up to make performing LCA of mobile phones unwieldy. Instead of trying to encompass every aspect in full, it is proposed that focus is given to answering a question that takes into account the resources available: It is important to ask the question that has the best chance of being answered.
Implications of nitrogen phloem loading for carbon metabolism and transport during Arabidopsis development
Authors: Santiago James P. , Tegeder Mechthild 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMetabolite transport processes and primary metabolism are highly interconnected. This study examined the importance of source‐to‐sink nitrogen partitioning, and associated nitrogen metabolism for carbon capture, transport and usage. Specifically, Arabidopsis aap8 (AMINO ACID PERMEASE 8) mutant lines were analyzed to resolve the consequences of reduced amino acid phloem loading for source leaf carbon metabolism, sucrose phloem transport and sink development during vegetative and reproductive growth phase. Results showed that decreased amino acid transport had a negative effect on sink development of aap8 lines throughout the life cycle, leading to an overall decrease in plant biomass. During vegetative stage, photosynthesis and carbohydrate levels were decreased in aap8 leaves, while expression of carbon metabolism and transport genes, as well as sucrose phloem transport were not affected despite reduced sink strength. However, when aap8 plants transitioned to reproductive phase, carbon fixation and assimilation as well as sucrose partitioning to siliques were strongly decreased. Overall, this work demonstrates that phloem loading of nitrogen has varying implications for carbon fixation, assimilation and source‐to‐sink allocation depending on plant growth stage. It further suggests alterations in source‐sink relationships, and regulation of carbon metabolism and transport by sink strength in a development‐dependent manner.
Permeation characteristics of hypericin across Caco-2 monolayers in the presence of single flavonoids, defined flavonoid mixtures or Hypericum extract matrix
Authors: Verjee Sheela , Kelber Olaf , Kolb Christiane , Abdel-Aziz Heba , Butterweck Veronika 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Objectives
The major aim of this study was to get a detailed understanding of the exposure and fate of hypericin in the Caco-2 cell system when combined with various flavonoids, mixtures of flavonoids or Hypericum perforatum extract matrix (STW3-VI).

Methods
The permeation characteristics of hypericin in the absence or presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside and rutin were tested. Hypericin (5 μm) was mixed with single flavonoids (20 μm) or with different flavonoid combinations (each flavonoid 4 or 10 μm, total flavonoid concentration: 20 μm). Further, the uptake of hypericin (5 μm) in the presence of H. perforatum extract matrix (7.25, 29 and 58 μg/ml) was studied.

Key findings
Following application of hypericin to the apical side of the monolayer, only negligible amounts of the compound were found in the basolateral compartment. From all tested flavonoids, only quercitrin increased the basolateral amount of hypericin. Dual flavonoid combinations were not superior compared to the single combinations. The amount of hypericin in the basolateral compartment increased concentration-dependently in the presence of extract matrix (from 0 to 7.5%).

Conclusion
Comparing the effects of various flavonoid mixtures vs the extract matrix, it can be concluded that, besides flavonoids, the extract seems to contain further compounds (e.g. phenolic acids or proanthocyanidins) which substantially improve the permeation characteristics of hypericin.
Variation in Networks and Forms of Support for Care‐Seeking Across the HIV Care Continuum in the Rural Southeastern United States
Authors: Hill Miranda , Huff Amber , Chumbler Neale 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPurposeIn spite of progress in understanding the importance of social support for health outcomes in Persons Living with HIV (PLWH), more remains to be known about mechanisms of support most beneficial at each stage of HIV treatment. In this study, we use a qualitative analytic approach to investigate the forms and sources of social support deemed most integral to the diagnosis, care engagement, and medication adherence behaviors of a diverse sample of PLWH in a mostly rural health district in the Southeastern United States.MethodsIn‐depth interviews (N = 18) were collected during the qualitative phase of a larger mixed methods needs assessment for the Northeast Georgia Health District. A deductive‐inductive analysis of participant narratives revealed variation in the perceived importance of particular forms and sources of social support during the initial versus advanced stages of HIV care.FindingsPLWH identified the emotional, informational, and appraisal support provided by family as especially critical for emotional stability, coping, and care linkage during the initial stages of diagnosis and treatment. However, once in care, PLWH emphasized informational and instrumental forms of support from care providers and appraisal support from peers as key influences in care engagement and retention behaviors.ConclusionIncreased understanding of the social support mechanisms that contribute to the HIV treatment behaviors of PLWH can fill knowledge gaps in research and inform the efforts of health care providers seeking to leverage various aspects of the social support toward improving the care retention, health, and wellness outcomes of PLWH.
Agreement Among 4 Sampling Methods to Identify Respiratory Pathogens in Dairy Calves with Acute Bovine Respiratory Disease
Authors: Doyle D. , Credille B. , Lehenbauer T.W. , Berghaus R. , Aly S.S. , Champagne J. , Blanchard P. , Crossley B. , Berghaus L. , Cochran S. , Woolums A. 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundFour sampling techniques commonly are used for antemortem identification of pathogens from cattle with bovine respiratory disease (BRD): the nasal swab (NS), guarded nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and transtracheal wash (TTW). Agreement among these methods has not been well characterized.ObjectiveTo evaluate agreement amongTTWandNS,NPS, orBALfor identification of viral and bacterial pathogens in dairy calves withBRD.AnimalsOne hundred dairy calves with naturally acquired BRD.MethodsCalves were sampled by all 4 methods. Viral agents were identified by real‐timeRT‐PCR, bacteria were identified by aerobic culture, andMycoplasma bovis(M. bovis) isolates were speciated byPCR. Agreement amongTTWandNS,NPS, orBALwas evaluated by calculating the kappa statistic and percent positive agreement. McNemar's exact test was used to compare the proportions of positive results.ResultsAgreement amongTTWandNS,TTWandNPS, andTTWandBAL, was very good for identification ofP. multocida, M. haemolytica, and M. bovis. For bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), agreement withTTWwas moderate forNS, good forNPS, and very good forBAL. For bovine coronavirus (BCV), agreement withTTWwas moderate forNSandNPS, and good forBAL. McNemar's test was significant only forBCV, indicating that for this pathogen the proportion of positive results fromNSandNPScould not be considered comparable toTTW.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis study provides guidance for veterinarians selecting diagnostic tests for antemortem identification of pathogens associated withBRD.
Interobserver Agreement Using Histological Scoring of the Canine Liver
Authors: Lidbury J.A. , Rodrigues Hoffmann A. , Ivanek R. , Cullen J.M. , Porter B.F. , Oliveira F. , Van Winkle T.J. , Grinwis G.C. , Sucholdolski J.S. , Steiner J.M. 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundGrading schemes for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in humans previously have been applied to dogs with chronic hepatitis. Interobserver agreement is a desirable characteristic for any histological scoring scheme.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo assess interobserver agreement associated with pathologists using a previously published histological scoring scheme to assess hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in dogs and to compare fibrosis scores assigned to serial sections stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and picrosirius red.AnimalsHistological sections of liver from 50 dogs with variable degrees of hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity were selected from institutional tissue archives.MethodsSix board‐certified veterinary anatomic pathologists assigned fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity scores to the histological sections. The multiuser kappa statistic was calculated to assess interobserver agreement. Fibrosis stage assigned to serial sections stained with picrosirius red and H&E was compared using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.ResultsMultiuser kappa statistics for assessment of fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity from H&E‐stained sections were 0.35 and 0.16, respectively. There was no difference in median fibrosis scores assigned to serial section stained with H&E and picrosirius red (P = .248).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThere was fair interobserver agreement when pathologists assessed fibrosis and poor agreement when they assessed necroinflammatory activity. This suboptimal agreement must be taken into account by clinicians making decisions based on histology reports of the liver and in the design of studies evaluating these findings. To decrease this variability, ideally >1 pathologist should evaluate each section.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricular Size and Function in Cats With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Visser L.C. , Sloan C.Q. , Stern J.A. 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundStudies evaluating right ventricular (RV) structural and functional abnormalities in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are limited.HypothesisRight ventricular structural and functional abnormalities are present in cats with HCM and are associated with clinical severity.AnimalsEighty‐one client‐owned cats.MethodsRetrospective 2‐dimensional (2D) echocardiographic study. Right atrial diameter (RAD), RV free wall thickness (RVFWd), RV internal dimension (RVIDd), RV fractional area change (FAC), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were measured in control cats (n = 26), cats with subclinical HCM (subclinical HCM; n = 31), and cats with HCM and congestive heart failure (HCM + CHF; n = 24).ResultsRight heart size (RAD, RVFWd, and RVIDd) and RV function (FAC and TAPSE) significantly (all P < .05) increased and decreased, respectively, in the HCM + CHF group compared with controls. In the subclinical HCM group, only RVFWd was significantly (P < .05) higher than in controls. Compared with reference intervals derived from controls, 29% of cats with HCM had increased RVFWd. Increased left ventricular free wall thickness, increased RVIDd and decreased TAPSE independently correlated with increased left atrial size. Cats with HCM and pleural effusion were significantly more likely to have increased RVFWd and had increased RAD and decreased TAPSE compared with cats without pleural effusion.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceRight ventricular remodeling and dysfunction occur in some cats with HCM and may be associated with clinical severity. Our results support involvement of RV in the pathophysiology of HCM in some cats and support echocardiographic assessment of the RV in cats with HCM.
Biotic homogenization in an increasingly urbanized temperate grassland ecosystem
Authors: Zeeman Ben J. , McDonnell Mark J. , Kendal Dave , Morgan John W. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractQuestionHow does urbanization and associated declines in fire frequency alter the floristic composition of native temperate grasslands? Does it lead to: (1) biotic homogenization, i.e. compositional similarity between remnants increases; (2) biotic differentiation, whereby similarity between remnants declines, or; (3) clustered differentiation, where similarity between remnants remains unchanged, but composition shifts from the historical state?LocationVictoria, Australia.MethodsUsing site‐level surveys, we examined changes in the floristic similarity of 29 urban grasslands from 1992 to 2013 and compared these changes to those of 63 rural grasslands from 1989 to 2014. Community‐level changes in the representation of key functional traits were also examined in urban grasslands, with traits advantaged following disturbance regime change and urban fragmentation predicted to increase in frequency.ResultsOur results supported the biotic homogenization hypothesis in urban grasslands. Compositional similarity between grasslands increased principally because of an increase in commonly shared non‐native species, with change in native composition comparatively minor. However, no evidence of biotic homogenization was found in rural grasslands, with no significant change in overall composition identified. The most urbanized sites had the highest number of non‐native species in both the current and historical data sets, yet non‐native composition over the past two decades changed the most in sites on the urban fringe, becoming more similar to sites closer to the urban core. As expected, following declines in fire frequency and increased urbanization, the overall composition of urban grasslands shifted to taller plant species, while native species capable of vegetative reproduction and exotic species with an annual life span increased in frequency.ConclusionUrbanization was an important driver of biodiversity change in the investigated system, with increasing competition intensity in response to disturbance regime change a likely cause of biotic homogenization. Our results demonstrate that non‐native species are a key driver of biotic homogenization, emphasizing the importance of managing non‐native immigration and maintaining historical disturbance processes once native ecosystems become urbanized.
Teachers negotiating professional agency through literature‐based assessment
Authors: Simpson Alyson 
Published: March 2017

AbstractResearch reports teachers around the world currently face major challenges to their professional agency. They face numerous pressures from accountability measures operating in the highly politicised field of literacy education and standardised testing. At the same time international research encourages teachers to design rich assessment tasks engaging students with literary texts. This paper addresses the paradox of policy working against professionalism. It is illustrated with vignettes of data to demonstrate how collective agency driven through teacher inquiry enabled a group of teachers to negotiate their professional accountability with epistemological benefits for their students. Situated in discourse supporting agentive pedagogies, the paper gives an account of a collaborative project in Australia where three primary teachers teaching students aged 10‐12 years worked with an academic research partner to investigate their own teaching practice. The paper takes a sociocultural orientation to literacy research. It examines students' responses to dialogic prompts in Literature Circles framed within a discussion that acknowledges contextual influences on teacher authority. It provides evidence of successful practice that encourages other educators to resist the power dynamics underpinning reductionist assessments of literacy achievement. The negotiation of professional agency is showcased through the teaching of literature in the classroom.