bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles of working memory performance and instructional strategy in complex cognitive task performance
Authors: Cevik V. , Altun A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study aims to investigate how working memory (WM) performances and instructional strategy choices affect learners' complex cognitive task performance in online environments. Three different e‐learning environments were designed based on Merrill's (2006a) model of instructional strategies. The lack of experimental research on his framework is the main argument of this paper. The participants' WM processes with the n‐back task scores were used for defining their WM performances. This study is designed as repeated measures. Thirty‐five undergraduate students completed complex cognitive tasks three times. According to their WM groups, the participants were assigned to experimental conditions randomly by counterbalancing. The main results of the study indicated that although no performance differences were observed in complex cognitive tasks across instructional strategies, there was a statistically significant change observed across WM groups in favour of those who had high WM performances. The interaction effect did not have an effect on participants' overall performance. These results indicate that cognitive differences lead to different outcomes when the instructional design is set to be the same for all. Therefore, it is concluded that instructional design choices could take individual cognitive differences into account when developing adaptive e‐learning environments.Lay DescriptionWhat is already known about this topic:

E‐learning environments are often considered to be complex environments mainly because of their navigational nature (i.e., design of hyperlinks and the tools embedded within the system for personal and collaborative use).
Yet, from the learners' perspective, it is not clear whether it is the content or merely the design choice that could make the online environment (more) complex.
Moreover, cognitive differences play a crucial role during individuals' interactions with(in) the course materials.
When measuring the performance on cognitive tasks, working memory (WM) performance is a strong predictor.
What this paper adds:

The literature on Merrill's instructional strategies which is one of the instructional models in designing how to teach complex tasks is mainly limited to conceptual discussions.
Using different instructional strategies did not significantly change individuals' performances when dealing with complex cognitive tasks.
Individuals with high level working memory performance performed significantly better.
Implications for practice and/or policy:

Cognitive differences lead to different outcomes when the instructional design is set to be the same for all.
Studies in the field of mind, brain and education (MBE) may provide additional necessary tools not only for practitioners but also for instructional designers to better design personalized e‐learning environments in the future.
Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty and Clinical Outcomes in Severe Aortic Stenosis: Correlation of Procedural Technique and Efficacy
Authors: Gajanana Deepakraj , Wheeler David , Hsi David , Kovach Richard , George Jon C. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundPercutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (PBAV) is a palliative therapeutic option for relief of severe aortic stenosis (AS) in patients that are poor surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) candidates or as a bridge to definitive therapy. The outcomes following PBAV are highly variable and studies identifying factors that correlate with outcomes are sparse. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors at the time of the index procedures that can predict 1‐year survival or need for repeat PBAV.MethodsDemographic and procedural information of 505 PBAVs performed on 388 patients from January 1999 to December 2012 at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center were reviewed. Procedural data were compared across many variables and outcomes to identify predictors of outcomes. These predictors were statistically compared using chi‐squared tests or Student's t‐test.ResultsOf the 388 patients analyzed, 145 (37.4%) expired within 1 year following the index procedure. The cohort was then stratified into 3 groups based on the number of balloon inflations. They were similar with regard to baseline characteristics. The mean age was 81.9 ± 9 years. Males constituted 51% of the cohort. Patients who underwent 2 and 3+ inflations had a 47.6% and 93.0% increase in the postprocedural aortic valve area compared to patients who had only 1 inflation. Patients who underwent 3+ inflations were significantly less likely to require a repeat PABV within a year and the repeat procedure free survival rate of 94.5% (P = 0.009). Despite improvement in valve area, there was no statistically significant difference in 1 year mortality between the groups (28.8% vs 42.9% vs 46.1% for 1 vs 2 vs 3+ inflations, respectively).ConclusionsPBAV provides a modest improvement in valve function and continues to be a safe and feasible option in experienced hands for select patients that are high risk for surgery or TAVR. The use of additional inflations during PBAV resulted in better long‐term outcomes.
Experience and the Absolute other
Authors: Reed Robert C. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn Experience and the Absolute (2004) and other works, Jean‐Yves Lacoste develops a phenomenology of a way of life he calls “liturgy,” in which one refuses one's being‐in‐the‐world in favor of a more basic form of existence he calls “being‐before‐God.” In this essay I argue that if there is indeed such a thing as being‐before‐God, Lacoste has not sufficiently considered the possibility that it is characterized in part by a disturbance of one's being‐in‐the‐world similar to, or perhaps even identical with, the disruptive encounter with the human other that constitutes the self as responsible according to Levinas's unique notion of ethics. Lacoste's dismissal of Levinas, evidently based on a misunderstanding of what Levinas means by the word “ethics,” leads him to overlook the potential relevance of Levinas's ideas to his phenomenological project at a number of significant points in his work.
The Erotic Eucharist
Authors: Grimes Katie M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPope Benedict XVI's encyclical Deus Caritas Est continues the magisterium's twentieth‐century shift from an act‐oriented, procreative approach to sexual ethics to what I will term a heterosexually personalistic one. Situating a heterosexual anthropology within a heterosexual cosmology, Benedict argues that just as God loves humanity with heterosexual eros, so must human beings love each other heterosexually. Although Benedict depends upon the explanatory power of heterosexuality, he perhaps unwittingly ends up depicting God's love not as iconically heterosexual, but as queer. In casting God's love as queer, I do not, even analogously, impute to God a type of homosexuality as Benedict does a heterosexuality. Instead, by drawing attention to the discursive specificity and historical instability of both homosexuality and heterosexuality, I use “queer” to recognize God's love as beyond categorization and as strange; it cannot be corralled into or contained by the historically specific notions of heterosexual and homosexual. But this essay does not merely deconstruct Benedict's heterosexually personalistic cosmology. It uncovers in Benedict's Eucharistic transfiguration of marital love a new and promising way of situating discussions about the ethics of sex.
Reliability and Validity of the PAQ‐C Questionnaire to Assess Physical Activity in Children
Authors: Benítez‐Porres Javier , López‐Fernández Iván , Raya Juan Francisco , Álvarez Carnero Sabrina , Alvero‐Cruz José Ramón , Álvarez Carnero Elvis 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDPhysical activity (PA) assessment by questionnaire is a cornerstone in the field of sport epidemiology studies. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ‐C) has been used widely to assess PA in healthy school populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the PAQ‐C questionnaire in Spanish children using triaxial accelerometry as criterion.METHODSEighty‐three (N = 46 boys, N = 37 girls) healthy children (age
10.98 ± 1.17 years, body mass index 19.48 ± 3.51 kg/m2) were volunteers and completed the PAQ‐C twice and wore an accelerometer for 8 consecutive days. Reliability was analyzed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the internal consistency by the Cronbach's α coefficient. The PAQ‐C was compared against total PA and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) obtained by accelerometry.RESULTSTest‐retest reliability showed an ICC = 0.96 for the final score of PAQ‐C. Small differences between first and second questionnaire administration were detected. Few and low correlations (rho = 0.228‐0.278, all ps < .05) were observed between PAQ‐C and accelerometry. The highest correlation was observed for item 9 (rho = 0.311, p < .01).CONCLUSIONSPAQ‐C had a high reliability but a questionable validity for assessing total PA and MVPA in Spanish children. Therefore, PA measurement in children should not be limited only to self‐report measurements.
Adherence partners are an acceptable behaviour change strategy to support calcium and iron‐folic acid supplementation among pregnant women in Ethiopia and Kenya
Authors: Martin Stephanie L. , Omotayo Moshood O. , Chapleau Gina M. , Stoltzfus Rebecca J. , Birhanu Zewdie , Ortolano Stephanie E. , Pelto Gretel H. , Dickin Katherine L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAntenatal calcium and iron‐folic acid (IFA) supplementation can reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. Yet, even when pregnant women have a stable supply of supplements, forgetting is often a barrier to adherence. We assessed the acceptability of adherence partners to support calcium and IFA supplementation among pregnant women in Kenya and Ethiopia. Adherence partners are a behaviour change strategy to improve adherence, where pregnant women are counselled to select a partner (e.g. spouse, relative) to remind them to take their supplements. We conducted trials of improved practices, a formative research method that follows participants over time as they try a new behaviour. We provided pregnant women in Ethiopia (n = 50) and Kenya (n = 35) with calcium and IFA supplements and counselling, and suggested selecting an adherence partner. For each participant, we conducted semi‐structured interviews about acceptability and adherence during four interviews over six weeks. We analysed interview transcripts thematically and tallied numerical data. In Kenya, 28 of 35 women agreed to try an adherence partner; almost all selected their husbands. In Ethiopia, 42 of 50 women agreed to try an adherence partner; half asked their husbands, others asked children or relatives. Most women who did not select adherence partners reported not needing help or not having anyone to ask. Participants reported adherence partners reminded and encouraged them, brought supplements, provided food and helped address side‐effects. Almost all women with adherence partners would recommend this strategy to others. Adherence partners are an acceptable, low‐cost strategy with the potential to support antenatal micronutrient supplementation adherence.
New repellent effective against African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae: implications for vector control
Authors: HODSON C. N. , YU Y. , PLETTNER E. , ROITBERG B. D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAnopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector for Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria. Current control strategies to reduce the impact of malaria focus on reducing the frequency of mosquito attacks on humans, thereby decreasing Plasmodium transmission. A need for new repellents effective against Anopheles mosquitoes has arisen because of changes in vector behaviour as a result of control strategies and concern over the health impacts of current repellents. The response of A. gambiae to potential repellents was investigated through an electroantennogram screen and the most promising of these candidates (1‐allyloxy‐4‐propoxybenzene, 3c{3,6}) chosen for behavioural testing. An assay to evaluate the blood‐host seeking behaviour of A. gambiae towards a simulated host protected with this repellent was then performed. The compound 3c{3,6} was shown to be an effective repellent, causing mosquitoes to reduce their contact with a simulated blood‐host and probe less at the host odour. Thus, 3c{3,6} may be an effective repellent for the control of A. gambiae.
Genetic determinants and postorthodontic external apical root resorption in Czech children
Authors: Borilova Linhartova P , Cernochova P , Kastovsky J , Vrankova Z , Sirotkova M , Izakovicova Holla L 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveGenes, involved in the modulation of inflammatory response and bone remodeling, play a role in the development of postorthodontic external apical root resorption (EARR). The aim of our study was to analyze possible associations between seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin‐17A (IL‐17), osteopontin (SPP1), purinoreceptor P2X7 (P2RX7), and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11B (TNFRSF11B) genes and EARR in children after orthodontic treatment.Subjects and MethodsThis case–control study comprised 99 orthodontically treated patients (69 controls and 30 subjects with EARR). Genotype determinations of rs2275913, rs11730582, rs9138, rs208294, rs1718119, rs3102735, and rs2073618 were based on polymerase chain reaction using 5′ nuclease TaqMan® assays.ResultsWhile no significant differences were observed in allele or genotype frequencies of all seven studied SNPs, specific haplotype of P2RX7 (rs208294 and rs1718119) modified the risk of EARR development (P < 0.05). In addition, the length of treatment with a fixed orthodontic appliance positively correlated with the presence of EARR (P < 0.05).ConclusionsAlthough the effect of individual SNPs studied on the EARR development was not confirmed in the Czech population, complex analysis suggested that variability in the P2RX7 gene and the length of orthodontic treatment may be important factors contributing to the etiopathogenesis of postorthodontic EARR.
Transcriptome comparison of resistant and susceptible sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. sesami
Authors: Wei Libin , Zhang Haiyang , Duan Yinghui , Li Chun , Chang Shuxian , Miao Hongmei 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSesame Fusarium wilt (FW) is a worldwide and hardly controlled fungus disease in sesame. Till now, the molecular resistance mechanism of sesame to FW remains unknown. The two resistant and susceptible sesame varieties, that is ‘Yuzhi 11’ and Rongxian black sesame (RXBS), were inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. sesami (Fos) pathogens for 0, 6, 24 or 24 and 48h, respectively. Then, transcriptome samples were sequenced and surveyed systematically using RNA‐seq technology. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that ‘phenylpropanoid biosynthesis’ pathway may play more important role in sesame resistance after Fos inoculation. Furthermore, qRT‐PCR results demonstrated that the phenylpropanoid pathway with an emphasis on the synthesis of lignin contributes to the sesame disease resistance. Moreover, activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POD) proved the differences of gene expression patterns in the two sesame phenotypes. Overall, we speculated that the difference of FW symptoms between the resistant and susceptible plants might depend on whether the plants could activate the pathway timely and efficiently or not. The findings would help to clarify the molecular mechanism of sesame resistance to FW.
Cold tolerance during juvenile development in sorghum: a comparative analysis by genomewide association and linkage mapping
Authors: Fiedler Karin , Bekele Wubishet A. , Matschegewski Claudia , Snowdon Rod , Wieckhorst Silke , Zacharias Arndt , Uptmoor Ralf 
Published: August 2016

AbstractImproved cold tolerance during the juvenile phase is a major breeding goal to develop new sorghum cultivars suitable as an alternative energy crop in temperate regions. The objectives of this study were to identify marker‐trait associations for cold tolerance in a sorghum diversity panel fingerprinted with 2620 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) in two F2:3 populations. Traits of interest were dry matter growth rate (DMGR), leaf appearance rate (LAR), chlorophyll content (SPAD) and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv′/Fm′ and ФPSII) in relation to temperature. The association panel comprised 194 genotypes, while the F2:3 populations consisted of 80 and 92 genotypes. All populations were tested under controlled conditions in a minimum of four temperature regimes ranging from 9.4°C to 20.8°C. QTL were identified for means across environments and regression parameters describing temperature effects. Several marker‐trait associations for mean (m) DMGR, base temperature (Tb) of SPAD and ФPSII and temperature effect on LAR were validated by QTL detected in population 1 or 2. Promising QTL regions were found on chromosomes SBI‐01, SBI‐02, SBI‐03, SBI‐04, SBI‐06 and SBI‐09, among them genomic regions where candidate genes involved in the C‐repeat binding pathway or encoding cold‐shock proteins are located.
The Institutional Design Frontiers of Publicness and University Performance
Authors: Anderson Derrick , Whitford Andrew 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis introduction to the symposium on the institutional design frontiers of publicness and university performance summarizes the range of diverse intellectual and practical perspectives converging on the idea that issues of design and publicness are important for thinking about the future of higher education. Collectively, the articles featured in this symposium demonstrate that the challenges facing higher education exhibit assorted social, economic, and political complexities. Public administration perspectives can play a key role in understanding and reshaping our higher education system into a more responsive social enterprise.
Oestrous sheep serum balances ROS levels to supply in vitro capacitation of ram spermatozoa
Authors: Del Olmo E , García‐Álvarez O , Maroto‐Morales A , Ramón M , Iniesta‐Cuerda M , Martinez‐Pastor F , Montoro V , Soler AJ , Garde JJ , Fernández‐Santos MR 
Published: August 2016

ContentsReactive oxygen species (ROS) are fundamental for intracellular signalling. In spermatozoa, they are involved both to apoptosis and to capacitation, and changes in ROS levels can alter the balance between these two processes. Oestrous sheep serum (OSS) is considered an efficient agent for in vitro capacitation of ram spermatozoa. We have explored the effects of OSS on ram sperm physiology, especially on ROS production, during in vitro capacitation. Semen samples from 15 rams were cryopreserved. After thawing, samples were submitted to four treatments: control (CTL), 10% OSS supplementation for in vitro sperm capacitation, caspase inhibitor (INH, Z‐VAD‐FMK 100 μM) and OSS (10%) plus caspase inhibitor (I + E). Sperm samples were incubated for 30 min at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 and evaluated motility and kinetic parameters by computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA) and viability (propidium iodide), apoptotic‐like membrane changes (YO‐PRO‐1), acrosomal status (PNA‐FITC), intracellular calcium (FLUO‐3), membrane fluidity (M540) and ROS production (CM‐H2DCFDA) by flow cytometry. OSS induced changes in kinetic parameters compatible with capacitation, with a decrease in the percentage of progressive motility and linearity, and an increase in the amplitude of the lateral displacement of the sperm head (p < .05). Moreover, OSS increased the proportion of M540+ viable spermatozoa, YO‐PRO‐1+ and acrosome‐reacted spermatozoa (p < .05). After incubation, OSS and I+E achieved lower ROS levels (p < .05). Ca2+ levels did not change with the incubation, but were slightly higher (p < .05) when both OSS and the inhibitor were present. We suggest that OSS may modulate ROS levels, allowing intracellular signalling for capacitation to occur while preventing higher levels that could trigger apoptosis.
Macrophage Phenotype in Liver Injury and Repair
Authors: Sun Y.‐Y. , Li X.‐F. , Meng X.‐M. , Huang C. , Zhang L. , Li J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMacrophages hold a critical position in the pathogenesis of liver injury and repair, in which their infiltrations is regarded as a main feature for both acute and chronic liver diseases. It is noted that, based on the distinct phenotypes and origins, hepatic macrophages are capable of clearing pathogens, promoting/or inhibiting liver inflammation, while regulating liver fibrosis and fibrolysis through interplaying with hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) via releasing different types of pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Macrophages are typically categorized into M1 or M2 phenotypes by adapting to local microenvironment during the progression of liver injury. In most occasions, M1 macrophages play a pro‐inflammatory role in liver injury, while M2 macrophages exert an anti‐inflammatory or pro‐fibrotic role during liver repair and fibrosis. In this review, we focused on the up‐to‐date information about the phenotypic and functional plasticity of the macrophages and discussed the detailed mechanisms through which the phenotypes and functions of macrophages are regulated in different stages of liver injury and repair. Moreover, their roles in determining the fate of liver diseases were also summarized. Finally, the macrophage‐targeted therapies against liver diseases were also be evaluated.
Measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in cats with experimental skin barrier dysfunction using a closed chamber system
Authors: Momota Yutaka , Shimada Kenichiro , Gin Azusa , Matsubara Takako , Azakami Daigo , Ishioka Katsumi , Nakamura Yuka , Sako Toshinori 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundA closed chamber evaporimeter is suitable for measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in cats because of the compact device size, tolerance to sudden movement and short measuring time. TEWL is a representative parameter for skin barrier dysfunction, which is one of the clinical signs of atopic dermatitis in humans and dogs. Measurement of feline TEWL has been reported, but applicability of this parameter has not been validated.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to determine if tape stripping is a valid experimental model in cats for studying TEWL and to determine if a closed chambered system is a suitable measurement tool for cats.AnimalsTen clinically normal cats.MethodsIn order to evaluate variation of the measured values, TEWL was measured at the right and left side of the three clipped regions (axillae, lateral thigh and groin). Subsequently, TEWL was measured using sequential tape stripping of the stratum corneum as a model of acute barrier disruption.ResultsThe variations between both sides of the three regions showed no significant difference. Sequential tape stripping was associated with increasing values for TEWL.Conclusions and clinical importanceFeline TEWL was shown to reflect changes in the skin barrier in an experimental model using a closed chamber system and has the potential for evaluating skin barrier function in cats with skin diseases.