bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does higher education service quality effect student satisfaction, image and loyalty?
Authors: Ali Faizan , Zhou Yuan , Hussain Kashif , Nair Pradeep Kumar , Ragavan Neethiahnanthan Ari 
Published: January 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Malaysian public universities’ service quality on international student satisfaction, institutional image and loyalty.Design/methodology/approach– A total number of 400 questionnaires were distributed to international students, selected using convenience sampling technique, at three public Malaysian university campuses in Kuala Lumpur. Of this, 241 were deemed fit for analysis (60 per cent response rate). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the collected data, assess the model and test hypotheses.Findings– The findings show that all the five dimensions of higher education service quality influence student satisfaction which in turn influences institutional image, and together, they influence student loyalty.Research limitations/implications– There are a number of limitations associated with this study. First, the findings of the study are based on data from international students at only three Malaysian public university campuses. Second, this study focuses on a relatively small sample of international students. Besides, this study uses HEdPERF to assess higher education service quality which might exclude some factors that may influence international student satisfaction. On the other hand, it highlights a number of implications for the management of Malaysian universities.Originality/value– This study validates the HEdPERF scale in the context of Malaysian public universities with regard to the perceptions of international students. Furthermore, this study extends the HEdPERF scale and examines its effects on student satisfaction, institutional image and loyalty.
Arsenite response in Coccomyxa sp. Carn explored by transcriptomic and non‐targeted metabolomic approaches
Authors: Koechler Sandrine , Bertin Philippe N. , Plewniak Frédéric , Baltenweck Raymonde , Casiot Corinne , Heipieper Hermann J. , Bouchez Olivier , Arsène‐Ploetze Florence , Hugueney Philippe , Halter David 
Published: January 2016

SummaryArsenic is a toxic metalloid known to generate an important oxidative stress in cells. In the present study, we focused our attention on an alga related to the genus Coccomyxa, exhibiting an extraordinary capacity to resist high concentrations of arsenite and arsenate. The integrated analysis of high‐throughput transcriptomic data and non‐targeted metabolomic approaches highlighted multiple levels of protection against arsenite. Indeed, Coccomyxa sp. Carn induced a set of transporters potentially preventing the accumulation of this metalloid in the cells and presented a distinct arsenic metabolism in comparison to another species more sensitive to that compound, i.e. Euglena gracilis, especially in regard to arsenic methylation. Interestingly, Coccomyxa sp. Carn was characterized by a remarkable accumulation of the strong antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Such observation could explain the apparent low oxidative stress in the intracellular compartment, as suggested by the transcriptomic analysis. In particular, the high amount of GSH in the cell could play an important role for the tolerance to arsenate, as suggested by its partial oxidation into oxidized glutathione in presence of this metalloid. Our results therefore reveal that this alga has acquired multiple and original defence mechanisms allowing the colonization of extreme ecosystems such as acid mine drainages.
Frontostriatal circuits, resting state functional connectivity and cognitive control in internet gaming disorder
Authors: Yuan Kai , Yu Dahua , Cai Chenxi , Feng Dan , Li Yangding , Bi Yanzhi , Liu Jixin , Zhang Yi , Jin Chenwang , Li Linling , Qin Wei , Tian Jie 
Published: January 2016

AbstractConverging evidence has identified cognitive control deficits in internet gaming disorder (IGD). Recently, mounting evidence had revealed that resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) and structural connectivity of frontostriatal circuits could modulate cognitive control in healthy individuals. Unfortunately, relatively little is known about the thoroughly circuit‐level characterization of the frontostriatal pathways (both the dorsal and ventral striatum) during resting‐state and their association with cognitive control in IGD. In the current study, the differences of striatum volume and RSFC networks were investigated between 43 young IGD individuals and 44 healthy controls. Meanwhile, cognitive control deficits were assessed by Stroop task performances. The neuroimaging findings were then correlated with the Stroop task behaviors. In IGD subjects, we demonstrated an increased volume of right caudate and nucleus accumbens (NAc) as well as reduced RSFC strength of dorsal prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)–caudate and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)–NAc. NAc volumes were positively correlated with internet addiction test scores in IGD. The caudate volume and DLPFC–caudate RSFC was correlated with the impaired cognitive control (more incongruent errors in Stroop task) in IGD. Consistent with substance use disorder (SUD) findings, we detected striatum volume and frontostriatal circuits RSFC differences between IGD and healthy controls, which provided evidence of some degree of the similarity between IGD and SUD. More importantly, the cognitive control deficits in IGD were correlated with the reduced frontostrital RSFC strength. It is hoped that our results could shed insight on the neurobiological mechanisms of IGD and suggest potential novel therapeutic targets for treatment.
Cocaine craving during protracted withdrawal requires PKCε priming within vmPFC
Authors: Miller Bailey W. , Wroten Melissa G. , Sacramento Arianne D. , Silva Hannah E. , Shin Christina B. , Vieira Philip A. , Ben‐Shahar Osnat , Kippin Tod E. , Szumlinski Karen K. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn individuals with a history of drug taking, the capacity of drug‐associated cues to elicit indices of drug craving intensifies or incubates with the passage of time during drug abstinence. This incubation of cocaine craving, as well as difficulties with learning to suppress drug‐seeking behavior during protracted withdrawal, are associated with a time‐dependent deregulation of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) function. As the molecular bases for cocaine‐related vmPFC deregulation remain elusive, the present study assayed the consequences of extended access to intravenous cocaine (6 hours/day; 0.25 mg/infusion for 10 day) on the activational state of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), an enzyme highly implicated in drug‐induced neuroplasticity. The opportunity to engage in cocaine seeking during cocaine abstinence time‐dependently altered PKCε phosphorylation within vmPFC, with reduced and increased p‐PKCε expression observed in early (3 days) and protracted (30 days) withdrawal, respectively. This effect was more robust within the ventromedial versus dorsomedial PFC, was not observed in comparable cocaine‐experienced rats not tested for drug‐seeking behavior and was distinct from the rise in phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase observed in cocaine‐seeking rats. Further, the impact of inhibiting PKCε translocation within the vmPFC using TAT infusion proteins upon cue‐elicited responding was determined and inhibition coinciding with the period of testing attenuated cocaine‐seeking behavior, with an effect also apparent the next day. In contrast, inhibitor pretreatment prior to testing during early withdrawal was without effect. Thus, a history of excessive cocaine taking influences the cue reactivity of important intracellular signaling molecules within the vmPFC, with PKCε playing a critical role in the manifestation of cue‐elicited cocaine seeking during protracted drug withdrawal.
Genome‐wide association studies based on sequence‐derived genotypes reveal new QTL associated with conformation and performance traits in the Franches–Montagnes horse breed
Authors: Frischknecht M. , Signer‐Hasler H. , Leeb T. , Rieder S. , Neuditschko M. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryTo identify novel quantitative trait loci (QTL) within horses, we performed genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) based on sequence‐level genotypes for conformation and performance traits in the Franches–Montagnes (FM) horse breed. Sequence‐level genotypes of FM horses were derived by re‐sequencing 30 key founders and imputing 50K data of genotyped horses. In total, we included 1077 FM horses genotyped for ~4 million SNPs and their respective de‐regressed breeding values of the traits in the analysis. Based on this dataset, we identified a total of 14 QTL associated with 18 conformation traits and one performance trait. Therefore, our results suggest that the application of sequence‐derived genotypes increases the power to identify novel QTL which were not identified previously based on 50K SNP chip data.
Genome‐wide association reveals the locus responsible for four‐horned ruminant
Authors: Kijas James W. , Hadfield Tracy , Naval Sanchez Marina , Cockett Noelle 
Published: January 2016

SummaryPhenotypic variability in horn characteristics, such as their size, number and shape, offers the opportunity to elucidate the molecular basis of horn development. The objective of this study was to map the genetic determinant controlling the production of four horns in two breeds, Jacob sheep and Navajo‐Churro, and examine whether an eyelid abnormality occurring in the same populations is related. Genome‐wide association mapping was performed using 125 animals from the two breeds that contain two‐ and four‐horned individuals. A case–control design analysis of 570 712 SNPs genotyped with the ovine HD SNP Beadchip revealed a strong association signal on sheep chromosome 2. The 10 most strongly associated SNPs were all located in a region spanning Mb positions 131.9–132.6, indicating the genetic architecture underpinning the production of four horns is likely to involve a single gene. The closest genes to the most strongly associated marker (OAR2_132568092) were MTX2 and the HOXD cluster, located approximately 93 Kb and 251 Kb upstream respectively. The occurrence of an eyelid malformation across both breeds was restricted to polled animals and those carrying more than two horns. This suggests the eyelid abnormality may be associated with departures from the normal developmental production of two‐horned animals and that the two conditions are developmentally linked. This study demonstrated the presence of separate loci responsible for the polled and four‐horned phenotypes in sheep and advanced our understanding of the complexity that underpins horn morphology in ruminants.
Scalp melanoma: Distinctive high risk clinical and histological features
Authors: Xie Charles , Pan Yan , McLean Catriona , Mar Victoria , Wolfe Rory , Kelly John W 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesScalp melanoma has a worse prognosis than melanoma elsewhere, though the reasons for this are poorly understood. Current literature describing the clinicopathological associations of scalp melanoma is sparse. This study aims to compare clinical and histological features of scalp melanoma with other cutaneous head and neck melanomas (CHNM).MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed of all primary CHNM cases seen by the Victorian Melanoma Service between 1994 and 2014, using prospectively recorded clinical data. Invasive and in situ melanomas were compared separately.ResultsInvasive scalp melanoma was associated with male sex (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.9–3.9), increasing age (OR, 1.02 per year increase in age; 95% CI, 1.01–1.03), being first noticed by a person other than self, spouse/relative or doctor (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5–5.7), amelanosis (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1–2.3), and increased growth rate (OR, 1.14 per 1 mm/month growth rate increase; 95% CI, 1.04–1.26). Compared with other CHNM, scalp melanoma had greater median Breslow thickness (2.8 vs 1.2 mm) and was independently associated with satellite metastases (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.9–11.5) and nodular subtype (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.1). In situ scalp melanoma was associated with male sex, increasing age and solar keratoses.ConclusionScalp melanoma tends to occur in older men, is often rapidly growing and amelanotic, and is associated with high risk histological features. As it is likely to be overlooked, increased recognition of the atypical presentations of scalp melanoma is required.
Eosinophilic annular erythema: A late but complete response to hydroxychloroquine
Authors: Karataş Toğral Arzu , Seçkin Deniz 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA 69‐year‐old woman with a 12‐month history of asymptomatic erythematous, non‐scaly, annular and arciform plaques on her face, trunk and extremities is presented. The skin lesions had been unresponsive to treatment with systemic corticosteroids and antihistamines. Skin biopsy demonstrated superficial and deep dermal inflammatory infiltration consisting mainly of eosinophils and a few neutrophils. Dermal interstitial mucin deposition was also detected in the absence of vasculitis, flame figures or granulomatous reaction. The patient was diagnosed as having eosinophilic annular erythema and treated with hydroxychloroquine (2 × 200 mg/day, p.o.). Response to treatment was observed after 7 weeks and full recovery was achieved after 10 weeks. Eosinophilic annular erythema is rarely reported in the literature. Although hydroxychloroquine is a good choice for treatment, response time can vary between patients.
A single 60‐min bout of peristaltic pulse external pneumatic compression transiently upregulates phosphorylated ribosomal protein s6
Authors: Martin J. S. , Kephart W. C. , Mobley C. B. , Wilson T. J. , Goodlett M. D. , Roberts M. D. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryWe investigated whether a single 60‐min bout of whole leg, peristaltic pulse external pneumatic compression (EPC) altered select growth factor‐related mRNAs and/or various phospho(p)‐proteins related to cell growth, proliferation, inflammation and apoptosis signalling (e.g. Akt‐mTOR, Jak‐Stat). Ten participants (8 males, 2 females; aged 22·2 ± 0·4 years) reported to the laboratory 4 h post‐prandial, and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained prior to (PRE), 1 h and 4 h post‐EPC treatment. mRNA expression was analysed using real‐time RT‐PCR and phosphophorylated and cleaved proteins were analysed using an antibody array. No changes in selected growth factor‐related mRNAs were observed following EPC. All p‐proteins significantly altered by EPC decreased, except for p‐rps6 (Ser235/236) which increased 31% 1 h post‐EPC compared to PRE levels (P = 0·016). Notable decreases also included p‐BAD (Ser112; −28%, P = 0·004) at 4 h post‐EPC compared to PRE levels. In summary, an acute bout of EPC transiently upregulates p‐rps6 as well as affecting other markers in the Akt‐mTOR signalling cascade. Future research should characterize whether chronic EPC application promotes alterations in lower‐limb musculature and/or enhances exercise‐induced training adaptations.
Hegel's Essentialism. Natural Kinds and the Metaphysics of Explanation in Hegel's Theory of ‘the Concept’
Authors: Knappik Franz 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSeveral recent interpretations see Hegel's theory of the Concept as a form of conceptual realism, according to which finite reality is articulated by objectively existing concepts. More precisely, this theory has been interpreted as a version of natural kind essentialism, and it has been proposed that its function is to account for the possibility of genuine explanations. This suggests a promising way to reconstruct the argument that Hegel's theory of objective concepts is based on—an argument that shows that the possibility of explanation rests on metaphysical preconditions and that natural kind essentialism gives the only adequate account of those preconditions. But in order for such a reconstruction to be successful, one needs to spell out the metaphysical features in virtue of which Hegelian natural kinds can account for the possibility of explanation. The article takes up this challenge. It offers the first detailed analysis of the modal fine‐structure of Hegel's natural kind essentialism and shows how Hegel's position, thus understood, provides the details needed to complete the explanation‐based argument.
Originary Temporality and Existential Commitment: A Defense of Heidegger's A Potiori Claim
Authors: Zuckerman Nate 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBeing and Time's fundamental ontoogy and existentialism both rest on the A Potiori Claim, which states that originary temporality is, although non‐sequential, a genuine and basic concept of time from which we derive our more ordinary, sequential concept of time. In this paper, I develop a new reading and defense of this claim against the readings of William Blattner, which ties originary temporality too tightly to the particular roles and identities we live out and must therefore find Heidegger's project a failure, and Tony Fisher, who implies that our various roles and identities hang together in time in a merely accidental and non‐rational way. On my reading, originary temporality is the structure of Dasein's characteristic activity of existential commitment. Through this activity, we each work out, in our own case, what it takes to embody the capacity for sense‐making, at all. Here, the non‐sequentiality of originary temporality reflects the way in which commitments are revised and sustained through time, while the sequence of nows derives from our need to embody our commitment in a single life that negotiates among the practical demands that our various identities make of us.
Effect of ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification on the characteristics of AISI 310 stainless steel up to very high cycle fatigue
Authors: Khan M. K. , Liu Y. J. , Wang Q. Y. , Pyun Y. S. , Kayumov R. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEffects of ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) on the very high cycle fatigue response of AISI 310 stainless steel have been investigated. The higher impact force used in UNSM treatment showed a higher fatigue life improvement. The fatigue life improvement was higher in crack initiation from the surface of specimens. The subsurface crack initiation depth in the alloy increased with increase in the fatigue failure cycles. It was concluded that UNSM treatment can increase the life of the alloy significantly up to very high cycle fatigue.
An ecological and ecotoxicological perspective on fine particulate organic matter in streams
Authors: Bundschuh Mirco , McKie Brendan G. 
Published: January 2016

Summary

Fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) provides a key longitudinal link within stream networks, and is the predominant food source for filter‐ and deposit‐feeding invertebrates, collectively classified as ‘collectors’.

Organisms involved in producing and using FPOM are sensitive to chemical and other anthropogenic stressors, but information on such impacts, and on FPOM dynamics in general, is limited.

Here, we review information on the ecological role of FPOM in streams, and discuss potential impacts on FPOM dynamics of organic and inorganic chemical stressors, including metals and pesticides. Emphasis is placed on faecal particles produced within the leaf‐litter processing chain.

Key biological factors controlling the resource quality of FPOM for collectors include the identity of the invertebrates producing FPOM, and the nutritional quality of their food resources. FPOM nutrient content is also strongly influenced by microbial colonisation and activity, and FPOM processing rates are thus likely to be sensitive to the impacts of stressors affecting microbes, including nutrients and antimicrobial chemicals.

The potential for FPOM to bind and subsequently transport chemical stressors is high, particularly for hydrophobic compounds, but the extent of such effects and impacts on collectors consuming contaminated particles has attracted only limited attention.

Combining concepts and research approaches from ecotoxicology and basic stream ecology would facilitate development of a common integrated framework for understanding the role of FPOM, and assessing anthropogenic impacts on FPOM dynamics in stream networks.
Morphological modelling of three‐phase microstructures of anode layers using SEM images
Authors: ABDALLAH BASSAM , WILLOT FRANÇOIS , JEULIN DOMINIQUE 
Published: January 2016

SummaryA general method is proposed to model 3D microstructures representative of three‐phases anode layers used in fuel cells. The models are based on SEM images of cells with varying morphologies. The materials are first characterized using three morphological measurements: (cross‐)covariances, granulometry and linear erosion. They are measured on segmented SEM images, for each of the three phases. Second, a generic model for three‐phases materials is proposed. The model is based on two independent underlying random sets which are otherwise arbitrary. The validity of this model is verified using the cross‐covariance functions of the various phases. In a third step, several types of Boolean random sets and plurigaussian models are considered for the unknown underlying random sets. Overall, good agreement is found between the SEM images and three‐phases models based on plurigaussian random sets, for all morphological measurements considered in the present work: covariances, granulometry and linear erosion. The spatial distribution and shapes of the phases produced by the plurigaussian model are visually very close to the real material. Furthermore, the proposed models require no numerical optimization and are straightforward to generate using the covariance functions measured on the SEM images.
Differences in Women's Use of Medical Help for Becoming Pregnant by the Level of Urbanization of County of Residence in Georgia
Authors: Chin Helen B. , Kramer Michael R. , Mertens Ann C. , Spencer Jessica B. , Howards Penelope P. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPurposeOur goal was to determine if there are differences by place of residence in visiting a doctor for help getting pregnant in a population‐based study.MethodsUsing data from the Furthering Understanding of Cancer, Health, and Survivorship in Adult (FUCHSIA) Women's Study, a cohort study of fertility outcomes in reproductive‐aged women in Georgia, we fit models to estimate the association between geographic type of residence and seeking help for becoming pregnant.FindingsThe prevalence of visiting a doctor for help getting pregnant ranged from 13% to 17% across geographic groups. Women living in suburban counties were most likely to seek medical care for help getting pregnant compared with women living in urbanized counties (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.74‐1.75); among women who reported infertility this difference was more pronounced (aPR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.00‐2.53). Women living in rural counties were equally likely to seek fertility care compared with women in urbanized counties in the full sample and among women who experienced infertility.ConclusionsWomen living in urban and rural counties were least likely to seek infertility care, suggesting that factors including but not limited to physical proximity to providers are influencing utilization of this type of care. Increased communication about reproductive goals and infertility care available to meet these goals by providers who women see for regular care may help address these barriers.