bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Standard language models, variable lingua franca goals: How can ELF-aware teacher education square the circle?
Authors: Blair Andrew 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSceptical attitudes towards the relevance of ELF research for language pedagogy and teacher education are prevalent and well-documented. Some of this resistance may result from a misunderstanding of key concepts and arguments, some from practical concerns and context-specific factors such as syllabus and assessment frameworks. A significant difficulty in persuading ELT practitioners to adopt or recognise ELF positions is the apparent conflict between preferences for standard language models and the reality of variable lingua franca goals for learning and use. ELF potentially changes everything, yet is a phenomenon grounded in unchanging social fundamentals of language use. This article reports on part of a continuing study into the impact of ELF perspectives on experienced language teachers, with a focus on their attitudes and levels of awareness in relation to their professional development and contexts. How teachers are enabled and encouraged to overcome potential scepticism, and reconcile the perceived conflict between standard models and lingua franca goals in their practice, is crucial to the spread of a more appropriate, “ELF-aware” form of language teacher education. Responses are mixed, but generally insightful and engaged, even when expressing reservations or doubt. There is also some good news, with clear evidence that attitudes can be influenced, through exposure to ideas, reflection and motivation towards action.
Nurse Scheduling with Opposition-Based Parallel Harmony Search Algorithm
Authors: Cetin Yagmur Ece , Sarucan Ahmet 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
One of the advances made in the management of human resources for the effective implementation of service delivery is the creation of personnel schedules. In this context, especially in terms of the majority of health-care systems, creating nurse schedules comes to the fore. Nurse scheduling problem (NSP) is a complex optimization problem that allows for the preparation of an appropriate schedule for nurses and, in doing so, considers the system constraints such as legal regulations, nurses’ preferences, and hospital policies and requirements. There are many studies in the literature that use exact solution algorithms, heuristics, and meta-heuristics approaches. Especially in large-scale problems, for which deterministic methods may require too much time and cost to reach a solution, heuristics and meta-heuristic approaches come to the fore instead of exact methods. In the first phase of the study, harmony search algorithm (HSA), which has shown progress recently and can be adapted to many problems is applied for a dataset in the literature, and the algorithm’s performance is evaluated by comparing the results with other heuristics which is applied to the same dataset. As a result of the evaluation, the performance of the classical HSA is inadequate when compared to other heuristics. In the second phase of our study, by considering new approaches proposed by the literature for HSA, the effects on the algorithm’s performance of these approaches are investigated and we tried to improve the performance of the algorithm. With the results, it has been determined that the improved algorithm, which is called opposition-based parallel HSA, can be used effectively for NSPs.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of electrochemotherapy with trans-platinum analogue trans-[PtCl2(3-Hmpy)2]
Authors: Kranjc Simona , Cemazar Maja , Sersa Gregor , Scancar Janez , Grabner Sabina 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Background
Cisplatin is used in cancer therapy, but its side effects and acquired resistance to cisplatin have led to the synthesis and evaluation of new platinum compounds. Recently, the synthesized platinum compound trans-[PtCl2(3-Hmpy)2] (3-Hmpy = 3-hydroxymethylpyridine) (compound 2) showed a considerable cytotoxic and antitumour effectiveness. To improve compound 2 cytotoxicity in vitro and antitumour effectiveness in vivo, electroporation was used as drug delivery approach to increase membrane permeability (electrochemotherapy).

Materials and methods

In vitro, survival of sarcoma cells with different intrinsic sensitivity to cisplatin (TBLCl2 sensitive, TBLCl2Pt resistant and SA-1 moderately sensitive) was determined using a clonogenic assay after treatment with compound 2 or cisplatin electrochemotherapy. In vivo, the antitumour effectiveness of electrochemotherapy with compound 2 or cisplatin was evaluated using a tumour growth delay assay. In addition, platinum in the serum, tumours and platinum bound to the DNA in the cells were performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Results

In vitro, cell survival after treatment with compound 2 electrochemotherapy was significantly decreased in all tested sarcoma cells with different intrinsic sensitivity to cisplatin (TBLCl2 sensitive, TBLCl2Pt resistant and SA-1 moderately sensitive). However, this effect was less pronounced compared to cisplatin. Interestingly, the enhancement factor (5-fold) of compound 2 cytotoxicity was equal in cisplatin-sensitive TBLCl2 and cisplatin-resistant TBLCl2Pt cells. In vivo, the growth delay of subcutaneous tumours after treatment with compound 2 electrochemotherapy was lower compared to cisplatin. The highest antitumour effectiveness after cisplatin or compound 2 electrochemotherapy was obtained in TBLCl2 tumours, resulting in 67% and 11% of tumour cures, respectively. Compound 2 induced significantly smaller loss of animal body weight compared to cisplatin. Furthermore, platinum amounts in tumours after compound 2 or cisplatin electrochemotherapy were approximately 2-fold higher compared to the drug treatment only, and the same increase of platinum bound to DNA was observed.

Conclusions
The obtained results in vitro and in vivo suggest compound 2 as a potential antitumour agent in electrochemotherapy.
Texte, textualisation et pratique : Le devenir de l'énonciation
Authors: Colas-Blaise Marion 
Published: September 2017

RésuméConvoquant le cadre théorique de la sémiotique (post-)greimassienne, cette contribution se propose de cibler quelques-unes des étapes ayant marqué la réflexion sur l’énonciation depuis les années 1970–1980, avant d’esquisser les contours d’une sémiotique de l’énonciation comme pratique située. Ainsi, après avoir rappelé que la théorie de l’énonciation « énoncée » (Greimas et Courtés 1979) invite à repérer les marques laissées dans le texte par l’énonciation, qui est présupposée, virtuelle et hypothétique, nous visons à rendre compte de la dynamique de la constitution du texte (textualisation) en mettant l’accent, d’une part, sur l’énonciation « vivante » (Fontanille 2003 [1998] ; cf. la conversion de la marque en trace) et, d’autre part, sur le geste énonciatif d’une instance sensible pourvue d’une corporalité (cf. la conversion de la marque en empreinte, Fontanille 2011). Enfin, une sémiotique de l’énonciation comme acte ou pratique nous conduit à prendre en considération d’autres strates du parcours de l’expression (Fontanille 2008) que celle du texte, en particulier celle du support-objet. L’accent est également mis sur l’environnement (le cadre institutionnel, socioéconomique et culturel). Dans ce contexte, nous cherchons à évaluer la portée et la pertinence du concept de dispositif.
Visual Responses in FEF, Unlike V1, Primarily Reflect When the Visual Context Renders a Receptive Field Salient
Authors: Joiner Wilsaan M. , Cavanaugh James , Wurtz Robert H. , Cumming Bruce G. 
Published: September 2017

When light falls within a neuronal visual receptive field (RF) the resulting activity is referred to as the visual response. Recent work suggests this activity is in response to both the visual stimulation and the abrupt appearance, or salience, of the presentation. Here we present a novel method for distinguishing the two, based on the timing of random and nonrandom presentations. We examined these contributions in frontal eye field (FEF;N= 51) and as a comparison, an early stage in the primary visual cortex (V1;N= 15) of male monkeys (Macaca mulatta). An array of identical stimuli was presented within and outside the neuronal RF while we manipulated salience by varying the time between stimulus presentations. We hypothesized that the rapid presentation would reduce salience (the sudden appearance within the visual field) of a stimulus at any one location, and thus decrease responses driven by salience in the RF. We found that when the interstimulus interval decreased from 500 to 16 ms there was an approximate 79% reduction in the FEF response compared with an estimated 17% decrease in V1. This reduction in FEF response for rapid presentation was evident even when the random sequence preceding a stimulus did not stimulate the RF for 500 ms. The time course of these response changes in FEF suggest that salience is represented much earlier (<100 ms following stimulus onset) than previously estimated. Our results suggest that the contribution of salience dominates at higher levels of the visual system.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe neuronal responses in early visual processing [e.g., primary visual cortex (V1)] reflect primarily the retinal stimulus. Processing in higher visual areas is modulated by a combination of the visual stimulation and contextual factors, such as salience, but identifying these components separately has been difficult. Here we quantified these contributions at a late stage of visual processing [frontal eye field (FEF)] and as a comparison, an early stage in V1. Our results suggest that as visual information continues through higher levels of processing the neural responses are no longer driven primarily by the visual stimulus in the receptive field, but by the broader context that stimulus defines—very different from current views about visual signals in FEF.
Neutrophils Are Critical for Myelin Removal in a Peripheral Nerve Injury Model of Wallerian Degeneration
Authors: Lindborg Jane A. , Mack Matthias , Zigmond Richard E. 
Published: September 2017

Wallerian degeneration (WD) is considered an essential preparatory stage to the process of axonal regeneration. In the peripheral nervous system, infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages, which use the chemokine receptor CCR2 to gain entry to injured tissues from the bloodstream, are purportedly necessary for efficient WD. However, our laboratory has previously reported that myelin clearance in the injured sciatic nerve proceeds unhindered in theCcr2−/−mouse model. Here, we extensively characterize WD in maleCcr2−/−mice and identify a compensatory mechanism of WD that is facilitated primarily by neutrophils. In response to the loss of CCR2, injuredCcr2−/−sciatic nerves demonstrate prolonged expression of neutrophil chemokines, a concomitant extended increase in the accumulation of neutrophils in the nerve, and elevated phagocytosis by neutrophils. Neutrophil depletion substantially inhibits myelin clearance after nerve injury in both male WT andCcr2−/−mice, highlighting a novel role for these cells in peripheral nerve degeneration that spans genotypes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe accepted view in the basic and clinical neurosciences is that the clearance of axonal and myelin debris after a nerve injury is directed primarily by inflammatory CCR2+macrophages. However, we demonstrate that this clearance is nearly identical in WT andCcr2−/−mice, and that neutrophils replace CCR2+macrophages as the primary phagocytic cell. We find that neutrophils play a major role in myelin clearance not only inCcr2−/−mice but also in WT mice, highlighting their necessity during nerve degeneration in the peripheral nervous system. These degeneration studies may propel improvements in nerve regeneration and draw critical parallels to mechanisms of nerve degeneration and regeneration in the CNS and in the context of peripheral neuropathies.
Reproductive and metabolic features during puberty in sons of women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Crisosto Nicolás , Echiburú Bárbara , Maliqueo Manuel , Luchsinger Marta , Rojas Pedro , Recabarren Sergio , Sir-Petermann Teresa 
Published: September 2017

Context
Intrauterine life may be implicated in the origin of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) modifying the endocrine and metabolic functions of children born to PCOS mothers independently of the genetic inheritance and gender. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproductive and metabolic functions in sons of women with PCOS during puberty.

Methods
Sixty-nine PCOS sons (PCOSs) and 84 control sons of 7–18 years old matched by the Tanner stage score were studied. A complete physical examination was conducted including anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist, hip and body mass index). An oral glucose tolerance test was performed and circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin, testosterone, androstenedione (A4), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and AMH were determined in the fasting sample.

Results
Waist-to-hip ratio, FSH and androstenedione levels were significantly higher in the PCOSs group compared to control boys during the Tanner stage II–III. In Tanner stages II–III and IV–V, PCOSs showed significantly higher total cholesterol and LDL levels. Propensity score analysis showed that higher LDL levels were attributable to the PCOSs condition and not to other metabolic factors. AMH levels were comparable during all stages. The rest of the parameters were comparable between both groups.

Conclusions
Sons of women with PCOS show increased total cholesterol and LDL levels during puberty, which may represent latent insulin resistance. Thus, this is a group that should be followed and studied looking for further features of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk markers. Reproductive markers, on the other hand, are very similar to controls.
The Role of Blm Helicase in Homologous Recombination, Gene Conversion Tract Length, and Recombination Between Diverged Sequences in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Ertl Henry A , Russo Daniel P , Srivastava Noori , Brooks Joseph T , Dao Thu N , LaRocque Jeannine R 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a particularly deleterious class of DNA damage that threatens genome integrity. DSBs are repaired by three pathways: nonhomologous-end joining (NHEJ), homologous recombination (HR), and single-strand annealing (SSA). Drosophila melanogaster Blm (DmBlm) is the ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SGS1 and human BLM, and has been shown to suppress crossovers in mitotic cells and repair mitotic DNA gaps via HR. To further elucidate the role of DmBlm in repair of a simple DSB, and in particular recombination mechanisms, we utilized the Direct Repeat of white (DR-white) and Direct Repeat of white with mutations (DR-white.mu) repair assays in multiple mutant allele backgrounds. DmBlm null and helicase-dead mutants both demonstrated a decrease in repair by noncrossover HR, and a concurrent increase in non-HR events, possibly including SSA, crossovers, deletions, and NHEJ, although detectable processing of the ends was not significantly impacted. Interestingly, gene conversion tract lengths of HR repair events were substantially shorter in DmBlm null but not helicase-dead mutants, compared to heterozygote controls. Using DR-white.mu, we found that, in contrast to Sgs1, DmBlm is not required for suppression of recombination between diverged sequences. Taken together, our data suggest that DmBlm helicase function plays a role in HR, and the steps that contribute to determining gene conversion tract length are helicase-independent.
A Powerful Variant-Set Association Test Based on Chi-Square Distribution
Authors: Chen Zhongxue , Lin Tong , Wang Kai 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Detecting the association between a set of variants and a given phenotype has attracted a large amount of attention in the scientific community, although it is a difficult task. Recently, several related statistical approaches have been proposed in the literature; powerful statistical tests are still highly desired and yet to be developed in this area. In this paper, we propose a powerful test that combines information from each individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based on principal component analysis without relying on the eigenvalues associated with the principal components. We compare the proposed approach with some popular tests through a simulation study and real data applications. Our results show that, in general, the new test is more powerful than its competitors considered in this study; the gain in detecting power can be substantial in many situations.
Parasex Generates Phenotypic Diversity de Novo and Impacts Drug Resistance and Virulence in Candida albicans
Authors: Hirakawa Matthew P , Chyou Darius E , Huang Denis , Slan Aaron R , Bennett Richard J 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Candida albicans is a diploid fungus that is a frequent cause of mucosal and systemic infections in humans. This species exhibits an unusual parasexual cycle in which mating produces tetraploid cells that undergo a nonmeiotic program of concerted chromosome loss to return to a diploid or aneuploid state. In this work, we used a multipronged approach to examine the capacity of parasex to generate diversity in C. albicans. First, we compared the phenotypic properties of 32 genotyped progeny and observed wide-ranging differences in fitness, filamentation, biofilm formation, and virulence. Strikingly, one parasexual isolate displayed increased virulence relative to parental strains using a Galleria mellonella model of infection, establishing that parasex has the potential to enhance pathogenic traits. Next, we examined parasexual progeny derived from homothallic, same-sex mating events, and reveal that parasex can generate diversity de novo from identical parental strains. Finally, we generated pools of parasexual progeny and examined resistance of these pools to environmental stresses. Parasexual progeny were generally less fit than control strains across most test conditions, but showed an increased ability to grow in the presence of the antifungal drug fluconazole (FL). FL-resistant progeny were aneuploid isolates, often being diploid strains trisomic for both Chr3 and Chr6. Passaging of these aneuploid strains frequently led to loss of the supernumerary chromosomes and a concomitant decrease in drug resistance. These experiments establish that parasex generates extensive phenotypic diversity de novo, and that this process has important consequences for both virulence and drug resistance in C. albicans populations.
US Emergency Department Trends in Imaging for Pediatric Nontraumatic Abdominal Pain
Authors: Niles Lauren M. , Goyal Monika K. , Badolato Gia M. , Chamberlain James M. , Cohen Joanna S. 
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVES:
To describe national emergency department (ED) trends in computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound imaging for the evaluation of pediatric nontraumatic abdominal pain from 2007 through 2014.

METHODS:
We used data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to measure trends in CT and ultrasound use among children with nontraumatic abdominal pain. We performed multivariable logistic regression to measure the strength of the association of ED type (pediatric versus general ED) with CT and ultrasound use adjusting for potential confounding variables.

RESULTS:
Of an estimated 21.1 million ED visits for nontraumatic abdominal pain, 14.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.2%–16.0%) had CT imaging only, 10.9% (95% CI, 9.7%–12.1%) had ultrasound imaging only, and 1.9% (95% CI, 1.4%–2.4%) received both CT and ultrasound. The overall use of CT and ultrasound did not significantly change over the study period (P trend .63 and .90, respectively). CT use was lower among children treated in pediatric EDs compared with general EDs (adjusted odds ratio 0.34; 95% CI, 0.17–0.69). Conversely, ultrasound use was higher among children treated in pediatric EDs compared with general EDs (adjusted odds ratio 2.14; 95% CI, 1.29–3.55).

CONCLUSIONS:
CT imaging for pediatric patients with nontraumatic abdominal pain has plateaued since 2007 after the steady increase seen in the preceding 9 years. Among this population, an increased likelihood of CT imaging was demonstrated in general EDs compared with pediatric EDs, in which there was a higher likelihood of ultrasound imaging. Dissemination of pediatric-focused radiology protocols to general EDs may help optimize radiation exposure in children.
Penutupan Defek Septum Ventrikel Secara Transtorakalis Minimal Invasif dengan Panduan Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
Authors: Irwanto Fredi Heru , Puspita Yusni , Yuliansyah Rudy 
Published: September 2017

Defek septum ventrikel (ventricular septal defect/VSD) merupakan penyakit jantung bawaan yang paling sering ditemukan pada bayi dan anak. Penutupan defek ini masih memberikan tantangan tersendiri. Penanganan VSD dengan metode minimally invasive transthoracic merupakan perkembangan inovatif penutupan defek ventrikel. Laporan kasus ini bertujuan memperkenalkan metode terbaru dalam penanganan kasus VSD yang dilakukan di RSUP Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang. Kami melaporkan serial kasus penutupan VSD menggunakan metode minimally invasive transthoracic dengan panduan transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Transesophageal echocardiography digunakan selama prosedur sebagai panduan penempatan alat dan mengevaluasi hasil operasi. Empat pasien pada periode November 2015 menjalani prosedur penutupan defek, dua pasien laki-laki dan dua perempuan, usia 2 tahun sampai 4 tahun dengan berat badan 12–22 kg, dengan diameter VSD berdasar atas pemeriksaan ekokardiografi 4–7 mm. Penutupan VSD menggunakan metode minimally invasive transthoracic dengan panduan TEE melalui mini sternotomi menunjukkan prosedur yang aman dan efektif. Penggunaan TEE memberikan informasi yang sangat berguna selama periode intraoperatif.Kata kunci: Defek septum ventrikel, minimal invasif, transesophageal echocardiography Minimally Invasive Transthoracic Ventricular Septal Defect Closure Using Transesophageal Echocardiography GuidanceVentricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease found in infants and children. Up until now, management of VSD closure remains as a challenge for clinician. Ventricular septal defect closure with minimally invasive transthoracic method is an innovative development of ventricular defect closure. This case report aims to introduce the method of minimally invasive transthoracic VSD closure, which is the latest method in handling cases of VSD conducted at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang. We report a case series VSD closure by the method of minimally invasive transthoracic with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Transesophageal echocardiography is used during the procedure as guidance for the placement of the device, and to evaluate the results of operations. Four patients of the period November 2015. Two girls patients and two boys, ages 2 years to 4 years old weighing 12–22 kg, with a diameter of VSD echocardiography examination between 4–7 mm. The closure of VSD using minimally invasive transthoracic under TEE guiding through mini-sternotomy indicate a safe and effective procedure. The use of TEE provides very useful information during the intraoperative period.Key words: Minimally invasive, transesophageal echocardiography, venticular septal defect