bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Student’ Productivity in Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: Asodike Juliana D. , Ossai Vincent Obara 
Published: May 2016

The study investigated students’ productivity in secondary schools in Bayelsa State. The population of the study was 167 secondary schools with 2,487 teachers in Bayelsa State. A sample size of 497 teachers was drawn using the stratified sampling technique, which represented 20% of the population. The instrument used was the questionnaire titled Students and Teachers Education Productivity Questionnaire (STEPQ) with a reliability co-efficient index of .733. Document analysis was also used. Five (5) research questions guided the study. Mean, standard deviation, graph and chart were used for the data analysis. The findings of the study revealed a low level of students’ academic performance (50.2%) even when there were more qualified teachers in the schools with high teacher/student ratio of 1:16. It was recommended that teachers should be properly supervised to improve their teaching methods. Extra time should be spent to teach students after school and teachers should be compensated for such additional efforts to keep students busy instead of idling and wasting their time on feverous activities after school in the community. Keywords-Education, Student’s Productivity, Descriptive Method, descriptive method, Bayelsa State
The Second Language Exposure and Proficiency of the High School Students in Cebu City
Authors: Aday Ma. Dolores L. 
Published: May 2016

This study deals on how the Cebuano high school students are exposed to a second language--English and Filipino, their attitudes towards learning the same and their level of proficiency in such languages. A non-probability convenience sampling was conducted in three high schools in Cebu City getting 171 respondents. They were made to take a language proficiency test in Filipino and English. Interviews and focused group discussions were also done to assess clearly their competence in both languages. The study showed that their exposure to a language counts much in achieving language proficiency. The study, however, negates the relationship between the students’ level of proficiency and their attitude towards learning both languages. Further, this study illustrates how the Bilingual Education Policy as well as the new trends of the Mother Tongue-Based Learning had contributed more to the decline of the students’ English proficiency. The domains of English are contracting while those of the Filipino language as well as the regional dialects are expanding. School administrators must look into the language policy in schools to improve the English language competency of the students and make them more globally competitive.
Men Speak Out: The Life Experiences of Men in Gender Advocacy Groups in Davao City, Philippines
Authors: Villaroman Analyn Q. 
Published: May 2016

The media often portray men as violent. This study of two men’s groups, MOVE-Davao, and MR GAD seeks to find an alternative discourse of men joining groups that are geared towards the attainment of gender equality. The study looked into the lives of men who are members of two gender advocacy groups and their reasons for engagement. It employed qualitative approach- social phenomenology where 12 participants were interviewed. Participants of MOVE-Davao mostly hold key positions in both public and private sectors. For MR GAD, most men members are direct service providers in their respective communities especially on the aspect of dispute resolution. As men of MOVE-Davao and MR GAD have become involved in the gender advocacy groups, their life experiences suggest a myriad of opportunities for displaying their creativeness, communicating with fellow men, counseling couples, transforming one’s self and other people and enjoying the group’s activities despite some challenges encountered. Men’s engagement in these gender advocacy groups is anchored on caring and helping others. Other reasons include their love for children, being free from gender stereotypes and the material and non-material rewards. The study recommends that men must be given space to participate in development work as they bring a new strategy so that they can affect new consciousness not just in the formal structures of power but also at the informal level.
Motivações para visitar a Oktoberfest de Blumenau (BR) e Munique (RFA): uma análise comparativa utilizando a técnica Partial Least Squares
Authors: Moretti Sérgio Luiz do Amaral , Zucco Fabricia Durieux , Pozo Hamilton 
Published: May 2016

É impossível desenvolver ações eficazes de marketing turístico e planejamento da comunicação, sem uma compreensão das motivações dos turistas para viajar. O objetivo deste artigo é aprofundar o conhecimento dos motivos para viajar de visitantes de festivais. Com este propósito foi desenvolvido um instrumento de pesquisa formado por quatro constructos obtidos na literatura, cujos dados foram coletados por meio de um survey nas Oktoberfest de Blumenau (BR), com 432 entrevistados e Munique (RFA), com 285 entrevistados. A maioria das escalas foi confirmada mostrando a validade do instrumento. O estudo por meio de Partial Least Squares – PLS revelou que ambas as amostras buscam experimentar diferentes costumes e culturas e encontrar situações novas que não fazem parte do seu ambiente. Os visitante também frequentam festivais para estar com amigos, reduzir a tensão, ansiedade e frustrações. A compreensão das motivações dos turistas para viajar contribui com novos subsídios para a elaboração de políticas públicas e o trade turístico.
Impact of horizontal transport, temperature, and PMC uptake on mesospheric Fe at high latitudes
Authors: Gardner Chester S. , Huang Wentao 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe analyze year‐round Fe lidar observations made in Antarctica at Rothera (67.7°S), South Pole (90°S), and McMurdo (77.8°S). During midsummer, when the mesopause region is continuously sunlit, the Fe density between 84 and 88 km is independent of temperature, because photolysis of FeOH is so fast that virtually all of the FeOH is converted to Fe via this path, rather than via the temperature‐dependent FeOH + H reaction. The extremely low summertime densities at Rothera and South Pole are caused primarily by meridional transport northward out of the polar cap and, to a lesser extent, by uptake of Fe species on polar mesospheric cloud (PMC) ice particles. In midwinter, both meridional transport and temperature dominate Fe variations. The temperature sensitivity of Fe during winter is 2.2%/K at Rothera and 3.0%/K at South Pole. The annual mean Fe abundance at McMurdo is more than 50% larger than that observed at any other lidar site in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. McMurdo is located at the magnetic poleward edge of the auroral oval, just north of the deep polar cap. We hypothesize that southward transport of Fe+ out of the auroral oval in winter and northward transport of Fe+ out of the deep polar cap and auroral zone in summer, to McMurdo where it is neutralized, could be the source of the enhanced Fe. Theoretical calculations show that Fe+ densities of ~13,000 cm−3 in midwinter and ~1600 cm−3 in midsummer, between 84 and 88 km, are required to account for the high Fe densities at McMurdo.
Shear wave splitting analyses in Tian Shan: Geodynamic implications of complex seismic anisotropy
Authors: Cherie Solomon G. , Gao Stephen S. , Liu Kelly H. , Elsheikh Ahmed A. , Kong Fansheng , Reed Cory A. , Yang Bin B. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe Tian Shan is a tectonically complex intracontinental orogenic belt situated between the Tarim Basin and the Kazakh Shield. The vast majority of the previous shear wave splitting (SWS) measurements were presented as station averages, which are only valid when the anisotropy structure can be approximated by a single layer of anisotropy with a horizontal axis of symmetry, i.e., a model of simple anisotropy. A variety of anisotropy‐forming hypotheses have been proposed based on the station‐averaged measurements. In this study, we measure the splitting parameters at 25 stations that recorded high‐quality data from a wide back azimuthal range for the purpose of identifying and characterizing complex anisotropy. Among the 25 stations, 15 of them show systematic azimuthal variations in the observed splitting parameters with a 90° periodicity that is consistent with a model of two‐layered anisotropy. The fast orientations of the upper layer range from 50° to 90° measured clockwise from the north, which are subparallel to the strike of the orogenic belt, and the splitting times are between 0.9 and 1.9 s. The corresponding values for the lower layer are −45° to −85° and 1.2–2.2 s, respectively. The remaining 10 stations demonstrate azimuthally invariant splitting parameters with strike‐parallel fast orientations, and can be represented by a single layer of anisotropy with a horizontal axis of symmetry. We propose that the strike‐parallel anisotropy is caused by lithospheric shortening, and anisotropy in the lower layer is associated with WNW‐ward flow of asthenospheric material sandwiched between the subducting Tarim lithosphere and the thick Kazakh lithospheric root.
Full‐waveform inversion of the Japanese Islands region
Authors: Simutė Saulė , Steptoe Hamish , Cobden Laura , Gokhberg Alexey , Fichtner Andreas 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe present a full‐waveform tomographic model of the crust and upper mantle beneath the Japanese Islands region. This is based on the combination of GPU‐accelerated spectral‐element wavefield simulations, adjoint techniques, and nonlinear optimization. Our model explains complete seismic waveforms of events not used in the inversion in the period range from 20 to 80 s. Quantitative resolution analysis indicates that resolution lengths within the well‐covered areas are around 150 km in the horizontal and around 30 km in the vertical directions. In addition to the high‐velocity signatures of known lithospheric slabs in the region, our model reveals a pronounced low‐velocity anomaly beneath the volcanic island of Ulleung in the Sea of Japan, reaching −19% around 100 km depth. The Ulleung anomaly originates at or above the Pacific slab, rises vertically upward to the base of the Philippine Sea slab at ∼200 km depth, circumvents it in NW direction, and then significantly strengthens in the uppermost mantle above the Philippine Sea slab. Among the numerous hypotheses for the generation of low‐velocity anomalies in subduction systems, those invoking instabilities before or when a slab enters the transition zone seem most likely. The age and fast subduction of the Pacific slab may facilitate the transport of fluids into the transition zone. This may promote the reduction in viscosity and the onset of convective upwelling, aided by ambient mantle flow, such as return flow within the mantle wedge.
Parallel Chemical Protein Synthesis on a Surface Enables the Rapid Analysis of the Phosphoregulation of SH3 Domains
Authors: Zitterbart Robert , Seitz Oliver 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAnalysis of postranslationally modified protein domains is complicated by an availability problem, as recombinant methods rarely allow site‐specificity at will. Although total synthesis enables full control over posttranslational and other modifications, chemical approaches are limited to shorter peptides. To solve this problem, we herein describe a method that combines a) immobilization of N‐terminally thiolated peptide hydrazides by hydrazone ligation, b) on‐surface native chemical ligation with self‐purified peptide thioesters, c) radical‐induced desulfurization, and d) a surface‐based fluorescence binding assay for functional characterization. We used the method to rapidly investigate 20 SH3 domains, with a focus on their phosphoregulation. The analysis suggests that tyrosine phosphorylation of SH3 domains found in Abl kinases act as a switch that can induce both the loss and, unexpectedly, gain of affinity for proline‐rich ligands.
Anatomical Variations of the Transverse‐Sigmoid Sinus Junction: Implications for Endovascular Treatment of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: McCormick Michael W. , Bartels Harrison G. , Rodriguez Analiz , Johnson James E. , Janjua Rashid M. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTVenous sinus pathology can result in multiple pathological diseases, including idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). There remains a paucity of information on anatomical luminal variations of the major venous sinuses which may contribute to the etiology of certain disease states. Thirty‐six transverse and sigmoid sinuses were removed following dissection of 19 unfixed cadaveric heads. Sinuses were opened longitudinally to study luminal variations. A semiquantitative classification system was developed to assess septations and blind pouches. Seventy‐nine percent of cadavers had a luminal anatomical variation. Forty‐four percent and 42% of sinuses dissected had occurrence of a septations or blind pouches, respectively. Thirty percent of septations and 25% of pouches were classified as large. Incidence of anatomical variations was not statistically significant between cadaver gender or sinus laterality. Luminal variations are present in the transverse and sigmoid sinuses at rates higher than expected. This study is the first to report the presence of blind pouches in the luminal wall of transverse and sigmoid sinuses. These variations can have clinical importance to the endovascular surgeon and may also contribute to the pathophysiological etiology of venous sinus diseases. Anat Rec, 299:1037–1042, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
4‐Hydroxynonenal Regulates TNF‐α Gene Transcription Indirectly via ETS1 and microRNA‐29b in Human Adipocytes Induced From Adipose Tissue‐Derived Stromal Cells
Authors: Zhang Xi‐Mei , Guo Lin , Huang Xiang , Li Qiu‐Ming , Chi Mei‐Hua 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTObesity is characterized by an accumulation of excessive body fat and can be diagnosed by a variety of measures, such as BMI. However, in some obese individuals, oxidative stress is also thought to be an important pathogenic mechanism of obesity‐associated metabolic syndrome. Oxidative stress increases the lipid peroxidation product, 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE), which is one of the most abundant and active lipid peroxides. Within the adipose tissue, adipocytes are derived from adipose tissue‐derived stromal cells (ADSCs), which play a key role in the generation and metabolism of adipose tissue. Additionally, obesity is associated with low‐grade inflammation. Specific microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate obesity‐associated inflammation are largely dysregulated in metabolic syndrome (MS). In this study, we aim to confirm whether 4‐HNE and miRNAs play a role in the regulation of TNF‐α gene transcription. We enrolled six obese individuals who were referred to Harbin Medical University (Heilongjiang, China) and six nonobese control participants. Plasma 4‐HNE levels of the 12 subjects were determined by ELISA. Using qRT‐PCR, we measured ETS1, miR‐29b, SP1, and TNF‐α levels in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT). Furthermore, we examined the relationship between ETS1 and TNF‐α using a luciferase reporter assay and a ChIP assay. Our results suggest that ETS1 promotes TNF‐α gene transcription in adipocytes. In addition, we demonstrated that 4‐HNE promotes TNF‐α gene transcription through the inhibition of the miR‐29b → SP1 → TNF‐α pathway and promotion of the ETS1 → TNF‐α pathway. Anat Rec, 299:1145–1152, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectroscopic investigation into the interaction of a diazacyclam‐based macrocyclic copper(ii) complex with bovine serum albumin
Authors: Shahabadi Nahid , Hakimi Mohammad , Morovati Teimoor , Hadidi Saba , Moeini Keyvan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCyclam‐based ligands and their complexes are known to show antitumor activity. This study was undertaken to examine the interaction of a diazacyclam‐based macrocyclic copper(II) complex with bovine serum albumin (BSA) under physiological conditions. The interactions of different metal‐based drugs with blood proteins, especially those with serum albumin, may affect the concentration and deactivation of metal drugs, and thereby influence their availability and toxicity during chemotherapy. In this vein, several spectral methods including UV–vis absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy techniques were used. Spectroscopic analysis of the fluorescence quenching confirmed that the Cu(II) complex quenched BSA fluorescence intensity by a dynamic mechanism. In order to further determine the quenching mechanism, an analysis of Stern–Volmer plots at various concentrations of BSA was carried out. It was found that the KSV value increased with the BSA concentration. It was suggested that the fluorescence quenching process was a dynamic quenching rather than a static quenching mechanism. Based on Förster's theory, the average binding distance between the Cu(II) complex and BSA (r) was found to be 4.98 nm; as the binding distance was less than 8 nm, energy transfer from BSA to the Cu(II) complex had a high possibility of occurrence. Thermodynamic parameters (positive ΔH and ΔS values) and measurement of competitive fluorescence with 1‐anilinonaphthalene‐8‐sulphonic acid (1,8‐ANS) indicated that hydrophobic interaction plays a major role in the Cu(II) complex interaction with BSA. A Job's plot of the results confirmed that there was one binding site in BSA for the Cu(II) complex (1:1 stoichiometry). The site marker competitive experiment confirmed that the Cu(II) complex was located in site I (subdomain IIA) of BSA. Finally, CD data indicated that interaction of the Cu(II) complex with BSA caused a small increase in the α‐helical content. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterizing the structural and folding properties of long‐sequence hypomurocin B peptides and their analogs
Authors: Horváth János , Násztor Zoltán , Bartha Ferenc , Bogár Ferenc , Leitgeb Balázs 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe studied the folding processes of long‐sequence hypomurocin (HM) peptides and their analogs by means of molecular dynamics methods, focusing on the formation of various helical structures and intramolecular H‐bonds. The evolution of different helical conformations, such as the 310‐, α‐, and left‐handed α‐helices, was examined, taking into account the entire sequence and each amino acid of peptides. The results indicated that the HM peptides and their analogs possessed a propensity to adopt helical conformations, and they showed a preference for the 310‐helical structure over the α‐helical one. The evolution of a variety of the intramolecular H‐bonds, including local and non‐local interactions, was also investigated. The results pointed out that on the one hand, the appearance of local, helix‐stabilizing H‐bonds correlated with the presence of helical conformations, and on the other hand, the non‐local H‐bonds did not affect significantly the formation of helical structures. Additionally, comparing the structural and folding features of HM peptides and their analogs, our study led to the observation that the L‐D isomerism of isovaline amino acid induced effects on the folding processes of these long‐sequence peptaibol molecules. Accordingly, the HM peptides and their analogs could be characterized by typical structural and folding properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 645–657, 2016.
Linear antimicrobial peptides with activity against herpes simplex virus 1 and Aichi virus
Authors: Vilas Boas Liana Costa Pereira , de Lima Lídia Maria Pinto , Migliolo Ludovico , Mendes Gabriele dos Santos , de Jesus Maianne Gonçalves , Franco Octávio Luiz , Silva Paula Andréia 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTViruses are the major cause of disease and mortality worldwide. Nowadays there are treatments based on antivirals or prophylaxis with vaccines. However, the rising number of reports of viral resistance to current antivirals and the emergence of new types of virus has concerned the scientific community. In this scenario, the search for alternative treatments has led scientists to the discovery of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from many different sources. Since some of them have shown antiviral activities, here we challenged 10 synthetic peptides from different animal and plant sources against, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV‐1), and Aichi virus. Among them, the highlight was Pa‐MAP from the polar fish Pleuronectes americanus, which caused around 90% of inhibition of the HSV with a selectivity index of 5 and a virucidal mechanism of action. Moreover, LL‐37 from human neutrophils showed 96% of inhibition against the Aichi virus, showing a selectivity index of 3.4. The other evaluated peptides did not show significant antiviral activity. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Pa‐MAP seems to be a reliable candidate for a possible alternative drug to treat HSV‐1 infections. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 108: 1–6, 2017.
Linking family structure to impulse‐control and obsessive–compulsive buying
Authors: Baker Andrew M. , Moschis George P. , Rigdon Edward E. , Fatt Choong Kwai 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCompulsive buying affects the well‐being of millions of consumers globally by resulting in depression, unmanageable debt, and lower satisfaction with life. This research examines the mechanisms that link aversive family events experienced in childhood to compulsive buying tendencies in early adulthood. The article develops a set of hypotheses derived from the main theoretical perspectives of the multi‐theoretical life course paradigm, and it uses a sample of 492 young adults to test them. The results suggest that social processes are the underlying mechanisms that promote the development of compulsive buying tendencies. Family disruptions reduce intangible family resources that then shape the nature of interactions with peers and parents. Peer communications in formative years are directly linked to both obsessive–compulsive and impulse‐control dimensions of compulsive buying in early adulthood. The study findings help interpret and integrate previous research streams on compulsive buying from different fields of social sciences. Implications of the findings are offered along with directions for further research. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consumer food waste behaviour in universities: Sharing as a means of prevention
Authors: Lazell Jordon 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn order to tackle food waste at the prevention stage of the waste hierarchy, an understanding of behaviour that leads to wastage is required. This article examines consumer food waste behaviour in a university setting and the implications for encouraging sharing as a means of mitigating food waste. The embodied and embedded nature of consumption and wasteful behaviours are contended, giving explanation to the transition of food into waste. By undertaking a mixed‐method study and a social media‐based intervention, behaviour that causes food to be wasted within a campus environment is discussed, furthering the current domestic focus of research. The paper argues that consumer food waste behaviour can be better understood by focusing on the practices, routines and habits of consumers given the hidden nature of the food waste issue. A number of barriers are also presented regarding the sharing of food as a means of food waste prevention. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.