bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Foreign Aid Procurement Policies of Development Partners in Africa: The Case of Ghana
Authors: Borson Fred 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMajor development projects in many African countries are often financed by development partners through development aid procurement. Development partners implement specific procurement policies aimed at promoting development in countries receiving aid. This article examines the policies of development partners applicable to aid funded procurement. It argues that some development partner policies could limit the policy space available to implement prioritized development goals domestically.
Why didn't they ask Evans?
Authors: Turney Chris S. M. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTArguably the best known scientific Antarctic venture was the British Antarctic Expedition of 1911–1913 led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott. Whilst the so-called race to the geographic South Pole with Roald Amundsen's Norwegian Antarctic expedition excited international interest, the tragic death of Scott and his returning Polar Party was a striking reminder of the hazards of operating in the south. Recent work has highlighted the possible role expedition second-in-command Lieutenant Edward ‘Teddy’ Evans played in the deaths of Scott and his men. Here I report newly discovered documents which, when placed in a wider context, raise significant questions over Evans’ behaviour during the expedition. The evidence focuses on the shortage of food at key depots, the apparently deliberate obfuscation of when Evans fell down with scurvy and the failure to pass on orders given by Scott. It is concluded that Evans actions on and off the ice can at best be described as ineffectual, at worst deliberate sabotage. Why Evans was not questioned more about these events on his return to England remains unknown.
Time-dependent mood fluctuations in Antarctic personnel: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hawkes Clare , Norris Kimberley 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTThe third-quarter phenomenon is the dominant theoretical model to explain the psychological impacts of deployment in Antarctica on personnel. It posits that detrimental symptoms to functioning, such as negative mood, increase gradually throughout deployment and peak at the third-quarter point, regardless of overall deployment length. However, there is equivocal support for the model. The current meta-analysis included data from 21 studies (involving 1,826 participants) measuring negative mood during deployment to elucidate this discrepancy. Across studies analyses were conducted on three data types: stratified by month using repeated-measured all time points meta-analytic techniques and pre/post-deployment data for summer/winter deployment seasons. Our results did not support the proposed parameters of the third-quarter phenomenon, as negative mood did not peak at the third-quarter point (August/September) of deployment. Overall effect sizes indicated that negative mood was greater at baseline than the end of deployment for summer and winter deployment seasons. These findings have theoretical and practical implications and should be used to guide future research, assisting in the development and modification of pre-existing prevention and intervention programmes to improve well-being and functioning of personnel during Antarctic deployment.
A longitudinal mediation analysis of the effect of negative-self-schemas on positive symptoms via negative affect
Authors: Jaya E. S. , Ascone L. , Lincoln T. M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundCognitive models postulate that negative-self-schemas (NSS) cause and maintain positive symptoms and that negative affect mediates this link. However, only few studies have tested the temporal mediation claim systematically using an appropriate design.MethodsA longitudinal cohort design in an online community sample (N = 962) from Germany, Indonesia, and the USA was used. NSS, negative affect and positive symptoms were measured at four time-points (T0–T3) over a 1-year period. Cross-lagged panel and longitudinal mediation analyses with structural equation modeling were used to test the temporal mediation.ResultsIndependent cross-lagged panel models showed a significant unidirectional longitudinal path from NSS to positive symptoms (T2–T3, β = 0.18, p < 0.01) and bidirectional longitudinal associations from NSS to negative affect (T0–T1, γ = 0.14, p < 0.01) and vice versa (T0–T1, γ = 0.19, p < 0.01). There was also a significant indirect pathway from NSS at baseline via negative affect at T1 and T2 to positive symptoms at T3 (unstandardized indirect effect coefficient = 0.020, p < 0.05, BCa CI 0.004–0.035), indicating mediation.ConclusionsOur findings support the postulated affective pathway from NSS to positive symptoms via negative affect. Specifically, our data indicate that NSS and negative affect influence each other and build up over the course of several months before leading on to positive symptoms. We conclude that interrupting this process by targeting NSS and negative affect early in the process could be a promising strategy to prevent the exacerbation of positive symptoms.
STATUS OF DISINVESTMENT INITIATIVES IN LATIN AMERICA: RESULTS FROM A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND A QUESTIONNAIRE
Authors: Agirrezabal Ion , Burgon Joseph , Stewart Gavin , Gutierrez-Ibarluzea Iñaki 
Published: September 2017

Objectives: Disinvestment of existing healthcare technologies that deliver low or no health benefit for their cost can be used as a tool to improve access to effective technologies, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems. The objective of this research was to identify disinvestment initiatives in Latin American countries (LAC).Methods: First, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted. In February 2015, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and LILACS were searched for relevant journal articles, including terms related to “disinvestment,” “reallocation,” “obsolete technologies,” and “Latin America.” Additionally, a manual search of documents from Latin American health technology assessment agencies was performed. Second, an online questionnaire was sent to experts in LAC to assess whether unpublished real-life disinvestment initiatives exist. Questionnaire results were collected in September 2015.Results: From the SLR, 350 records were selected for screening following de-duplication and eleven articles fulfilled inclusion criteria. Only two of these reported information on initiatives potentially identifiable as disinvestment-investment activities in Brazil and Peru. Nine respondents completed the questionnaire, and four reported that disinvestment initiatives had been conducted in their respective organizations in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. This lack of agreement between the SLR and the questionnaire responses shows that disinvestment initiatives are ongoing, despite being under reported.Conclusions: Many challenges need to be overcome for a disinvestment initiative to be successful, and sharing particular experiences with the international community would increase the chances of positive outcomes. The present study highlights the need for publication of such experiences in LAC.
Emerging arboviruses in Quebec, Canada: assessing public health risk by serology in humans, horses and pet dogs
Authors: ROCHELEAU J. P. , MICHEL P. , LINDSAY L. R. , DREBOT M. , DIBERNARDO A. , OGDEN N.H , FORTIN A. , ARSENAULT J. 
Published: September 2017

SUMMARYPeriodic outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and to a lesser extent, California serogroup viruses (CSGV), have been reported in parts of Canada in the last decade. This study was designed to provide a broad assessment of arboviral activity in Quebec, Canada, by conducting serological surveys for these arboviruses in 196 horses, 1442 dogs and 485 humans. Sera were screened by a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and positive samples confirmed by plaque reduction neutralisation tests. The percentage of seropositive samples was 83·7%, 16·5%, 7·1% in horses, 18·8%, 0·6%, 0% in humans, 11·7%, 3·1%, 0% in adult dogs and 2·9%, 0·3%, 0% in juvenile dogs for CSGV, WNV and EEEV, respectively. Serological results in horses and dogs appeared to provide a meaningful assessment of risk to public health posed by multiple arboviruses.
Nutzung von psychometrischem Feedback als empirische Unterstützung des Supervisionsprozesses bei Ausbildungstherapien
Authors: Rubel Julian A. , Zimmermann Dirk , Deisenhofer Anne-Katharina , Müller Viola , Lutz Wolfgang 
Published: September 2017

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Trotz der gut belegten generellen Wirksamkeit von Psychotherapie wird die Zahl der Patienten, die nicht auf eine Therapie ansprechen oder sich sogar im Verlauf verschlechtern, auf etwa ein Drittel geschätzt. Da Therapeuten im Vergleich zu empirischen Algorithmen weniger gut in der Lage sind negative Entwicklungen zu entdecken oder zu prognostizieren, brauchen sie zusätzliche Unterstützung in Form von kontinuierlichen Rückmeldungen über den Fortschritt ihrer Patienten. Solche Feedbackinterventionen können als empirisch basierte Unterstützung des Supervisions- oder Intervisionsprozesses verstanden werden. Diese Interventionen haben ihre Wirksamkeit zur Reduktion therapeutischer Misserfolge in zahlreichen Einzelstudien und Meta-Analysen wiederholt zeigen können. Fragestellung: Wie nutzen Therapeuten ein solches Feedback in ihrer praktischen Arbeit und in welchem Ausmaß spielen Therapeutenfaktoren dabei eine Rolle? Methode: In der vorliegenden Studie wurden 72 Therapeuten für 648 ihrer Patienten unmittelbar nach der Therapie dazu befragt, wie sie das psychometrische Feedback genutzt haben. Therapeutenunterschiede wurden mittels Mehrebenenmodellen ermittelt. Ergebnisse: Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass Therapeuten für einen Großteil ihrer Patienten das Feedback verwendeten. In etwa einem Drittel der Fälle gab es den Therapeuten den Anstoß zusätzliche Hilfen (z. B. Supervision/Intervision) zu beanspruchen. Ähnlich einer personengestützten Supervision wurde für über die Hälfte der Patienten das Feedback genutzt um therapeutische Interventionen anzupassen. Ob und in welcher Form es genutzt wurde hing jedoch stark von dem Therapeuten ab. Je nach Verwendungsart konnten Therapeutenunterschiede zwischen 27 % und 52 % der Feedbacknutzung erklären. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass Therapeuten die Nutzungsmöglichkeiten des Feedbacks anwendeten war größer, wenn diese angaben im Durchschnitt zufriedener mit den grafischen Rückmeldungen zu sein. Schlussfolgerungen: Diese Ergebnisse machen deutlich, dass es zu einem großen Teil nicht nur vom Therapieverlauf oder den Charakteristika der jeweiligen Patienten abhängt wie Therapeuten das Feedback nutzen, sondern auch von Variablen, die den Therapeuten betreffen.
Convergent evolution of Y chromosome gene content in flies
Authors: Mahajan Shivani , Bachtrog Doris 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSex-chromosomes have formed repeatedly across Diptera from ordinary autosomes, and X-chromosomes mostly conserve their ancestral genes. Y-chromosomes are characterized by abundant gene-loss and an accumulation of repetitive DNA, yet the nature of the gene repertoire of fly Y-chromosomes is largely unknown. Here we trace gene-content evolution of Y-chromosomes across 22 Diptera species, using a subtraction pipeline that infers Y genes from male and female genome, and transcriptome data. Few genes remain on old Y-chromosomes, but the number of inferred Y-genes varies substantially between species. Young Y-chromosomes still show clear evidence of their autosomal origins, but most genes on old Y-chromosomes are not simply remnants of genes originally present on the proto-sex-chromosome that escaped degeneration, but instead were recruited secondarily from autosomes. Despite almost no overlap in Y-linked gene content in different species with independently formed sex-chromosomes, we find that Y-linked genes have evolved convergent gene functions associated with testis expression. Thus, male-specific selection appears as a dominant force shaping gene-content evolution of Y-chromosomes across fly species.
A Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus S RNA-based Replicon System in Yeast
Authors: Ishibashi Kazuhiro , Matsumoto-Yokoyama Eiko , Ishikawa Masayuki 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a negative-strand RNA virus of the order Bunyavirales, family Tospoviridae, genus Orthotospovirus. TSWV infects a broad range of plant species, causing serious economic losses. Despite its agronomic importance, molecular biological understanding of TSWV has been limited, partly due to the lack of a reverse genetics system, which would enable genetic manipulation of the virus. Here, we report that RNA synthesis by TSWV RNA polymerase occurs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a segment of the TSWV genome, S RNA expressed from cloned cDNA, as a template. Viral nucleocapsid protein was required for RNA synthesis. Replacement of the protein-coding and intergenic regions of TSWV S RNA by a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-coding sequence drastically increased the accumulation of both sense and antisense strands of the RNA, showing that this RNA was replicated. Using this system, we revealed that efficient RNA synthesis by TSWV RNA polymerase in yeast requires the 5′-terminal 17-nt and 3′-terminal ~50-nt regions of the TSWV S cRNA (complementary RNA to the genomic RNA) template.
A Point-based Mortality Prediction System for Older Adults with Diabetes
Authors: Chang Y. K. , Huang L. F. , Shin S. J. , Lin K. D. , Chong K. , Yen F. S. , Chang H. Y. , Chuang S. Y. , Hsieh T. J. , Hsiung C. A. , Hsu C. C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe mortality prediction models for the general diabetic population have been well established, but the corresponding elderly-specific model is still lacking. This study aims to develop a mortality prediction model for the elderly with diabetes. The data used for model establishment were derived from the nationwide adult health screening program in Taiwan in 2007–2010, from which we applied a 10-fold cross-validation method for model construction and internal validation. The external validation was tested on the MJ health screening database collected in 2004–2007. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to predict five-year mortality for diabetic patients ≥65 years. A total of 220,832 older subjects with diabetes were selected for model construction, of whom 23,241 (10.5%) died by the end of follow-up (December 31, 2011). The significant predictors retained in the final model included age, gender, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, leukocyte count, liver and renal function, total cholesterol, hemoglobin, albumin, and uric acid. The Harrell’s C in the development, internal-, and external-validation datasets were 0.737, 0.746, and 0.685, respectively. We established an easy-to-use point-based model that could accurately predict five-year mortality risk in older adults with diabetes.
Therapeutic PCL scaffold for reparation of resected osteosarcoma defect
Authors: Palamà Ilaria E. , Arcadio Valentina , D’Amone Stefania , Biasiucci Mariano , Gigli Giuseppe , Cortese Barbara 
Published: September 2017

AbstractOsteosarcomas are highly malignant tumors, which develop rapid growth and local infiltration, inducing metastases that spread primarily in the lung. Treatment of these tumors is mainly based on pre- and post-operative chemotherapy and surgery of the primary tumor. Surgical resection though, generates bone defects. Reparation of these weaknesses presents formidable challenges to orthopedic surgery. Medicine regenerative grafts that act as both tumor therapy with constant local drug delivery and tissue regeneration may provide a new prospect to address this need. These implants can provide sustained drug release at the cancer area, decreasing systemic second effects such as inflammation, and a filling of the resected tissues with regenerative biomaterials. In this study microporous poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds have been developed for sustained local release of anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone (DXM), used as drug model, in cancer medicine regenerative field. The microporous PCL matrix of the scaffolds supported the attachment, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast-like cells, while the polyelectrolyte multilayers, anchored to the inner pore surfaces, sustained locally DXM release. These microporous scaffolds demonstrate the ability to deliver DXM as a localized tumor therapy and to promote proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells in vitro.
Effects of N-Glycan Composition on Structure and Dynamics of IgG1 Fc and Their Implications for Antibody Engineering
Authors: Lee Hui Sun , Im Wonpil 
Published: September 2017

AbstractImmunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), a subclass of human serum antibodies, is the most widely used scaffold for developing monoclonal antibodies to treat human diseases. The composition of asparagine(N)297-linked glycans can modulate the binding affinity of IgG1 Fc to Fc γ receptors, but it is unclear how the structural modifications of N-glycan termini, which are distal from the binding interface, contribute to the affinity. Through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of a series of sequentially truncated high-mannose IgG1 Fc glycoforms, we found that the C′E loop and the Cγ2-Cγ3 orientation are highly dynamic, and changes in N-glycan composition alter their conformational ensembles. High-mannose glycoform preferentially samples conformations that are more competent to FcγRIIIa binding, compared to the truncated glycoforms, suggesting a role of IgG1 Fc N-glycan in optimizing the interface with the Fc receptor for efficient binding. The trajectory analyses also reveal that the N-glycan has large amplitude motions and the carbohydrate moiety interconverts between Fc-bound and unbound forms, enabling enzymatic modification of the glycan termini.
Tuning the electrical transport of type II Weyl semimetal WTe2 nanodevices by Ga+ ion implantation
Authors: Fu Dongzhi , Zhang Bingwen , Pan Xingchen , Fei Fucong , Chen Yongda , Gao Ming , Wu Shuyi , He Jian , Bai Zhanbin , Pan Yiming , Zhang Qinfang , Wang Xuefeng , Wu Xinglong , Song Fengqi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHere we introduce lattice defects in WTe2 by Ga+ implantation (GI), and study the effects of defects on the transport properties and electronic structures of the samples. Theoretical calculation shows that Te Frenkel defects is the dominant defect type, and Raman characterization results agree with this. Electrical transport measurements show that, after GI, significant changes are observed in magnetoresistance and Hall resistance. The classical two-band model analysis shows that both electron and hole concentration are significantly reduced. According to the calculated results, ion implantation leads to significant changes in the band structure and the Fermi surface of the WTe2. Our results indicate that defect engineering is an effective route of controlling the electronic properties of WTe2 devices.
Exogenous DCPTA Ameliorates Simulated Drought Conditions by Improving the Growth and Photosynthetic Capacity of Maize Seedlings
Authors: Xie Tenglong , Gu Wanrong , Meng Yao , Li Jing , Li Lijie , Wang Yongchao , Qu Danyang , Wei Shi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPrevious reports have indicated that 2-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)triethylamine (DCPTA) can promote the growth and photosynthetic capacity of plants. However, only a small number of these studies have focused on crops, and few reports have focused on whether DCPTA affects stress tolerance. In this study, maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were pretreated with or without DCPTA and then exposed to drought stress in a controlled growth room for 7 days, and the growth and photosynthesis indexes of the seedlings were investigated. The DCPTA treatment partly counteracted the observed decreases in biomass, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), effective photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and photosynthetic pigment content and increased the minimal fluorescence (Fo) induced by drought stress. The DCPTA treatment also alleviated the damage induced by drought stress in the photosynthetic apparatus. In addition, DCPTA pretreatment simultaneously increased the root size (e.g., the length, surface area, and volume) and root hydraulic conductivity, which promoted the maintenance of higher relative leaf water contents (RLWCs) under stress conditions. These results indicate that exogenous DCPTA ameliorates simulated drought conditions by improving the growth and photosynthetic capacity of maize seedlings.
Beneficial effects of Red Light-Emitting Diode treatment in experimental model of acute lung injury induced by sepsis
Authors: Costa Silvia Goes , Barioni Éric Diego , Ignácio Aline , Albuquerque Juliana , Câmara Niels Olsen Saraiva , Pavani Christiane , Vitoretti Luana Beatriz , Damazo Amílcar Sabino , Farsky Sandra Helena Poliselli , Lino-dos-Santos-Franco Adriana 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSepsis is a severe disease with a high mortality index and it is responsible for the development of acute lung injury (ALI). We evaluated the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) on ALI induced by sepsis. Balb-c mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide or saline and then irradiated or not with red LED on their tracheas and lungs for 150 s, 2 and 6 h after LPS injections. The parameters were investigated 24 h after the LPS injections. Red LED treatment reduced neutrophil influx and the levels of interleukins 1β, 17 A and, tumor necrosis factor-α; in addition to enhanced levels of interferon γ in the bronchoalveolar fluid. Moreover, red LED treatment enhanced the RNAm levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ. It also partially reduced the elevated oxidative burst and enhanced apoptosis, but it did not alter the translocation of nuclear factor κB, the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), as well as, oedema or mucus production in their lung tissues. Together, our data has shown the beneficial effects of short treatment with LED on ALI that are caused by gram negative bacterial infections. It is suggested that LED applications are an inexpensive and non-invasive additional treatment for sepsis.
Seasonal evolution of C2N2, C3H4, and C4H2 abundances in Titan’s lower stratosphere
Authors: Sylvestre M. , Teanby N. A. , Vinatier S. , Lebonnois S. , Irwin P. G. J. 
Published: September 2017

Aims. We study the seasonal evolution of Titan’s lower stratosphere (around 15 mbar) in order to better understand the atmospheric dynamics and chemistry in this part of the atmosphere.
Methods. We analysed Cassini/CIRS far-IR observations from 2006 to 2016 in order to measure the seasonal variations of three photochemical by-products: C4H2, C3H4, and C2N2.
Results. We show that the abundances of these three gases have evolved significantly at northern and southern high latitudes since 2006. We measure a sudden and steep increase of the volume mixing ratios of C4H2, C3H4, and C2N2 at the south pole from 2012 to 2013, whereas the abundances of these gases remained approximately constant at the north pole over the same period. At northern mid-latitudes, C2N2 and C4H2 abundances decrease after 2012 while C3H4 abundances stay constant. The comparison of these volume mixing ratio variations with the predictions of photochemical and dynamical models provides constraints on the seasonal evolution of atmospheric circulation and chemical processes at play.