bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supplement of autologous ooplasm into porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos does not alter embryo development
Authors: Lee W‐J , Lee J‐H , Jeon R‐H , Jang S‐J , Lee S‐C , Park J‐S , Lee S‐L , King W‐A , Rho G‐J 
Published: February 2017

ContentsSomatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is considered as the technique in which a somatic cell is introduced into an enucleated oocyte to make a cloned animal. However, it is unavoidable to lose a small amount of the ooplasm during enucleation step during SCNT procedure. The present study was aimed to uncover whether the supplement of autologous ooplasm could ameliorate the oocyte competence so as to improve low efficiency of embryo development in porcine SCNT. Autologous ooplasm‐transferred (AOT) embryos were generated by the supplementation with autologous ooplasm into SCNT embryos. They were comparatively evaluated with respect to embryo developmental potential, the number of apoptotic body formation and gene expression including embryonic lineage differentiation, apoptosis, epigenetics and mitochondrial activity in comparison with parthenogenetic, in vitro‐fertilized (IVF) and SCNT embryos. Although AOT embryos showed perfect fusion of autologous donor ooplasm with recipient SCNT embryos, the supplement of autologous ooplasm could not ameliorate embryo developmental potential in regard to the rate of blastocyst formation, total cell number and the number of apoptotic body. Furthermore, overall gene expression of AOT embryos was presented with no significant alterations in comparison with that of SCNT embryos. Taken together, the results of AOT demonstrated inability to make relevant values improved from the level of SCNT embryos to their IVF counterparts.
Convex Clustering via l
1 Fusion Penalization
Authors: Radchenko Peter , Mukherjee Gourab 
Published: February 2017

Summary
We study the large sample behaviour of a convex clustering framework, which minimizes the sample within cluster sum of squares under an l 1 fusion constraint on the cluster centroids. This recently proposed approach has been gaining in popularity; however, its asymptotic properties have remained mostly unknown. Our analysis is based on a novel representation of the sample clustering procedure as a sequence of cluster splits determined by a sequence of maximization problems. We use this representation to provide a simple and intuitive formulation for the population clustering procedure. We then demonstrate that the sample procedure consistently estimates its population analogue and we derive the corresponding rates of convergence. The proof conducts a careful simultaneous analysis of a collection of M-estimation problems, whose cardinality grows together with the sample size. On the basis of the new perspectives gained from the asymptotic investigation, we propose a key post-processing modification of the original clustering framework. We show, both theoretically and empirically, that the resulting approach can be successfully used to estimate the number of clusters in the population. Using simulated data, we compare the proposed method with existing number-of-clusters and modality assessment approaches and obtain encouraging results. We also demonstrate the applicability of our clustering method to the detection of cellular subpopulations in a single-cell virology study.
Pathogen safety of a pasteurized four‐factor human prothrombin complex concentrate preparation using serial 20N virus filtration
Authors: Nowak Thomas , Popp Birgit , Gröner Albrecht , Schäfer Wolfram , Kalina Uwe , Enssle Karlheinz , Roth Nathan J. 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUNDBeriplex P/N/Kcentra/Coaplex/Confidex is a four‐factor human prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). Here, we describe the pathogen safety profile and biochemical characteristics of an improved manufacturing process that further enhances the virus safety of Beriplex P/N.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSSamples of product intermediates were spiked with test viruses, and prions were evaluated under routine production and robustness conditions of the scale‐down version of the commercial manufacturing process for their capacity to inactivate or remove pathogens. The PCC was characterized by determining the activity of Factor (F)II, FVII, FIX, FX, protein C, and protein S and the concentration of heparin and antithrombin III in nine product lots.RESULTSThe manufacturing process had a very high virus reduction capacity for a broad variety of virus challenges (overall reduction factors ≥15.5 to ≥18.4 log for enveloped viruses and 11.5 to ≥11.9 log for nonenveloped viruses). The high virus clearance capacity was provided by two dedicated virus reduction steps (pasteurization and serial 20N virus filtration) that provided effective inactivation and removal of viruses and a purification step (ammonium sulfate precipitation and adsorption to calcium phosphate) that contributed to the overall virus removal capacity. The diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) chromatography and ammonium sulfate precipitation steps removed prions to below the limit of detection. The levels of different clotting factors in the final product were well balanced.CONCLUSIONThe improved manufacturing process of Beriplex P/N further enhances the margin of pathogen safety based on its capacity to remove and inactivate a wide range of virus challenges.
Clinical pathology of amphibians: a review
Authors: Forzán María J. , Heatley Jill , Russell Karen E. , Horney Barbara 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAmphibian declines and extinctions have worsened in the last 2 decades. Partly because one of the main causes of the declines is infectious disease, veterinary professionals have increasingly become involved in amphibian research, captive husbandry, and management. Health evaluation of amphibians, free‐living or captive, can benefit from employing the tools of clinical pathology, something that is commonly used in veterinary medicine of other vertebrates. The present review compiles what is known of amphibian clinical pathology emphasizing knowledge that may assist with the interpretation of laboratory results, provides diagnostic recommendations for common amphibian diseases, and includes RIs for a few amphibian species estimated based on peer‐reviewed studies. We hope to encourage the incorporation of clinical pathology in amphibian practice and research, and to highlight the importance of applying veterinary medicine principles in furthering our knowledge of amphibian pathophysiology.
Hematology and biochemistry of aging—evidence of “anemia of the elderly” in old dogs
Authors: Radakovich Lauren B. , Pannone Stephen C. , Truelove Matthew P. , Olver Christine S. , Santangelo Kelly S. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundEffects of aging on hematologic and biochemical variables are well described in people. Anemia of the elderly is attributed to iron deficiency, anemia of chronic disease, chronic kidney disease, myelodysplasia, or idiopathic causes. Limited studies have examined these variables in aging dogs, but they have typically examined single breeds in research settings.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to identify differences inCBCand biochemistry values between adult and aged dogs of many breeds.MethodsDogs presenting for wellness examinations and minor dental/elective surgeries that were otherwise clinically healthy were retrospectively identified. Dogs were categorized by age: adult (1–7.9 years), senior (8–11.9 years), and geriatric (12+ years). StandardCBCand biochemistry data were collated. Asian breeds, Greyhounds, and dogs with data indicating overt underlying disease were excluded. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare groups with statistical significance set atP≤ .05.ResultsHematocrit,MCV, and serum iron decreased with age, indicating possible iron‐restricted erythropoiesis (IRE), due to iron deficiency or low‐grade chronic inflammation. Total proteins, globulins, and platelet counts increased with age while albumin decreased, suggesting low‐grade inflammation. Urea was increased in older dogs without a concurrent increase in creatinine, which points toward gastrointestinal bleeding or dehydration.ConclusionClinically healthy, aging dogs have changes in laboratory variables that indicate altered physiologies compared to younger adult animals, including evidence ofIRE, inflammation, and potential gastrointestinal bleeding, suggesting a similar trend to that of elderly human beings. Future studies will examine markers of iron metabolism and inflammation in aging dogs.
Can Nursing Students Practice What Is Preached? Factors Impacting Graduating Nurses' Abilities and Achievement to Apply Evidence‐Based Practices
Authors: Blackman Ian R. , Giles Tracey M. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn order to meet national Australian nursing registration requisites, nurses need to meet competency requirements for evidence‐based practices (EBPs).AimsA hypothetical model was formulated to explore factors that influenced Australian nursing students’ ability and achievement to understand and employ EBPs related to health care provision.MethodsA nonexperimental, descriptive survey method was used to identify self‐reported EBP efficacy estimates of 375 completing undergraduate nursing students. Factors influencing participants’ self‐rated EBP abilities were validated by Rasch analysis and then modeled using the partial least squares analysis (PLS Path) program.ResultsGraduating nursing students’ ability to understand and apply EBPs for clinical improvement can be directly and indirectly predicted by eight variables including their understanding in the analysis, critique and synthesis of clinically based nursing research, their ability to communicate research to others and whether they had actually witnessed other staff delivering EBP.Linking Evidence to ActionForty‐one percent of the variance in the nursing students’ self‐rated EBP efficacy scores is able to be accounted for by this model. Previous exposure to EBP studies facilitates participants’ confidence with EBP, particularly with concurrent clinical EBP experiences.
All-transparent graphene-based flexible pressure sensor array
Authors: Zhang Min , Wu Yichuan , Wang Xudong , Wang Xiaohao 
Published: February 2017

In this work, we propose and demonstrate a flexible capacitive tactile sensor array based on graphene served as electrodes. The sensor array consists of 3 × 3 units with 3 mm spatial resolution, similar to that of human skin. Each unit has three layers. The middle layer with microstructured PDMS served as an insulator is sandwiched by two perpendicular graphene-based electrodes. The size of each unit is 3 mm × 3 mm and the initial capacitance is about 0.2 pF. High sensitivities of 0.73 kPa[Formula: see text] between 0 and 1.2 kPa and 0.26 kPa[Formula: see text] between 1.2 and 2.5 kPa were achieved on the fabricated graphene pressure sensors. The proposed flexible pressure sensor array shows a great potential on the application of electric skin or 3D touch control.
IDENTIFICATION AND GENERATION OF INNOVATIVE IDEAS IN THE PROCUREMENT OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY: THE CASE OF AUDI AG
Authors: HOMFELDT FELIX , RESE ALEXANDRA , BRENNER HANNO , BAIER DANIEL , SCHÄFER TIL FABIO 
Published: February 2017

Open innovation and the use of suppliers and start-ups as external idea sources have become increasingly important in the automotive industry. Since the purchasing function in a company has correspondingly become more strategic, scholars have taken the role of procurement in innovation more intensely into account. This study examines procurement’s role in the innovation process of the automotive industry and investigates which and how open innovation instruments are used in order to benefit from the innovation capability of suppliers and start-ups. The empirical evidence is based on an in-depth case study of the automotive manufacturer AUDI AG. Several arguments are elaborated which justify a key role for procurement in the innovation process (e.g., interface role, economic activities). Furthermore, we identified nine pull and push instruments enabling procurement to contribute to Audi’s innovation performance. Since the instruments are designed to meet different internal requirements (e.g., in relation to a vehicle project or not), interesting insights for scholars and practitioners are provided.
Mapping Tourism Stakeholders’ Weather and Climate Information-Seeking Behavior in Fiji
Authors: Nalau J. , Becken S. , Noakes S. , Mackey B. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTourism is inherently dependent on weather and climate, and its sustainability and resilience to adverse weather and climate impacts is greatly enhanced by providing tailored climate services to tourism sector stakeholders. Climate services need to integrate standard weather forecasts, with early warning systems, seasonal forecasts, and long-term projections of climatic changes in order to meet the information needs of the sector. While a growing number of studies address the potential climate change impacts on tourism, little is known about how the tourism sector accesses, uses, and analyses the available weather and climate information.This research presents findings from an exploratory study on weather and climate information-seeking behavior of 15 private and public tourism sector stakeholders in the Republic of Fiji. The results show a variety of weather and climate information-seeking paths in use, which differ depending on levels of professional responsibility, weather and climate literacy, and information and digital competency. Those with high weather information literacy access a broader variety of sources. Hence, their interpretation does not focus only on their own location, but “weather” is seen as a broad spatial phenomenon that might or might not result in adverse effects in their location. Understanding diverse weather and climate information-seeking paths can aid in better targeting climate and adaptation services across different stakeholder groups. Especially in the context of small island developing states (SIDS), the integration of traditional, local, and scientific knowledge as information sources is likely to provide a more useful and context-specific basis for climate adaptation planning within the sector.
The role of peri-traumatic stress and disruption distress in predicting symptoms of major depression following exposure to a natural disaster
Authors: Bell Caroline J , Boden Joseph M , Horwood L John , Mulder Roger T 
Published: February 2017

Objective: Few studies have examined the contribution of specific disaster-related experiences to symptoms of depression. The aims of this study were to do this by examining the roles of peri-traumatic stress and distress due to lingering disaster-related disruption in explaining linkages between disaster exposure and major depressive disorder symptoms among a cohort exposed to the 2010–2011 Canterbury (New Zealand) earthquakes. Methods: Structural equation models were fitted to data obtained from the Christchurch Health and Development Study at age 35 ( n = 495), 20–24 months following the onset of the disaster. Measures included earthquake exposure, peri-traumatic stress, disruption distress and symptoms of major depressive disorder. Results: The associations between earthquake exposure and major depression were explained largely by the experience of peri-traumatic stress during the earthquakes (β = 0.180, p < 0.01) and not by disruption distress following the earthquakes (β = 0.048, p = 0.47). Conclusion: The results suggest that peri-traumatic stress has been under-recognised as a predictor of major depressive disorder.
The Broken Hill Psychopathology Project
Authors: Yellowlees Peter M. , Kaushik Anil V. 
Published: February 2017

The main objective of this study was to describe the psychiatric disorders seen in patients presenting for treatment in rural New South Wales. The patients were seen primarily in the community, in both public and private practice, but also in the local base hospital and prison. Seven hundred and seven patients were consecutively examined during the study period. The results of this study were compared with a previous Australia-wide study to identify specific disorders that were more prevalent in rural areas. Alcohol abuse and dependence stood out as being much more prevalent. Life problems such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and incest occurred commonly in women referred for psychiatric assessment. More than ten percent of the study patients were children aged under 17, who had similar prevalence rates of the various psychiatric disorders to a national comparison. It is concluded that alcohol abuse is very common in rural New South Wales, particularly in men, although there are also high rates in women, and this is probably related, in part at least, to the high rates of domestic violence, sexual assault and incest. It appears probable that there is a cycle of alcohol abuse in men leading to domestic violence and sexual abuse in women and children. This may contribute to the latter becoming anxious and depressed. The rates of the major functional psychiatric disorders were similar to those seen nationally. There is a great need for the maldistribution of psychiatrists between metropolitan and rural areas to be addressed.
Designing Visual Aids That Promote Risk Literacy: A Systematic Review of Health Research and Evidence-Based Design Heuristics
Authors: Garcia-Retamero Rocio , Cokely Edward T. 
Published: February 2017

Background Effective risk communication is essential for informed decision making. Unfortunately, many people struggle to understand typical risk communications because they lack essential decision-making skills. Objective The aim of this study was to review the literature on the effect of numeracy on risk literacy, decision making, and health outcomes, and to evaluate the benefits of visual aids in risk communication. Method We present a conceptual framework describing the influence of numeracy on risk literacy, decision making, and health outcomes, followed by a systematic review of the benefits of visual aids in risk communication for people with different levels of numeracy and graph literacy. The systematic review covers scientific research published between January 1995 and April 2016, drawn from the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, ERIC, Medline, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were investigation of the effect of numeracy and/or graph literacy, and investigation of the effect of visual aids or comparison of their effect with that of numerical information. Thirty-six publications met the criteria, providing data on 27,885 diverse participants from 60 countries. Results Transparent visual aids robustly improved risk understanding in diverse individuals by encouraging thorough deliberation, enhancing cognitive self-assessment, and reducing conceptual biases in memory. Improvements in risk understanding consistently produced beneficial changes in attitudes, behavioral intentions, trust, and healthy behaviors. Visual aids were found to be particularly beneficial for vulnerable and less skilled individuals. Conclusion Well-designed visual aids tend to be highly effective tools for improving informed decision making among diverse decision makers. We identify five categories of practical, evidence-based guidelines for heuristic evaluation and design of effective visual aids.
Crossing Boundaries
Authors: Ku Leighton , Steinmetz Erika , Bysshe Tyler , Bruen Brian K. 
Published: February 2017

Objectives: Previous state interagency collaborations have led to successful tobacco cessation initiatives. The objective of this study was to assess the roles and interaction of state Medicaid and public health agency efforts to support tobacco cessation for low-income Medicaid beneficiaries. Methods: We interviewed Medicaid and state public health agency officials in 8 states in September and October 2015 about collaborations in policy development and implementation for Medicaid tobacco cessation, including Medicaid coverage policies, quitlines, and monitoring. Results: Collaboration between Medicaid and public health agencies was limited. Smoking cessation quitlines were the most common area of collaboration cited. Public health officials were typically not involved in developing Medicaid coverage policies. States covered a range of US Food and Drug Administration–approved tobacco cessation medications, but 7 of the 8 states imposed limitations, such as charging copayments or requiring previous authorization. States generally lacked data to monitor implementation of tobacco cessation efforts and had little ability to determine the effectiveness of their policies. Conclusions: To strengthen efforts to reduce smoking and tobacco-related health burdens and to monitor the effectiveness of policies and programs, Medicaid and public health agencies should prioritize tobacco cessation and develop and analyze data about smoking and cessation efforts among Medicaid beneficiaries. Recent multistate initiatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services seek to promote stronger collaborations in clinical prevention activities, including tobacco cessation.
Efficiency of three treatment strategies on occupational and quality of life impairments for chronic low back pain patients: is the multidisciplinary approach the key feature to success?
Authors: Ronzi Yoann , Roche-Leboucher Ghislaine , Bègue Cyril , Dubus Valerie , Bontoux Luc , Roquelaure Yves , Richard Isabelle , Petit Audrey 
Published: February 2017

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of three treatment strategies for chronic low back pain with varying biomechanical intensity and multidisciplinary approach. Methods: A monocentric randomized controlled trial with a 12-months follow-up, conducted in the French Valley Loire region from May 2009 to April 2013. Participants were working-aged patients with chronic low back pain referred to a French chronic low back pain care-network to support medical and occupational issues. Three treatment strategies, each for five weeks were compared: (i) intensive and multidisciplinary program conducted in a rehabilitation center; (ii) less intensive outpatient program conducted by a trained private physiotherapist; (iii) mixed strategy combining the same outpatient program associated with a weekly multidisciplinary intervention. The effects of treatment conditions were compared using an “intention to treat” approach: Number of days’ sick leave during the 12-months following treatment, and quality of life and social ability assessed by auto-questionnaires. Results: A total of 159 patients (58.9% men, 41.5 ± 10.3 years old, median duration of sick leave = 221.0 days (127.5–319.0)) were included. Sick leave duration significantly decreased during the 12-months following treatment in the three groups. There was no significant difference for the evolution of participants’ quality of life, social ability, and personal beliefs between the three groups. Conclusion: This study confirms that disparate treatments might show similar effectiveness because they could all work through concomitant changes in beliefs, attitudes, and coping mechanisms. The original mixed strategy can treat a larger number of chronic low back pain patients, at a lower cost and provide local community-based care. Clinical Trial registration: NCT02030171