bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Study of the Use of the TOEFL iBT® Test Speaking and Listening Scores for International Teaching Assistant Screening
Authors: Wagner Elvis 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAlthough the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT® test is used by many universities to determine if international teaching assistants (ITAs) have the oral proficiency necessary to be classroom instructors, relatively few studies have investigated the validity of using TOEFL iBT scores for ITA screening. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using TOEFL iBT Speaking and Listening scores for ITAs in the context of an urban research university. This was accomplished by correlating the TOEFL iBT test scores with the scores obtained by prospective ITAs on local screening tests and student evaluations of ITAs' language and teaching competence and by using the TOEFL iBT test scores as predictors of ITA teaching performance as measured by student evaluations. Given that listening comprehension is an important aspect of instructional language competence, both TOEFL iBT Speaking and TOEFL iBT Listening scores were used as predictors. The development of ITAs' oral proficiency over a semester in an English‐speaking environment was also examined by comparing their TOEFL iBT Speaking and Listening scores at the beginning and at the end of their first semester as ITAs. The results indicate that TOEFL iBT Speaking and Listening scores correlate moderately with the local screening exam, but more importantly, the results indicate that TOEFL iBT Listening might be a better predictor of teaching competence. Although TOEFL iBT Speaking scores did not correlate with or predict the various measures of teaching competence, TOEFL iBT Listening scores did. In addition, the study found that ITAs living and teaching in an English‐speaking environment did make measurable gains in oral proficiency over the course of a 3‐month period. Although these gains were relatively small, and the listening score gains were not statistically significant, this is the first study that has actually tried to measure the improvement in ITAs' oral proficiency while living and studying (and sometimes teaching) on campus. The importance of this study goes beyond the local context. This is the first study to examine the relationship between TOEFL iBT Speaking and Listening scores and instructional performance of ITAs, thus serving as a validation study of the use of the TOEFL iBT test for ITA placement purposes. The study also offers insights into ITAs' development of oral proficiency once they are in an English‐speaking environment, which can serve as a basis for future ITA curriculum development.
Dimensionality Analyses of the GRE® revised General Test Verbal and Quantitative Measures
Authors: Robin Frédéric , Bejar Isaac , Liang Longjuan , Rijmen Frank 
Published: May 2016

AbstractExploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of domestic data from the GRE® revised General Test, introduced in 2011, were conducted separately for the verbal (VBL) and quantitative (QNT) reasoning measures to evaluate the unidimensionality and local independence assumptions required by item response theory (IRT). Results based on data from the period immediately after the launch of the revised test and data from a year later showed that very little local item dependence was present and that a predominant single factor accounted for each of the data sets. These results provide evidence supporting the assumptions that underlie the use of the unidimensional 2‐parameter IRT model for scoring and contribute evidence for the validity of GRE scores and their use.
Groove model of tibia‐femoral osteoarthritis in the rat
Authors: de Visser Huub M. , Weinans Harrie , Coeleveld Katja , van Rijen Mattie H. P. , Lafeber Floris P. J. G. , Mastbergen Simon C. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTSeveral experimental models of osteoarthritis in rats are used to study the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Many mechanically induced models have the limitation that permanent joint instability is induced by, for example, ligament transection or meniscal damage. This permanent instability will counteract the potential beneficial effects of therapy. The groove model of osteoarthritis uses a one‐time trigger, surgically induced cartilage damage on the femoral condyles, and has been validated for the canine tibia‐femoral compartment. The present study evaluates this model for the rat knee joint. The articular cartilage of the weight bearing surface of both femoral condyles and trochlea were damaged (grooved) without damaging the underlying subchondral bone. Severity of joint degeneration was histologically assessed, in addition to patella cartilage damage, and subchondral bone characteristics by means of (contrast‐enhanced) micro‐CT. Mild histological degeneration of the surgically untouched tibial plateau cartilage was observed in addition to damage of the femoral condyles, without clear synovial tissue inflammation. Contrast enhanced micro‐CT demonstrated proteoglycan loss of the surgically untouched patella cartilage. Besides, a more sclerotic structure of the subchondral bone was observed. The tibia‐femoral groove model in a rat results in mild knee joint degeneration, without permanent joint instability and joint inflammation. This makes the rat groove model a useful model to study the onset and progression of post‐traumatic non‐inflammatory osteoarthritis, creating a relatively sensitive model to study disease modifying osteoarthritic drugs. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 35:496–505, 2017.
Screening of the COL2A1 mutation in idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Sakamoto Yuma , Yamamoto Takuaki , Miyake Noriko , Matsumoto Naomichi , Iida Aritoshi , Nakashima Yasuharu ,   Research Committee on Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, Iwamoto Yukihide , Ikegawa Shiro 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTIdiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (idiopathic ONFH) is an ischemic disorder resulting in necrosis of the subchondral bone of the femoral head. COL2A1 mutations, including c.3508G>A, have been reported to be involved in its etiology. However, the etiological role of COL2A1 mutations in idiopathic ONFH remains controversial, because the pathology of idiopathic ONFH is ischemic necrosis, not epiphyseal dysplasia usually seen in the diseases caused by COL2A1 mutations. The purpose of this study is to examine whether COL2A1 mutations have causal relation with idiopathic ONFH or not. We recruited 1,451 Japanese patients with idiopathic ONFH, including steroid‐, alcohol‐, and neither steroid nor alcohol‐associated (neither‐associated) ONFH. The diagnosis was based on the criteria of the Japanese Research Committee on idiopathic ONFH of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. By whole‐exome sequencing, entire COL2A1 coding regions and flanking introns were analyzed in 49 neither‐associated ONFH patients. In addition, the c.3508G>A mutation of COL2A1 was checked in all idiopathic ONFH patients using the invader assay. Whole‐exome sequencing did not detect any COL2A1 mutations in the 49 patients. The c.3508G>A mutation was not found in any of the 1,451 patients. In conclusion, COL2A1 is unlikely to cause idiopathic ONFH. Epiphyseal dysplasia of the femoral head caused by COL2A1 mutations may radiographically mimic idiopathic ONFH. COL2A1 mutations should prompt clinical re‐evaluation of the patient's phenotype. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:768–774, 2017.
A patient-preference cohort study of office versus inpatient uterine polyp treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding
Authors: Cooper Natalie A. M. , Middleton Lee , Smith Paul , Denny Elaine , Stobert Lynda , Daniels Jane , Clark T. Justin ,   on behalf of the OPT trial collaborative group
Published: May 2016

AbstractUterine polyps can cause abnormal bleeding in women. Conventional practise is to remove them under general anaesthesia but advances in technology have made it possible to perform polypectomy in the office setting. We conducted a patient-preference study to explore women’s preferences for treatment setting and to evaluate the effectiveness and treatment experience of women undergoing uterine polypectomy. Three hundred ninety-nine women with abnormal uterine bleeding who were found to have uterine polyps at diagnostic hysteroscopy were recruited. Office polypectomies were performed in office hysteroscopy clinics, and inpatient procedures were undertaken in operating theatres. Three hundred twenty-four of 399 (81 %) expressed a preference for office treatment. There was no difference found between office treatment and inpatient treatment in terms of alleviating abnormal uterine bleeding as assessed by patients and in improving disease-specific quality of life. Acceptability was lower and patient pain scores were significantly higher in the office group. When offered a choice of treatment setting for uterine polypectomy, patients have a preference for office over inpatient treatment. Ambulatory gynaecology services should be available within healthcare systems to meet patient demand.
How do Physicians Decide to Refer Their Patients for Psychiatric Genetic Counseling? A Qualitative Study of Physicians’ Practice
Authors: Leach Emma , Morris Emily , White Hannah J. , Inglis Angela , Lehman Anna , Austin Jehannine 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPsychiatric genetic counseling (PGC) is an emerging specialty discipline within the genetic counseling profession. A specialist PGC service was founded in 2012 in Vancouver, Canada, and though patient benefits have been demonstrated, many physicians do not regularly refer patients to the service despite awareness of its availability. We conducted a qualitative study involving semi‐structured telephone interviews with Vancouver‐based physicians who were aware of the PGC service to explore this phenomenon. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analysed for emergent themes. Consistent with a grounded theory approach, constant comparison was employed throughout data collection and analysis. Analyses of interviews conducted with 12 physicians revealed that referral practices were informed by perceptions about the purpose of PGC and interpretation of patient cues. Physicians perceived PGC as an information‐focused intervention, and considered referral when patients explicitly expressed desire for information about recurrence risk or etiology that they felt unable to adequately address themselves. Even when physicians identified psychotherapeutic benefits of PGC, patient needs of this nature were not perceived as cues prompting referral to PGC. These data suggest that further work is necessary to position PGC in physicians’ minds as a service that could potentially benefit most individuals with psychiatric disorders and their families, and that it encompasses more than information provision. It is important to increase physicians’ awareness of the complementary role that genetic counselors can play to that of the physician in providing psychotherapeutically oriented counselling about illness etiology.
Temperature analysis of a pin-on-disc tribology test using experimental and numerical approaches
Authors: Abdullah Oday I. , Schlattmann Josef 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The high thermal stresses generated at the interface between the contacting surfaces due to the sliding between parts of sliding system such as friction clutches and brakes. In this work, pin-on-disc test rig was built to find the temperature field during the sliding operation using experimental and numerical approaches. In the experimental approach, infrared camera was used to find the temperature distribution, while in the numerical approach a finite element technique has been used. Analysis has been completed using three-dimensional model to simulate a pin-on-disc system. The numerical results have shown a good agreement compared with the experimental results.
Retention of skills 2 years after completion of a postpartum hemorrhage simulation training program in rural Rwanda
Authors: Nathan Lisa M. , Patauli Desire , Nsabimana Damien , Bernstein Peter S. , Rulisa Stephen , Goffman Dena 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the long‐term retention of skills gained by rural physicians who completed a postpartum hemorrhage simulation‐training program.MethodsA quasi‐experimental pre–post intervention study enrolled a convenience sample of generalist physicians in rural Rwanda. Participants underwent initial simulation training including pre‐ and post‐training testing in February 2012. Simulation drills to assess skill retention were conducted in March 2014. Participants were scored based on their communication, evaluation, and management skills. Median scores and inter‐quartile ranges were calculated and the Wilcoxon signed‐rank sum test was used to compare the pre‐training, post‐training, and retention scores. Physician confidence was assessed using a survey.ResultsIn total, 11 physicians were enrolled; eight were available for the 2‐year skill‐retention evaluation. Significant improvements were observed when comparing participants’ pre‐training and post‐training communication (P = 0.03), evaluation (P = 0.05), and management (P = 0.02) scores, and there were no changes between participants’ post‐training and 2‐year communication (P > 0.99), evaluation (P = 0.16), and management (P = 0.46) scores. There were no differences in the self‐reported confidence measures across the duration of the study.ConclusionSimulation training is an effective method for teaching postpartum hemorrhage‐management skills to generalist physicians in rural areas and skills are retained for at least 2 years. Further studies could determine the optimal time intervals for refresher training.
OPTIMAL ASSET ALLOCATION IN LIFE INSURANCE: THE IMPACT OF REGULATION
Authors: Chen An , Hieber Peter 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn a typical equity-linked life insurance contract, the insurance company is entitled to a share of return surpluses as compensation for the return guarantee granted to the policyholders. The set of possible contract terms might, however, be restricted by a regulatory default constraint — a fact that can force the two parties to initiate sub-optimal insurance contracts. We show that this effect can be mitigated if regulatory policy is more flexible. We suggest that the regulator implement a traffic light system where companies are forced to reduce the riskiness of their asset allocation in distress. In a utility-based framework, we show that the introduction of such a system can increase the benefits of the policyholder without deteriorating the benefits of the insurance company. At the same time, default probabilities (and thus solvency capital requirements) can be reduced.
CPR-associated right ventricular rupture in the setting of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Hickey Tyler B. M. , Gill Ginjeet Gina K. , Seidman Michael A. , Webber Douglas L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an inherently traumatic procedure. Successful resuscitations are often complicated by iatrogenic injuries to structures of the neck, thorax, or abdomen. Rib and sternal fractures are the most frequently induced injuries. However, rare and life-threatening trauma to vital organs such as the heart may also occur during CPR. We describe a novel case of CPR-associated right ventricular rupture in a woman with acute-on-chronic pulmonary embolism and no known pre-existing cardiac disease. We propose that chest compressions in the setting of elevated right ventricular pressure resulted in cardiac rupture, in this case.
Effects of breast-feeding compared with formula-feeding on preterm infant body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Pan , Zhou Jianghua , Yin Yanan , Jing Wenjuan , Luo Biru , Wang Jiang 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effect of breast-feeding and formula-feeding on body composition of preterm infants. We searched the literature using PubMed, Cochrane Central Library Issue, Ovid (Medline), Embase and other resources such as Google Scholar, electronic databases and bibliographies of relevant articles; two reviewers collected and extracted data independently. All the authors assessed risk of bias independently using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). A fixed-effects meta-analysis was undertaken with RevMan 5 software (The Cochrane Collaboration) using the inverse variance method (P≥0·05;χ2test). In contrast, a random-effects meta-analysis was carried out. Altogether, 630 articles were identified using search strategy, and the references within retrieved articles were also assessed. A total of six studies were included in this systematic review. In formula-fed infants, fat mass was higher at term (mean difference 0·24 (95 % CI 0·17, 0·31) kg), fat-free mass was higher at 36 weeks of gestational (mean difference 0·12 (95 % CI 0·04, 0·21) kg) and the percentage of fat mass was higher at 36 weeks of gestation (mean difference 3·70 (95 % CI 1·81, 5·59) kg) compared with breast-fed infants. Compared with breast-feeding, formula-feeding is associated with altered body composition from birth to term in preterm infants. The effects of formula-feeding on preterm infant body composition from term to 12-month corrected age are inconclusive in our study. Well-designed studies are required in the future to explore the effects of formula-feeding compared with breast-feeding.
Did They Mind the Gap? Voter/Party Ideological Proximity between the BQ, the NDP and Quebec Voters, 2006–2011
Authors: Gauvin Jean-Philippe , Chhim Chris , Medeiros Mike 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe 2011 Canadian federal election results changed the face of federal politics in Quebec. In a sudden and spectacular reversal of electoral fortunes, BQ support crumbled while that of the NDP surged. While most commentators focused exclusively on the 2011 election itself to explain what had happened, we offer an interpretation that takes a longitudinal approach. Using data from the Canadian Election Study and political party manifestos from 2006 to 2011, we propose a three-dimensional proximity model of voter/party congruence to explore the evolution of the ideological stances of Quebec voters and parties. Empirical results suggest these ideological distances between the NDP and Quebec voters decreased over time, whereas the BQ has distanced itself from voters. Furthermore, ideological distances between party and voters are a significant predictor of vote.
REVERSE EMULATION AND THE CULT OF JAPANESE EFFICIENCY IN EDWARDIAN BRITAIN
Authors: TONOOKA CHIKA 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThis article considers a particular moment in world history when an instant of epoch-making triumph in the non-West – Japan's defeat of Russia in 1905 – coincided with a period of intense national anxiety in Britain in the wake of the South African War (1899–1902). One outcome of this historical intersection was the emergence in Britain of a euphoric ‘cult of Japan’ that saw many Edwardians, obsessed with the idea of ‘efficiency’, deploy Japan as both a referent for British shortcomings and a model for reform. The article asks why proponents of ‘efficiency’ – most of them ardent imperialists – deemed it acceptable, even strategically advantageous, in such domestic debates to draw upon examples from Japan – an ‘Oriental’ race and former protégé – in apparent contradiction of Western supremacism. The article contends that Britain's emulative attitudes were underpinned by an emergent plural conception of ‘civilization’, which appraised Japan's attainment of civilization as consistent with Western standards whilst at the same time recognizing elements of Japanese particularity – an outlook that justified reciprocal learning.
POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF ADULT POPULATIONS TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTH INFECTIONS IN THE SIAVONGA AND MAZABUKA DISTRICTS OF ZAMBIA
Authors: Halwindi Hikabasa , Magnussen Pascal , Olsen Annette , Lisulo Malimba 
Published: May 2016

SummaryA majority of Zambian children live in impoverished communities that lack safe water and proper sanitation, exposing them to urogenital and intestinal helminths. Efforts to mitigate this plight have been implemented through mass drug administration aimed at deworming school-age and under-five children against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths. However, the disease status of adults living in the same communities as the treated children remains unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the potential contribution of infected adult populations to the transmission of these infections in southern Zambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in April and May 2013 as part of baseline survey for a larger study in Mazabuka and Siavonga Districts. Stool and urine samples of 2829 adults from five catchment areas were collected and processed using Kato-Katz and urine filtration methods, respectively. Adults from Siavonga had a 13.9% combined prevalence ofSchistosoma haematobiumandS. mansoni, and 12.1% combined prevalence ofAscaris lumbricoidesand hookworm. There was noS. mansoniin Mazabuka, and only a 5.3% prevalence ofS. haematobiumand 7.4% combined prevalence ofA. lumbricoidesand hookworm. Additionally, noTrichuris trichiurainfections were observed in the two districts. Despite most of these infections being categorized as light intensity, heavy infection intensities were also found for all four parasite species. If this infected adult population is left untreated, the possibility of it acting as a reservoir of infections and ultimately transmitting the infections to treated children remains. Therefore, there is need to consider alternative treatment strategies that incorporate adults, thereby reducing the risk of contaminating the environment and perpetuating transmission to children.
Human infection withStrongyloides stercoralisand other related Strongyloides species
Authors: NUTMAN THOMAS B. 
Published: May 2016

SUMMARYThe majority of the 30–100 million people infected withStrongyloides stercoralis, a soil transmitted intestinal nematode, have subclinical (or asymptomatic) infections. These infections are commonly chronic and longstanding because of the autoinfective process associated with its unique life cycle. A change in immune status can increase parasite numbers, leading to hyperinfection syndrome, dissemination, and death if unrecognized. Corticosteroid use and HTLV-1 infection are most commonly associated with the hyperinfection syndrome.Strongyloidesadult parasites reside in the small intestine and induce immune responses both local and systemic that remain poorly characterized. Definitive diagnosis ofS. stercoralisinfection is based on stool examinations for larvae, but newer diagnostics – including new immunoassays and molecular tests – will assume primacy in the next few years. Although good treatment options exist for infection and control of this infection might be possible,S. stercoralisremains largely neglected.
Absolute continuity of complex Bernoulli convolutions
Authors: SHMERKIN PABLO , SOLOMYAK BORIS 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe prove that complex Bernoulli convolutions are absolutely continuous in the supercritical parameter region, outside of an exceptional set of parameters of zero Hausdorff dimension. Similar results are also obtained in the biased case, and for other parametrised families of self-similar sets and measures in the complex plane, extending earlier results.
Webs and the Plebański equation
Authors: KRYŃSKI WOJCIECH 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe consider 3-webs, hyper-para-complex structures and integrable Segre structures on manifolds of even dimension and generalise the second heavenly Plebański equation in the context of higher-dimensional hyper-para-complex structures. We also characterise the Segre structures admitting a compatible hyper-para-complex structure in terms of systems of ordinary differential equations.