bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Vascular c‐Jun N‐Terminal Kinase 2 Improves Obesity‐Induced Endothelial Dysfunction After Roux‐en‐Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Doytcheva Petia , Bächler Thomas , Tarasco Erika , Marzolla Vincenzo , Engeli Michael , Pellegrini Giovanni , Stivala Simona , Rohrer Lucia , Tona Francesco , Camici Giovanni G. , Vanhoutte Paul M. , Matter Christian M. , Lutz Thomas A. , Lüscher Thomas F. , Osto Elena 
Published: November 2017

Background

Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (
RYGB
) reduces obesity‐associated comorbidities and cardiovascular mortality.
RYGB
improves endothelial dysfunction, reducing c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (
JNK
) vascular phosphorylation.
JNK
activation links obesity with insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. Herein, we examined whether
JNK
1 or
JNK
2 mediates obesity‐induced endothelial dysfunction and if pharmacological
JNK
inhibition can mimic
RYGB
vascular benefits.

Methods and Results

After 7 weeks of a high‐fat high‐cholesterol diet, obese rats underwent
RYGB
or sham surgery; sham–operated ad libitum–fed rats received, for 8 days, either the control peptide D‐
TAT
or the
JNK
peptide inhibitor D‐
JNK
i‐1 (20 mg/kg per day subcutaneous).
JNK
peptide inhibitor D‐
JNK
i‐1 treatment improved endothelial vasorelaxation in response to insulin and glucagon‐like peptide‐1, as observed after
RYGB
. Obesity increased aortic phosphorylation of
JNK
2, but not of
JNK
1.
RYGB
and
JNK
peptide inhibitor D‐
JNK
i‐1 treatment blunted aortic
JNK
2 phosphorylation via activation of glucagon‐like peptide‐1–mediated signaling. The inhibitory phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate‐1 was reduced, whereas the protein kinase B/endothelial
NO
synthase pathway was increased and oxidative stress was decreased, resulting in improved vascular
NO
bioavailability.

Conclusions

Decreased aortic
JNK
2 phosphorylation after
RYGB
rapidly improves obesity‐induced endothelial dysfunction. Pharmacological
JNK
inhibition mimics the endothelial protective effects of
RYGB
. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of novel strategies targeting vascular
JNK
2 against the severe cardiovascular disease associated with obesity.
Second Thoughts: Unknown Yiddish Texts and New Perspectives on the Study of Hasidism
Authors: Mayse Ariel Evan , Reiser Daniel 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
This study explores an important Hasidic manuscript rediscovered among the papers of Abraham Joshua Heschel at Duke University. The text, first noted by Heschel in the 1950s, is a collection of sermons by the famed tzaddik Judah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger (d. 1905). These homilies are significant because they were transcribed by one of his disciples, in many cases capturing them in the original Yiddish. Comparing this alternative witness to Alter’s own Hebrew version (called Sefat emet), printed shortly after his death, reveals substantive differences in the sermons’ development, structure, and themes. But the manuscript’s importance extends beyond a critical new perspective on Alter’s teachings. It offers a snapshot of the processes behind the formation of Hasidic books, and calls for scholars to consider the unavoidable divergences between Hebrew and Yiddish, between orality and textuality, and the transmission of ideas from a teacher to his disciples, vectors of change that inhabit all Hasidic literature.
The Aim and Structure of Gershom ben Solomon’s Shaʿar ha-shamayim
Authors: Freudenthal Gad 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Gershom ben Solomon’s very popular Shaʿar ha-shamayim (The Gate of Heaven), written in the Midi in the last quarter of the 13th century, differs from the two earlier 13th-century Hebrew encyclopedias in that it lays very strong emphasis on the empirical sublunar world (beginning with the elements and especially with the two Aristotelian exhalations), nearly ignoring the theory of the soul and metaphysics. This article argues that the clue to Gershom’s distinctive approach to the study of the world is to be found in Samuel ibn Tibbon’s Maʾamar yiqqawu ha-mayim (A Treatise on ‘Let the Water Gather’) of 1231. With this insight, we also realize that Gershom’s is an ‘encyclopedia’ of a new genre, really a personal philosophical work, whose numerous building blocks are arranged in accordance with a philosophical principle. In this respect, the work is that of a true philosopher-scientist, not of a mere compiler.
Traversing Geography, Attaining Cognition
Authors: Okuyade Ogaga 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Although a number of studies of the African bildungsroman exist, they hardly explore the utility of journeying in the development of the protagonist. Some of these studies continue to reiterate the existence of the postcolonial African bildungsroman and its structure or how postcolonial writers have subverted this genre to narrativize the African experience of growth. However, the crucial role of travel in the African bildungsroman remains to be discussed comprehensively. It is my intention, therefore, to address this oversight and begin to fill the gap. My central contention is that travel is an essential catalyst in the process of personal growth. Chimamada Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus will function as my primary text for analysis, but I also make reference to other narratives as ancillary texts in order to accentuate the functionality of journey, its metaphoric implications, and its structural application to Purple Hibiscus as a postcolonial African bildungsroman. In order to understand how mobility facilitates the construction of consciousness in Purple Hibiscus, I situate Kambili’s personal growth around a kind of mobility which resides within the usual-everyday kind of journey, which is by no means mythic, to articulate a template that foregrounds Kambili’s struggle for individuation—familial confinement, separation-cum-isolation, initiation, and return.
Hypertextuality and the Economic Novel in Zimbabwe
Authors: Vambe Maurice Taonezvi 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Recent surges and advances in the popular use of electronic technology such as Internet, email, iPad, iPhone, and touch-screens in Africa have opened up great communicative possibilities among ordinary people whose voices were previously marginalized in traditional elitist media. People far apart geographically and living in different times can communicate rapidly and with great ease. This technological revolution has challenged and broken down boundaries of dependence on television, newspapers, and novels, the traditional forms of communication. It is now possible to upload a novel onto an iPad and read it as one moves from place to place. The burden of carrying hard copies is relieved but not eradicated; in most African countries, including Zimbabwe (the centre of focus in the present article), the creative work of art or hard copy of a novel is still relied upon as source of information. There are creative, experimental innovations in the novel form in Zimbabwe which to some extent can justify one’s speaking of a hypertextual novel. This new type of novel incorporates multiple narratives, and sometimes deliberately uses genres such as the email form as a constitutive narrative style that confirms as well as destabilizes previous assumptions of single coherent stories told from one point of view. Using the concepts of hypertextuality, intertextuality, and Bakhtin’s notions of carnivalesque and heteroglossia in speech and written utterances, this article reconsiders the implications of the presence of ideologies of hypertextuality in one novel from Zimbabwe, Nyaradzo Mtizira’s The Chimurenga Protocol (2008). The article argues that the multiplicity of narratives constitutes the hypertextual dimension of the novelistic form.
Citizen Journalism and Conflict Transformation
Authors: Ajao Toyin , Wielenga Cori 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The ubiquitous Internet platform in Africa has given rise to a new set of non-state actors responding to protracted conflicts through the use of new media technology. As a departure from a state-centric approach to addressing conflict in Africa, this interdisciplinary study explores the contribution of the public in responding to armed conflicts through citizen journalism. To unearth non-violent African digital innovations, this research explored the Ushahidi platform, which emerged as a response to Kenya’s 2008 post-election violence. Using a qualitative method, data was gathered through unstructured in-depth interviews. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The data showed the transformative role the Ushahidi platform played during Kenya’s electoral violence through crisis-mapping, the early warning multi-agent consortium, a constitutional referendum, and election monitoring. Evidence also emerged regarding the pioneer work of Ushahidi in other non-violent technological involvements in addressing crisis in Kenya.
Afterschool school triathlon training for 11- to 14-year old girls: Influences on academic motivation and achievement
Authors: Gatz Jennifer , Kelly Angela M 
Published: November 2017

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of a Transformation through Triathlon after school programme in promoting health status, academic motivation and socioemotional development in at-risk girls aged 11–14 years attending middle school in the USA. Design: A phenomenological approach was employed with elements of grounded theory to analyse data from focus group interviews for insights into programmatic outcomes. Setting: Participants ( N = 29) were invited to participate in the 20-week after school triathlon training and health promotion programme, and some volunteered for interviews. They were selected based on school personnel characterising them as at-risk for low self-esteem, a sedentary lifestyle, and/or classification as overweight. The programme combined empowerment lessons, nutrition and health science education twice per week from mid-March until June 2014, and after-school activities such as triathlon-specific training and group fitness classes three times per week through until July, with a culminating youth sprint triathlon (300-yard swim, 7-mile bike ride, and 1.5-mile run). Method: Focus groups of five to six girls were convened immediately after programme completion, and again 12 weeks later. A semi-structured interview protocol was developed with questions regarding individual goals, perceptions of programme structure and setting, and programmatic effects related to academics and motivation. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed that confidence, interest, and self-determination motivational constructs positively influenced goal setting, strategies, health, fitness, motivation, and academic achievement. Conclusion: Intervention participants learned to self-regulate their learning and set goals that promoted fitness, academic achievement, better attitudes, and resilience. After school community and family inclusive programmes with a structured fitness component increase confidence, self-determination and academic achievement though social support structures.
Barriers to the secondary use of data in critical care
Authors: Prince Karl , Jones Matthew , Blackwell Alan , Simpson Alexander , Meakins Sallyanne , Vuylsteke Alain 
Published: November 2017

Purpose We explore the challenges of the secondary use of data in clinical information systems which critical care units in the National Health Service (England) are facing. Methods We conducted an online survey of critical care units in England regarding their practices in collecting and using clinical information systems and data. Results Critical care units use clinical information systems typically independently of hospital information systems and focus mainly on using data for auditing, management reporting and research. Respondents reported that extracting data from their clinical information system was difficult and that they would use stored data more if it were easier to access. Data extraction takes time and who extracts data, the training they receive and the tools they use affect the extraction and use of data. Conclusion A number of key challenges affect the secondary use of data in critical care: a lack of integration of information systems within critical care and across departments; barriers to accessing data; mismatched data tools and user requests. Data are predominantly used for reporting and research with less emphasis on using data to inform clinical practice.
Overcoming the Straw Man Effect in Oncology: Visualization and Ranking of Chemotherapy Regimens Using an Information Theoretic Approach
Authors: Warner Jeremy L. , Yang Peter C. , Alterovitz Gil 
Published: November 2017

Purpose Despite the plethora of randomized controlled trial (RCT) data, most cancer treatment recommendations are formulated by experts. Alternatively, network meta-analysis (NMA) is one method of analyzing multiple indirect treatment comparisons. However, NMA does not account for mixed end points or temporality. Previously, we described a prototype information theoretical approach for the construction of ranked chemotherapy treatment regimen networks. Here, we propose modifications to overcome an apparent straw man effect, where the most studied regimens were the most negatively valued. Methods RCTs from two scenarios—upfront treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma—were assembled into ranked networks using an automated algorithm based on effect sizes, statistical significance, surrogacy of end points, and time since RCT publication. Vertex and edge color, transparency, and size were used to visually analyze the network. This analysis led to the additional incorporation of value propagation. Results A total of 18 regimens with 42 connections (chronic myelogenous leukemia) and 28 regimens with 25 connections (relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma) were analyzed. An initial negative correlation between vertex value and size was ameliorated after value propagation, although not eliminated. Updated rankings were in close agreement with published guidelines and NMAs. Conclusion Straw man effects can distort the comparative efficacy of newer regimens at the expense of older regimens, which are often cheaper or less toxic. Using an automated method, we ameliorated this effect and produced rankings consistent with common practice and published guidelines in two distinct cancer settings. These findings are likely to be generalizable and suggest a new means of ranking efficacy in cancer trials.
Predicting Patient Treatment Deferrals at an Outpatient Chemotherapy Infusion Center: A Statistical Approach
Authors: Richardson Donald B. , Guikema Seth D. , Cohn Amy E.M. 
Published: November 2017

PurposePatients scheduled for outpatient infusion sometimes may be deferred for treatment after arriving for their appointment. This can be the result of a secondary illness, not meeting required bloodwork counts, or other medical complications. The ability to generate high-quality predictions of patient deferrals can be highly valuable in managing clinical operations, such as scheduling patients, determining which drugs to make before patients arrive, and establishing the proper staffing for a given day.MethodsIn collaboration with the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, we have developed a predictive model that uses patient-specific data to estimate the probability that a patient will defer or not show for treatment on a given day. This model incorporates demographic, treatment protocol, and prior appointment history data. We tested a wide range of predictive models including logistic regression, tree-based methods, neural networks, and various ensemble models. We then compared the performance of these models, evaluating both their prediction error and their complexity level.ResultsWe have tested multiple classification models to determine which would best determine whether a patient will defer or not show for treatment on a given day. We found that a Bayesian additive regression tree model performs best with the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center data on the basis of out-of-sample area under the curve, Brier score, and F1 score. We emphasize that similar statistical procedures must be taken to reach a final model in alternative settings.ConclusionThis article introduces the existence and selection process of a wide variety of statistical models for predicting patient deferrals for a specific clinical environment. With proper implementation, these models will enable clinicians and clinical managers to achieve the in-practice benefits of deferral predictions.
The constant threat from a non-native predator increases tail muscle and fast-start swimming performance inXenopustadpoles
Authors: Mori Tsukasa , Yanagisawa Yukio , Kitani Yoichiro , Yamamoto Goshi , Goto-Inoue Naoko , Kimura Tadashi , Kashiwagi Keiko , Kashiwagi Akihiko 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTPredator-induced phenotypic plasticity is the ability of prey to adapt to their native predator. However, owing to environmental changes, encounters with unknown predators are inevitable. Therefore, study of prey and non-native predator interaction will reveal the primary stages of adaptive strategies in prey-predator interactions in the context of evolutionary processes. Here, Xenopus tadpoles exposed to a non-native predator, a larval salamander, showed a significant increase in body weight and tail length to body length ratio. The Tmax2 test indicated a significant enhancement of the tail muscle and decrease in the relative ventral fin height in tadpoles exposed to predation risk, leading to significantly higher average swimming speeds. The analysis of muscle-related metabolites revealed that sarcosine increased significantly in tadpoles exposed to non-native predators. Multiple linear regression analysis of the fast-start swimming pattern showed that the fast-start swimming speed was determined by the time required for a tadpole to bend its body away from the threat (C-start) and the angle at which it was bent. In conclusion, morphological changes in tadpoles were functionally adaptive and induced by survival behaviors of Xenopus tadpoles against non-native predators.
Patriotic education of staff penitentiary system in contemporary conditions
Authors: Михайлов Алексей , Mikhaylov Aleksey , Шишкин Евгений , Shishkin Evgeniy 
Published: November 2017

The article reveals the peculiarities of patriotic education of penitentiary staff in the conditions of reforming. Conceptual aspects of the term "patriotism" of its content and direction.As part of patriotic education is the development of Russian society of high social activity, civil responsibility, spirituality, formation of citizens with positive values and qualities that can manifest them in the creative process in the interests of the Motherland, strengthening the state, ensuring its vital interests and sustainable development.The goals of patriotic education of Russian citizens through more specific objectives, taking into account the specifics of subjects and objects of education, the environment in which it is carried out, the characteristics of their solutions in the economic, social, legal, political, cultural and other spheres.
The content and focus of patriotism are determined, above all, spiritual and moral climate of society, its historical roots, feeding the public life of generations. The article also discloses the most meaningful actual directions of patriotic education of employees of the penitentiary system: the spiritual and moral, historical and regional studies, civil-patriotic, social, patriotic, military, patriotic, heroic and patriotic, sports and patriotic.
The importance of oral exercises in courses of communicative skills
Authors: Башлуева Наталья , Bashlueva Natalya 
Published: November 2017

The article deals with the need for cadets to develop everyday communication skills in a foreign language in order to develop communicative competence and improve the efficiency of the process of training cadets of Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
To achieve this goal, it is necessary to increase the knowledge of cadets and develop methodological techniques that ensure the development of conversational skills in the volume indicated in the program.
Epileptic pilocarpine‐treated rats exhibit aberrant hippocampal EPSP‐spike potentiation but retain long‐term potentiation
Authors: Carpenter‐Hyland Ezekiel , Bichler Edyta K. , Smith Mathew , Sloviter Robert S. , Benveniste Morris 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHippocampal neuron plasticity is strongly associated with learning, memory, and cognition. In addition to modification of synaptic function and connectivity, the capacity of hippocampal neurons to undergo plasticity involves the ability to change nonsynaptic excitability. This includes altering the probability that EPSPs will generate action potentials (E‐S plasticity). Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder commonly associated with neuronal hyperexcitability and cognitive dysfunction. We examined E‐S plasticity in chronically epileptic Sprague–Dawley rats 3–10 weeks after pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus. CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices were assayed by whole‐cell current clamp to measure EPSPs evoked by Schaffer collateral stimulation. Using a weak spike‐timing‐dependent protocol to induce plasticity, we found robust E‐S potentiation in conjunction with weak long‐term potentiation (LTP) in saline‐treated rats. In pilocarpine‐treated rats, a similar degree of LTP was found, but E‐S potentiation was reduced. Additionally, the degree of E‐S potentiation was not correlated with the degree of LTP for either group, suggesting that they independently contribute to neuronal plasticity. E‐S potentiation also differed from LTP in that E‐S plasticity could be induced solely from action potentials generated by postsynaptic current injection. The calcium chelating agent BAPTA in the intracellular solution blocked LTP and E‐S potentiation, revealing the calcium dependence of both processes. These findings suggest that LTP and E‐S potentiation have overlapping but nonidentical mechanisms of inducing neuronal plasticity that may independently contribute to cognitive disruptions observed in the chronic epileptic state.
Undergraduates’ Involvement in Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Attitude to Academic Work: Implications for Counselling
Authors:   Beatrice Olawumi
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis study examines how undergraduates’ involvement in entrepreneurial opportunities and co-curricular activities affects their attitudes to academic work, and the place of counselling in resolving the conflict of interest experienced among the students. Many undergraduate students dabble into entrepreneurial activities without considering their impacts on their academic work. A lot of undergraduates have exchanged their academic work for business, and this has jeopardized their academic integrity. One hundred undergraduate students were sampled from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko using a questionnaire titled ‘Entrepreneurial Questionnaire’. Descriptive sample technique was used, and the data was analysed using chi square analysis. Four hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The four hypotheses tested were rejected. The results imply that there is significant relationship between undergraduates’ involvement in entrepreneurial activities attitude to academic work. There is significant relationship between involvement of male and female in entrepreneurial activities. Co-curricular and entrepreneurial activities were significantly related. Counselling strategies were recommended to help undergraduates to understand the fact that academic integrity is an important University value, and also that undergraduates can involve in entrepreneurial activities during vacation period to avoid conflict of interest with their academic work.