bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Undergraduate student information self-efficacy and library intervention
Authors: Tang Yingqi , Tseng Hungwei 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate undergraduate student information self-efficacy to find out how much the students learned from library instruction classes and to determine whether information seeking skills can be developed with a library instruction class.

Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research method was conducted to collect survey data and to perform statistical analysis. A Web-based survey was distributed to undergraduate students who were enrolled in the Fall term of 2014. In all, 98 students completed the survey.

Findings
The study reported that undergraduate students’ capability of information finding, retrieving, analyzing, evaluating and presenting were on and above medium level (M = 3.40). They reported higher skills in information evaluation and information objects and types but lower skills in using catalog/database and organizing/synthesizing information. Students in the multiple library instruction group showed a significantly higher information self-efficacy. One-single instruction has a limited effect on improving information seeking skills.

Research limitations/implications
The number of students who participated in library instruction classes was relatively low. More data need to be collected to give credence to the findings in the future, and data collected from individual class would yield more accurate result.

Originality/value
This study extends the literature on information literacy and library instruction. The findings suggest that information literacy instruction should go beyond the one-session mode and should offer hands-on practices that will foster students’ critical thinking behavior more effectively.
Export promotion programmes and export performance
Authors: Quaye Daniel M. , Sekyere Kwame Ntim , Acheampong George 
Published: October 2017

PurposeMany nations now engage in economic promotion of their countries in foreign countries. One major aspect of this activity is export promotions. This paper aims to understand the relationship between export promotional activity participation and export performance by Ghanaian manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachThe list of manufacturing exporters was obtained from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, and the convenience and snowballing approach was used to reach and administer research instrument. The relationship between export promotion and performance was estimated using a multiple regression.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that exporters should implement specific export promotion programmes if they want to enhance export performance and become successful. The findings of this study show that the programmes that have a strong positive relationship with export performance are trade fairs, foreign offices and tax and financial incentives.Originality/valueThe results of this study contribute to the international entrepreneurship literature in several ways. First, findings from this study contribute to the limited literature on exports in developing countries such as Ghana. Again, the study framework provides assistance to assess and monitor emerging trends in export promotion strategies. Also, export promotion, as a whole, provides a framework in which firms formulate strategies, allocates resources and seeks opportunities in a coordinated way. Finally, in the international marketplace, firms need to maintain their competitive edge, and it is important to operate efficiently and effectively using an appropriate export promotional strategy.
Stable isotope tracers reveal a trade‐off between reproduction and immunity in a reptile with competing needs
Authors: Durso Andrew M. , French Susannah S. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Trade‐offs between the reproductive and immune systems are predicted when resources are limited, but are difficult to measure.

We used 15N‐labelled amino acids to directly compare protein allocation by lizards to eggs and healing wounds.

We showed that these two demands compete for the same resource, and that the ratio of protein allocation between them was related to body size, reproductive stage and plasma corticosterone levels.

On average, rates of leucine deposition into eggs (0.022 μg/day) were an order of magnitude greater than those into scabs (0.002 μg/day), similar to leucine excretion rates (0.027 μg/day), and about half as large as leucine egestion rates (0.054 μg/day).

We found that earlier reproductive stages and greater amounts of stored energy, but not manipulated food availability or the amount of food consumed, increased the absolute and relative allocation of protein to self‐maintenance.

We provide direct evidence for amino acid trade‐offs between reproduction and wound healing.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Are exotic plants more abundant in the introduced versus native range?
Authors: Pearson Dean E. , Eren Özkan , Ortega Yvette K. , Villarreal Diego , Şentürk Muhyettin , Miguel M. Florencia , Weinzettel C. Miguel , Prina Aníbal , Hierro José L. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Many invasion hypotheses postulate that introducing species to novel environments allows some organisms to escape population controls within the native range to attain higher abundance in the introduced range. However, introductions may also allow inherently successful species access to new regions where they may flourish without increasing in abundance.

To examine these hypotheses, we randomly surveyed semi‐arid grasslands in the native and two introduced ranges (12,000–21,000 km2 per range) to quantify local abundance (mean cover per occupied plot) and occurrence (percentage of 1‐m2 plots occupied) for 20 plant introductions that included pest and non‐pest species. For each of these metrics, we evaluated relationships between abundance in the introduced vs. native range (1) across all species and (2) according to designated pest status in the introduced range. We predicted that if escape from population controls primarily explained invader success, then these species would be more abundant in the introduced range; while if invader success was driven primarily by intrinsic species attributes, then their abundance would be correlated between ranges.

Across all 20 invaders, we found that neither cover nor occurrence metrics were correlated between ranges. While cover was significantly higher in the introduced range, this result was driven by pest species. When the four pest species were excluded, cover but not occurrence was correlated between ranges. Interestingly, whereas cover of pest and non‐pest species was comparably low in the native range, pest species cover increased sevenfold in the introduced range.

Synthesis. Our results confirm previous findings that local abundance in the native range predicts local abundance in the introduced range for many introduced plants, suggesting that intrinsic species’ attributes may determine most invasion outcomes. However, we also found that some species increased in local abundance in the introduced range, suggesting that changes in biogeographic context may also play an important role. While these latter species were pests, the small sample size precluded strong inferences. Determining what underlies the success of invasive pests remains elusive due to their low representation among introduced species.
Biotic homogenization of regional wetland plant communities within short time‐scales in the presence of an aggressive invader
Authors: Price Edward P. F. , Spyreas Greg , Matthews Jeffrey W. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Biotic homogenization (BH), a process by which β‐diversity erodes, represents a severe threat to biodiversity. Wetland plant communities may be especially susceptible to BH; however, this process has rarely been quantified and represents just one of many possible outcomes of compositional change. Likewise, few studies have used more than two timepoints to investigate BH as a dynamic temporal process.

To address these issues, we quantified changes in β‐diversity amongst 48 herbaceous emergent wetlands across a landscape over four timepoints from 1997 to 2015. Pairwise occurrence‐ and abundance‐based dissimilarity metrics were used to quantify β‐diversity. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling was used to map these changes in compositional similarity through time, and repeated measures ANOVA via randomization was used to test for a significant effect of time on β‐diversity.

Results indicated that herbaceous emergent wetlands homogenized in Illinois over 15 years due to the increased presence and abundance of Phalaris arundinacea and the decline of several other species. Temporal dynamics of β‐diversity differed between occurrence‐ and abundance‐based analyses.

Synthesis. Using both presence–absence and abundance data to investigate BH helped avoid underestimating the impact of BH on β‐diversity, and drew attention to different temporal dynamics in β‐diversity at these two resolutions of community structure. This study highlights challenges associated with investigating BH, such as problems documenting the process where homogenization is not occurring in every site in a region, or where sites are converging towards more than one homogenized state. Incorporating concepts like alternative stable states may be helpful in resolving these issues, and present a more realistic picture of ecological change.
Evaluation of total phenol content and antioxidant properties of encapsulated grape seed extract in yoghurt
Authors: Yadav Kanta , Bajaj Rajesh Kumar , Mandal Surajit , Saha Priti , Mann Bimlesh 
Published: October 2017

The effect of encapsulated (En) and nonencapsulated (NE) grape seed extract (GSE) at 1% level added to milk before its fermentation was evaluated on the physicochemical properties, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the resulting yoghurt. Encapsulated GSE resulted in a product comparable to the control, based on sensory properties, acidity, water‐holding capacity, viscosity and colour, along with a threefold increase in total phenolic content and fourfold increase in antioxidant activity. The GSE addition resulted in no effect on the viability of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus subsp. delbrueckii counts. The product with NE‐GSE had poor sensory properties and lesser polyphenol stability during storage as compared to En‐GSE yoghurt.
An efficient technique for dairy wastewater treatment
Authors: Davarnejad Reza , Nikseresht Mehrazin , Ajideh Iman 
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to consider the efficiency of the electro‐Fenton process for organic compound reduction in an industrial dairy effluent. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of several parameters, such as reaction time, pH, H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio and volume fraction of H2O2 to dairy wastewater (mL/L), on the process performance. The Taguchi technique was applied to investigate the optimum operating conditions. The optimum chemical oxygen demand removal (93.24%) was experimentally obtained at a pH value of 7.58, reaction time of 87.13, current density of 58.5, H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio of 3.62 and volume fraction of H2O2 to dairy wastewater of 1.39 mL/L.
Antioxidant Capacity In Vitro and In Vivo of Various Ecotypes of Mexican Plum (Spondias purpurea L.)
Authors: Villa‐Hernández Juan Manuel , Mendoza‐Cardoso Gabriela , Mendoza‐Espinoza José Alberto , Vela‐Hinojosa Cristián , Díaz de León‐Sánchez Fernando , Rivera‐Cabrera Fernando , Alia‐Tejacal Irán , Pérez‐Flores Laura J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSpondias purpurea L. is a fruit native to Mexico, however, it is found as far away as Brazil. It possesses a high commercial potential owing to its sensorial and nutritional qualities and its low cost of production. There exists a variety of ecotypes that have not been characterized and their adequate selection process, according to their strongest functional characteristics, will allow the establishment of improvement programs for this genetic resource. The object of this study was the chemical characterization and the determination of the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacity of 7 Spondias purpurea L. ecotypes. Differences were observed in the antioxidant capacity and the content of functional compounds among all the ecotypes analyzed. A high total phenolic content and a low flavonoid and carotenoid content were found, both in the epicarp and in the pulp. In each ecotype, the hydrophilic phase presented up to 40 times greater antioxidant capacity compared to the lipophilic phase. The hydrophilic phase of the epicarp of “Costeña Tierra Colorada” had the greatest antioxidant capacity and highest total phenolic content, whereas “Jocote” presented the lowest antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. A positive correlation was observed between phenol levels and the antioxidant capacity in the epicarp. Regarding antioxidant activity in vivo, it was observed that in all analyzed concentrations of hydrophilic extracts of the epicarp of “Costeña Tierra Colorada” and in the highest “Jocote” concentrations, they provided thermo‐protection against heat stress as well as a general well‐being to the worm as evidenced by their high mobility.
First use of Micro Vascular Plugs in Australia: Endovascular treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Barrett Liat , Brown Nicholas I , Joseph Varghese Pynadath 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThis report describes the first Australian experience with the Micro Vascular Plug System (MVP), as a permanent embolic device for the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). MVPs deployed in small vessels between 2 mm and 5 mm are demonstrated to be feasible, safe and effective treatment for PAVMs.
Therapeutic bronchoscopy vs. standard of care in acute respiratory failure: a systematic review
Authors: Ellekjaer K. L. , Meyhoff T. S. , Møller M. H. 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundWe aimed to assess patient‐important benefits and harms of therapeutic bronchoscopy vs. standard of care (no bronchoscopy) in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF).MethodsWe conducted a systematic review with meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) according to the Cochrane Handbook and GRADE methodology, including a predefined protocol (PROSPERO no. CRD42016046235). We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing therapeutic bronchoscopy to standard of care in critically ill patients with ARF. Two reviewers independently assessed trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by conventional meta‐analysis. The risk of random errors was assessed by TSA. Exclusively patient‐important outcomes were evaluated.ResultsWe included five trials (n = 212); all were judged as having high risk of bias. There was no difference in all‐cause mortality between therapeutic bronchoscopy and standard of care (TSA adjusted RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.14 to 1.07; I2 0%), and only 3% of the required information size had been accrued. There was no difference in ICU length of stay. A shorter duration of mechanical ventilation was suggested by conventional meta‐analysis, however TSA highlighted that only 42% of the required information size had been accrued, indicating high risk of random errors. No trials reported data on adverse events, hospital length of stay, quality of life or performance status.ConclusionsThe quantity and quality of evidence supporting therapeutic bronchoscopy in critically ill patients with ARF is very low with no firm evidence for benefit or harm.
Intensive care admissions due to poisoning
Authors: Lindqvist E. , Edman G. , Hollenberg J. , Nordberg P. , Ösby U. , Forsberg S. 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundPoisoning represents a significant part of admissions to intensive care units. The aim of this nationwide study was to describe recent national quality register data of demographics and mortality for these patients.MethodA retrospective national observational study including all patients over 19 years admitted to an ICU in Sweden, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011, with an ICD‐10 code for poisoning. The data were collected from three national registers (The Swedish Intensive Care Register, The National Patient Register, and The Cause of Death Register).ResultsThe incidence of ICU‐treated poisonings was 43/100,000. Twenty‐one per cent (n = 8155) of all poisoned patients seeking medical care were admitted to the ICU. Their median age was 38 years (q1–q3: 26–51), as many men as women and 46.5% (n = 3790) had a previous registered poisoning. A mix of different substances was the most common type of suspected poisoning (29.7%, n = 2424). The in‐hospital mortality was 1.9% and was correlated to invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 6.91 CI 95% 4.59–10.42), age > 40 (OR 4.54 CI 95% 2.86–7.21) and no previous hospitalisation for poisoning (OR 3.23 CI 95% 2.06–5.07). For 78.3% (n = 119) of the deceased patients, the fatal poisoning was their first diagnosed poisoning. The 30‐day mortality was 2.7%, a majority died from poisoning (P < 0.01).ConclusionIn Sweden, patients treated in the ICU due to poisoning represent a fifth of all poisoned patients seeking medical care. Older men with no previous poisoning were considered a high‐risk group.
Alcohol Feeding in Mice Promotes Colonic Hyperpermeability and Changes in Colonic Organoid Stem Cell Fate
Authors: Forsyth Christopher B. , Shaikh Maliha , Bishehsari Faraz , Swanson Garth , Voigt Robin M. , Dodiya Hemraj , Wilkinson Peter , Samelco Beata , Song Shiwen , Keshavarzian Ali 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundAlcohol increases intestinal permeability to proinflammatory microbial products that promote liver disease, even after a period of sobriety. We sought to test the hypothesis that alcohol affects intestinal stem cells using an in vivo model and ex vivo organoids generated from jejunum and colon from mice fed chronic alcohol.MethodsMice were fed a control or an alcohol diet. Intestinal permeability, liver steatosis–inflammation, and stool short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured. Jejunum and colonic organoids and tissue were stained for stem cell, cell lineage, and apical junction markers with assessment of mRNA by PCR and RNA‐seq. ChIP‐PCR analysis was carried out for Notch1 using an antibody specific for acetylated histone 3.ResultsAlcohol‐fed mice exhibited colonic (but not small intestinal) hyperpermeability, steatohepatitis, and decreased butyrate/total SCFA ratio in stool. Stem cell, cell lineage, and apical junction marker staining in tissue or organoids from jejunum tissue were not impacted by alcohol. Only chromogranin A (Chga) was increased in jejunum organoids by qPCR. However, colonic tissue and organoid staining exhibited an alcohol‐induced significant decrease in cytokeratin 20+ (Krt20+) absorptive lineage enterocytes, a decrease in occludin and E‐cadherin apical junction proteins, an increase in Chga, and an increase in the Lgr5 stem cell marker. qPCR revealed an alcohol‐induced decrease in colonic organoid and tissue Notch1, Hes1, and Krt20 and increased Chga, supporting an alteration in stem cell fate due to decreased Notch1 expression. Colonic tissue ChIP‐PCR revealed alcohol feeding suppressed Notch1 mRNA expression (via deacetylation of histone H3) and decreased Notch1 tissue staining.ConclusionsData support a model for alcohol‐induced colonic hyperpermeability via epigenetic effects on Notch1, and thus Hes1, suppression through a mechanism involving histone H3 deacetylation at the Notch1 locus. This decreased enterocyte and increased enteroendocrine cell colonic stem cell fate and decreased apical junctional proteins leading to hyperpermeability.
Microdissection testicular sperm extraction in Finland – results of the first 100 patients
Authors: Klami Rauni , Mankonen Harri , Perheentupa Antti 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionTesticular microdissection sperm extraction (MD‐TESE) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has made biological fatherhood possible for many men with the most severe form of male infertility, non‐obstructive azoospermia. MD‐TESE was introduced in Turku in 2008, and by 2015, 100 Finnish men with non‐obstructive azoospermia have been operated on.Material and methodsThe average age of the men was 33 years at the time of surgery. Forty‐eight had a needle biopsy previously and 56% had a testicular size <15 mL. The most common diagnoses were idiopathic (n = 65), Klinefelter syndrome (n = 15), operated cryptorchidism or torsion (n = 10), and Y chromosome microdeletion (n = 7). The pregnancy outcomes were followed.ResultsThe sperm recovery rate (SRR) overall was 42%: 31% for idiopathic non‐obstructive azoospermia, 40% for Klinefelter syndrome, 57% for Y chromosome microdeletion AZFc, 90% for previous testicular surgery (mostly for cryptorchidism; n = 10) and 67% for previous cytotoxic treatment (n = 3). SRR with histopathologic diagnosis Sertoli‐cell‐only was 29%, and 44% for spermatogenic arrest. Age did not affect the outcome of the surgery. Small testicular size seemed to predict a higher SRR. A previous needle biopsy did not predict a lower SRR. Surgical complications were rare. Of couples, 32 had at least one ICSI attempt, and 22 at least one live birth, giving a cumulative live birth rate of 69%. No major pregnancy complications occurred.ConclusionsOur SRR is comparable with international results, and the cumulative live birth rate similar to other ICSI indications in Finland. Physicians and specialists need to be made aware of new treatment options to enable biological fatherhood for men with non‐obstructive azoospermia.
Ontogenetic allometry of the digital rays of the leopard gecko (Gekkota: Eublepharidae; Eublepharis macularius)
Authors: Powell George Lawrence , Osgood Geoffrey J. , Russell Anthony P. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe role of allometry in producing the variation in autopodial morphology observed among the lizards is not well understood. Allometry of metapodial and digit lengths in the manus and pes of the primitively padless gekkotan (Eublepharis macularius) is explored using maximum‐likelihood repeated‐measures ANCOVAs with body length as the covariate. Estimated variance–covariance matrices differed significantly within and between autopodia, and integration was stronger among the metapodials than the digits. The first metapodial and the first digit of each autopodium exhibit the strongest covariances with each of the remaining components in each variance–covariance matrix, suggesting that the lengths of the first rays are important for allometric integration of both manus and pes. Metapodials scale isometrically and digits negatively allometrically; both display allometric heterogeneity among themselves in both autopodia. Both autopodia exhibit changes in proportion over the ontogenetic size range, attributable to variation in scaling among the components of the rays. Allometric coefficients do not vary among pedal digits, despite differences in phalanx number, although phalanx number is associated with differences in slope in the manual digits. This is suggestive of heterogeneity in allometry among the manual phalanges, which thus may be associated with variation in phalanx length within gekkotan digits.