bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-Impact Political Science Internships in a “Low-Density Opportunity” Environment
Authors: Anderson Brian 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTInternship placements located away from capital cities and metropolitan areas may lack opportunities for involvement in high-profile issues but they can uphold standards of “high-impact educational practice” (Kuh 2008). This study of 59 political science interns at the Mississippi University for Women demonstrates that high-impact outcomes may be generated in small-city placements that include administrative tasks if students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and recommend improvements. Students not only extract information from their experiences for academic assignments, they also appraise the effectiveness of the work unit in attaining its goals and they formulate means by which it may improve procedures and outcomes. The scale of operations in small-city environments broadens the options for this type of analysis: exposure to a wide scope of decision processes and results is preferred to a focus on a specialized task.
Satire and Efficacy in the Political Science Classroom
Authors: Glazier Rebecca A. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTPolitical satire has become increasingly prominent in recent years, leading some political science instructors to use satire in their courses. Yet, recent work suggests that political satire may encourage cynicism and decrease political efficacy. In this article, the author develops and tests an approach to teaching effectively with satire. Frequent use, source diversity, and critical evaluation engage students while allaying satire’s potential detrimental effects. The author evaluates this pedagogical approach through a classroom experiment using both in-person and online classes (student N = 163). Qualitative and quantitative data offer suggestive evidence that refutes the warning that satire fundamentally depresses political efficacy and indicates that students enjoy satire and endorse its use. By deliberately using diverse satirical sources, instructors can maximize the benefits of satire while minimizing potential drawbacks. For interested instructors, the author’s website contains a searchable catalog of satirical articles, video clips, and cartoons that can be used to teach specific political science concepts.
Teaching Canadian Politics and Foreign Policy Onsite: Benefits and Challenges
Authors: McCormick James M. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThis article discusses the benefits and challenges of offering an onsite seminar on Canadian politics and foreign policy and assesses how this format contributes to achieving the goals of the 2011 APSA report,Teaching Political Science in the 21st Century. First, the author describes the development and requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Global Seminar series at Iowa State University, the structure of the seminar, and its operation in Ottawa. Second, several of the pedagogical and experiential benefits, as well as the challenges, for making the seminar successful are identified and discussed. Third, by weighing these benefits and challenges, the author concludes that such a seminar has the potential to serve as an effective model for increasing an understanding of Canadian politics among American students, as well as to meet several important recommendations for improving the teaching of political science today.
Is Federalism Still the “Dark Continent” of Political Science Teaching? Yes and No
Authors: Kincaid John , Cole Richard L. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTFederalism is a core principle of American government; yet, how much attention is given to federalism beyond introductory courses? A 1969 study described American federalism as the “dark continent” of political science teaching. Based on surveys of chairs of US departments of political science and members of the APSA’s section on federalism and intergovernmental relations in 2013, the authors found that these course offerings have increased markedly since 1969, that the courses cover a range of topics, and that many department chairs are interested in offering these courses in the future. However, the teaching of comparative federalism lags far behind American federalism. Thus, comparative federalism remains a “dark continent” of federalism teaching.
SKN-1 and Nrf2 couples proline catabolism with lipid metabolism during nutrient deprivation
Authors: Pang Shanshan , Lynn Dana A. , Lo Jacqueline Y. , Paek Jennifer , Curran Sean P. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractMechanisms that coordinate different metabolic pathways, such as glucose and lipid, have been recognized. However, a potential interaction between amino acid and lipid metabolism remains largely elusive. Here we show that during starvation of Caenorhabditis elegans, proline catabolism is coupled with lipid metabolism by SKN-1. Mutation of alh-6, a conserved proline catabolic enzyme, accelerates fat mobilization, enhances the expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and reduces survival in response to fasting. This metabolic coordination is mediated by the activation of the transcription factor SKN-1/Nrf2, possibly due to the accumulation of the alh-6 substrate P5C, and also requires the transcriptional co-regulator MDT-15. Constitutive activation of SKN-1 induces a similar transcriptional response, which protects animals from fat accumulation when fed a high carbohydrate diet. In human cells, an orthologous alh-6 enzyme, ALDH4A1, is also linked to the activity of Nrf2, the human orthologue of SKN-1, and regulates the expression of lipid metabolic genes. Our findings identify a link between proline catabolism and lipid metabolism, and uncover a physiological role for SKN-1 in metabolism.
Single-molecule diffusion and conformational dynamics by spatial integration of temporal fluctuations
Authors: Serag Maged F. , Abadi Maram , Habuchi Satoshi 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSingle-molecule localization and tracking has been used to translate spatiotemporal information of individual molecules to map their diffusion behaviours. However, accurate analysis of diffusion behaviours and including other parameters, such as the conformation and size of molecules, remain as limitations to the method. Here, we report a method that addresses the limitations of existing single-molecular localization methods. The method is based on temporal tracking of the cumulative area occupied by molecules. These temporal fluctuations are tied to molecular size, rates of diffusion and conformational changes. By analysing fluorescent nanospheres and double-stranded DNA molecules of different lengths and topological forms, we demonstrate that our cumulative-area method surpasses the conventional single-molecule localization method in terms of the accuracy of determined diffusion coefficients. Furthermore, the cumulative-area method provides conformational relaxation times of structurally flexible chains along with diffusion coefficients, which together are relevant to work in a wide spectrum of scientific fields.
Diversity in ATP concentrations in a single bacterial cell population revealed by quantitative single-cell imaging
Authors: Yaginuma Hideyuki , Kawai Shinnosuke , Tabata Kazuhito V. , Tomiyama Keisuke , Kakizuka Akira , Komatsuzaki Tamiki , Noji Hiroyuki , Imamura Hiromi 
Published: October 2014

AbstractRecent advances in quantitative single-cell analysis revealed large diversity in gene expression levels between individual cells, which could affect the physiology and/or fate of each cell. In contrast, for most metabolites, the concentrations were only measureable as ensemble averages of many cells. In living cells, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a critically important metabolite that powers many intracellular reactions. Quantitative measurement of the absolute ATP concentration in individual cells has not been achieved because of the lack of reliable methods. In this study, we developed a new genetically-encoded ratiometric fluorescent ATP indicator “QUEEN”, which is composed of a single circularly-permuted fluorescent protein and a bacterial ATP binding protein. Unlike previous FRET-based indicators, QUEEN was apparently insensitive to bacteria growth rate changes. Importantly, intracellular ATP concentrations of numbers of bacterial cells calculated from QUEEN fluorescence were almost equal to those from firefly luciferase assay. Thus, QUEEN is suitable for quantifying the absolute ATP concentration inside bacteria cells. Finally, we found that, even for a genetically-identical Escherichia coli cell population, absolute concentrations of intracellular ATP were significantly diverse between individual cells from the same culture, by imaging QUEEN signals from single cells.
Fully integrated four‐input combining receiver front‐end circuit for laser radar with static unitary detector
Authors: Lee Eun‐Gyu , An Jongsun , Kim Choul‐Young 
Published: October 2014

A fully integrated four‐input combining receiver front‐end circuit is designed in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology for laser radar with a static unitary detector (STUD). This circuit consists of four independent transimpedance amplifiers, one signal combiner, a balun and an output buffer in one single integrated chip. The circuit provides 16.2 mW power consumption for a 1.8 V supplied voltage and 59.8 dBΩ transimpedance gain in the implemented experimental prototype for electrical pulse measurement. The fabricated prototype is worked exactly the same as the operation principle of the STUD in the two‐dimensional optical pulse scanning measurement. Therefore, the proposed circuit is available for the STUD‐based laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system as one integrated chip. This is the first demonstrated IC for the STUD‐based laser radar system.
Spatial Behaviour of Cats in Cue-Controlled Environments
Authors: Poucet Bruno 
Published: October 2014

Two groups of six cats were subjected to a spatial learning task in cross-mazes that differed only in the spatial relationship between the goal and the single available visual cue. When this cue was remote from the goal (“mapping situation”), the cats did not need more testing days to reach the learning criterion than when it was above the goal (“guidance situation”). Additional behavioural data gave evidence of two information-gathering strategies within each group: the first consisted of taking the relevant information from the starting point; the second was to choose the correct path from the central choice-point. These strategies were discussed in the light of O'Keefe and Nadel's theory (1978) concerning two spatial behaviours, mapping and route-following. The results of a second experiment showed that the cats subjected to the mapping situation were markedly less affected than those subjected to the guidance situation by a delay introduced between the moment when the relevant cue was still available and the moment when the subjects were allowed to run to the goal. In a third experiment, it was shown that only cats that were seen as choosing their path from the starting point during learning (Experiment 1) succeeded in using short-cuts: subjects that chose from the central choicepoint needed to pass through this place when a shorter path was available. These results show that the processes involved in spatial behaviours may be characterized by taking into account some of the behavioural components. Furthermore, the properties of these processes can be assessed with additional experiments, such as delayed-reaction tasks and short-cutting tests.
A Socio-Technical, Probabilistic Risk Assessment Model for Surgical Site Infections in Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Authors: Bish Ebru K. , El-Amine Hadi , Steighner Laura A. , Slonim Anthony D. 
Published: October 2014

Background.To understand how structural and process elements may affect the risk for surgical site infections (SSIs) in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) environment, the researchers employed a tool known as socio-technical probabilistic risk assessment (ST-PRA). ST-PRA is particularly helpful for estimating risks in outcomes that are very rare, such as the risk of SSI in ASCs.Objective.Study objectives were to (1) identify the risk factors associated with SSIs resulting from procedures performed at ASCs and (2) design an intervention to mitigate the likelihood of SSIs for the most common risk factors that were identified by the ST-PRA for a particular surgical procedure.Methods.ST-PRA was used to study the SSI risk in the ASC setting. Both quantitative and qualitative data sources were utilized, and sensitivity analysis was performed to ensure the robustness of the results.Results.The event entitled “fail to protect the patient effectively” accounted for 51.9% of SSIs in the ambulatory care setting. Critical components of this event included several failure risk points related to skin preparation, antibiotic administration, staff training, proper response to glove punctures during surgery, and adherence to surgical preparation rules related to the wearing of jewelry, watches, and artificial nails. Assuming a 75% reduction in noncompliance on any combination of 2 of these 5 components, the risk for an SSI decreased from 0.0044 to between 0.0027 and 0.0035.Conclusion.An intervention that targeted the 5 major components of the major risk point was proposed, and its implications were discussed.
Regional Variation in Urinary Catheter Use and Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection: Results from a National Collaborative
Authors: Greene M. Todd , Fakih Mohamad G. , Fowler Karen E. , Meddings Jennifer , Ratz David , Safdar Nasia , Olmsted Russell N. , Saint Sanjay 
Published: October 2014

Objective.To examine regional variation in the use and appropriateness of indwelling urinary catheters and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).Design and Setting.Cross-sectional study.Participants.US acute care hospitals.Methods.Hospitals were divided into 4 regions according to the US Census Bureau. Baseline data on urinary catheter use, catheter appropriateness, and CAUTI were collected from participating units. The catheter utilization ratio was calculated by dividing the number of catheter-days by the number of patient-days. We used the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definition (number of CAUTIs per 1,000 catheter-days) and a population-based definition (number of CAUTIs per 10,000 patient-days) to calculate CAUTI rates. Logistic and Poisson regression models were used to assess regional differences.Results.Data on 434,207 catheter-days over 1,400,770 patient-days were collected from 1,101 units within 726 hospitals across 34 states. Overall catheter utilization was 31%. Catheter utilization was significantly higher in non-intensive care units (ICUs) in the West compared with non-ICUs in all other regions. Approximately 30%–40% of catheters in non-ICUs were placed without an appropriate indication. Catheter appropriateness was the lowest in the West. A total of 1,099 CAUTIs were observed (NHSN rate of 2.5 per 1,000 catheter-days and a population-based rate of 7.8 per 10,000 patient-days). The population-based CAUTI rate was highest in the West (8.9 CAUTIs per 10,000 patient-days) and was significantly higher compared with the Midwest, even after adjusting for hospital characteristics (P = .02).Conclusions.Regional differences in catheter use, appropriateness, and CAUTI rates were detected across US hospitals.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare-Associated Infections in the United States, 2009–2011
Authors: Bakullari Anila , Metersky Mark L. , Wang Yun , Eldridge Noel , Eckenrode Sheila , Pandolfi Michelle M. , Jaser Lisa , Galusha Deron , Moy Ernest 
Published: October 2014

Background.Little is known about racial and ethnic disparities in the occurrence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitalized patients.Objective.To determine whether racial/ethnic disparities exist in the rate of occurrence of HAIs captured in the Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System (MPSMS).Methods.Chart-abstracted MPSMS data from randomly selected all-payer hospital discharges of adult patients (18 years old or above) between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011, for 3 common medical conditions: acute cardiovascular disease (composed of acute myocardial infarction and heart failure), pneumonia, and major surgery for 6 HAI measures (hospital-acquired antibiotic-associated Clostridium difficile, central line-associated bloodstream infections, postoperative pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and ventilator-associated pneumonia).Results.The study sample included 79,019 patients who had valid racial/ethnic information divided into 6 racial/ethnic groups—white non-Hispanic (n = 62,533), black non-Hispanic (n = 9,693), Hispanic (n = 4,681), Asian (n = 1,225), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (n = 94), and other (n = 793)—who were at risk for at least 1 HAI. The occurrence rate for HAIs was 1.1% for non-Hispanic white patients, 1.3% for non-Hispanic black patients, 1.5% for Hispanic patients, 1.8% for Asian patients, 1.7% for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients, and 0.70% for other patients. Compared with white patients, the age/gender/comorbidity-adjusted odds ratios of occurrence of HAIs were 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-1.23), 1.3 (95% CI, 1.15-1.53), 1.4 (95% CI, 1.07-1.75), and 0.7 (95% CI, 0.40-1.12) for black, Hispanic, Asian, and a combined group of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and other patients, respectively.Conclusions.Among patients hospitalized with acute cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, and major surgery, Asian and Hispanic patients had significantly higher rates of HAIs than white non-Hispanic patients.
The Association between Age, Sex, and Hospital-Acquired Infection Rates: Results from the 2009-2011 National Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System
Authors: Eckenrode Sheila , Bakullari Anila , Metersky Mark L. , Wang Yun , Pandolfi Michelle M. , Galusha Deron , Jaser Lisa , Eldridge Noel 
Published: October 2014

Objective.To define the relationships between age, sex and hospital-acquired infection (HAI) rates in a national cohort of hospitalized patients.Methods.Analysis of chart-abstracted Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System data from randomly selected medical records of patients hospitalized between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011, for acute cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, or major surgery associated with 1 of 6 HAIs. Patients were stratified into 6 groups. We then analyzed the association of age, sex, and 2 outcomes; the rate of occurrence of HAI for patients who were at risk and the rate of patients having at least 1 HAI.Results.Among 85,461 patients, all groups except younger female surgical patients had higher catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates than male patients. After adjustment for comorbidities, there was no overall evidence of higher HAI rates among elderly patients. In patients with acute cardiovascular disease, women had higher rates of HAIs. Among patients with pneumonia, there was no significant difference in the rate of HAIs among most age and sex groups. Among surgical patients, all age and sex groups had a significantly higher adjusted rate of developing at least 1 HAI except females 65 years of age or older. Similar results were seen for the outcome of the occurrence rate of HAIs.Conclusions.There was not an overall increased risk of HAIs among older patients hospitalized for acute cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, and major surgery after adjustment for comorbidities. The relationship between sex and the rate of HAIs varied depending upon the underlying acute reason for hospitalization.
Meta-Analysis
Authors: Littell Julia H. 
Published: October 2014

Meta-analysis is widely used in the social, behavioral, and medical sciences to combine results of multiple studies and produce relevant information for clinical practice and social policy. It is most often used to synthesize quantitative data on treatment effects, but it has many potential applications. Meta-analysis includes a set of techniques for quantitative data synthesis that can (and should) be performed in the context of systematic efforts to minimize bias at each step in the research review process (see Systematic Reviews). Without careful efforts to eliminate bias, meta-analysis can lead to wrong conclusions.
Sex differences in risk perception in deep‐diving bottlenose dolphins leads to decreased foraging efficiency when exposed to human disturbance
Authors: Symons John , Pirotta Enrico , Lusseau David 
Published: October 2014

Summary

Individuals make behavioural decisions by weighing potential advantages and costs (e.g. increased food intake vs. increased risk of predation). When animals change their activities in response to a perceived threat, their energetic input may decline. Marine ecotourism, including whale and dolphin watching, is growing globally and cetaceans perceive interactions with tour vessels as a form of risk. Observable behavioural changes need to be linked to bioenergetic effects to determine the potential population consequences of this disturbance.

We developed a theoretical optimal dive model for bottlenose dolphins under three potential types of perceived risk resulting from human interactions at the surface (decreasing instantaneous risk, increasing instantaneous risk and no risk). We compared the predictions of these theoretical models to observed dive cycles of foraging male and female dolphins in the presence and absence of tour vessels. We used mixture models to classify dive types and mixed effects models to analyse changes in the interbreath interval of surface and bottom dives and the frequency of estimated bottom dives.

Males significantly increased bottom time and performed fewer bottom dives when boats were present, matching predictions of our theoretical model for perceived decreasing instantaneous risk. In contrast, females significantly decreased bottom times and increased the frequency of bottom dives, matching predictions from the model for perceived increasing instantaneous risk. Therefore, our empirical results suggest differences in the perception of risk between sexes.

Synthesis and applications. By comparing theoretical predictions with observed dive data, our study suggests that boat interactions during foraging can cause decreased net energy gain over a foraging bout for both sexes, with females being more impacted. The population under study is currently listed as critically endangered. Understanding whether these predicted energetic impacts affect an individual's vital rates will provide a link to the population‐level consequences of this disturbance. Previous analytical approaches have failed to capture the costs associated with disturbance during foraging, leading to management recommendations that only protect animals from increased energetic expenditure. We suggest that the current management scheme should be revised to include foraging areas in order to secure the energy intake of animals.