bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facilities management practices in the Nigerian public universities
Authors: Odediran Sunday Julius , Gbadegesin Job Taiwo , Babalola Mujidat Olubola 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the diffusion of facilities management (FM) as a sustainable tool to facility performance within the perspective of public universities in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approach– A review of the literature reveals the practices of FM in both the educational and institutional buildings. Factors influencing the practices and strategies for sustaining facilities condition were evaluated. Data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire administered on both the technical and managerial officers in charge of FM in Nigeria public universities. Data collected were subjected to both the descriptive and inferential statistical tools.Findings– The FM practice in the Nigeria public universities is found to be lagging behind private sector experience, despite the significant benefits of FM to learning process. In particular, passive actions are being taken to manage facilities, even when most are obsolete and deteriorated. Critical challenges to FM practice are low level of technology, poor funding and poor policy implementation. Outsourcing of technical personnel is essential to ameliorate the conditions of public universities’ facilities in Nigeria.Practical implications– This paper helps policymakers and administrators to know the condition of facilities and understand the FM practice in the Nigerian public universities.Originality/value– Reactive/passive practice is the norm in FM of public universities in Nigeria. However, outsourcing of technical personnel in FM has a great potential for functional facilities in public universities.
An exploratory survey of green supply chain management in Chinese manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Huang Xiangmeng , Tan Boon Leing , Ding Xiaoming 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the pressures and drivers that have been experienced by Chinese manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in terms of green supply chain management (GSCM).

Design/methodology/approach
– The research framework and hypotheses are examined by a questionnaire survey through e-mails conducted in China in 2011. The empirical analysis is based on the data from 202 SME manufacturers in China. Validity and reliability of the items employed in the research is assessed through Cronbach’s α test. Hypotheses for the identification of GSCM pressures and drivers to SMEs as well as the differences that exist among different industrial sectors are tested by adopting descriptive statistics analysis and analysis of variance test.

Findings
– This study finds that Chinese manufacturing SMEs have been under pressures from a variety of sources, including regulations, customers, suppliers and public awareness in terms of GSCM. Besides, internal drivers are also an important encouragement for SMEs to consider GSCM. Moreover, Chinese manufacturing SMEs from different industrial sectors show some differences in experiencing pressures or being motivated by drivers.

Research limitations/implications
– The main limitations to this paper are the relatively small sample of SMEs and the potentially overlooked variables.

Practical implications
– Chinese manufacturing SMEs and their larger customers, as well as governments, are likely to obtain some implications from this study if they are willing to consider any GSCM initiatives throughout the supply chain.

Originality/value
– The paper clearly explores the GSCM pressures and drivers faced by the Chinese manufacturing SMEs where the results may differ from the findings through the studies on large enterprises or SMEs in other national context.
Thermoregulatory behaviour limits local adaptation of thermal niches and confers sensitivity to climate change
Authors: Buckley Lauren B. , Ehrenberger Joseph C. , Angilletta Michael J. 
Published: January 2015

Summary

Thermoregulation buffers environmental variation, which enables a species to persist during climate change but ultimately hinders adaptation of thermal tolerance by weakening selective pressure.

We used a model of optimal thermal physiology to demonstrate how thermoregulatory behaviour limits local adaptation of thermal physiology in a widespread group of lizards, the Sceloporus undulatus complex.

Empirical data for seven populations demonstrates conservatism of thermal tolerance, consistent with the model's prediction in the case of effective thermoregulation. In an eighth population, from a region where thermoregulation should be less effective, we observed greater heat tolerance and poorer cold tolerance, as predicted by our model.

Biophysical modelling indicates that lizards can avoid heat stress through thermoregulation in the coming decades but will ultimately experience an abrupt decline in the effectiveness of thermoregulation. In this scenario, thermoregulators will suffer a greater loss of performance in future climates than thermoconformers will, unless heat tolerance can evolve in a few generations.

Our analyses raises a concern that behavioural plasticity, while beneficial in the short term, will ultimately limit the physiological adaptation required to endure a warming climate.
Preliminary evidence of the effects of high‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on swallowing functions in post‐stroke individuals with chronic dysphagia
Authors: Cheng Ivy K. Y. , Chan Karen M. K. , Wong C. S. , Cheung Raymond T. F. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing evidence of potential benefits of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the rehabilitation of dysphagia. However, the site and frequency of stimulation for optimal effects are not clear.AimsThe aim of this pilot study is to investigate the short‐term effects of high‐frequency 5 Hz rTMS applied to the tongue region of the motor cortex on swallowing functions and the quality of life of post‐stroke individuals with dysphagia.Methods & ProceduresTwo male and two female participants were assigned randomly to active and sham groups. The participants in the active group received 10 sessions of active rTMS for 2 weeks, whereas the sham participants received 10 sessions of sham rTMS for 2 weeks. Each participant received a total of 3000 pulses of 5 Hz active or sham rTMS per day for 10 days. Outcome measures were taken at baseline, 1 week and 1 month post‐rTMS.Outcomes & ResultsParticipants who received active rTMS had improved swallowing functions and swallowing‐related quality of life at 1 week and 1 month post‐stimulation.Conclusions & ImplicationsThe study showed that excitatory rTMS applied over the tongue motor cortex is a feasible approach in individuals with chronic post‐stroke dysphagia. Further investigation with larger sample population is warranted to support the benefit of this stimulation protocol.
Evidence for shared deficits in identifying emotions from faces and from voices in autism spectrum disorders and specific language impairment
Authors: Taylor Lauren J. , Maybery Murray T. , Grayndler Luke , Whitehouse Andrew J. O. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundWhile autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and specific language impairment (SLI) have traditionally been conceptualized as distinct disorders, recent findings indicate that the boundaries between these two conditions are not clear‐cut. While considerable research has investigated overlap in the linguistic characteristics of ASD and SLI, relatively less research has explored possible overlap in the socio‐cognitive domain, particularly in terms of the emotion recognition abilities of these two groups of children.AimsTo investigate facial and vocal emotion recognition in children with ASD, children with SLI and typically developing (TD) children. To do so, the ASD group was subdivided into those with ‘normal’ (ALN) and those with ‘impaired’ (ALI) language to explore the extent to which language ability influenced performance on the emotion recognition task.Methods & ProceduresTwenty‐nine children with ASD (17 ALN and 12 ALI), 18 children with SLI and 66 TD children completed visual and auditory versions of an emotion recognition task. For the visual version of the task, the participants saw photographs of people expressing one of six emotions (happy, sad, scared, angry, surprised, disgusted) on the whole face. For the auditory modality, the participants heard a neutral sentence that conveyed one of the six emotional expressions in the tone of the voice. In both conditions, the children were required to indicate how the person they could see/hear was feeling by selecting a cartoon face that was presented on the computer screen.Outcomes & ResultsThe results showed that all clinical groups were less accurate than the TD children when identifying emotions on the face and in the voice. While the ALN children were less accurate than the TD children only when identifying expressions that require inferring another's mental state (surprise, disgust) emotional expressions, the ALI and the SLI children were less accurate than the TD children when identifying the basic (happy, sad, scared, angry) as well as the inferred emotions.Conclusions & ImplicationsThe results indicate that children with ALI and children with SLI share emotion recognition deficits, which are likely to be driven by the poor language abilities of these two groups.
Comparison of trajectories of self‐monitored glucose levels by hypoglycemia status over 52 weeks of treatment with insulin glargine or exenatide once weekly
Authors: Paul Sanjoy K. , Agbeve Julius , Maggs David , Best Jennie H. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundSelf‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is used as a means to detect and prevent hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes. However, information on the longitudinal measures (trajectory) of SMBG‐based pre‐ and postprandial glucose fluctuations over time in relation to hypoglycemia is limited. Among patients treated with exenatide once weekly (EQW) or insulin glargine (IG), this study compared SMBG profiles over 52 weeks between patients who did and did not experience hypoglycemia.MethodsPooled patient‐level 52‐week longitudinal data of treatment with EQW (n = 531) or IG (n = 219) from three controlled trials were analyzed.ResultsThe proportion of patients with at least one episode of hypoglycemia in the EQW and IG groups was 23% and 54%, respectively. The preprandial glucose measures from SMBG were significantly lower among patients who experienced hypoglycemia in both treatment groups compared with those who did not. In patients who experienced hypoglycemia, the average preprandial glucose levels over 52 weeks were lower by 0.64 and 0.66 mmol/L in the EQW and IG groups, respectively (P < 0.01 in both cases) compared with those without hypoglycemia. The average postprandial levels were not significantly different between patients who did and did not experience hypoglycemia in both treatment groups. Among patients with hypoglycemia, the average prebreakfast glucose trajectory was higher by 0.48 mmol/L in the EQW compared with the IG group.ConclusionsThis study has revealed differential trajectories of pre‐ and postprandial glucose profiles between patients with and without hypoglycemia. However, the SMBG trajectories were similar between patients treated with EQW and IG.
Novel link between prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cholinergic signaling in lung cancer: The role of c‐Jun in PGE2‐induced α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression and tumor cell proliferation
Authors: Zhong XiaoRong , Fan Yu , Ritzenthaler Jeffrey D. , Zhang WenJing , Wang Ke , Zhou QingHua , Roman Jesse 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundCyclooxygenase‐2‐derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates tumor cell growth and progression. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a major mediator of cholinergic signaling in tumor cells. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms by which PGE2 increases non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) proliferation via α7 nAChR induction.MethodsThe effects of PGE2 on α7 nAChR expression, promoter activity, and cell signaling pathways were detected by Western blot analysis, real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and transient transfection assay. The effect of PGE2 on cell growth was determined by cell viability assay.ResultsWe found that PGE2 induced α7 nAChR expression and its promoter activity in NSCLC cells. The stimulatory role of PGE2 on cell proliferation was attenuated by α7 nAChR small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNA) or acetylcholinesterase. PGE2‐induced α7 nAChR expression was blocked by an antagonist of the PGE2 receptor subtype EP4 and by EP4 siRNA. Furthermore, PGE2 enhanced α7 nAChR expression via activation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐K), and protein kinase A (PKA) pathways followed by increased c‐Jun expression, a critical transcription factor. Blockade of c‐Jun diminished the effects of PGE2 on α7 nAChR promoter activity and protein expression, and cell growth.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that PGE2 promotes NSCLC cell growth through increased α7 nAChR expression. This effect is dependent on EP4‐mediated activation of JNK, PI3K, and PKA signals that induce c‐Jun protein expression and α7 nAChR gene promoter activity. Our findings unveil a novel link between prostanoids and cholinergic signaling.
Anatomical and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Tongue in the Meerkat (Suricata suricatta, Schreber, 1776)
Authors: Erdoğan S. , Lima M. , Pérez W. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThis research presents the first anatomical description of the tongue and lingual papillae of the meerkat and compares the different information on the morphology of the other carnivore species. For this purpose, three tongues were used as material. The tongue was elongated with an oval or rounded apex. On the dorsal and ventrolateral surfaces of the tongue, filiform papillae had extent variations in morphology. Papillary body of each filiform papilla on the ventrolateral surface of the lingual body was ramified into 2–5 glovelike projections, and all pointed tips of these projections were directed caudally. On the dorsal lingual surface, each filiform papilla leaned on another without any space and both lateral borders of each filiform papilla included 4–6 small secondary projections or spines. A few rounded fungiform papillae were randomly distributed and embedded among the filiform papillae. On the caudal one‐third of the body, there were two elongated circumvallate papillae. Some superficial fissures and taste pores were detected on the flat surfaces of each circumvallate papilla which was surrounded by a prominent and continuous gustatory groove. On the radix of the tongue, numerous dome‐shaped protuberances of lingual salivary glands beneath the epithelium and one centrally located orificium was very invincible on the convex surface of each protuberance. Anatomical distribution of lingual papillae differed from those of other carnivores and represented morphological adaptation to the food type and feeding habits.
Distribution of astigmatism as a function of age in an Australian population
Authors: Sanfilippo Paul G. , Yazar Seyhan , Kearns Lisa , Sherwin Justin C. , Hewitt Alex W. , Mackey David A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPurposeAstigmatism is a common cause of refractive error and is known to vary in prevalence with age. Although the search for genes associated with spherical refractive errors (especially myopia) has met with limited success, current efforts to identify genetic variants implicated in astigmatism development have been less rewarding. We aimed to assess the association between astigmatism and age to identify appropriate age cut‐offs for maximizing power in genetic studies of astigmatism.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional analysis of right eye astigmatism data from four Australian‐based eye studies comprising 3841 participants aged 5–90 years. Measurements were performed under cycloplegia using an autorefractor, and individuals with a history of cataract, refractive surgery or corneal pathology were excluded from the analysis. In addition to the magnitude and type (against‐the‐rule, with‐the‐rule, and oblique) of astigmatism, we calculated the vector components (J0, J45) and evaluated the association of these outcome measures with age.ResultsThe magnitude of refractive astigmatism (RA) remained relatively stable [mean ± SD (−0.44 D ± 0.50)] until individuals reached the age of 50, thereafter increasing in average magnitude by approximately 1.00 D for those subjects aged 90. In contrast, corneal astigmatism (CA) remained relatively stable from childhood until the age of 80 (−0.76 D ± 0.61). The prevalence of clinically significant RA (≥1.00 D) increased with age and was highest in those aged >70 years [55.1% (47.2–62.7%)]. Age was significantly associated with RA in adults [odds ratio (OR) = 1.04 per 1 year, p < 0.001]. A weaker relationship was observed between CA and age (OR = 1.007 per 1 year, p = 0.02).ConclusionsWe have confirmed the previously documented association between RA and age. Our results indicate that most of the observed change occurs after the age of 50, providing a recommended cut‐off for participants in genetic studies of this refractive condition.
Glucose modulation induces reactive oxygen species and increases P‐glycoprotein‐mediated multidrug resistance to chemotherapeutics
Authors: Seebacher N A , Richardson D R , Jansson P J 
Published: January 2015

Background and PurposeCancer cells develop resistance to stress induced by chemotherapy. In tumours, a considerable glucose gradient exists, resulting in stress. Notably, hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) is a redox‐sensitive transcription factor that regulates P‐glycoprotein (Pgp), a crucial drug‐efflux transporter involved in multidrug resistance (MDR). Here, we investigated how glucose levels regulate Pgp‐mediated drug transport and resistance.Experimental ApproachHuman tumour cells (KB31, KBV1, A549 and DMS‐53) were incubated under glucose starvation to hyperglycaemic conditions. Flow cytometry assessed reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Pgp activity. HIF‐1α, NF‐κB and Pgp expression were assessed by reverse transcriptase‐PCR and Western blotting. Fluorescence microscopy examined p65 distribution and a luciferase‐reporter assay assessed HIF‐1 promoter‐binding activity. The effect of glucose‐induced stress on Pgp‐mediated drug resistance was examined after incubating cells with the chemotherapeutic and Pgp substrate, doxorubicin (DOX), and performing MTT assays validated by viable cell counts.Key ResultsChanges in glucose levels markedly enhanced cellular ROS and conferred Pgp‐mediated drug resistance. Low and high glucose levels increased (i) ROS generation via NADPH oxidase 4 and mitochondrial membrane destabilization; (ii) HIF‐1 activity; (iii) nuclear translocation of the NF‐κB p65 subunit; and (iv) HIF‐1α mRNA and protein levels. Increased HIF‐1α could also be due to decreased prolyl hydroxylase protein under these conditions. The HIF‐1α target, Pgp, was up‐regulated at low and high glucose levels, which led to lower cellular accumulation of Pgp substrate, rhodamine123, and greater resistance to DOX.Conclusions and ImplicationsAs tumour cells become glucose‐deprived or exposed to high glucose levels, this increases stress, leading to a more aggressive MDR phenotype via up‐regulation of Pgp.
Estimation of the Binding Free Energy of AC1NX476 to HIV‐1 Protease Wild Type and Mutations Using Free Energy Perturbation Method
Authors: Ngo Son Tung , Mai Binh Khanh , Hiep Dinh Minh , Li Mai Suan 
Published: January 2015

The binding mechanism of AC1NX476 to HIV‐1 protease wild type and mutations was studied by the docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The binding free energy was calculated using the double‐annihilation binding free energy method. It is shown that the binding affinity of AC1NX476 to wild type is higher than not only ritonavir but also darunavir, making AC1NX476 become attractive candidate for HIV treatment. Our theoretical results are in excellent agreement with the experimental data as the correlation coefficient between calculated and experimentally measured binding free energies R = 0.993. Residues Asp25‐A, Asp29‐A, Asp30‐A, Ile47‐A, Gly48‐A, and Val50‐A from chain A, and Asp25‐B from chain B play a crucial role in the ligand binding. The mutations were found to reduce the receptor–ligand interaction by widening the binding cavity, and the binding propensity is mainly driven by the van der Waals interaction. Our finding may be useful for designing potential drugs to combat with HIV.
The alveolar ridge splitting/expansion technique: a systematic review
Authors: Bassetti Mario A. , Bassetti Renzo G. , Bosshardt Dieter D. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this systematic review was to evaluate clinical, radiological and histological outcomes of the alveolar ridge splitting/expansion technique (ARST) with or without GBR.Materials and MethodsA screening of two databases MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE (OVID) and hand search of articles were performed. Human and animal studies reporting on dental implants placed with simultaneous ARST up to May 31st 2014 were considered. Quality assessment of selected full‐text articles was performed according to the ARRIVE guidelines and the Cochrane collaboration's tool to assess risk of bias.ResultsOverall, 18 human and six animal studies (risk of bias: high/unclear) were included in this review. No randomized controlled trials were found. Due to the heterogeneity of study designs, definitions of success criteria, outcome variables, observation times and surgical procedures, no meta‐analysis was performed. Reported survival (18 studies) and success (nine studies) rates ranged from 91.7 to 100% and 88.2 to 100%, respectively, with a mean follow‐up of 1–10 years. Crestal bone level changes (∆CBL) in some studies indicate slightly higher bone loss before and after loading. Histologic and histomorphometric data from six animal studies confirm the crestal bone loss, particularly at buccal sites.ConclusionsWithin the limitations of this review, ARST seems to be a well‐functioning one‐stage alternative to extended two‐stage horizontal grafting procedures. Data indicate that during healing and first year of loading, increased ∆CBL particularly at buccal sites must be anticipated. Additional horizontal GBR can help to preserve buccal bone height and width.
Hey Little Sister, Who's the Only One? Modulating Informativeness in the Resolution of Privative Ambiguity
Authors: Foppolo Francesca , Marelli Marco , Meroni Luisa , Gualmini Andrea 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe present two eye‐tracking experiments on the interpretation of sentences like “The tall girl is (not) the only one that …,” which are ambiguous between the anaphoric (the only girl that …) and the exophoric interpretation (the only individual that …). These interpretations differ in informativeness: in a positive context, the exophoric (strong) reading entails the anaphoric (weak), while in a negative context the entailment pattern is reversed and the anaphoric reading is the strongest one. We tested whether adults rely on considerations about informativeness in solving the ambiguity. The results show that participants interpreted one exophorically in both positive and negative contexts. Given these findings, we cast doubts on the idea that Informativeness plays a role in ambiguity resolution and proposes a Principle of Maximal Exploitation: When a context is provided, adults extend their domain of evaluation to include the whole scenario, independently from truth‐conditional considerations about informativity and strength.