bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Massive open online courses (MOOCs): Insights and challenges from a psychological perspective
Authors: Terras Melody M , Ramsay Judith 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMassive open online courses (MOOCs) offer an exciting range of opportunities to widen access and participation in education. The massive and open nature of MOOCs places the control of learning at the discretion of the learner. Therefore, it is essential to understand learner behaviour. This paper examines the psychological considerations inherent in learning and explores the psychological determinants of learner behaviours relevant to MOOCs. A number of psychological challenges specific to the development and use of MOOCs such as the motivational, emotional and intellectual commitment of MOOC learners, and the skills profile that effective MOOC learners require are discussed. The psychological barriers that learners may encounter when engaging with MOOCs are identified. In doing so, we highlight the importance of considering the psychosocial and cognitive profile of the learner, and provide a psychological characterisation of many of the practical and theoretical issues that inform the design, development and delivery of MOOCs. For example, digital literacy skills, individual differences in motivation and self‐regulation are key learner attributes in the context of MOOC‐based learning. The temporal dimension of learning is also addressed: how learners perceive time online, how this influences time spent on tasks and how this may impact on the effective use of MOOCs. Given that MOOCs are increasingly being accessed using mobile devices, the psychological challenges of mobile MOOC‐based learning are explored. It is anticipated that the insights derived from a psychologically informed consideration of MOOC‐based learning will serve as a catalyst for debate, discussion and future research.
Uncommon non‐Hodgkin lymphomas of childhood: pathological diagnosis, clinical features and treatment approaches
Authors: Sandlund John T. , Perkins Sherrie L. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryWe provide a review of the pathological and clinical features for uncommon B‐cell and T‐cell lymphomas of childhood with a specific focus on advances in treatment approaches and outcomes. There is clearly a need for prospective investigation of both the clinical and biological features of the uncommon non‐Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes in childhood. These results should lead to more uniform and more effective treatment approaches.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease MM1+2C and MM1 are Identical in Transmission Properties
Authors: Kobayashi Atsushi , Matsuura Yuichi , Iwaki Toru , Iwasaki Yasushi , Yoshida Mari , Takahashi Hitoshi , Murayama Shigeo , Takao Masaki , Kato Shinsuke , Yamada Masahito , Mohri Shirou , Kitamoto Tetsuyuki 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe genotype (methionine, M or valine, V) at polymorphic codon 129 of the PRNP gene and the type (1 or 2) of abnormal prion protein in the brain are the major determinants of the clinicopathological features of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD), thus providing molecular basis for classification of sporadic CJD, that is, MM1, MM2, MV1, MV2, VV1 or VV2. In addition to these “pure” cases, “mixed” cases presenting mixed neuropathological and biochemical features have also been recognized. The most frequently observed mixed form is the co‐occurrence of MM1 and MM2, namely MM1+2. However, it has remained elusive whether MM1+2 could be a causative origin of dura mater graft‐associated CJD (dCJD), one of the largest subgroups of iatrogenic CJD. To test this possibility, we performed transmission experiments of MM1+2 prions and a systematic neuropathological examination of dCJD patients in the present study. The transmission properties of the MM1+2 prions were identical to those of MM1 prions because MM2 prions lacked transmissibility. In addition, the neuropathological characteristics of MM2 were totally absent in dCJD patients examined. These results suggest that MM1+2 can be a causative origin of dCJD and causes neuropathological phenotype similar to that of MM1.
Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: recent developments and ongoing challenges
Authors: Arvanitis Marios , Mylonakis Eleftherios 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundInvasive aspergillosis is an infection with high morbidity and mortality that affects mostly immunocompromised individuals. Early identification and targeted treatment of the infection is essential to improve survival of affected patients. The purpose of our review is to highlight the most recent developments in diagnosis and screening for invasive aspergillosis (IA) along with the challenges associated with the development and validation of novel diagnostic approaches.MethodsOvid MEDLINE and The Cochrane library were searched for studies that evaluated serologic, molecular and novel methodologies for the diagnosis of IA.ResultsTraditional diagnostic approaches, such as histopathology and culture, are still considered the gold standard but lack sufficient sensitivity. Newer serologic techniques, such as galactomannan (GM) and beta‐glucan, have already been incorporated into clinical guidelines, but recent evidence suggests that their performance might be limited in certain clinical settings. Molecular methods, such as the Aspergillus spp. polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have not yet found their place in clinical practice mainly due to lack of standardization. Novel methodologies, such as volatile organic compound detection and lateral flow devices, have recently been developed and promise noninvasive and rapid diagnosis of aspergillosis, while diagnostic algorithms that incorporate both GM and PCR have proven to be effective in early randomized trials as screening methods and can reduce the use of antifungal agents.ConclusionsDiagnosis of IA remains challenging. Novel methodologies and the standardization of GM and PCR might provide more reliable diagnostic tools in the future.
Antiphospholipid syndrome: an update
Authors: Merashli Mira , Noureldine Mohammad Hassan A. , Uthman Imad , Khamashta Munther 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundAntiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or ‘Hughes syndrome’ is a prothrombotic disease characterized by thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). More than three decades have passed, and experts are still uncovering new pieces of this disease complex pathogenesis and management.Materials and methodsWe searched in literature using MEDLINE and PubMed databases focusing on the latest development on disease pathogenesis, risk assessment of thrombosis and treatment of APS.ResultsThe phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)–AKT‐mTORC pathway was most recently identified to have a crucial role in activating inflammation among endothelial vessel wall causing vascular lesions in APS. Additionally, new variables are being implemented to assess the risk of thrombosis in patients with APS. Global APS Score (GAPSS) utilizes cardiovascular risk factors and new autoimmune antibodies as part of the score assessment and is the most valid so far. It can be a promising tool in the future for prediction of thrombosis. Anticoagulation remains the cornerstone in APS; however, many new potential therapeutic agents are developing and are currently under investigation.ConclusionsThe most recent advances in pathogenesis, risk stratification and treatment provide a platform for high yield studies with the ultimate goal of providing the optimal management to patients with APS.
The effect of minimum wage on poverty
Authors: Kapelyuk Sergey 
Published: April 2015

AbstractTo the best of my knowledge, the minimum wage's influence on poverty in Russia has never been investigated. Russian data provide a unique opportunity for studying the effects of the minimum wage on poverty, given significant increases in the minimum wage in recent years, almost complete coverage, and a high representation of full‐time workers in poor households. This article examines the effect of the minimum wage on the incidence of poverty and the transitions into and out of poverty in Russia using data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey of Higher School of Economics (RLMS‐HSE) from 2006 to 2011. The results indicate that the minimum wage in Russia had moderate poverty‐reducing effects.
Increased peak gamma frequency in individuals with higher levels of autistic traits
Authors: Dickinson Abigail , Bruyns‐Haylett Michael , Jones Myles , Milne Elizabeth 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIndividual differences in orientation discrimination threshold are related to both visually‐induced peak gamma frequency and the presence of autistic traits. The relationship between peak gamma frequency and orientation discrimination thresholds may be due to both of these factors being mediated by levels of neural inhibition. No study has previously measured the relationship between peak gamma frequency and levels of autistic traits. Thus, this was the aim of the present study. We measured orientation discrimination thresholds and autistic traits in a neurotypical human sample (N = 33), and separately recorded electroencephalography to measure visually induced gamma activity. In line with our prediction, we found a significant relationship between peak gamma frequency and level of autistic traits. Consistent with previous work we also found significant relationships between orientation discrimination thresholds and level of autistic traits and between orientation discrimination thresholds and peak gamma frequency. Our results demonstrate that individuals with individuals with higher levels of autistic personality traits have a higher peak‐gamma frequency and are better at discriminating between visual stimuli based on orientation. As both higher peak gamma frequency and lower orientation discrimination thresholds have been linked to higher levels of neural inhibition, this suggests that autistic traits co‐occur with increased neural inhibition. This discovery is significant as it challenges the currently‐held view that autism spectrum conditions are associated with increased neural excitation.
Changes in hippocampal synaptic functions and protein expression in monosodium glutamate‐treated obese mice during development of glucose intolerance
Authors: Sasaki‐Hamada Sachie , Hojo Yuki , Koyama Hajime , Otsuka Hayuma , Oka Jun‐Ichiro 
Published: April 2015

AbstractGlucose is the sole neural fuel for the brain and is essential for cognitive function. Abnormalities in glucose tolerance may be associated with impairments in cognitive function. Experimental obese model mice can be generated by an intraperitoneal injection of monosodium glutamate (MSG; 2 mg/g) once a day for 5 days from 1 day after birth. MSG‐treated mice have been shown to develop glucose intolerance and exhibit chronic neuroendocrine dysfunction associated with marked cognitive malfunctions at 28–29 weeks old. Although hippocampal synaptic plasticity is impaired in MSG‐treated mice, changes in synaptic transmission remain unknown. Here, we investigated whether glucose intolerance influenced cognitive function, synaptic properties and protein expression in the hippocampus. We demonstrated that MSG‐treated mice developed glucose intolerance due to an impairment in the effectiveness of insulin actions, and showed cognitive impairments in the Y‐maze test. Moreover, long‐term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral–CA1 pyramidal synapses in hippocampal slices was impaired, and the relationship between the slope of extracellular field excitatory postsynaptic potential and stimulus intensity of synaptic transmission was weaker in MSG‐treated mice. The protein levels of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and GluA1 glutamate receptor subunits decreased in the CA1 region of MSG‐treated mice. These results suggest that deficits in glutamatergic presynapses as well as postsynapses lead to impaired synaptic plasticity in MSG‐treated mice during the development of glucose intolerance, though it remains unknown whether impaired LTP is due to altered inhibitory transmission. It may be important to examine changes in glucose tolerance in order to prevent cognitive malfunctions associated with diabetes.
Comparison of different PCR tests to identify Monilinia fructicola
Authors: Riccioni L. , Valente M. T. 
Published: April 2015

Monilinia fructicola was until very recently a regulated pest in the European Union, and EU countries were requested to monitor its presence on their territories. As accredited laboratories should use validated tests, the mycological laboratory of CRA‐PAV carried out a validation process for the multiplex based PCR test (Coté et al., ), that is one of the most widely used tests for the identification of M. fructicola, although this test is not described in the EPPO diagnostic protocol PM 7/18 (2) because the validation data were lacking. The performance characteristics of this multiplex PCR test were established according to the EPPO Standard PM 7/98 (1) and the test was compared in a collaborative study with the end point PCR test (Ioos & Frey, ), considered as the ‘standard test’. The validation data were obtained using different isolates of M. fructicola, M. laxa, M. fructigena and Monilia polystroma, as well as different fruit tissues. Four series of the DNA target at different concentration, repeated three times, were analyzed in four Italian laboratories. The results showed that the multiplex PCR detection test (Coté et al., ) was fit for diagnostic purpose, although the analytical sensitivity was significantly lower compared to the conventional PCR ‘standard test’.
Within‐Species Mate Preferences Do Not Contribute to the Maintenance of Sexually Monomorphic Mating Signals in Green Lacewings
Authors: Noh Suegene , Henry Charles S. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe know much less about the evolutionary forces and constraints that maintain similar mating displays in females and males than we do about sexually dimorphic mating displays. Both female and male green lacewings have sexually monomorphic vibrational mating signals and are equally choosy against heterospecific mating signals. This similarity in between‐species sex roles may explain a large part of the presence of species‐specific female signals in these species, but does not necessarily predict why female and male signals are similar. We tested for within‐species sex‐specific similarities in mate preferences in Chrysoperla lucasina that may contribute to the maintenance of sexually monomorphic mating signals in this species. We found weak preferences and low levels of discrimination for signals with varying fine‐scale temporal features (volley duration, period, and volley‐duty cycle). The longer signals that both sexes produced in response to playback were sexually monomorphic, but some females and most males also produced shorter signals with significantly reduced volley durations and periods. Notably, all of these signals had indistinguishable volley‐duty cycles, the ratio of volley duration to volley period. We propose that mating signals in C. lucasina are maintained in both sexes because of similar between‐species mate preferences, but the sexually monomorphic mating signals cannot be attributed to significant within‐species mate preferences. What differences are present in within‐species sex roles may be resolved by a male‐biased signal polymorphism, in long and short signals that are hypothesized to have distinct functions during mate calling and courtship.
Obesity status transitions across the elementary years: use ofMarkov chain modelling
Authors: Chen T.‐A. , Baranowski T. , Moreno J. P. , O'Connor T. M. , Hughes S. O. , Baranowski J. , Woehler D. , Kimbro R. T. , Johnston C. A. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess overweight and obesity status transition probabilities using first‐orderMarkov transition models applied to elementary school children.MethodComplete longitudinal data across 11 assessments were available from 1494 elementary school children (from 7599 students in 41 out of 45 schools in aSoutheastTexas school district) from kindergarten to the beginning of the fifth grade. Heights and weights were measured by trained school nurses using standard procedures at the beginning and end of each school year for the 11 consecutive assessments. To estimate the transition probabilities, first‐order three‐state (healthy weight, overweight and obese)Markov transition models were fit to the longitudinal weight status data of all assessment periods.ResultsWhile there was a gradual shift to more children in the overweight or obese category over 5 years, children were most likely to stay in the same weight category as the previous assessment. A consistent seasonal difference in the probability of changing weight status category was seen, with a greater probability of becoming overweight and obese during the summer compared with the school year. The transition probabilities to obesity were higher among boys, Hispanic and non‐Hispanic Black, and lower socioeconomic status children.ConclusionsThis study provides the first application of aMarkov transition model to child weight status data. The transitions into the overweight and obese categories were small, but persistent, with smaller percentages transitioning out of overweight or obese. Early monitoring and summer intervention strategies are needed to prevent the slow, but relentless, transition into the overweight and obese categories.
Lean adolescents achieve higher intensities but not higher energy expenditure while playing active video games compared with obese ones
Authors: Chaput J.P. , Genin P.M. , Le Moel B. , Pereira B. , Boirie Y. , Duclos M. , Thivel D. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundWhile decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behaviours are incriminated for their role in the progression of obesity, active video games (AVG) may offer a new alternative to increase energy expenditure in youth. This study is the first to examine the effect of a 1‐h AVG play on lean and obese adolescents' energy expenditure.MethodsBody composition and aerobic fitness were assessed in 19 obese and 12 lean adolescent boys (12–15 years old). Participants performed a 1‐h AVG session (Kinect Sports technology) while wearing a portable indirect calorimeter (K4b2) to assess their energy expenditure and heart rate.ResultsBody weight (91.0 ± 9.5 vs. 58.5 ± 12.4 kg), body mass index (32.2 ± 3.1 vs. 20.3 ± 1.6 kg m−2) and body fat (38.1 ± 2.7 vs. 13.4 ± 3.9%) were significantly higher in obese adolescents (P < 0.001). Absolute energy expenditure was significantly higher in obese (P < 0.05) but not when corrected for body composition. Maximal heart rate reached during AVG was significantly higher in lean adolescents (190 ± 25 vs. 183 ± 28 bpm, P < 0.05). Time spent between 3 and 6 METs (Metabolic Equivalent Task) was not different between groups but time spent above 6 METs was higher in lean adolescents (P < 0.05).ConclusionAlthough lean and obese adolescent boys experienced similar energy expenditure relative to their body size during a 1‐h Kinect AVG session, lean adolescents spent more time in moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity.
Hybrid imaging with 99mTc‐WBC SPECT/CT to monitor the effect of therapy in diabetic foot osteomyelitis
Authors: Lazaga Francisco , Van Asten Suzanne AV , Nichols Adam , Bhavan Kavita , La Fontaine Javier , Oz Orhan K , Lavery Lawrence A 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study sought to assess the utility of monitoring response to treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) with Tc‐99m WBC‐labelled single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging. This is a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients with DFO with sequential Tc‐99m WBC‐labelled SPECT/CT imaging. Radiologic findings of osteomyelitis were evaluated and imaging results were correlated with clinical outcomes subtracted from chart review. Successful treatment of osteomyelitis was defined by wound healing and/or lack of re‐admission for bone infection of the same site within 1 year. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of SPECT/CT to determine osteomyelitis treatment remission were 90%, 56%, 69% and 83%, respectively. Tc‐99m WBC‐labelled SPECT/CT imaging may be useful to help determine treatment outcomes for DFO.
Effect of High‐Pressure Oxygen Annealing on Electrical and Magnetoelectric Properties of BaSrCo2Fe11AlO22 Ceramics
Authors: Hirose Sakyo , Haruki Kohei , Ando Akira , Kimura Tsuyoshi 
Published: April 2015

The effect of high‐pressure oxygen (HPO) annealing on the electrical, magnetic, and magnetoelectric (ME) properties of room‐temperature multiferroic BaSrCo2Fe11AlO22 ceramics was investigated. The electrical resistivity of the ceramics was found to strongly depend on the partial oxygen pressure during annealing at 1040°C. Samples annealed under ~10 atm of oxygen exhibited a resistivity of up to 1.6 × 109 Ω·cm at room temperature, more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of samples without oxygen annealing. Thermally stimulated current and complex impedance measurements suggested that the enhancement of the resistivity by the HPO annealing originated from a decrease in the amount of defects related to oxygen vacancies and an increase in the resistance of grains and interfaces. HPO annealing also affects the magnetic‐field response of spiral magnetic ordering, which is ascribed to the ME properties. Furthermore, samples subjected to HPO annealing exhibited a lower contribution of the space charges trapped at the grain boundaries and/or defects to the magnitude of the measured magnetoelectrically induced electric polarization P. The present results indicate that HPO annealing is an effective method to evaluate authentic ME effects in multiferroic BaSrCo2Fe11AlO22 ceramics.
Origin of the High Permittivity and Varistor Behavior in SnO2–Zn2SnO4 Composite Ceramics
Authors: Zang Guo‐Zhong , Liu Huan‐Huan , Lei Jian‐Fei , Wang Xiao‐Fei , Li Li‐Ben , Cao Jing‐Xiao , Li Guo‐Rong 
Published: April 2015

SnO2–Zn2SnO4 composite ceramics with a colossal dielectric permittivity and varistor behavior are prepared by traditional ceramic processing. By increasing bias voltage from 0 to 10 V at a low frequency (~103 Hz) and at room temperature, the relative permittivity decreased rapidly from about 20 000 to several thousand, whereas the radius of the semicircle in the complex impedance decreased and the tail gradually disappeared. However, the peak height and the position of the imaginary part of the complex modulus in the spectra were independent of the applied DC voltage. The slope deduced from the bias voltage‐dependent straight lines of the double‐logarithmic imaginary permittivity spectra were constant with a value of −0.63 at high frequencies and they decreased to −1 at low frequencies. The results strongly indicate that a number of weekly trapped charges existed in the ceramic bulk. From the temperature‐dependent dielectric and electric modulus spectra, the trapped charge activation energy was about 0.32 eV, which may be associated with the oxygen vacancies. Based on the results, a modified equivalent circuit related to the colossal dielectric permittivity and varistor properties was proposed, in which a Warburg impedance was added in parallel with the resistance and capacitance.