bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between PLCE1 rs2274223 A > G polymorphism and cancer risk: proof from a meta-analysis
Authors: Xue Wenji , Zhu Meiling , Wang Yiwei , He Jing , Zheng Leizhen 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPhospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation and oncogenesis. An increasing number of individual studies have investigated the association between PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism and cancer risk, but the conclusions are inconclusive. To obtain a comprehensive conclusion, we performed a meta-analysis of 22 studies with 13188 cases and 14666 controls. The pooled results indicated that PLCE1 rs2274223 A > G polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of overall cancer (G vs. A: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.06–1.25; GG vs. AA: OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.10–1.55; GA vs. AA: OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.08–1.30; GG/GA vs. AA: OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.08–1.32; GG vs. GA/AA: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04–1.42). The stratification analysis showed the polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) other than gastric cancer (GC), especially among the subgroups of Asian, high quality score, sample size > 1000 and the studies consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). This meta-analysis demonstrated that PLCE1 rs2274223 A > G polymorphism may be associated with increased susceptibility to cancer, especially for ESCC. However, due to the substantial heterogeneities across the studies, the conclusion might be not conclusive that need more studies to confirm.
Effects of Coaching on Educators' and Preschoolers' Use of References to Print and Phonological Awareness During a Small-Group Craft/Writing Activity
Authors: Milburn Trelani F. , Hipfner-Boucher Kathleen , Weitzman Elaine , Greenberg Janice , Pelletier Janette , Girolametto Luigi 
Published: January 2015

PurposeThe current study investigated the effects of coaching as part of an emergent literacy professional development program to increase early childhood educators' use of verbal references to print and phonological awareness during interactions with children.MethodThirty-one educators and 4 children from each of their classrooms (N= 121) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (21 hr of in-service workshops plus 5 coaching sessions) and a comparison group (workshops alone). The in-service workshops included instruction on how to talk about print and phonological awareness during a post-story craft/writing activity. All educators were video-recorded during a 15-min craft/writing activity with a small group of preschoolers at pretest and posttest. All videotapes were transcribed and coded for verbal references to print and phonological awareness by the educators and children.ResultsAlthough at posttest, there were no significant group differences in the educators' or the children's references to print as measured by rate per minute, both the educators and the children in the experimental group used a significantly higher rate per minute of references to phonological awareness relative to the comparison group.ConclusionProfessional development that included coaching with a speech-language pathologist enabled educators and children to engage in more phonological awareness talk during this activity.
Uniplanar differentially driven UWB polarisation diversity antenna with band‐notched characteristics
Authors: Huang He , Liu Ying , Gong Shuxi 
Published: January 2015

A differentially driven ultra‐wideband (UWB) polarisation diversity antenna with dual notch bands is presented for the first time. The antenna consists of a chamfer square slot and two differential pairs being orthogonal to achieve polarisation diversity performance over the UWB. The proposed antenna has a wide impedance bandwidth from 2.75 to more than 11 GHz for differential reflection coefficients less than −10 dB, and a high differential port‐to‐port isolation of less than −40 dB. Dual band‐rejected operation to filter the 3.5 GHz WiMAX and 5.5 GHz WLAN bands is obtained by employing two different methods. All these features make the proposed antenna very suitable for applications in UWB wireless communication systems.
Circularly polarised cut ring microstrip antenna
Authors: Yi Yang , Jian‐ying Li , Kun Wei , Rui Xu , Guang‐wei Yang 
Published: January 2015

A circularly polarised cut ring microstrip antenna is proposed. The antenna realises circular polarisation and obtains high gain. It is characterised by simple construction and feed mode, and it is not sensitive to the feeding position, which means it is easy to be matched. A study of the different geometric parameters of the antenna and their effect on the performance of the antenna has been conducted. The designed antenna works at about 3.4 GHz, and the results show good performance with a −10 dB return loss bandwidth of ∼19.6%, a 3 dB axial ratio a bandwidth of ∼4.2% and a circularly polarised gain of about 10.97 dB. The measured results agree well with the simulated results.
Periodic and aperiodic pulse generation using optically injected DFB laser
Authors: Aldaya I. , Gosset C. , Wang C. , Campuzano G. , Grillot F. , Castañón G. 
Published: January 2015

Generation of optical pulse trains using semiconductor lasers has attracted significant attention due to their applications in optical communications and signal processing. A pulse generator based on the nonlinear dynamics of an optically injected distributed feedback laser is presented. The proposed system does not require electrical excitation and can be configured to operate in a periodic or aperiodic pulsation regime by controlling the injection conditions. Experiments show periodic pulsation with a repetition rate of 1.034 GHz and aperiodic pulsation with an average repetition rate of 5.618 GHz.
Assessing interactions between dolphins and small pelagic fish on branchline to design a depredation mitigation device in pelagic longline fisheries
Authors: Rabearisoa Njaratiana , Bach Pascal , Marsac Francis 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDepredation by false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in pelagic longlining is an issue leading to negative impacts on the economics of the fishery and on odontocetes themselves. We investigated the efficacy of a new depredation mitigation device called “DEPRED” in the interaction between bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), and small pelagic fish (SPF) attached to branchlines to simulate caught fish. We suggest implications for DEPRED efficacy with larger toothed whales interacting with pelagic longline capture in the open ocean. The design of the device uses streamers to both deter cetaceans and protect fish from predation. In controlled experiments, we tested its efficacy by observing changes in the dolphin's behaviour brought on by the presence or absence of the device on branchlines. First, dolphin–SPF interactions were observed at the small scale using video footage recorded with an underwater camcorder. Second, the efficacy of the device was quantified from interactions between dolphins and 80 branchlines deployed on a longline 500 m long baited with SPF. One half of the SPF on successive branchlines was protected by DEPRED and the other half was not. A total of 707 branchlines were set when dolphins interacted with SPF, and among them, 355 were equipped with DEPRED. Encouraging results were obtained: over the short term, the number of damaged unprotected SPF was on average more than twice the number of protected ones. Nevertheless, habituation behaviour was observed for a resident group of T. aduncus in the experimental area. The relation between the deterrent effect of the device and constraints related to the design of such a device to be used at a commercial operational level are discussed.
An evaluation of the association between an antimicrobial stewardship score and antimicrobial usage
Authors: Pakyz Amy L. , Moczygemba Leticia R. , Wang Hui , Stevens Michael P. , Edmond Michael B. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Objectives
To determine whether an antimicrobial stewardship ‘intensity’ score predicts hospital antimicrobial usage.

Methods
An antimicrobial stewardship score for 44 academic medical centres was developed that comprised two main categories: resources (antimicrobial stewardship programme personnel and automated surveillance software) and strategies (preauthorization, audit with intervention and feedback, education, guidelines and clinical pathways, parenteral to oral therapy programmes, de-escalation of therapy, antimicrobial order forms and dose optimization). Multiple regression analyses were used to assess whether the composite score and also the categories were associated with either total or antimicrobial stewardship programme-target antimicrobial use as measured in days of therapy.

Results
The mean antimicrobial stewardship programme score was 55 (SD 21); the total composite score was not significantly associated with total or target antimicrobial use [estimate –0.49 (95% CI –2.30 to 0.89)], while the category strategies was significantly and negatively associated with target antimicrobial use [–5.91 (95% CI –9.51 to –2.31)].

Conclusions
The strategy component of a score developed to measure the intensity of antimicrobial stewardship was associated with the amount of antimicrobials used. Thus, the number and types of strategies employed by antimicrobial stewardship programmes may be of particular importance in programme effectiveness.
Detection of Francisella tularensis in Alaskan Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and Assessment of a Laboratory Model for Transmission
Authors: Triebenbach Alison N. , Vogl Sigrid J. , Lotspeich-Cole Leda , Sikes Derek S. , Happ George M. , Hueffer Karsten 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the Category A bioterrorism agent Francisella tularensis. In Scandinavia, tularemia transmission by mosquitoes has been widely cited in the literature. We tested &gt;2,500 mosquitoes captured in Alaska and found Francisella DNA in 30% of pooled samples. To examine the potential for transmission of Francisella by mosquitoes, we developed a mosquito model of Francisella infection. Larvae of Anopheles gambiae Giles and Aedes aegypti (L.) readily ingest F. tularensis but do not efficiently transfer infective doses of the bacterium to the pupal or adult stage. After a bloodmeal containing Francisella, adult female An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti retained detectable levels of Francisella DNA for 3 d, but when they took a second bloodmeal, the mammalian host was not infected. This study suggests that although Francisella DNA can be detected in a significant portion of wild-caught mosquitoes, transmission of Francisella is either very inefficient or is species dependent for the Francisella strain or the arthropod vector.
Evaluation of BG-Sentinel Trap Trapping Efficacy for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in a Visually Competitive Environment
Authors: Ball Tamara S. , Ritchie Scott R. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
The BG-Sentinel (BGS) trap uses visual and olfactory cues as well as convection currents to attract Aedes aegypti (L.). The impact of the visual environment on trapping efficacy of the BGS trap for Ae. aegypti was investigated. Four- to 5-d nulliparous female and male Ae. aegypti were released into a semicontrolled room to evaluate the effect of the presence, reflectance, and distribution of surrounding harborage sites on BGS trapping efficacy. Low-reflective (dark) harborage sites near the BGS had a negative effect on both male and nulliparous female recapture rates; however, a more pronounced effect was observed in males. The distribution (clustered versus scattered) of dark harborage sites did not significantly affect recapture rates in either sex. In a subsequent experiment, the impact of oviposition sites on the recapture rate of gravid females was investigated. Although gravid females went to the oviposition sites and deposited eggs, the efficacy of the BGS in recapturing gravid females was not compromised. Ae. aegypti sampling in the field will mostly occur in the urban environment, whereby the BGS will be among oviposition sites and dark harborage areas in the form of household items and outdoor clutter. In addition to understanding sampling biases of the BGS, estimations of the adult population size and structure can be further adjusted based on an understanding of the impact of dark harborage sites on trap captures. Outcomes from this suite of experiments provide us with important considerations for trap deployment and interpretation of Ae. aegypti samples from the BGS trap.
Trial of a Minimal-Risk Botanical Compound to Control the Vector Tick of Lyme Disease
Authors: Rand Peter W. , Lacombe Eleanor H. , Elias Susan P. , Lubelczyk Charles B. , Amand Theodore St. , Smith Robert P. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
We compared the application of IC2, a minimal-risk (25B) botanical compound containing 10% rosemary oil, with bifenthrin, a commonly used synthetic compound, and with water for the control of Ixodes scapularis Say (=Ixodes dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman & Corwin), on tick-infested grids in Maine, in an area where Lyme disease is established and other tick-borne diseases are emerging. High-pressure sprays of IC2, bifenthrin, and water were applied during the peak nymphal (July) and adult (October) seasons of the vector tick. No ticks could be dragged on the IC2 grids within 2 wk of the July spray, and few adult ticks were found in October or the following April. Similarly, no adult ticks could be dragged 1.5 wk after the October IC2 spray, and few the following April. No ticks were found on the bifenthrin grids after either spray through the following April, whereas substantial numbers of ticks remained throughout on the grids sprayed with water. Thus, IC2 appears to be an effective, minimum-risk acaricide to control the vector tick of Lyme disease.
Genome-wide analyses of LINE–LINE-mediated nonallelic homologous recombination
Authors: Startek Michał , Szafranski Przemyslaw , Gambin Tomasz , Campbell Ian M. , Hixson Patricia , Shaw Chad A. , Stankiewicz Paweł , Gambin Anna 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Nonallelic homologous recombination (NAHR), occurring between low-copy repeats (LCRs) &gt;10 kb in size and sharing &gt;97% DNA sequence identity, is responsible for the majority of recurrent genomic rearrangements in the human genome. Recent studies have shown that transposable elements (TEs) can also mediate recurrent deletions and translocations, indicating the features of substrates that mediate NAHR may be significantly less stringent than previously believed. Using &gt;4 kb length and &gt;95% sequence identity criteria, we analyzed of the genome-wide distribution of long interspersed element (LINE) retrotransposon and their potential to mediate NAHR. We identified 17 005 directly oriented LINE pairs located &lt;10 Mbp from each other as potential NAHR substrates, placing 82.8% of the human genome at risk of LINE–LINE-mediated instability. Cross-referencing these regions with CNVs in the Baylor College of Medicine clinical chromosomal microarray database of 36 285 patients, we identified 516 CNVs potentially mediated by LINEs. Using long-range PCR of five different genomic regions in a total of 44 patients, we confirmed that the CNV breakpoints in each patient map within the LINE elements. To additionally assess the scale of LINE–LINE/NAHR phenomenon in the human genome, we tested DNA samples from six healthy individuals on a custom aCGH microarray targeting LINE elements predicted to mediate CNVs and identified 25 LINE–LINE rearrangements. Our data indicate that LINE–LINE-mediated NAHR is widespread and under-recognized, and is an important mechanism of structural rearrangement contributing to human genomic variability.
A Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Approach to Transaxillary First Rib Resection
Authors: Soukiasian Harmik J. , Shouhed Daniel , Serna-Gallgos Derek , McKenna Robert , Bairamian Vahak J. , McKenna Robert J. 
Published: January 2015

Objective Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) can be associated with neurologic, arterial, or venous deficiencies. When nonsurgical treatment has failed to adequately palliate TOS, surgical intervention is indicated. The supraclavicular and transaxillary approaches are currently the most commonly used approaches for first rib resection, yet little has been reported to date on outcomes of minimally invasive procedures, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The purpose of this article was to describe a minimally invasive approach to TOS and the associated outcomes. Methods This study is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Patients who failed nonsurgical therapy for TOS were referred to our practice for evaluation of surgery with a VATS minimally invasive first rib resection. Between 2001 and 2010, 66 VATS procedures were performed on 58 patients (41 women, 17 men). Patients were followed postoperatively for a mean time of 13.5 months. Results Forty-one patients were women (70.7%), and the mean age was 40.5 years, with a patient age range of 17 to 59 years. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.47 days; median length of stay was 2 days. There were a total of eight complications (12.1%). There were no mortalities. Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery first rib resection for TOS is another feasible option for TOS, which can be added to the armamentarium of the thoracic surgeon. The outcomes associated with our technique are comparable with the outcomes related to other current standards of care.
The experiences of students studying higher education on a part time basis in English further education colleges
Authors: King Madeleine , Saraswat Arti , Widdowson John 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to report research carried out by the Mixed Economy Group of colleges into the student experience of part time (PT) higher education (HE) delivered in English further education (FE) colleges.

Design/methodology/approach
– An online survey was completed by 352 PT students. Their responses, including free comments, formed the basis of the report. The authors provide a context for the work by referring to research carried out by other national agencies.

Findings
– The research illustrates the strengths of college-based HE, which largely derives from delivery by staff who are qualified teachers and, often, professionally active in their field of expertise. Whilst valuing this, students also seek recognition of the demands of work and family on their study time, as well as an identity as HE students within the greater FE environment.

Social implications
– PT HE can drive regional economic growth. By addressing the issues raised by students in the research, local colleges, partner universities, employers and national government can re-build local skill bases. Promoting PT HE develops a vocational ladder to HE, thus widening participation.

Originality/value
– Relatively little publically available research exists into the experiences of students pursuing PT HE in colleges. This primary research begins an evidence-based debate about how colleges can improve their offer but also reminds Government of the need to give equal weight to the needs of PT students in future changes to the delivery of HE.
Do Finnish young people support the Nordic welfare state?
Authors: Rantanen Teemu , McLaughlin Thomas Chalmers , Toikko Timo 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine young people’s attitudes toward social welfare and their perceptions of who is responsible for providing social welfare benefits.Design/methodology/approach– Social welfare attitudes were examined related to three themes: government responsibility, trust in society, and individual responsibility. A sample of 725 students from 12 high and vocational schools in south Finland was used for analysis.Findings– The data suggest that young people have a high regard for the importance of the government’s role as a social support and a mechanism of social welfare for all citizens. In addition, the results show that women highlight government responsibility more than men, and that men highlight the individual’s own responsibility for social issues. According to the results, there is a weak relationship between cultural values and social welfare attitudes. Collective values relate positively to an emphasis on trust in government and government responsibility for social problems, and relate negatively to an emphasis on individuals’ personal responsibility.Originality/value– The study shows that the main principles of the welfare state are still accepted by the Finnish youth, although recent speculations about the future of welfare states.
The role of external customer mind-set among service employees
Authors: Iyer Rajesh , Johlke Mark C 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to develop and test a model of the antecedents and outcomes of one aspect of customer mind-set (CMS) – external CMS (ECMS) — among front-line employees. The goal of this paper is to help managers address customer-level orientation by further investigating the external dimension of CMS (referred to as ECMS).Design/methodology/approach– Data were gathered from a sample of front-line employees of a variety of firms located in a mid-sized southeastern US city.Findings– The results indicate that greater amounts of job autonomy and job satisfaction are positively associated with front-line employee ECMS, while the employee’s global role ambiguity, customer-specific ambiguity and role conflict are negatively associated with ECMS. In turn, front-line employee ECMS is associated with increased work motivation and sales performance.Research limitations/implications– The data are cross-sectional in nature; so, strictly causal relations cannot be inferred from these results. Also, the sample primarily consists of younger females with less work experience and who are employed at smaller organizations. Therefore, future research should further test these relations in different samples to increase the robustness of the results.Practical implications– This research utilizes a rich description of the front-line employee’s job attitudes and work characteristics to build a model describing their association with the extent to which the ideas of market orientation have taken hold at the operational level and their relationship with the employee’s motivation and subsequent performance. It shows that both internal and external characteristics are associated with front-line employee ECMS, which itself is very strongly related to desirable job outcomes.Originality/value– The firm’s financial performance is most directly affected by how well it serves its external customers. However, there has been no research on the role and the consequences of employee ECMS. There are only a few studies (less than five) that have empirically explored the CMS. Therefore, the many potential benefits from a deeper understanding of a market orientation culture and behaviors at the level of the front-line employee remain unclear, particularly in regards to its ECMS dimension.