bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing indicators of motivation for learning in a TQM class
Authors: Tetteh Godson Ayertei 
Published: May 2015

Purpose– The average mark in the mid-semester examination of a group of total quality management students turned out to be 52 percent with a SD of 11 percent. They are to score a minimum of 60 percent to enable them graduate with a diploma. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the vitalXs or variables that will help improve a student’s score from 52 to 60 percent.Design/methodology/approach– The main objective of the study is to relate variables that will improve the learning outcome, hence the author chose a structural equation modeling using 15 latent constructs (Pintrichet al., 1991) to identify the vitalXs.Findings– Results show that students study time, learning motive, and learning strategy will have significant effect on the learning outcome.Research limitations/implications– This study is restricted to students in a particular university in Ghana, and may not necessarily be applicable universally.Practical implications– This study used the (Pintrichet al., 1991) Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire to gather information about student’s study habits, learning skills, and motivation for schoolwork. Students who participated in the study were provided with the necessary feedback to help improve on their examination scores.Originality/value– This study contributes to literature by examining how the attitude(s) of the student in the classroom has a significant effect on the learning outcome.
Laboratory rearing of solitary bees and wasps
Authors: Becker Mira C. , Keller Alexander 
Published: May 2015

AbstractEcological experiments often require standardized methods that exclude natural variation and allow manipulation of a single parameter. It has been shown that domesticated honey bee larvae are raisable in a controlled environment. Here we demonstrate that this approach is also transferable to wild solitary bees and wasps without inducing negative effects on their development. Wells may also be supplemented with the antibiotic substance oxytetracycline to control the presence of bacteria. The method thus provides a useful tool to investigate offspring recruitment and larval development in solitary bees and wasps, plus their responses to manipulation of factors as for example diets, toxins and microbiota.
Relationships Between Malnutrition, Inflammation, Sleep Quality, and Restless Legs Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Kaya Tezcan , Acar Bilgehan Atılgan , Sipahi Savaş , Cinemre Hakan , Acar Türkan , Varım Ceyhun , Tamer Ali 
Published: May 2015

AbstractRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurologic sensorimotor disorder. It is also seen in hemodialysis patients in whom the mechanism is not thoroughly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between malnutrition‐inflammation score (MIS), sleep quality, and RLS in chronic hemodialysis patients. This cross‐sectional study included 232 adult stable chronic hemodialysis patients (mean age 60.9 ± 14.1 years, 56.5% male). RLS frequency, MIS, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), laboratory data of patients as well as severity of RLS were evaluated. Thirty‐seven patients (15.9%) were diagnosed with RLS. Mean MIS of patients with or without RLS were similar. PSQI of patients with RLS was significantly higher than patients without RLS (P = 0.002). There was a significant positive correlation between RLS severity and PSQI (r = 0.445, P = 0.006). A significant positive correlation was also found between PSQI and MIS in patients with RLS (r = 0.419, P = 0.010). RLS severity was positively correlated with some inflammatory parameters such as white blood cell count and C‐reactive protein (r = 0.427, P = 0.008 and r = 0.418 P = 0.010). PSQI was found as an independent significant predictor of RLS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15 (1.06–1.25), P = 0.001) in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Our study revealed that there was no significant relationship between RLS and MIS in chronic hemodialysis patients. However, RLS severity is correlated with inflammatory parameters. Also, sleep quality in chronic hemodialysis patients with RLS is negatively associated with MIS.
The Elimination of Listeria Monocytogenes Attached to Stainless Steel or Aluminum Using Multiple Hurdles
Authors: Mertz Alexandria W. , O'Bryan Corliss A. , Crandall Philip G. , Ricke Steven C. , Morawicki Rubén 
Published: May 2015

AbstractReady‐to‐eat luncheon meats sliced in retail delis have been found to pose the greatest risk of foodborne illness from Listeria monocytogenes among all ready‐to‐eat foods. Slicers used in delis have many removable parts that are connected with seals and gaskets, with spaces, cracks and crevices that are difficult to clean adequately and may provide a niche for L. monocytogenes survival. Standard cleaning and sanitizing practices used by deli employees may not eliminate Listeria in these niches. Moist heat is known to be more effective against L. monocytogenes than dry heat at the same temperature and time. The study reported here investigated the effects of moist heat combined with quaternary ammonium compounds (5 or 10 ppm), chlorine (10 or 25 ppm) or peracetic acid (10 or 25 ppm) on inactivating L. monocytogenes attached to stainless steel or aluminum coupons cut from commercial deli meat slicer components. All sanitizers when used alone resulted in a 2‐ to 3‐log reduction of L. monocytogenes on stainless steel or aluminum surfaces, while moist heat alone resulted in a 3‐ to 4‐log reduction. When combined with heat the quaternary ammonium was used at 5 ppm, peracetic acid at 10 ppm and chlorine at 10 ppm. When the 2 lethal treatments were combined there was a 5‐ to7‐log reduction as compared to initial inoculation.
Subgroup Identification in Personalized Treatment of Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Hou Jue , Seneviratne Chamindi , Su Xiaogang , Taylor Jeremy , Johnson Bankole , Wang Xin‐Qun , Zhang Heping , Kranzler Henry R. , Kang Joseph , Liu Lei 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundIdentification of patient subgroups to enhance treatment effects is an important topic in personalized (or tailored) alcohol treatment. Recently, several recursive partitioning methods have been proposed to identify subgroups benefiting from treatment. These novel data mining methods help to address the limitations of traditional regression‐based methods that focus on interactions.MethodsWe propose an exploratory approach, using recursive partitioning methods, for example, interaction trees (IT) and virtual twins (VT), to flexibly identify subgroups in which the treatment effect is likely to be large. We apply these tree‐based methods to a pharmacogenetic trial of ondansetron.ResultsOur methods identified several subgroups based on patients' genetic and other prognostic covariates. Among the 251 subjects with complete genotype information, the IT method identified 118 with specific genetic and other prognostic factors, resulting in a 17.2% decrease in the percentage of heavy drinking days (PHDD). TheVTmethod identified 88 subjects with a 21.8% decrease inPHDD. Overall, theVTsubgroup achieved a good balance between the treatment effect and the group size.ConclusionsA data mining approach is proposed as a valid exploratory method to identify a sufficiently large subgroup of subjects that is likely to receive benefit from treatment in an alcohol dependence pharmacotherapy trial. Our results provide new insights into the heterogeneous nature of alcohol dependence and could help clinicians to tailor treatment to the biological profile of individual patients, thereby achieving better treatment outcomes.
Stocks and dynamics of carbon in trees across a rainfall gradient in a tropical savanna
Authors: Cook Garry D. , Liedloff Adam C. , Cuff Nicholas J. , Brocklehurst Peter S. , Williams Richard J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn this study, systematic variation in tree morphology across a rainfall gradient in Australia's tropical savanna biome and its implications for carbon stocks and dynamics were quantified. The aim was to support efforts to manage fire regimes to increase vegetative carbon stocks as a greenhouse gas mitigation strategy. The height of trees for a given trunk diameter declines with decreasing rainfall from 2000 to 300 mm and increasing dry season length across the Australian savanna biome. It is likely that increasing dry season length is the main driver of this decline rather declining rainfall per se. By taking account of the response of total basal area to rainfall and soil type, stand structure, and tree height and diameter relationships, the carbon stocks in live trees were estimated to decline from about 34 t ha−1 in the wetter savannas to 6 t ha−1 in the drier savannas. These values are broadly consistent with field‐based estimates. Because of the declining ratio of height to trunk diameter, trees of a given diameter in drier regions will be more likely to be killed by fires of a given intensity than trees in wetter regions. Thus single fires of given intensity are likely to have a greater proportionate impact on live tree carbon stock in drier savannas, but a much greater absolute impact in wetter savannas due to the greater total carbon stock. Projected decreases in early wet season rainfall under climate change scenarios, despite projections of little change in total precipitation in northern Australia, may lead to decreased carbon stock in live trees through two mechanisms: a reduction in total basal area and decreases in tree height for given trunk diameters.
Permanent Lateral Deviation and Stenosis of the Cervix in an Infertile Jennet
Authors: Quartuccio M. , Marino G. , Mannarino C. , Cristarella S. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryCongenital abnormalities of the uterus and the cervix are rare in horses, often associated with infertility, despite normal ovarian activity and sexual behaviour. An abnormality of the cervix in a 5‐year‐old jennet with a history of infertility was described. Clinical and ultrasound examination of the genital tract showed a normal development of the uterus with regular cyclic activity in both the ovaries. Vaginoscopy revealed a normal development of the vagina and a cervix deviated on the left side of the vagina by a thick dorsoventral fold. The lateral deviation was permanent in any stage of oestrus cycle. Furthermore, the cervical os was narrow and digital penetration was not realizable. Using a 5‐mm catheter, the full penetration was not possible even during oestrus; moreover, the inoculation of fluid could be revealed in uterus by ultrasound (fluid was not present before inoculation), demonstrating a minimal patency. An abnormal and permanent lateral displacement of a stenotic cervix was suspected as the primary cause of infertility in the jennet.
Sleep in amphibians and reptiles: a review and a preliminary analysis of evolutionary patterns
Authors: Libourel Paul‐Antoine , Herrel Anthony 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTDespite the ubiquitous nature of sleep, its functions remain a mystery. In an attempt to address this, many researchers have studied behavioural and electrophysiological phenomena associated with sleep in a diversity of animals. The great majority of vertebrates and invertebrates display a phase of immobility that could be considered as a sort of sleep. Terrestrial mammals and birds, both homeotherms, show two sleep states with distinct behavioural and electrophysiological features. However, whether these features have evolved independently in each clade or were inherited from a common ancestor remains unknown. Unfortunately, amphibians and reptiles, key taxa in understanding the evolution of sleep given their position at the base of the tetrapod and amniote tree, respectively, remain poorly studied in the context of sleep. This review presents an overview of what is known about sleep in amphibians and reptiles and uses the existing data to provide a preliminary analysis of the evolution of behavioural and electrophysiological features of sleep in amphibians and reptiles. We also discuss the problems associated with analysing existing data, as well as the difficulty in inferring homologies of sleep stages based on limited data in the context of an essentially mammalian‐centric definition of sleep. Finally, we highlight the importance of developing comparative approaches to sleep research that may benefit from the great diversity of species with different ecologies and morphologies in order to understand the evolution and functions of sleep.
Risk of lung cancer and consumption of vegetables and fruit in Japanese: A pooled analysis of cohort studies in Japan
Authors: Wakai Kenji , Sugawara Yumi , Tsuji Ichiro , Tamakoshi Akiko , Shimazu Taichi , Matsuo Keitaro , Nagata Chisato , Mizoue Tetsuya , Tanaka Keitaro , Inoue Manami , Tsugane Shoichiro , Sasazuki Shizuka ,   the Research Group for the Development and Evaluation of Cancer Prevention Strategies in Japan
Published: May 2015

International reviews have concluded that consumption of fruit and vegetables might decrease the risk of lung cancer. However, the relevant epidemiological evidence still remains insufficient in Japan. Therefore, we performed a pooled analysis of data from four population‐based cohort studies in Japan with >200 000 participants and >1700 lung cancer cases. We computed study‐specific hazard ratios by quintiles of vegetable and fruit consumption as assessed by food frequency questionnaires. Summary hazard ratios were estimated by pooling the study‐specific hazard ratios with a fixed‐effect model. In men, we found inverse associations between fruit consumption and the age‐adjusted and area‐adjusted risk of mortality or incidence of lung cancer. However, the associations were largely attenuated after adjustment for smoking and energy intake. The significant decrease in risk among men remained only for a moderate level of fruit consumption; the lowest summary hazard ratios were found in the third quintile of intake (mortality: 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.60–0.84; incidence: 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.70–0.98). This decrease in risk was mainly detected in ever smokers. Conversely, vegetable intake was positively correlated with the risk of incidence of lung cancer after adjustment for smoking and energy intake in men (trend P, 0.024); the summary hazard ratio for the highest quintile was 1.26 (95% confidence interval 1.05–1.50). However, a similar association was not detected for mortality from lung cancer. In conclusion, a moderate level of fruit consumption is associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer in men among the Japanese population.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Modeling Studies of New 2,3‐Diheteroaryl Thiazolidin‐4‐Ones as NNRTIs
Authors: Debnath Utsab , Verma Saroj , Singh Pankaj , Rawat Kavita , Gupta Satish K. , Tripathi Raj K. , Siddiqui Hefazat H. , Katti Seturam B. , Prabhakar Yenamandra S. 
Published: May 2015

In a focused exploration, thiazolidin‐4‐ones with different C‐2 and N‐3 substituent groups were synthesized and evaluated as non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors against HIV‐1. This has led to new active compounds sporting heteroaryls at both C‐2 and N‐3 positions prompting to view them in the backdrop of nevirapine. To assign the molecular attributes for the activity, the compounds are investigated by docking them into non‐nucleoside inhibitor‐binding pocket of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase (RT). The most active compounds of this series (7d and 7f) shared spatial features with nevirapine with added molecular flexibility. Furthermore, in molecular dynamics simulations carried out for up to 10 ns, the compounds 7d and 7f showed consistency in their interactions with non‐nucleoside inhibitor‐binding pocket of HIV‐1 RT and suggested Tyr319 and Val106 as potential residues for H‐bond interaction with these molecules. These results open new avenues for the exploration of 2,3‐diheteroaryl thiazolidin‐4‐ones for prevention of HIV‐1.
Changing Blue Fluorescent Protein to Green Fluorescent Protein Using Chemical RNA Editing as a Novel Strategy in Genetic Restoration
Authors: Vu Luyen T. , Nguyen Thanh T. K. , Alam Shafiul , Sakamoto Takashi , Fujimoto Kenzo , Suzuki Hitoshi , Tsukahara Toshifumi 
Published: May 2015

Using the transition from cytosine of BFP (blue fluorescent protein) gene to uridine of GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene at position 199 as a model, we successfully controlled photochemical RNA editing to effect site‐directed deamination of cytidine (C) to uridine (U). Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing 5′‐carboxyvinyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (CVU) were used for reversible photoligation, and single‐stranded 100‐nt BFP DNA and in vitro‐transcribed full‐length BFP mRNA were the targets. Photo‐cross‐linking with the responsive ODNs was performed using UV (366 nm) irradiation, which was followed by heat treatment, and the cross‐linked nucleotide was cleaved through photosplitting (UV, 312 nm). The products were analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and fluorescence measurements. Western blotting and fluorescence‐analysis results revealed that in vitro‐translated proteins were synthesized from mRNAs after site‐directed RNA editing. We detected substantial amounts of the target‐base‐substituted fragment using RFLP and observed highly reproducible spectra of the transition‐GFP signal using fluorescence spectroscopy, which indicated protein stability. ODNc restored approximately 10% of the C‐to‐U transition. Thus, we successfully used non‐enzymatic site‐directed deamination for genetic restoration in vitro. In the near future, in vivo studies that include cultured cells and model animals will be conducted to treat genetic disorders.
Association between vitaminDdeficiency and periodontal status in current smokers
Authors: Lee Hyo‐Jin , Je Dong‐Il , Won Seong‐Jae , Paik Dai‐Il , Bae Kwang‐Hak 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine whether vitaminDlevel is associated with periodontitis using a representative sample ofKorean adults.MethodsA total of 6011 subjects who participated in the fourthKoreaNationalHealth andNutritionExaminationSurvey (KNHANES) were examined. VitaminDdeficiency was defined as 25‐hydroxyvitaminDserum concentrations to be under or equal to 20 ng/ml. We assessed periodontal conditions byCommunityPeriodontalIndex (CPI) and defined higherCPIas ≥code 3. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed adjusting for sociodemographics, oral and general health behaviors, and systemic health status. All analyses considered a complex sampling design, and a subgroup analysis was performed to determine estimates stratified according to the effect modifier.ResultsThere was no association between vitaminDdeficiency and higherCPIafter adjusting for the covariates in the total sample. According to the strata of smoking, the significant association was found in only current smokers after adjusting for the covariates including pack‐years (odds ratio: 1.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.07–2.18).ConclusionsA significant association between vitaminDdeficiency and periodontal status was found in only current smokers. Smoking could modify the effect of vitaminDon periodontitis.
Dynamics of soft tissue healing at implants and teeth: a study in a dog model
Authors: Sukekava Flávia , Pannuti Claudio M. , Lima Luiz A. , Tormena Mariana , Araújo Mauricio G. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe and to compare some characteristics of the soft tissue healing process around teeth and implants after flap surgery.Material and methodsFive adult beagle dogs had their third and fourth lower premolars extracted. After 3 months, four implants per dog were placed on the healed alveolar ridge and allowed to heal non‐submerged during 3 months. After 3 months, four regions characterized by one implant and one adjacent tooth were identified in each dog. One region was randomly selected and soft tissue ressective flap surgery was performed at its buccal aspect. The remaining three regions were randomly treated in an identical manner, and the dogs were sacrificed to provide biopsies representing healing intervals of 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks. The biopsies were prepared for histological and morphological analyses.ResultsMorphometric and histometric analyses have shown that the gingival tissues surrounding teeth were completely healed after a 4‐week interval. However, it took from 4 to 12 weeks for the peri‐implant mucosa to heal completely.ConclusionThe healing process around teeth and implants follows a similar sequence of events. Nevertheless, the complete process of healing and maturation of the peri‐implant tissues takes longer than around teeth.
Modeling outcomes of approaches to sustained human and snow leopard coexistence
Authors: Wilman Elizabeth A. , Wilman Elspeth N. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is in danger of extinction. Killing to protect livestock is among the primary causes of its decline. Efforts to mitigate this threat have focused on balancing the need to conserve the snow leopard with the needs of local people in snow leopard habitat, many of whom rely on raising livestock for their livelihoods. Conservation of the snow leopard has the characteristics of a public good, and outside funding is required to support conservation efforts. There are 5 commonly discussed approaches to resolving this issue: (1) direct payments for conservation, (2) investments in protection from predation, (3) damage compensation payments, (4) investments in better livestock husbandry, and (5) leases of pastureland for wild prey. After a review of these 5 conservation strategies, an economic–ecologic model, which includes the interactions between the snow leopard, its wild prey, and livestock, is used to evaluate the 2 most promising conservation strategies. The model reveals that investments in protection from predation and leases of pastureland for wild prey are effective but only in delaying the eventual extinction of the snow leopard. To preserve the snow leopard, these approaches must be applied more aggressively and new ones explored.
Empagliflozin as add‐on to metformin in people with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Merker L. , Häring H‐U. , Christiansen A. V. , Roux F. , Salsali A. , Kim G. , Meinicke T. , Woerle H. J. , Broedl U. C. ,   the EMPA‐REG EXTEND MET investigators
Published: May 2015

AbstractAimsTo investigate the long‐term efficacy and safety of empagliflozin as add‐on to metformin in people with Type 2 diabetes.MethodsOf 637 participants treated with empagliflozin 10 mg, empagliflozin 25 mg, or placebo once daily for 24 weeks, 463 (72.7%) were treated in a double‐blind extension trial for ≥ 52 weeks. Prespecified exploratory endpoints included changes from baseline in HbA1c, weight and blood pressure at week 76.ResultsCompared with placebo, adjusted mean changes from baseline in HbA1c (overall baseline mean ± sd 63 ± 9 mmol/mol [7.9 ± 0.9%]) were −7 mmol/mol [(−0.6%) 95% CI −8, −5 mmol/mol (−0.8, −0.5%); P < 0.001] and −8 mmol/mol [(−0.7%) 95% CI −10, −6 mmol/mol (−0.9, −0.6%); P < 0.001], for empagliflozin 10 mg and 25 mg, respectively. Compared with placebo, adjusted mean changes from baseline in weight were −1.9 kg (95% CI −2.5, −1.3; P < 0.001) and −2.2 kg (95% CI −2.8, −1.6; P < 0.001) for empagliflozin 10 mg and 25 mg, respectively. Empagliflozin led to sustained reductions in systolic blood pressure vs. placebo. Adverse events were reported in 77.7, 80.2 and 72.0% of participants on placebo, empagliflozin 10 mg and empagliflozin 25 mg, respectively. Confirmed hypoglycaemic adverse events (glucose ≤ 3.9 mmol/l and/or event requiring assistance) were reported in 3.4, 4.1 and 4.2% of participants in these groups, respectively.ConclusionsIn people with Type 2 diabetes, empagliflozin 10 mg and 25 mg given as add‐on to metformin for 76 weeks were well tolerated and led to sustained reductions in HbA1c, weight and systolic blood pressure.