bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the accuracy of vendor-supplied accessibility documentation
Authors: DeLancey Laura 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– In an effort to ensure vendor compliance with Section 508, some libraries have begun requesting Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) or other documentation of accessibility compliance. The purpose of this paper is to assess the accuracy of vendor-supplied compliance documentation, and to identify common accessibility issues highlighted by the VPATs. A detailed discussion of vendor responses to each Section 508 checkpoint is provided in the Appendix.

Design/methodology/approach
– Researchers compared 17 VPATs with the results of an automated accessibility scan to identify inconsistencies and common problems.

Findings
– Vendors reported being fully compliant with 64 percent of the applicable VPAT items, and partially compliant with a further 24 percent. However, in 16 of 17 cases, there were discrepancies between the information on the VPAT and the results of the scan. Of the total 189 VPAT checkpoints the author scanned, 19.6 percent had errors (meaning the information on the VPAT was inaccurate 19.6 percent of the time).

Research limitations/implications
– Several VPAT checkpoints could not be automatically verified by the scan. Instead they require manual/visual verification, which the author did not do. Because the author only scanned three pages of each resource, the author was not able to check all content.

Practical implications
– Vendor-supplied accessibility documentation should not be taken at face value, but requires verification and follow up to ensure its accuracy. This study also identified some of the most common accessibility issues, which will help both librarians and vendors improve their products and services.

Originality/value
– Other studies have analyzed the accessibility of library resources and specifically vendor databases, but none have assessed the accuracy of vendor-supplied Section 508 compliance documentation.
Ease of use and usefulness as measures of student experience in a multi-platform e-textbook pilot
Authors: Johnston David James , Berg Selinda Adelle , Pillon Karen , Williams Mita 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of how students accept and use e-textbooks in higher education by assessing their experiences with e-textbooks from Flat World Knowledge (FWK) and Nelson Education during a two year campus pilot.

Design/methodology/approach
– Students enrolled in one of 11 classes involved in the library’s e-textbook pilot were recruited to complete an online survey including questions related to the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of electronic textbooks, as well as their general habits with the textbook. This study uses the Technology Acceptance Model as a framework for analysis.

Findings
– Students experienced a drop in enthusiasm for e-textbooks from the beginning to the end of the pilot. While research suggests that students prefer for print over electronic in some contexts, students rarely acted on that preference by seeking out available alternative print options. Student experience with the open/affordable textbook (FWK) was very comparable to that of the high cost commercial text (Nelson).

Originality/value
– While previous research suggests that students have a general preference for textbooks in print rather than electronic, the study suggests that preference may not dictate the likelihood that students will use print options. Students appear to be willing and able to easily make use of the content and functions in their e-textbooks. Despite overall positive reviews for the e-textbooks, students experienced a drop in enthusiasm for e-textbooks from the beginning to the end of the pilot.
Morphological variability in propagules of a desert annual as a function of rainfall patterns at different temporal and spatial scales
Authors: Martínez‐Berdeja Alejandra , Ezcurra Exequiel , Torres Mauricio 
Published: March 2015

Summary

Organisms living in highly variable environments have to display integrated strategies to deal with both systematic and random variation occurring at different temporal and spatial scales. Two predictions were tested by analysing geographic‐scale patterns of seed size and seed retention (serotiny) in Chorizanthe rigida, a strict winter desert annual that delays seed dispersal and releases propagules after rainfall events: (i) adaptation to systematic environmental cues occurs by means of changes in morphology, and (ii) within‐individual variation in seed size allows a differential response to rainfall cues: while some seeds germinate rapidly others are retained for future rainfall events.

We quantified morphological variation and performed germination experiments on C. rigida propagules (involucres + achenes) from six populations distributed throughout the Mojave and Sonoran deserts covering: (i) a systematic, west‐to‐east, winter‐to‐bi‐seasonal (summer and winter) precipitation gradient and (ii) a winter‐rain unpredictability gradient inferred from long‐term climatic data.

The propagule retention structure (i.e. base area of the pedicel) of C. rigida individuals experiencing bi‐seasonal rainfall is double the size of those that have evolved under a strict winter rainfall regime, showing that populations living in bi‐seasonal environments have higher seed retention, which allows them to avoid releasing seeds to a summer rainfall cue.

Within‐individual variance of propagule size varied significantly between populations and was correlated with winter rainfall variability in each site.

Germination varied as a function of propagule size; smaller seeds germinated more readily than larger seeds. Increased variability in propagule size might result in a more variable germination response.

Under common experimental conditions germination varied significantly among sites and was negatively correlated with mean winter effective precipitation, suggesting that propagules from populations in drier sites have lower germination moisture thresholds.

Synthesis. C. rigida propagules have larger bases in deserts with biseasonal rainfall, which allows them to avoid seed release during summer rainfall cues, and display within‐individual seed variance associated to rainfall unpredictability, a trait often interpreted as a bet‐hedging strategy. Our study provides empirical evidence of an integrated strategy that allows to cope with both random and systematic rainfall variation.
Wide differences in mode of delivery within Europe: risk‐stratified analyses of aggregated routine data from the Euro‐Peristat study
Authors: Macfarlane AJ , Blondel B , Mohangoo AD , Cuttini M , Nijhuis J , Novak Z , Ólafsdóttir HS , Zeitlin J ,   the Euro‐Peristat Scientific Committee
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo use data from routine sources to compare rates of obstetric intervention in Europe both overall and for subgroups at higher risk of intervention.DesignRetrospective analysis of aggregated routine data.SettingThirty‐one European countries or regions contributing data on mode of delivery to the Euro‐Peristat project.PopulationBirths in participating countries in 2010.MethodsCountries provided aggregated data about overall rates of obstetric intervention and about caesarean section rates for specified subgroups.Main outcome measuresMode of delivery.ResultsRates of caesarean section ranged from 14.8% to 52.2% of all births and rates of instrumental vaginal delivery ranged from 0.5% to 16.4%. Overall, there was no association between rates of instrumental vaginal delivery and rates of caesarean section, but similarities were observed between some countries that are geographically close and may share common traditions of practice. Associations were observed between caesarean section rates for women with breech and vertex births and with singleton and multiple births but patterns of association for women who had and had not had previous caesarean sections were more complex.ConclusionsThe persisting wide variations in caesarean section and instrumental vaginal delivery rates point to a lack of consensus about practice and raise questions for further investigation. Further research is needed to explore the impact of differences in clinical guidelines, healthcare systems and their financing and parents’ and professionals’ attitudes to care at delivery.
Using Medical Claims for Policy Effectiveness Surveillance: Reimbursement and Utilization of Abdomen/Pelvis Computed Tomography Scans
Authors: Horný Michal , Morgan Jake R. , Merker Vanessa L. 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo quantify changes in private insurance payments for and utilization of abdominal/pelvic computed tomography scans (CTs) after 2011 changes in CPT coding and Medicare reimbursement rates, which were designed to reduce costs stemming from misvalued procedures.Data SourcesTruvenHealth Analytics MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database.Study DesignWe used difference‐in‐differences models to compare combined CTs of the abdomen/pelvis to CTs of the abdomen or pelvis only. Our main outcomes were inflation‐adjusted log payments per procedure, daily utilization rates, and total annual payments.Data Extraction MethodsClaims data were extracted for all abdominal/pelvic CTs performed in 2009–2011 within noncapitated, employer‐sponsored private plans.Principal FindingsAdjusted payments per combined CTs of the abdomen/pelvis dropped by 23.8 percent (p < .0001), and their adjusted daily utilization rate accelerated by 0.36 percent (p = .034) per month after January 2011. Utilization rate of abdominal‐only or pelvic‐only CTs dropped by 5.0 percent (p < .0001). Total annual payments for combined CTs of the abdomen/pelvis decreased in 2011 despite the increased utilization.ConclusionsPrivate insurance payments for combined CTs of the abdomen/pelvis declined and utilization accelerated significantly after 2011 policy changes. While growth in total annual payments was contained in 2011, it may not be sustained if 2011 utilization trends persist.
Land Invasions, Insecure Property Rights and Production Decisions
Authors: Orellano Veronica , Azevedo Paulo Furquim , Saes Maria Sylvia , Nascimento Viviam Ester 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates empirically the effect of land invasions on farm production decisions. The main hypothesis is that more invasions in a region are associated with lower investment, and in particular a bias towards annual crops as opposed to long‐term crops. We use a county‐level dataset for the state of Paraná, Brazil, from 2003 to 2007, with 1,995 observations. The panel data structure allows us to control for fixed effects, such as the formalisation of land titles and land concentration, which might be correlated with the intensity of invasions. An instrumental variable fixed effects model was estimated to avoid other sources of bias. Our main finding is that land invasions are associated with lower long‐term crop production and a higher percentage of annual crops, which could accelerate land degradation, and undermine environmental sustainability.
Silencing of apolipophorin‐III causes abnormal adult morphological phenotype and susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes infection in Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Patnaik Bharat Bhusan , Patnaik Hongray Howrelia , Park Ki Beom , Jo Yong Hun , Lee Yong Seok , Han Yeon Soo 
Published: March 2015

AbstractInsect apolipophorin‐III is an exchangeable protein that is abundantly found in the hemolymph, and serves an important role in lipid transport, development, and innate immunity. In this study, we examined the role of apolipophorin‐III (TmapoLp‐III) during the adult eclosion stages of Tenebrio molitor by RNA interference (RNAi) analysis. After silencing of the mRNA transcripts at both larval and pupal stages, adult phenotypic defects were noticed. Defects included the incomplete shedding of pupal skin, shorter extension of the elytra, and improper folding of the hind wings. Most of the adults were malformed and died possibly due to dehydration. We also showed the involvement of TmapoLp‐III in conferring resistance to T. molitor larvae against Listeria monocytogenes infection. Mortality was found to be lower in non‐silenced intoxicated larvae while the TmapoLp‐III silenced larvae showed a significant susceptibility after 7 days post‐injection with a dose of 106 cfu/larvae.
Topographical variation of macular choroidal thickness with myopia
Authors: Lee Kwanghyun , Lee Junwon , Lee Christopher S. , Park Sun Young , Lee Sung Chul , Lee TaekJune 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPurposeTo study the association between topographical variation of choroidal thickness and myopic features in healthy eyes, using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).MethodsChoroidal thickness was measured at the foveal centre (CTF) and 1.5 mm superiorly (CTS), inferiorly (CTI), nasally (CTN) and temporally (CTT) from the foveal centre, using enhanced depth imaging OCT. The temporal width of β zone of peripapillary atrophy (βPPA) was measured on infrared fundus images. The ratio of βPPA width to vertical disc diameter (PVDR) was calculated to correct retinal magnification.ResultsThis study includes 85 eyes from 85 subjects who had a mean age of 53.9 ± 12.9 years, a mean axial length of 23.56 ± 0.82 mm, a mean refractive error of −0.14 ± 1.80 D, a mean βPPA width of 218.6 ± 181.3 μm and a mean PVDR of 0.13 ± 0.11. The CTF was thickest (266.4 ± 81.6), followed by CTS (256.2 ± 82.5 μm), CTT (251.7 ± 68.4 μm), CTI (247.7 ± 90.3 μm) and CTN (211.0 ± 76.5 μm). There were 31 eyes (36.5%) with CTT thicker than CTF. The CTT/CTF negatively correlated with refractive error (p = 0.012) and positively correlated with axial length (p = 0.031), βPPA width (p = 0.003) and PVDR (p = 0.006).ConclusionsThere was a correlation between a thickened choroid, temporal to the foveal centre, with the severity of myopic components in normal eyes. Topographical changes might be induced by stretching of the choroid and sclera towards a temporal direction with eyeball elongation.
The median preoptic nucleus: front and centre for the regulation of body fluid, sodium, temperature, sleep and cardiovascular homeostasis
Authors: McKinley M. J. , Yao S. T. , Uschakov A. , McAllen R. M. , Rundgren M. , Martelli D. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractLocated in the midline anterior wall of the third cerebral ventricle (i.e. the lamina terminalis), the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) receives a unique set of afferent neural inputs from fore‐, mid‐ and hindbrain. These afferent connections enable it to receive neural signals related to several important aspects of homeostasis. Included in these afferent projections are (i) neural inputs from two adjacent circumventricular organs, the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, that respond to hypertonicity, circulating angiotensin II or other humoural factors, (ii) signals from cutaneous warm and cold receptors that are relayed to MnPO, respectively, via different subnuclei in the lateral parabrachial nucleus and (iii) input from the medulla associated with baroreceptor and vagal afferents. These afferent signals reach appropriate neurones within the MnPO that enable relevant neural outputs, both excitatory and inhibitory, to be activated or inhibited. The efferent neural pathways that proceed from the MnPO terminate on (i) neuroendocrine cells in the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei to regulate vasopressin release, while polysynaptic pathways from MnPO to cortical sites may drive thirst and water intake, (ii) thermoregulatory pathways to the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and medullary raphé to regulate shivering, brown adipose tissue and skin vasoconstriction, (iii) parvocellular neurones in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus that drive autonomic pathways influencing cardiovascular function. As well, (iv) other efferent pathways from the MnPO to sites in the ventrolateral pre‐optic nucleus, perifornical region of the lateral hypothalamic area and midbrain influence sleep mechanisms.
Novel score for prediction of malignant bile duct obstruction based on biochemical and clinical markers
Authors: Meister T. , Uphoff M.‐A. , Heinecke A. , Domagk D. , Kunsch S. , Lindhorst A. , Ellenrieder V. , Heinzow H. S. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryBackgroundEarly differentiation of malignant from benign bile duct obstruction is of utmost importance.AimTo identify biochemical and clinical predictors for malignancy in patients with bile duct obstruction, and establish a predictive model by combining pre‐treatment patient characteristics. A web‐based application was developed for easy assessment of malignant bile duct probability (www.pmal-score.org).MethodsOne thousand hundred and thirty‐five patients [median age 66 (52–75) years, 53% male] with bile duct obstruction of various aetiologies were retrospectively evaluated at our tertiary referral centre. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors as independently significant for malignant bile duct obstruction. A predictive risk score was established using ROC analysis and applied to an external validation cohort of 101 patients.ResultsThree hundred and ninety‐four patients had malignant bile duct obstruction proven by surgery, while in 741 patients benign obstruction was observed. Multivariate analysis identified various clinical factors to be predictive for malignancy. On the basis of eight predictors, a risk score for malignancy was developed [X = 0.025 * [age] + 1.239 * [1 if weight loss, otherwise 0] − 0.235 * [1 if pain, otherwise 0] + 0.649 * [1 if diabetes, otherwise 0] + 0.896 * [1 if jaundice, otherwise 0] + 0.109 * [bilirubin] + 0.0007 * [γ‐GT] + 0.0003 * [AP] − 4.374]: A significant correlation between the predicted malignancy and the actual malignancy was found by ROC (AUC: 0.862; 95% CI 0.838–0.886, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThis predictive risk score estimates the risk of malignancy in patients with bile duct obstruction, and it seems to be very accurate. A better prediction enables both earlier diagnosis of malignant obstructive disease and improved management of patients with bile duct obstruction, which may result in reduced morbidity and mortality.
Vincristine activates c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in vivo
Authors: Bates Darcy J. P. , Lewis Lionel D. , Eastman Alan , Danilov Alexey V. 
Published: March 2015

AimsThe authors’ aim was to conduct a proof‐of‐principle study to test whether c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and Noxa induction occur in peripheral blood chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells in patients receiving a vincristine infusion.MethodsPatients with CLL received 2 mg vincristine by a 5‐min intravenous infusion. Blood samples were collected at baseline and up to 6 h after the vincristine infusion, and assayed for JNK activation, Noxa induction and vincristine plasma concentrations.ResultsEx vivo treated peripheral CLL cells activated JNK in response to 10–100 nM vincristine in 6 h. Noxa protein expression, while variable, was also observed over this time frame. In CLL patients, vincristine infusion led to rapid (<1 h) JNK phosphorylation in peripheral blood CLL cells which was sustained for at least 4–6 h after the vincristine infusion. Noxa protein expression was not observed in response to vincristine infusion.ConclusionsThis study confirmed that vincristine can activate JNK but not induce Noxa in CLL cells in vivo. The results suggest that novel JNK‐dependent drug combinations with vincristine warrant further investigation.
CXCR2 modulates bone marrow vascular repair and haematopoietic recovery post‐transplant
Authors: Hale Sarah J. M. , Hale Ashley B. H. , Zhang Youyi , Sweeney Dominic , Fisher Nita , van der Garde Mark , Grabowska Rita , Pepperell Emma , Channon Keith , Martin‐Rendon Enca , Watt Suzanne M. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryMurine models of bone marrow transplantation show that pre‐conditioning regimens affect the integrity of the bone marrow endothelium and that the repair of this vascular niche is an essential pre‐requisite for successful haematopoietic stem and progenitor cell engraftment. Little is known about the angiogenic pathways that play a role in the repair of the human bone marrow vascular niche. We therefore established an in vitro humanized model, composed of bone marrow stromal and endothelial cells and have identified several pro‐angiogenic factors, VEGFA, ANGPT1, CXCL8 and CXCL16, produced by the stromal component of this niche. We demonstrate for the first time that addition of CXCL8 or inhibition of its receptor, CXCR2, modulates blood vessel formation in our bone marrow endothelial niche model. Compared to wild type, Cxcr2−/− mice displayed a reduction in bone marrow cellularity and delayed platelet and leucocyte recovery following myeloablation and bone marrow transplantation. The delay in bone marrow recovery correlated with impaired bone marrow vascular repair. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CXCR2 regulates bone marrow blood vessel repair/regeneration and haematopoietic recovery, and clinically may be a therapeutic target for improving bone marrow transplantation.
Effect of tyrphostin AG879 on Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 potassium channels
Authors: Yu Haibo , Zou Beiyan , Wang Xiaoliang , Li Min 
Published: March 2015

Background and PurposeA‐type potassium channels (IA) are important proteins for modulating neuronal membrane excitability. The expression and activity of Kv4.2 channels are critical for neurological functions and pharmacological inhibitors of Kv4.2 channels may have therapeutic potential for Fragile X syndrome. While screening various compounds, we identified tyrphostin AG879, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, as a Kv4.2 inhibitor from. In the present study we characterized the effect of AG879 on cloned Kv4.2/Kv channel‐interacting protein 2 (KChIP2) channels.Experimental ApproachTo screen the library of pharmacologically active compounds, the thallium flux assay was performed on HEK‐293 cells transiently‐transfected with Kv4.2 cDNA using the Maxcyte transfection system. The effects of AG879 were further examined on CHO‐K1 cells expressing Kv4.2/KChIP2 channels using a whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique.Key ResultsTyrphostin AG879 selectively and dose‐dependently inhibited Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 channels. In Kv4.2/KChIP2 channels, AG879 induced prominent acceleration of the inactivation rate, use‐dependent block and slowed the recovery from inactivation. AG879 induced a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage‐dependence of the steady‐state inactivation of Kv4.2 channels without apparent effect on the V1/2 of the voltage‐dependent activation. The blocking effect of AG879 was enhanced as channel inactivation increased. Furthermore, AG879 significantly inhibited the A‐type potassium currents in the cultured hippocampus neurons.Conclusion and ImplicationsAG879 was identified as a selective and potent inhibitor the Kv4.2 channel. AG879 inhibited Kv4.2 channels by preferentially interacting with the open state and further accelerating their inactivation.