bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Barriers to Activist Networking: Habitus (In)action in Three European Transnational Encounters
Authors: Flesher Fominaya Cristina
Published: June 2015

Transnational coordination is a key aspiration of activists seeking to mobilize globally, yet the literature pays insufficient attention to the impact of cultural differences on transnational networking. In this article I draw on ethnographic data from three European autonomous social movement encounters in the Global Justice Movement (2002–2004) to demonstrate the impact of culture clashes between activists on transnational networking. I use the concept of habitus to explore how routinized, taken for granted, symbolic systems of meaning that individuals from shared locations have in common shape their interactions in transnational encounters. This conception of culture is underutilized in social movement analysis yet offers important insights into internal movement dynamics. I argue that despite the autonomous commitment to radical openness and plurality, a lack of attention to the empirical reality of place‐based activist subcultures and habitus actually works against the “cosmopolitanism” that many activists and scholars aspire to.
Patient satisfaction between remifentanil patient‐controlled analgesia and epidural analgesia for labor pain
Authors: Frauenfelder Sascha , van Rijn Rita , Radder Celine M. , de Vries Myrtille C. , Dijksman Lea M. , Godfried Marc B.
Published: June 2015

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare patient satisfaction between remifentanil patient‐controlled analgesia (RPCA) and epidural analgesia (EA) for labor pain.

Material and methods

This prospective cohort study was carried out on primiparous women requesting analgesia for labor at a Teaching Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Women self‐selected the analgesia of choice (RPCA n = 166 and EA n = 124) and were asked to complete the Woman's Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBSLQ), within 24 h (T0), 3 months (T3) and 6 months (T6) after birth. The WOMBSLQ comprises 11 subscales, including pain during labor and general satisfaction. The main outcome measure was general satisfaction.

Results

There was no significant difference in the subscale of general satisfaction with labor and delivery (maximum of 14 points) between both groups at all three time points [median score at T0 for RPCA was 12 vs. 13 for the EA group (p = 0.95); at T3: 12 vs. 12, respectively (p = 0.41); and at T6: 12 vs. 12, respectively (p = 0.69)]. Women in the EA group had significantly better pain relief (maximum of 21 points) at all three time points [median score at T0 for RPCA was 14 vs. 18 for the EA group (p < 0.001); at T3: 13 vs. 17, respectively (p = 0.002); and at T6: 13 vs. 17, respectively (p = 0.003)].

Conclusion

Both self‐selected groups did not differ in general satisfaction with labor and delivery at all three time points after birth despite a significantly higher experienced pain in the RPCA group.
Towards normalized birthweight in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nilsson Charlotta , Ursing Dag , Strevens Helena , Landin‐Olsson Mona
Published: June 2015

Introduction

The objective was to describe pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in comparison with general population in Sweden.

Material and methods

A population‐based retrospective study using University hospital records and Swedish Medical Birth Register was carried out on pregnant women with well‐monitored GDM (n = 870) and pregnancies in the Swedish Medical Birth Register (n = 1 553 420). Data from GDM pregnancies was compared to pregnancies in the whole of Sweden during 1995–2010. The main outcome measures were age, first bodyweight in and weight gain during pregnancy, birthweight, gestational length, percentage of cesarean deliveries.

Results

First maternal bodyweight during the GDM pregnancy was higher than in the general population, 72.4 ± 17.4 kg (n = 837) vs. 67.3 ± 12.6 kg (n = 1 383 000; p < 0.0001). Women with GDM gained less weight during pregnancy 9.9 ± 5.8 kg (n = 703) compared to the general population, 13.2 ± 5.7 kg (n = 482 860; p < 0.0001). Mean birthweight in GDM pregnancies was 3564 ± 500 g (n = 743) compared to 3580 ± 483 g for the general population (n = 1 316 364; p = ns). Gestational length was slightly shorter, 39.4 weeks in the GDM pregnancies (n = 683) vs. 39.5 weeks (n = 1 319 876; p = 0.02) in the general population and the percentage of cesarean deliveries higher in the GDM pregnancies at 18.4% (n = 712) vs. 13.3% (n = 1 322 242; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Though many studies have shown an increased risk of macrosomia in GDM pregnancies, remaining even after ambitious management programs, we show no difference in birthweight. This may be due to a combination of intense efforts to achieve good metabolic control during pregnancy and shorter pregnancy duration. Preventing unduly large babies is crucial to minimize adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Target biomarker profile for the clinical management of paracetamol overdose
Authors: Vliegenthart A. D. Bastiaan , Antoine Daniel J. , Dear James W.
Published: June 2015

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose is one of the most common causes of acute liver injury in the Western world. To improve patient care and reduce pressure on already stretched health care providers new biomarkers are needed that identify or exclude liver injury soon after an overdose of paracetamol is ingested. This review highlights the current state of paracetamol poisoning management and how novel biomarkers could improve patient care and save healthcare providers money. Based on the widely used concept of defining a target product profile, a target biomarker profile is proposed that identifies desirable and acceptable key properties for a biomarker in development to enable the improved treatment of this patient population. The current biomarker candidates, with improved hepatic specificity and based on the fundamental mechanistic basis of paracetamol‐induced liver injury, are reviewed and their performance compared with our target profile.
Angiotensin‐(1–7) administration benefits cardiac, renal and progenitor cell function in db/db mice
Authors: Papinska A M , Mordwinkin N M , Meeks C J , Jadhav S S , Rodgers K E
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose

Diabetic patients are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, in part due to inflammation and oxidative stress. These two pathological mechanisms also affect other organs and cells including the kidneys and progenitor cells. Angiotensin‐(1–7) [Ang‐(1–7)] has previously been shown to counterbalance pathological effects of angiotensin II, including inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of short‐term (2 weeks) Ang‐(1–7) treatment on cardiovascular and renal function in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes (db/db).

Experimental Approach

Eight‐ to nine‐week‐old db/db mice were administered either vehicle, Ang‐(1–7) alone, or Ang‐(1–7) combined with an inhibitor (losartan, PD123319, A‐779, L‐NAME or icatibant) daily for 14 days.

Key Results

An improvement in physiological heart function was observed in Ang‐(1–7)‐treated mice. Ang‐(1–7) also reduced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration of the heart tissue and increased blood vessel number. These changes were blocked by antagonists of the MAS1, AT2 and bradykinin receptors and inhibition of NO formation. Treatment with Ang‐(1–7) reduced glomerular damage and oxidative stress in kidney tissue. Bone marrow and circulating endothelial progenitors, as well as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, were increased in mice treated with Ang‐(1–7).

Conclusions and Implications

Short‐term Ang‐(1–7) treatment of young db/db mice improved heart function and reduced kidney damage. Treatment also improved bone marrow and circulating levels of endothelial and mesenchymal stem cells. All of this may contribute to improved cardiovascular and renal function.
Negotiating barriers, navigating the maze: First Nation peoples' experience of medical relocation
Authors: Lavoie Josée G. , Kaufert Joseph , Browne Annette J. , Mah Sharon , O'Neil John D. , Sinclair Stephanie , BlueSky Kathleen
Published: June 2015

This study documents the policy framework that shapes First Nations' experience of relocating to access medical care. We analyzed policy documents and government websites, interviewed individuals who have experienced relocation, family members, healthcare providers, health administrators, and conducted two focus groups with government representatives. Federal and provincial program managers interpret policies, make decisions on eligibility, to extend or deny coverage. Decisions are shaped by shrinking budgets, fragmented program coverage, and jurisdictional confusion. Provider advocacy can help, but also perpetuate perceptions of arbitrariness and distrust. National policy renewal is required to redress this issue.
Learning Orthographic Structure With Sequential Generative Neural Networks
Authors: Testolin Alberto , Stoianov Ivilin , Sperduti Alessandro , Zorzi Marco
Published: June 2015

Learning the structure of event sequences is a ubiquitous problem in cognition and particularly in language. One possible solution is to learn a probabilistic generative model of sequences that allows making predictions about upcoming events. Though appealing from a neurobiological standpoint, this approach is typically not pursued in connectionist modeling. Here, we investigated a sequential version of the restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a stochastic recurrent neural network that extracts high‐order structure from sensory data through unsupervised generative learning and can encode contextual information in the form of internal, distributed representations. We assessed whether this type of network can extract the orthographic structure of English monosyllables by learning a generative model of the letter sequences forming a word training corpus. We show that the network learned an accurate probabilistic model of English graphotactics, which can be used to make predictions about the letter following a given context as well as to autonomously generate high‐quality pseudowords. The model was compared to an extended version of simple recurrent networks, augmented with a stochastic process that allows autonomous generation of sequences, and to non‐connectionist probabilistic models (n‐grams and hidden Markov models). We conclude that sequential RBMs and stochastic simple recurrent networks are promising candidates for modeling cognition in the temporal domain.
Safety and feasibility of chronic transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation for treatment of central sleep apnea in heart failure patients
Authors: Zhang Xilong , Ding Ning , Ni Buqing , Yang Bing , Wang Hong , Zhang Shi‐Jiang
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with poor quality of life and prognosis. Early acute studies using transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) to treat CSA in HF have shown a significantly reduction of CSA and improvement of key polysomnographic parameters. In this study, we evaluated the safety of and efficiency chronic transvenous PNS with an implanted neurostimulator in HF patients with CSA.

Methods

This study was a prospective, nonrandomized evaluation of unilateral transvenous PNS in eight HF patients with CSA. The stimulation lead, which connected to a proprietary neurostimulator, was positioned in either the left pericardiophrenic or right brachiocephalic vein. Monitoring during implantation and 6‐monthly follow‐ups were performed.

Results

Six of the implanted eight patients completed the study (one was lost to follow‐up; one died from pneumonia). Neither side effects nor adverse events related to stimulation occurred. During the 6‐monthly follow‐ups, one patient had a lead dislodgement in the first month and the lead was subsequently repositioned. No additional lead dislodgements occurred. There were no significant changes in sleep habits, appetite, bleeding or infections. Compared with the parameters before stimulator implantation, there were significant improvement in apnea‐hypopnea index, central apnea index, left ventricular ejection fraction and 6‐min walk distance (all P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Use of chronic transvenous PNS appears to be safe and feasible in HF patients with CSA. Large multicenter studies are needed to confirm safety and efficacy in this population.
Diagnostic utility of endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath under the computed tomography workstation (ziostation) for small peripheral pulmonary lesions
Authors: Matsumoto Yuji , Izumo Takehiro , Sasada Shinji , Tsuchida Takaaki , Ohe Yuichiro
Published: June 2015

Background and Aims

The application of radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R‐EBUS) and virtual bronchoscopic navigation has improved the diagnostic outcome of bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). Nonetheless, while existing navigation systems are very useful for selecting the bronchus containing the target lesion, the associated introductory costs are high. Therefore, we focused on virtual bronchoscopy (VB) using the workstation, ziostation that was already available in many countries as an adjunct modality.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent bronchoscopy with R‐EBUS for PPLs (major diameter ≤30 mm) were enrolled. From late June 2013 to November 2013, 121 patients were examined with ziostation, and from September 2012 to early June 2013, 113 patients were examined without ziostation. We compared the diagnostic yield, EBUS detection rate and procedure time between two groups to evaluate the utility of the VB.

Results

The ziostation group had significantly higher diagnostic yield than the non‐ziostation group (77.7% vs 64.6%, P = 0.030). Following the multivariate analysis, use of ziostation was a significant factor affecting the diagnostic yield. Meanwhile, EBUS detection rate was significantly higher in the ziostation group (94.2% vs 75.2%, P < 0.001). And, procedure time was significantly shorter in the ziostation group (mean ± standard deviation: 24.0 ± 7.4 min vs 26.9 ± 7.9 min, P = 0.005).

Conclusion

VB offered by the workstation was a valuable tool that facilitated more accurate and rapid bronchoscopy procedure for diagnosis of PPLs.
Fatal invasive aspergillosis: a rare co‐infection with an unexpected image presentation in a patient with dengue shock syndrome
Authors: Wang Hui‐Ching , Chang Ko , Lu Po‐Liang , Tsai Kun‐Bow , Chen Huang‐Chi
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Pulmonary infiltration and pleural effusion caused by permeability syndrome are the hallmark of pulmonary manifestation of dengue cases.

Objective and Methods

We report a 95‐year‐old chronic obstructive pulmonary disease case having dengue shock syndrome. Chest X‐ray examination revealed diffuse lung infiltration. However, bilateral pneumotoceles were unexpectedly found in computed tomography (CT) images. Dengue virus type 2 infection was confirmed by virus culture, serology and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Profound shock with bilateral lung infiltration developed rapidly in 2 days with supportive care and empirical ampicillin/ sulbactam. Bronchoscopy revealed a whitish plaque over bilateral upper bronchi. Biopsy via bronchoscopy revealed moulds with vascular invasion. Culture of bronchial alveolar lavage yielded Aspergillus flavus. The patient died despite amphotericin B treatment, which was started since finding the whitish plaque with bronchoscopy examination.

Results and Conclusion

Besides to considering capillary leakage syndrome, our case report and literature review alert clinicians that CT and bronchoscopy may help to identify the true pathogen though all cases with concurrent dengue and Aspergillus infections had fatal outcomes.
Partial pleural covering for intractable pneumothorax in patients with Birt‐Hogg‐Dubé Syndrome
Authors: Okada Akira , Hirono Tatsuhiko , Watanabe Takehiro , Hasegawa Go , Tanaka Reiko , Furuya Mitsuko
Published: June 2015

Background and Aims

Birt‐Hogg‐Dubé syndrome (BHD) is an inherited disorder associated with a germline mutation of the folliculin (FLCN) gene. Most patients with BHD have multiple pulmonary cysts, and are at high risk of repeated pneumothorax. Although an increasing number of patients are diagnosed with BHD by genetic testing, therapeutic approaches for intractable pneumothorax have not yet been described.

Methods

We treated three patients who had repeated episodes of pneumothorax. All had multiple pulmonary cysts in the lower lobes, and two had a family history of pneumothorax. Video‐assisted thoracic surgery was used to perform wedge resections and partial pleural covering of the cystic lesions. The partial pleural covering technique used sheets of polyglycolic acid felt or regenerative oxidized cellulose mesh. The resected tissues underwent histopathological evaluation, and peripheral blood leukocytes were tested for FLCN mutations.

Results

The operative times were less than 2 h, and there were no complications. The resected cysts had histopathological features characteristic of BHD lung. All patients were found to have FLCN germline mutations; thus their repeated pneumothoraces were a manifestation of BHD. None of the patients developed respiratory problems after undergoing the partial pleural covering procedure, and they have all been well without pneumothorax for 30 months or more.

Conclusions

Partial pleural covering combined with resection of protruding cysts should be a safe and effective therapeutic approach for BHD patients with intractable pneumothorax. Further investigation is needed to establish a detailed protocol for treatment of pneumothorax that results in minimal functional impairment.
IL‐17A and IL‐17F single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with lung cancer in Chinese population
Authors: He Yanchao , Du Yong , Wei Sun , Shi Jindong , Mei Zhoufang , Qian Ling , Chen Zhiwei , Jie Zhijun
Published: June 2015

Background and Aims

Genetic predisposition and environmental factors impact the development of lung cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL‐17A and IL‐17F genes with lung cancer risk in Chinese Han population.

Methods

A total of 678 subjects were enrolled, including 320 lung cancer patients and 358 healthy controls. Six SNPs of IL‐17A (rs2275913, rs3748067 and rs3819025) and IL‐17F (rs763780, rs1266828 and rs12203582) were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase detection reaction (LDR).

Results

The distribution of IL‐17A alleles and A and AA genotype for rs2275913 had a significant association with lung cancer risk (OR: 1.26, 95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.56 and OR: 2.08, 95% confidence interval = 1.311–3.31, respectively). In the subgroup analysis, people carrying homozygous variants of rs2275913 and rs12203582 were more likely to develop lung cancer both in adenocarcinoma (OR: 2.33, 95% confidence interval = 1.34–4.05; OR: 1.84, 95% confidence interval = 1.04–3.25) and advanced (OR: 2.35, 95% confidence interval = 1.46–3.80; OR: 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–2.87) groups. Although no interaction was found between variants of rs2275913 and rs12203582 and tobacco smoking (P > 0.05), smokers carrying homozygous variants of rs2275913 and rs12203582 are at high risk of lung cancer, while no relationship were found among non‐smokers. No significant associations between rs3748067, rs3819025, rs763780 and rs1266828 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk were observed.

Conclusions

Polymorphisms of both IL‐17A and IL‐17F may increase lung cancer risk in Chinese population, and are associated differently with subtypes of clinical‐pathologic features and tobacco smoking history of lung cancer patients. SNPs of IL‐17A and IL‐17F predict lung cancer risk.
Precision Genomic Medicine in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Chang Eugene H. , Zabner Joseph
Published: June 2015

The successful application of precision genomic medicine requires an understanding of how a person's genome can influence his or her disease phenotype and how medical therapies can provide personalized therapy to one's genotype. In this review, we highlight advances in precision genomic medicine in cystic fibrosis (CF), a classic autosomal recessive genetic disorder. We discuss genotype–phenotype correlations in CF, genetic and environmental modifiers of disease, and pharmacogenetic therapies that target specific genetic mutations thereby addressing the primary defect of cystic fibrosis.
Developing Common Metrics for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs): Lessons Learned
Authors: Rubio Doris M. , Blank Arthur E. , Dozier Ann , Hites Lisle , Gilliam Victoria A. , Hunt Joe , Rainwater Julie , Trochim William M.
Published: June 2015

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap for Medical Research initiative, funded by the NIH Common Fund and offered through the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, developed more than 60 unique models for achieving the NIH goal of accelerating discoveries toward better public health. The variety of these models enabled participating academic centers to experiment with different approaches to fit their research environment. A central challenge related to the diversity of approaches is the ability to determine the success and contribution of each model. This paper describes the effort by the Evaluation Key Function Committee to develop and test a methodology for identifying a set of common metrics to assess the efficiency of clinical research processes and for pilot testing these processes for collecting and analyzing metrics. The project involved more than one‐fourth of all CTSAs and resulted in useful information regarding the challenges in developing common metrics, the complexity and costs of acquiring data for the metrics, and limitations on the utility of the metrics in assessing clinical research performance. The results of this process led to the identification of lessons learned and recommendations for development and use of common metrics to evaluate the CTSA effort.
Wilhelm Röpke and Richard C. Koo On Secondary Deflations and Balance Sheet Recessions
Authors: Olsen Andreas Hardhaug
Published: June 2015

The concept of a ‘secondary deflation’ was developed in the 1930s by the German economist Wilhelm Röpke, who saw it as something different from a normal depression. While a primary deflation is a necessary reaction to the inflation from a boom period, a secondary deflation is independent and economically purposeless. Röpke argued that secondary depressions occurred in the US, Germany, France and Switzerland during the 1930s, but was vague on what made them follow primary depressions. Recently, the Taiwanese–American economist Richard C. Koo has claimed to have discovered the ‘Holy Grail of macroeconomics’, that is, what made the Great Depression so deep and long. During the Great Depression, the bursting of the asset price bubble resulted in private sectors having more debt than assets; as they shifted from maximising profits to minimising debt, the consequent debt deflation shrank the economy. According to Koo, Western economies today are suffering from a similar ‘balance sheet recession’. Strengthened by the notion of a balance sheet recession, Röpke's long‐lost insights might advance our understanding of the business cycle in general and the present crisis in the US and the Eurozone in particular.
Interpreting Voluntary Exchange: Markets, Speech Acts And Communicative Action
Authors: Dawson Graham
Published: June 2015

This paper uses speech act theory to present a libertarian reinterpretation of the Habermasian concept of communicative action. Voluntary exchange in competitive markets is interpreted as a speech act and a form of communicative action that respects autonomy and obstructs power. Where exchange occurs in monopolistic markets, it is defective in being a form of (a) strategic action aimed directly at rival suppliers rather than buyers and (b) economic coercion. Voluntary exchange is not an isolated act but the outcome of a complex bargaining process, which may lead to negotiated exit, without the possibility of which economic relations are coercive.
Educational Development in South Sudan: Conscious Design or Spontaneous Order?
Authors: Longfield David
Published: June 2015

Educational development is key to the future prosperity of South Sudan. Officially the situation appears bleak with up to 50 per cent of primary‐aged children out of school, high reported dropout rates and poor attainment. Those involved in the development of education, government departments, international agencies, individuals and communities are each following one of two different approaches as they seek to extend the reach of education. The article suggests that these different approaches arise because those involved hold to either a conscious‐design or a spontaneous‐order model for educational development. The article looks at the recent development of schools in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, in the light of these two theories and finds, despite the rhetoric of the official reports, that most growth is organic and that most recent educational development is emerging spontaneously.
The European Union's Proposed Equality and Data Protection Rules: An Existential Problem for Insurers?
Authors: MacDonnell Paul
Published: June 2015

Insurance companies use personal data to price personal insurance risks. Innovative data‐collection and processing strategies, including big data, offer the potential for better analysis of traditional risks and for markets in new types of insurance. This paper examines the potential for EU data protection and anti‐discrimination legislation – both existing and proposed – to threaten not only this potential but also the traditional personal insurance business. It offers a strategy based upon codes of practice and technological innovation that would allow insurers to protect their business and to innovate while meeting the concerns of legislators about discrimination and data protection.
Detecting seasonal variation in composition of adult Coccinellidae communities
Authors: HONEK ALOIS , MARTINKOVA ZDENKA , DIXON ANTHONY F. G.
Published: June 2015

1. Following its recent global spread, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an aphid predator of East Palearctic origin, dominated local coccinellid communities. While long‐term trends in this change are well documented, little is known about seasonal changes.

2. Seasonal changes in communities of adult Coccinellidae were investigated in central Europe (Prague), from April to November in 2010–2014. The beetles were collected at 2‐weekly intervals by net‐sweeping particular stands of trees (Tilia spp., Acer spp. and Betula sp.). The numbers of beetles caught were recalculated per unit effort, and average species abundance and community richness, dominance and diversity were calculated for each 2‐week period.

3. Frequencies of 21 established species varied throughout the vegetative season and general trends in this variation were similar in each of the 5 years of this study. In May–June the abundant species was Adalia decempunctata, which was later replaced by Harmonia axyridis as the most abundant species in late summer. Coccinella septempunctata colonized trees occasionally in summer. This sequence of species substitution occurred every year and was reset during winter. Species richness decreased and dominance increased during the course of each vegetative season. The diversity of the coccinellid community (Shannon index H′) significantly decreased during the course of the vegetative season. This was caused by a gradual increase in the dominance of H. axyridis, the abundance of which explained 88% of variation in H′.

4. The existence of a significant seasonal difference indicates that it is important to take this into consideration when comparing coccinellid communities.
Beyond annual and seasonal averages: using temporal patterns of precipitation to predict butterfly richness across an elevational gradient
Authors: BADIK KEVIN J. , SHAPIRO ARTHUR M. , BONILLA MELVIN M. , JAHNER JOSHUA P. , HARRISON JOSHUA G. , FORISTER MATTHEW L.
Published: June 2015

1. Ecologists often make predictions about community richness and diversity using climate variables that include seasonal precipitation totals and mean daily temperatures. While means and totals can be effective predictors to a certain extent, the complexities of faunal–climate relationships might be over‐simplified through the use of coarse‐grained variables.

2. The goal of this study was to investigate less commonly studied climate variables, including indices of intra‐annual variation in the timing and intensity of precipitation events that might be used to predict butterfly richness across an elevational gradient. Data from a long‐term, single‐observer dataset at four sites inCalifornia were examined withBayesian model averaging and structural equation modelling. Species‐specific responses to climate were compared with community responses at each site.

3. At lower elevations, it was found that the relative importance of climate variables shifted towards temporal patterns of precipitation, including the timing of the first storm event and the annual number of precipitation events. Heterogeneity among sites was apparent in the importance of specific weather variables, and temporal trends (across years) were detected for a small number of variables. Species‐specific results paralleled those obtained from analysis of species richness, thus suggesting a commonality of response to climate across site‐specific assemblages.

4. Models were improved by inclusion of thePacificDecadalOscillation andEl Niño‐SouthernOscillation indices, indicating that regional variables can profitably be included in faunal–climate relationship analyses. These results emphasise the need for researchers to examine climate variables beyond the most readily summarised means and totals.
Genetic variability of Alder yellows phytoplasma in Alnus glutinosa in its natural Spreewald habitat
Authors: Holz S. , Duduk B. , Büttner C. , Kube M.
Published: June 2015

The genus ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ comprises wall‐less bacteria colonizing the phloem of plants and insect tissues. Phytoplasmas are associated with diseases in over 1000 plant species worldwide, including many important crops as well as forest trees. Alder yellows (AldY) phytoplasma, which frequently infects Alnus spp., is closely related to the economically important phytoplasma causing Flavescence dorée (FD) in grapevines. In a natural habitat (Spreewald, Brandenburg, Germany), 57 Alnus glutinosa (black alder) trees were examined for phytoplasma infection in summer 2013. No phytoplasma typical infection‐associated symptoms such as yellowing and decline were observable in this natural swamp‐alder area. Amplification followed by a restriction fragment length polymorphism, and a sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA, allowed for the detection of AldY phytoplasmas in all examined trees and their assignment to the taxonomic group 16SrV‐C. Additional analyses of the non‐ribosomal marker gene methionine aminopeptidase (map) revealed diverse strains as well as mixed infections with closely related AldY strains, and the strains were assigned to phylogenetic clusters closely related to German Palatinate grapevine yellows, AldY or FD strains. The results confirmed that AldY phytoplasmas infection in A. glutinosa is prevalent. The results also indicate a presence of an established phytoplasma population in chronically infected black alder.
What happened to regional inequality in Britain in the twentieth century?
Authors: Geary Frank , Stark Tom
Published: June 2015

New estimates of regional GDP for Great Britain in the twentieth century differ from those of Crafts but confirm his hypothesis of a U‐shaped regional inequality curve between 1911 and 2001. Comparison of these estimates with revised estimates for 1861–1911 suggests that the decline in inequality in the first half of the twentieth century forms part of a trend of declining regional inequality and catch‐up of the poorer regions with the richest (the South East) dating back to the 1860s at least. This convergence trend was interrupted by the First World War and the subsequent difficulties of Outer Britain in the 1920s when the gap between the South East and the rest widened. However, sometime after 1931 it picked up again. Since 1971 inequality has worsened and catch‐up has stopped; indeed, there has been divergence of the South East from the rest. This divergence has been especially marked since 1991. Although growth for all regions was faster during the period of increasing regional inequality that encompasses the second half of the twentieth century, the golden age of economic growth for regions outside the South East occurred during the long boom following the Second World War.
Experimental evidence of genome‐wide impact of ecological selection during early stages of speciation‐with‐gene‐flow
Authors: Egan Scott P. , Ragland Gregory J. , Assour Lauren , Powell Thomas H.Q. , Hood Glen R. , Emrich Scott , Nosil Patrik , Feder Jeffrey L.
Published: June 2015

Theory predicts that speciation‐with‐gene‐flow is more likely when the consequences of selection for population divergence transitions from mainly direct effects of selection acting on individual genes to a collective property of all selected genes in the genome. Thus, understanding the direct impacts of ecologically based selection, as well as the indirect effects due to correlations among loci, is critical to understanding speciation. Here, we measure the genome‐wide impacts of host‐associated selection between hawthorn and apple host races of Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae), a model for contemporary speciation‐with‐gene‐flow. Allele frequency shifts of 32 455 SNPs induced in a selection experiment based on host phenology were genome wide and highly concordant with genetic divergence between co‐occurring apple and hawthorn flies in nature. This striking genome‐wide similarity between experimental and natural populations of R. pomonella underscores the importance of ecological selection at early stages of divergence and calls for further integration of studies of eco‐evolutionary dynamics and genome divergence.
An Easy Method to Test Odour Recognition in Songbird Hatchlings
Authors: Caspers Barbara A. , Hagelin Julie , Bock Sandra , Krause E. Tobias
Published: June 2015

We describe an easy method to test odour detection and recognition in 1‐d‐old zebra finch hatchlings (Taeniopygia guttata). Day‐old chicks beg in a stereotypical posture, which can be induced by directing gentle puffs of air from a plastic wash bottle near the face. We used this method to experimentally test whether begging duration of chicks was indicative of nest odour recognition. We manipulated the olfactory environment of 12 nests throughout incubation and hatching with either an artificial odour (orange oil) or with a neutral control (tap water). We then presented these two stimulus odours to 25 day‐old chicks and measured the duration of the first begging bout exhibited for each odour. Zebra finches hatched in a nest environment enriched with orange oil scent begged significantly longer when exposed to orange oil odour, compared to control hatchlings. Our simple testing procedure can be used to efficiently quantify odour recognition and/or preference in altricial songbirds at a very early developmental stage.
IM SCHMERZ GEBOREN (2014) VON FLORIAN SCHWARZ UND MICHAEL PROEHL: EINE STENDHAL‐SYNDROM‐PROVOZIERENDE ERNEUERUNG DES TATORT‐GENRES
Authors: Ludewig Alexandra
Published: June 2015

This article examines the ARD Tatort episode Im Schmerz geboren (2014) by Florian Schwarz and Michael Proehl, highlighting typical genre characteristics and the way they are parodied, as well as other intermedial and intertextual references. These, in turn, quite deliberately – and methodologically akin to Bakhtin's concept of dialogism – provoke a sensory overload, which is diagnosed as Stendhal Syndrome in the Tatort programme itself. Director Schwarz and screenwriter Proehl contribute, via their Stendhal‐Syndrome‐inducing renewal of the television crime series Tatort, to the discussion of the sublime, and, in doing so, also deliver an example of quality television.

Dieser Beitrag wird auf hermeneutische Weise die ARD‐Tatort‐Episode Im Schmerz geboren (2014) von Florian Schwarz und Michael Proehl untersuchen. Dabei werden typische Genre‐Merkmale und ihr Persiflieren herausgearbeitet sowie andere intermediale und intertextuelle Bezüge hergestellt, die – methodologisch Bachtins These vom Dialogismus der Texte folgend – eine Sinnesüberflutung provozieren sollen, die wiederum selbst in dem Tatort als Stendhal‐Syndrom diagnostiziert wird. Mit dieser Stendhal‐Syndrom‐provozierenden Erneuerung des Fernseh‐Tatorts leisten Schwarz und Proehl einen Beitrag zum Diskurs über das Erhabene und liefern dabei zudem ein Beispiel für Qualitätsfernsehen.
The Effect of Internal Audit Function Quality and Internal Audit Contribution to External Audit on Audit Fees
Authors: Mat Zain Mazlina , Zaman Mahbub , Mohamed Zulkifflee
Published: June 2015

Corporate governance mandates and listing rules identify internal audit functions (IAF) as a central internal control mechanism. External auditors are expected to assess the quality of IAF before placing reliance on its work. We provide evidence on the effect of IAF quality and IAF contribution to external audit on audit fees. Using data from a matched survey of both external and internal auditors, we extend prior research which is based mainly on internal auditors' assessment and conducted predominantly in highly developed markets. We find a positive relationship between IAF quality and audit fees as well as a reduction in audit fees as a result of external auditors' reliance on IAF. The interaction between IAF quality and IAF contribution to external audit suggests that higher quality IAF induces greater external auditor reliance on internal auditors' work and thus result in lower external audit fees.
A Review of Modern Computational Algorithms for Bayesian Optimal Design
Authors: Ryan Elizabeth G. , Drovandi Christopher C. , McGree James M. , Pettitt Anthony N.
Published: June 2015

Bayesian experimental design is a fast growing area of research with many real‐world applications. As computational power has increased over the years, so has the development of simulation‐based design methods, which involve a number of algorithms, such as Markov chain Monte Carlo, sequential Monte Carlo and approximate Bayes methods, facilitating more complex design problems to be solved. The Bayesian framework provides a unified approach for incorporating prior information and/or uncertainties regarding the statistical model with a utility function which describes the experimental aims. In this paper, we provide a general overview on the concepts involved in Bayesian experimental design, and focus on describing some of the more commonly used Bayesian utility functions and methods for their estimation, as well as a number of algorithms that are used to search over the design space to find the Bayesian optimal design. We also discuss other computational strategies for further research in Bayesian optimal design.
Formation of Novel Microstructured SiCNO Films from Block Copolymer Micellar‐Templating Approaches
Authors: Yu Yuxi , Liu Yu , Fang Jiyu , An Linan
Published: June 2015

We report the formation of novel microstructured SiCNO films with “smooth,” “egg‐shaped,” and “strawberry‐like” spheres by a block copolymer micellar‐templating approach, in which polyvinylsilazne (PVSZ) swelled F127 micelles are allowed to evaporate at different temperatures over the different periods of time, followed by the cross‐linking at 140°C and the pyrolysis at 800°C. The evolution process of “smooth,” “egg‐shaped,” and “strawberry‐like” spheres in the microstructured SiCNO films is observed by controlling the evaporation temperature and time of the multistep thermal treatment. The SiCNO films with varied internal microstructures have potential for harsh environment applications including high‐temperature sensors and high oxidation/corrosion resistance.
Development and validation of the Simulation Learning Effectiveness Inventory
Authors: Chen Shiah‐Lian , Huang Tsai‐Wei , Liao I‐Chen , Liu Chienchi
Published: June 2015

Aim

To develop and psychometrically test the Simulation Learning Effectiveness Inventory.

Background

High‐fidelity simulation helps students develop clinical skills and competencies. Yet, reliable instruments measuring learning outcomes are scant.

Design

A descriptive cross‐sectional survey was used to validate psychometric properties of the instrument measuring students' perception of stimulation learning effectiveness.

Methods

A purposive sample of 505 nursing students who had taken simulation courses was recruited from a department of nursing of a university in central Taiwan from January 2010–June 2010. The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase I, question items were developed based on the literature review and the preliminary psychometric properties of the inventory were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis. Phase II was conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the finalized inventory using confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed the instrument was composed of seven factors, named course arrangement, equipment resource, debriefing, clinical ability, problem‐solving, confidence and collaboration. A further second‐order analysis showed comparable fits between a three second‐order factor (preparation, process and outcome) and the seven first‐order factor models. Internal consistency was supported by adequate Cronbach's alphas and composite reliability. Convergent and discriminant validities were also supported by confirmatory factor analysis.

Conclusion

The study provides evidence that the Simulation Learning Effectiveness Inventory is reliable and valid for measuring student perception of learning effectiveness. The instrument is helpful in building the evidence‐based knowledge of the effect of simulation teaching on students' learning outcomes.
Bias in estimating the cross‐sectional smoking, alcohol, obesity and diabetes associations with moderate‐severe periodontitis in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study: comparison of full versus partial‐mouth estimates
Authors: Akinkugbe Aderonke A. , Saraiya Veeral M. , Preisser John S. , Offenbacher Steven , Beck James D.
Published: June 2015

Objective

To assess whether partial‐mouth protocols (PRPs) result in biased estimates of the associations between smoking, alcohol, obesity and diabetes with periodontitis.

Methods

Using a sample (n = 6129) of the 1996–1998 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, we used measures of probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level to identify moderate‐severe periodontitis. Adjusting for confounders, unconditional binary logistic regression estimated prevalence odds ratios (POR) and 95% confidence limits. Specifically, we compared POR for smoking, alcohol, obesity and diabetes with periodontitis derived from full‐mouth to those derived from 4‐PRPs (Ramfjörd, National Health and Nutrition Examination survey‐III, modified‐NHANES‐IV and 42‐site‐Random‐site selection‐method). Finally, we conducted a simple sensitivity analysis of periodontitis misclassification by changing the case definition threshold for each PRP.

Results

In comparison to full‐mouth PORs, PRP PORs were biased in terms of magnitude and direction. Holding the full‐mouth case definition at moderate‐severe periodontitis and setting it at mild‐moderate‐severe for the PRPs did not consistently produce POR estimates that were either biased towards or away from the null in comparison to full‐mouth estimates.

Conclusions

Partial‐mouth protocols result in misclassification of periodontitis and may bias epidemiologic measures of association. The magnitude and direction of this bias depends on choice of PRP and case definition threshold used.
Condition dependence of male and female genital structures in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
Authors: Cayetano L. , Bonduriansky R.
Published: June 2015

Theory predicts that costly secondary sexual traits will evolve heightened condition dependence, and many studies have reported strong condition dependence of signal and weapon traits in a variety of species. However, although genital structures often play key roles in intersexual interactions and appear to be subject to sexual or sexually antagonistic selection, few studies have examined the condition dependence of genital structures, especially in both sexes simultaneously. We investigated the responses of male and female genital structures to manipulation of larval diet quality (new versus once‐used mung beans) in the bruchid seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. We quantified effects on mean relative size and static allometry of the male aedeagus, aedeagal spines, flap and paramere and the female reproductive tract and bursal spines. None of the male traits showed a significant effect of diet quality. In females, we found that longer bursal spines (relative to body size) were expressed on low‐quality diet. Although the function of bursal spines is poorly understood, we suggest that greater bursal spine length in low‐condition females may represent a sexually antagonistic adaptation. Overall, we found no evidence that genital traits in C. maculatus are expressed to a greater extent when nutrients are more abundant. This suggests that, even though some genital traits appear to function as secondary sexual traits, genital traits do not exhibit heightened condition dependence in this species. We discuss possible reasons for this finding.
Exophytic oral verrucous hyperplasia: a new entity
Authors: Patil Shankargouda , Warnakulasuriya Saman , Raj Thirumal , Sanketh D. S. , Rao Roopa S.
Published: June 2015

Objective

Exophytic oral verrucous hyperplasia (OVH) is a new entity described by an expert working group from South Asia. First reported in Taiwan, there are no reports so far from an Indian population. The aim was to use the microscopic features described by the expert group to differentiate OVH from other oral verruco‐papillary lesions in an Indian archive.

Materials and methods

In a retrospective multicentre study, using pathology archives, 188 verruco‐papillary lesions were retrieved from pathology archives. A proforma listing histopathological criteria for OVH based on published guidelines (Annals of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 2013) was used. Patients’ demographic and clinical data were transcribed from patient charts. The Pearson chi‐square test was used to determine associations between clinical and histopathological features.

Results

Of 188 oral verruco‐papillary lesions that were evaluated, based on microscopic features the cases were reclassified as OVH (57), verrucous carcinoma (VC) (84), oral squamous cell carcinoma (16), and other verruco‐papillary lesions (31). Both OVH (70%) and VC (60%) showed male predominance and commonly affected buccal mucosa (OVH 74% and VC 57%). Absence of downward growth of the hyperplastic epithelium into lamina propria when compared with the level of the basement membrane of the adjacent normal epithelium was a distinct feature in OVH. Keratin plugging, epithelial dysplasia and subepithelial lymphocytic infiltration were found to be significantly different (P < 0.05) in OVH versus VC. The sample size of other verruco‐papillary lesions was insufficient for statistical comparison.

Conclusion

Apart from the absence of an endophytic growth pattern in OVH, we noted the presence of dysplasia in OVH. This significant observation does institute a debate as to whether this enigmatic lesion could possibly be a precedent of oral squamous or verrucous carcinoma. We propose OVH is a distinct entity in our Indian population and should be considered in the classification of oral potentially malignant disorders.