bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bringing memory fMRI to the clinic: Comparison of seven memory fMRI protocols in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Towgood Karren , Barker Gareth J. , Caceres Alejandro , Crum William R , Elwes Robert D.C. , Costafreda Sergi G. , Mehta Mitul A. , Morris Robin G. , von Oertzen Tim J. , Richardson Mark P.
Published: March 2015

fMRI is increasingly implemented in the clinic to assess memory function. There are multiple approaches to memory fMRI, but limited data on advantages and reliability of different methods. Here, we compared effect size, activation lateralisation, and between‐sessions reliability of seven memory fMRI protocols: Hometown Walking (block design), Scene encoding (block design and event‐related design), Picture encoding (block and event‐related), and Word encoding (block and event‐related). All protocols were performed on three occasions in 16 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Group T‐maps showed activity bilaterally in medial temporal lobe for all protocols. Using ANOVA, there was an interaction between hemisphere and seizure‐onset lateralisation (P = 0.009) and between hemisphere, protocol and seizure‐onset lateralisation (P = 0.002), showing that the distribution of memory‐related activity between left and right temporal lobes differed between protocols and between patients with left‐onset and right‐onset seizures. Using voxelwise intraclass Correlation Coefficient, between‐sessions reliability was best for Hometown and Scenes (block and event). The between‐sessions spatial overlap of activated voxels was also greatest for Hometown and Scenes. Lateralisation of activity between hemispheres was most reliable for Scenes (block and event) and Words (event). Using receiver operating characteristic analysis to explore the ability of each fMRI protocol to classify patients as left‐onset or right‐onset TLE, only the Words (event) protocol achieved a significantly above‐chance classification of patients at all three sessions. We conclude that Words (event) protocol shows the best combination of between‐sessions reliability of the distribution of activity between hemispheres and reliable ability to distinguish between left‐onset and right‐onset patients. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1595–1608, 2015. © 2015 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Which baseflow metrics should be used in assessing flow regimes of urban streams?
Authors: Hamel Perrine , Daly Edoardo , Fletcher Tim D.
Published: March 2015

Determining the impact of urbanisation on baseflow is complex because of the multiplicity of factors that govern subsurface flows. Although many metrics are available to quantify the baseflow regime, the lack of consensus on which metrics need to be used for baseflow characterisation limit their practical application for stormwater management. We performed principal component and correlation analyses on a set of 32 baseflow metrics to identify a subset of non‐redundant metrics for baseflow characterisation. We compared the results for streamflow time series from natural and urban catchments. We found that a subset of five metrics, including at least one metric from each of the four ecologically significant flow characteristic groups (i.e. magnitude, duration, frequency, and timing), explained most of the variability in baseflow regime for both natural and urban catchments. In addition, we analysed the relationship between this set of metrics and some low flow percentiles obtained from flow duration curves. Flow percentiles were only highly correlated to the magnitude and duration metrics, confirming that flow duration curves could be satisfactorily used for baseflow characterisation, but in combination with metrics representing frequency and timing. Metrics based on integration of the flow duration curve, however, cannot simply substitute the consideration of a suite of metrics. We discuss the practicality of our results with a regional regression study; the analyses show how the metrics can be used to quantify the alterations to baseflow caused by urbanisation, and to determine baseflow restoration objectives for urbanised catchments based on pre‐development baseflow regime. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mathematical Abilities in Elementary School Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Titeca Daisy , Roeyers Herbert , Loeys Tom , Ceulemans Annelies , Desoete Annemie
Published: March 2015

Although clinical practitioners often express concerns about the mathematical functioning of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the field of mathematics remains a relatively unexplored topic in individuals with ASD. Moreover, research findings are fragmentary and hold inconclusive results. The present study aimed to examine whether grade 1 (aged 6–7 years) to 4 (aged 9–10 years) elementary school children with ASD scored significantly different from age‐adequate norms on mathematics. To this end, a multi‐componential approach of mathematics was used. Four domains of mathematics were assessed in 121 children with ASD: procedural calculation, number fact retrieval, word/language problems, and time‐related competences. All children attended general education classrooms, following the standard curriculum, and were coached by integrated educational services. Children with ASD showed a strength in word/language problems in second and fourth grade. There was evidence of a weakness for procedural calculation in first grade and for time‐related competences in first and third grade. In all other cases, average scores were shown. As such, results revealed a profile of strengths, average abilities, and weaknesses in mathematics and highlighted the importance of focusing on different domains of mathematics. Because a high variability in mathematical performance could be observed, we recommend an individual assessment when considering the mathematical trajectory of children with ASD. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Power of Perceived Experience: Events That Shape Work as a Calling
Authors: Haney‐Loehlein Deanna M. , McKenna Robert B. , Robie Caitlin , Austin Kramer , Ecker Diana
Published: March 2015

Meaning plays an important role in many people's lives and work. A significant source of meaning derives from a greater sense of fulfilling one's calling, or purpose in work. This study examined the specific life experiences that shape people's perceptions of their calling and the characteristics of those experiences that make them so powerful. Fifty‐eight people who self‐identified as leaders responded to a questionnaire about the relevant experiences that shaped their perceptions of their work as a calling. Participants' responses were content‐analyzed to generate a taxonomy of themes in 4 overarching categories: (a) content of the event, (b) context of the event, (c) confirmation of one's call, and (d) the continuing effect that the event has had on the individual's life. By increasing knowledge about events that affect perceptions about one's calling, counselors may be more equipped to shed light on the potential, unexamined trajectories of a client's work and life.
The Work–Family Interface: Integrating Research and Career Counseling Practice
Authors: Whiston Susan C. , Cinamon Rachel G.
Published: March 2015

This article addresses the work–family interface by reviewing research using Frone's () bidirectional model of work–family conflict and facilitation. The review demonstrates that work–family conflict is associated with various detrimental outcomes and that work–family facilitation is positively correlated with enhanced mental and physical well‐being. After summarizing the research, the authors discuss recent models and perspectives from the field of vocational psychology, connect these models and perspectives to existing work–family literature, and propose theoretically based interventions for increasing facilitation and decreasing conflict.
Super's Work Values Inventory: Issues of Subtest Internal Consistency Using a Sample of Chinese University Students in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Shui‐wai , Yuen Mantak
Published: March 2015

The authors discuss observed weaknesses in internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas below .60) within five subtests of the Work Values Inventory when translated into Chinese and used with a sample of 211 university students in Hong Kong. Possible reasons for the weaknesses are explored, and suggestions are made for improvement.
Exploring Social Justice Via Résumés
Authors: Furbish Dale S.
Published: March 2015

Much expert advice about résumé writing is available. Whereas some job seekers will use self‐help guides to construct their résumés, others will seek the assistance of career counselors. Career counselors have a significant opportunity to engage clients in holistic career considerations when helping them to construct résumés. Especially significant is the opportunity to identify possible client disadvantages stemming from social injustices. Résumé‐writing assistance is enhanced through the application of career microcounseling. This article examines social justice issues that may be embedded during résumé writing. A review of microcounseling skills is presented, and examples of applying them during résumé writing are provided.
Numerical modeling of two‐phase bubbly flow mixing with mass transport in an effective microorganism odor removing system
Authors: Ali Haider , Cheema Taqi Ahmad , Park Cheol Woo
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

Industrial odor removers are two‐phase flow systems that use effective microorganisms to capture malodor‐producing gases from the surroundings. The potency of such systems depends on the interaction of gas with the microorganisms. Therefore, the flow and mass transport properties are key to defining the phenomenon more clearly.

RESULTS

An efficient mechanism for mixing the two‐phase flow is required to enhance the interaction between the gas and microorganisms. Gas flow must also be controlled to obtain a large residence time in the water basin and facilitate the microorganisms to maximize the usage of malodor‐producing gases. One method of improving the gas residence time is by installing baffles in the water basin. However, the installation of baffles also limits the gas concentration distribution in the water basin. Placing a rotating drum in addition to the baffles may overcome the limitations on gas distribution in the water basin. Gas volume fractions, interfacial area per volume, and gas concentration are evaluated to observe the mixing and gas dissolution phenomenon.

CONCLUSION

Before practical implementation, a numerical study on the subject is required for various designs to investigate their effectiveness. Therefore, the present study uses the Euler–Euler numerical scheme to model the gas–liquid flow with mass transport for various designs of water basin. Results show that gas concentration is the most critical parameter in the case of two‐phase bubbly flow. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Unusual angiogenic factor plays a role in lizard pregnancy but is not unique to viviparity
Authors: Whittington Camilla M. , Grau Georges E. , Murphy Christopher R. , Thompson Michael B.
Published: March 2015

Angiogenesis (blood vessel growth), a key process of mammalian pregnancy, facilitates gas exchange and nutrient transport between the mother and the embryo and is regulated by a suite of growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is crucial to this process in pregnant mammals and potentially pregnant squamates (lizards and snakes), as we investigate here. VEGF111, an unusual and potent angiogenic splice variant of VEGF, increases its expression during pregnancy in the uterus of a viviparous lizard, in parallel with similar increases in uterine angiogenesis during gestation. However, we also find that VEGF111is expressed in oviparous skinks, and is not ubiquitous among viviparous skinks. Thus, different mechanisms of uterine angiogenesis during pregnancy may evolve concurrent with viviparity in different lizard lineages.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 152–158, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study of human cytomegalovirus replication in body fluids, placental infection, and miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Yan Xiao Chuan , Wang Jian Hua , Wang Bo , Huang Li Li , Zhou Li Qin , Zhu Bo , Liang Yun
Published: March 2015

Intrauterine infection caused by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can lead to embryo, fetal, and neonatal damage. The prevalence of HCMV replication in body fluids (blood, urine, and cervicovaginal secretion) was investigated, and its effects on HCMV vertical transmission and miscarriages in early pregnant women were evaluated. HCMV DNA in body fluids was detected in 1,064 early pregnant women (624 normal pregnancies and 440 miscarriages). There were 101 cases who were HCMV DNA positive in cervicovaginal secretion and the rates were 10.9% (48/440 cases) and 8.5% (53/624 cases) in miscarriages and normal pregnancies, respectively (P > 0.05). A total of 101 cases (63 and 38 cases with and without HCMV DNA in cervicovaginal secretion, respectively) were given HCMV DNA detection in placental villi/deciduas. There were five cases (7.9%; two normal pregnancies and three miscarriages) with HCMV DNA in placental villi/deciduas among the 63 cases with HCMV DNA in cervicovaginal secretion, whereas none of the other 38 cases were detected HCMV DNA positive in their placental villi/deciduas. The percentage of HCMV DNA in placental villi/deciduas was higher in miscarriage group (9.1% [3/33]) than that in the normal pregnancy group (6.7% [2/30]), but there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Two cases with a higher HCMV loads in cervicovaginal secretion and placental villi/deciduas had miscarriages. These findings suggest that HCMV replication in cervicovaginal secretion can involve in placental HCMV infection, and high HCMV DNA loads in cervicovaginal secretion and placental villi/deciduas are associated with miscarriage. J. Med. Virol. 87:1046–1053, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biological management of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in pea using plant growth promoting microbial consortium
Authors: Jain Akansha , Singh Akanksha , Singh Surendra , Singh Harikesh Bahadur
Published: March 2015

The beneficial plant‐microbe interactions play crucial roles in protection against large number of plant pathogens causing disease. The present study aims to investigate the growth promoting traits induced by beneficial microbes namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa PJHU15, Trichoderma harzianum TNHU27, and Bacillus subtilis BHHU100 treated singly and in combinations under greenhouse and field conditions to control Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Plants treated with three microbe consortium enhanced plant growth maximally both in the presence and absence of the pathogen. Increase in plant length, total biomass, number of leaves, nodules and secondary roots, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content, and yield were recorded in plants treated with microbial consortia. Also, a decrease in plant mortality was observed in plants treated with microbial consortia in comparison to untreated control plants challenged with S. sclerotiorum. Furthermore, the decrease in disease of all the treatments can be associated with differential improvement of growth induced in pea.
Effects of mycorrhizal inoculation of upland rice on uptake kinetics of arsenate and arsenite
Authors: Wu Fuyong , Liu Xueping , Wu Shengchun , Wong Ming Hung
Published: March 2015

We assessed the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on short‐term uptake kinetics of arsenate and arsenite by excised roots of upland rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhonghan 221). A concentration of 0.01–0.05 mM arsenic (As) differentially affected the influx rates of both arsenate and arsenite into rice roots non‐inoculated or inoculated with Glomus mosseae and G. versiforme. While Vmax for arsenate uptake by non‐mycorrhizal roots was 1.02 µmol g−1 fresh weight h−1, it was reduced by a factor of 2.4 for mycorrhizal roots (about 0.42 µmol g−1 fresh weight h−1) in the high‐affinity uptake system. However, at high concentrations of 0.5–2.5 mM As only G. versiforme was able to reduce As influx. The results show that mycorrhizal effects on As uptake of upland rice are both concentration and species‐specific.
Combined effects of CO2 and temperature on carbon uptake and partitioning by the marine diatoms Thalassiosira weissflogii and Dactyliosolen fragilissimus
Authors: Taucher J. , Jones J. , James A. , Brzezinski M. A. , Carlson C. A. , Riebesell U. , Passow U.
Published: March 2015

Carbon uptake and partitioning of two globally abundant diatom species, Thalassiosira weissflogii and Dactyliosolen fragilissimus, was investigated in batch culture experiments under four conditions: ambient (15°C, 400 μatm), high CO2 (15°C, 1000 μatm), high temperature (20°C, 400 μatm), and combined (20°C, 1000 μatm). The experiments were run from exponential growth into the stationary phase (six days after nitrogen depletion), allowing us to track biogeochemical dynamics analogous to bloom situations in the ocean. Elevated CO2 had a fertilizing effect and enhanced uptake of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) by about 8% for T. weissflogii and by up to 39% for D. fragilissimus. This was also reflected in higher cell numbers, build‐up of particulate and dissolved organic matter, and transparent exopolymer particles. The CO2 effects were most prominent in the stationary phase when nitrogen was depleted and CO2(aq) concentrations were low. This indicates that diatoms in the high CO2 treatments could take up more DIC until CO2 concentrations in seawater became so low that carbon limitation occurs. These results suggest that, contrary to common assumptions, diatoms could be highly sensitive to ongoing changes in oceanic carbonate chemistry, particularly under nutrient limitation. Warming from 15 to 20 °C had a stimulating effect on one species but acted as a stressor on the other species, highlighting the importance of species‐specific physiological optima and temperature ranges in the response to ocean warming. Overall, these sensitivities to CO2 and temperature could have profound impacts on diatoms blooms and the biological pump.
Fanconi anemia (FA) and crosslinker sensitivity: Re‐appraising the origins of FA definition
Authors: Pagano Giovanni , d'Ischia Marco , Pallardó Federico V.
Published: March 2015

The commonly accepted definition of Fanconi anemia (FA) relying on DNA repair deficiency is submitted to a critical review starting from the early reports pointing to mitomycin C bioactivation and to the toxicity mechanisms of diepoxybutane and a group of nitrogen mustards causing DNA crosslinks in FA cells. A critical analysis of the literature prompts revisiting the FA phenotype and crosslinker sensitivity in terms of an oxidative stress (OS) background, redox‐related anomalies of FA (FANC) proteins, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This re‐appraisal of FA basic defect might lead to innovative approaches both in elucidating FA phenotypes and in clinical management. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1137–1143. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An ethical framework for responding to drug shortages in pediatric oncology
Authors: Beck Jill C. , Smith Laurie D. , Gordon Bruce G. , Garrett Jeremy R.
Published: March 2015

The frequency of drug shortages has increased considerably over the last decade. Important ethical issues arise whenever the supply of an effective drug is insufficient to meet demand. Using the ethical principles of beneficence, non‐maleficence, and justice, institutions can guide prioritization of drug distribution before a shortage occurs to avoid unfair and unethical distribution of resources. This analysis will give a historical context for drug shortages, identify, and explore the central ethical concerns raised by drug shortages, and propose an ethical framework for addressing them in the context of pediatric oncology. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:931–934. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detecting treatment‐covariate interactions using permutation methods
Authors: Wang Rui , Schoenfeld David A. , Hoeppner Bettina , Evins A. Eden
Published: March 2015

The primary objective of a Randomized Clinical Trial usually is to investigate whether one treatment is better than its alternatives on average. However, treatment effects may vary across different patient subpopulations. In contrast to demonstrating one treatment is superior to another on the average sense, one is often more concerned with the question that, for a particular patient, or a group of patients with similar characteristics, which treatment strategy is most appropriate to achieve a desired outcome. Various interaction tests have been proposed to detect treatment effect heterogeneity; however, they typically examine covariates one at a time, do not offer an integrated approach that incorporates all available information, and can greatly increase the chance of a false positive finding when the number of covariates is large. We propose a new permutation test for the null hypothesis of no interaction effects for any covariate. The proposed test allows us to consider the interaction effects of many covariates simultaneously without having to group subjects into subsets based on pre‐specified criteria and applies generally to randomized clinical trials of multiple treatments. The test provides an attractive alternative to the standard likelihood ratio test, especially when the number of covariates is large. We illustrate the proposed methods using a dataset from the Treatment of Adolescents with Depression Study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unbiased regression estimation under correlated linkage errors
Authors: Kim Gunky , Chambers Raymond
Published: March 2015

Linkage errors can occur when probability‐based methods are used to link records from two or more distinct data sets corresponding to the same target population. Recent research on allowing for these errors when carrying out regression analysis based on linked data assumes that the linkage errors are independent when more than two data sets are used to generate these data. In this paper, we extend these results to accommodate the more realistic scenario of dependent linkage errors. Our simulation results show that an incorrect assumption of independent linkage errors can lead to insufficient linkage error bias correction, while an approach that allows for correlated linkage errors appears to overcome this problem. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonisothermal suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride for enhanced productivity
Authors: Darvishi Reza , Nasr Esfahany Mohsen , Bagheri Rouhollah
Published: March 2015

In the present study, a mathematical model is developed to numerically predict nonisothermal batch suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride. Free volume theory was used to consider diffusion‐controlled reactions. Model predictions were validated against field data obtained in a pilot scale stirred tank reactor. Variable temperature trajectory was considered during the course of the reaction to improve productivity by reducing the polymerization time for a certain conversion. Variable temperature during the course of the polymerization was successfully implemented by considering the predefined K value. By using variable temperatures during the course of the reaction, the density of the short branches per 1,000 monomer units as a criterion for structure defect remained relatively unchanged. Maximum reduction in reaction time relative to the isothermal case with the same K value and final conversion was 44% for the best temperature trajectory. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:470–478, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Die Konzentration von Altersarmut in der StadtLandschaft – Probleme und Handlungsbedarfe
Authors: Nuissl Henning , Vollmer Janko , Westenberg David , Willing Jan-Niklas
Published: March 2015

This article considers the consequences of two crucial and compounded societal trends: demographic aging and social polarization. The aim of the article is to connect the discussions that surround the spatial implications of demographic change with prevailing debates on social exclusion. Of particular concern is whether a spatial concentration of elderly poverty may be monitored at all and, in turn, whether the consequences of spatial concentration stand in direct correlation to the development of neighbourhoods or cities as a whole. Recent studies on the topic indicate that a concentration of people that are both elderly and poor can be predicted for specific urban areas. Since it is impossible to establish the appropriateness of the living environments of certain population groups as an objective fact (but only as the result of social construction processes) the judgement on these observations remains ambivalent. Although a number of negative consequences resulting from the spatial concentration of elderly poverty prove identifiable, there is little evidence of a direct connection between spatial concentration, perceptions of affected neighborhoods by local residents, and the quality of residents’ living conditions. While the goal of social policy should remain the elimination of elderly poverty altogether, the existing opportunities that the urban areas in question offer its residents should neither be overlooked, nor underestimated.
A THEORY OF COMPLEXITY, CONDITION, AND ROUNDOFF
Authors: CUCKER FELIPE
Published: March 2015

We develop a theory of complexity for numerical computations that takes into account the condition of the input data and allows for roundoff in the computations. We follow the lines of the theory developed by Blum, Shub and Smale for computations over $\mathbb{R}$ (which in turn followed those of the classical, discrete, complexity theory as laid down by Cook, Karp, and Levin, among others). In particular, we focus on complexity classes of decision problems and, paramount among them, on appropriate versions of the classes $\mathsf{P}$, $\mathsf{NP}$, and $\mathsf{EXP}$ of polynomial, nondeterministic polynomial, and exponential time, respectively. We prove some basic relationships between these complexity classes, and provide natural NP-complete problems.
Television viewing and food intake during television viewing in normal-weight, overweight and obese 9- to 11-year-old Canadian children: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Borghese Michael M. , Tremblay Mark S. , Leduc Genevieve , Boyer Charles , Bélanger Priscilla , LeBlanc Allana G. , Francis Claire , Chaput Jean-Philippe
Published: March 2015

It is unclear if children of different weight status differ in their nutritional habits while watching television. The objective of the present paper was to determine if children who are overweight or obese differ in their frequency of consumption of six food items while watching television compared with their normal-weight counterparts. A cross-sectional study of 550 children (57·1 % female; mean age = 10 years) from Ottawa, Canada was conducted. Children's weight status was categorised using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut-points. Questionnaires were used to determine the number of hours of television watching per day and the frequency of consumption of six types of foods while watching television. Overweight/obese children watched more television per day than normal-weight children (3·3v.2·7 h, respectively;P= 0·001). Obese children consumed fast food and fruits/vegetables more frequently while watching television than normal-weight or overweight children (P< 0·05). Children who watched more than 4 h of television per d had higher odds (OR 3·21; 95% CI 1·14, 9·03;P= 0·03) of being obese, independent of several covariates, but not independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The finding that both television watching and the frequency of consumption of some food items during television watching are higher in children who are obese is concerning. While the nature of the present study does not allow for the determination of causal pathways, future research should investigate these weight-status differences to identify potential areas of intervention.
ALUMINIUM TOLERANCE OF OAT CULTIVARS UNDER HYDROPONIC AND ACID SOIL CONDITIONS
Authors: NAVA I. C. , DELATORRE C. A. , PACHECO M. T. , SCHEEREN P. L. , FEDERIZZI L. C.
Published: March 2015

Aluminium toxicity is an important abiotic factor limiting the growth and yield of oat plants (Avena sativa L.) and other cultivated species. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the response of oat cultivars at the reproductive stage to aluminium under acid soil conditions and to compare with the responses observed at seedling stage under hydroponic conditions. In the soil, the damage to the above-ground part of the plant was estimated by the morphological response to aluminium, shoot length, shoot dry mass and plant height and, to the below-ground part of the plant as the length of roots and root dry mass. In hydroponics, the primary root regrowth was used to define the level of tolerance. The comparison of the results obtained in acid soil with those obtained in hydroponics demonstrated that both conditions produced essentially the same responses. The use of hydroponic solution can be a valuable tool for phenotyping large populations, especially useful for breeding programmes located in regions were aluminium is not present at toxic levels in the soil.
Sedimentary facies analyses from nano- to millimetre scale exploring past microbial activity in a high-altitude lake (Lake Son Kul, Central Asia)
Authors: PACTON MURIEL , SORREL PHILIPPE , BEVILLARD BENOÎT , ZACAÏ AXELLE , VINÇON-LAUGIER ARNAULD , OBERHÄNSLI HEDI
Published: March 2015

The fabric of sedimentary rocks in lacustrine archives usually contains long and continuous proxy records of biological, chemical and physical parameters that can be used to study past environmental and climatic variability. Here we propose an innovative approach to sedimentary facies analysis based on a coupled geomicrobiological and sedimentological study using high-resolution microscopic techniques in combination with mineralogical analyses. We test the applicability of this approach on Lake Son Kul, a high alpine lake in central Tien Shan (Kyrgyzstan) by looking at the mineral fabric and microbial communities observed down to the nanoscale. The characterization of microbe–mineral interactions allows the origin of four carbonate minerals (e.g. aragonite, dolomite, Mg-calcite, calcite) to be determined as primary or diagenetic phases in Lake Son Kul. Aragonite was mainly of primary origin and is driven by biological activity in the epilimnion, whereas diagenetic minerals such as Mg-calcite, calcite, dolomite and pyrite were triggered by bacterial sulphate reduction and possibly by methanotrophic archaea. A new morphotype of aragonite (i.e. spherulite-like precursor) occurs in Unit IV (c. 7100–5000 cal. BP) associated with microbial mat structures. The latter enhanced the preservation of viral relics, which have not yet been reported in Holocene lacustrine sediments. This study advocates that microbe–mineral interactions screened down to the nanoscale (e.g. virus-like particles) can be used successfully for a comprehensive description of the fabric of laminated lake sediments. In this sense, they complement traditional facies sedimentology tools and offer valuable new insights into: (1) the study of microbial and viral biosignatures in Quaternary sediments; and (2) palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.
The occurrence of acanthocephalans in teleost fish from the Bizerte lagoon, Tunisia
Authors: Gargouri L. , Antar R. , Zarrouk F. , Maamouri F.
Published: March 2015

Seven species of acanthocephalans were identified for the first time in teleost fish from the Bizerte lagoon, Tunisia, includingNeoechinorhynchus(Hebesoma)agilis(Rudolphi, 1819) Van Cleave, 1916;N.(Neoechinorhynchus)rutiliMüller, 1780 (Neoechinorhynchidae);Acanthocephaloide propinquus(Dujardin, 1845) Meyer, 1932;A. incrassatus(Molin, 1858) Meyer, 1932 (Arhythmacanthidae);Longicollum pagrosomiYamaguti, 1935 (Pomphorhynchidae);Rhadinorhynchus cadenati(Golvan et Houin, 1964) Golvan, 1969 (Rhadinorhynchidae); andTelosentis exiguus(von Linstow, 1901) Van Cleave, 1923 (Illiosentidae).Acanthocephaloide propinquus,N.(N.)rutili,L. pagrosomiandR. cadenatiwere restricted to the rectum and the posterior intestine, whereas the other species (A. incrassatus,T. exiguusandN.(H.)agilis) colonized two or three parts of the intestine. The most diverse acanthocephalan fauna was recorded inLithognathus mormyrus, with three species; two species were reported fromTrachurus trachurus; and a single species was recorded inLiza aurataand inAtherina boyeri.Neoechinorhynchus(N.)rutili,L. pagrosomiandR. cadenatiattained the lowest prevalences of less than 6% and were considered as to be rare species.Acanthocephaloide incrassatus,A. propinquus,T. exiguusandN.(H.)agiliswere satellite species. The diversity of the acanthocephalan fauna in the fish from the Bizerte lagoon is compared with previous studies from other localities. The report ofA. incrassatus,A. propinquusandN.(N.)rutiliinL. mormyruspresents new host records in Mediterranean waters.
How much vocabulary is needed to use English? Replication of van Zeeland & Schmitt (2012), Nation (2006) and Cobb (2007)
Authors: Schmitt Norbert , Cobb Tom , Horst Marlise , Schmitt Diane
Published: March 2015

There is current research consensus that second language (L2) learners are able to adequately comprehend general English written texts if they know 98% of the words that occur in the materials. This important finding prompts an important question: How much English vocabulary do English as a second language (ESL) learners need to know to achieve this crucial level of known-word coverage? A landmark paper by Nation (2006) provides a rather daunting answer. His exploration of the 98% figure through a variety of spoken and written corpora showed that knowledge of around 8,000–9,000 word families is needed for reading and 6,000–7,000 for listening. But is this the definitive picture? A recent study by van Zeeland & Schmitt (2012) suggests that 95% coverage may be sufficient for listening comprehension, and that this can be reached with 2,000–3,000 word families, which is much more manageable. Getting these figures right for a variety of text modalities, genres and conditions of reading and listening is essential. Teachers and learners need to be able to set goals, and as Cobb's study of learning opportunities (2007) has shown, coverage percentages and their associated vocabulary knowledge requirements have important implications for the acquisition of new word knowledge through exposure to comprehensible L2 input. This article proposes approximate replications of Nation (2006), van Zeeland & Schmitt (2012), and Cobb (2007), in order to clarify these key coverage and size figures.
AN INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIALLY OPTIMAL POLICY MINIMIZING EXPECTED FLOW TIMES
Authors: Ross Sheldon M.
Published: March 2015

Consider n servers having different exponential service distributions. All servers are initially busy and there are m customers waiting in queue in an ordered line. A server becoming idle is offered to the first in line, if rejected it is then offered to the second, and so on. The objective of each person in line is to minimize their expected time until service completion. We give a simple approach for finding the optimal policy and also show that this policy also minimizes the expected sum of the times the customers spend in the system.
Routine intra-operative trans-oesophageal echocardiography yields better outcomes in surgical repair of CHD
Authors: Madriago Erin J. , Punn Rajesh , Geeter Natalie , Silverman Norman H.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

Trans-oesophageal echocardiographic imaging is valuable in the pre- and post-operative evaluation of children and adults with CHD; however, the frequency by which trans-oesophageal echocardiography guides the intra-operative course of patients is unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 1748 intra-operative trans-oesophageal echocardiograms performed between 1 October, 2005 and 31 December, 2010, and found 99 cases (5.7%) that required return to bypass, based in part upon the intra-operative echocardiographic findings.

Results

The diagnoses most commonly requiring further repair and subsequent imaging were mitral valve disease (20.9%), tricuspid valve disease (16.0%), atrioventricular canal defects (12.0%), and pulmonary valve disease (14.1%). The vast majority of those requiring immediate return to bypass benefited by avoiding subsequent operations and longer lengths of hospital stay. A total of 14 patients (0.8%) who received routine imaging required further surgical repair within 1 week, usually due to disease that developed over ensuing days. Patients who had second post-operative trans-oesophageal echocardiograms in the operating room rarely required re-operations, confirming the benefit of routine intra-operative imaging.

Conclusions

This study represents a large single institutional review of intra-operative trans-oesophageal echocardiography, and confirms its applicability in the surgical repair of patients with CHD. Routine imaging accurately identifies patients requiring further intervention, does not confer additional risk of mortality or prolonged length of hospital stay, and prevents subsequent operations and associated sequelae in a substantial subset of patients. This study demonstrates the utility of echocardiography in intra-operative monitoring of surgical repair and highlights patients who are most likely to require return to bypass, as well as the co-morbidities of such manipulations.
The interactive association of dietary diversity scores and breast-feeding status with weight and length in Filipino infants aged 6–24 months
Authors: Wright Melecia J , Bentley Margaret E , Mendez Michelle A , Adair Linda S
Published: March 2015

Objective

To assess how breast-feeding and dietary diversity relate to infant length-for-ageZ-score (LAZ) and weight-for-ageZ-score (WAZ).

Design

Breast-feeding, dietary and anthropometric data from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey were analysed using sex-stratified fixed-effects longitudinal regression models. A dietary diversity score (DDS) based on seven food groups was classified as low (<4) or high (≥4). The complementary feeding patterns were: (i) non-breast-fed with low DDS (referent); (ii) breast-fed with low DDS; (iii) non-breast-fed with high DDS; and (iv) breast-fed with high DDS (optimal). Interactions between age, energy intake and complementary feeding patterns were included.

Setting

Philippines.

Subjects

Infants (n2822) measured bimonthly from 6 to 24 months.

Results

Breast-feeding (regardless of DDS) was significantly associated with higher LAZ (until 24 months) and WAZ (until 20 months). For example, at 6 months, breast-fed boys with low DDS were 0·246 (95 % CI 0·191, 0·302)sdlonger and 0·523 (95 % CI 0·451, 0·594)sdheavier than the referent group. There was no significant difference in size between breast-fed infants with highv. low DDS. Similarly, high DDS conferred no advantage in LAZ or WAZ among non-breast-fed infants. There were modest correlations between the 7-point DDS and nutrient intakes but these correlations were substantially attenuated after energy adjustment. We elucidated several interactions between sex, age, energy intake and complementary feeding patterns.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the importance of prolonged breast-feeding up to 24 months. The DDS provided qualitative information on infant diets but did not confer a significant advantage in LAZ or WAZ.
Leon Petrażycki and contemporary socio-legal studies
Authors: Cotterrell Roger
Published: March 2015

The work of the Polish–Russian scholar Leon Petrażycki from the early decades of the twentieth century holds a strikingly paradoxical position in the literature of juristic and socio-legal scholarship: on the one hand, lauded as a supremely valuable contribution to knowledge about the nature of law and, on the other, widely neglected and little known. This paper asks how far Petrażycki's theories, expressed in writings by and about him available to an international readership, can provide insight for contemporary socio-legal studies – not as historical background but as living ideas. How far can his work speak to current issues and inform current debates? What obstacles stand in the way of this? Why have few international scholars engaged with his theories despite their rigour and originality? The paper starts from this last issue before addressing the others. It argues that Petrażycki's radical legal theory offers strikingly distinctive resources for rethinking issues about the role of law in multicultural societies, the nature of developing transnational law, and the significance of law as an aspect or expression of culture.
The cetacean right to life revisited
Authors: Mence David
Published: March 2015

Many cetaceans are borderline persons and, as such, have a right to life. This is partly a normative and partly a positive legal claim. While many philosophers agree that cetaceans possess limited moral rights, it can also be shown that most states already behave as though they possess limited legal rights. The most basic of these, the right to life, reflects shifting contemporary norms – especially given scientific evidence as to cetacean sentience, intelligence and autonomy – and the consolidation of customary international law. The recent decision of the International Court of Justice in Whaling in the Antarctic (2014) includes importantobiter dictato this effect and arguably suggests an avenue for future doctrinal development in this area. Nevertheless, while the cetacean right to life already exists, there are a number of obstacles that preclude its enforcement. Perhaps the most significant of these remain the traditional status of the world's oceans as a global commons and the weak sovereignty of international law.
A Discordant Monozygotic-Twin Approach to Potential Risk Factors for Chronic Widespread Pain in Females
Authors: Burri Andrea , Lachance Genevieve , Williams Frances
Published: March 2015

Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is a common disorder affecting up to 15% of the general population. The objective of the present study was to explore the role of previously reported psychosocial and interpersonal risk factors on variation in CWP by investigating CWP discordant monozygotic (MZ) twins. This approach allows separation of cause and effect relationships, albeit imperfectly, as well the control for critical confounding variables such as common environment or genetics. In a total sample ofN= 3,266 female twins aged 18–89 years, MZ (113 full pairs) and DZ twins (180 full pairs) discordant for CWP were selected. Items from the London fibromyalgia symptom screening questionnaire were used to discriminate cases from controls. To assess potential risk factors, including body mass index, anxiety sensitivity (AS), emotional intelligence, personality, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and coping, validated questionnaires were used. A set of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Of the variables showing significant links with CWP in the univariate individual-level analyses, including age, AS, and emotional intelligence, only emotional intelligence turned out to an independent predictor to the pathogenesis of CWP in both the individual level and discordant MZ analyses. These data indicate that in women having identical genetic risk, emotional intelligence seems to play a key role, although of small effect, in the development and/or maintenance of CWP. It further seems that many of the previously reported risk factors for CWP suffer from genetic confounding.
Effects of Clinic and In-Home Treatment on Consumption and Feeding-Associated Anxiety in an Adolescent With Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Authors: Fischer Aaron J. , Luiselli James K. , Dove Meredith Brent
Published: March 2015

The current study describes a combined behavioral and cognitive–behavioral treatment with an adolescent boy diagnosed with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Treatment included a clinic and an in-home component to increase his consumption of nonpreferred foods and eliminate feeding-associated anxiety. The behavioral treatment components included gradually increasing feeding demands and reinforcing consumption. Through cognitive–behavioral therapy, the boy was taught to use a relaxation procedure, guided imagery, and positive self-statements during meals. Results of changing criterion and multiple baseline designs indicated that treatment improved consumption of previously avoided foods and lowered subjectively perceived anxiety. These findings were maintained posttreatment, and both the participant and his mother rated the procedures and outcome favorably.
Wnt7a is a novel inducer of β-catenin-independent tumor-suppressive cellular senescence in lung cancer
Authors: Bikkavilli R K , Avasarala S , Van Scoyk M , Arcaroli J , Brzezinski C , Zhang W , Edwards M G , Rathinam M K K , Zhou T , Tauler J , Borowicz S , Lussier Y A , Parr B A , Cool C D , Winn R A
Published: March 2015

Cellular senescence is an initial barrier for carcinogenesis. However, the signaling mechanisms that trigger cellular senescence are incompletely understood, particularlyin vivo. Here we identify Wnt7a as a novel upstream inducer of cellular senescence. In two different mouse strains (C57Bl/6J and FVB/NJ), we show that the loss of Wnt7a is a major contributing factor for increased lung tumorigenesis owing to reduced cellular senescence, and not reduced apoptosis, or autophagy. Wnt7a-null mice underde novoconditions and in both the strains display E-cadherin-to-N-cadherin switch, reduced expression of cellular senescence markers and reduced expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype, indicating a genetic predisposition of these mice to increased carcinogen-induced lung tumorigenesis. Interestingly, Wnt7a induced an alternate senescence pathway, which was independent of β-catenin, and distinct from that of classical oncogene-induced senescence mediated by the well-known p16INK4aand p19ARFpathways. Mechanistically, Wnt7a induced cellular senescence via inactivation of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2, an important alternate regulator of cellular senescence. Additionally, we identified Iloprost, a prostacyclin analog, which initiates downstream signaling cascades similar to that of Wnt7a, as a novel inducer of cellular senescence, presenting potential future clinical translational strategies. Thus pro-senescence therapies using either Wnt7a or its mimic, Iloprost, might represent a new class of therapeutic treatments for lung cancer.
Facile and Gram-scale Synthesis of Metal-free Catalysts: Toward Realistic Applications for Fuel Cells
Authors: Kim Ok-Hee , Cho Yong-Hun , Chung Dong Young , Kim Min Jeong , Yoo Ji Mun , Park Ji Eun , Choe Heeman , Sung Yung-Eun
Published: March 2015

Although numerous reports on nonprecious metal catalysts for replacing expensive Pt-based catalysts have been published, few of these studies have demonstrated their practical application in fuel cells. In this work, we report graphitic carbon nitride and carbon nanofiber hybrid materials synthesized by a facile and gram-scale method via liquid-based reactions, without the use of toxic materials or a high pressure-high temperature reactor, for use as fuel cell cathodes. The resulting materials exhibited remarkable methanol tolerance, selectivity and stability even without a metal dopant. Furthermore, these completely metal-free catalysts exhibited outstanding performance as cathode materials in an actual fuel cell device: a membrane electrode assembly with both acidic and alkaline polymer electrolytes. The fabrication method and remarkable performance of the single cell produced in this study represent progressive steps toward the realistic application of metal-free cathode electrocatalysts in fuel cells.