bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in uterine artery Doppler velocimetry and circulating angiogenic factors in the first half of pregnancies delivering a small‐for‐gestational‐age neonate
Authors: Triunfo S. , Crovetto F. , Rodriguez‐Sureda V. , Scazzocchio E. , Crispi F. , Dominguez C. , Gratacos E. , Figueras F.
Published: May 2016

Objective

To assess the relationship between longitudinal changes in placental Doppler indices and maternal circulating angiogenic factors in the first half of pregnancy and delivery of a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonate, and ascertain whether longitudinal evaluation of these variables improves the prediction achieved by second‐trimester cross‐sectional evaluation.

Methods

From a prospective cohort of unselected singleton pregnancies undergoing first‐trimester screening for aneuploidy, 138 were included in this study. Of these, 46 were complicated by SGA (delivering after 34 weeks' gestation with a birth weight < 10th centile) and 92 were appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) pregnancies, which were included as controls (ratio 1:2). First‐to‐second trimester longitudinal changes in uterine artery (UtA) Doppler indices and maternal circulating levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) were analyzed.

Results

Compared with the AGA group, SGA pregnancies had significantly higher UtA impedance in the first (Z‐score: 0.46 vs –0.57; P < 0.001) and second (Z‐score: 1.71 vs –0.75; P < 0.001) trimesters. Likewise, the sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio was significantly higher in SGA than in AGA pregnancies in the first (98.0 vs 67.9; P = 0.01) and early second (22.4 vs 8.8; P < 0.001) trimesters. The predictive performance of the longitudinal changes in UtA Doppler indices for SGA was significantly lower than that of second‐trimester cross‐sectional values (area under receiver–operating characteristics curve (AUC), 60.8% vs 84.3%; P = 0.0035). The detection rate of SGA, at a 10% false‐positive rate (FPR), was 17.7% by longitudinal changes in UtA Doppler and 56.2% by second‐trimester cross‐sectional UtA Doppler values. Similarly, the predictive performance of the longitudinal changes in PlGF was significantly lower than that of early second‐trimester cross‐sectional values (AUC, 71.4% vs 76.5%; P = 0.008). The detection rate of SGA at a 10% FPR was 40.6% when screening by longitudinal changes in PlGF and 52.1% when screening by early second‐trimester cross‐sectional values.

Conclusions

First‐ and second‐trimester UtA Doppler velocimetry and maternal circulating angiogenic markers have clinical utility as a cross‐sectional assessment for the identification of pregnancies at high risk of delivering a SGA neonate, however, they do not improve prediction when their longitudinal changes are used. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Surface and Antimicrobial Activity of Sulfobetaines
Authors: Wieczorek Daria , Gwiazdowska Daniela , Staszak Katarzyna , Chen Ying‐Lien , Shen Tang‐Long
Published: May 2016

Sulfobetaines belong to the group of zwitterionic surfactants. They are electroneutral salts, which have in the same molecule, two ionic centers with different charge. Due to the specific structure they exhibit excellent properties such as good solubility in water and detergency. In this paper we present surface properties and adsorption parameters of sulfobetaines in water/air systems. From the adsorption isotherms the CMC value, the surface tension and surface pressure at the CMC as well as the efficiency of adsorption were determined. Physicochemical analyses of the data allowed for the further description of adsorption process. Results showed that sulfobetaines exhibit good surface properties especially low CMC and p20 values. Additionally the antimicrobial activity of sulfobetaines solutions against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria were tested by the well‐diffusion method. MIC values and growth kinetics were determined by microdilution method. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that sulfobetaines can be good antibacterial agents, but the activity of surfactants strongly depends on alkyl chain length.
Improved Butanol–Methanol (BUME) Method by Replacing Acetic Acid for Lipid Extraction of Biological Samples
Authors: Cruz Mutya , Wang Miao , Frisch‐Daiello Jessica , Han Xianlin
Published: May 2016

Extraction of lipids from biological samples is a critical step in lipidomics, especially for shotgun lipidomics where lipid extracts are directly infused into a mass spectrometer. The butanol–methanol (BUME) extraction method was originally developed to extract lipids from plasma samples with 1 % acetic acid. Considering some lipids are sensitive to acidic environments, we modified this protocol by replacing acetic acid with lithium chloride solution and extended the modified extraction to tissue samples. Although no significant reduction of plasmalogen levels in the acidic BUME extracts of rat heart samples was found, the modified method was established to extract various tissue samples, including rat liver, heart, and plasma. Essentially identical profiles of the majority of lipid classes were obtained from the extracts of the modified BUME and traditional Bligh–Dyer methods. However, it was found that neither the original, nor the modified BUME method was suitable for 4‐hydroxyalkenal species measurement in biological samples.
Bioactive Compounds of Portuguese Virgin Olive Oils Discriminate Cultivar and Ripening Stage
Authors: Peres Fátima , Martins Luisa L. , Mourato Miguel , Vitorino Conceição , Ferreira‐Dias Suzana
Published: May 2016

The presence of different bioactive compounds in virgin olive oil affects its nutritional, oxidative and sensorial properties. Phenolic compounds are olive endogenous bioactive compounds highly susceptible to degradation. Olive endogenous oxidoreductases, mainly polyphenol oxidases (PPO) and peroxidases (POD), may play an important role on the profile of bioactive compounds in olive oil by promoting oxidation of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate if changes on PPO and POD activities in olive fruits from two Portuguese cultivars (Olea europaea, cv ‘Cobrançosa’ and cv ‘Galega Vulgar’) are related with the composition of their olive oils, especially phenolic compounds. Pattern recognition techniques [principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and discriminant analysis (DA)] were used for multivariate data analysis. Olive oils characterized by their FA composition were grouped by cultivar. When olive oils were characterized by their phenolic composition, green pigments, and enzymatic activities in fruits, they could be discriminated by olive ripening stage. Along ripening, PPO activity was only detected in the fruit mesocarp of both cultivars and POD activity was mainly detected in the seeds. The POD activity, as well as vanillin and gamma‐tocopherol contents in olive oil increased with the ripening index. Conversely, higher PPO activity in fruits at early ripening stages together with higher levels of total phenols, green pigments, beta‐tocopherol, hydroxytyrosol and p‐coumaric acid in olive oils were observed. The ripening stage of fruits showed to be a key factor on the amount and profile of bioactive compounds of olive oil.
Variation in Seed Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Globe Artichoke Under Different Irrigation Regimes
Authors: Nouraei Sina , Rahimmalek Mehdi , Saeidi Ghodratollah , Bahreininejad Babak
Published: May 2016

Seed oil content of globe artichoke and its composition were assessed under three irrigation regimes, including irrigation at 20, 50, and 80 % depletion of soil available water. Water deficit affected the phenological characteristics, amount and the quality of the oil as well as the phenolics and antioxidant activity of the leaves and capitula. The seed oil content ranged from 18.7 % in 80 % to 22.8 % in 20 % treatment. The fatty acid composition of oil was determined using gas chromatography (GC). The predominant fatty acids in the oil were linoleic (51.68 %), oleic (34.22 %), palmitic (9.94 %), and stearic (3.58 %). Water deficit leads to reduced oil content, linoleic acid, the unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and the iodine value. On the other hand, some other fatty acids such as palmitic and oleic acid and also the ratio of oleic/linoleic acid were elevated due to water deficit. Higher antioxidant activity was observed in capitula (IC50 = 222.6 μg ml−1) in comparison to the leaves (IC50 = 285.8 μg ml−1). Finally, the severe drought stress condition caused to gain higher oil stability, while the highest seed oil content and unsaturated fatty acids in the oil was obtained in non‐stress condition. Moreover, high phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity as well as appreciable dry matter content were obtained in the moderate water stress condition.
Exploring cognitive integration of basic science and its effect on diagnostic reasoning in novices
Authors: Lisk Kristina , Agur Anne M. R. , Woods Nicole N.
Published: May 2016

Integration of basic and clinical science knowledge is increasingly being recognized as important for practice in the health professions. The concept of ‘cognitive integration’ places emphasis on the value of basic science in providing critical connections to clinical signs and symptoms while accounting for the fact that clinicians may not spontaneously articulate their use of basic science knowledge in clinical reasoning. In this study we used a diagnostic justification test to explore the impact of integrated basic science instruction on novices’ diagnostic reasoning process. Participants were allocated to an integrated basic science or clinical science training group. The integrated basic science group was taught the clinical features along with the underlying causal mechanisms of four musculoskeletal pathologies while the clinical science group was taught only the clinical features. Participants completed a diagnostic accuracy test immediately after initial learning, and one week later a diagnostic accuracy and justification test. The results showed that novices who learned the integrated causal mechanisms had superior diagnostic accuracy and better understanding of the relative importance of key clinical features. These findings further our understanding of cognitive integration by providing evidence of the specific changes in clinical reasoning when basic and clinical sciences are integrated during learning.
Reducing length of stay and satisfying learner needs
Authors: Shepherd Lisa , Chahine Saad , Klingel Michelle , Zibrowski Elaine , Meiwald Allison , Lingard Lorelei
Published: May 2016

A complicated relationship exists between emergency department (ED) learner needs and patient flow with solutions to one issue often negatively affecting the other. Teaching shifts that allow clinical teachers and learners to interact without the pressure of patient care may offer a mutually beneficial solution. This study investigated the relationship between teaching shifts on ED length of stay, student self-efficacy and knowledge application.

In 2012–2013, a prospective, cohort study was undertaken in a large Canadian acute-care teaching centre. All 132 clinical clerks completing their mandatory two-week emergency medicine rotation participated in three teaching shifts supervised by one faculty member without patient care responsibilities. The curriculum emphasized advanced clinical skills and included low fidelity simulation exercises, a suturing lab, image interpretation modules and discussion about psychosocial issues in emergency medicine. The clerks then completed seven clinical shifts in the traditional manner caring for patients under the supervision of an ED attending physician. Length of stay was compared during and one week following teaching shifts. A self-efficacy questionnaire was validated through exploratory factor analysis. Pre/post knowledge application was assessed using a paper-based clinical case activity.

Across 40.998 patient visits, median length of stay was shortened overall by 5 minutes (95 % CI:1.2, 8.8) when clerks were involved in their teaching shifts. In the first academic block, median length of stay was reduced by 20 minutes per patient (95 % CI:12.7, 27.3).
Cien millones de Kalashnikovs: poder generizado a escala mundial
Authors: Connell Raewyn
Published: May 2016

We need to understand gendered power on a world scale. Research on gender and globalization, andrecent thought about coloniality and Southern theory, provide starting points, but the task of mappinggender relations in global power centres remains to be done. Four masculinized groups are especiallyimportant in global power relations: the managers of transnational corporations; the oligarchs, possessors ofextreme wealth; the dictators who control authoritarian states; and the state elites of the global metropole.Some research on gender relations in these milieux is available, showing different patterns of masculinity.Masculinities are embedded in neoliberal globalization. Gender relations on a world scale are affected by themovement of metropolitan power into offshore spaces, the conflicts among globally powerful p
Feminismo y prostitución: la persistencia de una amarga disputa
Authors: Lamas Marta
Published: May 2016

La liberalización de las costumbressexuales en el capitalismo tardío, junto con la desregulación neoliberalde los mercados, alentó la expansión de un mercado sexual donde algunos negocios funcionan de maneracriminal, como ocurre con la trata de personas. En estas páginas reflexiono sobre la contraposición entrelas feministas que impulsan el nuevo abolicionismo y las que abogan a favor de reconocer nuevas formasde organización del trabajo y de los derechos laborales para las personas que llevan a cabo trabajo sexual.Tal oposición es una expresión significativa de las “guerras en torno a lsexualidad” (Sex Wars) que se hanvenido dando sobre todo en Estados Unidos en paralelo con el desarrollo del feminismo y cuya influenciateórica y política ha enmarcado el debate feminista en todo el mundo. A ello se suma el giro punitivo de lapolítica criminológica y judicial sobre el comercio sexual, que ensancha aún más la fractura política entrelas feministas.
Actividad física y adaptación escolar en estudiantes de medicina en un campus de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Authors: Ríos Bustos Mercedes Esmirna , Torres Vaca Marisela , De la Torre Concepción
Published: May 2016

Introducción: El ingreso a un plantel escolar implica un proceso de adaptación con repercusión en el rendimiento escolar y la convivencia. La formación integral y los estilos de vida saludables son aspectos actuales en los programas académicos. El incremento del trastorno de adaptación entre la población estudiantil de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, UNAM, con su consecuencia: la depresión y el riesgo cada vez mayor de suicidio, fue el motivo para realizar esta investigación en función de la prevención del trastorno de adaptación.
Objetivo: Conocer la diferencia en la adaptación escolar en un grupo de estudiantes de nuevo ingreso que realizó actividad física durante el ciclo escolar y un grupo de estudiantes que no la realizaron.
Método: A dos grupos de 53 estudiantes cada uno, les fue aplicado un cuestionario escala Likert con 9 tópicos relacionados con adaptación escolar, uno de los grupos realizó actividad física durante el ciclo escolar mientras el otro grupo no la realizó. Se llevó a cabo un análisis intragrupo antes y después del estudio; un análisis cualitativo para los comentarios plasmados en los cuestionarios aplicados y una comparación cuantitativa ordinal con aplicación de chi  cuadrado para la significación estadística.
Resultados: Cualitativamente se encontró una mejor adaptación entre los estudiantes que realizaron actividad física a lo largo del año escolar. En los resultados cuantitativos se encontró que el grupo estudio tuvo cambio significativo solo en el tópico: «satisfacción del plantel» (chi cuadrado 0.046). El grupo control tuvo cambio significativo en 2 tópicos: «satisfacción del plantel» y «expectativa de la carrera»: 0.025 y 0.020 respectivamente). Los parámetros restantes no sufrieron cambios significativos.
Conclusión: La actividad física constante favorece la mejor adaptación entre los estudiantes de nuevo ingreso, con ello se puede prevenir la depresión y su grave complicación: el suicidio.
Predictions for the northern coast of the shear rheology map: XXLAOS
Authors: Ewoldt Randy H.
Published: May 2016

A new paradigm of rheological characterization, oscillatory simple shear with infinite forcing amplitudes, is introduced by Khair (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 791, 2016, R5). This pushes the technique of large-amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) to have two extremely large amplitudes (both strain-rate and strain), which we might call XXLAOS. Model-specific analytical predictions are derived for a suspension of nearly spherical rigid particles subject to Brownian rotational diffusion. The work illuminates a new regime of rheological characterization that may serve as a distinct proving ground for constitutive model selection and for probing the flow physics of rheologically complex fluids.
Waves from an oscillating point source with a free surface in the presence of a shear current
Authors: Ellingsen Simen Å. , Tyvand Peder A.
Published: May 2016

We investigate analytically the linearised water wave radiation problem for an oscillating submerged point source in an inviscid shear flow with a free surface. A constant depth is taken into account and the shear flow increases linearly with depth. The surface velocity relative to the source is taken to be zero, so that Doppler effects are absent. We solve the linearised Euler equations to calculate the resulting wave field as well as its far-field asymptotics. For values of the Froude number $F^{2}={\it\omega}^{2}D/g$ (where ${\it\omega}$ is the oscillation frequency, $D$ is the submergence depth and $g$ is the gravitational acceleration) below a resonant value $F_{res}^{2}$, the wave field splits cleanly into separate contributions from regular dispersive propagating waves and non-dispersive ‘critical waves’ resulting from a critical layer-like street of flow structures directly downstream of the source. In the subresonant regime, the regular waves behave like sheared ring waves, while the critical layer wave forms a street with a constant width of order $D\sqrt{S/{\it\omega}}$ (where $S$ is the shear flow vorticity) and is convected downstream at the fluid velocity at the depth of the source. When the Froude number approaches its resonant value, the downstream critical and regular waves resonate, producing a train of waves of linearly increasing amplitude contained within a downstream wedge.
Instability and low-frequency unsteadiness in a shock-induced laminar separation bubble
Authors: Sansica Andrea , Sandham Neil D. , Hu Zhiwei
Published: May 2016

Three-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) of a shock-induced laminar separation bubble are carried out to investigate the flow instability and origin of any low-frequency unsteadiness. A laminar boundary layer interacting with an oblique shock wave at $M=1.5$ is forced at the inlet with a pair of monochromatic oblique unstable modes, selected according to local linear stability theory (LST) performed within the separation bubble. Linear stability analysis is applied to cases with marginal and large separation, and compared to DNS. While the parabolized stability equations approach accurately reproduces the growth of unstable modes, LST performs less well for strong interactions. When the modes predicted by LST are used to force the separated boundary layer, transition to deterministic turbulence occurs near the reattachment point via an oblique-mode breakdown. Despite the clean upstream condition, broadband low-frequency unsteadiness is found near the separation point with a peak at a Strouhal number of $0.04$, based on the separation bubble length. The appearance of the low-frequency unsteadiness is found to be due to the breakdown of the deterministic turbulence, filling up the spectrum and leading to broadband disturbances that travel upstream in the subsonic region of the boundary layer, with a strong response near the separation point. The existence of the unsteadiness is supported by sensitivity studies on grid resolution and domain size that also identify the region of deterministic breakdown as the source of white noise disturbances. The present contribution confirms the presence of low-frequency response for laminar flows, similarly to that found in fully turbulent interactions.
Simulation of convection at a vertical ice face dissolving into saline water
Authors: Gayen Bishakhdatta , Griffiths Ross W. , Kerr Ross C.
Published: May 2016

We investigate the convection and dissolution rate generated when a wall of ice dissolves into seawater under Antarctic Ocean conditions. In direct numerical simulations three coupled interface equations are used to solve for interface temperature, salinity and ablation velocity, along with the boundary layer flow and transport. The main focus is on ambient water temperatures between $-1\,^{\circ }\text{C}$ and $6\,^{\circ }\text{C}$ and salinities around 35 ‰, where diffusion of salt to the ice–water interface depresses the freezing point and enhances heat diffusion to the ice. We show that fluxes of both heat and salt to the interface are significant in governing the dissolution of ice, and the ablation velocity agrees well with experiments and a recent theoretical prediction. The same turbulent flow dynamics and ablation rate are expected to apply at any depth in a deeper ocean water column (after choosing the relevant pressure coefficient for the liquidus temperature). At Grashof numbers currently accessible by direct numerical simulation, turbulence is generated both directly from buoyancy flux and from shear production in the buoyancy-driven boundary layer flow, whereas shear production by the convective flow is expected to be more important at geophysical scales. The momentum balance in the boundary layer is dominated by buoyancy forcing and wall stress, with the latter characterised by a large drag coefficient.
David Malouf, 'A first place', Sydney: Knopf/Random House, 2014, ISBN 9 7808 5798 4050, 350 pp. - 'The writing life', Sydney: Knopf/Random House, 2014, 9 7808 5798 4081, 342 pp. - 'Being there', Sydney: Knopf/Random House, 2015, 9 7808 5798 7211, 353 pp.
Authors: Osborne Roger
Published: May 2016

David Malouf, A first place, Sydney: Knopf/Random House, 2014, ISBN 9 7808 5798 4050, 350 pp., A$29.99David Malouf, The writing life, Sydney: Knopf/Random House, 2014, 9 7808 5798 4081, 342 pp., A$29.99David Malouf, Being there, Sydney: Knopf/Random House, 2015, 9 7808 5798 7211, 353 pp., A$29.99
Nick Dyrenfurth, 'Mateship: A very Australian history', Melbourne: Scribe, 2015, ISBN 9 7819 2510 6350, 256 pp., $29.99
Authors: Piper Alana
Published: May 2016

Nick Dyrenfurth, Mateship: A very Australian history, Melbourne: Scribe, 2015, ISBN 9 7819 2510 6350, 256 pp., $29.99
What ifs and idle daydreaming
Authors: Walsh Pete
Published: May 2016

Andrew McGahan is one of Queensland’s most successful novelists. Over the past 23 years, he has published six adult novels and three novels in his Ship Kings series for young adults. McGahan’s debut novel, Praise (1992), won the Vogel National Literary Award for an unpublished manuscript, Last Drinks (2000) won the Ned Kelly Award for Crime Writing, and The White Earth went on to win the Miles Franklin Literary Award, The Age Book of the Year Award and the Courier-Mail Book of the Year Award, and was shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards. In 2009, Wonders of a Godless World earned McGahan the Best Science Fiction Novel in the Aurealis Awards for Excellence in Australian Speculative Fiction. McGahan’s unashamedly open critiques of Australian, and specifically Queensland, society have imbued his works with a sense of place and space that is a unique trait of his writing. In this interview, McGahan allows us a brief visit into the mind of one of Australia’s pre-eminent contemporary authors, shedding light on the ‘what ifs’ and ‘idle daydreaming’ that have pushed his ideas from periphery to page.
Going for grunge
Authors: Pearce Sharyn
Published: May 2016

Andrew McGahan’s novel 1988 and short story ‘Kill the Old’ are re-evaluated in terms of their responses to the political and cultural needs of mid-1990s Queensland. These neglected and undervalued grunge works question the official celebrations connected with Australia’s Bicentenary, especially Expo ’88, and interrogate predominantly white and masculinist notions of Australian identity. In so doing, they contribute to a less insular and ‘fuller version’ of Queensland literature.
POOR FARMERS – POOR YIELDS: SOCIO-ECONOMIC, SOIL FERTILITY AND CROP MANAGEMENT INDICATORS AFFECTING CLIMBING BEAN PRODUCTIVITY IN NORTHERN RWANDA
Authors: FRANKE A. C. , BAIJUKYA F. , KANTENGWA S. , RECKLING M. , VANLAUWE B. , GILLER K.E.
Published: May 2016

Climbing bean is the key staple legume crop in the highlands of East and Central Africa. We assessed the impact of interactions between soil fertility characteristics, crop management and socio-economic factors, such as household resource endowment and gender of the farmer, on climbing bean productivity and yield responses to basal P fertiliser in northern Rwanda. Through a combination of detailed characterisations of 12 farms and on-farm demonstration trials at 110 sites, we evaluated variability in grain yields and responses to fertiliser. Grain yields varied between 0.14 and 6.9 t ha−1with an overall average of 1.69 t ha−1. Household resource endowment and gender of the farmer was strongly associated with climbing bean yield, even though these were partly confounded with Sector. Poorer households and women farmers achieved lower yields than wealthier households and male farmers. Household resource endowment and gender were likely to act as proxies for a range of agronomic and crop management factors that determine crop productivity, such as soil fertility, current and past access to organic manure and mineral fertiliser, access to sufficient quality staking material, ability to conduct crop management operation on time, but we found evidence for only some of these relationships. Poorer households and female farmers grew beans on soils with poorer soil fertility. Moreover, poorer households had a lower density of stakes, while stake density was strongly correlated with yield. Diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser application led to a substantial increase in the average grain yield (0.66 t ha−1), but a large variability in responses implied that its use would be economically worthwhile for roughly half of the farmers. For the sake of targeting agricultural innovations to those households that are most likely to adopt, the Ubudehe household typology – a Rwandan government system of wealth categorisation – could be a useful and easily available tool to structure rural households within regions of Rwanda that are relatively uniform in agro-ecology.
Using the CSM–CERES–Maize model to assess the gap between actual and potential yields of grain maize
Authors: JING Q. , SHANG J. , HUFFMAN T. , QIAN B. , PATTEY E. , LIU J. , DONG T. , DRURY C. F. , TREMBLAY N.
Published: May 2016

Maize in Canada is grown mainly in the south-eastern part of the country. No comprehensive studies on Canadian maize yield levels have been done so far to analyse the barriers of obtaining optimal yields associated with cultivar, environmental stress and agronomic management practices. The objective of the current study was to use a modelling approach to analyse the gaps between actual and potential (determined by cultivar, solar radiation and temperature without any other stresses) maize yields in Eastern Canada. The CSM–CERES–Maize model in DSSAT v4·6 was calibrated and evaluated with measured data of seven cultivars under different nitrogen (N) rates across four sites. The model was then used to simulate grain yield levels defined as: yield potential (YP), water-limited (YW, rainfed), and water- and N-limited yields with N rates 80 kg/ha (YW, N-80N) and 160 kg/ha (YW, N-160N). The options were assessed to further increase grain yield by analysing the yield gaps related to water and N deficiencies. The CSM–CERES–Maize model simulated the grain yields in the experiments well with normalized root-mean-squared errors <0·20. The model was able to capture yield variations associated with varying N rates, cultivar, soil type and inter-annual climate variability. The seven calibrated cultivars used in the experiments were divided into three grades according to their simulated YP: low, medium and high. The simulation results for the 30-year period from 1981 to 2010 showed that the average YPwas 15 000 kg/ha for cultivars with high yield potential. The YPis generally about 6000 kg/ha greater than the actual yield (YA) at each experimental site in Eastern Canada. Two-thirds of this gap between YPand YAis probably associated with water stress, as a gap of approximately 4000 kg/ha between the YWand the YPwas simulated. This gap may be reduced through crop management, such as introducing irrigation to improve the distribution of available water during the growing season. The simulated yields indicated a gap of about 3000 and 1000 kg/ha between YWand YW,N-80N for cultivars with high YPand low YP, respectively. The gap between YWand YW,N-160N decreased to <2000 kg/ha for high Ypcultivars with little difference for the low Ypcultivars. The different yield gaps among cultivars suggest that cultivars with high YPrequire high N rates but cultivars with low YPmay need only low N rates.
Love, Marriage, and Intimate Citizenship in Contemporary China and India: An introduction
Authors: DONNER HENRIKE , SANTOS GONÇALO
Published: May 2016

Theorists of globalization as well as activists' writing from a range of positions have argued that intimate practices are taking centre stage and becoming part of global discourses in the process. This holds true for the institution of marriage and the associated ideas about appropriate family forms, but also more generally for the ways in which ideas about ‘modern selves’ are realized in relationships based on reflexivity and self-knowledge through engagement with an intimate other.
Review of doctoral research in English language teaching and learning in Turkey (2009–2013)
Authors: İnal Dilek , Özdemir Esra , Kıray Gülay , Oral Yasemin
Published: May 2016

This article reviews doctoral research into English language teaching and learning completed between 2009 and 2013 at Turkish universities. The 25 dissertations reviewed here fall into these four general categories: (1) instructional variables and designs, (2) learners, (3) textbooks, and (4) development and evaluation. The majority of these dissertations focus on classroom teaching and learning. Half are particularly concerned with the effects of different instructional variables and designs on learning-related issues. The dissertations are presented with a focus on research methodologies to provide the reader with an evaluation of not only the validity of the findings in each study but also their strengths and weaknesses.
Reading-writing relationships in first and second language academic literacy development
Authors: Grabe William , Zhang Cui
Published: May 2016

Reading and writing relations, as this concept applies to academic learning contexts, whether as a major way to learn language or academic content, is a pervasive issue in English for academic purposes (EAP) contexts. In many cases, this major link between reading/writing and academic learning is true even though explicit discussions of this relationship are commonly identified in other ways. For example, research on summarizing skills is an aspect of abilities that come under reading-writing relations. Similarly, topics including synthesis writing, note-taking, plagiarism, content-driven essay exams, term papers, theses, and dissertations, among other topics, are all aspects of reading-writing relations. These core academic skills become even more complex aspects of reading and writing together, when we add electronic texts, web page resources, and other media sources.
Analysis of measles-related hospitalizations in Tuscany from 2000 to 2014
Authors: BERTI E. , SOLLAI S. , ORLANDINI E. , GALLI L. , DE MARTINO M. , CHIAPPINI E.
Published: May 2016

To evaluate measles incidence and its relevant changes over a 14-year period (2000–2014), we analysed data from the regional hospital discharge database on children and adults hospitalized in Tuscany, Italy. A total of 181 paediatric and 413 adult cases were identified. Despite all the efforts towards regional measles elimination, we observed that the overall measles hospitalization rates for children and adults living in Tuscany globally increased from 0·45 to 0·85/100 000 during the study period (P = 0·001) showing fluctuations due to periodic measles outbreaks. Data stratified by age group showed that the hospitalization rate significantly increased in young adults over the study period, confirming an increase in susceptibility to measles in this subpopulation. Conversely, no statistically significant difference was observed in the hospitalization rate in the other age groups. However, children aged <1 year still exhibit the highest hospitalization rate. Pneumonia represented the most common complication in both the adult and children subsets. No death was reported. Measles still represents a public health problem, and national strategies should be implemented, focusing on emergent susceptible subsets, such as infants and young adults.
Status of the Northern Silvery Grebe Podiceps juninensis in the northern Andes: recent changes in distribution, population trends and conservation needs
Authors: GUEVARA ESTEBAN A. , SANTANDER G. TATIANA , SORIA ADRIÁN , HENRY PIERRE-YVES
Published: May 2016

The Northern Silvery Grebe Podiceps juninensis is an aquatic bird species considered Vulnerable to extinction in Ecuador and Endangered in Colombia. Globally the species is considered Near Threatened. Herein we report recent changes in distribution and population trends for the subpopulation in the northern Andes (Ecuador, Colombia), which is small and isolated. The Northern Silvery Grebe has undergone two documented extirpations, and at least one colonisation event, over the last three decades. More than 90% of the subpopulation relies on two wetlands, La Mica and Colta lakes in Ecuador, with the latter facing an accelerated sedimentation process which jeopardizes the fate of the wetland, and the species, in the mid-term. The population of La Mica lost 80% of its birds in 2000 after the damming of the lake, but then remained stable over our census period (2004–2013). In contrast, the Colta population results from a recent colonisation in the early 2000s, and has experienced an exponential growth since then (annual population multiplication rate: 1.464). The growth of this population is so fast that it must include an important contribution of immigrants. The temporal coincidence between the drop in population size at lake La Mica and the colonisation of lake Colta suggests that the Colta population was founded by immigrants from La Mica. Finally, the absence of current reports of the species at wetlands in Colombia suggests that the species remains at very low numbers, bolstering the shrinkage in northern distribution.
Religious Differences among Congressional Districts and the Success of Women Candidates
Authors: Setzler Mark
Published: May 2016

Scholars exploring the female representation gap in the U.S. Congress have pointed to district-level differences to explain why some districts regularly field women candidates and elect congresswomen while others almost never do. Specifically, demographic, economic, and political characteristics strongly influence a district's female candidacy, nomination, and election rates. This article asks whether also knowing about a district's religious environment helps us better predict the presence and success of women candidates. My central finding is that religiosity, in general, and the strength of some denominations within a district are strong predictors of where women will run and how well they will compete.
UWB impulse radiation source with integrated optoelectronic generator
Authors: Négrier Romain , Lalande Michèle , Bertrand Valérie , Andrieu Joël , Couderc Vincent , Shalaby Badr M. , Pecastaing Laurent , De Ferron Antoine , Desrumaux Laurent
Published: May 2016

This paper presents an innovative design of an Ultra Wide-Band (UWB) impulse radiation source. The transmitting system is composed of an UWB antenna with an integrated optoelectronic generator, which is able to feed the system with appropriate waveforms, a pulsed high voltage source, and an optical command system. The radiation source is the elementary part of a forthcoming short-range UWB Radar with autonomous scanning capability. In this paper, we present in detail the necessary subsystems required to design the elementary radiation source. Measurements have been performed to validate the proposed radiation source and this offers a mathematical method of calculation to trace back to the radiated field at 1 m.
Klassifikation von Sprachentwicklungsstörungen
Authors: Ronniger Pola , Melzer Jessica , Petermann Franz , Rißling Julia-Katharina
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. Sprache ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil unserer Kultur und ermöglicht den Austausch von Gedanken und Gefühlen sowie die Aneignung von Wissen. Defizite in den sprachlichen Fähigkeiten können sich auf verschiedenen linguistischen Ebenen äußern, was in der Diagnostik von Sprachentwicklungsstörungen berücksichtigt werden sollte. Es folgt ein Überblick zur Symptomatik und zur Untergliederung von Sprachentwicklungsstörungen in den psychiatrischen Klassifikationssystemen DSM-5 und ICD-10. Zusätzlich wird ein Ausblick auf die ICD-11 (Beta-Entwurf) gegeben. Die diagnostischen Klassifikationssysteme werden der Interdisziplinären S2k-Leitlinie gegenübergestellt. Keines der dargestellten Systeme berücksichtigt die einzelnen linguistischen Ebenen der Sprache, wie es in der S2k-Leitlinie gefordert wird. Zudem bestehen deutliche Unterschiede in den Diagnosekriterien. In der Praxis führt dies zu erheblichen Schwierigkeiten in der differenzierten Erfassung von Sprachdefiziten. Die zuverlässige Abklärung einer Sprachentwicklungsstörung erfordert eine umfassende berufsübergreifende Diagnostik. Dafür ist eine eindeutige interdisziplinäre Klassifikation notwendig.
Exekutive Funktionen und psychopathologische Symptome bei Kindern mit Spezifischer Sprachentwicklungsstörung
Authors: Schöfl Martin , Schönbauer Regina , Holzinger Daniel
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. Eine Inanspruchnahmepopulation von Kindern mit Spezifischer Sprachentwicklungsstörung (SSES) im Alter von sechs bis neun Jahren (n = 47) wurde in Hinblick auf nonverbale Intelligenz, Sprache, exekutive Funktionen (EF) und psychopathologische Symptome (CBCL) untersucht und mit einer Kontrollgruppe (n = 53) ohne Entwicklungsstörungen verglichen. EF-Defizite wurden signifikant häufiger bei Kindern mit SSES (53 %) als bei Kindern der Kontrollgruppe (19 %) gefunden, diese Unterschiede erwiesen sich als unabhängig von der nonverbalen Intelligenz. EF-Defizite korrelierten mit erhöhtem Risiko für psychopathologische Symptome, insbesondere bei Kindern mit SSES. Das Ergebnis latenter Klassenanalysen weist auf zwei unterschiedliche Teilgruppen von Kindern mit Sprachdefiziten hin, wobei nur eine davon gehäuft EF-Defizite sowie psychopathologische Symptome zeigt, analog zu zwei weiteren Teilgruppen ohne Sprachdefizite. Implikationen dieser Ergebnisse für die Diagnostik werden im Beitrag diskutiert.
Modulation of Executive Control in the Task Switching Paradigm With	Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Authors: Strobach Tilo , Antonenko Daria , Schindler Tamara , Flöel Agnes , Schubert Torsten
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Executive processing in the task switching paradigm is primarily associated with activation of the lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC), demonstrated in numerous functional imaging studies (e.g., Brass & von Cramon, 2002 ). However, there are only very few attempts to modulate neural activation related with executive functions and to investigate the effects of this modulation on the performance in this paradigm. To modulate lPFC activity here, we used the non-invasive transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS; atDCS [1 mA, 20 min] vs. ctDCS [1 mA, 20 min] vs. sham stimulation [1 mA, 30 s]) over the left inferior frontal junction under conditions of single tasks, task repetitions, and task switches in the task switching paradigm. We assessed the performance effects of online tDCS on mixing costs (single tasks vs. task repetitions) as well as on switching costs (task repetitions vs. task switches). In a within-subjects design across three sessions, there was no evidence of stimulation on the magnitude of these cost types. However, when taking a between-subjects perspective in the first session (i.e., after excluding dominant effects of task experience), atDCS showed an increase in mixing costs in contrast to ctDCS and sham. We interpreted this finding in the context of task switching theories on task activation and task inhibition and their neural localizations.
Osteoclast-derived microRNA-containing exosomes selectively inhibit osteoblast activity
Authors: Sun Weijia , Zhao Chenyang , Li Yuheng , Wang Liang , Nie Guangjun , Peng Jiang , Wang Aiyuan , Zhang Pengfei , Tian Weiming , Li Qi , Song Jinping , Wang Cheng , Xu Xiaolong , Tian Yanhua , Zhao Dingsheng , Xu Zi , Zhong Guohui , Han Bingxing , Ling Shukuan , Chang Yan-Zhong , Li Yingxian
Published: May 2016

MicroRNAs have an important role in bone homeostasis. However, the detailed mechanism of microRNA-mediated intercellular communication between bone cells remains elusive. Here, we report that osteoclasts secrete microRNA-enriched exosomes, by which miR-214 is transferred into osteoblasts to inhibit their function. In a coculture system, inhibition of exosome formation and secretion prevented miR-214 transportation. Exosomes specifically recognized osteoblasts through the interaction between ephrinA2 and EphA2. In osteoclast-specific miR-214 transgenic mice, exosomes were secreted into the serum, and miR-214 and ephrinA2 levels were elevated. Therefore, these exosomes have an inhibitory role in osteoblast activity. miR-214 and ephrinA2 levels in serum exosomes from osteoporotic patients and mice were upregulated substantially. These exosomes may significantly inhibit osteoblast activity. Inhibition of exosome secretion via Rab27a small interfering RNA prevented ovariectomized-induced osteoblast dysfunction in vivo. Taken together, these findings suggest that exosome-mediated transfer of microRNA plays an important role in the regulation of osteoblast activity. Circulating miR-214 in exosomes not only represents a biomarker for bone loss but could selectively regulate osteoblast function.
The majority of murine γδ T cells at the maternal–fetal interface in pregnancy produce IL‐17
Authors: Pinget Gabriela V , Corpuz Theresa M , Stolp Jessica , Lousberg Erin L , Diener Kerrilyn R , Robertson Sarah A , Sprent Jonathan , Webster Kylie E
Published: May 2016

Compared with lymphoid tissues, the immune cell compartment at mucosal sites is enriched with T cells bearing the γδ T‐cell receptor (TCR). The female reproductive tract, along with the placenta and uterine decidua during pregnancy, are populated by γδ T cells predominantly expressing the invariant Vγ6+Vδ1+ receptor. Surprisingly little is understood about the function of these cells. We found that the majority of γδ T cells in the non‐pregnant uterus, pregnant uterus, decidua and placenta of mice express the transcription factor RORγt and produce interleukin‐17 (IL‐17). In contrast, IFNγ‐producing γδ T cells were markedly reduced in gestational tissues compared with uterine‐draining lymph nodes and spleen. Both uterine‐resident invariant Vγ6+ and Vγ4+ γδ T cells which are more typically found in lymphoid tissues and circulating blood, were found to express IL‐17. Vγ4+ γδ T cells were particularly enriched in the placenta, suggesting a pregnancy‐specific recruitment or expansion of these cells. A small increase in IL‐17‐producing γδ T cells was observed in allogeneic compared with syngeneic pregnancy, suggesting a contribution to regulating the maternal response to paternally‐derived alloantigens. However, their high proportions also in non‐pregnant uteri and gestational tissues of syngeneic pregnancy imply a role in the prevention of intrauterine infection or quality control of fetal development. These data suggest the need for a more rigorous evaluation of the role of IL‐17 in sustaining normal pregnancy, particularly as emerging data points to a pathogenic role for IL‐17 in pre‐eclampsia, pre‐term birth, miscarriage and maternal immune activation‐induced behavioral abnormalities in offspring.
Fasting induces a subcutaneous-to-visceral fat switch mediated by microRNA-149-3p and suppression of PRDM16
Authors: Ding Hanying , Zheng Shasha , Garcia-Ruiz Daniel , Hou Dongxia , Wei Zhe , Liao Zhicong , Li Limin , Zhang Yujing , Han Xiao , Zen Ke , Zhang Chen-Yu , Li Jing , Jiang Xiaohong
Published: May 2016

Visceral adiposity is strongly associated with metabolic disease risk, whereas subcutaneous adiposity is comparatively benign. However, their relative physiological importance in energy homeostasis remains unclear. Here, we show that after 24-h fasting, the subcutaneous adipose tissue of mice acquires key properties of visceral fat. During this fast-induced ‘visceralization’, upregulation of miR-149-3p directly targets PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), a key coregulatory protein required for the ‘browning’ of white fat. In cultured inguinal preadipocytes, overexpression of miR-149-3p promotes a visceral-like switch during cell differentiation. Mice deficient in miR-149-3p display an increase in whole-body energy expenditure, with enhanced thermogenesis of inguinal fat. However, a visceral-like adipose phenotype is observed in inguinal depots overexpressing miR-149-3p. These results indicate that in addition to the capacity of ‘browning’ to defend against hypothermia during cold exposure, the subcutaneous adipose depot is also capable of ‘whitening’ to preserve energy during fasting, presumably to maintain energy balance, via miR-149-3p-mediated regulation of PRDM16.
Genome-wide association study identifies 8p21.3 associated with persistent hepatitis B virus infection among Chinese
Authors: Li Yuanfeng , Si Lanlan , Zhai Yun , Hu Yanling , Hu Zhibin , Bei Jin-Xin , Xie Bobo , Ren Qian , Cao Pengbo , Yang Fei , Song Qingfeng , Bao Zhiyu , Zhang Haitao , Han Yuqing , Wang Zhifu , Chen Xi , Xia Xia , Yan Hongbo , Wang Rui , Zhang Ying , Gao Chengming , Meng Jinfeng , Tu Xinyi , Liang Xinqiang , Cui Ying , Liu Ying , Wu Xiaopan , Li Zhuo , Wang Huifen , Li Zhaoxia , Hu Bo , He Minghui , Gao Zhibo , Xu Xiaobing , Ji Hongzan , Yu Chaohui , Sun Yi , Xing Baocai , Yang Xiaobo , Zhang Haiying , Tan Aihua , Wu Chunlei , Jia Weihua , Li Shengping , Zeng Yi-Xin , Shen Hongbing , He Fuchu , Mo Zengnan , Zhang Hongxing , Zhou Gangqiao
Published: May 2016

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a common infectious disease. Here we perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) among Chinese populations to identify novel genetic loci involved in persistent HBV infection. GWAS scan is performed in 1,251 persistently HBV infected subjects (PIs, cases) and 1,057 spontaneously recovered subjects (SRs, controls), followed by replications in four independent populations totally consisting of 3,905 PIs and 3,356 SRs. We identify a novel locus at 8p21.3 (index rs7000921, odds ratio=0.78, P=3.2 × 10−12). Furthermore, we identify significant expression quantitative trait locus associations for INTS10 gene at 8p21.3. We demonstrate that INST10 suppresses HBV replication via IRF3 in liver cells. In clinical plasma samples, we confirm that INST10 levels are significantly decreased in PIs compared with SRs, and negatively correlated with the HBV load. These findings highlight a novel antiviral gene INTS10 at 8p21.3 in the clearance of HBV infection.