bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histomorphometry and Bone Matrix Mineralization Before and After Bisphosphonate Treatment in Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Paired Transiliac Biopsy Study
Authors: Misof Barbara M , Roschger Paul , McMillan Hugh J , Ma Jinhui , Klaushofer Klaus , Rauch Frank , Ward Leanne M
Published: November 2015

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder causing progressive muscle weakness. To prolong independent ambulation, DMD patients are treated with glucocorticoids, which, in turn, can increase bone fragility. In a cohort with vertebral fractures, intravenous bisphosphonate (iv BP) therapy stabilized vertebrae and reduced back pain. To characterize the effects of glucocorticoid therapy and bisphosphonate treatment on bone tissue and material properties, paired transiliac biopsy samples (before and after on average 2.4 years of iv BP) from 9 boys with DMD were studied for histomorphometry and bone mineralization density distribution (BMDD) and compared to reference values. Before iv BP, the boys had low cancellous bone volume (BV/TV) and cortical thickness (Ct.Wi) (both on average 56% of the healthy average, p < 0.001 versus reference), and mineralizing surface (MS/BS) in the lower normal range (on average 74% of the healthy average). The average degree of mineralization of cancellous (Cn.CaMean) and cortical compartments (Ct.CaMean) was 21.48 (20.70, 21.90) wt% and 20.42 (19.32, 21.64) wt%, respectively (median [25th, 75th percentiles]), which was not different from reference. After iv BP, BV/TV and Ct.Wi were, on average, unchanged. However, at the individual patient level, BV/TV Z-scores increased in 2, remained unchanged in 4, and declined in 3 patients. Additionally, on average, MS/BS decreased (–85%, p < 0.001), Cn.CaMean (+2.7%) increased, whereas the heterogeneity of cancellous (Cn.CaWidth –19%) and cortical bone mineralization (Ct.CaWidth –8%, all p < 0.05) decreased versus baseline. The changes in bone mineralization are consistent with the antiresorptive action of iv BP. At the same time, our observations point to the need for novel therapies with less or absent bone turnover suppression, including the fact that bone turnover was low even before bisphosphonate therapy, that bone turnover declined further (as expected) with treatment, and that declines in trabecular bone volume were observed in some boys despite bisphosphonate therapy. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Connecting Theory, Research, and Practice in the Psychology of Creativity: An Introduction to a Special Issue
Authors: Tan Ai‐Girl
Published: November 2015

A special issue “Connecting theory, research, and practice in the psychology of creativity” is compiled with contributions from creativity researchers across continents. The full papers were submitted by Beth Hennessey from the United States of America (U.S.), Maciek Karwowski from Poland, as well as Lene Tanggaard and Vlad Glaveanu from Denmark. The papers were blind‐reviewed. Three commentaries on these papers were authored by Anna Hui from Hong Kong China, James Kaufman from U.S., and Ai‐Girl Tan and Meng‐Ee Wong from Singapore. The special issue serves as a preliminary convergent effort to bridge theories and practices, to embrace multiple research methods of inquiry, and to explore a common ground for advancing knowledge of creativity in the science of psychology.
Effect of seed pelleting with biocontrol agents on growth and colonisation of roots of mungbean by root‐infecting fungi
Authors: Ramzan Nadia , Noreen Nayara , Perveen Zahida , Shahzad Saleem
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is a leguminous pulse crop that is a major source of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Root‐infecting fungi produce severe plant diseases like root rot, charcoal rot, damping‐off and stem rot. The soil‐borne pathogens can be controlled by chemicals, but these chemicals have several negative effects. Use of microbial antagonist such as fungi and bacteria is a safe, effective and eco‐friendly method for the control of many soil‐borne pathogens. Biological control agents promote plant growth and develop disease resistance. Application of bacteria and fungi as seed dressing suppressed the root‐infecting fungi on leguminous crops.

RESULTS

Seeds of mungbean were pelleted with different biocontrol agents to determine their effect on plant growth and colonisation of roots by root‐infecting fungi, viz. Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Pythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. Treatment of mungbean seeds with fungal antagonists showed more shoot and root length as compared to bacterial antagonists, whereas seed treated with bacterial antagonists showed maximum shoot and root weight. Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis were the best among all the biocontrol agents since they provided the highest plant growth and greater reduction in root colonisation by all root‐infecting fungi. Bacillus cereus, Trichoderma virens, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Micrococcus varians were also effective against root‐infecting fungi but to a lesser extent. T. harzianum, T. virens, B. subtilis and P. fluorescens were found to be best among all biocontrol agents.

CONCLUSION

The root‐infecting fungi can be controlled by pelleting seeds with biocontrol agents as it is safe and effective method. Additionally, plant growth was promoted more by this method. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Microwave‐assisted extraction and high‐throughput monolithic‐polymer‐based micro‐solid‐phase extraction of organophosphorus, triazole, and organochlorine residues in apple
Authors: Bagheri Habib , Es'haghi Ali , Es‐haghi Ali , Basiripour Fatemeh
Published: November 2015

A high‐throughput micro‐solid‐phase extraction device based on a 96‐well plate was constructed and applied to the determination of pesticide residues in various apple samples. Butyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were copolymerized as a monolithic polymer and placed in the cylindrically shaped stainless‐steel meshes of 96‐micro‐solid‐phase extraction device and used as an extracting unit. Before the micro‐solid‐phase extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction was employed to facilitate the transfer of the pesticide residues from the apple matrix to liquid media. Then, 1 mL of the aquatic samples was transferred into the 96‐well plate and the 96‐micro‐solid‐phase extraction device was applied for the extraction of the selected pesticides. Influential parameters, such as sorbent‐to‐sorbent reproducibility, microwave‐assisted extraction time, ionic strength and micro‐solid‐phase extraction time, were optimized. The limits of quantitation were below 120 μg/kg, which are lower than the maximum residue limits. The developed method was successfully implemented for the extraction and determination of the selected pesticides from 20 different apple samples gathered from local markets. Phosalone was identified and quantified at the concentration level of 147 (±16.4) μg/kg in one of the samples.
Mental Health Over Time in a Military Sample: The Impact of Alcohol Use Disorder on Trajectories of Psychopathology After Deployment
Authors: Sampson Laura , Cohen Gregory H. , Calabrese Joseph R. , Fink David S. , Tamburrino Marijo , Liberzon Israel , Chan Philip , Galea Sandro
Published: December 2015

To identify trajectories of depression and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptom groups after deployment and determine the effect of alcohol use disorder on these trajectories, depression symptoms were modeled using the 9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire in 727 Ohio National Guard members, and PTS symptoms were modeled using the PTSD Checklist in 472 Ohio National Guard members. There were 55.8% who were resistant to depression symptoms across the 4 years of study, and 41.5% who were resistant to PTS symptoms. There were 18.7% and 42.2% of participants who showed resilience (experiencing slightly elevated symptoms followed by a decline, according to Bonanno et al., 2002) to depression and PTS symptoms, respectively. Mild and chronic dysfunction constituted the smallest trajectory groups across disorders. Marital status, deployment to an area of conflict, and number of lifetime stressors were associated with membership into different latent groups for depression (unstandardized β estimates range = 0.69 to 1.37). Deployment to an area of conflict, number of lifetime traumatic events and education predicted membership into different latent groups for PTS (significant unstandardized β estimate range = 0.83 to 3.17). AUD was associated with an increase in both symptom outcomes (significant unstandardized β estimate range = 0.20 to 9.45). These results suggested that alcohol use disorder may have contributed substantially to trajectories of psychopathology in this population.
Bio‐lubricant flow behaviour in mini‐channels
Authors: Safari Alaleh , Emami Nazanin , Cervantes Michel J.
Published: December 2015

One of the most common causes of failures in total joint replacements is the generation of wear particles within the joint. This contributes to bone lost and aseptic loosening of the implant, eventually requiring its replacement. Many studies have been carried out to improve the wear characteristics of bearing surfaces in total joint replacement. From the lubrication point of view, the friction behaviour of surfaces and rheology of the joint lubricant (synovial fluid) have been extensively studied. However, little attention has been paid to the interaction between the lubricant and the bearing surfaces. The aim of this study is to develop a methodology for studying the behaviour of bio‐based lubricant in mini‐channels. For this purpose, micro‐particle image velocimetry was used in order to characterise the lubricant behaviour. Channels made of relevant materials such as ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene, cobalt–chromium–molybdenum alloy and titanium–aluminium–vanadium alloy with 1 and 1.5 mm width, 45 mm length and 2 mm depth were experimentally investigated. Results suggested that the used polymeric solution interaction with solid surfaces is very sensitive to the polymer concentration in the lubricant. Moreover, it was observed that there exist differences between water (Newtonian reference fluid) and the polymeric solution behaviour even at very simple movements; although usually, the properties of this lubricant at high shear rates are estimated by water properties. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meta‐audit of laboratory ISO accreditation inspections: measuring the old emperor's clothes
Authors: Wilson Ian G. , Smye Michael , Wallace Ian J. C.
Published: December 2015

Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 is required for EC official food control and veterinary laboratories by Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004. Measurements in hospital laboratories and clinics are increasingly accredited to ISO/IEC 15189. Both of these management standards arose from command and control military standards for factory inspection during World War II. They rely on auditing of compliance and have not been validated internally as assessment bodies require of those they accredit. Neither have they been validated to criteria outside their own ideology such as the Cochrane principles of evidence‐based medicine which might establish whether any benefit exceeds their cost. We undertook a retrospective meta‐audit over 14 years of internal and external laboratory audits that checked compliance with ISO 17025 in a public health laboratory. Most noncompliances arose solely from clauses in the standard and would not affect users. No effect was likely from 91% of these. Fewer than 1% of noncompliances were likely to have consequences for the validity of results or quality of service. The ISO system of compliance auditing has the performance characteristics of a poor screening test. It adds substantially to costs and generates more noise (false positives) than informative signal. Ethical use of resources indicates that management standards should not be used unless proven to deliver the efficacy, effectiveness, and value required of modern healthcare interventions.
An in vitro system to characterize prostate cancer progression identified signaling required for self‐renewal
Authors: Salah Mohammed , Nishimoto Yuuki , Kohno Susumu , Kondoh Atsushi , Kitajima Shunsuke , Muranaka Hayato , Nishiuchi Takumi , Ibrahim Ahmed , Yoshida Akiyo , Takahashi Chiaki
Published: December 2015

Mutations in RB and PTEN are linked to castration resistance and poor prognosis in prostate cancer. Identification of genes that are regulated by these tumor suppressors in a context that recapitulates cancer progression may be beneficial for discovering novel therapeutic targets. Although various genetically engineered mice thus far provided tumor models with various pathological stages, they are not ideal for detecting dynamic changes in gene transcription. Additionally, it is difficult to achieve an effect specific to tumor progression via gain of functions of these genes. In this study, we developed an in vitro model to help identify RB‐ and PTEN‐loss signatures during the malignant progression of prostate cancers. Trp53−/−; Rbf/f, Trp53−/−; Ptenf/f, and Trp53−/−; Rbf/f; Ptenf/f prostate epithelial cells were infected with AD‐LacZ or AD‐Cre. We found that deletion of Rb, Pten or both stimulated prostasphere formation and tumor development in immune‐compromised mice. The GO analysis of genes affected by the deletion of Rb or Pten in Trp53−/− prostate epithelial cells identified a number of genes encoding cytokines, chemokines and extracellular matrix remodeling factors, but only few genes related to cell cycle progression. Two genes (Il‐6 and Lox) were further analyzed. Blockade of Il‐6 signaling and depletion of Lox significantly attenuated prostasphere formation in 3D culture, and in the case of IL‐6, strongly suppressed tumor growth in vivo. These findings suggest that our in vitro model may be instrumental in identifying novel therapeutic targets of prostate cancer progression, and further underscore IL‐6 and LOX as promising therapeutic targets. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Slice‐selective adiabatic magnetization T2‐preparation (SAMPA) for efficient T2‐weighted imaging at ultrahigh field strengths
Authors: Dyvorne Hadrien , Balchandani Priti
Published: December 2015

Purpose

At high field, T2‐weighted (T2w) imaging is limited by transmit field inhomogeneity and increased radiofrequency power deposition. In this work, we introduce SAMPA (Slice‐selective Adiabatic Magnetization T2 PrepAration) and demonstrate its use for efficient brain T2w imaging at 7 Tesla (T).

Methods

SAMPA was designed by subsampling an optimized B1 insensitive rotation (BIR4) waveform with small tip angle linear subpulses. To perform T2w imaging, SAMPA was inserted before a fast gradient echo acquisition. The off‐resonance behavior, B1 robustness, and slice selectivity of the novel T2 preparation module were analyzed using Bloch simulations. The performance of SAMPA for T2w imaging was demonstrated in phantom experiments as well as in the brains of healthy volunteers at 7T.

Results

Based on simulations, the proposed design operates at peak B1 of 15 μT and higher, within a 400 Hz bandwidth. T2 values were in strong agreement with spin echo‐based T2 mapping in phantom experiments. Whole brain, interleaved multislab three‐dimensional imaging could be acquired with 0.8 mm3 isotropic resolution in 5:36 min per T2 weighting.

Conclusion

Compared with previous adiabatic T2 preparation techniques, SAMPA allows for slice‐selectivity, which can lead to efficient and robust acquisitions for T2w imaging at high field. Magn Reson Med 76:1741–1749, 2016. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
State Authenticity in Everyday Life
Authors: Lenton Alison P. , Slabu Letitia , Sedikides Constantine
Published: December 2015

We examined the components and situational correlates of state authenticity to clarify the construct's meaning and improve understanding of authenticity's attainment. In Study 1, we used the day reconstruction method (participants assessed real–life episodes from ‘yesterday’) and in Study 2 a smartphone app (participants assessed real–life moments taking place ‘just now’) to obtain situation–level ratings of participants’ sense of living authentically, self–alienation, acceptance of external influence, mood, anxiety, energy, ideal–self overlap, self–consciousness, self–esteem, flow, needs satisfaction, and motivation to be ‘real’. Both studies demonstrated that state authentic living does not require rejecting external influence and, further, accepting external influence is not necessarily associated with state self–alienation. In fact, situational acceptance of external influence was more often related to an increased, rather than decreased, sense of authenticity. Both studies also found state authentic living to be associated with greater, and state self–alienation with lesser: positive mood, energy, relaxation, ideal–self overlap, self–esteem, flow, and motivation for realness. Study 2 further revealed that situations prioritizing satisfaction of meaning/purpose in life were associated with increased authentic living and situations prioritizing pleasure/interest satisfaction were associated with decreased self–alienation. State authenticity is best characterized by two related yet independent components: authentic living and (absence of) self–alienation. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
Enhancing metaproteomics—The value of models and defined environmental microbial systems
Authors: Herbst Florian‐Alexander , Lünsmann Vanessa , Kjeldal Henrik , Jehmlich Nico , Tholey Andreas , von Bergen Martin , Nielsen Jeppe Lund , Hettich Robert L. , Seifert Jana , Nielsen Per Halkjær
Published: December 2015

Metaproteomics—the large‐scale characterization of the entire protein complement of environmental microbiota at a given point in time—has provided new features to study complex microbial communities in order to unravel these “black boxes.” New technical challenges arose that were not an issue for classical proteome analytics before that could be tackled by the application of different model systems. Here, we review different current and future model systems for metaproteome analysis. Following a short introduction to microbial communities and metaproteomics, we introduce model systems for clinical and biotechnological research questions including acid mine drainage, anaerobic digesters, and activated sludge. Model systems are useful to evaluate the challenges encountered within (but not limited to) metaproteomics, including species complexity and coverage, biomass availability, or reliable protein extraction. The implementation of model systems can be considered as a step forward to better understand microbial community responses and ecological functions of single member organisms. In the future, improvements are necessary to fully explore complex environmental systems by metaproteomics.
Validity, specificity, feasibility and acceptability of a brief pediatric distress thermometer in outpatient clinics
Authors: Wiener Lori , Battles Haven , Zadeh Sima , Widemann Brigitte C. , Pao Maryland
Published: December 2015

Objective

Psychosocial distress is under‐recognized in children with cancer and other serious medical illnesses because of a focus on pressing medical concerns.

Aims

This study assessed the validity, inter‐rater reliability, sensitivity/specificity, acceptability, and feasibility of administration of a pediatric distress thermometer (DT) designed to screen for the presence of psychosocial distress in youth with serious medical illnesses.

Materials & Methods

Two hundred eighty‐one patient–caregiver–provider triads were enrolled from two hospital outpatient clinics. Patients diagnosed with cancer and other life‐threatening diseases, caregivers, and providers completed the DT and a DT acceptability rating. Patients and caregivers completed standardized measures of anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue. Providers completed a measure of disease severity. Data collectors completed a feasibility rating.

Results

The DT was significantly correlated with both caregiver and patient reports of depression, anxiety, pain, and fatigue, exhibiting concurrent validity. Parent, child, and caregiver report demonstrated significant, moderate inter‐rater reliability, with lower concordance between raters in the youngest age group. The DT is a sensitive instrument for screening of psychosocial distress when compared with the selected gold standard (Brief Symptom Inventory 18 depression subscale and the Children's Depression Inventory). The DT is not highly specific but quickly identifies those in need of further psychosocial assessment.

Discussion

Screening, using an adapted pediatric DT, is valid, feasible, and acceptable to patients, caregivers, and medical providers across chronic medical illnesses.

Conclusion

As patient and caregiver reports are not always concordant, both patient and caregiver report of distress are important for the provider to obtain clinically meaningful information to guide interventions. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Statistical methods for studying disease subtype heterogeneity
Authors: Wang Molin , Spiegelman Donna , Kuchiba Aya , Lochhead Paul , Kim Sehee , Chan Andrew T. , Poole Elizabeth M. , Tamimi Rulla , Tworoger Shelley S. , Giovannucci Edward , Rosner Bernard , Ogino Shuji
Published: December 2015

A fundamental goal of epidemiologic research is to investigate the relationship between exposures and disease risk. Cases of the disease are often considered a single outcome and assumed to share a common etiology. However, evidence indicates that many human diseases arise and evolve through a range of heterogeneous molecular pathologic processes, influenced by diverse exposures. Pathogenic heterogeneity has been considered in various neoplasms such as colorectal, lung, prostate, and breast cancers, leukemia and lymphoma, and non‐neoplastic diseases, including obesity, type II diabetes, glaucoma, stroke, cardiovascular disease, autism, and autoimmune disease. In this article, we discuss analytic options for studying disease subtype heterogeneity, emphasizing methods for evaluating whether the association of a potential risk factor with disease varies by disease subtype. Methods are described for scenarios where disease subtypes are categorical and ordinal and for cohort studies, matched and unmatched case–control studies, and case–case study designs. For illustration, we apply the methods to a molecular pathological epidemiology study of alcohol intake and colon cancer risk by tumor LINE‐1 methylation subtypes. User‐friendly software to implement the methods is publicly available. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oil Extraction Equipment Industry at Pontal do Paraná: A Search for Sustainability
Authors: De Britto Christian Maciel
Published: December 2015

Pontal do Paraná aims at combining oil industries, environmental protection of fragile areas and improvement in the lives of local people. Applying a multi‐modal systems thinking qualitative approach, several factors and their interrelationships were identified pointing to threats to the overall sustainability of the area. These factors emerged from the analysis of open interviews, documents and specialized literature. We particularly focused on the social aspect and its interrelationship with other modalities to conclude that the sustainability of the region's socio‐environmental systems could be compromised in the long term if proper measures are not taken. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collective Actions in Sustainable Rural Tourism: A Case Study of the Western Region of Paraná
Authors: Schmidt Carla M. , Cielo Ivanete D. , Wenningkamp Keila R. , Tomio Marialva
Published: December 2015

This is a study of a collective action oriented to developing rural sustainable tourism in the west of Paraná state, Brazil. We have endeavoured to identify the advantages and disadvantages experienced by rural entrepreneurs while participating in a collective action group. We have carried out a qualitative case study of a descriptive nature, and after interviewing participant entrepreneurs, we concluded that collective action was essential for the development of sustainable rural tourism. Overall, the advantages surpass the disadvantages. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social Theory and Nursing Practice
Authors: Porter Sam
Published: December 2015

This volume launches an exciting new series which explores the relationship between sociological principles and nursing practice. It introduces the nurse to social theory, and examines its importance in the development of nursing's own theoretical base. The relevance of theory to what is essentially a practical discipline is amply demonstrated.

This book and its followers will be essential reading for students at both pre-registration and post-registration levels. Many practitioners will also find much to stimulate them.
Does Westminster (Still) Represent the Westminster Model? An Analysis of the Changing Nature of the Uk's Political System
Authors: Strohmeier Gerd
Published: December 2015

In the first edition of his Patterns of Democracy (1999), Lijphart used the term ‘Westminster model’ ‘interchangeably with majoritarian model. Despite both the constitutional reforms introduced since the change of government in 1997 and the outcome and consequences of the 2010 general election, Lijphart concluded in the second edition of his book (2012a) that ‘recent changes in British politics do not change the overall character of Britain as a prime example of majoritarian democracy.’ Lijphart's perspective is challenged by this article–-which also examines the effect of the 2015 general election on the nature of the Westminster system through the prism of Lijphart's Patterns of Democracy. It is argued that first, the Westminster system has never represented the majoritarian ideal; second, that it has noticeably moved towards greater consensus as a result of the various constitutional reforms introduced since the change of government in 1997 on the one hand and the outcome and consequences of the 2010 general election on the other; and third, that the 2015 general election has somehow stopped this general trend towards greater consensus.
Surviving Intervention: Grandparents’ Struggle to Maintain Relationships with their Grandchildren Following Contact with Child Protection Services
Authors: Rigby Erin , Gair Susan , Thorpe Ros
Published: December 2015

Grandparents play an important role in families, contributing to the maintenance of intergenerational relationships. Recent literature has identified increased incidence of grandparents raising their grandchildren, often after family breakdown. Less evident is the literature highlighting Australian grandparents’ experiences of reduced or lost contact with their grandchildren. Lost contact can result from many factors including family disputes, separation or divorce of adult children, or children being taken into State care. The primary aim of the Honours research project reported here, a component of a larger project, was to explore the lived experiences of Queensland grandparents who had reduced, lost or denied contact with their grandchildren after contact with child protection services. In recent years, almost 8000 Queensland children have reportedly been living in out-of-home care arrangements annually. In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of seven (7) grandparents. An emerging key theme was that grandchildren were very important to grandparents, but that grandparents struggled to maintain contact with their grandchildren after families came to the attention of child protection authorities. These findings can help inform social work practice with families for the wellbeing of both grandparents and grandchildren.
FAILURE OF THE POINTWISE AND MAXIMAL ERGODIC THEOREMS FOR THE FREE GROUP
Authors: TAO TERENCE
Published: December 2015

Let $F_{2}$ denote the free group on two generators $a$ and $b$. For any measure-preserving system $(X,{\mathcal{X}},{\it\mu},(T_{g})_{g\in F_{2}})$ on a finite measure space $X=(X,{\mathcal{X}},{\it\mu})$, any $f\in L^{1}(X)$, and any $n\geqslant 1$, define the averaging operators $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle {\mathcal{A}}_{n}f(x):=\frac{1}{4\times 3^{n-1}}\mathop{\sum }_{g\in F_{2}:|g|=n}f(T_{g}^{-1}x), & & \displaystyle \nonumber\end{eqnarray}$$ where $|g|$ denotes the word length of $g$. We give an example of a measure-preserving system $X$ and an $f\in L^{1}(X)$ such that the sequence ${\mathcal{A}}_{n}f(x)$ is unbounded in $n$ for almost every $x$, thus showing that the pointwise and maximal ergodic theorems do not hold in $L^{1}$ for actions of $F_{2}$. This is despite the results of Nevo–Stein and Bufetov, who establish pointwise and maximal ergodic theorems in $L^{p}$ for $p>1$ and for $L\log L$ respectively, as well as an estimate of Naor and the author establishing a weak-type $(1,1)$ maximal inequality for the action on $\ell ^{1}(F_{2})$. Our construction is a variant of a counterexample of Ornstein concerning iterates of a Markov operator.
On the universality of local dissipation scales in turbulent channel flow
Authors: Bailey S. C. C. , Witte B. M.
Published: December 2015

Well-resolved measurements of the small-scale dissipation statistics within turbulent channel flow are reported for a range of Reynolds numbers from $Re_{{\it\tau}}\approx 500$ to 4000. In this flow, the local large-scale Reynolds number based on the longitudinal integral length scale is found to poorly describe the Reynolds number dependence of the small-scale statistics. When a length scale based on Townsend’s attached-eddy hypothesis is used to define the local large-scale Reynolds number, the Reynolds number scaling behaviour was found to be more consistent with that observed in homogeneous, isotropic turbulence. The Reynolds number scaling of the dissipation moments up to the sixth moment was examined and the results were found to be in good agreement with predicted scaling behaviour (Schumacher et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 111, 2014, pp. 10961–10965). The probability density functions of the local dissipation scales (Yakhot, Physica D, vol. 215 (2), 2006, pp. 166–174) were also determined and, when the revised local large-scale Reynolds number is used for normalization, provide support for the existence of a universal distribution which scales differently for inner and outer regions.
Maternal folate deficiency and metabolic dysfunction in offspring
Authors: McKay Jill A. , Mathers John C.
Published: December 2015

The importance of folate during pregnancy was established more than 80 years ago by Lucy Wills’ ground-breaking studies of tropical macrocytic anaemia. More recently, it has become apparent that the adverse consequences of inadequate nutrient supply during early developmental may be exacerbated by over-nutrition postnatally. The present paper aims to review recent evidence that maternal methyl donor (notably folate) supply peri-conceptually and during pregnancy has long-term effects on offspring (metabolic) health. In addition, we propose the hypothesis that epigenetic mechanisms, especially DNA methylation, may mediate the effects of these early life nutritional insults. We discuss evidence from a natural experiment in human subjects which provides proof of principle for the hypothesis. We describe an attempt to test this hypothesis using a mouse model in which female C57Bl/6 mice were randomised to low or normal folate diets prior to, and during, pregnancy and lactation. Low maternal folate supply resulted in offspring that were more susceptible to detrimental metabolic effects of a high-fat diet fed from weaning, manifested as increased circulating TAG concentration. Interestingly, this metabolic phenotype in adult offspring occurred without any detectable change in adiposity, suggesting a different aetiological origin from the more commonly reported observation that maternal undernutrition leads to increased offspring adiposity and to symptoms of the Metabolic Syndrome. The widespread prevalence of overweight and obesity and of folate deficiency among women of child-bearing age highlights the possibility that this double nutritional insult may exacerbate the risk of metabolic disease in their offspring.
High educational performance is a distinctive feature of bipolar disorder: a study on cognition in bipolar disorder, schizophrenia patients, relatives and controls
Authors: Vreeker A. , Boks M. P. M. , Abramovic L. , Verkooijen S. , van Bergen A. H. , Hillegers M. H. J. , Spijker A. T. , Hoencamp E. , Regeer E. J. , Riemersma-Van der Lek R. F. , Stevens A. W. M. M. , Schulte P. F. J. , Vonk R. , Hoekstra R. , van Beveren N. J. M. , Kupka R. W. , Brouwer R. M. , Bearden C. E. , MacCabe J. H. , Ophoff R. A. ,   GROUP Investigators
Published: December 2015

Background

Schizophrenia is associated with lower intelligence and poor educational performance relative to the general population. This is, to a lesser degree, also found in first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients. It is unclear whether bipolar disorder I (BD-I) patients and their relatives have similar lower intellectual and educational performance as that observed in schizophrenia.

Method

This cross-sectional study investigated intelligence and educational performance in two outpatient samples [494 BD-I patients, 952 schizophrenia spectrum (SCZ) patients], 2231 relatives of BD-I and SCZ patients, 1104 healthy controls and 100 control siblings. Mixed-effects and regression models were used to compare groups on intelligence and educational performance.

Results

BD-I patients were more likely to have completed the highest level of education (odds ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.66–2.70) despite having a lower IQ compared to controls (β= −9.09,s.e.= 1.27,p< 0.001). In contrast, SCZ patients showed both a lower IQ (β= −15.31,s.e.= 0.86,p< 0.001) and lower educational levels compared to controls. Siblings of both patient groups had significantly lower IQ than control siblings, but did not differ on educational performance. IQ scores did not differ between BD-I parents and SCZ parents, but BD-I parents had completed higher educational levels.

Conclusions

Although BD-I patients had a lower IQ than controls, they were more likely to have completed the highest level of education. This contrasts with SCZ patients, who showed both intellectual and educational deficits compared to healthy controls. Since relatives of BD-I patients did not demonstrate superior educational performance, our data suggest that high educational performance may be a distinctive feature of bipolar disorder patients.
Effects of perceptual training on second language vowel perception and production
Authors: INCEOGLU SOLÈNE
Published: December 2015

This study investigates whether audiovisual training leads to greater improvement in perception and production than auditory training. The participants (n= 60) were American English native speakers enrolled in intermediate French courses. They received audiovisual training, audio-only training, or no training, and were tested at pretest and posttest on their perception and production of French nasal vowels. The results suggest that both training groups improved significantly from the pretest to the posttest, but that the differences between the audiovisual and audio-only groups were not statistically significant. However, the production of the audiovisual training group improved significantly more than the production of the audio-only training group did, suggesting that seeing facial gestures leads to greater improvement in pronunciation.
Older people as assets in disaster preparedness, response and recovery: lessons from regional Australia
Authors: HOWARD AMANDA , BLAKEMORE TAMARA , BEVIS MIRIAM
Published: December 2015

This article reports on findings from a qualitative research study on natural disaster preparedness in ‘at risk’ population groups in regional Australia, and in particular on findings highlighting the key, and often unrecognised, role played by many older people in developing and maintaining local informal networks, activated repeatedly before, during and after natural disasters. The article outlines major themes in recent literature on community resilience and social capital in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, the design and implementation of the current study in which, 17 focus groups were held with ‘at risk’ groups across three communities and findings in relation to the role of older people. The implications from these findings are discussed in the context of community-based disaster preparedness strategies. Findings point to older people as critical, community assets in local neighbourhoods, contributing both their experience and relationship-building capacity to prepare themselves for natural disasters. In addition, there was clear evidence of older people sharing resources and experience in support of others of all ages in responding to and recovering from natural disasters. Older people in the research were found both to generate and mobilise social capital at a local level in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
Barriers to the retention of older participants in political organisations: evidence from Spain
Authors: SERRAT RODRIGO , PETRIWSKYJ ANDREA , VILLAR FELICIANO , WARBURTON JENI
Published: December 2015

It has been argued that older people's civic engagement has benefits for both individuals themselves and the community more broadly. Removing barriers to participation is, therefore, essential. However, the multi-dimensional nature of civic participation, as well as the different issues raised by recruitment and retention, complicate this. This study explores the barriers to retention of Spanish older people in political organisations, as one important type of participation that has received little attention in the literature to date. A total of 192 people aged 65 and over and actively engaged in three kinds of political organisation participated in this study. Participants answered an open-ended question regarding perceived barriers to continued involvement. Results show a range of reasons for potential future disengagement from political organisations. These barriers fit into three overarching categories related to changes in means, motives or the opportunity context for participation. Means-related barriers were by far the most frequently identified type of barrier. Both the type of organisation and some socio-demographic and participatory characteristics have an impact on the reasons respondents indicated they may potentially stop participating in future. Results suggest the necessity of a more nuanced and multi-faceted approach to understanding barriers to participation. Particularly, the development of retention strategies by political organisations should take into account the specific characteristics of the individuals and organisations they are targeting.
Drought and salinity alter endogenous hormonal profiles at the seed germination phase
Authors: Llanes Analía , Andrade Andrea , Masciarelli Oscar , Alemano Sergio , Luna Virginia
Published: December 2015

The most critical phase in plant life is seed germination, which is influenced by environmental factors. Drought and salinity are key environmental factors that affect seed germination. Reduction or alterations of germination when seeds are exposed to these factors have been shown to be due to either the adverse effects of water limitation and/or specific ion toxicity on metabolism. Phytohormones are chemical messengers produced within the plant that control its growth and development in response to environmental cues; small fluctuations of phytohormone levels alter the cellular dynamics and, hence, play a central role in regulating plant growth responses to these environmental factors. To integrate current knowledge, the present review focuses on the involvement of endogenous phytohormones in plant adaptative responses to drought and salinity at one of the plant's developmental phases.
Tweaking financial instruments: bills obligatory in sixteenth-century Antwerp
Authors: Puttevils Jeroen
Published: December 2015

This article discusses the use of private promissory notes in the sixteenth-century commercial metropolis of Antwerp. Students of financial history tend to look for first instances of financial techniques and institutions such as bills of exchange, share trading, sovereign debt and banks. However, financial innovation can also be found in the piecemeal adaptation of an older, existing technique, institution or instrument as the result of changes in the market and of demands exerted by particular groups within that economy. The outcome of this process is determined by the structure of the economy in question, its institutional arrangements and the willingness of authorities to adapt the rules.
Assessment of genetic diversity within and among sage (Salvia) species using SRAP markers
Authors: Aghaei Zahra , Talebi Majid , Rahimmalek Mehdi
Published: December 2015

Salvia (sage) is the most important and largest genus of the Lamiaceae family. High similarities among species in this genus lead to difficulty in its systematic identification. Despite its economic importance, limited molecular studies have been conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity among and within Salvia species. In this study, SRAP (sequence-related amplified polymorphism) markers, which targeted ORFs (open reading frames) as functional regions in the genome, were used to detect the genetic diversity of five Salvia species (S. virgata Jacq., S. nemorosa L., S. officinalis L., S. cereal L. and S. sclarea L.). Fourteen primer combinations (PCs) were amplified by 265 fragments on 54 genotypes, in which 255 (96%) were polymorphic. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.308 over all PCs. The genetic distance among species ranged from 0.126 (between S. virgata Jacq. and S. nemorosa L.) to 0.568 (between S. nemorosa L. and S. sclarea L.). Based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient and UPGMA algorithm, cluster analysis separated different species (r= 0.920). The results showed high genetic differentiation (Fst= 0.337) and negligible gene flow (Nm= 0.750) among species. Owing to the high genetic variation among and within Salvia species, it serves as a rich source of germplasm with potential for use in breeding programmes.
Industrial Characteristics and Employment of Older Manufacturing Workers in the Early-Twentieth-Century United States
Authors: Lee Chulhee
Published: December 2015

This study explores how industry-specific technological, organizational, and managerial features affected the employment of old male manufacturing workers in the early-twentieth-century United States. Industrial characteristics favorably related to the employment of old industrial workers include high labor productivity, less capital- and material-intensive production, short workdays, low intensity of work, high job flexibility, and formalized employment relationships. Results show that aged industrial workers were heavily concentrated in “unfavorable” industries, suggesting that the contemporary argument of “industrial scrap heap” was applicable for most of the manufacturing workers in the early-twentieth-century United States.
Downwind of the Atomic State: US Continental Atmospheric Testing, Radioactive Fallout, and Organizational Deviance, 1951–1962
Authors: Rice James
Published: December 2015

The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) conducted more than 100 atmospheric atomic detonations at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) between 1951 and 1962 depositing radioactivity throughout the United States but particularly the rural communities just “downwind.” The monitoring of radioactivity and efforts to warn downwind residents, however, failed to ensure their safety. I engage in archival analysis of AEC documents to examine decision making in reference to radioactive fallout. In recounting the socionatural history of atmospheric testing at the NTS, the present study argues operational conduct was lethargic due to the adoption of specious organizational heuristics. They included the assumption that fallout is subject to predictable atmospheric dispersion; fallout has noncumulative, undifferentiated effects on people; and downwind residents were prone to unreasoning panic. Thus AEC officials were continually chasing problems after they arose and in the absence of containment of fallout focused on containment of public perception and dialogue. The study concludes by highlighting the lessons relevant to contemporary sociotechnical activities.
Trends and Most Frequent Methods of Suicide in Chile Between 2001 and 2010
Authors: Bustamante Francisco , Ramirez Valeria , Urquidi Cinthya , Bustos Vicente , Yaseen Zimri , Galynker Igor
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Background: Despite the many studies trying to evaluate the magnitude of suicide in Chile, none of them include the new valid data, recently published by the DEIS of the Chilean Health Ministry. Aim: This paper sought to describe how suicide rates changed among Chileans who were at least 15 years of age during the period of 2001–2010; these rates were stratified by sex, age, urban/rural status, and region of the country. Method: An exploratory and temporal study was conducted. Suicide mortality rates were calculated by collecting information from the Chilean Ministry of Health’s death registry between 2001 and 2010 among subjects who were at least 15 years of age. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were computed. Results: The standardized suicide rate in Chile during 2001–2010 was 14.7 deaths per 100,000, the highest in South America. The minimum age-adjusted suicide rate observed during the examined period was 13.49 per 100,000 in 2005, and the maximum, 16.67 per 100,000 in 2008. Suicide rates among men were up to 4.8 times the suicide rates among women. In addition, rates in rural areas were double compared with urban areas. Hanging was the most common suicide method, followed by use of firearms and explosives in men and poisoning in women. Finally, there was a progressive increase in suicide rates in the southernmost regions of the country. Conclusion: Suicide rates in Chile are relatively high among male subjects in rural areas. There is a disturbing increase in suicide rates among younger individuals and women, although these rates remain lower among younger individuals and women than among adults in general.
What Is the Anthropocene?
Authors: Edwards Lucy
Published: December 2015

Geologists must consider whether the Anthropocene is a specific segment in the continuum of time or a holistic concept.
Stable kinetochore–microtubule attachment is sufficient to silence the spindle assembly checkpoint in human cells
Authors: Tauchman Eric C. , Boehm Frederick J. , DeLuca Jennifer G.
Published: December 2015

During mitosis, duplicated sister chromatids attach to microtubules emanating from opposing sides of the bipolar spindle through large protein complexes called kinetochores. In the absence of stable kinetochore–microtubule attachments, a cell surveillance mechanism known as the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) produces an inhibitory signal that prevents anaphase onset. Precisely how the inhibitory SAC signal is extinguished in response to microtubule attachment remains unresolved. To address this, we induced formation of hyper-stable kinetochore–microtubule attachments in human cells using a non-phosphorylatable version of the protein Hec1, a core component of the attachment machinery. We find that stable attachments are sufficient to silence the SAC in the absence of sister kinetochore bi-orientation and strikingly in the absence of detectable microtubule pulling forces or tension. Furthermore, we find that SAC satisfaction occurs despite the absence of large changes in intra-kinetochore distance, suggesting that substantial kinetochore stretching is not required for quenching the SAC signal.