bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA barcoding Madagascar’s amphibian fauna
Authors: Perl R.G. Bina , Nagy Zoltán T. , Sonet Gontran , Glaw Frank , Wollenberg Katharina C. , Vences Miguel
Published: June 2014

We provide a DNA barcoding survey of Malagasy amphibians, including 251 of the 292 nominal species known to date, by complementing previous data with 280 newly determined barcoding sequence fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Amplification success for the newly determined sequences was highest (94%) with one set of universal COI primers (dgLCO1490-dgHCO2198) while other primer sets had distinctly lower success rates. By and large, we observed relatively high average interspecific genetic distances of 25-27% within the Mantellidae and Microhylidae, and genetic distances of 13-21% within the Hyperoliidae. Lower values of 6-7% were observed between some sister species in all families, with extreme lows of 0.2-0.3% between a few sister species pairs in microhylids and mantellids for which we postulate mitochondrial introgression or yet unsettled taxonomy. Within-species divergences were relatively high especially in mantellids where they averaged 5.3%, due to the inclusion of numerous deep conspecific lineages (by definition with high divergences to other specimens) in our study. Above this, the degree of polymorphism was difficult to establish owing to limited sampling per population in our assessment. Compared to a previous assessment from 2009 based on 16S rDNA sequences, we identify 14 additional undescribed candidate species and raise the maximum estimate of species in the island’s batrachofauna to well over 500.
What goes in does not come out: different non-lethal dietary methods give contradictory interpretation of prey selectivity in amphibians
Authors: Costa Andrea , Salvidio Sebastiano , Posillico Mario , Altea Tiziana , Matteucci Giorgio , Romano Antonio
Published: June 2014

To date the most commonly used non-lethal methods in amphibian dietary studies are stomach flushing and faecal analysis. In this study, we compared the outcome of these two methods in interpreting prey selectivity when the available prey community in the environment is known. Stomach flushed contents and faeces were obtained from the same 27 individuals of the spectacled salamander (Salamandrina perspicillata) from a site in Central Italy. The interpretation of the population prey selection strategy varied in relation to the method used. Stomach content analysis suggested that salamanders were highly specialized on springtails, while faecal contents indicated a generalist trophic strategy. Prey selectivity indexes were also highly divergent: the analysis of stomach contents indicated a significant positive selection upon springtails, while exactly the opposite conclusion was obtained when faecal contents were analyzed. The results confirm that in amphibians, stomach analysis provides more reliable dietary data in comparison to faecal analysis. This is related to the fact that soft-bodied prey items tend to be more fully digested, disappearing in faeces while highly chitinized and less digestible prey taxa tend to increase their relative abundances in faeces.
Some Principles on the Use of Macro-Areas in Typological Comparison
Authors: Hammarström Harald , Donohue Mark
Published: June 2014

While the notion of the ‘area’ or ‘Sprachbund’ has a long history in linguistics, with geographically-defined regions frequently cited as a useful means to explain typological distributions, the problem of delimiting areas has not been well addressed. Lists of general-purpose, largely independent ‘macro-areas’ (typically continent size) have been proposed as a step to rule out contact as an explanation for various large-scale linguistic phenomena. This squib points out some problems in some of the currently widely-used predetermined areas, those found in the World Atlas of Language Structures (Haspelmath et al., 2005). Instead, we propose a principled division of the world’s landmasses into six macro-areas that arguably have better geographical independence properties.
Bivalent Verb Classes in the Languages of Europe
Authors: Say Sergey
Published: June 2014

The aims of this study are twofold: to propose methods for measuring (dis)similarities in the organization of valency class systems across languages, and to test them on a sample of European languages in order to reveal areal and genetic patterns. The data were gathered for 29 languages using a questionnaire containing 130 contextualized uses of bivalent predicates. The properties under study include (i) lexical range of transitives, (ii) lexical range of valency frames defined in terms of the “locus” of non-transitivity (whether A or P arguments are encoded by oblique devices), (iii) overall complexity of valency class systems, and (iv) lexical distribution of verbs among valency classes. In case of the simpler properties (i)–(iii), maps with quantified isoglosses and pairwise comparison of languages based on Hamming distance are used. For (iv) these methods are inapplicable (valency classes cannot be equated across languages), and I propose a distance metric based on entropy and pairwise mutual information between distributions. The distance matrices are analyzed using the NeighborNet algorithm as implemented in SplitsTree. I argue that more holistic properties of valency class systems are indicative of large areal effects: e.g., many western European languages (Germanic, Romance, Basque and some Balkan languages) are lexically “most transitive” in Europe. Low-level areal signal is clearly discernible in the data on more subtle aspects of the organization of valency classes. The findings imply that distributions of verbs into valency classes can develop quickly and are transferable in contact situations, despite drastic dissimilarities in argument-coding devices.
Exploring Phonological Areality in the Circum-Andean Region Using a Naive Bayes Classifier
Authors: Michael Lev , Chang Will , Stark Tammy
Published: June 2014

This paper describes the Core and Periphery technique: a quantitative method for exploring areality that uses a naive Bayes classifier, a statistical tool for inferring class membership based on training sets assembled from members of the classes in question. The Core and Periphery technique is applied to the exploration of phonological areality in the Andes and surrounding lowland regions, based on the South American Phonological Inventory Database (SAPhon 1.1.3; Michael et al., 2013). Evidence is found for a phonological area centering on the Andean highlands, and extending to parts of the northern and central Andean foothills regions, the Chaco, and Patagonia. Evidence is also found for Southern and North-Central phonological sub-areas within this larger phonological area.
A Relaxed Admixture Model of Language Contact
Authors: Chang Will , Michael Lev
Published: June 2014

Under conditions of language contact, a language may gain features from its neighbors that it is unlikely to have gained endogenously. We describe a method for evaluating pairs of languages for potential contact by comparing a null hypothesis, in which a target language obtained all its features by inheritance, with an alternative hypothesis in which the target language obtained its features via inheritance and via contact with a proposed donor language. Under the alternative hypothesis, the donor may influence the target to gain features, but not to lose features. When applied to a database of phonological characters in South American languages, this method proves useful for detecting the effects of relatively mild and recent contact, and for highlighting several potential linguistic areas in South America.
Gomphonema svalbardense sp. nov., a new freshwater diatom species (Bacillariophyta) from the Arctic Region
Authors: Pinseel Eveline , Kopalova Katerina , Vijver Bart Van de
Published: June 2014

During a survey of freshwater diatoms from lakes in the region of Petuniabukta on Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago) a new Gomphonema species, G. svalbardense sp. nov., has been recorded. The new taxon was previously cited in the literature as G. angustatum var. undulatum but this identification proved to be erroneous. Detailed morphology description of G. svalbardense based on light and scanning electron microscopy is presented in this paper and the morphological features of the taxon have been compared with similar species. Gomphonema svalbardense is characterized by its typical linear, almost naviculoid outline with undulating margins, with clearly inflated central part,  asymmetric central area, lateral raphe with simple straight proximal endings and the weakly radiate striae. History, ecology and biogeography of the species, mainly based on literature data, have been included.
Two New Species of Sciaphila (Triuridaceae) from Sarawak (Borneo, Malaysia)
Authors: Tsukaya Hirokazu , Suetsugu Kenji
Published: June 2014

Borneo is known to have the greatest diversity of the mycoheterotrophic genus Sciaphila (Triuridaceae), harboring nine species, with three endemics. Here, we report two previously undescribed species of Sciaphila discovered during botanical surveys in Lambir Hills (Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia) and provide detailed morphological accounts of these new species: S. alba and S. inouei. We also provide a key to the species of Sciaphila in Sarawak.
Balanophora coralliformis (Balanophoraceae), a new species from Mt. Mingan, Luzon, Philippines
Authors: Pelser Pieter B. , Tandang Danilo N. , Barcelona Julie F.
Published: June 2014

Balanophora coralliformis Barcelona, Tandang & Pelser is described as a new species of Balanophoraceae. It is unique in its coral-like appearance due to the repeated branching of elongated, above-ground tubers and their coarse texture. It most closely resembles B. papuana in details of the staminate inflorescence and is sympatric with this species at its only known site in the montane forest of Mt. Mingan, bordering Aurora and Nueva Ecija provinces, Luzon, Philippines.
Key to species of leafhopper genus Drabescoides Kwon & Lee (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), with description of a new species from Southern China
Authors: QU LING , LI HU , DAI REN-HUAI
Published: June 2014

A new species Drabescoides complexa sp. nov. from Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces, China is described and illustrated, and can be distinguished by the unique aedeagus with pair of lamellae above a collar-shaped process on the shaft dorsal surface. A key to all species is given for identification based on the male genitalia along with a map showing the geographic distribution of the genus.
Two new species of Platypona DeLong (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae: Gyponini) from Peru and key to the species of the genus
Authors: GONÇALVES CLAYTON CORRÊA , TAKIYA DANIELA MAEDA , TAKIYA DANIELA MAEDA , MEJDALANI GABRIEL
Published: June 2014

Two new species of the previously monotypic genus Platypona DeLong, 1982 from Peru are described and illustrated: P. furcata sp. nov. (Cusco Department) and P. inca sp. nov. (Pasco Department). These two species can be distinguished from each other, as well as from the type-species, P. sinverda DeLong, 1982, mainly by features of the style and aedeagus. A key to the three known species of Platypona is provided.
Lolodorfus, a new genus of net-winged beetles (Coleoptera: Lycidae: Dexorinae) from Cameroon
Authors: BOCAKOVA MILADA
Published: June 2014

A new genus Lolodorfus is proposed within the subfamily Dexorinae and Lolodorfus flavus sp. nov. from Cameroon is described. Illustrations of diagnostic characters are given. The genus Mimolibnetis Pic, 1936 is transferred to the Dexorinae Bocak et Bocakova, 1989, and consequently the subfamily Mimolibnetinae Kazantsev, 2013 is considered to be a younger synonym of Dexorinae Bocak et Bocakova, 1989.
The breeding behavior of Glyphoglossus molossus and the tadpoles of Glyphoglossus molossus and Calluella guttulata (Microhylidae)
Authors: ALTIG RONALD , ROWLEY JODI J.L.
Published: June 2014

The breeding behavior of Glyphoglossus molossus is described from still and video images taken in Cambodia. These large, burrowing frogs follow the general theme of microhylids that deposit aquatic eggs: explosive breeding in ephemeral water and performing multiple amplectic dips to oviposit surface films of pigmented eggs. A portion of a clutch is released with each dip, a dip lasts for about 6 s, 200-300 eggs are released per dip, and about 5 s pass between dips. The ova have a dark black animal pole and yellow vegetal pole. Expanded datasets on the morphology of the tadpoles of Glyphoglossus from Vietnam and Calluella from Myanmar are presented.
Teacher Collaboration and Invitational Leadership in a South African Primary School
Authors: Steyn G. M.
Published: June 2014

The focus on schools as communities of learning for teachers has prompted professionals to investigate the role of professional learning within a school context. This is an attempt to investigate the voice of the principal regarding the implementation of teacher collaboration in his or her school, and to determine how teacher collaboration is aligned with assumptions of invitational education (IE). A qualitative method of inquiry was employed to illuminate the experiences of a particular primary school principal in his endeavors to create and maintain a collaborative learning environment among teachers in an inviting school in South Africa. Data were analyzed using the four assumptions of IE, namely, respect, trust, optimism, and intentionality. From the findings, it was clear that the implementation of teacher collaboration in the school was aligned with the four assumptions of IE. This study provides an appropriate basis for developing such a collaborative teacher community, thus improving teacher and student learning. However, because school contexts have a powerful effect on teacher collaboration, it is important to contextualize teacher collaboration according to schools’ particular needs and challenges.
Teachers’ Understanding of Multicultural Education and the Correlates of Multicultural Content Integration in Flanders
Authors: Agirdag Orhan , Merry Michael S. , Van Houtte Mieke
Published: June 2014

The bulk of scholarship on multicultural education continues to focus exclusively on U.S. education. Previous studies published in this field also have focused largely on topics that are considered relevant for the United States, whereas little attention has been paid to topics that are less problematized in the United States. In this mixed-method study, we explore teachers’ understanding of multicultural education in Flanders (Belgium), and we examine whether teacher and school characteristics correlate with the degree to which teachers integrate multicultural content. Survey results with 706 in-service teachers from 68 schools and in-depth interviews with 26 teachers from 5 schools are used. The results point out that teachers focus mainly on religious diversity when they were asked about their understanding of multicultural education. However, their understanding was largely limited to the “contributions approach” and “additive approach” to multicultural education. Multilevel analysis revealed that ethnic minority teachers reported higher levels of multicultural content integration than native-White teachers, and teachers working in schools with higher share of ethnic minorities and public (State) schools incorporated more multicultural education than teachers working in elite-White schools and Catholic schools. Implications for both the literature on multicultural education and educational policymakers are discussed.
Cultural Influences on Socialization Goals and Parenting Behaviors of Mongolian Parents
Authors: Graf Frederik A. , Röder Mandy , Hein Sascha , Müller Anna R. , Ganzorig Odmandakh
Published: June 2014

It has recently been shown by different researchers that parenting and socialization goals are meaningfully shaped by cultural contexts. Therefore, the present study aimed at comparing socialization goals and parenting practices among three groups of parents to allow insights into cultural influences on parenting and socialization goals under the condition of immigration. The parent groups were (a) an immigrant group of Mongolian parents in Germany, (b) Mongolians in their native culture, and (c) German parents. Results showed little differences between the three groups of parents. However, it could be demonstrated that Mongolians in Germany rated socialization goals more similarly to Germans than Mongolians in their native culture, indicating a change under new cultural influences. Regarding parenting, Germans used less corporal punishment and monitored the activities of children more closely than both Mongolian groups, while power assertion was used less by Mongolians in their native culture than Mongolians and Germans in Germany. The similarities and differences in socialization goals and parenting practices are discussed with regard to cultural influences.
An Investigation of Position Effects in Large-Scale Writing Assessments
Authors: Qian Jiahe
Published: June 2014

Position effect, the interaction between a test item’s position in an exam booklet and examinees’ performance, is always of concern in developing test instruments. This study is intended to explore the factors that have interactive effects with prompt position in large-scale writing assessments and to differentiate the impact of each factor. This study analyzed the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress writing assessment by comparing three types of p-value scores at the first and second item positions; mixed linear regression models were applied to explore the factors correlated with position effects in the writing assessment. Although examinee motivation was the leading predictor of position effects, the results showed that other factors, such as gender, school type, and teaching emphasis, could also be predictors of position effects in writing performance, and they could be further differentiated by grade and other demographics.
English second-language learners in preschool
Authors: Paradis Johanne , Kirova Anna
Published: June 2014

The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) Determine the English proficiency of English second-language learners (ELLs) at the end of preschool as referenced to monolingual norms, and in particular, to determine if they showed an asynchronous profile, that is, approached monolingual norms more closely for some linguistic sub-skills than others; (2) Investigate the role of home language environment in predicting individual differences in children’s English proficiency. Twenty-one ELL children (mean age = 58 months) from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds with diverse first-language backgrounds participated in the study. Children’s English proficiency was measured using a standardized story-telling instrument that yielded separate scores for their narrative, grammatical and vocabulary skills. A parent questionnaire was used to gather information about children’s home language environments. The ELL children displayed an asynchronous profile in their English development, as their standard scores varied in terms of proximity to monolingual norms; narrative story grammar was close to the standard mean, but mean length of utterance was below 1 standard deviation from the standard mean. No differences were found between the story-telling scores of the Canadian-born and foreign-born children, even though Canadian-born children were exposed to more English at home. Implications of the findings for clinicians and educators working with young ELLs are discussed.
You sound like Mommy
Authors: Fennell Christopher , Byers-Heinlein Krista
Published: June 2014

Previous research indicates that monolingual infants have difficulty learning minimal pairs (i.e., words differing by one phoneme) produced by a speaker uncharacteristic of their language environment and that bilinguals might share this difficulty. To clearly reveal infants’ underlying phonological representations, we minimized task demands by embedding target words in naming phrases, using a fully crossed, between-subjects experimental design. We tested 17-month-old French-English bilinguals’ ( N = 30) and English monolinguals’ ( N = 31) learning of a minimal pair (/k∊m/ – /g∊m/) produced by an adult bilingual or monolingual. Infants learned the minimal pair only when the speaker matched their language environment. This vulnerability to subtle changes in word pronunciation reveals that neither monolingual nor bilingual 17-month-olds possess fully generalizable phonological representations.
Bilingual lexical skills of school-age children with Chinese and Korean heritage languages in the United States
Authors: Jia Gisela , Chen Jennifer , Kim HyeYoung , Chan Phoenix-Shan , Jeung Changmo
Published: June 2014

This cross-sectional study investigated the bilingual lexical skills of 175 US school-age children (5 to18 years old) with Cantonese, Mandarin, or Korean as their heritage language (HL), and English as their dominant language. Primary study goals were to identify potential patterns of development in bilingual lexical skills over the elementary to high school time span and to examine the relation of environmental factors to lexical skills. HL and English productive lexical skills were assessed with a Picture Naming and a Verbal Fluency task. English receptive lexical skills were assessed with Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. A survey obtained information about participants’ language use in six environmental contexts. There were age-related significant increases in both HL and English skills. However, English proficiency already had a significant lead over HL proficiency at the youngest age. English receptive lexical skills reached monolingual expectations from age 8, whereas for HL, high school age participants on average only reached the level of early elementary school monolinguals. Although more English use at home at younger ages was associated with stronger English skills, the relation did not exist for older participants. Instead, among older participants, more English use at home was associated with weaker HL skills. Children’s attendance at HL programs and visits to home countries bore little relation to HL proficiency.
Speech perception and vocabulary growth
Authors: Silvén Maarit , Voeten Marinus , Kouvo Anna , Lundén Maija
Published: June 2014

Growth modeling was applied to monolingual ( N = 26) and bilingual ( N = 28) word learning from 14 to 36 months. Level and growth rate of vocabulary were lower for Finnish-Russian bilinguals than for Finnish monolinguals. Processing of Finnish speech sounds at 7 but not at 11 months predicted level, but not growth rate of vocabulary in both Finnish and Russian; this relationship was the same for monolinguals and bilinguals. The bilinguals’ two vocabularies developed differently, showing no acceleration in Russian, the minority language. Even though the bilinguals progressed more slowly in each home language, they were learning at least as many new words as the monolinguals when Finnish and Russian vocabularies were counted together.
Managing Unstable Institutional Contradictions: The Work of Becoming
Authors: Bjerregaard Toke , Jonasson Charlotte
Published: June 2014

An institution is often considered to be a stable, taken-for-granted ‘being’. The consequence is that agency is primarily associated with the rather exceptional creation or disruption of a relatively stable structure. In this article, we suggest an alternative ontology for understanding an institution as something unstable and always ‘becoming’. This opens a range of new and distinct opportunities for theorizing and researching institutional work involved in the everyday practice of managing institutional complexity. It allows us, in this study, to contribute with a new form of agency in terms of the continuous, active work of managing novel contradictions. Further, it induces us to take a more fine-grained look at the accompanying dynamics of work, in addition to work itself, whereby we provide a novel way of accounting for whether work effort is amplifying or subsiding, and whether it is likely to result in greater or lesser volatility within – on the surface – an otherwise seemingly stable institution. The argumentation is supported by an ethnographic field study of the work of managing novel contradictions within a single South Korean credit card company in the aftermath of the Asian economic crisis in 1997.
The Impact of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on Health Care Use in Patients with Respiratory Comorbidities
Authors: Benninger Michael S. , Holy Chantal E.
Published: June 2014

Objective

Analyze health care needs and outcomes—defined by changes in health care utilization—in cohorts of patients with respiratory comorbidities and requiring sinus surgery for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Study Design

Retrospective database analysis.

Setting

US‐wide claims database (MarketScan).

Subjects and Methods

All patients with endoscopic sinus surgery (CPT 31254‐31288) in 2008 and at least 2 years of continuous enrollment prior and post surgery were analyzed for concurrent comorbidities (asthma, polyps, aspirin sensitivity, and allergies). Inpatient and outpatient events as well as prescriptions related to the treatment of CRS were analyzed for frequency and cost, based on respiratory comorbidities.

Results

A total of 9105 patients were included and subdivided as following: no respiratory comorbidity (N = 4780), asthma only (N = 1167), polyps and asthma (N = 721), Samter's triad (N = 91), and additional subgroups based on various combinations of concurrent comorbidities. Before surgery, costs were flat, ranging from $296.4 (95% CI, $263.1‐$329.8) per patient per year for patients in the no comorbidity group to $2189 (95% CI, $1449.2‐$2930.1) for patients with Samter's triad. Surgery was preceded by at least 6 months of increased health care utilization (outpatient care and prescriptions). Following surgery, health care needs declined rapidly and reached baseline levels within 3 to 4 postoperative months. Patients with asthma received significantly more health care for CRS than patients without asthma through the entire study.

Conclusions

Patients with CRS incur continuous costs and health care needs, due to the chronic nature of their disease. All patients, regardless of comorbidity, experienced significant decline in health care needs following sinus surgery from their preoperative state.
Elective Lymphadenectomy during Salvage for Locally Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Radiation
Authors: Prendes Brandon L. , Aubin‐Pouliot Annick , Egbert Nitin , Ryan William R.
Published: June 2014

Objective

This study aimed to assess the rate of occult metastases in patients with head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma who have undergone therapeutic neck radiation, and then develop primary site recurrence, without clinical evidence of recurrent neck disease.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

Head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma patients with N+ necks treated with primary radiation who developed primary site recurrence with radiologically resolved neck lymphadenopathy, treated with salvage primary‐site surgery with or without elective cervical lymphadenectomy (ECL). Main outcome measures were rate of occult nodal metastases, complication rates, and disease‐free survival.

Results

Sixteen patients met inclusion criteria. Of 18 neck sides that underwent either ECL or observation for a mean follow‐up of 26 months, 4 (22.2%) were found to have positive occult cervical metastases, all on the ipsilateral side of preradiation neck disease. Patients with advanced T‐stage and/or free flap reconstruction were more likely to undergo cervical lymphadenectomy. Patients with persistent (as opposed to recurrent) primary site tumors had the highest rate of occult cervical metastases.

Conclusion

The risk of occult nodal metastases of 22.2%, in this study, may be too high to justify routinely omitting elective cervical lymphadenectomy in this patient population. Lymphadenectomy should especially be considered in patients with persistent tumors, with advanced recurrent T‐stage, and undergoing free flap reconstruction.
The effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on pulmonary function during robotic cardiac surgery
Authors: Wang G , Xiao S , Gao C
Published: June 2014

Background:

We aimed to investigate the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on pulmonary function under the conditions of one-lung ventilation (OLV) and carbon dioxide pneumothorax in robotic cardiac surgery.

Methods:

Ninety-eight patients underwent robotic cardiac surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, including 58 on-pump surgeries and 40 off-pump surgeries. Respiratory parameters and arterial blood gases were assessed at the following time points: 25 min after the induction of anesthesia under two-lung ventilation (T1), 25 min after OLV (T2), 25 min after the termination of CPB under OLV in the on-pump group or 25 min after the main surgery intervention in the off-pump group (T3) and 20 min before the end of surgery (T4). Dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), alveolar-arterial PO2 difference (PA-aDO2), oxygenation index (OI) and artery-alveolar O2 pressure ratio (a/A) were calculated.

Results:

No significant differences in pulmonary function parameters between T2 and T3 were observed in the off-pump group. However, in the on-pump group, compared with those at T2, PETCO2, Ppeak, PaCO2 and PA-aDO2 at T3 were higher, whereas SpO2, Cdyn, PaO2, OI and a/A were lower (p<0.05). Comparisons between the two groups at T3 indicated that SpO2, Cdyn, PaO2, OI and a/A were higher, while Ppeak, PaCO2 and PA-aDO2 were lower in the off-pump group (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

In robotic cardiac surgery under the conditions of OLV and carbon dioxide pneumothorax, CPB worsened pulmonary function and tolerance to OLV and carbon dioxide pneumothorax.
Effects of a Narrative Intervention on Story Retelling in At-Risk Young Children
Authors: Brown Jennifer A. , Garzarek Jessica E. , Donegan Katharine L.
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this multiple baseline study across participants was to examine a narrative retell intervention with guided self-monitoring on narrative macrostructure skills in low-income African American young children at risk for language disorders. Three target 4-year-old children in a mixed-age kindergarten class of nine students participated in the intervention. Intervention sessions lasting 15 to 20 min, 3 days a week were delivered in small groups. Children were explicitly taught story grammar components, identified story grammar components in stories read aloud, practiced retelling stories, and listened to recordings of their retells to identify story grammar components included and omitted. All three children demonstrated improved narrative retell skills throughout the intervention phase and maintained those skills 2 weeks after the intervention ended. Intervention results and social validity findings support the use of combined story grammar intervention and technology-supported self-monitoring as a promising and feasible early literacy instructional practice.
Should stock market return forecasts be conditioned on politics?
Authors: Powell John G , Qian Meifen , Shi Jing , Zhu Qiaoqiao
Published: June 2014

This paper examines whether stock market returns forecasts should take account of the political party in power by re-examining the prior literature to demonstrate that US stock market political regime differences are neither significant nor long-lasting. We demonstrate that the presidential regime dummy variable used in prior studies is highly auto-correlated, thus potentially violating the ordinary least squares assumption of independently distributed regression errors. Simulation and bootstrap analyses are used to demonstrate that prior findings of higher returns and lower risk under Democratic presidencies are less than would be expected by chance, once account is taken of the persistence properties of the presidential regime dummy variable used in prior studies. Theoretical considerations are also used to explain why presidential regime differences are unlikely to persist, thus further reconciling the paper’s findings with prior studies.
CGRP infusion in unanesthetized rats increases expression of c-Fos in the nucleus tractus solitarius and caudal ventrolateral medulla, but not in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis
Authors: Bhatt Deepak K , Ramachandran Roshni , Christensen Sarah LT , Gupta Saurabh , Jansen-Olesen Inger , Olesen Jes
Published: June 2014

Background and aims

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) infusion in migraineurs provokes headache resembling spontaneous migraine, and CGRP receptor antagonists are effective in the treatment of acute migraine. We hypothesized that CGRP infusion would increase molecular markers of neuronal activation in migraine-relevant tissues of the rat.

Methods

CGRP was infused intravenously (i.v.) in freely moving rats to circumvent factors like anesthesia, acute surgery and severe hypotension, the three confounding factors for c-Fos expression. The trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) was isolated at different time points after CGRP infusion. The level of c-Fos mRNA and protein expression in TNC were analyzed by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. c-Fos-stained nuclei were also counted in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM), integrative sites in the brain stem for processing cardiovascular signals. We also investigated Zif268 protein expression (another immediate early gene) in TNC. The protein expression of p-ERK, p-CREB and c-Fos was analyzed in dura mater, trigeminal ganglion (TG) and TNC samples using Western blot.

Results

CGRP infusion caused a significant dose-dependent fall in mean arterial blood pressure. No significant activation of c-Fos in the TNC at mRNA and protein levels was observed after CGRP infusion. A significant increase in c-Fos protein was observed in the NTS and CVLM in the brain stem. Zif268 expression in the TNC was also not changed after CGRP infusion. p-ERK was increased in the dura mater 30 minutes after CGRP infusion.

Conclusion

CGRP infusion increased the early expression of p-ERK in the dura mater but did not increase c-Fos and Zif268 expression in the TNC. The rats may, thus, differ from migraine patients, in whom infusion of CGRP caused headache and a delayed migraine attack. The rat CGRP infusion model with c-Fos or Zif268 as neuronal pain markers in TNC is unsuitable for antimigraine drug testing.
Risk Factors for Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in High School Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Tyler Timothy F. , Mullaney Michael J. , Mirabella Michael R. , Nicholas Stephen J. , McHugh Malachy P.
Published: June 2014

Background:

Shoulder strength and motion deficits in high school baseball pitchers have been implicated in injury risk.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To prospectively determine if preseason strength and range of motion (ROM) are predictive of injury in high school baseball pitchers. It was hypothesized that ROM asymmetries and weakness would be predictive of injury.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Preseason strength and ROM measurements were made on 101 pitchers from 4 different high schools over 4 seasons (total 166 pitcher-seasons: 25 freshman, 46 junior varsity, and 95 varsity player-seasons). Glenohumeral internal rotation (IR), glenohumeral external rotation, and posterior shoulder ROM were measured bilaterally. Strength in IR, external rotation, supraspinatus (empty-can test), and scapular retraction was measured bilaterally (handheld dynamometer). Injury incidence (injuries per 1000 pitches) was computed for players categorized as above normal (≥1 SD above the mean), normal (within 1 standard deviation of the mean), and below normal (≤1 SD below the mean) for each potential risk factor. Injury was defined as a missed game or practice because of shoulder or elbow problem.

Results:

There were 28 upper extremity injuries (19 shoulder, 9 elbow; incidence, 0.58 injuries/1000 pitches). There was a trend for supraspinatus weakness to be associated with increased injury risk (relative risk [RR], 3.60; 95% CI, 0.75-17.32; P = .09). When analyzing major injuries only (>3 missed games), preseason supraspinatus weakness was significantly associated with increased injury risk (RR, 4.58; 95% CI, 1.40-15.01; P = .02). Paradoxically, pitchers with no IR loss were at increased risk compared with pitchers with ≥20° loss (RR, 4.85; 95% CI, 1.01-23.29; P = .04). Other ROM and strength measures were unrelated to injury risk.

Conclusion:

Although excessive loss of IR ROM is thought to be a risk factor for injury, the opposite was the case in this study. The absence of IR ROM loss in high school pitchers may indicate inadequate prior exposure to pitching, resulting in increased injury risk. Preseason supraspinatus weakness was associated with increased risk for a major injury, and preventative supraspinatus strengthening may be beneficial.
Data Richness Trade-Offs Between Face-to-Face, Online Audiovisual, and Online Text-Only Focus Groups
Authors: Abrams Katie M. , Wang Zongyuan , Song Yoo Jin , Galindo-Gonzalez Sebastian
Published: June 2014

This study offers an examination of data richness (i.e., topic-related data, topic unrelated data, researcher ratings of data richness, word count, and linguistic characteristics of data richness) trade-offs between face-to-face (FTF), online text-only and online audiovisual focus group mediums. Two focus group sessions were held for each type of medium. Data were analyzed using systematic content analysis and Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count. Findings showed that although online audiovisual focus groups show potential for producing data similar in richness to FTF focus groups, researchers should carefully consider the potential distractions that manifested in this study as a result of the medium itself, likely due to its novelty as a group communication medium. Online text-only groups did not facilitate rich data, as operationalized in this study, and also had a lower amount of data related to the topic of the groups due to more socializing and off-topic discussion. As the first study to empirically examine the potential of data from focus groups facilitated via webcam (online audiovisual), it concludes, the technology offers similar data richness to FTF focus groups.
The Bad Boys and Girls of Cyberspace
Authors: Fichman Pnina , Sanfilippo Madelyn Rose
Published: June 2014

A significant feature of virtual interactions involve online deviance and trolling; these include behaviors that range from mild mischief, to offensive language, to hacking and trolling, and to expression of complex social problem, such as by revolutionaries, freedom fighters, or pedophiles. Yet little research has examined online trolling in general or the impact of gender and context on these behaviors in particular. By focusing on the effects of gender and context on perceptions of and reactions to online trolling, this article enhances Suler and Phillips’ framework for online deviance. Results indicate that men and women react differently to online trolling, and their perceptions of the impact of trolling on online communities vary; men and women identify different motivations for similar behaviors in different communities, and they both perceive that men and women trolls differ in their behavior and motivation. The study concludes with suggestions for future research.
Trusting technical change in call centres
Authors: Prichard Jane , Turnbull Joanne , Halford Susan , Pope Catherine
Published: June 2014

Technical change is an on-going organizational challenge in call centres. While new technologies continually promise enhanced performance, not least by extending managerial control, the implementation of these technologies is an emergent process that requires effort by workers to establish new routines that embed innovations into everyday work. This article considers the role that trust may play in this process. Drawing on a theoretical framework which conceptualizes trust as an organizing principle of organizational activity, and placing this in a wider context where trust may be understood as an element of normative control in the workplace, the role of trust in technical innovation in three healthcare call centres is explored. The research reveals heterogeneous trusting relations between managers, staff and technical systems shaping the process of change and suggests that whilst managerialist efforts to generate trust maybe one element of this, the operation of trust at work is more complex.
Interference of the End
Authors: Garbinsky Emily N. , Morewedge Carey K. , Shiv Baba
Published: June 2014

The results of three experiments reveal that memory for end enjoyment, rather than beginning enjoyment, of a pleasant gustatory experience determines how soon people desire to repeat that experience. We found that memory for end moments, when people are most satiated, interferes with memory for initial moments. Consequently, end moments are more influential than initial moments when people decide how long to wait until consuming a food again. The findings elucidate the role of memory in delay until repeated consumption, demonstrate how sensory-specific satiety and portion sizes influence future consumption, and suggest one process by which recency effects influence judgments and decisions based on past experiences.
Everyday Aggression Takes Many Forms
Authors: South Richardson Deborah
Published: June 2014

Aggression can take a variety of forms; people hurt one another in a variety of ways. This article summarizes a research program that has examined several questions regarding how people harm one another in their day-to-day lives. The evidence shows that (a) the people that we interact with most frequently (e.g., family members, friends, romantic partners) are the most likely to make us angry; (b) we can hurt people by direct (e.g., physical or verbal attack) or nondirect action (e.g., spreading rumors, giving someone the silent treatment); and (c) the way we hurt people depends on our relationship with them. Whether the harm takes the form of words or blows, aggression is harmful to individuals and to relationships.
Developmental Changes in Eye Movements and Visual Information Encoding Associated With Learning to Read
Authors: Blythe Hazel I.
Published: June 2014

A great deal of eye-movement research has resulted in sophisticated computational models of skilled adult reading. As yet, insufficient eye-movement research has been conducted with children to allow a more thorough understanding of the developmental trajectory leading up to this end state. I argue that, in order to fully understand how children progress to skilled adult reading, it is necessary to consider changes in both cognitive processing and eye-movement behavior. By recording children’s eye movements during reading, researchers can document how printed text is encoded and incrementally delivered for subsequent cognitive processing, and understand how developmental changes in these two aspects of reading are interdependent.
Religion, the Forbidden, and Sublimation
Authors: Cohen Dov , Kim Emily , Hudson Nathan W.
Published: June 2014

Sublimation is a process whereby forbidden thoughts and emotions are channeled into productive and often creative ends. Recent experiments and surveys have provided evidence for sublimation and have also suggested variation, such that Protestants (compared with Catholics and Jews) were more likely to minimize troublesome affect and displace it into creative work. Emotion per se did not induce sublimation among Protestants; rather, it was the forbidden or suppressed nature of the emotion that was important. Attending to the religious and cultural dimensions of thought and to dual-process theories of the mind can help us understand responses to the human predicament of encountering the forbidden.
Family Matters
Authors: Deater-Deckard Kirby
Published: June 2014

Individual differences in self-regulation include executive function (EF) components that serve self-regulation of attentive behavior by modulating reactive responses to the environment. These factors run in families. The purpose of this review is to summarize a program of research that addresses familial intergenerational transmission of EF and interpersonal processes in its development. Self-regulation of attentive behavior involves interrelated aspects of EF, including attention, inhibitory control, and working memory. Individual differences in EF skills develop in systematic ways over the course of childhood, resulting in moderately stable differences between people by early adolescence. Through complex gene-environment transactions, EF is transmitted across generations within parent-child relationships that provide powerful socialization and experiential contexts in which EF and related attentive behavior are forged and practiced. Families matter because parents regulate home environments and themselves as best they can while also supporting cognitive self-regulation of attentive behavior in their children.
Inside the Turk
Authors: Paolacci Gabriele , Chandler Jesse
Published: June 2014

Mechanical Turk (MTurk), an online labor market created by Amazon, has recently become popular among social scientists as a source of survey and experimental data. The workers who populate this market have been assessed on dimensions that are universally relevant to understanding whether, why, and when they should be recruited as research participants. We discuss the characteristics of MTurk as a participant pool for psychology and other social sciences, highlighting the traits of the MTurk samples, why people become MTurk workers and research participants, and how data quality on MTurk compares to that from other pools and depends on controllable and uncontrollable factors.
New Directions in Mental-Imagery Research
Authors: Pearson Joel
Published: June 2014

Mental imagery typically involves the voluntary retrieval and representation of a sensory memory, but it can also sometimes be involuntary. Despite mental imagery having been a topic of interest for thousands of years, the methodological tools necessary to scientifically probe its underlying mechanisms have only recently been developed. New methods in behavioral psychophysics (the binocular-rivalry technique) and brain imaging (decoding techniques) have been developed and utilized to uncover many new insights into the mechanisms and brain areas involved in mental imagery. These insights are igniting further empirical and theoretical work into imagery itself as well as its role in many high-level cognitive processes and mental disorders.
Avoidable Ignorance and the Role of Cochrane and Campbell Reviews
Authors: Gambrill Eileen
Published: June 2014

The Campbell and Cochrane Collaborations were created to reveal the evidentiary status of claims focusing especially on the effectiveness of specific interventions. Such reviews are constrained by the population of studies available and biases that may influence this availability such as preferred framing of problems. This highlights the importance of attending to how problems are framed and the validity of measures used in such reviews, as well as the importance of reviews focusing on questions concerning problem framing and the accuracy of measures. Neglecting such questions, both within reviews of effectiveness and in separate reviews concerning related claims, results in lost opportunities to decrease avoidable ignorance. Domains of avoidable ignorance are suggested using examples of Cochrane/Campbell reviews. Without attention to problem framing, systematic reviews may contribute to maintaining avoidable ignorance.