bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
My Client Talks! Do I Still Need to Consider AAC in my Treatment Planning? Speech Supplementation Strategies: AAC for Clients Who Talk!
Authors: Hanson Elizabeth K.
Published: August 2014

People with motor speech disorders often persist in using their natural speech to communicate despite low intelligibility and frequent communication breakdowns. Their speech may be functional in some situations, such as with familiar partners in quiet settings, but not across the variety of communication situations they face.

Speech supplementation strategies, such as alphabet supplementation, allow speakers to augment their speech with additional cues. For example, alphabet supplementation, which means the speaker points to the first letter of each word while speaking, has been shown to increase speech intelligibility at the word level with an average gain of 11% and at the sentence level with an average gain of 26% (Hanson, Yorkston, & Beukelman, 2004). This form of AAC can help speakers bridge the gap between ineffective communication with natural speech and total reliance on alternative communication methods (Hanson, Yorkston, & Britton, 2011).

The purpose of this article is to summarize the evidence in the area of speech supplementation, provide direction to integrate the strategies into treatment planning, and to suggest research directions for this rich area of study.
Mobile Technologies as Cognitive-Behavioral Aids
Authors: Gentry Tony
Published: August 2014

The advent of personal digital assistants (PDAs) at the turn of this century opened new doors to functional independence for people with cognitive impairment. Pocket-sized electronic reminders helped people keep appointments, take medications on time, and move from task to task across a busy day, often without the need for human supervision. As these tools have evolved into smartphones and tablets sporting multiple applications (apps), their uses as assistive technology have expanded to behavioral coaching, augmentative communication, and telehealth purposes, among many others. With so many choices, selecting an appropriate device and app suite for a particular user can seem daunting, but a stepwise, theoretically-based assessment process, a focus on essential intervention strategies, and a willingness to adapt to new devices and changing user needs, can provide important supports for people with cognitive-behavioral challenges.
Micro‐fabricated bandpass filter using intertwined spiral inductor and interdigital capacitor
Authors: Chuluunbaatar Z. , Adhikari K.K. , Wang Cong , Kim Nam‐Young
Published: August 2014

A bandpass filter (BPF) with a central frequency of 2.31 GHz for future worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) applications using integrated passive device technology is presented. To realise the BPF, an interdigital capacitor is integrated between the two divisions of a square‐shaped spiral inductor. To achieve a compact size, the capacitor is fully embedded inside the inductor. Additionally, the coils of the inductor are intertwined to utilise enhanced mutual inductance for minimising the loss of signal transmission. The strong electromagnetic coupling between the source and load through the interdigital capacitor results in excellent bandpass skirt selectivity with a measured return loss of 26.1 dB. Moreover, it provides an improved stopband response due to the presence of a transmission zero at 5.94 GHz.
Spin structure of the anisotropic helimagnet Cr1∕3NbS2 in a magnetic field
Authors: Chapman Benjamin J. , Bornstein Alexander C. , Ghimire Nirmal J. , Mandrus David , Lee Minhyea
Published: August 2014

In this letter, we describe the ground-state magnetic structure of the highly anisotropic helimagnet Cr1∕3NbS2 in a magnetic field. A Heisenberg spin model with Dyzaloshinkii-Moriya interactions and magnetocrystalline anisotropy allows the ground state spin structure to be calculated for magnetic fields of arbitrary strength and direction. Comparison with magnetization measurements shows excellent agreement with the predicted spin structure.
Effect of heat treatment temperature on nitinol wire
Authors: Cai S. , Schaffer J. E. , Daymond M. R. , Yu C. , Ren Y.
Published: August 2014

In-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction has been used to study the influence of the heat treatment temperature on the subsequent micromechanical behavior of nitinol wire. It was found that increase in the heat treatment temperature rotated the austenite texture from the {332}B2 fiber towards the {111}B2 fiber, and the texture of the Stress-Induced Martensite phase changed from the (1¯40)B19' to the (1¯20)B19' fiber accordingly. Heat treatment at a low temperature reduces the internal residual strains in the austenite during super-elastic deformation and therefore improves the materials fatigue performance. The development of internal residual strains in austenite is controlled by transformation induced plasticity and the reversal martensite to austenite transformation.
Optofluidic debubbling via a negative optical gradient force
Authors: Lee Kang Soo , Jung Jin Ho , Ha Byung Hang , Sung Hyung Jin , Kim Sang Soo
Published: August 2014

This Letter describes the generation and removal of air bubbles from a fluid using an optofluidic platform. A T-junction geometry was used to generate air bubbles, and a negative optical gradient force subsequently removed the generated bubbles from the main stream. A numerical analysis was performed to predict and interpret the system performance. The optical gradient force was calculated using geometric optics models. A modified viscous drag force was applied when the bubble size was comparable to the channel's geometric dimensions. The Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline and air flow rates were adjusted to control the air bubble size and bubble generation frequency. Despite displaying a substantial increase in the viscous drag force as the bubble size approached the channel dimensions, the bubbles could be readily removed from the main fluid stream under appropriate optofluidic circumstances.
Attitudes towards microbicide use for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy
Authors: Catallozzi Marina , Williams Camille Y. , Zimet Gregory D. , Hargreaves Katharine M. , Gelber Shari E. , Ratner Adam J. , Stanberry Lawrence R. , Rosenthal Susan L.
Published: August 2014

Background
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common reproductive tract infection (RTI) and is a significant risk factor for preterm birth. Microbicides could be an option for the prevention and treatment of BV in pregnancy, and understanding use of the product will be crucial. The present study explored attitudes of women in the third trimester of pregnancy regarding topical microbicide use for the prevention and treatment of BV. Methods: Twenty-six women in their third trimester were interviewed regarding their knowledge and beliefs about RTIs during pregnancy and attitudes concerning the use of topical microbicides for prevention and treatment of BV. Results: Participants had a mean age of 24.9 years, were largely under-represented minorities and the majority had had past pregnancies. Participants had knowledge and experience with RTIs but not BV. They were open to the use of microbicides for prevention or treatment of BV, but believed that women requiring treatment would be more motivated. Rationales for acceptability were most commonly related to the baby’s health. Practical issues that may interfere with use were often, but not always, related to pregnancy. There was a range of attitudes about partner involvement in decision-making and the practicalities of product use. Conclusion: Pregnant women are knowledgeable about RTIs but not necessarily BV. The women in this study found microbicide use acceptable, particularly for treatment. To improve acceptability and use, education would be needed about BV and possible complications, how to overcome practical problems and the value of involving partners in the decision.
The interactional use of eye-gaze in children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Korkiakangas Terhi , Rae John
Published: August 2014

The well-known impairments in the social use of eye-gaze by children with autism have been chiefly explored through experimental methods. The present study aims to contribute to the naturalistic analysis of social eye-gaze by applying Conversation Analysis to video recordings of three Finnish children with a diagnosis of autism, each interacting with familiar others in ordinary settings (total 6 hours). The analysis identifies two interactional environments where some children with autism show eye-gaze related competence with respect to gazing at their co-participants: these are when the child carries out an initiating action or a responsive action. We discuss how this qualitative analysis of interactional structure could be extended using quantitative methods and eye-tracking technology in order to develop a better understanding of the disorder. Keywords: Autism; eye-gaze; conversation analysis; social interaction; interactional competence
Conversational framing in televised political discourse
Authors: Cienki Alan , Giansante Gianluca
Published: August 2014

The present study applies the notion of framing by examining how politicians may frame themselves as conversation partners with the audience, even in the virtual environment of television (and Internet video). The hypothesis is that ‘populist’ politicians are more likely than other kinds to frame their televised talk as a conversational encounter, given that this could facilitate mental simulation of ‘fictive interaction’ with their viewing audience. This study compares two national politicians in the U.S. and Italy known as ‘populist’ – Sarah Palin and Silvio Berlusconi – with their respective competitors: Joseph Biden and Walter Veltroni. For each speaker, a set of behaviours from televised debates or interviews in 2008 was analysed, including the use of pronouns, colloquial versus learned vocabulary, length of intonation units, syntax, and eye gaze and gesture. Consideration is given to the potential cognitive/affective consequences of framing in terms of conversational linguistic ‘performance’.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection Surveillance: National Healthcare Safety Network’s Laboratory-Identified Event Reporting versus Traditional Laboratory-Confirmed Bloodstream Infection Surveillance
Authors: Baker Arthur W. , Durkin Michael J. , Dicks Kristen V. , Lewis Sarah S. , Moehring Rebekah W. , Chen Luke F. , Sexton Daniel J. , Anderson Deverick J.
Published: August 2014

Hospitals must report cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (BSI) using a new laboratory-identified (LabID) event reporting module. BSI rates obtained using LabID differ from rates of BSI obtained from traditional surveillance (concordance of healthcare facility–onset cases, 61%–76%) because definitions used to report LabID events are inconsistent with traditional BSI definitions

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(10):1286–1289
On the origin of short GRBs with extended emission and long GRBs without associated SN
Authors: van Putten Maurice H. P. M. , Lee Gyeong Min , Della Valle Massimo , Amati Lorenzo , Levinson Amir
Published: August 2014

The Burst and Transient Source Experiment classifies cosmological gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) into short (less than 2 s) and long (over 2 s) events, commonly attributed to mergers of compact objects and, respectively, peculiar core-collapse supernovae. This standard classification has recently been challenged by the Swift discovery of short GRBs showing extended emission (SGRBEE) and nearby long GRBs without an accompanying supernovae (LGRBN). Both show an initial hard pulse, characteristic of SGRBs, followed by a long duration soft tail. We here consider the spectral peak energy (Ep, i)–radiated energy (Eiso) correlation and the redshift distributions to probe the astronomical and physical origin of these different classes of GRBs. We consider Swift events of 15 SGRBs, 7 SGRBEEs, 3 LGRBNs and 230 LGRBs detected by Swift. The spectral-energy properties of the initial pulse of both SGRBEE and LGRBNs are found to coincide with those of SGRBs. A Monte Carlo simulation shows that the redshift distributions of SGRBs, SGRBEE and LGRBNs fall outside the distribution of LGRBs at 4.75σ, 4.67σ and 4.31σ, respectively. A distinct origin of SGRBEEs with respect to LGRBs is also supported by the elliptical host galaxies of the SGRBEE events 050509B and 050724. This combined evidence supports the hypothesis that SGRBEE and LGRBNs originate in mergers as SGRBs. Moreover, long/soft tail of SGRB and LGRBNs satisfy the same Ep, i-Eiso Amati correlation holding for normal LGRBs. This fact points to rapidly rotating black holes as a common long-lived inner engine produced by different astronomical progenitors (mergers and supernovae).
Two Studies on Reversal of Opioid-induced Respiratory Depression by BK-channel Blocker GAL021 in Human Volunteers
Authors: Roozekrans Margot , van der Schrier Rutger , Okkerse Pieter , Hay Justin , McLeod James F. , Dahan Albert
Published: August 2014

Background:

Opioid-induced respiratory depression is potentially lethal. GAL021 is a calcium-activated potassium (BKCa) channel blocker that causes reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression in animals due to a stimulatory effect on ventilation at the carotid bodies. To assess in humans whether GAL021 stimulates breathing in established opioid-induced respiratory depression and to evaluate its safety, a proof-of-concept double-blind randomized controlled crossover study on isohypercapnic ventilation (study 1) and subsequent double-blind exploratory study on poikilocapnic ventilation and nonrespiratory end points (study 2) was performed.

Methods:

In study 1, intravenous low- and high-dose GAL021 and placebo were administrated on top of low- and high-dose alfentanil-induced respiratory depression in 12 healthy male volunteers on two separate occasions. In study 2, the effect of GAL021/placebo on poikilocapnic ventilation, analgesia, and sedation were explored in eight male volunteers. Data are mean difference between GAL021 and placebo (95% CI).

Results:

Study 1: Under isohypercapnic conditions, a separation between GAL021 and placebo on minute ventilation was observed by 6.1 (3.6 to 8.6) l/min (P < 0.01) and 3.6 (1.5 to 5.7) l/min (P < 0.01) at low-dose alfentanil plus high-dose GAL021 and high-dose-alfentanil plus high-dose GAL021, respectively. Study 2: Similar observations were made on poikilocapnic ventilation and arterial pCO2. GAL021 had no effect on alfentanil-induced sedation, antinociception and no safety issues or hemodynamic effects became apparent.

Conclusion:

GAL021 produces respiratory stimulatory effects during opioid-induced respiratory depression with containment of opioid-analgesia and without any further increase of sedation. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data.
Crowdsourcing contest dilemma
Authors: Naroditskiy Victor , Jennings Nicholas R. , Van Hentenryck Pascal , Cebrian Manuel
Published: August 2014

Crowdsourcing offers unprecedented potential for solving tasks efficiently by tapping into the skills of large groups of people. A salient feature of crowdsourcing—its openness of entry—makes it vulnerable to malicious behaviour. Such behaviour took place in a number of recent popular crowdsourcing competitions. We provide game-theoretic analysis of a fundamental trade-off between the potential for increased productivity and the possibility of being set back by malicious behaviour. Our results show that in crowdsourcing competitions malicious behaviour is the norm, not the anomaly—a result contrary to the conventional wisdom in the area. Counterintuitively, making the attacks more costly does not deter them but leads to a less desirable outcome. These findings have cautionary implications for the design of crowdsourcing competitions.
Defining a discovery: priority and methodological controversy in early nineteenth-century anatomy
Authors: Berkowitz Carin
Published: August 2014

In the early nineteenth century, Charles Bell and François Magendie engaged in a decades-long priority dispute over the discovery of the roots of motor and sensory nerves. The constantly recalibrated arguments of its participants illuminate changes in the life sciences during that period. When Bell first wrote about the nerves in 1811, surgeon-anatomists ran small schools out of their homes, natural theology was in vogue, exchanges between British and French medical practitioners were limited by the Napoleonic Wars, and British practitioners typically rejected experimental physiology and vivisection. By the end of Magendie's career, medical science was produced in the laboratory, taught through artfully produced performances of the sort at which Magendie excelled, and disseminated through journals. It is not entirely clear which historical character, Bell or Magendie, ‘won’ the dispute, nor that they even had clear and consistent positions in it, but what is clear is that one style of science had won out over the other, and over the course of the dispute, pedagogy lost pride of place in medical science.
Semi-analytical calculation of the low-frequency electromagnetic scattering from a near-surface spherical inclusion in a conducting half-space
Authors: Skarlatos Anastassios , Theodoulidis Theodoros
Published: August 2014

The low-frequency electromagnetic scattering problem of a near-surface hollow spherical inclusion is solved by means of a modal approach. The primary field is excited using a current-carrying coil. The presented solution addresses the full coupling between the two interfaces of the geometry in a rigorous way. There is a direct physical interpretation of the different occurring terms in the formal solution, which provides a deeper understanding of the underlying phenomena. The calculation is very fast, which makes the proposed model suitable for use with parametric inversion algorithms.
Theoretical foundations of resonant ultrasound spectroscopy at high pressure
Authors: Tarumi Ryuichi , Yamaguchi Yuta , Shibutani Yoji
Published: August 2014

The theory of free-vibration acoustic resonance (FVAR) of solids at high pressure is developed within the framework of nonlinear elasticity and the calculus of variations. The FVAR state is formulated as a generalization of the conventional theory that was originally developed by Rayleigh and Ritz in the sense that it includes geometrical and material nonlinearities as well as the potential energy of external pressure. Magnetic point groups and quasi-harmonic approximation are used so as to obtain a natural extension of normal mode phonons in the high-pressure regime. The numerical analysis of eight different cubic-symmetry crystals reveals that FVAR frequencies depend linearly on the pressure, and the slopes vary with the FVAR modes, including the sign. We estimated the mode Grüneisen parameter up toN=2400 and proved that the high-frequency limitγ∞is equivalent to the conventional Grüneisen parameterγ. Quantitative agreement of the parameters demonstrates that nearly the entire third-order elastic constants tensor can be determined from high-pressure ultrasound spectroscopy experiments.
Slow dynamics via degenerate variational asymptotics
Authors: Gottwald Georg A. , Oliver Marcel
Published: August 2014

We introduce the method of degenerate variational asymptotics for a class of singularly perturbed ordinary differential equations in the limit of strong gyroscopic forces. Such systems exhibit dynamics on two separate time scales. We derive approximate equations for the slow motion to arbitrary order through an asymptotic expansion of the Lagrangian in suitably transformed coordinates. We prove that the necessary near-identity change of variables can always be constructed and that solutions of the slow limit equations shadow solutions of the full parent model at the expected order over a finite interval of time.
Understanding Admixture Fractions
Authors: Liang Mason , Nielsen Rasmus
Published: August 2014

Estimation of admixture fractions has become one of the most commonly used computational tools in population genomics. How ever, there is remarkably little population genetic theory on their statistical properties. We develop theoretical results that can accurately predict means and variances of admixture proportions within a population using models with recombination and genetic drift. Based on established theory on measures of multilocus disequilibrium, we show that there is a set of recurrence relations that can be used to derive expectations for higher moments of the admixture fraction distribution. We obtain closed form solutions for some special cases. Using these results, we develop a method for estimating admixture parameters from estimated admixture proportion obtained from programs such as Structure or Admixture. We apply this method to HapMap data and find that the population history of African Americans, as expected, is not best explained by a single admixture event between people of European and African ancestry. A model of constant gene flow for the past 11 generations until 2 generations ago gives a better fit.
The influence of religiosity on taxpayers’ compliance attitudes
Authors: Mohdali Raihana , Pope Jeff
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the role of religiosity in determining taxpayers’ attitudes towards tax compliance and discusses likely explanations for the findings in the context of the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sequential exploratory mixed-methods research design was used in this study. Data were collected using a self-administered survey which involved approximately 300 individual taxpayers in Malaysia, followed by face-to-face interviews with 14 individual taxpayers. Majority of the respondents in both survey and interviews were salaried taxpayers, and the remaining were self-employed taxpayers.

Findings

– Religiosity is found to have a minimal but statistically significant positive impact on voluntary tax compliance. This probably can be explained by the strong religious values held by many Malaysians, as well as the concept of giving which has been emphasised in almost all religions.

Research limitations/implications

– Because this study did not differentiate between religious values and moral values in measuring the source of respondents’ internal values, there was a possibility that their internal values may be derived from both sources. Hence, comparing the impact of individuals’ religious values with individuals’ moral values that have no influence from religion on tax compliance is suggested for future research.

Practical implications

– A new mechanism is suggested to the Malaysian tax authority in regards to the treatment of religious payment to reduce the sense of inequality among citizens and taxpayers.

Originality/value

– This study enriches the limited literature of tax compliance from the perspective of developing countries, particularly Malaysia, and adds to the limited literature internationally from a religiosity perspective.
Design awareness and purchase intention: an item response theory approach
Authors: Arboleda Ana M. , Alonso Julio C.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of design awareness on consumers’ purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The experiment consisted of showing a new beer package design to 185 participants who evaluated it using a self‐administered questionnaire.

Findings

Using an Item Response Theory approach, results show that there are two dimensions of consumer design awareness: basic design and differential design. These findings are, to some extent, consistent with the theoretical discussion within design literature. Moreover, a multiple regression model estimates the effect of both dimensions on consumers’ purchase intention, and the paper concludes that both dimensions have a similar effect (p<0.05). The sign of the effects are consistent with the theoretical discussion.

Practical implications

The design of new products must consider attributes associated to the basic and practical use of a product as well as those attributes that mark a comparative difference in the product category.

Originality/value

This paper conceptually and empirically combines two different areas of knowledge (design and consumer behavior) under the design awareness construct. This concept evaluates consumers’ perceptions about new products, facilitating more accurate decisions in cases of innovation.
Differentiating aspects of product innovation processes in the food industry
Authors: Sanaullah Khan Rao , Vincent Grigor John , G. Win Alan , Boland Mike
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to sketch a comparative account of NPD approaches between registered New Zealand food companies that are doing some sort of functional foods (FF) development (Group 1) and those that are not (Group 2); to generate a better understanding of differences and commonalities in their NPD approaches from resource-based view of competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper opted an exploratory approach using a quantitative survey across food manufacturing companies in New Zealand. The primary foci of this empirical investigation were: orientation towards the NPD, innovation processes, collaborative NPD links and routes to commercialisation.

Findings

– The results (based on a 22 per cent response rate) show a significant difference (p<0.05) in the aims and mode of NPD between Groups 1 and 2. Further it was observed that food companies in Group 1 have significantly (p<0.05) more diverse external collaborations with broader aims to collaborate, in comparison with food companies in Group 2.

Research limitations/implications

– This study was conducted in New Zealand and thus generalisability of the findings may have to be interpreted carefully.

Practical implications

– The traditional NPD approach (independent and closed NPD), with loose intellectual property protection practices, dominates the food manufacturing industry in New Zealand. Research-oriented collaborations need to be strengthened in their scope and content to develop the innovative capabilities and capacities of small and medium enterprises (SME's) within future value-added food productions.

Originality/value

– This research provides the comparative narration of innovation process of food manufacturing companies with reference to FFs development.
The continued internationalisation of an international new venture
Authors: Melén Hånell Sara , Rovira Nordman Emilia , Deo Sharma Dharam
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore longitudinally a life sciences international new venture’s (INV’s) development of foreign market knowledge (FMK) and how this knowledge development relates to the firm’s entrepreneurial orientation (EO).

Design/methodology/approach

– The article adopts a longitudinal case study approach to investigate an INV in the life sciences industry.

Findings

– The findings show that the EO of an INV changes during its internationalisation. A strong EO, often considered to be synonymous with the early expansion of an INV, is not always able to guide the INV in its later developmental stages. In its continued internationalisation, an INV instead needs firm-specific FMK accumulated from a process of learning by doing. The knowledge development of an INV is a time-consuming process that cannot be rushed by grafting new and experienced employees.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research focusing on larger and broader samples of INVs is recommended to validate this study’s results.

Practical implications

– Life sciences managers need to develop their own firm-specific FMK by interacting with their foreign business partners.

Originality/value

– This study contributes further insights into the FMK development processes and EO of INVs in the life sciences industry during their internationalisation. Further understanding is also provided about how the industry-specific features of an INV in the life sciences industry influence internationalisation over time. The study’s theoretical implications are that international entrepreneurship frameworks and internationalisation process theory need to be integrated to understand the longitudinal development of INVs.
Hospitality processes through the lens of teleological actions – framework and illustration
Authors: Padin Carmen , Svensson Goran
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a framework and illustration to assess and manage the perceived content and experiences in hospitality processes through the lens of teleological actions. Teleological actions are movements into the future that are believed to move either towards a predictable/known or unpredictable/unknown state or condition: transformative – ad hoc and present-based actions; formative – pre-determined and past-based actions; and rationalist – goal-directed and future-based actions.

Design/methodology/approach

– A framework of teleological actions and its underlying logic illustrates how critical hospitality processes may be assessed and managed in both research and practice.

Findings

– The lens of teleological actions offers a non-traditional and unusual, potentially unique, perspective on hospitality processes. It reveals additional insights to assess and manage critical incidents in hospitality processes between service providers and service receivers.

Research limitations/implications

– Assessing and managing hospitality processes through the lens of teleological actions makes both a contribution to and provides opportunities for further research in the field of hospitality management.

Practical implications

– It opens up the possibility of examining different hospitality processes based upon the lens of teleological actions. It provides interesting and valuable insights in relation to contemporary approaches to assess and manage critical incidents in the literature of hospitality processes.

Originality/value

– It sheds a different and additional light upon current theory and practice in hospitality management. It explicitly addresses the meaning of time and how to relate to the content and experiences of previous, current and forthcoming hospitality processes.
Long‐term expansion of juniper populations in managed landscapes: patterns in space and time
Authors: García Cristina , Moracho Eva , Díaz‐Delgado Ricardo , Jordano Pedro
Published: August 2014

Forest cover has increased world‐wide over the last decade despite continuous forest fragmentation. However, a lack of long‐term demographic data hinders our understanding of the spatial dynamics of colonization in remnant populations inhabiting recently protected areas or set‐aside rural lands.

We investigated the population expansion of the Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata), which is an endozoochorous Mediterranean tree species inhabiting landscapes that have been managed for many centuries. By combining the photointerpretation of aerial photos that have been taken over the last 50 years with in situ sampling and spatial analyses of replicated plots, we estimated the population growth over the chronosequence; identified hotspots, coldspots and outliers of regeneration; and assessed the roles of key environmental factors in driving demographic expansion patterns, including elevation, initial density and distance to remnant forests.

Ecological factors leading to seed limitation, such as initial plant density, are expected to drive colonization patterns at the early stages. Factors mediating the competition for limiting resources, such as water availability, would prevail at later stages of expansion. We further expect that nucleated colonization patterns emerge driven by vertebrate seed dispersal.

The photointerpretation of aerial images in combination with in situ measurements has yielded reliable density data. Overall, our results show a marked demographic expansion during the first decade followed by a period of steady and heterogeneous population growth with signs of local population decline. We found evidence of nucleated establishment patterns as expected for an endozoochorous species. Hotspots and outliers of regeneration emerged throughout the study chronosequence, whereas coldspots of regeneration only appeared at advanced colonization stages. Factors influencing dispersal limitation had contrasting effects at different colonization stages, and the initial density influenced population growth at various spatial scales.

Synthesis. The photointerpretation of aerial images shows that the influence of dispersal limitation versus factors mediating competitive responses changes throughout colonization stages. Whereas dispersal limitation is the main factor influencing colonization at early stages, competition for local resources controls population growth at later stages. Therefore, long‐term studies are required to capture the overall combined influence of key ecological factors in shaping long‐term spatial demographic trends.
Ramping up the signal: promoting endurance training adaptation in skeletal muscle by nutritional manipulation
Authors: Hawley John A , Morton James P
Published: August 2014

Mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle results from the cumulative effect of transient increases in mRNA transcripts encoding mitochondrial proteins in response to repeated exercise sessions. This process requires the coordinated expression of both nuclear and mitochondrial (mt) DNA genomes and is regulated, for the most part, by the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator 1α. Several other exercise‐inducible proteins also play important roles in promoting an endurance phenotype, including AMP‐activated protein kinase, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and tumour suppressor protein p53. Commencing endurance‐based exercise with low muscle glycogen availability results in greater activation of many of these signalling proteins compared with when the same exercise is undertaken with normal glycogen concentration, suggesting that nutrient availability is a potent signal that can modulate the acute cellular responses to a single bout of exercise. When exercise sessions are repeated in the face of low glycogen availability (i.e. chronic training), the phenotypic adaptations resulting from such interventions are also augmented.
Improving the Sensory and Oxidative Stability of Cooked and Chill‐Stored Lamb Using Dietary Rosemary Diterpenes
Authors: Serrano Rafael , Ortuño Jordi , Bañón Sancho
Published: August 2014

Two dietary rosemary extracts (DREs) containing diterpenes (carnosic acid and carnosol at 1:1 and 2:1 w:w) were tested in fattening lambs to stabilize the sensory quality of cooked and chill‐stored patties. A total of 63 lambs were fed freely for 80 ± 5 d with a basal diet supplemented or not with DRE. Minced leg meat from each lamb was used to make patty batches. The patties were cooked at 72 ºC for 2 min, aerobically packed, kept at 2 ºC for up to 4 d and then reheated. Sensory traits (color, odor, flavor, and texture), CIELab color, and lipid oxidation (assessed as TBARS) were determined. In a first experiment, the lamb diet was supplemented with 600 mg of 1:1‐DRE or 2:1‐DRE kg−1 feed. The 1:1‐DRE diet delayed discoloration, flavor deterioration, and rancidity, while the 2:1‐DRE diet was ineffective in this respect. In a second experiment, 4 supplementation levels of 1:1‐DRE (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg kg−1 feed) were compared. Flavor deterioration was delayed when the lamb diet was supplemented with at least 400 mg 1:1‐DRE kg−1 feed. The effects of the diet on the odor, flavor, and color were corroborated by differences in TBARS and CIELab. The results obtained suggest that rosemary diterpenes and/or their active secondary compounds deposited in muscle can act as endogenous antioxidants in cooked lamb. The carnosol intake seems crucial in the antioxidant actions achieved through DRE. The use of rosemary antioxidants in animal feeding would allow meat‐based dishes to be preserved longer without adding preservatives.
Ischemic colitis: A forgotten entity. Results of a retrospective study in 118 patients
Authors: Sherid Muhammed , Sifuentes Humberto , Samo Salih , Sulaiman Samian , Husein Husein , Tupper Ruth , Sethuraman Sankara N , Spurr Charles , Vainder John A , Sridhar Subbaramiah
Published: August 2014

Objective

The aim of our study was to document our 6‐year experiences in identifing the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, risk factors and the outcomes of patients with ischemic colitis (IC) in a community hospital setting.

Methods

The medical records of patients who were diagnosed with IC from 2007 to 2013 in two community hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinical characteristics, laboratory results, radiological, endoscopic and histological evidence, anatomic location of the lesion, comorbidities, concomitant use of drugs, and so on, were collected.

Results

A total of 118 patients with IC was identified, most were elderly individuals with a female predominance. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and diarrhea. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Erythema, edema and erosions/ulcerations were the most common endoscopic findings. Left colon was the most affected location of lesion (84.8%), and there was one case of pancolitis. The descending colon was the most common affected segment, while rectum was the least affected segment. Severe IC occurred in 12.7% of the patients. Death within 30 days from the diagnosis of the disease occurred in 4.2%.

Conclusions

IC is majorly occurred in elderly with a female predominance. Cardiovascular disease and its assoicated risk factors are the most common comorbidities. Left colon is the most affected location of the disease and the overall mortality rate was 4.2%. Physicians should make every effort to identify these patients, especially those with high risks.
Effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A combined with cisplatin on apoptosis of A549 cell line
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Jiang Shu‐Juan , Shang Bin , Jiang Hong‐Juan
Published: August 2014

Background

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors combined with other drugs for the treatment of malignant tumors are used more and more widely. In this study, we investigated the effect of trichostatin A (TSA), a HDAC inhibitor, in combination with cisplatin, a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent, on the apoptosis of lung cancer A549 cells.

Methods

A549 cells were treated with TSA alone, cisplatin alone or the two drugs combined. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using a light microscope, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) (3‐[4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl] −2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and Hochst33258 staining. Moreover, Western blot analysis was employed to examine the alterations of apoptosis protein: cellular Fas‐associated death domain‐like interleukin‐1 β converting enzyme inhibitory protein (cFLIP) and caspase‐8 in A549 cells in response to the different exogenous stimuli.

Results

Compared with single‐agent treatment, the co‐treatment of A549 cells with TSA and cisplatin synergistically inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and increased the inhibition rate. Treatment with TSA and cisplatin led to a significant decrease of cFLIP expression. Furthermore, the treatment of A549 cells with TSA and cisplatin resulted in a significant decrease of pro‐caspase‐8 and a significant increase of caspase‐8.

Conclusions

Synergistic anti‐tumor effects are observed between cisplatin and TSA in lung cancer cells. The combination of TSA with cisplatin may be a more effective method in human lung cancer treatment.
The association of identifiable intangible assets acquired and recognised in business acquisitions with postacquisition firm performance
Authors: Su Wun Hong , Wells Peter
Published: August 2014

This paper extends the literature evaluating accounting practices for identifiable intangible assets and considers whether the application of these accounting practices changed on transition to IFRS. It finds no evidence of identifiable intangible assets acquired and recognised in business acquisitions being associated with postacquisition firm performance or changes in postacquisition firm performance, either before or after transition to IFRS. This is inconsistent with the requirements of regulations such as IFRS 3 Business Combinations and IAS 38 Intangible Assets, and there is no empirical evidence supporting the present regulatory distinction between acquired and internally generated and revalued identifiable intangible assets.
Post‐independence fledgling ecology in a migratory songbird: implications for breeding‐grounds conservation
Authors: Streby H. M. , Peterson S. M. , Kramer G. R. , Andersen D. E.
Published: August 2014

For migratory songbirds, breeding‐grounds conservation and management plans are generally focused on habitat associated with locations of singing males and sometimes nesting females. However, habitat structure is often different in areas used for raising fledglings compared with areas used for song territories, and very little is known about habitat use by fledglings after independence from adult care. From 2010 to 2012, we used radiotelemetry to monitor 68 fledgling golden‐winged warblers Vermivora chrysoptera after independence from adult care in mixed managed forests of Minnesota, US and Manitoba, Canada. This species is of high conservation concern in the US, is listed as threatened in Canada and is listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. We assessed distance and orientation of independent fledgling movements and we used compositional analysis to test for selection among cover types. Fledglings of this species, commonly described as a shrubland specialist, selected mature forest (78% of locations) over all other cover types, and foraged in forest canopy and understory in mixed‐species flocks. Fledgling golden‐winged warbler movements were apparently associated with habitat optimization (although prioritizing foraging over predator avoidance), and likely not with commencement of migration, or scouting future breeding territories. Ten days after independence, fledglings were an average of 1238 m north of their nest, which may be related to homing‐target formation and the species' northward range expansion. We conclude that consideration for independent fledgling habitat associations is necessary for developing full‐fledged forest management plans on the breeding grounds of migratory songbirds.
Taking Space: Moments of Rupture and Everyday Life in Occupy London
Authors: Halvorsen Sam
Published: August 2014

Taking space has been a common feature of recent social movements worldwide, and was a defining act of the Occupy movement. This article examines the taking of two spaces by Occupy London in October 2011, and argues that there was a tension between taking space as a moment of rupture, lived space‐times of intensity that provide an opening to new possibilities, and everyday life, the routines and rhythms through which social life is reproduced. My argument builds on the work of Lefebvre, bringing together his conceptualisation of “moments” and everyday life, and his radical theory of the production of space. I argue that examining the tensions over taking space provides a useful angle to explore some of the challenges faced by the Occupy movement, such as an unequal division of labour on camp, and may help in negotiating them.
CXCL13 as a new biomarker of systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis – from bench to bedside?
Authors: Schiffer L , Worthmann K , Haller H , Schiffer M
Published: August 2014

Different studies over the last decade have linked the B cell-attracting chemokine CXC ligand 13 (CXCL13) to the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A pathogenetic role of this chemokine for disease manifestation in SLE was described initially in mouse models for SLE. Mechanisms of CXCL13 actions were also identified in SLE patients. Moreover, various clinical studies have identified CXCL13 serum levels as a useful biomarker in patients with SLE of different ethnicities for disease activity. In addition, CXCL13 seems to be a promising marker for the diagnosis of lupus nephritis, one of the most severe complications of SLE. However, its exact place within the mechanisms that lead to SLE remains to be defined. Further research is needed to resolve more details of the pathomechanism and the signalling pathway of CXCL13 in SLE. Blocking CXCL13 or the signal pathways of CXCL13 is seen as a promising therapeutic approach for SLE and will be addressed in the near future. This review summarizes all papers that linked CXCL13 to SLE and highlights its importance in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of SLE
Conversion from calcineurin inhibitor–based immunosuppression to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors or belatacept in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Mulgaonkar Shamkant , Kaufman Dixon B.
Published: August 2014

The calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) remain the standard of care for maintenance immunosuppression following renal transplantation. CNIs have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing acute cellular rejection; however, some evidence suggests that these compounds negatively affect native renal function and are associated with allograft injury in renal transplant recipients. CNIs have also been linked with hypertension, new‐onset diabetes after transplantation, tremor, and thrombotic microangiopathy, which have significant consequences for long‐term allograft function and patient health overall. Thus, converting patients to a non‐CNI‐based regimen may improve renal function and also provide extrarenal benefits. A number of studies have been conducted that explore CNI conversion strategies in renal transplant recipients in an effort to improve long‐term allograft function and survival. These include converting to alternative, non‐nephrotoxic, maintenance immunosuppressants, such as the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (sirolimus and everolimus) and the costimulation blocker belatacept. In this review of literature, evidence for the potential renal and extrarenal benefits of conversion to these non‐CNI‐based regimens is evaluated. Clinical challenges, including the adverse event profiles of non‐CNI‐based regimens and the selection of candidates for conversion, are also examined.
The seasonal dynamic of ant‐flower networks in a semi‐arid tropical environment
Authors: SANTOS GILBERTO M. M. , DÁTTILO WESLEY , PRESLEY STEVEN J.
Published: August 2014

1. Several studies have recently focused on the structure of ecological networks involving ants and plants with extrafloral nectaries; however, little is known about the effects of temporal variation in resource abundance on the structure of ant–plant networks mediated by floral nectar.

2. In this study, it was evaluated how strong seasonality in resource availability in a semi‐arid tropical environment affects the structure of ant–flower networks. We recorded ants collecting floral nectar during two seasons (from December 2009 to January 2013): dry and green seasons. Then, we built interaction networks for flower‐visiting ants in the Brazilian Caatinga separately for each combination of transect and season.

3. In general, strong seasonality directly influenced patterns of ant–flower interactions and the overall complexity of these ecological networks. During the dry season, networks were more connected, less modular, and exhibited greater niche overlap of flower‐visiting ants than during the green season. Moreover, resource utilisation by ants during the dry season tended to be more aggregated. These findings indicate that during the dry season, ant species tended to share many resource bases, probably owing to lower overall resource availability during this season. Species composition of the ant network component was highly season specific; however, a central core of highly generalised ants was present during both seasons.

4. The stability of this central core between seasons could strongly affect the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of these interaction networks. This study contributes to the understanding of the structure and dynamics of ant‐flower interactions in extremely seasonal environments.