bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical stimulation therapy of the lower esophageal sphincter is successful in treating GERD: final results of open-label prospective trial
Authors: Rodríguez Leonardo , Rodriguez Patricia , Gómez Beatriz , Ayala Juan C. , Saba Jorge , Perez-Castilla Alberto , Galvao Neto Manoel , Crowell Michael D.
Published: October 2012

Background

Electrical stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) improves LES pressure without interfering with LES relaxation. The aim of this open-label pilot trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term LES stimulation using a permanently implanted LES stimulator in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods

GERD patients who were at least partially responsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) with abnormal esophageal pH, hiatal hernia ≤3 cm, and esophagitis ≤LA grade C were included. Bipolar stitch electrodes were placed in the LES and an IPG was placed in a subcutaneous pocket. Electrical stimulation was delivered at 20 Hz, 215 μs, 3–8 mA in 30 min sessions. The number and timing of sessions was tailored to each patient’s GERD profile. Patients were evaluated using GERD-HRQL, daily symptom and medication diaries, SF-12, esophageal pH, and high-resolution manometry.

Results

24 patients (mean age = 53 years, SD = 12 years; 14 men) were implanted; 23 completed their 6-month evaluation. Median GERD-HRQL scores at 6 months was 2.0 (IQR = 0–5.5) and was significantly better than both baseline on-PPI [9.0 (range = 6.0–10.0); p < 0.001] and off-PPI [23 (21–25); p < 0.001] GERD-HRQL. Median%  24-h esophageal pH < 4.0 at baseline was 10.1 and improved to 5.1 at 6 months (p < 0.001). At their 6-month follow-up, 91 % (21/23) of the patients were off PPI and had significantly better median GERD-HRQL on LES stimulation compared to their on-PPI GERD-HRQL at baseline (9.0 vs. 2.0; p < 0.001). There were no unanticipated implantation- or stimulation-related adverse events or untoward sensation due to stimulation. There were no reports of treatment-related dysphagia, and manometric swallow was also unaffected.

Conclusions

Electrical stimulation of the LES is safe and effective for treating GERD. There is a significant and sustained improvement in GERD symptoms, esophageal pH, and reduction in PPI usage without any side effects with the therapy. Furthermore, the therapy can be optimized to address an individual patient’s disease.
Bench scale production of benzohydroxamic acid using acyl transfer activity of amidase from Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10674
Authors: Bhatia Ravi Kant , Bhatia Shashi Kant , Mehta Praveen Kumar , Bhalla Tek Chand
Published: October 2012

The acyl transfer activity of the amidase of Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10674 has been applied to the conversion of benzamide and hydroxylamine to benzohydroxamic acid. The unique features of the acyl transfer activity of this organism include its optimal activity at 50 °C and very high substrate (100 mM benzamide) and product (90 mM benzohydroxamic acid) tolerance among the hitherto reported enzymes. The bench scale production of benzohydroxamic acid was carried out in a fed-batch reaction (final volume 1 l) by adding 50 mM benzamide and 250 mM of hydroxylamine after every 20 min for 80 min in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) at 50 °C, using resting cells equal to 4.0 mg dcm/ml of reaction mixture. From 1 l of reaction mixture 33 g of benzohydroxamic acid was recovered with 24.6 g l−1 h−1 productivity. The acyl transfer activity of the amidase of Alcaligenes sp. MTCC 10674 and the process developed in the present study are of industrial significance for the enzyme-mediated production of benzohydroxamic acid.
Using Information-Gap Decision Theory for Water Resources Planning Under Severe Uncertainty
Authors: Korteling Brett , Dessai Suraje , Kapelan Zoran
Published: October 2012

Water resource managers are required to develop comprehensive water resources plans based on severely uncertain information of the effects of climate change on local hydrology and future socio-economic changes on localised demand. In England and Wales, current water resources planning methodologies include a headroom estimation process separate from water resource simulation modelling. This process quantifies uncertainty based on only one point of an assumed range of deviations from the expected climate and projected demand 25 years into the future. This paper utilises an integrated method based on Information-Gap decision theory to quantitatively assess the robustness of various supply side and demand side management options over a broad range of plausible futures. Findings show that beyond the uncertainty range explored with the headroom method, a preference reversal can occur, i.e. some management options that underperform at lower uncertainties, outperform at higher levels of uncertainty. This study also shows that when 50 % or more of the population adopts demand side management, efficiency related measures and innovative options such as rainwater collection can perform equally well or better than some supply side options The additional use of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis shifts the focus away from reservoir expansion options, that perform best in regards to water availability, to combined strategies that include innovative demand side management actions of rainwater collection and greywater reuse as well efficiency measures and additional regional transfers. This paper illustrates how an Information-Gap based approach can offer a comprehensive picture of potential supply/demand futures and a rich variety of information to support adaptive management of water systems under severe uncertainty.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Members of the American Association for Hand Surgery
Authors: Shin Eon K. , Bachoura Abdo , Jacoby Sidney M. , Chen Neal C. , Osterman A. Lee
Published: October 2012

Background

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy affecting the upper extremity, yet evidence-based guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment are lacking. We set out to expose any potential discrepancies in CTS practice attitudes based on surgeon's academic background, residency training, clinical experience, and other factors.

Methods

This was an online survey-based study. Members of the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) were sent an electronic mail request ( n=817). The online questionnaire consisted of 12 questions that queried surgeons' approaches to the diagnosis as well as operative and non-operative management of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Results

One hundred twenty-three surgeons responded to the survey (15.1 %). The locations of surgical practices varied within the United States and beyond. Most respondents were either orthopedic or plastic surgeons. With respect to practice duration, 15.4 % had been in practice for 5 years or less, 30.9 % of the respondents had been in practice between 6 and 15 years, 30.9 % had been in practice between 16 and 25 years, and 26.8 % had been in practice for more than 25 years. The most notable interspecialty differences were related to the use of operative antibiotics and the surgical approach. Plastic surgeons were less likely to recommend antibiotic use during surgery and more likely to utilize an open extensile approach during surgical release. Younger surgeons were more likely to employ a mini-open approach for carpal tunnel release.

Conclusions

We conclude that background training and generational differences contribute to the varied approaches observed in the diagnosis and management of CTS.
Determination of Critical Aggregation Concentration in the Poly‐(vinylpyrrolidone)–Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate System by Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Öztekin Nevin , Erim F. Bedia
Published: October 2012

We introduce an alternative separation method, i.e., capillary electrophoresis to examine the polymer/surfactant interaction. The migration behavior of the poly‐(vinylpyrrolidone)–sodium dodecyl sulfate (PVP–SDS) model system was screened under a high electrical field for seven different PVP initial concentrations. From the electrophoretic mobilities of formed polymer–surfactant species, the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of SDS for PVP was determined. The CAC value in the present study was very well matched with the CAC values of this system reported by alternative methods. A strong interaction between polymer and SDS under CAC concentration was observed and the independence of CAC on polymer concentration was experimentally demonstrated.
Key Fatty Acid Combinations Define Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Viability
Authors: St‐Denis Corinne , Cloutier Isabelle , Tanguay Jean‐François
Published: October 2012

High plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and insulin are common features in atherosclerotic patients with type 2 diabetes. FFA, according to their nature, can have various effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). These cells play important roles throughout atherosclerosis pathogenesis, from plaque development to plaque instability. Thus, this study aims to assess the impact of two FFA combinations and insulin on murine VSMC viability. The two combinations contain the same FFA but at different ratios, one being richer in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the other having a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Both combinations inhibited VSMC proliferation due to their pro‐apoptotic potential, with SFA being the major inducers of apoptosis. However, the presence of oleic acid (OLA) attenuated this impact in a dose‐dependent manner. OLA had also the capacity to reduce apoptosis rates more strongly when combined with a SFA than when used alone in VSMC treatments. This effect was significant only for specific proportions of these FFA and was even more effective in presence of insulin. These results highlight the presence of a competition between pro‐apoptotic and anti‐apoptotic mechanisms in VSMC that is dependent on FFA ratios (saturated vs. monounsaturated) and on insulinemia. They also underline the importance of the presence of MUFA such as OLA in diets containing high proportions of SFA.
Cytotoxic Petrosiacetylenes from the Marine Sponge Petrosia sp.
Authors: Lee Yeon‐Ju , Yoo Su‐Jung , Kang Jong Soon , Yun Jieun , Shin Hee Jae , Lee Jong Seok , Lee Hyi‐Seung
Published: October 2012

A novel petrosiacetylene analog (petrosiacetylene E) has been isolated from the Korean marine sponge Petrosia sp., along with petrosiacetylene A, B and C. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and the stereochemistry of the new compound was determined by using the modified Mosher's method. Petrosiacetylene E showed higher cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines than petrosiacetylene A and B, presumably due to the additional hydroxy group located at C‐16.
The Caspase Pathway of Linoelaidic Acid (9t, 12t‐C18:2)‐Induced Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Bin Qiu , Rao Huan , Hu Jiang‐Ning , Liu Rong , Fan Ya‐Wei , Li Jing , Deng Ze‐Yuan , Zhong Xianfeng , Du Fang‐Ling
Published: October 2012

Trans fatty acids (TFA) are reported to contribute to inflammation and coronary heart disease. The study aim was to investigate the proapoptotic effects of two double bond TFA (TDTFA) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The HUVEC were grown in media supplied with linoelaidic acid (9t,12t‐C18:2) at 50, 100, 200, 400 μmol/l for 24 or 48 h to examine the effects of TDTFA on the viability and apoptosis of these cells. Flow cytometry analysis and confocal scanning were used to measure apoptosis, cell binding of Annexin V and propidium iodide uptake. Colorimetric assay and RT‐PCR were used to analyze enzyme activities and mRNA expression of caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 in HUVEC. Results showed that 9t,12t‐C18:2 inhibited the viability of HUVEC in a dose‐dependent and time‐dependent manner. The percentages of 9t,12t‐C18:2 induced apoptotic and necrotic cells significantly increased compared with that of the control. The activities and mRNA expression of caspase‐8, ‐9 and ‐3 were significantly increased in 9t,12t‐C18:2 treated cells compared to that of the control. Addition of specific inhibitors of caspase‐8 (z‐IETD‐fmk) and caspase‐9 (z‐LEHD‐fmk) to HUVEC was found to completely inhibit 9t,12t‐C18:2‐induced activation of caspase‐3, and z‐IETD‐fmk inhibited the activation of caspase‐9. Meanwhile, it was found that mRNA expression of Bid, Smac/DIABLO and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c were significantly elevated by 9t,12t‐C18:2 treatment. These results suggest that 9t,12t‐C18:2 may induce apoptosis of HUVEC through activating caspase‐8, ‐9 and ‐3. Both the death receptor pathway and the mitochondrial pathway may be involved in the apoptosis induced by 9t,12t‐C18:2.
Influence of Sociocultural Factors and Acceptance of Creationism in the Comprehension of Evolutionary Biology in Freshman Brazilian Students
Authors: Penteado Pierre R. , Kavalco Karine F. , Pazza Rubens
Published: October 2012

The creationist movements in Brazil, although considered weak, are on the increase. The Brazilian legislation neither imposes any objection in teaching evolution nor obliges the teaching of creationism as an alternative to evolution in science classes. Furthermore, it allows the optional teaching of religion at schools. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge regarding biological evolution in freshman students from a Brazilian university. Such knowledge was related to sociocultural factors such as their parental education level, the type of high school the student graduated from (private or public school), their philosophical/religious position as well as the acceptance of creationism as an alternative to evolution. Among those factors, the latter two showed significant differences, in which the higher averages belonged both to the atheistic students and to those who do not accept creationism as an alternative to evolution.
Local Government Efficiency in German Municipalities
Authors: Geys Benny , Heinemann Friedrich , Kalb Alexander
Published: October 2012

This article evaluates German local governments’ cost efficiency using a sample of 1,021 municipalities in the state of Baden-Württemberg for the year 2001. We thereby concentrate on overall or ‘global’ efficiency scores—rather than estimate efficiency for one particular service—and explicitly account for exogenous or non-discretionary influences. The latter not only corrects for influences possibly beyond the control of local policy-makers, but also allows some indication of the determinants of such ‘global’ efficiency. Our results indicate that there is a substantial divergence in efficiency across municipalities despite a homogeneous institutional setting. As especially smaller municipalities appear less efficient, these results support a case for policy programmes aimed at boundary reviews or more extensive inter-communal cooperation among small municipalities.
Jano: location-privacy enforcement in mobile and pervasive environments through declarative policies
Authors: Simão José , Ribeiro Carlos , Ferreira Paulo , Veiga Luís
Published: October 2012

Today there are many location technologies providing people or object location. However, location privacy must be ensured before providing widely disseminated location services. Privacy rules may depend not only on the identity of the requester, but also on past events such as the places visited by the person being located, or previous location queries. Therefore, location systems must support the specification and enforcement of security policies (including history-based) allowing users to specify when, how and whom may know their location. We propose a middleware platform named Jano [Jano (or JANVS in latin) is the god of doors and gates in the roman mythology. He is usually depicted with two or four faces turning in opposite directions.] supporting both pull and push location requests while enforcing configurable security policies. Policies are specified using the Security Policy Language, SPL, facilitating the use of well-known security models. In particular, Jano supports history-based policies applied to person’s or object’s location. Jano implementation integrates several location technologies (e.g. GPS, RFID, etc.) and deals with the related heterogeneity aspects. It provides a web-based interface that facilitates policy specification, and its evaluation shows good performance, embodying a number of optimizations regarding bandwidth, process and storage savings.
How Job Characteristics Affect International Migration: The Role of Informality in Mexico
Authors: Villarreal Andrés , Blanchard Sarah
Published: October 2012

Despite the importance given to employment opportunities as a primary motive for migration, previous studies have paid insufficient attention to the kinds of jobs that are more likely to retain workers in their countries of origin. We use information from a panel survey of Mexican adults to examine how job characteristics affect the risk of international migration. The sampling strategy and overall size of the survey allow us to analyze the effect of employment characteristics on migration from urban areas, which have much greater labor market diversity, and to separate our analysis by gender. We also distinguish migrants according to whether they migrate for work or for other reasons. We find informality to be a significant predictor of international migration. Even after controlling for individual factors including workers’ wages, as well as various household- and community-level predictors, we find that workers employed in the informal sector have significantly higher odds of migrating than their counterparts in the formal sector. The pervasive nature of informality in many developing countries from which a high proportion of international migrants originate may therefore create a constant supply of workers who are predisposed to migrate. Our findings thus have important implications for a proper understanding of the effects of economic development on migration.
Drosophila miR‐5 suppresses Hedgehog signaling by directly targeting Smoothened
Authors: Wu Long-Fei , Gao Lei , Hou Xiao-Meng , Zhang Qing-Hai , Li Shen , Yang Yong-Fei , Lin Xin-Hua
Published: October 2012

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays many important roles in developmental processes and cancers. Smoothened (Smo) is an important signal transducer in the Hh pathway, and its expression is tightly regulated by several different post‐transcriptional mechanisms. However, whether microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in Smo regulation is still unclear. Here, we found that miR‐5 acts as a suppressor of the Hh pathway by targeting Smo. Through in vivo sensor assay and in vitro luciferase assay, we found that miR‐5 downregulates Smo through directly binding to its 3′UTR. Moreover, our data indicated Costal‐2 (Cos2) and Fused (Fu) do not play a role in the reduction of Smo mediated by miR‐5. Furthermore, we determined that miR‐5 not involved in Notch or Dpp signaling pathways by detecting target gene expression. Together, our results indicate that miR‐5 can specifically suppress Hh signaling by directly targeting Smo in Drosophila.
SIRT5 deacetylates and activates urate oxidase in liver mitochondria of mice
Authors: Nakamura Yasuhiko , Ogura Masahito , Ogura Kasane , Tanaka Daisuke , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: October 2012

Hsp60
,
Uox
and
Sirt5
colocalize by cosedimentation through density gradient (View interaction)
The 5′ untranslated region of Apaf‐1 mRNA directs translation under apoptosis conditions via a 5′ end‐dependent scanning mechanism
Authors: Andreev Dmitri E. , Dmitriev Sergey E. , Zinovkin Roman , Terenin Ilya M. , Shatsky Ivan N.
Published: October 2012

We have previously shown that translation driven by the 5′ UTR of Apaf‐1 mRNA is relatively efficient in the absence of m7G‐cap, but no IRES is involved. Nevertheless, it may be speculated that a “silent” IRES is activated under apoptosis conditions. Here, we show that translation of the mRNA with the Apaf‐1 5′ UTR is relatively resistant to apoptosis induced by etoposide when eIF4E is sequestered by 4E‐BP and eIF4G is partially cleaved. However, translation under these conditions remains governed by 5′ end‐dependent scanning. We hypothesize that the observed phenomenon is based on the intrinsic low cap‐dependence of the Apaf‐1 5′ UTR.
Cyclisation of Lys48‐linked diubiquitin in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Sokratous Kleitos , Strachan Joanna , Roach Lucy V. , Layfield Robert , Oldham Neil J.
Published: October 2012

Ubiquitin (Ub) is able to form polymeric isopeptide‐linked chains through condensation of any of its seven lysine (Lys) residues with the C‐terminus of an adjacent Ub monomer. Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) of commercial in vitro‐generated Lys48‐linked di‐Ub (Lys48‐Ub2) revealed a major population of cyclised dimer. The absence of a free C‐terminus in this population was confirmed by an inability to bind the zinc finger ubiquitin‐binding domain (ZnF‐UBP) of USP5/isopeptidase‐T. Endogenous Ub2 purified from skeletal muscle and cultured mammalian cells was found to contain cyclic Lys48‐Ub2, demonstrating that cyclisation of poly‐Ub can also occur in vivo.
Effects of dietary interventions on 24‐hour urine parameters in patients with idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones
Authors: Kıraç Mustafa , Küpeli Bora , İrkilata Lokman , Gülbahar Özlem , Aksakal Nur , Karaoğlan Üstünol , Bozkırlı İbrahim
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary factors on 24‐hour urine parameters in patients with idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones. A total of 108 of idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stones were included in the study. A 24‐hour urinalysis was performed and metabolic abnormalities were measured for all of the patients. All of the patients were given specialized diets for their 24‐hour urine abnormalities. At the end of first month, the same parameters were examined in another 24‐hour urinalysis. Hyperoxaluria, hypernatruria, and hypercalciuria were found in 84 (77%), 43 (39.8%), and 38 (35.5%) of the patients, respectively. The differences between the oxalate, sodium, volume, uric acid, and citrate parameters before and after the dietary intervention were significant (p < 0.05). The calcium parameters were not significantly different before and after the intervention. We found that oxalate, sodium, volume, uric acid, and citrate—but not calcium—abnormalities in patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones can be corrected by diet. The metabolic profiles of idiopathic calcium oxalate stone patients should be evaluated and the appropriate dietary interventions should be implemented to decrease stone recurrence.
The evolution of rural policy: The Antipodean experience
Authors: Cockfield Geoff , Botterill Linda Courtenay
Published: October 2012

In common with other countries in the developed world, Australia and New Zealand developed an array of institutions and programs from the 1950s to the 1970s to support their agricultural sectors. From the mid-1980s they dismantled these, very rapidly in the case of New Zealand, to leave farmers and rural regions largely to market forces. This article explores the transition in Australia and New Zealand from agricultural policy based on ‘protected development’ to broader rural policy which includes consideration of regional development and environmentalism. We argue that the ideas and values of market liberalism are more apparent in rural policy in Australia and New Zealand than in the EU and US and we propose reasons for that, including differences in economic context, cultural ideas and political institutions.
The performance of venture capital investments: Do investors overreact?
Authors: Achleitner Ann‐Kristin , Engel Nico , Reiner Uwe
Published: October 2012

Using a unique proprietary data set of over 5400 realized and unrealized venture capital investments between 1980 and 2005, we examine the impact of demand‐related factors, e.g. entrepreneurial activity, as well as supply‐related factors, i.e. money provided by VC investors, on the return of individual VC investments. This way, we are able to shed more light on the question whether volatile VC investment returns are rather driven by fundamental changes with regard to the number of attractive investment opportunities or by the overreaction by investors. We find that rising demand for VC, i.e. an increase in entrepreneurial activity, results initially in higher returns. However, our results also indicate that overreaction on the supply side can be observed, destroying deal‐level results. Overfunding, specifically overinvesting seems to be a recurring characteristic of the VC industry. In fact, contra‐cyclical investment strategies yield highest deal‐level returns.
The performance of single- and multi-proxy transfer functions (testate amoebae, bryophytes, vascular plants) for reconstructing mire surface wetness and pH
Authors: Mitchell Edward A.D. , Payne Richard J. , van der Knaap Willem O. , Lamentowicz Łukasz , Gąbka Maciej , Lamentowicz Mariusz
Published: October 2012

Peatlands are widely exploited archives of paleoenvironmental change. We developed and compared multiple transfer functions to infer peatland depth to the water table (DWT) and pH based on testate amoeba (percentages, or presence/absence), bryophyte presence/absence, and vascular plant presence/absence data from sub-alpine peatlands in the SE Swiss Alps in order to 1) compare the performance of single-proxy vs. multi-proxy models and 2) assess the performance of presence/absence models. Bootstrapping cross-validation showing the best performing single-proxy transfer functions for both DWT and pH were those based on bryophytes. The best performing transfer functions overall for DWT were those based on combined testate amoebae percentages, bryophytes and vascular plants; and for pH, those based on testate amoebae and bryophytes. The comparison of DWT and pH inferred from testate amoeba percentages and presence/absence data showed similar general patterns but differences in the magnitude and timing of some shifts. These results show new directions for paleoenvironmental research, 1) suggesting that it is possible to build good-performing transfer functions using presence/absence data, although with some loss of accuracy, and 2) supporting the idea that multi-proxy inference models may improve paleoecological reconstruction. The performance of multi-proxy and single-proxy transfer functions should be further compared in paleoecological data.
A new species of Heteronybelinia (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) from Sympterygia bonapartii (Rajidae), Nemadactylus bergi (Cheilodactylidae) and Raneya brasiliensis (Ophidiidae) in the south-western Atlantic, with comments on host specificity of the genus
Authors: Menoret A. , Ivanov V.A.
Published: October 2012

Adults and plerocercoids of a new species of Heteronybelinia (Trypanorhyncha, Tentaculariidae) were recovered from the skate Sympterygia bonapartii (Rajiformes: Rajidae) and two species of teleosts, Raneya brasiliensis (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) and Nemadactylus bergi (Perciformes: Cheilodactylidae), respectively. Heteronybelinia mattisi n. sp. differs from its congeners in its possession of a tentacular armature consisting of hooks with slight differences in size and shape on opposite surfaces of the tentacle (uncinate with rounded bases on the bothrial surface and uncinate with elongate bases on the antibothrial surface), without a characteristic basal armature, hooks increasing in size toward the tip of the tentacles, and pars bothrialis slightly overlapping with bulbs. The description of Heteronybelinia is emended regarding the distribution of testes to include species without postovarian testes (H. palliata and H. mattisi), and without testes anterior to cirrus sac on the poral side (H. robusta and H. mattisi). Host data are summarized for all 15 valid species of Heteronybelinia. Host specificity of adults and plerocercoids of Heteronybelinia is variable among species, the adults being more host specific than the plerocercoids. With the exception of H. mattisi, the definitive hosts of all species of Heteronybelinia for which adults are known include carcharhiniform sharks. Heteronybelinia mattisi seems to have oioxenous specificity for its definitive batoid host, S. bonapartii, and to be more specific for the intermediate hosts than most of its congeners.
Can individual budgets have an impact on carers and the caring role?
Authors: JONES K. , NETTEN A. , RABIEE P. , GLENDINNING C. , ARKSEY H. , MORAN N.
Published: October 2012

The introduction of cash-for-care schemes such as individual or personal budgets in England has been seen as central to the personalisation agenda for reforming the delivery of adult social care. However, despite there being 5.2 million carers in England and Wales, the initiative concentrates predominantly on the needs of the service user. The implementation of individual budgets (IBs) was piloted within 13 local authorities during 2005–2007 and the Department of Health commissioned an independent evaluation of this pilot (IBSEN). The focus was only on the service user in the evaluation and therefore a separate but linked study was set up to evaluate the impact and outcomes of IBs on carers. Carers of service users who had consented to take part in the main IBSEN study were identified and invited to participate in a follow-up study aimed at exploring how IBs impacted on carers and the caring role. The study found that the receipt of the budget was significantly associated with positive impacts on carers' reported quality of life and, when other factors were taken into account, with social care outcomes. These outcome gains were achieved despite no higher costs being incurred to the public purse, thus suggesting that IBs for service users are cost-effective for carers.
Astrobiological landscape: a platform for the neo-Copernican synthesis?
Authors: Ćirković Milan M. , Vukotić Branislav
Published: October 2012

We live in the epoch of explosive development of astrobiology, a novel interdisciplinary field dealing with the origin, evolution and the future of life. The relationship between cosmology and astrobiology is much deeper than it is usually assumed – besides a similarity in the historical model of development of these two disciplines, there is an increasing number of crossover problems and thematic areas which stem from considerations of Copernicanism and observation selection effects. Such a crossover area is both visualized and heuristically strengthened by introduction of the astrobiological landscape, describing complexity of life in the most general context. We argue that this abstract landscape-like structure in the space of astrobiological parameters is a concept capable of unifying different strands of thought and research, a working concept and not only a metaphor. By analogy with phase spaces of complex physical systems, we can understand the astrobiological landscape as a set of viable evolutionary histories of life in a particular region of space. It is a notion complementary to the classical concept of biological morphological space, underscoring the fact that modern astrobiology offers a prospect of both foundational support and vast extension of the domain of applicability of the Darwinian biological evolution. Such a perspective would strengthen foundations upon which various numerical models can be built; the lack of such quantitative models has often been cited as the chief weakness of the entire astrobiological enterprise.
Berufliche Interessensorientierungen und kognitive Leistungsprofile von Lehramtsstudierenden mit unterschiedlichen Fachkombinationen
Authors: Kaub Kathrin , Karbach Julia , Biermann Antje , Friedrich Anja , Bedersdorfer Hans-Werner , Spinath Frank M. , Brünken Roland
Published: October 2012

Im Hinblick auf professionelle Entwicklungsprozesse von Lehramtsstudierenden beschäftigen sich aktuelle Forschungsarbeiten mit der Analyse personaler Studieneingangsvoraussetzungen und ihrer prognostischen Validität für verschiedene Erfolgsmaße. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde an einer Stichprobe von 227 Lehramtsstudierenden geprüft, inwiefern sich in Abhängigkeit der gewählten Fachkombinationen unterschiedliche Profile berufsbezogener Interessensstrukturen und kognitiver Leistungsfähigkeit sowie erfolgsrelevanter Aspekte (Studienzufriedenheit und Leistung im bildungswissenschaftlichen Grundstudium) abzeichnen. Zusätzlich wurden die Zusammenhänge zwischen den allgemeinen Studieneingangsvoraussetzungen und den Zufriedenheits- und Leistungskriterien innerhalb der unterschiedlichen Fachgruppen betrachtet. Lehramtsstudierende mit naturwissenschaftlichen Fachkombinationen zeigen im Gruppenvergleich ein ungünstigeres Interessens- und Zufriedenheitsprofil bei gleichzeitig vorteilhafteren kognitiven Eingangsvoraussetzungen. Während die Erfolgsmaße fachübergreifend mit der kognitiven Leistungsfähigkeit assoziiert sind, erweisen sich fachabhängig unterschiedliche Interessensstrukturen als prädiktiv für Aspekte der Studienzufriedenheit und der akademischen Leistung.
Prozessbezogene Diagnostik von Lesefähigkeiten bei Grundschulkindern
Authors: Richter Tobias , Isberner Maj-Britt , Naumann Johannes , Kutzner Yvonne
Published: October 2012

Aus kognitionspsychologischer Perspektive beruhen Lesefähigkeiten auf der effizienten Bewältigung von Teilprozessen des Leseverstehens auf Wort-, Satz- und Textebene. In diesem Beitrag stellen wir mit ProDi-L ein neuartiges computergestütztes Diagnostikum vor, das durch die kombinierte Erfassung von Antwortrichtigkeit und Reaktionszeit als Indikatoren für die Zuverlässigkeit und Effizienz einzelner Teilprozesse eine differenzierte prozessbezogene Diagnostik des Leseverstehens bei Grundschulkindern ermöglichen soll. Mittels sechs Subtests sollen zusammenhängende, aber psychometrisch klar trennbare Teilfähigkeiten des Leseverstehens erfasst werden. In einer Querschnittsuntersuchung an 536 Kindern der Klassenstufen 1–4 konnten dieser Annahme entsprechend Belege für die faktorielle Validität von ProDi-L erbracht werden. Die Zusammenhänge der Testwerte von ProDi-L mit kriterialen Lesefähigkeitsmaßen (gemessen mit ELFE 1–6), Lehrerurteilen und sprachfreien Intelligenzmaßen (diskriminante Validität) sprechen außerdem für die Konstrukt- und Kriteriumsvalidität des Instruments.
Förderung des selbstregulierten Lernens durch die Lehrkräftefortbildung «Lernen mit Plan»: Effekte auf fokale Trainingsinhalte und die allgemeine Unterrichtsqualität
Authors: Werth Sarah , Wagner Wolfgang , Ogrin Sabine , Trautwein Ulrich , Friedrich Alena , Keller Sylvana , Ihringer Alice , Schmitz Bernhard
Published: October 2012

Lehrkräftefortbildungen gelten als nachhaltige Maßnahme der Selbstregulationsförderung bei Schülerinnen und Schülern. Noch immer besteht jedoch Forschungsbedarf zur Implementation der Selbstregulationsförderung im Unterricht und deren Auswirkung auf die allgemeine Unterrichtsqualität. Die viertägige Fortbildung «Lernen mit Plan» vermittelt Haupt- und Werkrealschullehrkräften Strategien zur Selbstregulationsförderung im Mathematikunterricht. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird untersucht, inwieweit «Lernen mit Plan» die fokal trainierte Förderung der Selbstregulation (selbstregulationsspezifische Unterrichtsqualität) sowie die allgemeine Unterrichtsqualität beeinflusst. Insgesamt 75 Lehrkräfte wurden randomisiert einer Experimentalgruppe (47 Lehrkräfte) sowie einer Wartekontrollgruppe (28 Lehrkräfte) zugewiesen. Die selbstregulationsspezifische sowie allgemeine Unterrichtsqualität wurden in einem prä-, post- und follow-up-Design über Lehrer- und Schülerfragebögen erhoben. «Lernen mit Plan» ging aus Lehrer- und Schülerperspektive mit einer verstärkten Selbstregulationsförderung und aus Schülerperspektive zusätzlich mit positiven Effekten auf die allgemeine Unterrichtsqualität einher.
Beiträge der Pädagogischen Psychologie zur Professionalisierung von Lehrerinnen und Lehrern: Diskussion zum Themenschwerpunkt
Authors: Spinath Birgit
Published: October 2012

In dieser Diskussion möchte ich exemplarisch auf der Grundlage des Editorials und der fünf empirischen Beiträge herausarbeiten, wie die Pädagogische Psychologie an die Aufgabe der Lehrerprofessionalisierung herangeht und welche Erkenntnisse dabei gewonnenen werden können. Dies geschieht entlang von drei Leitfragen: Welches Verständnis von Professionalisierung wird zugrunde gelegt? Welche Bedeutung kommen Persönlichkeit und Kompetenzen als Voraussetzungen für gute Lehrende zu? Welche Rollen spielen Auswahl und Qualifizierung bei der Kompetenzentwicklung? Aus der Betrachtung ergeben sich auch weiterführende Desiderate für zukünftige Forschung bzw. praktische Konsequenzen für die Lehrerbildung.
Dissolved organic matter composition of winter flow in the Yukon River basin: Implications of permafrost thaw and increased groundwater discharge
Authors: O'Donnell Jonathan A. , Aiken George R. , Walvoord Michelle A. , Butler Kenna D.
Published: October 2012

Groundwater discharge to rivers has increased in recent decades across the circumpolar region and has been attributed to thawing permafrost in arctic and subarctic watersheds. Permafrost‐driven changes in groundwater discharge will alter the flux of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in rivers, yet little is known about the chemical composition and reactivity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) of groundwater in permafrost settings. Here, we characterize DOM composition of winter flow in 60 rivers and streams of the Yukon River basin to evaluate the biogeochemical consequences of enhanced groundwater discharge associated with permafrost thaw. DOC concentration of winter flow averaged 3.9 ± 0.5 mg C L−1, yet was highly variable across basins (ranging from <1 to >20 mg C L−1). In comparison to the summer‐autumn period, DOM composition of winter flow had lower aromaticity (as indicated by specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm, or SUVA254), lower hydrophobic acid content, and a higher proportion of hydrophilic compounds (HPI). Fluorescence spectroscopy and parallel factor analysis indicated enrichment of protein‐like fluorophores in some, but not all, winter flow samples. The ratio of DOC to dissolved organic nitrogen, an indicator of DOM biodegradability, was positively correlated with SUVA254and negatively correlated with the percentage of protein‐like compounds. Using a simple two‐pool mixing model, we evaluate possible changes in DOM during the summer‐autumn period across a range of conditions reflecting possible increases in groundwater discharge. Across three watersheds, we consistently observed decreases in DOC concentration and SUVA254 and increases in HPI with increasing groundwater discharge. Spatial patterns in DOM composition of winter flow appear to reflect differences in the relative contributions of groundwater from suprapermafrost and subpermafrost aquifers across watersheds. Our findings call for more explicit consideration of DOC loss and stabilization pathways associated with changing subsurface hydrology in watersheds underlain by thawing permafrost.
Volcano deformation at active plate boundaries: Deep magma accumulation at Hekla volcano and plate boundary deformation in south Iceland
Authors: Geirsson Halldór , LaFemina Peter , Árnadóttir Thóra , Sturkell Erik , Sigmundsson Freysteinn , Travis Matthew , Schmidt Peter , Lund Bjorn , Hreinsdóttir Sigrún , Bennett Rick
Published: October 2012

Most magmatic systems on Earth are located at actively deforming plate boundaries. In these systems, the magmatic and plate boundary deformation signals are intertwined and must be deconvolved to properly estimate magma flux and source characteristics of the magma plumbing system. We investigate the inter‐rifting and inter‐seismic deformation signals at the Eastern Volcanic Zone (EVZ) – South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ) ridge ‐ transform intersection and estimate the location, depth, and volume rate for magmatic sources at Hekla and Torfajökull volcanoes, which are located at the intersection. We solve simultaneously for the source parameters of the tectonic and volcanic deformation signals using a new ten‐year velocity field derived from a dense network of episodic and continuous GPS stations in south Iceland. We find the intersection of the axes of the EVZ and the SISZ is located within the Torfajökull caldera, which itself is subsiding. Deformation at Hekla is statistically best described in terms of a horizontal ellipsoidal magma chamber at 24−2+4 km depth aligned with the volcanic system and increasing in volume by 0.017−0.002+0.007 km3 per year. A spherical magma chamber centered at 24−2+5 km depth with a volume rate of 0.019−0.002+0.011 km3per year, or a vertical pipe‐shaped magma chamber between 10−1+3 km and 21−4+7 km with a volume rate of 0.008−0.001+0.003 km3 per year are also plausible models explaining the deformation at Hekla. All three models indicate magma accumulation in the lower crust or near the Moho under Hekla.
Selecting a first‐guess sea surface temperature field as input to forward radiative transfer models
Authors: Saha Korak , Ignatov Alexander , Liang Xing Ming , Dash Prasanjit
Published: October 2012

Advanced Clear‐Sky Processor for Oceans (ACSPO), developed at National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, reports observed top‐of‐atmosphere clear‐sky brightness temperatures (BT) in AVHRR channels 3B (3.7), 4 (11), and 5 (12μm) along with the sea surface temperatures (SST) retrieved from these BTs as a level 2 (L2) product. Additionally, ACSPO provides the corresponding BTs simulated with Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM), using Reynolds daily Level 4 (L4) optimum interpolation SST (OISST) and NCEP‐GFS profiles as inputs. Accuracy of simulated BTs is critical for ACSPO functionalities, including detecting clouds, retrieving physical SSTs, monitoring sensor performance, and validating CRTM. This paper tests 11 gap‐free gridded L4 SSTs for their potential use as first‐guess fields in ACSPO to improve accuracy of simulated BTs. As a first step toward the objective, this study checks for consistency between various L4 products and ACSPO L2 SSTs. This SST consistency was shown earlier to be representative of, and equivalent to, the consistency between measured and simulated BTs, thus avoiding expensive CRTM calculations. The metrics employed in L4 comparisons include the global spatial L4‐L2 SST biases and variances and their temporal stability. Also, the effect of L4 fields on the corresponding satellite‐to‐satellite consistency (calculated as L2‐L2 double differences) is examined. Several L4 products, including the GHRSST Multi‐Product Ensemble and Canadian Meteorological Centre analysis (CMC‐0.2°), show better consistency with ACSPO L2 SST and will be explored in the future versions of ACSPO.
Secondary organic aerosol formation from fossil fuel sources contribute majority of summertime organic mass at Bakersfield
Authors: Liu Shang , Ahlm Lars , Day Douglas A. , Russell Lynn M. , Zhao Yunliang , Gentner Drew R. , Weber Robin J. , Goldstein Allen H. , Jaoui Mohammed , Offenberg John H. , Kleindienst Tadeusz E. , Rubitschun Caitlin , Surratt Jason D. , Sheesley Rebecca J. , Scheller Scott
Published: October 2012

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA), known to form in the atmosphere from oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by anthropogenic and biogenic sources, are a poorly understood but substantial component of atmospheric particles. In this study, we examined the chemical and physical properties of SOA at Bakersfield, California, a site influenced by anthropogenic and terrestrial biogenic emissions. Factor analysis was applied to the infrared and mass spectra of fine particles to identify sources and atmospheric processing that contributed to the organic mass (OM). We found that OM accounted for 56% of submicron particle mass, with SOA components contributing 80% to 90% of OM from 15 May to 29 June 2010. SOA formed from alkane and aromatic compounds, the two major classes of vehicle‐emitted hydrocarbons, accounted for 65% OM (72% SOA). The alkane and aromatic SOA components were associated with 200 nm to 500 nm accumulation mode particles, likely from condensation of daytime photochemical products of VOCs. In contrast, biogenic SOA likely formed from condensation of secondary organic vapors, produced from NO3radical oxidation reactions during nighttime hours, on 400 nm to 700 nm sized primary particles, and accounted for less than 10% OM. Local petroleum operation emissions contributed 13% to the OM, and the moderate O/C (0.2) of this factor suggested it was largely of secondary origin. Approximately 10% of organic aerosols in submicron particles were identified as either vegetative detritus (10%) or cooking activities (7%), from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic and aerosol mass spectrometry measurements, respectively. While the mass spectra of several linearly independent SOA components were nearly identical and external source markers were needed to separate them, each component had distinct infrared spectrum, likely associated with the source‐specific VOCs from which they formed.
Long‐term ozone trends at rural ozone monitoring sites across the United States, 1990–2010
Authors: Cooper Owen R. , Gao Ru‐Shan , Tarasick David , Leblanc Thierry , Sweeney Colm
Published: October 2012

This analysis provides an up‐to‐date assessment of long‐term (1990–2010) rural ozone trends using all available data in the western (12 sites) and eastern (41 sites) USA. Rather than focus solely on average ozone values or air quality standard violations, we consider the full range of ozone values, reporting trends for the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles. Domestic ozone precursor emissions decreased strongly during 1990–2010. Accordingly 83%, 66% and 20% of summertime eastern U.S. sites experienced statistically significant ozone decreases in the 95th, 50th and 5th percentiles, respectively. During spring 43% of the eastern sites have statistically significant ozone decreases for the 95th percentile with no sites showing a significant increase. At the 50th percentile there is little overall change in the eastern U.S. In contrast, only 17% (2 sites) and 8% (1 site) of summertime western U.S. sites have statistically significant ozone decreases in the 95th and 50th percentiles, respectively. During spring no western site has a significant decrease, while 50% have a significant median increase. This dichotomy in U.S. ozone trends is discussed in terms of changing anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions. Consideration is given to the concept that increasing baseline ozone flowing into the western U.S. is counteracting ozone reductions due to domestic emission reductions. An update to the springtime free tropospheric ozone trend above western North America shows that ozone has increased significantly from 1995 to 2011 at the rate of 0.41 ± 0.27 ppbv yr−1. Finally, the ozone changes are examined in relation to regional temperature trends.