bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Diagenesis on Clay Mineralogy and Organic Matter in the Tunisian Southern Subsurface
Authors: Mefteh Samir , Medhioub Mounir , Essefi Elhoucine , Jamoussi Fakher
Published: February 2014

This study aims to follow the effect of the diagenetic transformations on the clayey fraction and the organic matter of the Tunisian southern sub-surface. 61 samples from oil well named NWA-1 were recuperated for series of analyses. This study follows a comparative approach between the mineralogical, geochemical and petrographic studies. To discuss results from a statistical viewpoint, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied in order to find out any correlation between different components. The associated minerals quartz, feldspar, calcite, pyrite, anhydrite, gypsum, dolomite and olivine are also detected. These associated minerals remove by-products by the illitization reaction. The Index of Crystallinity (IC) of illite shows that, except some anomalies, the studied samples are between the epizone and the anchizone. Downward, samples show the effect of diagenetic processes and weak signs of low-grade metamorphism. As regards to the organic matter, values of Tmax range between 333°C and 463°C. On the other hand, potential hydrocarbon compounds (S2) show low values compared to those of (S1); but they maintain a similar variability from 0.63 to 21.12. SEM observations and X-ray microanalyses supported the formation of authigenic micro-quartz. The PCA of clay minerals, chemical components, and the depth shows three different populations. Feldspar, chlorite and quartz make up a population positively correlated with the depth. The second population seems to be indifferent to depth variation; it is made up of two sub-populations: the population of illite, gypsum and anhydrite, which is obtained by a counter clock rotation of depth population; and the population of pyrite, kaolinite, olivine phyllosilicate, which is obtained by an anti-clockwise rotation of depth population. Third, the population of smectite, calcite and dolomite is inversely proportional to the depth variation. On the other hand, the PCA of TOC, Tmax, HI, S1, S2 and the depth make up a homogenous statistical population following the depth evolution.
3D Geological Modeling of Punjab Platform, Middle Indus Basin Pakistan through Integration of Wireline Logs and Seismic Data
Authors: Aadil Naseem , Sohail Ghulam Mohyuddin
Published: February 2014

3D Geological control in an area is a key to success for exploration of hydrocarbon. Any discrepancy in geological control leads towards dry wells and ultimately high economic loss. The aim of this study is to build a 3D sub-surface geologic model of Punjab platform, Pakistan by integrating mud logs, wire line logs and seismic data for interpreting the structural trends of pre-tertiary geological formations. For this purpose, wire line and mud logs of eighteen wells and about 1500LKm 2D seismic data of Punjab platform was collected from Directorate General of Petroleum Concession (DGPC) Islamabad, Pakistan. A well correlation profile is developed using Petrel and CorelDraw software to assess the distribution of subsurface geological sequences.

Synthetic seismograms were developed and then correlated with seismic stacks to pick the horizons of different formations. Time Contour, velocity contour, depth contour and isopach maps are constructed. These maps were then loaded in Structural Modeling window of Petrel software for final construction of 3D geological model. The proposed model indicates that there is a sub-surface monoclinal trend dipping towards a western side of the study area. Further, an anticline at Cambrian level near Fortabbas-Bijnot area is extending to the East in the neighbouring India. In addition, horst and graben structures are also identified at Cambrian level by seismic data. The proposed model is confirmed by results of earlier data, and it is, therefore, recommended that 3D seismic data should further be acquired to explore the structural and stratigraphic traps of Punjab platform, Pakistan.
Back to the bedside: the role of bedside teaching in the modern era
Authors: Qureshi Zeshan
Published: February 2014

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Analysis of the spatial and transmural dispersion of repolarization and late potentials derived using signal‐averaged vector‐projected 187‐channel high‐resolution electrocardiogram in patients with early repolarization pattern
Authors: Ohkubo Kimie , Watanabe Ichiro , Okumura Yasuo , Sonoda Kazumasa , Sasaki Naoko , Kogawa Rikitake , Takahashi Keiko , Nakai Toshiko , Kunimoto Satoshi , Kasamaki Yuji , Hirayama Atsushi
Published: February 2014

Background

Electrophysiological characteristics of early repolarization syndrome (ERS), i.e., the spatial and transmural dispersion of ventricular repolarization and ventricular late potentials can be evaluated using a signal‐averaged vector‐projected 187‐channel high‐resolution electrocardiogram (187‐ch SAVP‐ECG). We investigated these characteristics as markers of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest in patients presenting with an ER pattern.

Methods

The 187‐ch SAVP‐ECGs were recorded for 8 patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation associated with ERS (ERS patients), and 5 patients with an ER pattern without arrhythmic events (ER pattern patients).

Results

The ER pattern was located in the inferior leads (n=7), lateral leads (n=1), or both inferior and lateral leads (n=5). The corrected RT(RTc) (peak point of the R wave − positive maximum peak of the first derivative of the T wave interval corrected using the Bazett formula) interval and T(peak‐end)‐c interval from the 187 channels were calculated. Late potentials were positive in 7 of 8 ERS patients and in 3 of 5ER pattern patients (P=0.25). The average RTc was shorter in patients with ERS (192.6±29.8 ms vs. 234.0±25.5 ms, P=0.04). However, average T(peak‐end)‐c interval did not differ between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

Late ventricular potentials were common in ERS and ER pattern patients. Lethal arrhythmia in ERS patients appeared to be related to the relatively short average repolarization time rather than the spatial and transmural dispersion of repolarization.
UNASSERTABILITY AND THE APPEARANCE OF IGNORANCE
Authors: Pynn Geoff
Published: February 2014

Whether it seems that you know something depends in part upon practical factors. When the stakes are low, it can seem to you that you know that p, but when the stakes go up it'll seem to you that you don't. The apparent sensitivity of knowledge to stakes presents a serious challenge to epistemologists who endorse a stable semantics for knowledge attributions and reject the idea that whether you know something depends on how much is at stake. After arguing that previous attempts to meet this challenge fall short, I offer a new solution: theunassertability account. The account starts with the observation that high stakes subjects aren't in an epistemic position to assert. We generally presuppose that knowing is sufficient for epistemically proper assertion, but this presupposition only stands up to scrutiny if we draw a distinction between two notions of epistemic propriety, and we shouldn't expect ordinary speakers to draw it. A subject in a high stakes situation who fails to draw the distinction will be led by the sufficiency claim to treat anything she isn't in a position to assert as something she isn't in a position to know. The sensitivity of epistemically proper assertion to practical factors explains the merely apparent sensitivity of knowledge to stakes.
Rapid growth of a large-scale (600 mm aperture) KDP crystal and its optical quality
Authors: Li Guohui , Zheng Guozong , Qi Yingkun , Yin Peixiu , Tang En , Li Fei , Xu Jing , Lei Taiming , Lin Xiuqin , Zhang Min , Lu Junye , Ma Jinbo , He Youping , Yao Yuangen
Published: February 2014

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) single crystals are the only nonlinear crystals currently used for electro-optic switches and frequency converters in inertial confinement fusion research, due to their large dimension and exclusive physical properties. Based on the traditional solution-growth process, large bulk KDP crystals, usually with sizes up to 600 $\times $ 600 mm$^{{2}}$ so as to make a frequency doubler for the facility requirement loading highly flux of power laser, can be grown in standard Holden-type crystallizers, without spontaneous nucleation and visible defects, one to two orders of magnitude faster than by conventional methods. Pure water and KDP raw material with a few ion impurities such as Fe, Cr, and Al (less than 0.1 ppm) were used. The rapid-growth method includes extreme conditions such as temperature range from 60 to 35$^{\circ }$C, overcooling up to 5$^{\circ }$C, growth rates exceeding 10 mm/day, and crystal size up to 600 mm. The optical parameters of KDP crystals were determined. The optical properties of crystals determined indicate that they are of favorable quality for application in the facility.
Equivariant K-theory of compact Lie groups with involution
Authors: Hu Po , Kriz Igor , Somberg Petr
Published: February 2014

For a compact simply connected simple Lie group G with an involution α, we compute the G ⋊ ℤ/2-equivariant K-theory of G where G acts by conjugation and ℤ/2 acts either by α or by g ↦ α(g)−1. We also give a representation-theoretic interpretation of those groups, as well as of KG(G).
Microstructural, compositional and petrophysical properties of mylonitic granodiorites from an extensional shear zone (Rhodope Core complex, Greece)
Authors: PUNTURO ROSALDA , CIRRINCIONE ROSOLINO , FAZIO EUGENIO , FIANNACCA PATRIZIA , KERN HARTMUT , MENGEL KURT , ORTOLANO GAETANO , PEZZINO ANTONINO
Published: February 2014

At the southern boundary of the Rhodope Massif, NE Greece, the Kavala Shear Zone (KSZ) represents an example of the Eastern Mediterranean deep-seated extensional tectonic setting. During Miocene time, extensional deformation favoured syntectonic emplacement and subsequent exhumation of plutonic bodies. This paper deals with the strain-related changes in macroscopic, geochemical and microstructural properties of the lithotypes collected along the KSZ, comprising granitoids from the pluton, aplitic dykes and host rock gneisses. Moreover, we investigated the evolution of seismic anisotropy on a suite of granitoid mylonites as a result of progressive strain. Isotropic compressional and shear wave velocities (Vp,Vs) and densities calculated from modal proportions and single-crystal elastic properties at given pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions are compared to respective experimental data including the directional dependence (anisotropy) of wave velocities. Compared to the calculated isotropic velocities, which are similar for all of the investigated mylonites (average values:Vp~ 5.87 km s−1,Vs~ 3.4 km s−1,Vp/Vs= 1.73 and density = 2.65 g cm−3), the seismic measurements give evidence for marked P-wave velocity anisotropy up to 6.92% (at 400 MPa) in the most deformed rock due to marked microstructural changes with progressive strain, as highlighted by the alignment of mica, chlorite minerals and quartz ribbons. The highest P- and S-wave velocities are parallel to the foliation plane and lowest normal to the foliation plane. Importantly,Vpremains constant within the foliation with progressive strain, but decreases normal to foliation. The potential of the observed seismic anisotropy of the KSZ mylonites with respect to detectable seismic reflections is briefly discussed.
Influence of different systems for feeding supplements to grazing dairy cows on milk fatty acid composition
Authors: Akbaridoust Ghazal , Plozza Tim , Trenerry Victor C , Wales William J , Auldist Martin J , Dunshea Frank R , Ajlouni Said
Published: February 2014

This study investigated the effects of different strategies for feeding supplements to grazing dairy cows on the proportions of fatty acids in milk. Two hundred and sixteen cows were fed supplementary grain and forage according to one of 3 different strategies; (1) Control: cows grazed perennial ryegrass pasture (14 kg dry matter/d) supplemented with milled barley grain fed in the milking parlour and pasture silage offered in the paddock; (2) Partial mixed ration 1 (PMR1): same pasture allotment and supplement as Control strategy, but the supplements presented as a mixed ration after each milking in feedpad, and; (3) Partial mixed ration 2 (PMR2): same pasture allotment, supplemented with a mixed ration of milled barley grain, alfalfa hay, corn silage and crushed corn grain fed in a feedpad. Within each strategy, cows were assigned to receive either 6, 8, 10 or 12 kg dry matter supplement/cow per d. Milk fatty acid proportions from cows fed Control and PMR1 strategies were similar and different from those fed PMR2, particularly at 10 to 12 kg dry matter supplement/cow per d. The reduction in milk fat yield and concentration in cows fed high amounts of supplement as Control and PMR1 was coincident with 4 × increase in 10t-18:1 proportion. The composition of the partial mixed ration (PMR) and the amount offered affected milk fatty acid proportions and milk fat content, however, the method of supplementation did not.
“You're in the Army Now:” The Impact of World War II on Women's Education, Work, and Family
Authors: Jaworski Taylor
Published: February 2014

World War II temporarily halted the rise in high school and college graduation rates. This article shows that manpower mobilization for World War II decreased educational attainment among high school-age females during the early 1940s, reduced employment and earnings, and altered decisions regarding family formation. I then provide evidence that women in this cohort returned to school in later life and relate these findings to the “quiet revolution” taking place as women learned about the benefits of school and work over the second half of the twentieth century.

“Education has been ever in the nation's service. But in these days of total war that service has a new significance. ‘You're in the Army now’ is no cliché–it is an expression of national necessity.”1
The Äiwoo verb phrase: Syntactic ergativity without pivots
Authors: NÆSS ÅSHILD
Published: February 2014

Formal models of syntax typically accord the structural position external to the verb's domain a privileged status in the overall syntactic makeup of a language, either by assuming that external arguments are always S or A, or by linking external argument position to syntactic pivothood. This paper demonstrates that the Oceanic language Äiwoo has an ergative verb phrase – i.e. A as the VP-internal argument and S/O as external arguments – but no corresponding S/O pivot. That is, the ergative structure of the verb phrase in Äiwoo does not entail any syntactically privileged status of the VP-external arguments; rather, it is simply a by-product of various diachronic developments. This situation shows that what has traditionally been perceived as fundamental differences in grammatical organisation – the difference between an accusative and an ergative pattern of VP structure – need not in fact be associated with any broader differences in syntactic or pragmatic structure. More importantly, it goes against the assumption that it is possible to assign universal functions to syntactic configurations. Instead, it can be seen as providing support for the view argued for by Evans & Levinson (2009: 444) that ‘most linguistic diversity is the product of historical cultural evolution operating on relatively independent traits’.
Estimating pumaPuma concolorpopulation size in a human-disturbed landscape in Brazil, using DNA mark–recapture data
Authors: Miotto Renata A. , Cervini Marcelo , Kajin Maja , Begotti Rodrigo A. , Galetti Pedro M.
Published: February 2014

The genetics and ecology of pumas are well documented in North America but there is a lack of studies in South America, especially in Brazil. By means of a noninvasive method, faecal DNA analysis, we estimated puma abundance in two protected areas embedded in a human-disturbed landscape in the north-east of São Paulo state, in south-east Brazil. In 8 months of mark–recapture faeces sampling, 15 individual pumas were identified using seven microsatellite loci. The estimated abundance of pumas with the Jolly–Seber open population model was 23.81 ± SE 6.22. This is the first estimate of the abundance of pumas in a human-dominated landscape in São Paulo state, the most populous, developed and industrialized state of Brazil. The absence of high-quality habitats in the north-east of the state, the absence of direct competitors and the high availability of prey in protected areas are probably contributing to the high number of pumas concentrated in a relatively small area (c. 260 km2). Our results will contribute to the long-term monitoring of this puma population and, combined with other ecological, behavioural and genetic data, will help guide conservation action to maintain a viable population of the puma in this region.
What motivates hunters to target exotic or endemic species on the island of São Tomé, Gulf of Guinea?
Authors: Carvalho Mariana , Palmeirim Jorge M. , Rego Francisco C. , Sole Nelson , Santana Aristides , Fa Julia E.
Published: February 2014

Hunting and invasive species are amongst the main causes of species extinctions on oceanic islands. On the island of São Tomé hunting of introduced mammals (monkeys, civets and pigs) and endemic bird species has contrasting effects in terms of conservation. Hunting of introduced mammals may benefit native fauna and flora but pressure on endemic birds poses a threat to some species. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 119 hunters to assess the relative importance of native and introduced prey species, gathering information on personal profiles, preference and practice, and hunters’ perceptions of trends in prey populations. Eleven species were hunted, including five invasive mammals and five endemic birds of high conservation importance. Based on species hunted, techniques used and final destination of the quarry we distinguished three groups of hunters, using cluster analyses: bird, monkey and feral-pig hunters. Bird hunters were all from urban areas but most pig hunters were rural. Monkey hunters were mostly rural workers but a small proportion were from urban areas. Bird and monkey hunters were primarily motivated by commercial gains but they also hunted for enjoyment and food. In general, hunting of mammals is an opportunistic activity that, if regulated, can be sustainable and contribute to mitigating the effects of invasive species on local fauna as well contributing to local livelihoods. Given the economic drivers involved in hunting of birds, intervention to reduce or eliminate this form of hunting will require enforcement of legislation and raising awareness of the issues involved.
Index type invariants for twisted signature complexes and homotopy invariance
Authors: BENAMEUR MOULAY TAHAR , MATHAI VARGHESE
Published: February 2014

For a closed, oriented, odd dimensional manifold X, we define the rho invariant ρ(X,${\cal E}$,H) for the twisted odd signature operator valued in a flat hermitian vector bundle ${\cal E}$, where H = ∑ ij+1H2j+1 is an odd-degree closed differential form on X and H2j+1 is a real-valued differential form of degree 2j+1. We show that ρ(X,${\cal E}$,H) is independent of the choice of metrics on X and ${\cal E}$ and of the representative H in the cohomology class [H]. We establish some basic functorial properties of the twisted rho invariant. We express the twisted eta invariant in terms of spectral flow and the usual eta invariant. In particular, we get a simple expression for it on closed oriented 3-dimensional manifolds with a degree three flux form. A core technique used is our analogue of the Atiyah–Patodi–Singer theorem, which we establish for the twisted signature operator on a compact, oriented manifold with boundary. The homotopy invariance of the rho invariant ρ(X,${\cal E}$,H) is more delicate to establish, and is settled under further hypotheses on the fundamental group of X.
The broad view of warfare ecology: response to Marler
Authors: HANSON THOR , MACHLIS GARY E.
Published: February 2014

A recent Comment article suggested replacing the established term warfare ecology with the name ‘military ecology’. This emerging and important sub-discipline requires an accurate, inclusive, and descriptive name. Maintaining the broad term warfare ecology reaches beyond the military to beyond to involve a much wider range of processes and stakeholders, including non-state parties and insurgencies, contractors, civilians, humanitarian and relief organizations, and reconstruction/restoration efforts. It has been adopted by practitioners from a similarly diverse range of disciplines, and used for important research that would not be included under a field limited to military studies.
The Political Development of Scientific Capacity in the United States
Authors: Kelly Andrew S.
Published: February 2014

When well directed, science is the greatest agency for the welfare of mankind. John Wesley Powell, the director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), delivered this message to Congress in 1884. The purpose of Powell's testimony to Congress was not to argue for the erection of an organizational framework for American science, but to defend the one that had been put in place decades earlier. At the time of Powell's testimony, the United States had already begun to assume the mantle of the greatest scientific nation on the planet. “I have studied the question closely,” declared W. H. Smyth, the president of the Royal Geographical Society of London, “and do not hesitate to pronounce the conviction that though the Americans were last in the field, they have, per saltum, leaped into the very front of the rank.” The organizational structure at the heart of America's rapid scientific rise was initially constructed by scientists serving in the nineteenth-century American bureaucracy—by men like John W. Powell. Often seen as a source of stateincapacity, in this instance, the federal bureaucracy was the most important force in American scientific development.
In Defence of ‘Generalism’ in International Legal Scholarship and Practice
Authors: RADI YANNICK
Published: February 2014

The Leiden Journal of International Law (‘LJIL’) has always endeavoured to promote diversity and interdisciplinary enquiries in the international law epistemic community. Interdisciplinarity and diversity, albeit necessary in the long-term to refresh and update the discipline, raise numerous questions and epistemic challenges in the short-term. On the initiative of Jean d'Aspremont and Larissa van den Herik, today continued under the present editorship, these challenges have been at the heart of past LJIL editorials.
The effect of distance on observed mortality, childhood pneumonia and vaccine efficacy in rural Gambia
Authors: ZAMAN S. M. A. , COX J. , ENWERE G. C. , BOTTOMLEY C. , GREENWOOD B. M. , CUTTS F. T.
Published: February 2014

We investigated whether straight-line distance from residential compounds to healthcare facilities influenced mortality, the incidence of pneumonia and vaccine efficacy against pneumonia in rural Gambia. Clinical surveillance for pneumonia was conducted on 6938 children living in the catchment areas of the two largest healthcare facilities. Deaths were monitored by three-monthly home visits. Children living >5 km from the two largest healthcare facilities had a 2·78 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·74–4·43] times higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to children living within 2 km of these facilities. The observed rate of clinical and radiological pneumonia was lower in children living >5 km from these facilities compared to those living within 2 km [rate ratios 0·65 (95% CI 0·57–0·73) and 0·74 (95% CI 0·55–0·98), respectively]. There was no association between distance and estimated pneumococcal vaccine efficacy. Geographical access to healthcare services is an important determinant of survival and pneumonia in children in rural Gambia.
The effects of using corpora on revision tasks in L2 writing with coded error feedback
Authors: Tono Yukio , Satake Yoshiho , Miura Aika
Published: February 2014

This study reports on the results of classroom research investigating the effects of corpus use in the process of revising compositions in English as a foreign language. Our primary aim was to investigate the relationship between the information extracted from corpus data and how that information actually helped in revising different types of errors in the essays. In ‘data-driven learning’, previous research has often failed to provide rigorous criteria for choosing the words or phrases suitable for correction with corpus data. By investigating the above relationship, this study aims to clarify what should be corrected by looking at corpus data. 93 undergraduate students from two universities in Tokyo wrote a short essay in 20 minutes without a dictionary, and the instructors gave coded error feedback for two lexical or grammatical errors. They deliberately selected one error which should be appropriate for checking against corpus data and one that was more likely to be corrected without using any reference resource. Three weeks later, a short hands-on instruction of the corpus query tool was given, followed by revision activities in which the participants were instructed to revise their first drafts, with or without the tool depending on the codes given to each error. 188 errors were automatically classified into three different categories (omission, addition and misformation) using natural language processing techniques. All words and phrases tagged for errors were further annotated for part-of-speech (POS) information. The results show that there was a significant difference in the accuracy rate among the three error types when the students consulted the corpus: omission and addition errors were easily identified and corrected, whereas misformation errors were low in correction accuracy. This reveals that certain errors are more suitable for checking against corpus data than others.
Faecal incontinence in older people: evaluation, treatment and new surgical techniques
Authors: Cerdán-Santacruz C , Vigara-García M , Ortega-López M , Cerdán-Miguel J
Published: February 2014

Faecal incontinence is a disabling condition, with a high personal, social and economic cost. Whilst it may occur at any age, prevalence and severity of symptoms is higher among older people. There are many therapeutic options, ranging from non-invasive treatments to complex surgical techniques, with results that can be considered satisfactory in about 70% of individuals. A comprehensive study of the type of incontinence and its presentation and severity, together with consideration of the general condition of the patient and their environment, are the keys that will decide the best treatment option.
Shift beyond shift: On the erosion of the collective memory of Picard among adolescents in Lille
Authors: POOLEY TIM
Published: February 2014

This study seeks to assess the competence in, and current perceptions of, the traditional regional ancestral variety, Picard, among school students in Lille. In the first part, dialect retention is evaluated by a series of language tests, administered in two rounds of fieldwork, the first carried out between 1995–1999 covering the whole of Lille-Métropole and the second undertaken in 2004–2005 focusing on the urban heartlands. The results show that competence in Picard, as measured by the tests, is highest among European or Metropolitan French subjects in the north-eastern part of the urban area (Roubaix-Tourcoing) despite significantly greater ethnic diversity among the school populations.

In the second part of the study, the subjects’ perceptions of a range of Picard and Regional French varieties, as represented by a series of sample recordings, covering most of the picardophone areas are evaluated against a linguistic analysis of ‘picardité’ as measured by the density of Picard features in the extracts concerned. The results show a lack of correspondence between the two evaluations. Subjects’ perceptions are further clarified by their metalinguistic comments regarding the value of Picard and its place in their linguistic repertoire. As this variety is rarely if ever used in peer-to-peer exchanges, relative competence does not correlate with indicators of socialisation that proved significant with regard to other aspects of the students’ linguistic repertoire and was also found to correlate negatively with measures of regional loyalty and cultural value.

The ‘real-time’ aspect of the study appears to point to some degree of ongoing erosion of awareness and confidence in recognition of the varieties concerned among the population investigated, despite some important cultural events which might have been expected to counter this trend.
Black WoodpeckerDryocopus martiushabitat selection in the Italian Alps: implications for conservation in Natura 2000 network
Authors: PIROVANO ANDREA R. , ZECCA GIOVANNI
Published: February 2014

The Black WoodpeckerDryocopus martiusis the largest woodpecker of the Palearctic Region and it has been recognised as a keystone species whose presence provides critical resources to secondary cavity-users in European forest ecosystems. Here we investigate cavity tree and foraging-habitat selection of Black Woodpecker in three natural parks located in the central and eastern Italian Alps and included in the Natura 2000 network. A total of 94 cavity trees were identified, showing a minimum diameter of 35 cm and a mean diameter of 51 cm. We counted 30 active nests, but only 40% were newly excavated. Silver firAbies albaand larchLarix deciduawere preferred as cavity trees, with silver fir also associated with habitat surrounding the cavity trees. Norway sprucePicea abiesand Silver fir were found to be positively associated with the surroundings of feeding sites. Logistic regression models identified the average diameter at breast height and the average tree crown height as significant predictors, positively associated with both cavity trees (AUC: 0.988) and cavity tree plots (AUC: 0.866). Also, the total volume of dead logs and the percentage of understorey cover turned out to be significant predictors of feeding sites, showing a positive and a negative association, respectively (AUC: 0.708). Cross validation of logistic regression models indicated that only cavity tree models can be considered useful tools in conservation practice. Overall, our results indicated that the Black Woodpecker behaves like an opportunist when choosing feeding sites. On the other hand, our results also indicate that the Black Woodpecker clearly behaves as a demanding species when it selects cavity trees, showing a hierarchical pattern in habitat selection and a marked preference for large trees with high crown height. We discuss the implications of our results for the conservation of the Black Woodpecker in Natura 2000 alpine sites.
Defining the key wintering habitats in the Sahel for declining African-Eurasian migrants using expert assessment
Authors: ATKINSON PHILIP W. , ADAMS WILLIAM M. , BROUWER JOOST , BUCHANAN GRAEME , CHEKE ROBERT A. , CRESSWELL WILL , HEWSON CHRIS M. , HULME MARK F. , MANVELL ADAM , SHEEHAN DANAË K. , SMALL ROBERT D. S. , SUTHERLAND WILLIAM J. , VICKERY JULIET A.
Published: February 2014

The Sahel in West Africa is a major wintering area for many western Palearctic migrants. The breeding populations of many of these have declined over the past 50 years. However, there have been few intensive field studies on migrant ecology in the Sahel and these were generally within a very restricted area. Consequently our knowledge of the distribution of species within this extensive area and the habitat associations of these species is limited. Understanding these habitat associations is essential for the effective conservation management of populations. We brought together a group of experts and consulted a wider group by email to assess the main Sahelian habitat types used by 68 African-Eurasian migrant bird species. Those species that showed strongest declines during 1970–1990 were associated with more open habitats than those newly declining during 1990–2000, when declining species were associated with habitats with more shrubs and trees. Populations of species that winter in the Sahel are generally stable or increasing now as rainfall has increased and is now near the long-term average for the Sahel. Those which use the Sahel only as a staging area are, in many cases, in rapid decline at present.
ADDITIONS TO THE MYCOTA OF THE SEYCHELLES
Authors: Watling R. , Seaward M. R. D.
Published: February 2014

Eleven species of fungi and one slime-mould are added to the previous list of fungi from Indian Ocean islands made by the authors in 2004. Two other species in the area are confirmed. Our knowledge of fungal distributions in these remote islands is extended and comments are made on some immature collections. This small collection does, however, indicate a palaeotropical element to the mycota with bias towards species found in Southeast Asia, although some have a worldwide distribution.
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE GENUS DIPLYCOSIA (ERICACEAE) IN SULAWESI, INDONESIA
Authors: Argent G.
Published: February 2014

New taxa and records of Diplycosia (Ericaceae) from recent expeditions to Sulawesi are described. Diplycosia balgooyi Argent, D. gallowayana Argent, D. glaucicaulis Argent, D. hendriana Argent and D. supyanii Argent are described as new species. Diplycosia minutiflora Sleumer var. glandulifera Argent is described as a new variety and the new combination D. capitata Sleumer var. crassiramea (Sleumer) Argent is made. A key to all the known species of Diplycosia from this island is provided, together with short descriptions of the previously described species.
HESPEROCODON, A NEW GENERIC NAME FOR WAHLENBERGIA HEDERACEA (CAMPANULACEAE): PHYLOGENY AND CAPSULE DEHISCENCE
Authors: Eddie W. M. M. , Cupido C. N.
Published: February 2014

The European species Wahlenbergia hederacea (L.) Rchb. (Campanulaceae) is molecularly distant from the remainder of the wahlenbergioids, and its inclusion with them renders the tribe Wahlenbergieae Endl. (1838) non-monophyletic. Additional support for this conclusion may be derived from its gross morphological characteristics, which are essentially campanuloid. However, although not strictly identical to that of Wahlenbergia Schrad. ex Roth, the capsule dehiscence mechanism of W. hederacea is still fundamentally wahlenbergioid and differs from the majority of campanuloids. Several genera such as Feeria and Jasione, which are intermediate between typical wahlenbergioids and typical campanuloids, have similar capsule characteristics, and it is postulated that Wahlenbergia hederacea, together with these ‘transitional’ genera, are all relatively ancient components of a campanulaceous palaeoflora of the early Tertiary of Eurasia. The wahlenbergioid type of dehiscence is considered to be a plesiomorphic character whereas the diverse campanuloid types of dehiscence mechanisms are derived under conditions of intense selection. It is suggested that Wahlenbergia hederacea is probably most closely related to, and ancestral to, the rapunculoid lineages of Campanula s.l. that subsequently evolved over much of Eurasia and North America. Consequently, Wahlenbergia hederacea should be classified in the Campanuloideae and the new generic name Hesperocodon Eddie & Cupido gen. nov. is proposed.
Selection of correction candidates for the normalization of Spanish user-generated content
Authors: MELERO M. , COSTA-JUSSÀ M.R. , LAMBERT P. , QUIXAL M.
Published: February 2014

We present research aiming to build tools for the normalization of User-Generated Content (UGC). We argue that processing this type of text requires the revisiting of the initial steps of Natural Language Processing, since UGC (micro-blog, blog, and, generally, Web 2.0 user-generated texts) presents a number of nonstandard communicative and linguistic characteristics – often closer to oral and colloquial language than to edited text. We present a corpus of UGC text in Spanish from three different sources: Twitter, consumer reviews, and blogs, and describe its main characteristics. We motivate the need for UGC text normalization by analyzing the problems found when processing this type of text through a conventional language processing pipeline, particularly in the tasks of lemmatization and morphosyntactic tagging. Our aim with this paper is to seize the power of already existing spell and grammar correction engines and endow them with automatic normalization capabilities in order to pave the way for the application of standard Natural Language Processing tools to typical UGC text. Particularly, we propose a strategy for automatically normalizing UGC by adding a module on top of a pre-existing spell-checker that selects the most plausible correction from an unranked list of candidates provided by the spell-checker. To build this selector module we train four language models, each one containing a different type of linguistic information in a trade-off with its generalization capabilities. Our experiments show that the models trained on truecase and lowercase word forms are more discriminative than the others at selecting the best candidate. We have also experimented with a parametrized combination of the models by both optimizing directly on the selection task and doing a linear interpolation of the models. The resulting parametrized combinations obtain results close to the best performing model but do not improve on those results, as measured on the test set. The precision of the selector module in ranking number one the expected correction proposal on the test corpora reaches 82.5% for Twitter text (baseline 57%) and 88% for non-Twitter text (baseline 64%).
MaltOptimizer: Fast and effective parser optimization
Authors: BALLESTEROS MIGUEL , NIVRE JOAKIM
Published: February 2014

Statistical parsers often require careful parameter tuning and feature selection. This is a nontrivial task for application developers who are not interested in parsing for its own sake, and it can be time-consuming even for experienced researchers. In this paper we present MaltOptimizer, a tool developed to automatically explore parameters and features for MaltParser, a transition-based dependency parsing system that can be used to train parser's given treebank data. MaltParser provides a wide range of parameters for optimization, including nine different parsing algorithms, an expressive feature specification language that can be used to define arbitrarily rich feature models, and two machine learning libraries, each with their own parameters. MaltOptimizer is an interactive system that performs parser optimization in three stages. First, it performs an analysis of the training set in order to select a suitable starting point for optimization. Second, it selects the best parsing algorithm and tunes the parameters of this algorithm. Finally, it performs feature selection and tunes machine learning parameters. Experiments on a wide range of data sets show that MaltOptimizer quickly produces models that consistently outperform default settings and often approach the accuracy achieved through careful manual optimization.
Simple and Complex Rule Induction Performance in Young and Older Adults: Contribution of Episodic Memory and Working Memory
Authors: Oosterman Joukje M. , Boeschoten Merle S. , Eling Paul A.T. , Kessels Roy P.C. , Maes Joseph H.R.
Published: February 2014

This study tested the hypothesis that part of the age-related decline in performance on executive function tasks is due to a decline in episodic memory. For this, we developed a rule induction task in which we manipulated the involvement of episodic memory and executive control processes; age effects and neuropsychological predictors of task performance were investigated. Twenty-six younger (mean age, 24.0; range, 19–35 years) and 27 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 67.5; range, 50–91 years) participated. The neuropsychological predictors consisted of the performance on tests of episodic memory, working memory, switching, inhibition and flexibility. Performance of the older adults was worse for the learning and memorization of simple rules, as well as for the more demanding executive control condition requiring the manipulation of informational content. Episodic memory was the only predictor of performance on the simple learning and memorization task condition whereas an increase in rule induction complexity additionally engaged working memory processes. Together, these findings indicate that part of the age-related decline on rule induction tests may be the result of a decline in episodic memory. Further studies are needed that examine the role of episodic memory in other executive function tasks in aging. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–9)
Neuropsychological Deficits in Young Adults Born Small-for-Gestational Age (SGA) at Term
Authors: Østgård Heidi Furre , Skranes Jon , Martinussen Marit , Jacobsen Geir W , Brubakk Ann-Mari , Vik Torstein , Pripp Are H. , Løhaugen Gro C.C.
Published: February 2014

Reduced IQ, learning difficulties and poor school performance have been reported in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) subjects. However, few studies include a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Our aim was to study neuropsychological functioning in young adults born SGA at term. A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was administered to 58 SGA subjects (birth weight <10th centile) born at term, and 81 term non-SGA controls (birth weight ≥10th centile). The SGA group obtained significantly (p< .01) lower scores on the attention, executive and memory domains compared to non-SGA controls and showed higher risk of obtaining scores below −1.5SDon the memory domain (odds ratio = 13.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.57, 112.47). At a subtest level, the SGA group obtained lower scores on most neuropsychological tests, with significant differences on 6 of 46 measures: the Trail Making Test 3 (letter sequencing), the Wechsler Memory Scale mental control and the auditory immediate memory scale, the Design Fluency, the Stroop 3 (inhibition) and the Visual Motor Integration (VMI) motor coordination subtest. Young adults born SGA score more poorly on neuropsychological tests compared with non-SGA controls. Differences were modest, with more significant differences in the memory domain. (JINS, 2014,20, 1–11)
“It is the ‘starting over’ part that is so hard”: Using an online group to support hospice bereavement
Authors: Wittenberg-Lyles Elaine , Washington Karla , Oliver Debra Parker , Shaunfield Sara , Gage L. Ashley , Mooney Megan , Lewis Alexandria
Published: February 2014

Objective:

Although hospice agencies are required to provide informal caregivers (family or friends of the patient) with formal bereavement support when their loved one passes, most bereavement interventions lack standardization and remain untested. We employed the Dual Processing Model of Bereavement as a theoretical framework for assessing the potential of a secret Facebook group for bereaved hospice caregivers.

Method:

A mixed-methods approach was utilized to analyze online communication (posts and comments) in the secret Facebook group, and self-reported outcome measures on depression and anxiety were compared pre- and post-intervention.

Results:

Sixteen caregivers participated in the secret Facebook group over a period of nine months. The majority of online talk was oriented to restoration, revealing abrupt and anticipated triggers that evoked feelings of loss. Caregivers also shared loss orientation through storytelling, sharing and giving advice, and encouraging others to manage the challenges of coping. Caregiver anxiety and depression were lower after the intervention.

Significance of Results:

This pilot study provides insight into the use of a secret Facebook group to facilitate bereavement support to caregivers. Findings highlight the promise of Facebook for hospice bereavement support. Providers and researchers are encouraged to explore the positive outcomes associated with bereavement support.
Palliative care in children with spinal muscular atrophy type I: What do they need?
Authors: García-Salido Alberto , de Paso-Mora María García , Monleón-Luque Manuel , Martino-Alba Ricardo
Published: February 2014

Objective:

Our aim was to describe the clinical evolution and needs of children with spinal muscular atrophy type I treated in a domiciliary palliative care program.

Method:

We undertook a retrospective chart review of nine consecutive patients. Descriptions of the clinical and demographic profile of children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I were referred to a pediatric palliative care team (PPCT).

Results:

Six males and three females were admitted to the PPCT, all before six months of age, except for one afflicted with SMA type I with respiratory distress. The median time of attention was 57 days (range 1–150). The domiciliary attention mainly consisted of respiratory care. The patient with SMA type I with respiratory distress required domiciliary mechanical ventilation by tracheotomy. In all cases, a nasogastric tube (NT) was indicated. As end-of-life care, eight required morphine to manage the dyspnea, four received it only by enteral (oral or NT) administration, and four received it first by enteral administration with continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSI) later. Three of the four patients with CSI also received benzodiazepines. While they were attended by the PPCT, none required hospital admission. All the patients died at home except for the one attended to for just one day.

Significance of Results:

Domiciliary care for these patients is possible. The respiratory morbidity and its management are the main issues. Application of an NT is useful to maintain nutritional balance. Morphine administration is necessary to manage the dyspnea. Palliative sedation is not always necessary.
Modulation of adipose tissue lipolysis and body weight by high-density lipoproteins in mice
Authors: Wei H , Averill M M , McMillen T S , Dastvan F , Mitra P , Subramanian S , Tang C , Chait A , LeBoeuf R C
Published: February 2014

Background:

Obesity is associated with reduced levels of circulating high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and its major protein, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I. As a result of the role of HDL and apoA-I in cellular lipid transport, low HDL and apoA-I may contribute directly to establishing or maintaining the obese condition.

Methods:

To test this, male C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), apoA-I deficient (apoA-I−/−) and apoA-I transgenic (apoA-Itg/tg) mice were fed obesogenic diets (ODs) and monitored for several clinical parameters. We also performed cell culture studies.

Results:

ApoA-I−/− mice gained significantly more body weight and body fat than WT mice over 20 weeks despite their reduced food intake. During a caloric restriction regime imposed on OD-fed mice, apoA-I deficiency significantly inhibited the loss of body fat as compared with WT mice. Reduced body fat loss with caloric restriction in apoA-I−/− mice was associated with blunted stimulated adipose tissue lipolysis as verified by decreased levels of phosphorylated hormone-sensitive lipase (p-HSL) and lipolytic enzyme mRNA. In contrast to apoA-I−/− mice, apoA-Itg/tg mice gained relatively less weight than WT mice, consistent with other reports. ApoA-Itg/tg mice showed increased adipose tissue lipolysis, verified by increased levels of p-HSL and lipolytic enzyme mRNA. In cell culture studies, HDL and apoA-I specifically increased catecholamine-induced lipolysis possibly through modulating the adipocyte plasma membrane cholesterol content.

Conclusions:

Thus, apoA-I and HDL contribute to modulating body fat content by controlling the extent of lipolysis. ApoA-I and HDL are key components of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and constitute new therapeutic targets in obesity.
Heavily-doped colloidal semiconductor and metal oxide nanocrystals: an emerging new class of plasmonic nanomaterials
Authors: Liu Xin , Swihart Mark T.
Published: February 2014

A new class of plasmonic nanomaterials, based upon heavily-doped semiconductors and metal oxides, is rapidly developing and showing great promise for biomedical and optoelectronic applications.