bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Range‐wide variation in life‐history phenotypes: spatiotemporal plasticity across the latitudinal gradient of the evergreen oak Quercus ilex
Authors: García‐Nogales Ana , Linares Juan C. , Laureano Raquel G. , Seco Jose I. , Merino Jose
Published: August 2016

Aim

Stressful environments, like those at the limits of species ranges, are closely associated with the selective establishment of particular traits, yet the mechanisms behind this relationship are poorly understood. Our main aim was to investigate spatial and temporal phenotypic plasticity related to environmental conditions and biogeographical origin.

Location

A latitudinal gradient along Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, western Mediterranean Basin.

Methods

We investigate the intra‐specific variability in the Mediterranean oak Quercus ilex subsp. ballota, covering most of its latitudinal range. Acorns were collected in the years 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013 from natural populations and were grown under controlled conditions. We measured acorn mass and germination dynamics, as well as seedling morphology.

Results

Field data showed significant differences in stand structure among populations. The southernmost population presented the smallest trees, followed by the northernmost population. Core‐range trees registered higher values for leaf‐nitrogen concentration. Leaf size showed latitudinal variation, with the lowest values at the northern range limit. In addition, the germination pattern also significantly differed among populations, showing a latitudinal pattern of variation (i.e. the southern populations germinated earlier). Fresh acorn mass showed significant within‐ and among‐population differences, displaying a range margin pattern (i.e. similarities between the edge populations). Furthermore, seedling total weight and biomass allocation also followed the same pattern. The models explaining the most part of the trait variance were related mainly to climatic variables (reflecting temporal variability), while the random effect of the models (population) showed a range margin pattern with lower values in edge populations compared with core populations.

Main conclusions

Similar phenotypic traits among individuals native to the periphery of the distribution range were found despite the temporal variability, suggesting adaptation to stressful environments at the range edges.
Neogene and Pleistocene history of Agave lechuguilla in the Chihuahuan Desert
Authors: Scheinvar Enrique , Gámez Niza , Castellanos‐Morales Gabriela , Aguirre‐Planter Erika , Eguiarte Luis E.
Published: August 2016

Aim

The history of Agave lechuguilla, a characteristic and dominant plant of the Chihuahuan Desert, was reconstructed in order to determine the importance of the Neogene orogenic uplift and the Quaternary glacial–interglacial climatic changes on the genetic patterns of a native Chihuahuan Desert species.

Location

Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico and United States.

Methods

Chloroplast DNA data from A. lechuguilla were analysed to describe levels of genetic diversity and structure and to infer the species’ demographic history, using traditional methods and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC). The time of divergence of the different haplogroups was estimated with a Bayesian approach. In addition, ecological niche modelling was used to identify possible refugia.

Results

Molecular dating analyses showed that A. lechuguilla originated 4.46 Ma and later differentiated into four haplogroups. The average chloroplast genetic diversity was low (Hd, 0.24), with high levels of genetic differentiation (GST, 0.780). Demographic analysis, niche modelling and ABC indicated a recent expansion from at least five glacial refugia located south of the species’ current distribution.

Main conclusion

Agave lechuguilla originated in the Neogene, and the glacial–interglacial events of the Pleistocene resulted in the expansion and contraction of its range, playing an important role in its intraspecific diversification. These contraction–expansion events are consistent with biogeographical regions previously identified in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Interleukin (IL) 31 induces in cynomolgus monkeys a rapid and intense itch response that can be inhibited by an IL‐31 neutralizing antibody
Authors: Lewis K.E. , Holdren M.S. , Maurer M.F. , Underwood S. , Meengs B. , Julien S.H. , Byrnes‐Blake K.A. , Freeman J.A. , Bukowski T.R. , Wolf A.C. , Hamacher N.B. , Rixon M.W. , Dillon S.R.
Published: August 2016

Background

Overexpression or administration of interleukin 31 (IL‐31) has been shown to induce a profound itch response in mice and dogs. The chronic pruritus observed in mouse IL‐31 transgenic mice results in the development of skin lesions and alopecia through excoriation from excessive scratching, a condition similar to that observed in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective

To test whether IL‐31 induces pruritus in non‐human primates and, if so, whether treatment with an anti‐IL‐31 neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) can block the response.

Methods

A series of studies was conducted in cynomolgus monkeys to evaluate the itch response to recombinant cynomolgus IL‐31 (cIL‐31) administration. Three routes of cIL‐31 administration (intravenous, intradermal, and subcutaneous) were evaluated. Subcutaneous treatment with a humanized anti‐human IL‐31 mAb cross‐reactive to cIL‐31 was subsequently tested for its ability to block the response to intradermal cIL‐31 administration.

Results

Each route of cIL‐31 delivery elicited a scratching response immediately after cIL‐31 administration and lasted at least 3 h. Treatment with the IL‐31 mAb inhibited the cIL‐31‐mediated scratching response in a dose‐dependent manner.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that an IL‐31 mAb can inhibit IL‐31‐mediated pruritus in vivo, and could be an effective therapy for pruritic skin conditions like AD where IL‐31 upregulation may play a role.
Monoclonal gammopathy of cutaneous significance: review of a relevant concept
Authors: Lipsker D.
Published: August 2016

Some dermatologic entities are strongly associated with the presence of a monoclonal gammopathy. They should be referred to as monoclonal gammopathy of cutaneous significance (MGCS). A short review of the main entities that fit into the spectrum of MGCS is provided. Amyloidosis, macroglobulinoderma and follicular hyperkeratotic spicules result from extravascular immunoglobulin or immunoglobulin‐related protein deposition. Skin findings include papules and plaques, follicular spicules, purpura, haemorrhagic bullae, macroglossia and nail changes. The skin findings in cryoglobulinemia (CG) result from vascular immunoglobulin deposition, either as immune complexes within the vessel walls in mixed CG or within the lumina of small vessels in monoclonal CG. Mixed CG manifests as palpable purpura of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and monoclonal CG as stellar and/or retiform purpura that can evolve into extensive skin necrosis. In some rare instances, immunoglobulins have a specific biological activity. This is, for example, the case when they bind lipoproteins that precipitate and induce hypocomplementemic xanthomas. Xanthoderma related to antiflavin activity of the monoclonal component or acquired angioedema related to anti‐C1INH activity is other example. Abnormal cytokine secretion is the hallmark of some entities. High vascular endothelial growth factor levels correlate with some of the skin manifestations of the Polyneuropathy organomegaly endocrinopathy monoclonal component skin changes syndrome, such as hypertrichosis or the adenopathy and extensive skin patch overlying plasmacytoma syndrome. All the clinical manifestations of the Schnitzler syndrome are IL‐1 mediated. In other MGCS, such as scleromyxedema, Clarkson syndrome, TEMPI syndrome, cutis laxa and the neutrophilic dermatoses, the link between the monoclocal component and the entity is clearly established, but not understood so far.
Selection for distinct gene expression properties favours the evolution of mutational robustness in gene regulatory networks
Authors: Espinosa‐Soto C.
Published: August 2016

Mutational robustness is a genotype's tendency to keep a phenotypic trait with little and few changes in the face of mutations. Mutational robustness is both ubiquitous and evolutionarily important as it affects in different ways the probability that new phenotypic variation arises. Understanding the origins of robustness is specially relevant for systems of development that are phylogenetically widespread and that construct phenotypic traits with a strong impact on fitness. Gene regulatory networks are examples of this class of systems. They comprise sets of genes that, through cross‐regulation, build the gene activity patterns that define cellular responses, different tissues or distinct cell types. Several empirical observations, such as a greater robustness of wild‐type phenotypes, suggest that stabilizing selection underlies the evolution of mutational robustness. However, the role of selection in the evolution of robustness is still under debate. Computer simulations of the dynamics and evolution of gene regulatory networks have shown that selection for any gene activity pattern that is steady and self‐sustaining is sufficient to promote the evolution of mutational robustness. Here, I generalize this scenario using a computational model to show that selection for different aspects of a gene activity phenotype increases mutational robustness. Mutational robustness evolves even when selection favours properties that conflict with the stationarity of a gene activity pattern. The results that I present support an important role for stabilizing selection in the evolution of robustness in gene regulatory networks.
Re‐Use of Collateral in the Repo Market
Authors: FUHRER LUCAS MARC , GUGGENHEIM BASIL , SCHUMACHER SILVIO
Published: August 2016

This paper introduces a methodology to estimate the re‐use of collateral based on actual transaction data. With a comprehensive data set from the Swiss franc repo market we are able to provide the first systematic study on the re‐use of collateral. We find that re‐using collateral was most popular prior to the financial crisis when roughly 10% of the outstanding interbank volume was secured with re‐used collateral. Furthermore, we show that the re‐use of collateral increases with the scarcity of collateral. By giving an estimate of the collateral re‐use and explaining its drivers, the paper contributes to the on‐going debate on collateral availability.
The Efficacy of Internal Family Systems Therapy in the Treatment of Depression Among Female College Students: A Pilot Study
Authors: Haddock Shelley A. , Weiler Lindsey M. , Trump Lisa J. , Henry Kimberly L.
Published: August 2016

College women are vulnerable to depression due to developmental and transitional life changes. Early diagnosis and effective treatment is critically important. Empirical support exists for the effectiveness of select treatment options (i.e., antidepressant medication, cognitive‐behavioral therapy [CBT], and interpersonal psychotherapy [IPT]), yet a significant percentage of those treated do not benefit. In this pilot study, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy was tested as an alternative approach. College women (N = 37) were randomly allocated to IFS treatment or treatment as usual (CBT or IPT). Results demonstrated a decline in depressive symptoms for both conditions and no significant differences in the magnitude or rate of change. The results provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of IFS in the treatment of depressive symptoms.
MicroRNAs 29b and 181a down‐regulate the expression of the norepinephrine transporter and glucocorticoid receptors in PC12 cells
Authors: Deng Maoxian , Tufan Turan , Raza Muhammad U. , Jones Thomas C. , Zhu Meng‐Yang
Published: August 2016

MicroRNAs are short non‐coding RNAs that provide global regulation of gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level. Such regulation has been found to play a role in stress‐induced epigenetic responses in the brain. The norepinephrine transporter (NET) and glucocorticoid receptors are closely related to the homeostatic integration and regulation after stress. Our previous studies demonstrated that NET mRNA and protein levels in rats are regulated by chronic stress and by administration of corticosterone, which is mediated through glucocorticoid receptors. Whether miRNAs are intermediaries in the regulation of these proteins remains to be elucidated. This study was undertaken to determine possible regulatory effects of miRNAs on the expression of NET and glucocorticoid receptors in the noradrenergic neuronal cell line. Using computational target prediction, we identified several candidate miRNAs potentially targeting NET and glucocorticoid receptors. Western blot results showed that over‐expression of miR‐181a and miR‐29b significantly repressed protein levels of NET, which is accompanied by a reduced [3H] norepinephrine uptake, and glucocorticoid receptors in PC12 cells. Luciferase reporter assays verified that both miR‐181a and miR‐29b bind the 3′UTR of mRNA of NET and glucocorticoid receptors. Furthermore, exposure of PC12 cells to corticosterone markedly reduced the endogenous levels of miR‐29b, which was not reversed by the application of glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone. These observations indicate that miR‐181a and miR‐29b can function as the negative regulators of NET and glucocorticoid receptor translation in vitro. This regulatory effect may be related to stress‐induced up‐regulation of the noradrenergic phenotype, a phenomenon observed in stress models and depressive patients.

image

This study demonstrated that miR‐29b and miR‐181a, two short non‐coding RNAs that provide global regulation of gene expression, markedly repressed protein levels of norepinephrine (NE) transporter and glucocorticoid receptor (GR), as well as NE uptake by binding the 3′UTR of their mRNAs in PC12 cells. Also, exposure of cells to corticosterone significantly reduced miR‐29b levels through a GR‐independent way.
Combination of glycolic acid peel and topical 20% azelaic acid cream in melasma patients: efficacy and improvement in quality of life
Authors: Dayal Surabhi , Sahu Priyadarshini , Dua Ruchika
Published: August 2016

Background

Glycolic acid (GA) peel is one of the most versatile agents in the treatment of melasma. GA peeling alone or in combination with topical hypopigmenting agents has shown encouraging results. However, there is paucity of controlled trial demonstrating the efficacy of glycolic peel in conjunction with topical azelaic acid (AA). We therefore sought to highlight the efficacy and safety of this combination in melasma.

Objective

To assess the clinical efficacy, safety and reduction in melasma quality of life (MELASQOL) scores on combining serial GA peels with topical 20% AA cream in epidermal melasma.

Materials and method

Sixty patients of epidermal melasma were enrolled for 24 weeks. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) Study group received serial GA peel every 3 weeks with twice daily 20% AA cream, and (2) control group received only 20% AA cream. Clinical improvement was assessed objectively using Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI). Melasma‐related quality of life was measured by MELASQOL scale in both groups. Side effects were observed at each visit.

Results

The improvement in MASI and percentage decrease in MASI scoring were statistically significant 12 weeks onwards in study group as compared to control group. There was also a significant reduction in MELASQOL scores in study group as compared to control group after treatment. Minor reversible side effects were observed in both groups, which did not require cessation of therapy.

Conclusion

GA peel enhances therapeutic efficacy of topical AA cream for treatment of melasma, with improvement in quality of life without serious side effects.
Melatonin as an antioxidant: under promises but over delivers
Authors: Reiter Russel J. , Mayo Juan C. , Tan Dun‐Xian , Sainz Rosa M. , Alatorre‐Jimenez Moises , Qin Lilan
Published: August 2016

Melatonin is uncommonly effective in reducing oxidative stress under a remarkably large number of circumstances. It achieves this action via a variety of means: direct detoxification of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species and indirectly by stimulating antioxidant enzymes while suppressing the activity of pro‐oxidant enzymes. In addition to these well‐described actions, melatonin also reportedly chelates transition metals, which are involved in the Fenton/Haber–Weiss reactions; in doing so, melatonin reduces the formation of the devastatingly toxic hydroxyl radical resulting in the reduction of oxidative stress. Melatonin's ubiquitous but unequal intracellular distribution, including its high concentrations in mitochondria, likely aid in its capacity to resist oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis. There is credible evidence to suggest that melatonin should be classified as a mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant. Melatonin's capacity to prevent oxidative damage and the associated physiological debilitation is well documented in numerous experimental ischemia/reperfusion (hypoxia/reoxygenation) studies especially in the brain (stroke) and in the heart (heart attack). Melatonin, via its antiradical mechanisms, also reduces the toxicity of noxious prescription drugs and of methamphetamine, a drug of abuse. Experimental findings also indicate that melatonin renders treatment‐resistant cancers sensitive to various therapeutic agents and may be useful, due to its multiple antioxidant actions, in especially delaying and perhaps treating a variety of age‐related diseases and dehumanizing conditions. Melatonin has been effectively used to combat oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular apoptosis and to restore tissue function in a number of human trials; its efficacy supports its more extensive use in a wider variety of human studies. The uncommonly high‐safety profile of melatonin also bolsters this conclusion. It is the current feeling of the authors that, in view of the widely diverse beneficial functions that have been reported for melatonin, these may be merely epiphenomena of the more fundamental, yet‐to‐be identified basic action(s) of this ancient molecule.
Stigmatizing attitudes in nurses towards people with mental illness: a cross‐sectional study in primary settings in Finland
Authors: Ihalainen‐Tamlander N. , Vähäniemi A. , Löyttyniemi E. , Suominen T. , Välimäki M.
Published: August 2016

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Stigma related to mental illnesses is a great burden on societies globally. Factors associated with nurses’ attitudes towards people with mental illness in health‐care settings are discrepant.

Stigmatized attitudes among staff members towards patients with mental illness have widely been studied in various specialized health care contexts, but less often in primary health‐care settings.

What this paper adds to the existing knowledge?

Nurses’ attitudes towards people with mental illness in general were positive in primary care health settings. Younger nurses expressed feeling afraid of mentally ill patients.

They not only lacked a feeling of safety around these patients but were also often of the opinion that people with mental illness should be segregated from the general population.

What are the implications for practice?

Systematic and continuous mental health on‐the‐job training for primary care nurses is recommended to strengthen the positive attitudes of young nurses towards patients.

Young nurses especially should be prevented from developing stigmatized attitudes towards patients with mental problems and to ensure a skilled workforce for the future in this demanding area of health care.

Introduction

Despite the development of mental health services in many countries, nurses working in different health care specialties may still have concerns and negative attitudes towards people with mental illness.

Aim

To describe nurses’ attitudes towards people with mental illness and examine factors associated with their attitudes in primary care health centres.

Method

The data were collected from nursing staff (N = 264, response rate 84%) in 15 primary care health centres in two Finnish cities (spring 2014) with a self‐report questionnaire (Attribution Questionnaire‐27, Corrigan 2003) and analysed by descriptive statistics and multiway covariance analysis.

Results

Nurses’ attitudes towards people with mental illness were generally positive. The nurses mostly reported willingness to help and feelings of concern and sympathy towards these patients. However, younger nurses or those without additional mental health training expressed a fear of patients.

Discussion

Special attention should be paid to nursing education and on‐the‐job training to prevent young nurses from developing stigmatized attitudes towards patients.

Implications for practice

Higher confidence in nursing staff could ensure a skilled work force in areas of mental health in the future, prevent young nurses from developing a fear of patients at work and support positive attitudes towards patients with mental problems.
“This is a question we have to ask everyone”: asking young people about self‐harm and suicide
Authors: O'Reilly M. , Kiyimba N. , Karim K.
Published: August 2016

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

An essential part of the mental health assessment is to evaluate the risk of harm to self. Fundamentally this involves asking directly about self‐harming behaviour and suicidal thoughts or urges, but practitioners often find it difficult to open up these conversations.

This evaluation of risk is particularly important as self‐harm and suicidal thoughts are frequently found in young people who attend mental health services.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

Young people are not always routinely asked directly about self‐harm or suicidal thoughts when they are assessed.

There are two ways that mental health practitioners introduce this topic: first, by building up to it by initially asking about general feelings, and second by stating that it is a requirement to ask everyone.

What are the implications for practice?

These questions should not be avoided by mental health practitioners just because they are difficult.

We offer suggestions as to how to ask questions about self‐harm and suicide based on real‐world practice.

Introduction

Questions about self‐harm and suicide are essential in risk assessments with children and young people, yet little is known about how mental health practitioners do this.

Aim

The core aim was to examine how questions about self‐harm and suicidal ideation are asked in real‐world practice.

Method

A qualitative design was employed to analyse 28 video‐recorded naturally occurring mental health assessments in a child and adolescent mental health service. Data were analysed using conversation analysis (CA).

Results

In 13 cases young people were asked about self‐harm and suicide, but 15 were not. Analysis revealed how practitioners asked these questions. Two main styles were revealed. First was an incremental approach, beginning with inquiries about emotions and behaviours, building to asking about self‐harm and suicidal intent. Second was to externalize the question as being required by outside agencies.

Discussion

The study concluded that the design of risk questions to young people had implications for how open they were to engaging with the practitioner.

Implications for practice

The study has implications for training and practice for psychiatric nurses and other mental health practitioners in feeling more confident in communicating with young people about self‐harm and suicidal ideation.
Factor affecting happiness among nursing students in South Korea
Authors: Jun W. H. , Jo M. J.
Published: August 2016

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Despite the increased interest in nursing students' happiness in South Korea, few studies have attempted to identify factors influencing their happiness. Therefore, nursing educators should consistently investigate the factors influencing happiness and develop strategies to improve happiness among Korean nursing students.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

This study confirmed that there were positive correlations between grateful disposition, social support and happiness. In addition, grateful disposition and support from intimate people were identified as predictors of happiness in Korean nursing students.

What are the implications for practice?

Development of intervention programmes to help nursing students increase grateful disposition and support from intimate people may be helpful for improving happiness. These programmes can include activity, such as writing a gratitude journal, and extracurricular programmes, such as mentoring programmes between seniors and juniors and/or professor and student.

Introduction

Happiness is very important in the training and development of nursing students as future nurses. However, nursing students experience a high level of stress and low level of happiness in South Korea.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate factors that affect happiness among nursing students in South Korea.

Method

Data were collected from a total of 241 nursing enrolled in two 4‐year baccalaureate nursing programmes in South Korea, using a self‐administrated questionnaire. To identify predictors of happiness, stepwise regression analysis was conducted.

Results

The results indicated that grateful disposition and support from intimate people significantly predict happiness among Korean nursing students. These two factors accounted for 38.0% of the variance in happiness.

Discussion

This study indicated grateful disposition and support from intimate people as factors promoting happiness in nursing students. The findings highlight grateful disposition and support from intimate people as important factors when developing effective interventions that foster nursing students' happiness.
Interleukin‐32 levels in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis after periodontal treatment
Authors: Öngöz Dede F. , Balli U. , Bozkurt Doğan Ş. , Güven B.
Published: August 2016

Background and Objective

The cytokine, interleukin (IL)‐32, is a relatively new discovery. However, it is very powerful for stimulating tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) under inflammatory conditions. The objective of this research was to explore fluctuations in the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐32 and IL‐10, in both saliva and gingival crevicular fluid. The focus was on measurements taken before and after clinical treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Material and Methods

For the purposes of the study, a total of 27 patients with chronic periodontitis and 27 controls (periodontally healthy) were recruited. Important clinical periodontal criteria were established before and 4 wk after the start of the research. The chronic periodontitis group was given an initial form of periodontal care. Samples of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid were collected exactly 4 wk preceding and 4 wk following the care. The levels of IL‐10, IL‐32 and TNF‐α present in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid were recorded via the use of an ELISA.

Results

At baseline, the levels of TNF‐α and IL‐32 in the gingival crevicular fluid and saliva were significantly higher among patients in the chronic periodontitis group than among patients in the control group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, at baseline the levels of IL‐10 were significantly lower in the gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of the chronic periodontitis group than the control group (p < 0.05). A significantly positive link was found between the TNF‐α and IL‐32 levels in the two study groups (p < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of TNF‐α and IL‐32 in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid were significantly lower in the chronic periodontitis group when compared with the baseline readings. However, the levels of IL‐10 were significantly higher (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Ultimately, the level of IL‐32 present in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid might be useful as an indicator of the condition and the expectations for its treatment and care. According to the results of the research, the proinflammatory impact of IL‐32 could potentially be linked to the intensity and progression of periodontitis.
Predicting Financial Distress and Closure in Rural Hospitals
Authors: Holmes George M. , Kaufman Brystana G. , Pink George H.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Annual rates of rural hospital closure have been increasing since 2010, and hospitals that close have poor financial performance relative to those that remain open. This study develops and validates a latent index of financial distress to forecast the probability of financial distress and closure within 2 years for rural hospitals.

Methods

Hospital and community characteristics are used to predict the risk of financial distress 2 years in the future. Financial and community data were drawn for 2,466 rural hospitals from 2000 through 2013. We tested and validated a model predicting a latent index of financial distress (FDI), measured by unprofitability, equity decline, insolvency, and closure. Using the predicted FDI score, hospitals are assigned to high, medium‐high, medium‐low, and low risk of financial distress for use by practitioners.

Findings

The FDI forecasts 8.01% of rural hospitals to be at high risk of financial distress in 2015, 16.3% as mid‐high, 46.8% as mid‐low, and 28.9% as low risk. The rate of closure for hospitals in the high‐risk category is 4 times the rate in the mid‐high category and 28 times that in the mid‐low category. The ability of the FDI to discriminate hospitals experiencing financial distress is supported by a c‐statistic of .74 in a validation sample.

Conclusion

This methodology offers improved specificity and predictive power relative to existing measures of financial distress applied to rural hospitals. This risk assessment tool may inform programs at the federal, state, and local levels that provide funding or support to rural hospitals.
Gendering Justice in Humanitarian Spaces: Opportunity and (Dis)empowerment Through Gender-Based Legal Development Outreach in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Lake Milli , Muthaka Ilot , Walker Gabriella
Published: August 2016

Why have women in eastern DR Congo increasingly turned to domestic courts in the aftermath of sexual violence, despite the fact that the state has consistently failed to provide basic goods and services to its citizens? Moreover, how do victims of violence interpret their first encounters with state law in an environment characterized by institutional fragility and humanitarian governance? This article analyzes the experiences and reflections of 50 self-reported victims of sexual violence in eastern DR Congo. We find that human rights NGOs have served as critical mediators in persuading victims of violence to pursue legal remedy for sexual crimes. However, rather than being socialized to prioritize formal accountability mechanisms in precisely the ways that the architects of legal outreach programs intended, we find that victims of violence have turned to the law for a combination of material and ideational factors. Some appear to have internalized emerging norms of punitive criminal justice, while others have adopted the language of law instrumentally, in order to access crucial socio-material benefits. We identify a paradox of opportunity and disempowerment, therefore, that characterizes our interviewees' experiences with the law.
The Influence of Public Sentiment on Supreme Court Opinion Clarity
Authors: Black Ryan C. , Owens Ryan J. , Wedeking Justin , Wohlfarth Patrick C.
Published: August 2016

We examine whether public opinion leads Supreme Court justices to alter the content of their opinions. We argue that when justices anticipate public opposition to their decisions, they write clearer opinions. We develop a novel measure of opinion clarity based on multifaceted textual readability scores, which we validate using human raters. We examine an aggregate time series analysis of the influence of public mood on opinion clarity and an individual-level sample of Supreme Court cases paired with issue-specific public opinion polls. The empirical results from both models show that justices write clearer opinions when their rulings contradict popular sentiment. These results suggest public opinion influences the Court, and suggest that future scholarship should analyze how public opinion influences the written content of decision makers’ policies.
Different modes of acoustic communication in deep‐diving short‐finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Authors: Pérez Jacobo Marrero , Jensen Frants H. , Rojano‐Doñate Laia , Aguilar de Soto Natacha
Published: August 2016

Toothed whales use a pneumatic sound generator to produce echolocation and communication sounds. Increasing hydrostatic pressure at depth influences the amplitude and duration of calls but not of echolocation clicks. Here we test the hypothesis that information transfer at depth might be facilitated by click‐based communication signals. Wild short‐finned pilot whales (27) instrumented with multisensor DTAGs produced four main types of communication signals: low‐ and medium‐frequency calls (median fundamental frequency: 1.7 and 2.9 kHz), two‐component calls (median frequency of the low and high frequency components: 2 and 9 kHz), and rasps (burst‐pulses with median interclick interval of 21 ms). Rasps can be confused with foraging buzzes, but rasps are shorter and slower, and are not associated with fast changes in body acceleration nor reduced acoustic output of buzzes, characteristic of prey capture attempts. Contrary to calls, the energy flux density of rasps was not significantly affected by depth. This, and a different information content, may explain the observed increase in the relative occurrence of rasps with respect to calls at depth, and supports the hypothesis that click‐based communication signals may facilitate communication under high hydrostatic pressure. However, calls are produced at depth also, indicating that they may carry additional information relevant for deep‐diving animals, including potential communication among whales diving at the same time in this highly social deep‐diving species.
I. WORKING MEMORY CAPACITY IN CONTEXT: MODELING DYNAMIC PROCESSES OF BEHAVIOR, MEMORY, AND DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Simmering Vanessa R.
Published: August 2016

Working memory is a vital cognitive skill that underlies a broad range of behaviors. Higher cognitive functions are reliably predicted by working memory measures from two domains: children's performance on complex span tasks, and infants’ performance in looking paradigms. Despite the similar predictive power across these research areas, theories of working memory development have not connected these different task types and developmental periods. The current project takes a first step toward bridging this gap by presenting a process‐oriented theory, focusing on two tasks designed to assess visual working memory capacity in infants (the change‐preference task) versus children and adults (the change detection task). Previous studies have shown inconsistent results, with capacity estimates increasing from one to four items during infancy, but only two to three items during early childhood. A probable source of this discrepancy is the different task structures used with each age group, but prior theories were not sufficiently specific to explain how performance relates across tasks.

The current theory focuses on cognitive dynamics, that is, how memory representations are formed, maintained, and used within specific task contexts over development. This theory was formalized in a computational model to generate three predictions: 1) capacity estimates in the change‐preference task should continue to increase beyond infancy; 2) capacity estimates should be higher in the change‐preference versus change detection task when tested within individuals; and 3) performance should correlate across tasks because both rely on the same underlying memory system. I also tested a fourth prediction, that development across tasks could be explained through increasing real‐time stability, realized computationally as strengthening connectivity within the model. Results confirmed these predictions, supporting the cognitive dynamics account of performance and developmental changes in real‐time stability. The monograph concludes with implications for understanding memory, behavior, and development in a broader range of cognitive development.
The Population Ethics of Belief: In Search of an Epistemic Theory X
Authors: Pettigrew Richard
Published: August 2016

Consider Phoebe and Daphne. Phoebe has credences in 1 million propositions. Daphne, on the other hand, has credences in all of these propositions, but she's also got credences in 999 million other propositions. Phoebe's credences are all very accurate. Each of Daphne's credences, in contrast, are not very accurate at all; each is a little more accurate than it is inaccurate, but not by much. Whose doxastic state is better, Phoebe's or Daphne's? It is clear that this question is analogous to a question that has exercised ethicists over the past thirty years. How do we weigh a population consisting of some number of exceptionally happy and satisfied individuals against another population consisting of a much greater number of people whose lives are only just worth living? This is the question that occasions population ethics. In this paper, I go in search of the correct population ethics for credal states.
Analyzing Kim Jong‐un's Survival Strategy from the Comparative Authoritarian Perspective
Authors: Koo Bon Sang , Choi Jun Young , Kim Junseok
Published: August 2016

This paper shows that we can properly analyze Kim Jong‐un's survival strategy by employing the knowledge accumulated in comparative studies of contemporary authoritarianism. According to Geddeset al.'s classification, North Korea belongs to a hybrid type that possesses the characteristics of the personalist and single‐party types. Recent comparative studies demonstrate that personalist rulers who are not convinced of their firm control of the military tend to hesitate to strengthen it, even though they know that the military is the most effective tool for controlling threats by political elites and the general public. This theoretically explains why the young ruler who experienced a short power succession period did not continue his father's “military‐first policy,” and his divide‐and‐rule approach is inevitably different from his father's. Accordingly, we expect that the ruler of the unconsolidated regime will target the core of the military, the army faction, and utilize security forces as typical personalist rulers do. These are supported in practice. We also observe that Kim Jong‐un controls the military by utilizing the organizations of the institutionalized party, the Korean Workers' Party, and appointing party officers to key posts in the military. This positively affects his regime stability, which distinguishes his regime from the pure personalist type.
Early polysensitization is associated with allergic multimorbidity in PARIS birth cohort infants
Authors: Gabet Stephan , Just Jocelyne , Couderc Rémy , Bousquet Jean , Seta Nathalie , Momas Isabelle
Published: August 2016

Background

Profiles of allergic sensitization are poorly documented in infancy. Relations between early sensitization and allergic morbidity need to be clarified.

Methods

This study dealt with children involved in the Pollution and Asthma Risk: an Infant Study (PARIS), a population‐based prospective birth cohort. Allergic sensitization to twelve food and four inhalant allergens was assessed at 18 months and defined by a specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) level ≥0.35 kUA/l. Health data were collected by standardized questionnaires at 2 and 6 years. Early allergic profiles were identified by an unsupervised cluster analysis based on health data at 2 years and IgE measurements. Profiles were compared with regard to allergic morbidity and multimorbidity at 6 years.

Results

Sensitization to any allergen concerned 13.6% of infants. By cluster analysis, 1525 infants were grouped into three profiles: 89.2% not or rarely sensitized (only 3.7% of sensitized), 9.2% mainly sensitized to one or few allergens (45.2% of monosensitized and 45.9% of paucisensitized) and 1.6% all polysensitized. The prevalence of doctor‐diagnosed asthma, rhinitis, eczema, food allergy and multimorbidity at 2 years increased from profile one to profile three (p‐trend <0.001). At 6 years, symptoms of current asthma, rhinitis, eczema and multimorbidity were significantly more frequent in the last two profiles.

Conclusions

This study highlights, as early as 18 months of age, three profiles of increasing severity with regard to allergic sensitization and diseases. These profiles also differ in terms of allergic morbidity at 6 years. Early sensitization can predict allergic multimorbidity in childhood, and in the case of early polysensitization, multimorbidity is more frequent as soon as infancy.
Deficient Nucleotide Excision Repair in Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Dong Tiffany K. , Ona Katherine , Scandurra Amy E. , Demetriou Stephanie K. , Oh Dennis H.
Published: August 2016

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are associated with ultraviolet radiation and multiple genetic changes, but the mechanisms leading to genetic instability are unclear.SCCcell lines were compared to normal keratinocytes for sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation,DNArepair kinetics andDNArepair protein expression. Relative to normal keratinocytes, fourSCCcell lines were all variably sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and, except for theSCC25 cell line, were deficient in global repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, although not 6‐4 photoproducts. ImpairedDNArepair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers was associated with reducedmRNAexpression fromXPCbut notDDB2genes which each encode keyDNAdamage recognition proteins. However, levels ofXPCorDDB2 proteins or both were variably reduced in repair‐deficientSCCcell lines. p53 levels did not correlate withDNArepair activity or withXPCandDDB2 levels, but p63 levels were deficient in cell lines with reduced global repair. Repair‐proficientSCC25 cells depleted of p63 lostXPCexpression, early globalDNArepair activity andUVresistance. These results demonstrate that someSCCcell lines are deficient in global nucleotide excision repair and support a role for p63 as a regulator of nucleotide excision repair inSCCs.
Geriatric periodontology: how the need to care for the aging population can influence the future of the dental profession
Authors: Lamster Ira B.
Published: August 2016

The world's population is aging, and it has been estimated that by 2050, the number of people 65 years of age and older will reach 1.5 billion. The aging population will be affected by noncommunicable chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. This important demographic shift includes a reduction in tooth loss/edentulism, particularly in older adults of the developed countries in North America, western Europe and north‐east Asia. Therefore, in the future, dental providers will be required to care for an expanded number of older adults who have retained teeth and are medically complex. As the linkage of oral disease and systemic disease has focused on the relationship of periodontitis and noncommunicable chronic diseases, a broad review of ‘geriatric periodontology’ is both timely and important. This volume of Periodontology 2000 covers a range of subjects under this heading. Included are the demographics of an aging world; the effect of aging on stem cell function in the periodontium; the periodontal microbiota associated with aging; the host response in the periodontium of aging individuals; an analysis of the prevalence of periodontitis in the USA on a national, state‐wide and community basis; differentiation of physiologic oral aging from disease; treatment of periodontal disease in older adults; implant therapy for older patients; oral disease and the frailty syndrome; the relationship of tooth loss to longevity and life expectancy; and the relationship of periodontal disease to noncommunicable chronic diseases. Although ‘geriatric dentistry’ is not a recognized specialty in dentistry, and ‘geriatric periodontology’ is a descriptive title, the subject of this volume of Periodontology 2000 is critical to the future of clinical dentistry, dental public health and dental research. Any comprehensive focus on older patients can only be accomplished with an emphasis on interprofessional education and practice. If embraced, this shift will allow the dental profession to be more closely aligned with the larger health‐care environment, and can improve both oral health and health outcomes for patients seen in the dental office.
Occurrence of mycotoxins in commercial aquafeeds in Asia and Europe: a real risk to aquaculture?
Authors: Gonçalves Rui A. , Naehrer Karin , Santos Gonçalo A.
Published: August 2016

There is increasing awareness of the negative effects of mycotoxins in aquatic species, which is highlighted in recent publications. Partly due to climate change associated with an overall increase of mycotoxins contamination in plant ingredients, and also due to the tendency to replace expensive animal‐derived proteins, such as fish meal, by more economical plant proteins sources, which increases the probability of mycotoxin contamination in aquaculture feeds (Hooftet al.). Over a 1‐year period, 41 samples of finished aquaculture feed, both shrimp and fish, were analysed within the scope of BIOMIN mycotoxin survey programme. The samples were tested for aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and ochratoxin A. Samples were sourced in Asia (31 samples) and Europe (10 samples) from fish/shrimp farms or feed producers. The values detected pose a risk for several important aquaculture species, assuming single mycotoxin contamination, that is excluding possible additive and synergetic effects between mycotoxins. Co‐occurrence of mycotoxins in feeds may induce synergistic effects and increase the negative impact of mycotoxins in aquatic‐farmed species at lower levels than when present in single contamination. This review gives an overview of the different mycotoxins and revises the effects of mycotoxins in aquatic species. Additionally, it reports the levels of mycotoxins in aquafeeds in 2014 and compares detected levels with possible negative effects in fish and shrimp. As it is highlighted by the results of the survey, the risk of co‐occurrence is high and the knowledge on the effects of multimycotoxins contamination in aquatic species is basically none.