bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Globalizing communication/journalism, ending fragmentation within philosophy, and analyzing history as life-spans in samsara
Authors: Gunaratne Shelton A
Published: May 2015

This article is an attempt to expand the theoretical, methodological, and historical boundaries of communication/journalism studies to suit the beginning phase of the contemporary Digital Era. First, this article suggests that communication scholars should consistently use the term ‘globalization’ to describe the current endeavor to apply the horizontally integrative macro-history approach to produce a universally acceptable body of knowledge encompassing communication/journalism studies. Second, it demonstrates the potential of deploying the principles of Buddhist phenomenology, which broadly reflects the major aspects of Eastern philosophy, to ‘globalize’ communication/journalism studies by dismantling the unrealistic separation of science from philosophy, as well as the division of philosophy into epistemology, ontology, axiology, etc. Third, it demonstrates the possibility of identifying global developments in communication as a series of life-spans similar to the Buddhist wheel of becoming ( bhavacakra) circling around our perpetual cyclic existence ( samsara). It concludes by asserting that because existence is coterminous with communication, tracing communication history will require a global effort that extends the methods of inquiry beyond empiricism to cover quantum mechanics and phenomenology.
Clinical potential of pacritinib in the treatment of myelofibrosis
Authors: Duenas-Perez Ana B. , Mead Adam J.
Published: May 2015

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloid disorder caused by a clonal hematopoietic stem-cell proliferation associated with activation of the Janus kinase (JAK) signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways. Patients with MF often develop severe splenomegaly, marked symptom burden and significant cytopenias, with a consequent marked negative impact on quality of life and survival. The management of MF patients has dramatically improved with the development of a group of drugs that inhibit JAK signaling. The first of these agents to be approved was ruxolitinib, a JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, which has been shown to improve both spleen size and symptoms in patients with MF. However, myelotoxicity, particularly of the platelet lineage, significantly limits the patient population who can benefit from this agent. Thus, there is an unmet need for novel agents with limited myelotoxicity to treat MF. Pacritinib, a JAK2 and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitor, has shown promising results in early phase trials with limited myelotoxicity and clinical responses that are comparable with those seen with ruxolitinib, even in patients with severe thrombocytopenia. Currently there are two large phase III clinical trials of pacritinib in MF, including patients with thrombocytopenia, and those previously treated with ruxolitinib. If the encouraging results observed in early phase clinical trials are confirmed, pacritinib will represent a new and exciting treatment option for patients with MF and particularly patients with significant cytopenias.
Enhancing our understanding of vision in organizations
Authors: Berson Yair , Waldman David A. , Pearce Craig L.
Published: May 2015

We put forth a theoretical model that considers alternative paths toward the formation of vision in collectives. We view vision as being shaped by a combination of hierarchical leader vision and shared leadership processes involving followers. As such, these paths balance leader- and follower-centric approaches to understand the formation of vision. A feature of our approach is that we emphasize some key processes and moderators; specifically, the role of the content of the vision of the leader, leader deontic fairness, and collective identification among members of the collective. We consider research implications including the measurement of shared vision, as well as practical implications pertaining to its relevance for such important outcomes as organizational learning.
Colonization of the Americas, ‘Little Ice Age’ climate, and bomb-produced carbon: Their role in defining the Anthropocene
Authors:   Members of the Anthropocene Working Group:, Zalasiewicz Jan , Waters Colin N , Barnosky Anthony D , Cearreta Alejandro , Edgeworth Matt , Ellis Erle C , Gałuszka Agnieszka , Gibbard Philip L , Grinevald Jacques , Hajdas Irka , Ivar do Sul Juliana , Jeandel Catherine , Leinfelder Reinhold , McNeill JR , Poirier Clément , Revkin Andrew , deB Richter Daniel , Steffen Will , Summerhayes Colin , Syvitski James PM , Vidas Davor , Wagreich Michael , Williams Mark , Wolfe Alexander P
Published: May 2015

A recently published analysis by Lewis and Maslin (Lewis SL and Maslin MA (2015) Defining the Anthropocene. Nature 519: 171–180) has identified two new potential horizons for the Holocene−Anthropocene boundary: 1610 (associated with European colonization of the Americas), or 1964 (the peak of the excess radiocarbon signal arising from atom bomb tests). We discuss both of these novel suggestions, and consider that there is insufficient stratigraphic basis for the former, whereas placing the latter at the peak of the signal rather than at its inception does not follow normal stratigraphical practice. Wherever the boundary is eventually placed, it should be optimized to reflect stratigraphical evidence with the least possible ambiguity.
Satellite versus ground-based estimates of burned area: A comparison between MODIS based burned area and fire agency reports over North America in 2007
Authors: Mangeon Stéphane , Field Robert , Fromm Michael , McHugh Charles , Voulgarakis Apostolos
Published: May 2015

North American wildfire management teams routinely assess burned area on site during firefighting campaigns; meanwhile, satellite observations provide systematic and global burned-area data. Here we compare satellite and ground-based daily burned area for wildfire events for selected large fires across North America in 2007 on daily timescales. In a sample of 26 fires across North America, we found the Global Fire Emissions Database Version 4 (GFED4) estimated about 80% of the burned area logged in ground-based Incident Status Summary (ICS-209) over 8-day analysis windows. Linear regression analysis found a slope between GFED and ICS-209 of 0.67 (with R = 0.96). The agreement between these data sets was found to degrade at short timescales (from R = 0.81 for 4-day to R = 0.55 for 2-day). Furthermore, during large burning days (> 3000 ha) GFED4 typically estimates half of the burned area logged in the ICS-209 estimates.
Anthropocene: Earth System, geological, philosophical and political paradigm shifts
Authors: Maslin Mark A , Lewis Simon L
Published: May 2015

The concept of the Anthropocene has created a profound paradigm shift within the scientific community that may well create equally important changes in philosophy and politics. There is general scientific agreement that human activity has been a geologically recent, yet profound, influence on the Earth System. The magnitude, variety and longevity of human-induced changes, to the lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and atmosphere, suggests that we should refer to the present, not as within the Holocene Epoch (as it is currently formally referred to), but instead as within the Anthropocene Epoch. Hamilton (2015) argues that many commentators fail to acknowledge this paradigm shift and suggests the discussion of when the Anthropocene Epoch started is a distraction and irrelevant. Earth System scientists, such as ourselves, would argue that the evidence for the Anthropocene is already accepted and that the paradigm shift has already occurred. The current discussion has moved forward and is now centred on defining the start of the epoch using the fundamental principles of stratigraphy. We explain how geological time is divided up and the fundamental role of Global Stratotype Section and Points (GSSPs). We go beyond Hamilton’s (2015) limited discussion and argue that the Anthropocene is creating paradigm shifts beyond the natural sciences. We also argue that there are multiple definitions of the Anthropocene and even if a formal definition of the Anthropocene Epoch is agreed by geoscientists, this would in no way invalidate other definitions or uses. It is the utility and wide appeal that makes the Anthropocene such an important concept.
Introduction to the Special Issue of Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Reifman Alan , Grahe Jon E.
Published: May 2015

This article introduces the special issue on the national Emerging Adulthood Measured at Multiple Institutions data set, its historical background and methodology, and the articles appearing herein. The project aimed to test associations between markers/processes of the transition to adulthood and political attitudes/behaviors, in conjunction with the 2004 U.S. presidential election. Measures in other areas (e.g., psychological health, disability, and media usage) were also assessed. A total of 1,353 respondents (nearly all in the emerging-adulthood age range) participated through 1 of 10 university-based sites across the United States, with students in undergraduate statistics and research methods courses gathering the data. The resulting data set has allowed social scientists to test formulations involving emerging adulthood in new domains, as presented in this issue, and will allow future investigators to do so. The project also dovetails with parallel developments in the promotion of undergraduate research as a source of substantive scientific contributions.
Triallelic and epigenetic-like inheritance in human disorders of telomerase
Authors: Collopy Laura C. , Walne Amanda J. , Cardoso Shirleny , de la Fuente Josu , Mohamed Mahfuzah , Toriello Helga , Tamary Hannah , Ling Adam J. Y. V. , Lloyd Timothy , Kassam Rebecca , Tummala Hemanth , Vulliamy Thomas J. , Dokal Inderjeet
Published: May 2015

Key Points

Telomerase variants in patients with bone marrow failure syndromes are difficult to categorize as disease-causing or otherwise. DC can derive from triallelic mutations in 2 telomerase genes and epigenetic-like inheritance of short telomeres.
Fast multi-scale feature fusion for ECG heartbeat classification
Authors: Ai Danni , Yang Jian , Wang Zeyu , Fan Jingfan , Ai Changbin , Wang Yongtian
Published: May 2015

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is conducted to monitor the electrical activity of the heart by presenting small amplitude and duration signals; as a result, hidden information present in ECG data is difficult to determine. However, this concealed information can be used to detect abnormalities. In our study, a fast feature-fusion method of ECG heartbeat classification based on multi-linear subspace learning is proposed. The method consists of four stages. First, baseline and high frequencies are removed to segment heartbeat. Second, as an extension of wavelets, wavelet-packet decomposition is conducted to extract features. With wavelet-packet decomposition, good time and frequency resolutions can be provided simultaneously. Third, decomposed confidences are arranged as a two-way tensor, in which feature fusion is directly implemented with generalized N dimensional ICA (GND-ICA). In this method, co-relationship among different data information is considered, and disadvantages of dimensionality are prevented; this method can also be used to reduce computing compared with linear subspace-learning methods (PCA). Finally, support vector machine (SVM) is considered as a classifier in heartbeat classification. In this study, ECG records are obtained from the MIT-BIT arrhythmia database. Four main heartbeat classes are used to examine the proposed algorithm. Based on the results of five measurements, sensitivity, positive predictivity, accuracy, average accuracy, and t-test, our conclusion is that a GND-ICA-based strategy can be used to provide enhanced ECG heartbeat classification. Furthermore, large redundant features are eliminated, and classification time is reduced.
Determination of aluminum and zinc in infusion tea cultivated in north of Iran
Authors: Ghoochani Mahboobeh , Shekoohiyan Sakine , Yunesian Masoud , Nazmara Shahrokh , Mahvi Amir Hossein
Published: May 2015

To determine aluminum and zinc levels in black tea cultivated in north of Iran, 105 black tea samples were collected from the tea growing regions of Guilan and Mazandaran provinces and were analyzed for Al and Zn concentration of tea infusion. Contents of all elements were analyzed three times separately by using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP - AES). The solubility of Al and Zn in infusions at 5, 15 and 60 min with boiling water showed that the mean level of Al in the third infusion was the highest (262.09 mg/kg) and in the first infusion was the lowest (169.40 mg/kg). The mean level of Zn in the third infusion was the highest (51.40 mg/kg) and in the second infusion was the lowest (48.33 mg/kg). The analysis of results also showed that the location factor influences the contents of these metals at different infusions.
The visual ecology of directed aerial descent in first-instar nymphs of the stick insectExtatosoma tiaratum
Authors: Zeng Yu , Lin Yvonne , Abundo Arianna , Dudley Robert
Published: May 2015

Many wingless insects perform directed aerial descent (DAD) to return to vegetational structures after falling. Given the complex visual environment and spatial structures of tree canopies, those visual signals used as directional cues are not fully understood. Here, we address the role of visual contrast for DAD in newly hatched nymphs of the stick insect Extatosoma tiaratum under controlled laboratory conditions. Landing preferences of gliding E. tiaratum in various visual environments were studied. We used a single vertical stripe defined by variable contrast edges to test the use of contrast consistency and sharpness. We also used aggregate patterns to examine the effects of target size and the effectiveness of luminance contrast and chromatic contrast. E. tiaratum nymphs were attracted to single stripes with well-defined edges, and particularly favored narrow dark targets. The directionality and accuracy of landing were dependent on target size. Lastly, luminance contrasts were more effective in attracting landings than were chromatic contrasts. Visual contrasts are therefore used as spatial references for landing behavior in DAD. These behaviors may enable nymphs to quickly locate dark or shaded sides of vertically oriented vegetational structures in natural habitats.
Pre-landing wrist muscle activity in hopping toads
Authors: Ekstrom Laura J. , Gillis Gary B.
Published: May 2015

Coordinated landing requires preparation. Muscles in the limbs important for decelerating the body should be activated prior to impact so that joints may be stiffened and the limbs stabilized during landing. Moreover, because landings vary in impact force and timing, muscle recruitment patterns should be modulated accordingly. In toads, which land using their forelimbs, previous work has demonstrated such modulation in muscles acting at the elbow, but not the shoulder. In this study we use electromyography and high-speed video to test the hypothesis that antagonistic muscles acting at the wrists of toads are activated in advance of impact, and that these activation patterns are tuned to the timing and force of impact. We recorded from two wrist extensors: extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) and extensor digitorum communis longus (EDCL), and two wrist flexors: flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and palmaris longus (PL). Each muscle was recorded in 4-5 animals (≥ 15 hops per animal). In all muscles, activation intensity was consistently greatest shortly before impact, suggesting these muscles' importance during landing. Pre-landing recruitment intensity regularly increased with aerial phase duration (i.e., hop distance) in all muscles except PL. In addition, onset timing in both wrist flexors was also modulated with hop distance, with later onset times being associated with longer hops. Thus activation patterns in major flexors and extensors of the wrist are tuned to hop distance with respect to recruitment intensity, onset timing or both.
Ontogenetic propulsive transitions by medusaeSarsia tubulosa
Authors: Katija Kakani , Colin Sean P. , Costello John H. , Jiang Houshuo
Published: May 2015

While swimming in their natural environment, marine organisms must successfully forage, escape from predation, and search for mates to reproduce. In the process, planktonic organisms interact with their fluid environment, generating fluid signatures around their body and in their downstream wake through ontogeny. In the early stages of their life cycle, marine organisms operate in environments where viscous effects dominate and govern physical processes. Ontogenetic propulsive transitions in swimming organisms often involve dramatic changes in morphology and swimming behavior. However, for organisms that do not undergo significant changes in morphology, swimming behavior, or propulsive mode, how is their swimming performance affected?

We investigated the ontogenetic propulsive transitions of the hydromedusa Sarsia tubulosa, which utilizes jet propulsion and possesses similar bell morphology throughout its life cycle. We used digital particle image velocimetry and high-speed imaging to measure the body kinematics, velocity fields, and wake structures induced by swimming S. tubulosa from 1 mm to 10 mm bell exit diameters. Our experimental observations revealed three distinct classes of hydrodynamic wakes: elongated vortex rings for 10<Re<30 (1 to 2 mm bell exit diameter), classical elliptical vortex rings for Re>30 (larger than 2 mm bell exit diameter), and in most instances where Re>100 (larger than 4 or 5 mm bell exit diameter), elliptical vortex rings (or leading vortex rings) were followed by trailing jets. The relative travel distance and propulsive efficiency remained unchanged throughout ontogeny, and the swimming proficiency and hydrodynamic cost of transport decreased nonlinearly.
Multiple stressor interactions influence embryo development rate in the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus
Authors: Vasquez M. Christina , Murillo Andrea , Brockmann H. Jane , Julian David
Published: May 2015

Fertilized eggs of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, are buried in shallow nests above the high tide line, where they are exposed to variations in abiotic conditions during early development. Using a multiple stressors approach we examined whether the rate of embryonic development is affected by exposure to combinations of three factors: temperature (T; 25, 30 and 35°C), salinity (S; 5, 15 and 34 ppt), and ambient O2 (O2; 5%, 13% and 21% O2). Newly fertilized eggs were incubated under 27 fully-factorial stressor combinations for 14 d, then allowed to recover in control conditions (30°C, 34 ppt, 21% O2) for an additional 14 d. Growth rate was measured every 2 d throughout the experiment (n=1296). We found that the effect of isolated stressors (high T, low S or low O2) reduced developmental success by up to 72% (low S), and that stressor combinations showed stronger effects and evidence of complex interactions. For example, low O2 had little effect individually but was lethal in combination with high T, and low T in isolation slightly decreased the rate of development but reduced the negative effects of low S and low O2. Development was delayed under exposure to low O2 but resumed upon return to control conditions after a 10 d lag. These data demonstrate that complex, synergistic interactions among abiotic stressors can substantially alter the development of a coastal invertebrate in ways that may not be predicted from the effects of the stressors in isolation.
Sensory processing within antenna enables rapid implementation of feedback control for high-speed running maneuvers
Authors: Mongeau Jean-Michel , Sponberg Simon N. , Miller John P. , Full Robert J.
Published: May 2015

Animals are remarkably stable during high-speed maneuvers. As the speed of locomotion increases, neural bandwidth and processing delays can limit the ability to achieve and maintain stable control. Processing the information of sensory stimuli into a control signal within the sensor itself could enable rapid implementation of whole-body feedback control during high-speed locomotion. Here, we show that processing in antennal afferents is sufficient to act as control signal for a fast sensorimotor loop. American cockroaches Periplaneta americana use their antennae to mediate escape running by tracking vertical surfaces such as walls. A control theoretic model of wall following predicts that stable control is possible if the animal can compute wall position (P) and velocity, its derivative, (D). Previous whole-nerve recordings from the antenna during simulated turning experiments demonstrated a population response consistent with P and D encoding, and suggested that the response was synchronized with the timing of a turn executed while wall following. Here, we record extracellularly from individual mechanoreceptors distributed along the antenna and show that these receptors encode D and have distinct latencies and filtering properties. When summed, receptors transform the stimulus into a control signal that could control rapid steering maneuvers. The D encoding within the antenna in addition to the temporal filtering properties and P dependence of the population of afferents support a sensory encoding hypothesis from control theory. Our findings support the hypothesis that peripheral sensory processing can enable rapid implementation of whole-body feedback control during rapid running maneuvers.
Cold adaptation overrides developmental regulation of sarcolipin expression in mice skeletal muscle: SOS for muscle-based thermogenesis?
Authors: Pant Meghna , Bal Naresh C. , Periasamy Muthu
Published: May 2015

Neonatal mice have a greater thermogenic need and may require additional means of heat production, other than the established mechanism of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Others and we recently discovered a novel mediator of skeletal muscle-based thermogenesis called sarcolipin (SLN) that acts by uncoupling sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA). In addition, we have shown that SLN expression is downregulated during neonatal development in rats. In this study we probed two questions; 1) whether SLN expression is developmentally regulated in neonatal mice 2) if yes, will cold adaptation override developmental regulation of SLN expression. Our data shows that SLN expression is higher during early neonatal stages and is gradually downregulated in fast twitch skeletal muscles. Interestingly, we demonstrate that cold acclimatization of neonatal mice can prevent downregulation of SLN expression. This observation suggests that SLN-mediated thermogenesis can be recruited to a greater extent during extreme physiological need, in addition to BAT.
Recombinant interleukin-1ß dilates steelhead trout coronary microvessels: effect of temperature and role of the endothelium, nitric oxide and prostaglandins
Authors: Costa Isabel A. S. F. , Hein Travis W. , Secombes Christopher J. , Gamperl A. Kurt
Published: May 2015

Interleukin (IL)-1ß is associated with hypotension and cardiovascular collapse in mammals during heat stroke, and the mRNA expression of this pro-inflammatory cytokine increases dramatically in the blood of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua, Linnaeus 1758) at high temperatures. These data suggest that IL-1ß release at high temperatures may negatively impact fish cardiovascular function, and be a primary determinant of upper thermal tolerance in this taxa. Thus, we measured the concentration-dependent response of isolated steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum 1792) coronary microvessels (< 150 μm in diameter) to recombinant (r) IL-1ß at two temperatures (10 and 20°C). Recombinant IL-1ß induced a concentration-dependent vasodilation with vessel diameter increasing by approximately 8 and 30% at 10−8 and 10−7 M, respectively. However, this effect was not temperature dependent. Both vessel denudation and cyclooxygenase blockade (by indomethacin), but not the nitric oxide (NO) antagonist L-NIO, inhibited rIL-1ß's vasodilator effect. In contrast, the concentration-dependent dilation caused by the endothelium-dependent calcium ionophore A23187 was completely abolished by L-NIO and indomethacin, suggesting that both NO and prostaglandin signaling mechanisms exist in the trout coronary microvasculature. These data: 1) are the first to demonstrate a functional link between the immune and cardiovascular systems in fishes; 2) suggest that IL-1ß release at high temperatures may reduce systemic vascular resistance, and thus, the capacity of fish to maintain blood pressure; and 3) provide evidence that both NO and prostaglandins play a role in regulating coronary vascular tone, and thus, blood flow.
Experimental manipulations of tissue oxygen supply do not affect warming tolerance of European perch
Authors: Brijs Jeroen , Jutfelt Fredrik , Clark Timothy D. , Gräns Albin , Ekström Andreas , Sandblom Erik
Published: May 2015

A progressive inability of the cardiorespiratory system to maintain systemic oxygen supply at elevated temperatures has been suggested to reduce aerobic scope and the upper thermal limit of aquatic ectotherms. However, few studies have directly investigated the dependence of thermal limits on oxygen transport capacity. By manipulating oxygen availability (via environmental hyperoxia) and blood oxygen carrying capacity (via experimentally-induced anemia) in European perch (Perca fluviatilis, Linneaus), we investigated the effects of oxygen transport capacity on aerobic scope and the critical thermal maximum (CTmax). Hyperoxia resulted in a two-fold increase in aerobic scope at the control temperature of 23°C, but this did not translate to an elevated CTmax in comparison with control fish (34.6±0.1°C vs. 34.0±0.5°C, respectively). Anemia (∼43% reduction in haemoglobin concentration) did not cause a reduction in aerobic scope nor CTmax (33.8±0.3°C) compared with control fish. Additionally, oxygen consumption rates of anemic perch during thermal ramping increased in a similar exponential manner as in control fish, highlighting that perch have an impressive capacity to compensate for a substantial reduction in blood oxygen carrying capacity. Taken together, these results indicate that oxygen limitation is not a universal mechanism determining the CTmax of fishes.
Electrical aspects of the osmorespiratory compromise: TEP responses to hypoxia in the euryhaline killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) in fresh water and sea water
Authors: Wood Chris M. , Grosell Martin
Published: May 2015

The osmorespiratory compromise, the trade-off between the requirements for respiratory and ionoregulatory homeostasis at the gills, becomes more intense during environmental hypoxia. One aspect which has been previously overlooked is possible change in transepithelial potential (TEP) caused by hypoxia which will influence branchial ionic fluxes. Using the euryhaline killifish, we show that acute hypoxia reduces the TEP across the gills by approximately 10 mV in animals acclimated to both fresh water (FW) and sea water (SW), with a higher PO2 threshold in the former. TEP becomes negative in FW, and less positive in SW. The effects are immediate, stable for at least 3 h, and reverse immediately upon return to normoxia. Hypoxia also blocks the normal increase in TEP that occurs upon FW to SW transfer, but does not reduce the fall in TEP which occurs in the opposite transfer. These effects may be beneficial in FW but not in SW.
Skeletal muscle heterogeneity in fasting-induced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation flexibility in cold-acclimated ducklings
Authors: Monternier Pierre-Axel , Fongy Anaïs , Hervant Frédéric , Drai Jocelyne , Collin-Chavagnac Delphine , Rouanet Jean-Louis , Roussel Damien
Published: May 2015

Starvation remains particularly challenging for endotherms that remain active in cold environments or during winter. The aim of this study was to determine whether fasting-induced mitochondrial coupling flexibility depends upon the phenotype of skeletal muscles. The rates of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial efficiency were measured in pectoralis (glycolytic) and gastrocnemius (oxidative) muscles from cold-acclimated ducklings (Cairina moschata). Pyruvate and palmitoyl-L-carnitine were used in the presence of malate as respiratory substrates. Plasma metabolites, skeletal muscle concentrations of triglycerides, glycogen and total protein and mitochondrial levels of oxidative phosphorylation complexes were also quantified. Results from fed ad libitum ducklings were compared to ducklings allowed to fast for 4 days. During the 4 days of nutritional treatment, birds remained in the cold, at 4°C. It is reported that 4 days of starvation preferentially affected the pectoralis muscles, inducing an up-regulation of mitochondrial efficiency, which was associated with a reduction of both total muscle and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation protein and an increase of intramuscular lipid concentrations. By contrast, fasting decreased the activity of oxidative phosphorylation but did not alter the coupling efficiency and protein expressions of mitochondria isolated from the gastrocnemius muscles. Hence, the adjustment of mitochondrial efficiency to fasting depends upon the muscle phenotype of cold-acclimated birds. Furthermore, these results suggest that the reduced cost of mitochondrial ATP production in pectoralis muscles may triggers lipid storage within this tissue and help to sustain an important metabolic homeostatic function of skeletal muscles, which is to maintain levels of amino acids in the circulation during the fast.
Activities now have a code of practice
Authors: Crabbe Caroline
Published: May 2015

MA Education Ltd, St Jude's Church, Dulwich Road, London, SE24 0PB. neil.henty@markallengroup.com
Giving something back
Authors: Lee Maureen
Published: May 2015

As their training draws to a close, a group of trainees reflect on their experiences, highlighting both the positives of Early Years Initial Teacher Training, and the challenges and opportunities for the future.
Inspections in common
Authors: Allingham Sue
Published: May 2015

From September, settings will be working largely under the same Ofsted framework as primary schools, but why is this happening now and what changes will those working in the sector need to incorporate?
A political childhood
Authors: Webb Penny , Jarvis Pam , Peacock Marie
Published: May 2015

Childcare and education seem to be embroiled in a never-ending clash between politicians and the sector, but this is nothing new, indeed the debate for the soul of the early years goes back many years.
The joy of being green
Authors: Davis Susan
Published: May 2015

Dr Susan Davis explores why, in our modern electronic world, it is still essential for children's wellbeing and emotional health that we foster resilience through promoting more opportunities for outdoor play.
Rhyming with Froebel
Authors: Norman Amanda
Published: May 2015

Amanda Norman discusses how Froebel, an influential educationalist, considered that finger rhymes, or as he called them, ‘Mother Songs’, were used to holistically educate young children in the early years.
Healthy weaning advice
Authors: Matta Carol
Published: May 2015

It is estimated that between five to 10 percent of children are still not drinking from a cup by the age of 18-months, despite advice that this should have occurred earlier, but what exactly are the implications?
Using Sensory Stories in the early years
Authors: Grace Jo
Published: May 2015

Sensory Stories, like many other initiatives begun in special settings, have crossed into the mainstream, they are great to use in the foundation stage and inclusively support the development of all children.
Communication is key to success
Authors: Beardshaw Virginia
Published: May 2015

We have got a silent epidemic on our hands, one that undermines children's chances at school and in later life – poor language development. It is everyone's job to ensure that we address the issue.
Child mental health is at stake
Authors: House Richard
Published: May 2015

Policy makers are making a grave error in imposing quasi-formal learning and institutional childcare onto ever-younger children; for the sake of a generation's future mental health, we have to stop them.
What we can learn from… The Seaside!
Authors: Chapman Ailsa
Published: May 2015

This month we focus on ‘the seaside’ as a topic. Summer signifies a change in weather (we hope!); the days become longer and the temperature heats up, signifying, for many, time for a holiday.
Evie's grasp of language
Authors: Leeper Marion
Published: May 2015

This is the first in a series of articles that will follow one child's individual journey into the complex skills of making meaning out of sounds and expressions, that will soon form the basis of early words.
Like birds of a feather
Authors: Cruickshank Sarah
Published: May 2015

It is easy to attract birds to your setting, whether you have an abundance of trees and green space, or simply hang up feeders for them, but have you considered using them as a learning resource?
Triassic marine terrors
Authors: Sargent Marianne
Published: May 2015

In this third extract from Planning for Learning through Dinosaurs, we use marine monsters of the deep as inspiration for a range of activities linked to all areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Lessons in road safety
Authors: Williams David
Published: May 2015

Do the children in your setting know how to behave near roads, can they cross to the other side safely and interpret signs and signals appropriately? Keeping safe near traffic is an essential modern life skill.
Longer lasting dough
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: May 2015

This series of articles will explore modelling in the early years setting, using practical ideas to enrich your children's learning across the foundation stage – this month we look at salt and flour dough.
Using a controlled trauma technique when injecting hyaluronic acid dermal fillers
Authors: Fletcher Leslie
Published: May 2015

The use of dermal fillers, as well as the effects of dermal needling on the skin, have been studied and confirmed to stimulate neocollagenesis. In this article, the author discusses the combination of these the two concepts in one technique to offer superior outcomes. The article supports the notion that hyaluronic acid (HA) stimulates collagen in the skin and uses evidence to suggest that specific techniques and instruments can greatly enhance the durability of results. Based on the controlled injury theory in which type I and type III collagen production occur at accelerated rates post trauma, the technique uses a sharp needle to create a modest subcuticular undermining effect. This controlled trauma disrupts fragmented collagen strands and replaces them with purposeful, elongated strands of promoted neocollagenesis. Controlled injury begins the wound healing cascade and creates new, non-fragmented collagen, providing improvement in the appearance and health of ageing skin. When neocollagenesis is increased, the duration of the desired outcome also increases. Type I and III collagen have been shown to last 4–7 years, creating an aesthetic result lasting long after the duration of the HA filler itself.
Exploring the role of heat shock proteins in radiofrequency energy therapies
Authors: Soos Emma , Clond Morgan
Published: May 2015

One of the most common questions asked by those considering radiofrequency treatment is ‘how do radiofrequency energy treatments work to tighten the skin?’. In this article, two industry experts explain the biological mechanism of how heat shock proteins revitalise skin following radiofrequency energy treatments. When tissue is heated or stressed, as occurs after radiofrequency energy treatments, cells naturally begin to produce tiny proteins that stabilise the cell. One of the roles of heat shock proteins is to help newly or improperly formed proteins to fold into their correct shape, as this is vital to their function. For example, collagen is strong because it is comprised of three strands of procollagen bound together—the helper protein that holds the strands in alignment as they bond is a heat shock protein. This paper discusses the various types of heat shock proteins and their roles in tissue regeneration following radiofrequency therapy.
Assessing acne vulgaris: risk factors, clinical features and examinations
Authors: Lavers Isabel
Published: May 2015

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin disorder of the pilosebaceous unit and is the most common skin disorder worldwide. To carry out an in-depth, meaningful patient assessment for this condition, aesthetic practitioners must be familiar with its pathophysiology and clinical features, in particular, the four main factors driving acne development. The purpose of this article is to provide an assessment tool for acne documentation, covering patient history, physical examination and previous/present treatments. Practitioners are also encouraged to use a psychosocial assessment tool to assess the psychological impact of the disease. Acne is a treatable skin condition and early intervention is crucial to successful management and the prevention of post-inflammatory scarring. Key elements of the author's assessment tool will be discussed in detail throughout the article to aid a better understanding of the clinical features assessed.
Media, marketing and mass advertising: managing patient expectations
Authors: Paraskeva Nicole
Published: May 2015

Cosmetic procedures are increasingly featured in the media via marketing, advertising, TV programmes and magazine articles. A growing body of research has found that exposure to the media can influence individuals' motivations for and attitudes towards cosmetic procedures. These findings are particularly relevant for aesthetic providers because patients' expectations for treatments may be coloured
The cost of complaints: a legal insight into common client concerns
Authors: Luckman Mandy
Published: May 2015

As the number of cosmetic procedures increases, more patients are reporting dissatisfaction with their treatment experiences and outcomes, causing them to complain and, in some cases, pursue litigation. However, there are several key strategies to consider taking on board when dealing with client concerns. Mandy Luckman outlines common problems faced by practitioners and offers practical solutions
Business performance analysis: does your software tell you what you need to know?
Authors: Lainchbury Mark
Published: May 2015

Focusing on how much information you can get out of your management software, rather than what you put in, can help aesthetic practitioners to gain insight into how many successful enquiries they are getting, and where their revenue is coming from. Mark Lainchbury outlines eight key questions to ‘ask’ your software system, to get the most out of your time and business investment
‘Hyperhidrosis causes much concern—surely there's more to be done for patients’
Authors: Zadah Kate
Published: May 2015

In medical aesthetics, establishing and running a successful clinic is not just about delivering high-quality treatments—having business acumen and a nose for the latest trends is key to setting your business apart from the rest. In this practice management series, PR professional Kate Zadah interviews clinic managers from all over the UK to find out about each practice's successes and struggles
I will not offer my support to non-clinicians nor allied health professionals in aesthetics
Authors: Collier Helena
Published: May 2015

Two years on from Sir Bruce Keogh's report on the regulation of cosmetic interventions, the government, so far from tightening up the regulations and closing the loopholes, has thrown open the floodgates, permitting anyone who completes a qualification to administer cosmetic injectables, says Helena Collier. For her, as a qualified nurse, it is a question both of professional ethics and morals
The use of blunt-tipped cannulas for dermal filler injections
Authors: Baker Anna
Published: May 2015

Cannulas are commonly used in medical aesthetics to volumise, contour and correct various regions of the face. There are several advantages to using blunt-tipped cannulas for facial augmentation in areas such as the tear trough, forehead and temples. Anna Baker looks at the literature surrounding product placement and treatment outcomes with this increasingly popular injection tool
Lip augmentation, enhancement and volumisation with dermal fillers
Authors: Scanlon Chérie
Published: May 2015

As more and more patients are seeking lip volumisation and the reduction of perioral lines, it is vital that aesthetic nurses have a sound understanding of the indications and products for augmentation in this area. Chérie Scanlon outlines key considerations for the assessment and treatment of the lips and perioral complex, while reflecting on ideal product properties
Injecting hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to rejuvenate and augment the lower face
Authors: Geddes Kristeen
Published: May 2015

With age, the facial skeleton becomes more visible, the texture of the skin changes and convexities become concave. As facial volume conveys youth, many patients in aesthetic practice seek facial volume enhancement and remodelling of the lower face. Kristeen Geddes discusses the risks and benefits of the administration of dermal fillers in the middle and lower regions of the face
Nanocrystalline mimetic opals: synthesis and comparative characterization vs. natural stones
Authors: Hernández-Ortiz M. , Hernández-Padrón G. , Bernal R. , Cruz-Vázquez C. , Castano Victor
Published: May 2015

The objective of this project was to synthesis and to comparative characterization of nanocrystalline opals. Synthesis technique called Stöber allows obtaining nano and micro particles monodisperse. Natural opal of origin Mexican was utilized as reference. The results obtained indicated crystalline phases in the opal, and the presence of water is shown through x-ray diffraction and the FTIR and Raman spectra, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated spherical nanoparticle of silicon. We conclude that the synthetic opal presents a mimetic character.
Design of modified ripper algorithm to predict customer churn
Authors: Rajeswari M. , Devi T.
Published: May 2015

Technologies such as data warehousing, data mining, and campaign management software have made Customer Relationship Management (CRM) a new area where firms can gain a competitive advantage. It is becoming common knowledge in business that retaining existing customers is an important strategy to survive in industry. Once identified, these customers can be targeted with proactive retention campaigns in a bid to retain them. These proactive marketing campaigns usually involve the offering of incentives to attract the customer into carrying on their service with the supplier. These incentives can be costly, so offering them to customers who have no intention to defect results in lost revenue. Also many predictive techniques do not provide significant time to make customer contact. This time restriction does not allow sufficient time for capturing those customers who are intending to leave. This research aims to develop methodologies for predicting customer churn in advance, while keeping misclassification rates to a minimum.
The clinical course of patients with adrenal incidentaloma: is it time to reconsider the current recommendations?
Authors: Kastelan Darko , Kraljevic Ivana , Dusek Tina , Knezevic Nikola , Solak Mirsala , Gardijan Bojana , Kralik Marko , Poljicanin Tamara , Skoric-Polovina Tanja , Kastelan Zeljko
Published: May 2015

Objective

The current guidelines for the management of adrenal incidentaloma advise hormonal and radiological follow-up of patients for 2–5 years after the initial diagnosis. However, the vast majority of adrenal incidentaloma are non-functional benign cortical adenomas that require no treatment, so the routine application of the current strategies often results in a number of unnecessary biochemical and radiological investigations. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical course of patients with adrenal incidentaloma and to provide a critical review of the current management strategy of the disease.

Design and methods

This was a retrospective study performed in the Croatian Referral Center for adrenal gland disorders. The study included 319 consecutive patients with adrenal incidentaloma, 174 of which were followed for at least 24 months.

Results

The vast majority of patients were diagnosed with benign adrenal masses, whereas in about 5% of them adrenal tumor corresponded to adrenal carcinoma or metastasis. Tumor density was found to be superior to tumor size in distinguishing benign adrenal masses from malignant tumors and pheochromocytomas. During the follow-up, no patient demonstrated a clinically significant increase in tumor size. In addition, no changes, either in metanephrines and normetanephrines or in the activity of renin–aldosterone axis, were observed during the follow-up. Six patients developed subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) whereas eight patients with SCS showed biochemical remission during follow-up.

Conclusion

The study suggests that the risk of an adrenal mass initially diagnosed as benign and non-functional becoming malignant or hormonally active is extremely low. Therefore, the clinical management of those patients should be tailored on an individual basis in order to avoid unnecessary procedures.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Zhang Ling , Hou Yuemei , Po Sunny S ,   Cardiovascular Centre, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang, China,   Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Sixth Peoples Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,   Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1200 Everett Dr (6E103), Oklahoma City, OK, US. E: sunny-po@ouhsc.edu
Published: May 2015

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common among patients with AF. Growing evidence suggests that OSA is associated with the initiation and maintenance of AF. This association is independent of obesity, body mass index and hypertension. OSA not only promotes initiation of AF but also has a significant negative impact on the treatment of AF. Patients with untreated OSA have a higher AF recurrence rate with drug therapy, electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to improve AF control in patients with OSA. In this article, we will review and discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of OSA that may predispose OSA patients to AF as well as the standard and emerging therapies for patients with both OSA and AF.