bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of life in chronic disease patients
Authors: Megari Kalliopi
Published: November 2015

During the past decades there was an increasing predominance of chronic disorders, with a large number of people living with chronic diseases that can adversely affect their quality of life. The aim of the present paper is to study quality of life and especially Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic diseases. HRQOL is a multidimensional construct that consists of at least three broad domains − physical, psychological, and social functioning − that are affected by one’s disease and/or treatment. HRQoL is usually measured in chronic conditions and is frequently impaired to a great extent. In addition, factors that are associated with good and poor HRQoL, as well as HRQoL assessment will be discussed. The estimation of the relative impact of chronic diseases on HRQoL is necessary in order to better plan and distribute health care resources aiming at a better HRQoL.

[«All the people perceive the concept of living good or being well, that is the same as being happy». (Aristotle. 384-322 BC. Ethica Nichomachea)]
Epidemiological study of the prevalence of depressive disorders in primary health care in Morocco
Authors: Oneib Bouchra , Sabir Maria , Abda Naima , Ouanass Abderazak
Published: November 2015

Objective: To determine the prevalence and the impact of depressive disorders in primary health care and its associated factors. Methodology: It's a cross-sectional study with 351 participants selected from Moroccan primary care facilities, aged above 18 years without chronic somatic or psychiatric disease. The participants answered a questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for major depressive episode (MDE), dysthymic disorder and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS 13.0 software. Results: The prevalence of depressive disorders in the sample was 13.7%, that of MDE was 9.1%, while dysthymic disorder was 4.3%, the rate of recurrent depressive episodes was 38.2% (6% of participants), and the prevalence of depression over a lifetime was 17.7%. The percentage of depression was higher among women than men (P = 0.01). 6.3% of depressed patients have already attempted to suicide. Analysis of GAF scores showed an average of 76.2 ± 24, a lower score was significantly found among patients with current MDE (P = 0.001), dysthymic subjects (P = 0.001) and those who suffer from recurrent MDE (P = 0.001). Depressive disorders in univariate analysis were associated with: Female gender P = 0.01 odds ratio (OR) 2.1 (1.09–4.3), unemployment P = 0.02 OR 0.4 (0.2–0.9), and childbearing age P = 0.004 OR 3.5 (1.5–8). Adjusted OR has not demonstrated a significant association. Conclusion: The high prevalence of depressive disorders, suicide risk, and the alteration of the quality of life among primary health care patients in Morocco suggest the importance of identifying and treating this population.
Scrub typhus meningoencephalitis, a diagnostic challenge for clinicians: A hospital based study from North-East India
Authors: Jamil M. D. , Hussain Masaraf , Lyngdoh Monaliza , Sharma Shriram , Barman Bhupen , Bhattacharya P K.
Published: November 2015

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a known complication of scrub typhus which range from mild meningitis to frank meninigoencephalitis. Aims and objectives: To study the clinical feature, laboratory parameters and response to treatment of scrub typhus meningitis/meningoencephalitis. Methods and Materials: This is a hospital based prospective observational study from North Eastern India. Diagnosis was based on clinical features and positive serological test (Weil's Felix test and IgM antibody card test). Results: 13 patients of scrub typhus with features of meningitis/meningoencephalitis were included. The mean duration of fever before presentation was 5.61±3.08 days and 4 (30.76 %) patients had eschar. Altered sensorium, headache, seizure and meningeal sign were present in 13 (100%), 13 (100%), 6 (46.15%) and 10 (76.92%) patients respectively. Mean CSF protein, glucose and Adenosine deaminase was 152.16±16.88mg/dl, 55.23±21.7mg/dl, and 16.98±7.37U/L respectively. Mean total count of CSF leukocyte and lymphocyte percentage was 46.07±131 cell/cumm and 98.66±3.09% respectively. Tablet doxycycline with or without injection azithromycin was used and that shows good response 15.38% of patients died and all of them had multi organ dysfunction. Conclusion: Meningoencephalitis is a common manifestation of scrub typhus and diagnosis requires high degree of clinical suspicion which if diagnosed early and specific treatment started, patients usually recover completely with few complications.
Insights into a historic severe haze weather in Shanghai: synoptic situation, boundary layer and pollutants
Authors: Leng C. , Duan J. , Xu C. , Zhang H. , Zhang Q. , Wang Y. , Li X. , Kong L. , Tao J. , Cheng T. , Zhang R. , Chen J.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. A historic winter haze weather, characterized by long duration, large scale and strong pollution intensity, occurred in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region of China during the time frame of 1 to 10 December 2013. This severe haze event constituted of several hazy episodes and significantly influenced air quality throughout the region, especially in urban areas. Aerosol physical, chemical and optical properties were measured in Shanghai, where the instantaneous particulate mass burden per volume (e.g. PM2.5) exceeded 600 μg m−3 in some time, breaking the existing historical observation records, and examined to give insights into severe haze weathers. Inorganic water-soluble ions in particles, trace gases and aerosol scattering/absorption coefficients had the same tendency to increase evidently from clear episodes to hazy episodes. A combination of various factors contributed to the formation and evolution of the severe haze, among which meteorological conditions, local anthropogenic emissions and aerosol properties played the major roles. During the haze weather, the YRD region was under the control of a high-pressure system with extremely small surface pressure gradients. The calm surface wind and subsidence airflow were responsible for decreasing planetary boundary layer (PBL) height and constructive to the build-up of air pollutants wandering inside the region, and ultimately induced the haze occurrence. Nonlinear regression analyses indicated that single water-soluble ion did not correlated with the atmospheric visibility degradation so strong, while high ambient relative humidity (RH) indeed exerted a great impact with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.41. Moreover, the close relationship was derived between atmospheric visibility and aerosols in size of 600–1400 nm with R2 of 0.70, which further improved to 0.73 when combined aerosol hygroscopicity. This study may provide supports for the public and authorities to recognize severe haze weathers in urban environments, and act as a reference for forecasting and eliminating the occurrences of regional atmospheric pollutions in China.
Limitations of passive satellite remote sensing to constrain global cloud condensation nuclei
Authors: Stier P.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Aerosol–cloud interactions are considered a key uncertainty in our understanding of climate change (Boucher et al., 2013). Knowledge of the global abundance of aerosols suitable to act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is fundamental to determine the strength of the anthropogenic climate perturbation. Direct measurements are limited and sample only a very small fraction of the globe so that remote sensing from satellites and ground based instruments is widely used as a proxy for cloud condensation nuclei (Nakajima et al., 2001; Andreae, 2009; Clarke and Kapustin, 2010; Boucher et al., 2013). However, the underlying assumptions cannot be robustly tested with the small number of measurements available so that no reliable global estimate of cloud condensation nuclei exists. This study overcomes this limitation using a fully self-consistent global model (ECHAM-HAM) of aerosol radiative properties and cloud condensation nuclei. An analysis of the correlation of simulated aerosol radiative properties and cloud condensation nuclei reveals that common assumptions about their relationships are violated for a significant fraction of the globe: 71 % of the area of the globe shows correlation coefficients between CCN0.2% at cloud base and aerosol optical depth (AOD) below 0.5, i.e. AOD variability explains only 25 % of the CCN variance. This has significant implications for satellite based studies of aerosol–cloud interactions. The findings also suggest that vertically resolved remote sensing techniques, such as satellite-based high spectral resolution lidars, have a large potential for global monitoring of cloud condensation nuclei.
A numerical study of back-building process in a quasi-stationary rainband with extreme rainfall over northern Taiwan during 11–12 June 2012
Authors: Wang C.-C. , Chiou B.-K. , Chen G. T.-J. , Kuo H.-C.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. During 11–12 June 2012, quasi-stationary linear mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) developed near northern Taiwan and produced extreme rainfall up to 510 mm and severe flooding in Taipei. Evident back-building (BB) process in these MCSs contributed to the extreme rainfall, and thus is investigated using a cloud-resolving model. Specifically, we seek answers to the question why the location about 15–30 km upstream from the old cell is often more favorable for new cell initiation without the cold pool mechanism in this subtropical event during the mei-yu season. With a horizontal grid size of 1.5 km, the model successfully reproduced the linear MCS and the BB process, which is found to be influenced by both dynamical and thermodynamical effects. During initiation in a background with convective instability, new cells are associated with positive (negative) buoyancy below (above) due to latent heating (adiabatic cooling), which represent a gradual destabilization. At the beginning, the new development is close to the old convection, which provides stronger warming below and additional cooling at mid-levels from evaporation of condensates, thus yielding a more rapid destabilization. This enhanced upward decrease in buoyancy at a lower height eventually creates an upward perturbation pressure gradient force to drive further development along with the buoyancy itself. After the new cell has gain sufficient strength, a descending branch at the old cell's rear flank acts to separate the new cell to about 20 km upstream. Therefore, the advantages of the spot in the BB process can be explained.
Radiometric consistency assessment of hyperspectral infrared sounders
Authors: Wang L. , Han Y. , Jin X. , Chen Y. , Tremblay D. A.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. The radiometric and spectral consistency among the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), and the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) is fundamental for the creation of long-term infrared (IR) hyperspectral radiance benchmark data sets for both intercalibration and climate-related studies. In this study, the CrIS radiance measurements on Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite are directly compared with IASI on MetOp-A and MetOp-B at the finest spectral scale and with AIRS on Aqua in 25 selected spectral regions through simultaneous nadir overpass (SNO) observations in 2013, to evaluate radiometric consistency of these four hyperspectral IR sounders. The spectra from different sounders are paired together through strict spatial and temporal collocation. The uniform scenes are selected by examining the collocated Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) pixels. Their brightness temperature (BT) differences are then calculated by converting the spectra onto common spectral grids. The results indicate that CrIS agrees well with IASI on MetOp-A and IASI on MetOp-B at the long-wave IR (LWIR) and middle-wave IR (MWIR) bands with 0.1–0.2 K differences. There are no apparent scene-dependent patterns for BT differences between CrIS and IASI for individual spectral channels. CrIS and AIRS are compared at the 25 spectral regions for both polar and tropical SNOs. The combined global SNO data sets indicate that the CrIS–AIRS BT differences are less than or around 0.1 K among 21 of 25 spectral regions and they range from 0.15 to 0.21 K in the remaining four spectral regions. CrIS–AIRS BT differences in some comparison spectral regions show weak scene-dependent features.
Response 1 to "Towards a Gerontoludic Manifesto"
Authors: Lynch Caitrin , Vitols Maruta
Published: November 2015

Responses to commentary, “Toward a Gerontoludic Manifesto,” by Bob De Schutter and Vero Vanden Abeele in Anthropology & Aging Vol36, no.2, the special issue on “Aging the Technoscape,” followed by a reply by the commentary authors.
Response 2 to "Towards a Gerontoludic Manifesto"
Authors: Rubinstein Robert L. , Brazda Michael
Published: November 2015

Responses to commentary, “Toward a gerontoludic manifesto,” by Bob De Schutter and Vero Abeele in Anthropology & Aging Vol36, no.2, the special issue on “Aging the Technoscape,” followed by a reply by the commentary authors.
Reply to Responses
Authors: De Schutter Bob , Vanden Abeele Vero
Published: November 2015

Responses to commentary, “Toward a gerontoludic manifesto,” by Bob De Schutter and Vero Vanden Abeele in Anthropology & Aging Vol36, no.2, the special issue on “Aging the Technoscape,” followed by a reply by the commentary authors.
Conceptual Frameworks and Practical Applications to Connect Generations in the Technoscape
Authors: Kaplan Matthew , Sánchez Mariano , Bradley Leah
Published: November 2015

There are many ways to frame and use technology so it functions as a pathway to intergenerational engagement.  The ever evolving technoscape is filled with powerful technological tools and resources that help people connect, communicate, build relationships, and take collective action across generations.  This technology can be life-altering, especially for isolated seniors and families navigating long distance relationships.  However, at the center of the intervention equation is not the technology itself, but the quest for tapping into the relationship-enhancing potential of the technology. To explore this potential, an international survey was conducted with 46 intergenerational programs that reflect innovation and intensive uses of technology. Results demonstrate that important strides are being made in utilizing new technology for effectively connecting generations and positively affecting aging adults’ lives.
Reaction to and Coping With Domestic Violence by Iranian Women Victims: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Bahrami Masoud , Shokrollahi Paymaneh , Kohan Shahnaz , Momeni Ghodratollah , Rivaz Mozhgan
Published: November 2015

INTRODUCTION: Domestic violence is a continual stressor that motivates its victim to react. The way a woman deals with her husband’s violence determine the consequence of the violent relationship. In the present study, a qualitative approach was employed to investigate women’s reactions to and ways of coping with domestic violence.

METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2014 with 18 women who experienced domestic violence in an attempt to explain how women deal with domestic violence. After the interviews were transcribed word by word, they were explored in the form of meaningful units and encoded as subcategories and categories through inductive content analysis. The reliability and validity of the interviews were measured by an external supervisor.

RESULTS: Two categories of reaction and coping were identified through content analysis: passive and non-normative measures and active measures. Passive and non-normative measures included the subcategories of harmful behaviors, retaliation, tolerance, and silence. Active measures included seeking help and advice, legal measures, leaving the spouse, positive and health promoting measures.

CONCLUSION: In the present study, ways of coping with a husband’s violence among women experiencing domestic violence were divided into two categories: passive and non-normative measures and active measures. These categories confirmed the models of coping with stress in previous studies. Adopting an appropriate approach to dealing with domestic violence is affected by a woman’s capacity and beliefs, the dominant culture, intensity of the violence, available social and legal supports, and effectiveness of evaluation measures. To generalize service provision to victimized women, the type of coping and the reason for adopting the chosen approach need to be taken into account.
The Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Public Health: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Ansari Moghadam Somaye , Abdollahi Zohre , Risbaf Fakour Sirous , Ansari Moghaddam Alireza , Kiany Farin , Damani Nourmohamad
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND: Periodontal diseases, such as periodontitis, are considered the main cause of tooth loss in the elderly.The present study is aimed to determine the relationship between periodontal condition and quality of life. Quality of life consists of a range of people’s objective needs related to the self-perception of well-being.

METHODS: This study was done from January 2014 to June 2015 in a healthcare clinic in Zahedan, southeast Iran. Using the random sampling method, the researchers enrolled 700 individuals over 35 years of age. The participants initially completed a demographic questionnaire consisting of data, such as age, sex, educational level, and smoking habit. Then, the periodontal chart was completed. Moreover, patients, based on the number of their natural teeth, were divided into two groups (≥10 teeth in both maxillary and mandible arches and <10 teeth in at least one arch). The body mass index (BMI) was also measured.To assess the participants’ general health, the WHO’s quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was used.

RESULTS: Of the 700 enrolled individuals, 53.3% were womenand 47.7% were men. Moreover, most of the participants (63.71%) had BMI of less than 25 and 68% did not smoke.We found that as the people’s periodontal status deteriorated, their quality of life also declined and the total mean score in all four health domains decreased (P<0.001).Moreover, people with more than 10 teeth in both arches scored higher with respect to life quality than those with less than 10 teeth in at least one arch (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: This studyindicates a decrease in the general quality of life in patients with periodontal disease.The authors suggest performing studies with larger sample sizes andcohort studies for more reliable results.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis in Women Referring to the Bone Densitometry Academic Center in Urmia, Iran
Authors: Saei Ghare Naz Marzieh , Ozgoli Giti , Aghdashi Mir Amir , Salmani Fatemeh
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is one of the fastest growing health problems around the world. Several factors can affect this silent disease. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in women in Urmia, a city in northwestern Iran.

METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was performed on 360 non-pregnant women over the age of 15 who referred for bone density testing to the Urmia Imam Khomeini Academic Hospital. Data were collected by questionnaire, and bone mineral density of the femoral neck and lumbar spines L1- L4 was evaluated by dual X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS: The total prevalence of osteoporosis in this study was 42.2%; prevalence of osteoporosis among women 45 years old or less was 14.3% and over the age of 45 years was 50.7%. The factors such as level of education, history of bone fracture, disease history (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure), gravidity and parity values, duration of lactation (p<0.001), nutrition dimension of lifestyle (p=0.03), and green tea consumption (p=002) showed a statistically significant association with the bone mineral density. According to the regression model, age (OR=1.081), history of bone fracture (OR=2.75), and gravidity (OR=1.14) were identified as significant risk factors for osteoporosis, while the body mass index (OR=0.94) was identified as a protector against osteoporosis.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of osteoporosis in this study was high, and findings showed that the advancement of age, lifestyle, and reproductive factors (especially gravidity and duration of lactation) were determining factors for osteoporosis .Appropriate educational programs and interventions could help to increase the women’s peak bone mass therefore reducing their risk of developing osteoporosis.
Virginity Testing Beyond a Medical Examination
Authors: Robatjazi Mehri , Simbar Masoumeh , Nahidi Fatemeh , Gharehdaghi Jaber , Emamhadi Mohammadali , Vedadhir Abou-Ali , Alavimajd Hamid
Published: November 2015

Apart from religious values, virginity is important in different communities because of its prominent role in reducing sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies. Even though virginity testing has been proclaimed an example of violence against women by the World Health Organization, it is still conducted in many countries, including Iran. 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 32 to 60 years to elucidate the perceptions and experiences of Iranian examiners of virginity testing.

The perception and experience of examiners were reflected in five main themes. The result of this study indicated that virginity testing is more than a medical examination, considering the cultural factors involved and its overt and covert consequences. In Iran, testing is performed for both formal and informal reasons, and examiners view such testing with ambiguity about the accuracy and certainty of the diagnosis and uncertainty about ethics and reproductive rights. Examiners are affected by the overt and covert consequences of virginity testing, beliefs and cultural values underlying virginity testing, and informal and formal reasons for virginity testing.
Florence Nightingale: Statistics to Save Lives
Authors: McDonald Lynn
Published: November 2015

This paper reviews Florence Nightingale’s contribution to the use of statistics to save lives, beginning with the Crimean War (1854-56). It addresses accusations to the contrary, that her work resulted in lives lost, with primary source data in refutation. It also demolishes exaggerated claims for her, on the extent and speed of death rate reductions achieved, that she collected statistics to this end, and that she did the work virtually single-handedly.

Comparative French death rates during the war are cited which show how successful the British were with their sanitary reforms. Nightingale’s significant collaboration with the leader of the Sanitary Commission is related. The two went on to numerous successful reforms post-Crimea. The creation of a Statistical Branch was a key part of the strategy.

Several unsuccessful attempts Nightingale made to improve statistics are noted, beginning with a rejected proposal to add questions on health to the 1861 Census. Next came the Colonial Office’s failure to follow up on her research on excessive deaths in British colonial hospitals and schools, which raised the broader issue of declines in aboriginal numbers. Finally, she had to give up on an attempt to have applied statistics taught at Oxford University, for the benefit of future Cabinet ministers and senior administrators.

The paper argues that Nightingale’s belief that statistics can be used to save lives still has merit, so long as the endeavour is taken seriously, with adequate attention to detail and complexity.
De Bröring-test
Authors: Overkleeft F.G.K.
Published: November 2015

De Bröring-test

De auteur vraagt zich af hoe het kan dat een in 1959 geboren hoogleraar bestuursrecht in ondernemingsrechtelijke publicaties van anderen nog wel eens wordt aangeduid als de auteur van NJ-annotaties bij klassieke arresten van de Hoge Raad uit 1955 en 1960. Een digitale persoonsverwisseling lijkt hiervan de oorzaak te zijn. De auteur stipt enkele vragen aan die deze gang van zaken oproept.
Transfer pricing-risico’s bij overnames
Authors: Lange M.A. , Mulder T.
Published: November 2015

Transfer pricing-risico’s bij overnames

Veel M&A-professionals zijn niet goed bekend met ‘transfer pricing’ en de regelgeving die daarop van toepassing is. Dit kan resulteren in onvoldoende aandacht voor eventuele risico’s bij de target. In deze bijdrage bespreken de auteurs wat transfer pricing inhoudt en waarom het van belang is hier tijdens een overnameproces voldoende aandacht aan te besteden.
Godard, imagens e memórias: reflexões sobre história(s) do cinema
Authors: Francisco Serafim José
Published: November 2015

Esta obra reúne diversos estudiosos da área que exploram o filme História(s) do cinema, um divisor de água na filmografia de Jean-Luc Godard. Este filme é uma obra multiforme, de aproximadamente 270 minutos de duração. Segundo Serafim, ele “mostra uma visão particular do cinema, sobretudo ficcional, mesclando gêneros, formatos e suportes, sem falar da presença de uma trilha sonora, que mistura músicas variadas, sons dos filmes apresentados, ruídos diversos e, claro, as vozes – primeiro, a do próprio cineasta e, logo mais, distintas vozes que vêm acompanhá-lo”.
CryoEM and computer simulations reveal a novel kinase conformational switch in bacterial chemotaxis signaling
Authors: Cassidy C Keith , Himes Benjamin A , Alvarez Frances J , Ma Jun , Zhao Gongpu , Perilla Juan R , Schulten Klaus , Zhang Peijun
Published: November 2015

Chemotactic responses in bacteria require large, highly ordered arrays of sensory proteins to mediate the signal transduction that ultimately controls cell motility. A mechanistic understanding of the molecular events underlying signaling, however, has been hampered by the lack of a high-resolution structural description of the extended array. Here, we report a novel reconstitution of the array, involving the receptor signaling domain, histidine kinase CheA, and adaptor protein CheW, as well as a density map of the core-signaling unit at 11.3 Å resolution, obtained by cryo-electron tomography and sub-tomogram averaging. Extracting key structural constraints from our density map, we computationally construct and refine an atomic model of the core array structure, exposing novel interfaces between the component proteins. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we further reveal a distinctive conformational change in CheA. Mutagenesis and chemical cross-linking experiments confirm the importance of the conformational dynamics of CheA for chemotactic function.
Phylogenetic analysis of higher-level relationships within Hydroidolina (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) using mitochondrial genome data and insight into their mitochondrial transcription
Authors: Kayal Ehsan , Bentlage Bastian , Cartwright Paulyn , Yanagihara Angel A. , Lindsay Dhugal J. , Hopcroft Russell R. , Collins Allen G.
Published: November 2015

Hydrozoans display the most morphological diversity within the phylum Cnidaria. While recent molecular studies have provided some insights into their evolutionary history, sister group relationships remain mostly unresolved, particularly at mid-taxonomic levels. Specifically, within Hydroidolina, the most speciose hydrozoan subclass, the relationships and sometimes integrity of orders are highly unsettled. Here we obtained the near complete mitochondrial sequence of twenty-six hydroidolinan hydrozoan species from a range of sources (DNA and RNA-seq data, long-range PCR). Our analyses confirm previous inference of the evolution of mtDNA in Hydrozoa while introducing a novel genome organization. Using RNA-seq data, we propose a mechanism for the expression of mitochondrial mRNA in Hydroidolina that can be extrapolated to the other medusozoan taxa. Phylogenetic analyses using the full set of mitochondrial gene sequences provide some insights into the order-level relationships within Hydroidolina, including siphonophores as the first diverging clade, a well-supported clade comprised of Leptothecata-Filifera III–IV, and a second clade comprised of Aplanulata-Capitatas.s.-Filifera I–II. Finally, we describe our relatively inexpensive and accessible multiplexing strategy to sequence long-range PCR amplicons that can be adapted to most high-throughput sequencing platforms.
A new threat to bees? Entomopathogenic nematodes used in biological pest control cause rapid mortality inBombus terrestris
Authors: Dutka Alexandrea , McNulty Alison , Williamson Sally M.
Published: November 2015

There is currently a great deal of concern about population declines in pollinating insects. Many potential threats have been identified which may adversely affect the behaviour and health of both honey bees and bumble bees: these include pesticide exposure, and parasites and pathogens. Whether biological pest control agents adversely affect bees has been much less well studied: it is generally assumed that biological agents are safer for wildlife than chemical pesticides. The aim of this study was to test whether entomopathogenic nematodes sold as biological pest control products could potentially have adverse effects on the bumble beeBombus terrestris. One product was a broad spectrum pest control agent containing bothHeterorhabditis sp. andSteinernema sp., the other product was specifically for weevil control and contained onlySteinernema kraussei. Both nematode products caused ≥80% mortality within the 96 h test period when bees were exposed to soil containing entomopathogenic nematodes at the recommended field concentration of 50 nematodes per cm2soil. Of particular concern is the fact that nematodes from the broad spectrum product could proliferate in the carcasses of dead bees, and therefore potentially infect a whole bee colony or spread to the wider environment.
Testing the enemy release hypothesis in a native insect species with an expanding range
Authors: Mlynarek Julia J.
Published: November 2015

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) predicts that the spread of (invasive) species will be facilitated by release from their enemies as they occupy new areas. However, the ERH is rarely tested on native (non-invasive, long established) species with expanding or shifting ranges. I tested the ERH for a native damselfly (Enallagma clausum) whose range has recently expanded in western Canada, with respect to its water mite and gregarine parasites. Parasitism levels (prevalence and intensity) were also compared betweenE. clausumand a closely related species,Enallagma boreale, which has long been established in the study region and whose range is not shifting. A total of 1,150 damselflies were collected at three ‘old’ sites forE. clausumin Saskatchewan, and three ‘new’ sites in Alberta. A little more than a quarter of the damselflies collected were parasitized with, on average, 18 water mite individuals, and 20% were parasitized by, on average, 10 gregarine individuals. I assessed whether the differences between levels of infection (prevalence and intensity) were due to site type or host species. The ERH was not supported:Enallagma clausumhas higher or the same levels of parasitism in new sites than old sites. However,E. borealeseems to be benefitting from the recent range expansion of a native, closely related species through ecological release from its parasites because the parasites may be choosing to infest the novel, potentially naïve, host instead of the well-established host.
Spintharus flavidusin the Caribbean—a 30 million year biogeographical history and radiation of a ‘widespread species’
Authors: Dziki Austin , Binford Greta J. , Coddington Jonathan A. , Agnarsson Ingi
Published: November 2015

The Caribbean island biota is characterized by high levels of endemism, the result of an interplay between colonization opportunities on islands and effective oceanic barriers among them. A relatively small percentage of the biota is represented by ‘widespread species,’ presumably taxa for which oceanic barriers are ineffective. Few studies have explored in detail the genetic structure of widespread Caribbean taxa. The cobweb spiderSpintharus flavidusHentz, 1850 (Theridiidae) is one of two describedSpintharusspecies and is unique in being widely distributed from northern N. America to Brazil and throughout the Caribbean. As a taxonomic hypothesis,Spintharus “flavidus”predicts maintenance of gene flow among Caribbean islands, a prediction that seems contradicted by knownS. flavidusbiology, which suggests limited dispersal ability. As part of an extensive survey of Caribbean arachnids (project CarBio), we conducted the first molecular phylogenetic analysis ofS. flaviduswith the primary goal of testing the ‘widespread species’ hypothesis. Our results, while limited to three molecular loci, reject the hypothesis of a single widespread species. Instead this lineage seems to represent a radiation with at least 16 species in the Caribbean region. Nearly all are short range endemics with several distinct mainland groups and others are single island endemics. While limited taxon sampling, with a single specimen from S. America, constrains what we can infer about the biogeographical history of the lineage, clear patterns still emerge. Consistent with limited overwater dispersal, we find evidence for a single colonization of the Caribbean about 30 million years ago, coinciding with the timing of the GAARLandia landbridge hypothesis. In sum,S. “flavidus”is not a single species capable of frequent overwater dispersal, but rather a 30 my old radiation of single island endemics that provides preliminary support for a complex and contested geological hypothesis.
The smell of success: the amount of prey consumed by predators determines the strength and range of cascading non-consumptive effects
Authors: Weissburg Marc , Beauvais Jeffrey
Published: November 2015

We examined whether chemically mediated risk perception by prey and the effects of changes in prey behavior on basal resources vary as a function of the amount of prey biomass consumed by the predator. We studied these issues using a tritrophic system composed of blue crabs,Callinectes sapidus(top predator), mud crabsPanopeus herbstii(intermediate prey), and oystersCrassostrea virginica(basal resource). Working in a well characterized field environment where experiments preserve natural patterns of water flow, we found that biomass consumed by a predator determines the range, intensity and nature of prey aversive responses. Predators that consume large amounts of prey flesh more strongly diminish consumption of basal resources by prey and exert effects over a larger range (in space and time) compared to predators that have eaten less. Less well-fed predators produce weaker effects, with the consequence that behaviorally mediated cascades preferentially occur in refuge habitats. Well-fed predators affected prey behavior and increased basal resources up to distances of 1–1.5 m, whereas predators fed restricted diet evoked changes in prey only when they were extremely close, typically 50 cm or less. Thus, consumptive and non-consumptive effects may be coupled; predators that have a greater degree of predatory success will affect prey traits more strongly and non-consumptive and consumptive effects may fluctuate in tandem, with some lag. Moreover, differences among predators in their degree of prey capture will create spatial and temporal variance in risk cue availability in the absence of underlying environmental effects.
Change of status for Epacris microphylla R.Br. var. rhombifolia L.R.Fraser & Vickery (Ericaceae: Epacridoideae)
Authors: Menadue Yvonne , Crowden Ron K.
Published: November 2015

A change of status is proposed for Epacris microphylla var. rhombifolia (R.Br.) L.R.Fraser & Vickery, to Epacris rhombifolia (L.R.Fraser & Vickery) Menadue. New descriptions are provided for E. rhombifolia and E. microphylla sens. strict.
Southern Ocean isopycnal mixing and ventilation changes driven by winds
Authors: Abernathey Ryan , Ferreira David
Published: November 2015

Observed and predicted changes in the strength of the westerly winds blowing over the Southern Ocean have motivated a number of studies on the response of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and Southern Ocean meridional overturning circulation (MOC) to wind perturbations and led to the hypothesis of the “eddy compensation” regime, wherein the MOC becomes insensitive to wind changes. In addition to the MOC, tracer transport also depends on mixing processes. Here we show, in a high‐resolution process model, that isopycnal mixing by mesoscale eddies is strongly dependent on the wind strength. This dependence can be explained by mixing length theory and is driven by increases in eddy kinetic energy; the mixing length does not change strongly in our simulation. Simulation of a passive ventilation tracer (analogous to CFCs or anthropogenic CO2) demonstrates that variations in tracer uptake across experiments are dominated by changes in isopycnal mixing, rather than changes in the MOC. We argue that to properly understand tracer uptake under different wind‐forcing scenarios, the sensitivity of isopycnal mixing to winds must be accounted for.
Interannual variability of the Indonesian Throughflow transport: A revisit based on 30 year expendable bathythermograph data
Authors: Liu Qin‐Yan , Feng Ming , Wang Dongxiao , Wijffels Susan
Published: November 2015

Based on 30 year repeated expendable bathythermograph (XBT) deployments between Fremantle, Western Australia, and the Sunda Strait, Indonesia, from 1984 to 2013, interannual variability of geostrophic transport of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) and its relationships with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are investigated. The IOD induced coastal Kelvin waves propagate along the Sumatra‐Java coast of Indonesia, and ENSO induced coastal Kelvin waves propagate along the northwest coast of Australia, both influencing interannual variations of the ITF transport. The ITF geostrophic transport is stronger during La Niña phase and weaker during El Niño phase, with the Niño3.4 index leading the ITF variability by 7 months. The Indian Ocean wind variability associated with the IOD to a certain extent offset the Pacific ENSO influences on the ITF geostrophic transport during the developing and mature phases of El Niño and La Niña, due to the covarying IOD variability with ENSO. The ITF geostrophic transport experiences a strengthening trend of about 1 Sv every 10 years over the study period, which is mostly due to a response to the strengthening of the trade winds in the Pacific during the climate change hiatus period. Decadal variations of the temperature‐salinity relationships need to be considered when estimating the geostrophic transport of the ITF using XBT data.
Impact of four‐dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) on urban climate analysis
Authors: Pan Linlin , Liu Yubao , Liu Yuewei , Li Lei , Jiang Yin , Cheng Will , Roux Gregory
Published: November 2015

This study investigates the impact of four‐dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) on urban climate analysis, which employs the NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) WRF (the weather research and forecasting model) based on climate FDDA (CFDDA) technology to develop an urban‐scale microclimatology database for the Shenzhen area, a rapidly developing metropolitan located along the southern coast of China, where uniquely high‐density observations, including ultrahigh‐resolution surface AWS (automatic weather station) network, radio sounding, wind profilers, radiometers, and other weather observation platforms, have been installed. CFDDA is an innovative dynamical downscaling regional climate analysis system that assimilates diverse regional observations; and has been employed to produce a 5 year multiscale high‐resolution microclimate analysis by assimilating high‐density observations at Shenzhen area. The CFDDA system was configured with four nested‐grid domains at grid sizes of 27, 9, 3, and 1 km, respectively. This research evaluates the impact of assimilating high‐resolution observation data on reproducing the refining features of urban‐scale circulations. Two experiments were conducted with a 5 year run using CFSR (climate forecast system reanalysis) as boundary and initial conditions: one with CFDDA and the other without. The comparisons of these two experiments with observations indicate that CFDDA greatly reduces the model analysis error and is able to realistically analyze the microscale features such as urban‐rural‐coastal circulation, land/sea breezes, and local‐hilly terrain thermal circulations. It is demonstrated that the urbanization can produce 2.5 k differences in 2 m temperatures, delays/speeds up the land/sea breeze development, and interacts with local mountain‐valley circulations.
Solar radiation as a global driver of hillslope asymmetry: Insights from an ecogeomorphic landscape evolution model
Authors: Yetemen Omer , Istanbulluoglu Erkan , Duvall Alison R.
Published: November 2015

Observations at the field, catchment, and continental scales across a range of arid and semiarid climates and latitudes reveal aspect‐controlled patterns in soil properties, vegetation types, ecohydrologic fluxes, and hillslope morphology. Although the global distribution of solar radiation on earth's surface and its implications on vegetation dynamics are well documented, we know little about how variation of solar radiation across latitudes influence landscape evolution and resulting geomorphic difference. Here, we used a landscape evolution model that couples the continuity equations for water, sediment, and aboveground vegetation biomass at each model element in order to explore the controls of latitude and mean annual precipitation (MAP) on the development of hillslope asymmetry (HA). In our model, asymmetric hillslopes emerged from the competition between soil creep and vegetation‐modulated fluvial transport, driven by spatial distribution of solar radiation. Latitude was a primary driver of HA because of its effects on the global distribution of solar radiation. In the Northern Hemisphere, north‐facing slopes (NFS), which support more vegetation cover and have lower transport efficiency, get steeper toward the North Pole while south‐facing slopes (SFS) get gentler. In the Southern Hemisphere, the patterns are reversed and SFS get steeper toward the South Pole. For any given latitude, MAP is found to have minor control on HA. Our results underscore the potential influence of solar radiation as a global control on the development of asymmetric hillslopes in fluvial landscapes.
The correlation between alopecia and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at four primate facilities
Authors: Coleman Kristine , Lutz Corrine K. , Worlein Julie M. , Gottlieb Daniel H. , Peterson Emily , Lee Grace H. , Robertson Nicola D. , Rosenberg Kendra , Menard Mark T. , Novak Melinda A.
Published: November 2015

Alopecia is a ubiquitous, multifaceted problem at facilities caring for captive rhesus macaques. There is a wide range of potential etiologies for the hair loss, including compromised immune function, dermatological pathologies, and environmental factors. However, few studies have examined whether various temperamental traits affect vulnerability to develop alopecia. We examined the correlation between alopecia and temperament in 101 (51M) indoor‐housed rhesus macaques at four national primate centers. We utilized a cage side version of the Human Intruder test (HIT) to assess response to four conditions: no human present (Alone), human intruder standing next to the cage without making eye contact (Profile), intruder making direct eye contact (Stare) and intruder with back turned (Back). Behavior from all videos was quantified at one facility. We used generalized linear modeling to examine the relationship between behavior on the HIT and alopecia, controlling for facility, age, and sex. There was a significant negative correlation between alopecia and various behaviors associated with an inhibited or anxious temperament, including self‐directed behavior (β = −0.15,P < 0.001) and freeze in the Profile period (β = −0.0092,P < 0.001), and defensive behaviors (β = −0.0094,P < 0.001) and time spent in the back of the cage in the Stare period (β = −0.0023,P = 0.015). Individuals with an inhibited or anxious temperament had less alopecia than others. Further, there were facility differences with respect to several variables on the HIT, including defensive behavior in Stare and freeze in Profile. These results suggest that temperament can influence the development of alopecia in rhesus macaques. Our results also highlight the degree to which facility differences can affect outcomes on standardized behavioral tests. Am. J. Primatol. 79:e22504, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphometric Characteristics of the Humerus and Ulna in Limbs Bearing the Supratrochlear Aperture (STA)
Authors: Ndou Robert , Schepartz Lynne Alison
Published: November 2015

The supratrochlear aperture (STA) is a perforation of the septum found between the olecranon and coronoid fossae of the humerus. Its prevalence is population specific and varies by sex. There is no consensus on the etiology of this feature despite decades of investigation. Two aspects of the mechanical theory, which states that the STA is formed when the ulnar olecranon and coronoid processes impinge upon the septum separating the olecranon and coronoid fossae, were investigated. First, osteometric measures of bone size were used to test the proposition that larger humeri are less prone to STA formation. We compared the dimensions of STA bearing humeri with those lacking STAs and investigated which skeletal features discriminate among South African populations. To specifically evaluate the mechanical theory that articulation with the olecranon and coronoid fossae may result in STA formation, dimensions of the olecranon and coronoid processes were compared. Our results verified that smaller individuals are prone to STA formation and that a significantly longer olecranon process is associated with the aperture. The olecranon process length and olecranon‐coronoid distance were the main contributors to STA presence. Variables that contributed the most towards discrimination among the South African populations were the olecranon fossa depth and right humeral head circumference. An inverse relationship between the olecranon process length and olecranon fossa depth was also associated with presence of the STA. Anat Rec, 299:220–233, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a sufficiently reactive thioalkylester involving the side‐chain thiol of cysteine applicable for kinetically controlled ligation
Authors: Tsuda Shugo , Mochizuki Masayoshi , Nishio Hideki , Yoshiya Taku , Nishiuchi Yuji
Published: November 2015

Nα‐Trifluoroacetyl‐Cys‐Leu‐NH2 (TfaC‐Leu‐NH2) was incorporated into thioesters through its side‐chain thiol group to develop a more reactive peptide‐thioester than the commonly used peptide‐3‐mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)‐thioester. The TfaC‐thioester could be readily synthesized by solid‐phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) with Boc chemistry using in situ neutralization protocols in sufficient yield without any side reaction associated with the use of TfaC. This thioester proved to display a much higher reactivity in the thiol‐free native chemical ligation (NCL) reaction than the MPA‐thioester and to be comparable to the thioarylester, such as the 4‐mercaptophenylacetic acid (MPAA)‐thioester, in terms of the ligation rate. We were able to demonstrate the usefulness of the TfaC‐thioester by using it to synthesize neuromedin S via a one‐pot sequential NCL approach followed by desulfurization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 503–511, 2016.