bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opinions and potential solutions regarding dissemination bias from funding agencies of biomedical research in Europe
Authors: Pardo‐Hernandez Hector , Urrútia Gerard , Meerpohl Joerg J. , Marušić Ana , Wager Elizabeth , Bonfill Xavier ,   on behalf of the OPEN Project Consortium
Published: January 2017

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Several studies have found that about half of research results from clinical trials are never published. Until now, there has been little information on the views that funding agencies of biomedical research in Europe have regarding this issue and its possible solutions.

Methods

An electronic survey was conducted among funding agencies from 34 European countries. Participants were asked about their opinions, policies, and potential solutions regarding dissemination bias. On the basis of the results of this survey and the input of the OPEN Consortium and of representatives of stakeholder groups in the knowledge generation process, we formulated recommendations for funding agencies to reduce dissemination bias.

Results

We received responses from 64 funding agencies of biomedical medicine from most European countries, out of 245 that were contacted (26%). Of these, 56 funded research at the national and/or international level and were therefore eligible to participate. Policies encouraging publication increased over time: 33 (58.9%) of agencies enforced them in 2005 compared to 38 (67.6%) in 2012. However, only 13 (23.2%) had knowledge of the publications related to research funded in 2005, 23 (41.1%) were able to provide only an estimate, and 20 (35.7%) did not know at all. Regarding recommendations to control dissemination bias, we propose that funding agencies request the dissemination of research results irrespective of the direction of findings. We also call for measures that allow evaluating funded projects past the contractual period and until dissemination of results. Funding agencies should create publicly accessible databases with information on funded projects and dissemination efforts.

Conclusion

Despite having policies to encourage publication of results, most funding agencies fail to implement such measures or to ensure compliance. We propose recommendations that could be incorporated in the blueprint of calls for proposals and contracts agreed upon by funding agencies and grant recipients.
Notes on the use of randomised controlled trials to evaluate complex interventions: Community treatment orders as an illustrative case
Authors: Mustafa Feras Ali
Published: January 2017

Over the past seven decades, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have revolutionised clinical research and achieved a gold standard status. However, extending their use to evaluate complex interventions is problematic. In this paper we will demonstrate that complex intervention RCTs violate the necessary premises that govern the RCTs logic and underpin their rigour. The lack of blinding, heterogeneity of participants, as well as poor treatment standardisation and difficulty of controlling for confounders, which characterise complex intervention RCTs, can potentially be profoundly detrimental to their integrity. Proponents of this approach argue that matching “real world” circumstances, while maintaining the randomised design, enhances external validity. We counter this argument by pointing out that an inverted U relation exists between internal and external validity, and thus relaxing the experimental conditions beyond a certain threshold can potentially paradoxically render the RCT externally invalid, i.e. its results cannot be used anywhere. We shall illustrate the inappropriate use of RCTs to evaluate community treatment orders and propose an alternative epistemic model that is based on mechanistic reasoning and Cartwright's capacity concept.
Effect of prucalopride on intestinal gas tolerance in patients with functional bowel disorders and constipation
Authors: Malagelada Carolina , Nieto Adoración , Mendez Sara , Accarino Anna , Santos Javier , Malagelada Juan‐R , Azpiroz Fernando
Published: January 2017

Background and Aim

Patients with functional bowel disorders develop gas retention and symptoms in response to intestinal gas loads that are well tolerated by healthy subjects. Stimulation of 5HT‐4 receptors in the gut has both prokinetic and antinociceptive effects. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of prucalopride, a highly selective 5HT‐4 agonist, on gas transit and tolerance in women with functional bowel disorders complaining of constipation.

Methods

Twenty‐four women with functional bowel disorders complaining of constipation were included in the study. Patients were studied twice on separate days in a cross‐over design. On each study day, an intestinal gas challenge test was performed. During the five previous days, prucalopride (2 mg/day) or placebo was administered. Abdominal symptoms, stool frequency, and stool consistency were recorded during the treatment period on daily questionnaires.

Results

During the gas challenge test, prucalopride did not decrease the volume of gas retained in the subset of patients who had significant gas retention (≥ 200 mL) while on placebo. However, in those patients who had increased symptoms during the gas test (≥ 3 on a 0 to 6 scale) when on placebo, prucalopride did significantly reduce the perception of symptoms (2.3 ± 0.5 mean score vs 3.5 ± 0.3 on placebo; P = 0.045).

During the treatment period with prucalopride, patients exhibited an increase in the total number of bowel movements and decreased stool consistency compared with placebo.

Conclusion

Prucalopride reduces abdominal symptoms without modifying gas retention when patients with functional bowel disorders are challenged with the gas transit and tolerance test. European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT2011‐006354‐86).
Changes in objectively measured physical activity in adolescents with Down syndrome: the UP&DOWN longitudinal study
Authors: Izquierdo‐Gomez R. , Martinez‐Gómez D. , Esteban‐Cornejo I. , Hallal P. C. , García‐Cervantes L. , Villagra A. , Veiga O. L. ,   on behalf of the UP&DOWN study group
Published: January 2017

Background

It is a priority to understand that physical activity behaviour over time is a priority in Down syndrome population in order to design and promote succesfull interventions to maintain or increase levels of physical activity. We aimed to study 1 and 2‐year changes in objectively measured physical activity among a relatively large sample of adolescents with Down syndrome.

Methods

This study comprised a total of 99 adolescents with Down syndrome (38 girls) aged from 11 to 20 years old at baseline. Participants with valid accelerometer data at baseline and at least one of the follow‐up visits were included in the analysis.

Results

Overall, levels of physical activity observed in adolescents with Down syndrome declined from baseline to follow‐ups, but these changes were not significant (all P > 0.05). Moderate‐to‐moderately high tracking of physical activity was observed in adolescents with Down syndrome (all P < 0.001). Youths who met physical activity guidelines at baseline demonstrated a greater decline in physical activity in 1 and 2‐year changes (P < 0.05), although they were also more likely to meet physical activity guidelines at 1 and 2‐year follow‐ups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Adolescents with Down syndrome do not change their levels of physical activity at 2‐year follow‐ups, but those who met physical activity guidelines presented stronger declines in physical activity over time.
The Mandarin Chinese version of the Beach Centre Family Quality of Life Scale: development and psychometric properties in Taiwanese families of children with developmental delay
Authors: Chiu S. ‐J. , Chen P. ‐T. , Chou Y. ‐T. , Chien L. ‐Y.
Published: January 2017

Background

Early intervention (EI) practitioners provide individualised family‐centred services to enhance the quality of life (QOL) of families of children with developmental delay (DD). Family QOL (FQOL) could be an important outcome indictor for EI, but there is no measurement tool for FQOL in Mandarin Chinese. The purpose of this study was to translate the Beach Centre FQOL Scale (BCFQOL) into Mandarin Chinese and to examine the psychometric properties of the scale in families of children with DD.

Methods

Two independent translations were performed by two bilingual professors whose mother tongue was Mandarin, and two back‐translations were performed by two bilingual professionals whose mother tongue was English. The translated and back‐translated questionnaires were reviewed to revise the questionnaire. Five experts assessed the accuracy, equivalence and cultural appropriateness of the scale, and 10 parents of children with DD were interviewed to examine its readability, clarity and cultural appropriateness. From July to November 2014, we recruited 360 primary caregivers of children with DD who were receiving EI in northern Taiwan to validate the scale. The participants completed the BCFQOL as well as a one item overall ratings of their FQOL.

Results

Item analysis was performed to assess each item. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the following five‐factor structure as in the original scale: family interaction, parenting, emotional well‐being, physical/material well‐being and disability‐related support. The scale exhibited excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96) and test–retest reliability at a 2‐week interval (intra‐class correlation coefficient = 0.92). Contrasted group validity was supported by significantly higher BCFQOL scores in the top quartile of the overall FQOL rating than the lowest quartile. The convergent validity was supported by the significant correlation between the FQOL item and the BCFQOL (r = 0.608, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

This study showed that the Mandarin Chinese version of the BCFQOL is reliable and valid for Taiwanese families of children with DD. The instrument could be applied to assess FQOL in families of children with DD who are receiving EI in order to evaluate family services and supports.
Immune modulation by the hepatitis C virus core protein
Authors: Fernández‐Ponce C. , Dominguez‐Villar M. , Muñoz‐Miranda J. P. , Arbulo‐Echevarria M. M. , Litrán R. , Aguado E. , García‐Cozar F.
Published: January 2017

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is currently the most important cause of chronic viral hepatitis in the world and one of the most frequent indications for liver transplantation. HCV uses different strategies to evade the innate and adaptive immune response, and this evasion plays a key role in determining viral persistence. Several HCV viral proteins have been described as immune modulators. In this review, we will focus on the effect of HCV nucleocapsid core protein in the function of immune cells and its correlation with the findings observed in HCV chronically infected patients. Effects on immune cell function related to both extracellular and intracellular HCV core localization will be considered. This review provides an updated perspective on the mechanisms involved in HCV evasion related to one single HCV protein, which could become a key tool in the development of new antiviral strategies able to control and/or eradicate HCV infection.
Pituitary Macrotumor Causing Narcolepsy‐Cataplexy in a Dachshund
Authors: Schmid S. , Hodshon A. , Olin S. , Pfeiffer I. , Hecht S.
Published: January 2017

Familial narcolepsy secondary to breed‐specific mutations in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene and sporadic narcolepsy associated with hypocretin ligand deficiencies occur in dogs. In this report, a pituitary mass is described as a unique cause of narcolepsy‐cataplexy in a dog. A 6‐year‐old male neutered Dachshund had presented for acute onset of feeding‐induced cataplexy and was found to have a pituitary macrotumor on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cerebral spinal fluid hypocretin‐1 levels were normal, indicating that tumor effect on the ventral lateral nucleus of the hypothalamus was not the cause of the dog's narcolepsy‐cataplexy. The dog was also negative for the hypocretin receptor 2 gene mutation associated with narcolepsy in Dachshunds, ruling out familial narcolepsy. The Dachshund underwent stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), which resulted in reduction in the mass and coincident resolution of the cataplectic attacks. Nine months after SRT, the dog developed clinical hyperadrenocorticism, which was successfully managed with trilostane. These findings suggest that disruptions in downstream signaling of hypocretin secondary to an intracranial mass effect might result in narcolepsy‐cataplexy in dogs and that brain MRI should be strongly considered in sporadic cases of narcolepsy‐cataplexy.
Species differences in hepatic biotransformation of the anthelmintic drug flubendazole
Authors: Maté M. L. , Geary T. , Mackenzie C. , Lanusse C. , Virkel G.
Published: January 2017

Flubendazole (FLBZ) is a broad‐spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used in pigs, poultry, and humans. It has been proposed as a candidate for development for use in elimination programmes for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in humans. Moreover, FLBZ has shown promise in cancer chemotherapy, particularly for neuroblastoma. This work investigated the hepatic carbonyl‐reducing pathway of FLBZ in different species, including humans. Microsomal and cytosolic fractions were obtained from sheep, cattle, pig, hen, rat, and human liver. Both subcellular fractions of each species converted FLBZ into a reduced metabolite (red‐FLBZ). The rate of microsomal red‐FLBZ production was highest in sheep (1.92 ± 0.13 nmol/min.mg) and lowest in pigs (0.04 ± 0.02 nmol/min.mg); cytosolic red‐FLBZ production ranged from 0.02 ± 0.01 (pig) to 1.86 ± 0.61 nmol/min.mg (sheep). Only subcellular fractions from sheep liver oxidized red‐FLBZ to FLBZ in a NADP+‐dependent oxidative reaction. Liver microsomes from both pigs and humans transformed FLBZ to red‐FLBZ and a hydrolyzed metabolite. Very significant differences in the pattern of FLBZ metabolism were observed among the tested species and humans. These results reinforce the need for caution in extrapolating data on metabolism, efficacy, and safety of drugs derived from studies performed in different species.
Autumn and winter feeding ecology of waterfowl at the Ouse Washes, England
Authors: Thomas G. J.
Published: January 2017

The potential foods available to waterfowl at the Ouse Washes in autumn and winter are described. All were commonly found in the river, pool, marsh and flooded grassland habitats of the washes and in the surrounding arable fields. Gadwall Anas strepera, Wigeon A. penelope, Moorhen Gallinula chloropusand Coot Fulica atramainly consumed vegetative foods, especially the leaves of grasses and in the case of the first named, water plants. Mallard A. platyrhynchos, Pintail A. acuta, Teal A. crecca, Pochard Aythya ferinaand Moorhen fed extensively on fruits and seeds with the first three species supplementing their diets with cereal grains from stubbles. Shoveler A. clypeata, Tufted duck Aythya fuligula, Pochard and Moorhen consumed the largest amounts of invertebrates. Within these three groupings there were further interspecific differences in diet. With most species diets also differed under low and high floods, being most similar under the latter. Amongst the dabbling ducks Anasspp. there were differences, probably minor, in foods taken attributable to differences in the bill lamellae on the outer margins of the upper jaw.

The feeding methods used under low and high floods are described and some differences may further serve to ecologically separate the waterfowl. There was a high degree of adaptability, especially amongst the dabbling ducks, with some species changing the feeding postures completely under high floods. All species fed diurnally. Wigeon, Gadwall, Coot and Moorhen all fed for at least 90% of the daylight hours. Shoveler, Teal, Mallard and Pintail were most active in the mornings and afternoons. A partially objective analysis of ecological niches shows that all but two species pairs were clearly separated by either habitat or food factors. There is some overlap between Pochard and Tufted duck and greater overlap between Mallard and Pintail. This may be because they are utilizing the temporarily abundant foods present at this site.
Ultrasonic calls produced by three laboratory strains of Mus musculus
Authors: Robinson D. J. , D'Udine B.
Published: January 2017

Young of three strains of laboratory mouse, C57/BL6/J, SEC1Re/J and BALB/c were examined for the first 14 days of life. Ultrasound output by the young was measured daily for each of two pups from each litter over a period of 5 min. The young were not subjected to a marked change in external temperature during any stage of the observations. Differences between the strains were marked, with BALB/c and SEC producing more ultrasound daily than C57 over the first nine days of life, and maintaining a high level of ultrasound output for 2–3 days longer than C57.
The relationships of the neotropical genus Cichl. (Perciformes, Cichlidae): a phyletic analysis including some functional considerations
Authors: Stiassny Melanie L. J.
Published: January 2017

The relationship between the neotropical genus Cicld. and other members of the family Cichlidae is investigated. Anatomical data from a wide range of functional components are utilized to elucidate the phyletic relationships of the genus. Little evidence is found to support an hypothesis of a close phyletic link between Cichl. and any of the African Cichlidae investigated. Instead, it is suggested that the immediate relationships of Cichl. lie with another neotropical genus, Crenicichla.
Structure and function in the tail of the Pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus)
Authors: Lauder George V.
Published: January 2017

Patterns of in vivo bone deformation in the caudal skeleton of sunfishes have been studied with rosette strain gauges. An anatomical description of caudal osteology and myology is provided for comparison with other actinopterygian fishes and as an aid in interpreting the bone strain patterns. Peak bone strain during fast‐start acceleration was −3213 µε and the peak strain rate was −296 x 103 µs/s. During steady locomotion, strain rates and magnitudes were considerably lower (10–85 x 103 µε/s and 379–1074 µε, respectively). The main strain peak during fast‐starts occurs during kinematic stage one. Mean principal tensile and compressive angles are aligned parallel and perpendicular to the body axis during fast‐starts, while steady locomotion results in strain axes inclined at a mean angle of −34° to the body axis. These results are compared to strain data from other vertebrates: vertebrate bone is only very rarely subjected to deformations greater than 3100 µε and to strain rates greater than 100 × 103 µε/s. The role of this type of functional analysis in studying actinopterygian locomotor patterns is discussed.
Diet and energy intake of Grey and Ringed plovers, Pluvialis squatarola and Charadrius hiaticula, in the non‐breeding season
Authors: Pienkowski Michael W.
Published: January 2017

The diets, feeding rates, foraging times during daylight, the extent of nocturnal feeding and food intakes of Grey and Ringed plovers Pluvialis squatarola and Charadrius hiaticula are described or estimated from field observations, checked by ciné‐film, in Northumberland, England, from autumn to spring of the years 1973–76. (Gut analysis was unreliable as a quantitative guide to diet.) Main prey at Lindisfarne for both plovers were the polychaete worms Notomastus, Arenicola and probably Scoloplos and Phyllodoce and, for Ringed plovers, also various small Crustacea, particularly Bathyporeia and Eurydice. Comparisons with diets of the same species elsewhere showed that they are not specialized but vary their diet in accordance with the prey species common in a particular area. In autumn and spring, but not in winter, food requirements could be met during daylight. An increase in the percentage of the daylight hours spent feeding in winter was inadequate to compensate for the decreases in both hours of daylight and feeding rate which occur at this season. Both plovers were able to feed at night, but, on dark nights at least, at a slower rate than by day. High winds apparently depressed the extent of nocturnal feeding. In mid‐winter, the birds maintain high fat levels, probably to buffer the effects of days when they have difficulty in obtaining their energy requirements, such as during cold and windy weather. Because plovers' feeding rates are reduced more by low temperatures than those of waders foraging by touch, their rates of energy intake fall more in such conditions. An attempt is made to predict the minimum densities of prey required for energy balance in various conditions and to compare the foraging strategies of visually foraging plovers and tactilely‐foraging sandpipers.
Neoergasilus japonicus (Crustacea: Ergasilidae). A parasitic copepod new to Britain
Authors: Mugridge R. E. R. , Stallybrass H. G. , Hollman A.
Published: January 2017

The copepod Neoergasilus japonicus, which is parasitic on fresh‐water teleosts, is recorded in Britain for the first time. Previous records of this species have been restricted to Eastern Europe and Asia. A key is provided to distinguish N. japonicus from other Ergasilidae found in Britain and a description of N. japonicus found in Britain is included.
The breeding biology of magpies Pica pica in an urban environment
Authors: Tatner Paul
Published: January 2017

The colonisation of British cities by magpies is a recent phenomenon. This work presents an analysis of magpie breeding biology in the urban environment of south Manchester; laying date, nesting success, clutch size, incubation period, hatching success and nestling success have been investigated and where possible, are contrasted with the situation in rural areas.

A proportion of magpies in Manchester renovate an old nest for the breeding attempt, a habit which is uncommon in rural populations. As a result of this, the average laying date for urban magpies is advanced relative to that of the surrounding rural areas. Another aspect of the urban breeding ecology which differed from that of rural magpies was the high frequency and success rate of repeat breeding attempts following an initial failure. These increased fledgling productivity by 25%, so that the average annual breeding sucess in the Manchester urban environment was 1·55 young per pair, which is one of the highest recorded for the magpie.
Patterns of distribution, diversity and endemism in Afrotropical birds
Authors: Crowe T. M. , Crowe Anna A.
Published: January 2017

Patterns of distribution, diversity and endemism for 1595 species and well‐marked subspecies of Afrotropical (excluding marine islands) passerine and non‐aquatic non‐passerine birds are identified and analysed using uni‐ and multi‐variate statistical methods. Patterns of distribution are well predicted by a hierarchical model of African avifaunal zones based on patterns of distribution and evolution in guineafowl (Family Numididae). The boundaries of avifaunal zones recognized here for passerines and non‐passerines are similar to one another, and largely parallel those of broad contemporary vegetation types along a rainfall gradient. However, there are interesting discrepancies between the distributions of contemporary vegetation types and inferred avifaunal zones, most notably the disjunct similarity of the avifaunas of three sections of lowland forest, much of which presently is an apparently continuous belt. We interpret this disjunct avifaunal similarity in the light of palaeoecological and geomorphological data as evidence in favour of the hypothesis of forest refugia. This hypothesis states that presently continuous forests were fragmented during arid conditions in the geological past, and that birds which prefer forested biotopes were confined to “island” forest refugia. Patterns of diversity and endemism, when considered together with patterns of distribution, also support the refugium hypothesis, and suggest the existence of two additional refugia, one in the western African forest, the other in the eastern African equatorial savanna. Several of these refugia may have been important centres of evolution for forest and open country birds.
Reproductive and social behaviour of the Dhole, Cuon alpinus (Canidae)
Authors: Johnsingh A.J.T.
Published: January 2017

A pack of Dholes living in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve Karnataka, India was observed between August 1976 and July 1978. The home range of the pack was 40 km2, the average density was 0·35‐0·9 Dholes/km2 in the 20 km2 core area. The hunting range of the pack during the denning period was 11 km2 and at other times the range was over 15 km2. Mean number of adults in the pack averaged 8·3 and including pups, the mean pack size was 16. Adult sex ratio consistently favoured ♂♂ with a 2:1 ratio. Preexisting dens were used during this study. Pups left the den when 70 to 80 days old and at seven months of age actively took part in killing prey. Means of communication, types of play, and response to other species are described. Determinants of pack size and features of pack size regulation are discussed and data are compared with those of Canis lupus and Lycaon pictus.
A Cretaceous divergence time between pelobatid frogs (Pelobates and Scaphiopus): immunological studies of serum albumin
Authors: Sage Richard D. , Prager Ellen M. , Wake David B.
Published: January 2017

Serum albumin was purified from the Old World spadefoot toad Pelobates cultripes and from the New World spadefoot toads Scaphiopus hammondi and Scapliopus couchi and injected into rabbits. The resulting antisera were used in the quantitative micro‐complement fixation test to assess the degree of genetic relatedness between Pelobates and Scaphiopus as well as among six different species of Scaphiopus. Although Pelobates and Scaphiopus are morphologically and ecologically similar, and are considered to be close relatives, our immunological data suggest a divergence time of about 110 million years B.P. The albumins of the four species within the subgenus Spea (S. hammondi, S. intermontamus, S. bombifrons, and S. multiplicatus) were very similar. Albumins of the subgenus Scaphiopus (S. couchi and S. holbrooki), in turn, were more similar to each other than either was to S. hammondi. The intra‐Scaphiopus results are consistent with previously reported electrophoretic studies, and a high correlation is observed between albumin immunological and electrophoretic genetic distances. These data and results from other biochemical studies provide no support for a single biogeographic model to explain the Holarctic distributions of amphibians.
Network structure and local adaptation in co‐evolving bacteria–phage interactions
Authors: Gurney James , Aldakak Lafi , Betts Alex , Gougat‐Barbera Claire , Poisot Timothée , Kaltz Oliver , Hochberg Michael E.
Published: January 2017

Numerous theoretical and experimental studies have investigated antagonistic co‐evolution between parasites and their hosts. Although experimental tests of theory from a range of biological systems are largely concordant regarding the influence of several driving processes, we know little as to how mechanisms acting at the smallest scales (individual molecular and phenotypic changes) may result in the emergence of structures at larger scales, such as co‐evolutionary dynamics and local adaptation. We capitalized on methods commonly employed in community ecology to quantify how the structure of community interaction matrices, so‐called bipartite networks, reflected observed co‐evolutionary dynamics, and how phages from these communities may or may not have adapted locally to their bacterial hosts. We found a consistent nested network structure for two phage types, one previously demonstrated to exhibit arms race co‐evolutionary dynamics and the other fluctuating co‐evolutionary dynamics. Both phages increased their host ranges through evolutionary time, but we found no evidence for a trade‐off with impact on bacteria. Finally, only bacteria from the arms race phage showed local adaptation, and we provide preliminary evidence that these bacteria underwent (sometimes different) molecular changes in the wzy gene associated with the LPS receptor, while bacteria co‐evolving with the fluctuating selection phage did not show local adaptation and had partial deletions of the pilF gene associated with type IV pili. We conclude that the structure of phage–bacteria interaction networks is not necessarily specific to co‐evolutionary dynamics, and discuss hypotheses for why only one of the two phages was, nevertheless, locally adapted.
Thinking About a Word—Love, for Example
Authors: Forsberg Niklas
Published: January 2017

What is it we do when we philosophize about a word? How are we to act as we ask the philosophical question par excellence, “What is … ?” These questions are addressed here with particular focus on Troy Jollimore's Love's Vision and contemporary theories of love. Jollimore's rationalist account of love, based on a specific understanding of “reasons for love,” illustrates a particular philosophical mistake: When we think about a word, we are prone to believe that even though “the sense of the word” that we investigate may be up for grabs, the other words we use when we do these investigations are not. Jollimore's exploration of love is guided by specific conceptions of “reasons” and “rationality” that remain unquestioned. The article argues that we may have to rethink a great number of words as we embark on the task of uncovering the sense of one word.
Extensive Philosophical Agreement and Progress
Authors: Frances Bryan
Published: January 2017

This article argues, first, that there is plenty of agreement among philosophers on philosophically substantive claims, which fall into three categories: reasons for or against certain views, elementary truths regarding fundamental notions, and highly conditionalized claims. This agreement suggests that there is important philosophical progress. It then argues that although it's easy to list several potential kinds of philosophical progress, it is much harder to determine whether the potential is actual. Then the article attempts to articulate the truth that the deniers of philosophical progress are latching on to. Finally, it comments on the significance of the agreement and (potential) progress.
On the Domain of Metaphilosophy
Authors: Plant Bob
Published: January 2017

This article argues for four interrelated claims: (i) Metaphilosophy is not one sub‐discipline of philosophy, nor is it restricted to questions of methodology. Rather, metaphilosophical inquiry encompasses the general background conditions of philosophical practice. (ii) These background conditions are of various sorts, not only those routinely considered “philosophical” but also those considered biographical, historical, and sociological. Accordingly, we should be wary of the customary distinction between what is proper (internal) and merely contingent (external) to philosophy. (iii) “What is philosophy?” is best understood as a practical question concerning how members of different philosophical sub‐communities identify what is pertinent to their respective activities and self‐conceptions. (iv) Given (i)–(iii), understanding what philosophy is requires us to take more seriously the social‐institutional dimension of contemporary philosophical practice.
Disagreements Over Analogies
Authors: Laas Oliver
Published: January 2017

This essay presents a dialogical framework for treating philosophical disagreements as persuasion dialogues with analogical argumentation, with the aim of recasting philosophical disputes as disagreements over analogies. This has two benefits: (1) it allows us to temporarily bypass conflicting metaphysical intuitions by focusing on paradigmatic examples, (dis)similarities, and the plausibility of conclusions for or against a given point of view; and (2) it can reveal new avenues of argumentation regarding a given issue. This approach to philosophical disagreements is illustrated by studying the role of argumentation by analogy in disputes over Lockean justifications of intellectual property rights, and disagreements over whether artificial agents should be treated as moral agents. Finally, a nonexhaustive list of possible global and local points of contention over analogical arguments is identified in order to highlight potential avenues of argumentation in disagreements over analogies.
LlFH1‐mediated interaction between actin fringe and exocytic vesicles is involved in pollen tube tip growth
Authors: Li Shanwei , Dong Huaijian , Pei Weike , Liu Chaonan , Zhang Sha , Sun Tiantian , Xue Xiuhua , Ren Haiyun
Published: January 2017

Pollen tube tip growth is an extreme form of polarized cell growth, which requires polarized exocytosis based on a dynamic actin cytoskeleton. However, the molecular basis for the connection between actin filaments and exocytic vesicles is unclear.

Here, we identified a Lilium longiflorum pollen‐specific formin (LlFH1) and found that it localized at the apical vesicles and plasma membrane (PM). Overexpression of LlFH1 induced excessive actin cables in the tube tip region, and downregulation of LlFH1 eliminated the actin fringe. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis revealed that LlFH1‐labeled exocytic vesicles exhibited an initial accumulation at the shoulder of the apex and coincided with the leading edge of the actin fringe. Time‐lapse analysis suggested that nascent actin filaments followed the emergence of the apical vesicles, implying that LlFH1 at apical vesicles could initiate actin polymerization.

Biochemical assays showed that LlFH1 FH1FH2 could nucleate actin polymerization, but then capped the actin filament at the barbed end and inhibited its elongation. However, in the presence of lily profilins, LlFH1 FH1FH2 could accelerate barbed‐end actin elongation. In addition, LlFH1 FH1FH2 was able to bundle actin filaments.

Thus, we propose that LlFH1 and profilin coordinate the interaction between the actin fringe and exocytic vesicle trafficking during pollen tube growth of lily.
In situ warming strengthens trophic cascades in a coastal food web
Authors: Svensson Filip , Karlsson Erik , Gårdmark Anna , Olsson Jens , Adill Anders , Zie Jenny , Snoeijs Pauline , Eklöf Johan S.
Published: January 2017

Global warming may affect most organisms and their interactions. Theory and simple mesocosm experiments suggest that consumer top–down control over primary producer biomass should strengthen with warming, since consumer respiration increases faster with warming than plant photosynthesis. However, these predictions have so far not been tested on natural communities that have experienced warming over many generations. Natural systems display a higher diversity, heterogeneity and complexity than mesocosms, which could alter predicted effects of warming. Here we used an artificially heated part of the northern Baltic Sea (the Forsmark Biotest basin) to test how warming influences trophic interactions in a shallow coastal food web with four trophic levels: omnivorous fish, invertivorous fish, herbivorous invertebrates, and filamentous macroalgae. Monitoring of fish assemblages over six years showed that small invertivorous fish (gobiids, sticklebacks and minnows) were much less abundant in the heated basin than in unheated references areas. Stomach content analyses of the dominating omnivorous fish – Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis – revealed a strikingly different diet within and outside the Biotest basin; gammarid crustaceans were the dominating prey at heated sites, whereas invertivorous fish (e.g. gobiids) dominated at unheated sites. A 45‐day cage experiment showed that fish exclusion did not affect the biomass of algal herbivores (gastropods and gammarids), but reduced algal biomass in heated sites (but not unheated). This suggests that warming induced a trophic cascade from fish to algae, and that this effect was mediated by predator‐induced changes in herbivore behavior, rather than number. Overall, our study suggests that warming has effectively compressed the food chain from four to three trophic levels (algae, gammarids and perch), which have benefitted the primary producers by reducing grazing pressure. Consequently, warming appears to have restructured this coastal food web through a combination of direct (physiological) and indirect (species interactions) effects.
Trait‐mediated community assembly: distinguishing the signatures of biotic and abiotic filters
Authors: Loughnan Deirdre , Gilbert Benjamin
Published: January 2017

Conflicting hypotheses predict how traits mediate species establishment and community assembly. Traits of newly establishing individuals are predicted to converge, or be more similar to the resident, preexisting community, when the biotic or abiotic environment favors a single best phenotype, but are predicted to diverge when trait differences reduce competitive interactions. We tested these competing hypotheses using transplant seedlings in an old‐field environment, and assessed the contribution of inter‐ and intra‐specific transplant trait variation to community‐level patterns. Using a soil moisture gradient and resident plant removals, we determined when traits of newly‐establishing plants converge or diverge from the resident community by calculating community weighted mean traits for transplant and resident communities. We saw evidence of environmentally‐ and competitively‐driven trait shifts that resulted in both trait convergence and divergence from the resident community, whose traits reflect the combined effects of both drivers. Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of transplants diverged in the presence of competition, whereas plant height and stem‐specific density (SSD) showed the opposite pattern, converging with the resident community in their presence. Specific leaf area (SLA) shifted with competition but did not reflect resident community SLA. All transplant traits were influenced by soil moisture, often in an interaction with competition, indicating that the strength of convergence or divergence is contingent on the abiotic environment. Intraspecific differences in transplant traits among treatments were evident in three of four traits; intraspecific height and SLA trends mirrored transplant community‐level trends, whereas intraspecific shifts in SSD were distinct from community‐level trends. Our study shows competition between plant species may cause traits of newly establishing plants to converge with the resident community, as frequently as it selects for trait divergence. These opposing effects of competition suggest that it plays a pervasive role in both intraspecific and species‐level trait differences among communities.
Experimental evolution of bet hedging in rotifer diapause traits as a response to environmental unpredictability
Authors: Tarazona Eva , García‐Roger Eduardo M. , Carmona María José
Published: January 2017

The adaptive response of organisms to unpredictable environments is increasingly recognized as a central topic in fundamental and applied evolutionary ecology. Selection due to environmental unpredictability can act on multiple traits of an organism's life cycle to reduce the impact of high environmental variance. The aim of this research was to study how unpredictability selects for diapause traits: 1) the timing of sex (a proxy of the timing of diapausing egg production), and 2) the diapausing egg hatching fraction (a proxy of diapause duration). We used an experimental evolution approach with the facultative sexual rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. Laboratory populations experiencing two contrasting regimes of environmental fluctuation (predictable versus unpredictable) evolved divergently over a short time span (< 77 days). The populations under the unpredictable regime showed an earlier initiation of sexual reproduction and a lower hatching fraction of diapausing eggs than populations under the predictable regime. These findings demonstrate empirically the existence of bet‐hedging strategies in B. plicatilis regarding both traits, consistent with theoretical predictions of bet‐hedging evolution under conditions of unpredictable environmental variance. Given that scenarios of increased environmental variability are expected to occur in the near future, a comprehensive understanding of the role of bet‐hedging strategies is necessary for predicting population responses to environmental change.
Missbildungen
Authors: Fabré Sven
Published: January 2017

Die neuere literaturwissenschaftliche Forschung hat dem Thema „Wirtschaft und Literatur“ ausgiebige Aufmerksamkeit gespendet. Da Thomas Manns zweiter Roman, Königliche Hoheit, die Geschichte eines deutschen Duodezstaates am Rande des Bankrottes erzählt, wurde auch er wiederholt solchen Lektüren unterworfen. Was den Kritikern bis jetzt entgangen zu sein scheint, ist die interessante wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Schnittstelle, auf die der Roman anspielt. Am Ende des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts entfachte sich in Deutschland ein leidenschaftlicher Streit zwischen den Vertretern der humanistischen und der naturwissenschaftlich‐mathematischen Disziplinen. Dabei stand insbesondere ihre jeweilige pädagogische Angemessenheit zur Debatte. Zur gleichen Zeit wurde die Frage erhoben, zu welcher der beiden Sparten die Nationalökonomie gehören sollte. In Königliche Hoheit wird diese Gegenüberstellung – und ihre Beschwichtigung – in der „Bildungsgeschichte“ des Prinzen Klaus Heinrich reflektiert, der die Wirtschaftswissenschaft als vermittelndes, sowohl praktisches als auch modernes Paradigma entdecken wird.
Modelling Heterogeneous Preferences for Income Redistribution–An Application of Continuous and Discrete Distributions
Authors: Pfarr Christian , Schmid Andreas , Mørkbak Morten Raun
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates observable and unobservable heterogeneity in individuals’ preferences for redistribution—differentiating the desired overall volume of redistribution and who should receive benefits, subsidies, or transfers. We use data from a discrete choice experiment (DCE) conducted in the field and based on a representative sample of the German voting‐age population. Applying random parameters and latent class models, our results show that latent and potentially discontinuously distributed factors must be accounted for, as they heavily impact the interpretation of the findings. We find considerable heterogeneity in redistribution preferences, clearly identifying three distinct subgroups. While all groups are in favor of redistribution, they differ regarding the preferred allocation of the redistributive budget.
Validity of noninvasive composite scores to assess cardiovascular risk in 10‐year‐old children
Authors: Lerum Ø. , Aadland E. , Andersen L. B. , Anderssen S. A. , Resaland G. K.
Published: January 2017

Agreement between and classification accuracy of six different noninvasive composite scores and a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor score were investigated in 911 (466 boys and 445 girls) 10‐year‐old Norwegian children. A CVD risk factor score (triglyceride, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR), and cardiorespiratory fitness) and six noninvasive risk scores (fitness+three different measurements of fatness (body mass index (BMI), WHtR, and skinfolds), with and without inclusion of SBP) were calculated (mean z‐score by gender). Agreement was assessed using Bland‐Altman plots. The ability of noninvasive scores to correctly classify children with clustered CVD risk was examined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ). For both sexes, the noninvasive scores without SBP showed excellent AUC values (AUC=0.93‐0.94, 95% CI=0.88‐0.98) and moderate kappa values (κ=0.49‐0.64) and had limits of agreement of 0.0±0.78‐0.89 (arbitrary unit). Inclusion of SBP increased AUC values (AUC=0.96‐0.97, 95% CI=0.94‐0.99), kappa values (κ=0.58‐0.69), and reduced limits of agreement (0.0±0.68‐0.76). Noninvasive scores that include fitness and fatness provide acceptable agreement and classification accuracy, allowing for widespread early identification of children that might be at risk for developing CVD later in life. SBP should be included in the noninvasive score to improve classification accuracy if possible.
On the Positional Distribution of an Armenian Auxiliary: Second‐Position Clisis, Focus, and Phases
Authors: Kahnemuyipour Arsalan , Megerdoomian Karine
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates the positional distribution of an auxiliary clitic in Eastern Armenian in informationally marked sentences. The paper builds on previous work on the distribution of the auxiliary in focus‐neutral contexts (Kahnemuyipour & Megerdoomian 2011), where its placement was analyzed as second position within the lower phase domain (orvP), thereby extending the inventory of known second‐position phenomena from the clause to the smaller verbal domain. To account for the distribution of the auxiliary in sentences with focused constituents, it is proposed here that the relevant phase in this context is the Focus Phrase, with the auxiliary appearing in the expected second position. This falls into place under a dynamic view of phasehood that defines the phase as the highest projection of a lexical category and takes low focus to be part of the verbal domain and its corresponding phase (Bošković 2014). These proposals rely highly on the parallelism between clausal and verbal domains both in terms of their status as phases as well as their structural makeup. To the extent that these proposals succeed in accounting for the facts we discuss, they provide further evidence for the dynamic conception of phases as well as theCP–vPparallelism.
Validity and Reliability Study for the Social and Emotional Competence Assessment Scale among 60-72 Months-old Children
Authors: Ölçer Sevinç
Published: January 2017

In the present study, the aim is to adapt the scale developed by Merrell, Felver-Gant and Tom (2011) to evaluate Social-Emotional Competence of Children and Young People among 60-72 months old children. Data have been obtained 200 preschool children attending preschool institutions. In testing validity of the scale, expert opinions are taken regarding scope and appearance validity. To test the construct validity of the scale, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques were used. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, it has been observed that variance of all items in the scale is loaded on three factors that explain 81.15% of the variance. As a result of the confirmatory factor analysis it has been noticed that all coefficients demonstrating the relationship between variables and factors observed in the model showing the factorial structure of this scale are sufficient. Internal consistency coefficients for each dimension and among total items of the scale have been calculated. T-test is conducted on independent sample and sub-, upper-groups and a meaningful difference at .001 level was found. Consequently, findings relating to validity and reliability of Social and Emotional Competence Assessment Scale for 60-72 Months Children have showed that the scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool.