bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is the patient experience in advanced liver disease? A scoping review of the literature
Authors: Kimbell Barbara , Murray Scott A
Published: July 2013

Background

There has been a dramatic increase in liver disease over recent decades, with morbidity and mortality rates predicted to rise significantly. In order to effectively support this growing patient population we need to understand the experiences, key issues and priorities of people living and dying with advanced liver disease.

Aims

To establish what is currently known about the patient experience of advanced liver disease.

Methods

Scoping literature review. We searched MedLine, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsychINFO databases. Eligibility criteria: original research and review papers written in English since 1990 relating to the adult patient experience of advanced liver disease. Papers focusing on treatment development, acute liver failure or post liver transplantation were excluded.

Results

240 abstracts were identified and 121 articles reviewed in full. Patients with advanced liver disease experience many physical and psychosocial challenges, often of a greater severity than those reported in other advanced conditions. They are affected by gastrointestinal problems and fatigue, with both linked to higher levels of depression. Socio-demographic variations in the patient experience occur. Only two studies explored the holistic patient experience.

Conclusions

Our knowledge of the patient experience in advanced liver disease is mainly from quality of life instruments and quantitative research. There are methodological limitations in the existing research such that the holistic patient experience is not well described. Qualitative longitudinal research has great potential for contributing to our understanding of the complex needs and experiences of patients living with advanced liver disease.
Contrasting changes in surface waters and barrens over the past 60 years for a subarctic forest–tundra site in northern Manitoba based on remote sensing imagery
Authors: Umbanhowar Charles , Camill Philip , Edlund Mark , Geiss Christoph , Durham Wesley , Kreger Dahna , Molano William , Raskob Charlie , Stocker Mary , Tvera Andrea , Williams Jordan
Published: July 2013

Intensified warming in the Arctic and Subarctic is resulting in a wide range of changes in the extent, productivity, and composition of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Analysis of remote sensing imagery has documented regional changes in the number and area of ponds and lakes as well as expanding cover of shrubs and small trees in uplands. To better understand long-term changes across the edaphic gradient, we compared the number and area of water bodies and dry barrens (>100 m2) between 1956 (aerial photographs) and 2008–2011 (high-resolution satellite images) for eight ∼25 km2 sites near Nejanilini Lake, Manitoba (59.559°N, 97.715°W). In the modern landscape, the number of water bodies and barrens were similar (1162 versus 1297, respectively), but water bodies were larger (mean 3.1 × 104 versus 681 m2, respectively) and represented 17% of surface area compared with 0.4% for barrens. Over the past 60 years, total surface area of water did not change significantly (16.7%–17.1%) despite a ∼30% decrease in numbers of small (<1000 m2) water bodies. However, the number and area of barrens decreased (55% and 67%, respectively) across all size classes. These changes are consistent with Arctic greening in response to increasing temperature and precipitation. Loss of small water bodies suggests that wet tundra areas may be drying, which, if true, may have important implications for carbon balance. Our observations may be the result of changes in winter conditions in combination with low permafrost ice content in the region, in part explaining regional variations in responses to climate change.
Environmental metabolomics: an emerging approach to study organism responses to environmental stressors
Authors: Lankadurai Brian P. , Nagato Edward G. , Simpson Myrna J.
Published: July 2013

Metabolomics is the analysis of endogenous and exogenous low molecular mass metabolites within a cell, tissue, or biofluid of an organism in response to an external stressor. The sub-discipline of environmental metabolomics is the application of metabolomic techniques to analyze the interactions of organisms with their environment. There has been a rapid growth in environmental metabolomics over the past decade. This growth can be attributed to the comprehensive and rapid nature of nontargeted metabolomics and the ability to generate hypotheses involving complex environmental stressors, especially when the mode of action is unknown. Using a wide variety of model organisms, metabolomic studies have detected stress from abiotic factors such as xenobiotic exposure and temperature shifts as well as biotic stressors such as herbivory and competition. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics has been the dominant analytical platform used for environmental metabolomics studies, owing to its nonselectivity and ease of sample preparation. However, the number of mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomic studies is also increasing rapidly, owing to its high sensitivity for the detection of trace levels of metabolites. In this review, we provide an overview of the general experimental design, extraction methods, analytical instrumentation, and statistical methods used in environmental metabolomics. We then highlight some of the recent studies that have used metabolomics to elucidate hitherto unknown biochemical modes of actions of various environmental stressors to both terrestrial and aquatic organisms, as well as identify potential metabolite shifts as early bioindicators of these stressors. Through this, we emphasize the immense potential and versatility of environmental metabolomics as a routine tool for characterizing the responses of organisms to numerous types of environmental stressors.
A NOTE ON LIMITED PUSHDOWN ALPHABETS IN STATELESS DETERMINISTIC PUSHDOWN AUTOMATA
Authors: MASOPUST TOMÁŠ
Published: July 2013

Recently, an infinite hierarchy of languages accepted by stateless deterministic pushdown automata has been established based on the number of pushdown symbols. However, the witness language for the nth level of the hierarchy is over an input alphabet with 2(n − 1) elements. In this paper, we improve this result by showing that a binary alphabet is sufficient to establish this hierarchy. As a consequence of our construction, we solve the open problem formulated by Meduna et al. Then we extend these results to m-state realtime deterministic pushdown automata, for all m ≥ 1. The existence of such a hierarchy for m-state deterministic pushdown automata is left open.
DENSITY FUNCTIONAL CALCULATIONS ON SPECTRUM AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OFWNCO(N= 1 ~ 6) CLUSTERS
Authors: ZHANG XIURONG , WANG YANGYANG , ZHANG FUXING , YUAN AIHUA
Published: July 2013

The spectrum and electronic properties of WnCO (n = 1~6) clusters have been studied by using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level. It is found that the vibrational frequencies of the strongest infrared intensity are in a range of 1674.3–1846.4 cm-1. For each cluster, the vibration modes at the strongest peak are both IR and Raman active, and be assigned to CO stretching modes. The polarizability analyses indicate that the mean dipole polarizabilities increase monotonically with the increase of cluster size, except W6CO cluster. In addition, the ionization energies and electronegativities analyses manifest that the W2CO cluster has well attracted electronic ability; W6CO cluster is the easiest to lose electrons in all WnCO clusters.
SPECTRAL AND TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL NANORING SUPERLATTICE
Authors: PYATAEV M. A. , KOKOREVA M. A.
Published: July 2013

Spectral properties of periodic one-dimensional array of nanorings in a magnetic field are investigated. Two types of the superlattice are considered. In the first one, rings are connected by short one-dimensional wires while in the second one rings have immediate contacts between each other. The dependence of the electron energy on the quasimomentum is obtained from the Schrödinger equation for the Bloch wavefunction. We have found an interesting feature of the system, namely, presence of discrete energy levels in the spectrum. The levels can be located in the gaps or in the bands depending on parameters of the system. The levels correspond to bound states and electrons occupying these levels are located on individual rings or couples of neighboring rings and do not contribute to the charge transport. The wavefunction for the bound states corresponding to the discrete levels is obtained. Modification of electron energy spectrum with variation of system parameters is discussed.
CHAOS IN AN ADAPTIVE NETWORK WITH REWIRING
Authors: LI LI , YU BENGUO
Published: July 2013

An epidemic spreading through an adaptive network, where the susceptible are able to avoid contact with the infective by rewiring their network connections, with random and regular contacts is considered. This paper uses a new mathematical model obtained by pair approximation to explore the effect of rewiring of the epidemic dynamics. We show that chaotic behavior can emerge while considering rewiring. The obtained results show that rewiring plays an very important role on the dynamical behavior of the epidemic model.
THE GROUPS OF AUTOMORPHISMS ARE COMPLETE FOR FREE BURNSIDE GROUPS OF ODD EXPONENTS n ≥ 1003
Authors: ATABEKYAN V. S.
Published: July 2013

It is proved that the group of automorphisms Aut (B(m, n)) of the free Burnside group B(m, n) is complete for every odd exponent n ≥ 1003 and for any m > 1, that is, it has a trivial center and any automorphism of Aut (B(m, n)) is inner. Thus, the automorphism tower problem for groups B(m, n) is solved and it is showed that it is as short as the automorphism tower of the absolutely free groups. Moreover, the group of all inner automorphisms Inn (B(m, n)) is the unique normal subgroup in Aut (B(m, n)) among all its subgroups, which are isomorphic to free Burnside group B(s, n) of some rank s.
A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING "RURAL" POSITIONING
Authors: SIEMENS LYNNE
Published: July 2013

In many rural and remote communities, residents have traditionally relied on jobs in natural resource-based industries. Over the years, employment has been steadily reduced due to changes in these industries. Both the communities, faced with declining populations as a result, and the residents are examining the potential of small business to create economic development. However, these locations create challenges for small business operators. Some communities experience accessibility and transportation issues and often lack standard business infrastructure. At the same time, the very nature of these rural areas can become components of a marketing strategy. This paper will examine three conceptualizations of rural and the commodification process and propose a framework for positioning the concept of rural as part of a marketing strategy. Three case studies from a rural region in Canada will be presented and analyzed within this framework. The paper concludes with recommendations for rural businesses, communities and governments and other interested parties within the context of rural economic development.
BRIDGING VITAL SIGNS AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS FOR RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED EPIDEMIC CONTROL
Authors: ZHANG ZHAOYANG , WANG HONGGANG , LEE KEN C. K. , FANG HUA
Published: July 2013

This paper proposes a new approach that uses people's social interaction behavior collected by mobile phones and vital signs collected by wireless body area networks (WBAN) for epidemic control. By this approach, infectious people who are socially active can be quickly identified to be quarantined. To realize this approach, we introduce a notion of critical network and critical node identification algorithm. Observing some resource constraints such as quarantine cost and hardware limitation, we focus on optimizing the proposed approach such that high epidemic control effectiveness is achieved while the corresponding overhead is minimized. Our simulation results demonstrate that our approach can effectively control the spread of epidemic diseases in various situations.
Glacial dispersal and mode of occurrence of metals in till and esker gravel at Kumpuselkä, northern Finland
Authors: Peuraniemi V. , Eskola T.
Published: July 2013

A Cu-Zn-Pb-Au mineralized quartz-carbonate vein within micaceous schist recently exposed in a gravel pit quarried into the Kumpuselkä esker (Finland) was the impetus of this study, which examines the glacial dispersal of metals in the nearby Quaternary deposits. The oldest ice flow direction in the area was to the SE–SSE, the younger flow in the ice lobe phase to the ESE and the youngest flow to the ENE. Five till and three esker gravel samples were taken for geochemical and heavy mineral studies. The concentrations of base metals in the conventional fine fraction analysis of the till samples are at background level although the samples had been taken from the very proximal part of the glacial dispersal train. Copper and Pb contents in the fine fraction of esker gravel are at higher levels than those in till fines. Base metal sulphides as chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and pyrite were found as some separate grains in the heavy mineral concentrates of till. More often, the Cu, Zn and Pb sulphides occur as tiny inclusions in the coarse pyrite grains. Heavy mineral concentrates of the esker gravel contain abundant pyrite grains, but no visible Cu, Zn or Pb sulphides were recovered. In one heavy mineral concentrate of till (KUM 4), Ni-bearing cobaltite and Co-bearing arsenopyrite along with pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite were found. Sulphide minerals have survived even within the upper C-horizon of the till above the groundwater level and therefore sulphide minerals can be used for prospecting sulphide ores by indicator mineral methods. Some chromite grains were also found in the heavy mineral concentrates of the till samples. Their presence reflects multi-phase, long-distance glacial transport (100 km) of the older till material which have subsequently been inherited by the younger till.
Neuronal plasticity in hibernation and the proposed role of the microtubule-associated protein tau as a “master switch” regulating synaptic gain in neuronal networks
Authors: Arendt Thomas , Bullmann Torsten
Published: July 2013

The present paper provides an overview of adaptive changes in brain structure and learning abilities during hibernation as a behavioral strategy used by several mammalian species to minimize energy expenditure under current or anticipated inhospitable environmental conditions. One cellular mechanism that contributes to the regulated suppression of metabolism and thermogenesis during hibernation is reversible phosphorylation of enzymes and proteins, which limits rates of flux through metabolic pathways. Reversible phosphorylation during hibernation also affects synaptic membrane proteins, a process known to be involved in synaptic plasticity. This mechanism of reversible protein phosphorylation also affects the microtubule-associated protein tau, thereby generating a condition that in the adult human brain is associated with aggregation of tau protein to paired helical filaments (PHFs), as observed in Alzheimer's disease. Here, we put forward the concept that phosphorylation of tau is a neuroprotective mechanism to escape NMDA-mediated hyperexcitability of neurons that would otherwise occur during slow gradual cooling of the brain. Phosphorylation of tau and its subsequent targeting to subsynaptic sites might, thus, work as a kind of “master switch,” regulating NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic gain in a wide array of neuronal networks, thereby enabling entry into torpor. If this condition lasts too long, however, it may eventually turn into a pathological trigger, driving a cascade of events leading to neurodegeneration, as in Alzheimer's disease or other “tauopathies”.
Involvement of 5-HT3receptors in pudendal inhibition of bladder overactivity in cats
Authors: Schwen Zeyad , Matsuta Yosuke , Shen Bing , Wang Jicheng , Roppolo James R. , de Groat William C. , Tai Changfeng
Published: July 2013

In the present study, the role of 5-HT3receptors in pudendal neuromodulation of bladder activity and its interaction with opioid receptors were investigated in anesthetized cats. The bladder was distended with either saline to induce normal bladder activity or with 0.25% acetic acid (AA) to induce bladder overactivity. Pudendal afferent nerves were activated by 5-Hz stimulation at multiples of the threshold (T) intensity for the induction of anal twitching. AA irritation significantly reduced bladder capacity to 16.5 ± 3.3% of saline control capacity, whereas pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) at 1.5–2 and 3–4 T restored the capacity to 82.0 ± 12% ( P = 0.0001) and 98.6 ± 15% ( P < 0.0001), respectively. Cumulative doses (1–3 mg/kg iv) of ondansetron, a 5-HT3receptor antagonist, eliminated low-intensity (1.5–2 T) PNS inhibition and reduced high-intensity (3–4 T) PNS inhibition of bladder overactivity. During saline distention, PNS at 1.5–2 and 3–4 T significantly increased bladder capacity to 173.2 ± 26.4% ( P = 0.036) and 193.2 ± 22.5% ( P = 0.008), respectively, of saline control capacity, but ondansetron (0.003–3 mg/kg iv) did not alter PNS inhibition. Ondansetron (0.1–3 mg/kg) also significantly ( P < 0.05) increased control bladder capacity (50–200%) during either AA irritation or saline distention. In both conditions, the effects of low- and high-intensity PNS were not significantly different. After ondansetron (3 mg/kg) treatment, naloxone (1 mg/kg iv) significantly ( P < 0.05) decreased control bladder capacity (40–70%) during either AA irritation or saline distention but failed to affect PNS inhibition. This study revealed that activation of 5-HT3receptors has a role in PNS inhibition of bladder overactivity. It also indicated that 5-HT3receptor antagonists might be useful for the treatment of overactive bladder symptoms.
Effects of weight reduction regimens and bariatric surgery on chronic kidney disease in obese patients
Authors: Abou-Mrad Rana M. , Abu-Alfa Ali K. , Ziyadeh Fuad N.
Published: July 2013

Increasing evidence nowadays is showing that obesity by itself, independent of other comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension, is associated with renal functional changes and structural damage. Intentional weight loss demonstrates beneficial reduction in proteinuria and albuminuria in patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease, particularly those whose renal damage is likely induced by obesity. The safety of some weight loss interventions, particularly the use of high-protein diets and/or medications, is questionable in this population due to the lack of well-designed randomized controlled studies reporting on their efficacy or harm. Bariatric surgery showed the most promising results with regards to ameliorating glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria albeit with a modest risk of increased perioperative complications with advanced stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Biomechanical properties of the human upper airway and their effect on its behavior during breathing and in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Bilston Lynne E. , Gandevia Simon C.
Published: July 2013

The upper airway is a complex, multifunctional, dynamic neuromechanical system. Its patency during breathing requires moment-to-moment coordination of neural and mechanical behavior and varies with posture. Failure to continuously recruit and coordinate dilator muscles to counterbalance the forces that act to close the airway results in hypopneas or apneas. Repeated failures lead to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obesity and anatomical variations, such as retrognathia, increase the likelihood of upper airway collapse by altering the passive mechanical behavior of the upper airway. This behavior depends on the mechanical properties of each upper airway tissue in isolation, their geometrical arrangements, and their physiological interactions. Recent measurements of respiratory-related deformation of the airway wall have shown that there are different patterns of airway soft tissue movement during the respiratory cycle. In OSA patients, airway dilation appears less coordinated compared with that in healthy subjects (matched for body mass index). Intrinsic mechanical properties of airway tissues are altered in OSA patients, but the factors underlying these changes have yet to be elucidated. How neural drive to the airway dilators relates to the biomechanical behavior of the upper airway (movement and stiffness) is still poorly understood. Recent studies have highlighted that the biomechanical behavior of the upper airway cannot be simply predicted from electromyographic activity (electromyogram) of its muscles.
Single neuron dynamics during experimentally induced anoxic depolarization
Authors: Zandt Bas-Jan , Stigen Tyler , ten Haken Bennie , Netoff Theoden , van Putten Michel J. A. M.
Published: July 2013

We studied single neuron dynamics during anoxic depolarizations, which are often observed in cases of neuronal energy depletion. Anoxic and similar depolarizations play an important role in several pathologies, notably stroke, migraine, and epilepsy. One of the effects of energy depletion was experimentally simulated in slices of rat cortex by blocking the sodium-potassium pumps with ouabain. The membrane voltage of pyramidal cells was measured. Five different kinds of dynamical behavior of the membrane voltage were observed during the resulting depolarizations. Using bifurcation analysis of a single cell model, we show that these voltage dynamics all are responses of the same cell, with normally functioning ion channels, to particular courses of the intra- and extracellular concentrations of sodium and potassium.
TGF-β Modulates Ovarian Cancer Invasion by Upregulating CAF-Derived Versican in the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Yeung Tsz-Lun , Leung Cecilia S. , Wong Kwong-Kwok , Samimi Goli , Thompson Melissa S. , Liu Jinsong , Zaid Tarrik M. , Ghosh Sue , Birrer Michael J. , Mok Samuel C.
Published: July 2013

TGF-β has limited effects on ovarian cancer cells, but its contributions to ovarian tumor growth might be mediated through elements of the tumor microenvironment. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that TGF modulates ovarian cancer progression by modulating the contribution of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) that are present in the microenvironment. Transcriptome profiling of microdissected stromal and epithelial components of high-grade serous ovarian tumors and TGF-β–treated normal ovarian fibroblasts identified versican (VCAN) as a key upregulated target gene in CAFs. Functional evaluations in coculture experiments showed that TGF-β enhanced the aggressiveness of ovarian cancer cells by upregulating VCAN in CAFs. VCAN expression was regulated in CAFs through TGF-β receptor type II and SMAD signaling. Upregulated VCAN promoted the motility and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway and by upregulating expression of CD44, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and the hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor. Our work identified a TGF-β–inducible gene signature specific to CAFs in advanced high-grade serous ovarian tumors, and showed how TGF-β stimulates ovarian cancer cell motility and invasion by upregulating the CAF-specific gene VCAN. These findings suggest insights to develop or refine strategies for TGF-β–targeted therapy of ovarian cancer. Cancer Res; 73(16); 5016–28. ©2013 AACR.
A c-Myc Activation Sensor-Based High-Throughput Drug Screening Identifies an Antineoplastic Effect of Nitazoxanide
Authors: Fan-Minogue Hua , Bodapati Sandhya , Solow-Cordero David , Fan Alice , Paulmurugan Ramasamy , Massoud Tarik F. , Felsher Dean W. , Gambhir Sanjiv S.
Published: July 2013

Deregulation of c-Myc plays a central role in the tumorigenesis of many human cancers. Yet, the development of drugs regulating c-Myc activity has been challenging. To facilitate the identification of c-Myc inhibitors, we developed a molecular imaging sensor–based high-throughput screening (HTS) system. This system uses a cell-based assay to detect c-Myc activation in a HTS format, which is established from a pure clone of a stable breast cancer cell line that constitutively expresses a c-Myc activation sensor. Optimization of the assay performance in the HTS format resulted in uniform and robust signals at the baseline. Using this system, we conducted a quantitative HTS against approximately 5,000 existing bioactive compounds from five different libraries. Thirty-nine potential hits were identified, including currently known c-Myc inhibitors. There are a few among the top potent hits that are not known for anti–c-Myc activity. One of these hits is nitazoxanide, a thiazolide for treating human protozoal infections. Validation of nitazoxanide in different cancer cell lines revealed a high potency for c-Myc inhibition with IC50 ranging between 10 and 500 nmol/L. Oral administration of nitazoxanide in breast cancer xenograft mouse models significantly suppressed tumor growth by inhibition of c-Myc and induction of apoptosis. These findings suggest a potential of nitazoxanide to be repurposed as a new antitumor agent for inhibition of c-Myc–associated neoplasia. Our work also demonstrated the unique advantage of molecular imaging in accelerating discovery of drugs for c-Myc–targeted cancer therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(9); 1896–905. ©2013 AACR.
Vav Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors Regulate Atherosclerotic Lesion Development in Mice
Authors: Rahaman Shaik O. , Li Wei , Silverstein Roy L.
Published: July 2013

Objective—

Atherosclerosis requires migration of monocytes to the arterial intima, with subsequent differentiation into foam cells. We showed previously that the scavenger receptor CD36 contributes to the activation of Vav family guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Vavs) in aortae from hyperlipidemic
apoE
-null mice and that oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein induced CD36-dependent activation of macrophage Vavs in vitro. We also discovered that CD36-dependent uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and foam cell formation were reduced in Vav-deficient macrophages. We now tested the hypothesis that Vavs play a role in atherosclerotic lesion development.

Approach and Results—

We showed that
apoE/vav1
double-null mice fed a Western diet had significant reduction in total aortic lesion area (by en face analysis) compared with
apoE
-null mice, with no significant differences in body weight or plasma lipid profiles. Histological analysis of aortic sinus lesions showed fewer macrophages and foam cells in double-null mice compared with
apoE
-null mice, indicating impaired foam cell generation and homing of macrophages to atherosclerotic lesions. An intravital video microscopy–based adhesion assay with fluorescent (Qtracker655)-labeled monocytes showed reduced adhesion of
vav1
-null monocytes to hyperlipidemic carotid arteries compared with wild-type monocytes. Furthermore, fewer fluorescently labeled
vav1
-null monocytes accumulated in aortic sinus lesions in hyperlipidemic
apoE
-null mice. We also found that activation of RhoGTPase Rac and mitogen-activated protein kinase c-Jun N-terminal kinase-2 by CD36-specific oxidized phospholipids was dependent on Vavs.

Conclusions—

These results for the first time link Vavs to atherosclerotic lesion development and suggest that Vavs act as critical molecular links coupling hyperlipidemia with proatherogenic monocyte/macrophage responses.
Within-lodge interactions between two ecosystem engineers, beavers (Castor canadensis) and muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus)
Authors: Mott Cy L. , Bloomquist Craig K. , Nielsen Clayton K.
Published: July 2013

Ecosystem engineers are frequently observed to increase local biodiversity through their effects on resource flows. While promotion of successional processes and increased biodiversity may occur without direct interaction between ecosystem engineers and sympatric species, many cases exist where interactions are common. Under such conditions, it is unclear whether direct interactions serve to facilitate or inhibit coexistence of ecosystem engineers and the species attempting to use engineered habitats. We used remote videography within lodges of an ecosystem engineer, beavers (Castor canadensis), to quantify the taxonomic diversity of lodge use by non-beaver fauna and to characterize interactions between beavers and a second engineering species that commonly uses beaver-manipulated habitats, muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus). Beaver lodges were used by eleven types of vertebrates and invertebrates. Although no increased aggression was displayed by resident beavers towards intruding muskrats, the temporally partitioned patterns of muskrats’ and beavers’ entrances and exits to and from lodges, respectively, and altered behavior among both species during cohabitation, indicates that lodge use by muskrats represents an exploitative behavior as opposed to a mutualistic or even commensalistic relationship. We hypothesize that the ecological similarities between these species promotes competitive interactions, and the observed relationship highlights the tradeoffs faced by ecosystem engineers wherein constructed objects intended to exclude competitors are simultaneously associated with habitat modifications that promote the persistence of those same competitors.
Description of Parasitodiplogaster pharmaconema n. sp. and redescription of P. maxinema from Ficus maxima Mill. (Moraceae)
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Giblin-Davis Robin M. , Ye Weimin , Herre Edward Allen , Center Barbara J.
Published: July 2013

Parasitodiplogaster species associated with Ficus maxima were surveyed at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Phase B-D syconia were collected from different trees and dissected in distilled water. Because there were different nematode stomatal and male morphotypes observed in a single sycone, nematodes isolated from each fig were observed to determine general morphotype class and stored individually in DNA extraction buffer for accurate morpho/molecular pairing. Additional voucher nematodes were gently heat-treated and fixed in formalin and processed into permanent mounts in dehydrated glycerin for more rigorous morphological examination. The survey yielded two different Parasitodiplogaster species: P. maxinema and P. pharmaconema n. sp. Several morphological characters, e.g., two long and stick-like teeth in the metastegostom, and stomatal dimorphism (presence of eurystomatous form) which were not previously described, were observed in P. maxinema and are ascribed hereto this species. Parasitodiplogaster pharmaconema n. sp. is morphologically similar to P. maxinema and P. yoponema but can be distinguished from these species based upon stomatal morphology, spicule and gubernaculum morphology, and number and arrangement of male genital papillae.
Church Involvement, Spiritual Growth, Meaning in Life, and Health
Authors: Krause Neal , Hayward R. David , Bruce Deborah , Woolever Cynthia
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between involvement in three aspects of congregational life and spiritual growth. In addition, an effort is made to see if spiritual growth may, in turn, affect health. A latent variable model was developed to test the following hypotheses: (1) individuals who attend worship services more often, attend Bible study and prayer group meetings more frequently, and individuals who receive more spiritual support from fellow church members will be more likely to report they have experienced spiritual growth; (2) people who experience more spiritual growth will be more likely to derive a deeper sense of meaning in life; and (3) individuals who have developed a deeper sense of meaning in life will enjoy better health. Data from the U.S. Congregational Life Survey suggests that spiritual support has the stronger relationship with spiritual growth than either worship service attendance or involvement in formal church groups. The findings further reveal that greater spiritual growth is associated with a deeper sense of meaning in life and meaning, in turn, is associated with better health.
Analyzing the Spirituality of Muslim Experiential Religiousness: Relationships with Psychological Measures of Islamic Religiousness in Iran
Authors: Ghorbani Nima , Watson P.J. , Geranmayepour Shiva , Chen Zhuo
Published: July 2013

This investigation analyzed Islamic spirituality as measured by a Muslim Experiential Religiousness Scale. Iranian university and seminary students (N = 351) responded to this instrument along with the Psychological Measure of Islamic Religiousness (PMIR) and Perceived Stress and Self-Esteem scales. Muslim Experiential Religiousness correlated predictably with all PMIR sub-scales, Perceived Stress, and Self-Esteem, and mediated almost all relationships of the PMIR Islamic Beliefs subscale with religious functioning. When evaluated by participants, Muslim Experiential Religiousness items proved to be “rational” relative to their Muslim religious ideals. Women in an Islamic seminary scored higher on Muslim Experiential Religiousness than Islamic women in a more general university, and Muslim Experiential Religiousness also mediated the many other religious differences observed between these two student groups. These data most importantly identified the Muslim Experiential Religiousness Scale as a useful instrument for testing hypotheses about the dynamics of Muslim spirituality.
A new species of Micromaldane (Polychaeta: Maldanidae) from the Falkland Islands, southwestern Atlantic, with notes on reproduction
Authors: DARBYSHIRE TERESA
Published: July 2013

Micromaldane shackletoni n. sp. is described from the Falkland Islands in the southwest Atlantic. It is only the eighth species of Micromaldane to be recognized worldwide and is a new record of the genus for the Falkland Islands. The main characters of the new species are: up to 23 chaetigerous segments; nuchal organs as rounded ciliated pits with small central grooves anteriorly; two kinds of notochaetae: lancet-shaped chaetae and fine capillaries; neurochaetae as a single row of strongly curved, avicular uncini; a single pre-anal achaetigerous segment and anal plaque funnel-shaped with a crenated edge. This new species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, only the second report of this reproductive mode in the genus along with Micromaldane androgyne Rouse, 1990. The stages of larval development from internal gametes to external in-tube development are also discussed.
Climate Drift in the CMIP5 Models*
Authors: Gupta Alexander Sen , Jourdain Nicolas C. , Brown Jaclyn N. , Monselesan Didier
Published: July 2013

Climate models often exhibit spurious long-term changes independent of either internal variability or changes to external forcing. Such changes, referred to as model “drift,” may distort the estimate of forced change in transient climate simulations. The importance of drift is examined in comparison to historical trends over recent decades in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP). Comparison based on a selection of metrics suggests a significant overall reduction in the magnitude of drift from phase 3 of CMIP (CMIP3) to phase 5 of CMIP (CMIP5). The direction of both ocean and atmospheric drift is systematically biased in some models introducing statistically significant drift in globally averaged metrics. Nevertheless, for most models globally averaged drift remains weak compared to the associated forced trends and is often smaller than the difference between trends derived from different ensemble members or the error introduced by the aliasing of natural variability. An exception to this is metrics that include the deep ocean (e.g., steric sea level) where drift can dominate in forced simulations. In such circumstances drift must be corrected for using information from concurrent control experiments. Many CMIP5 models now include ocean biogeochemistry. Like physical models, biogeochemical models generally undergo long spinup integrations to minimize drift. Nevertheless, based on a limited subset of models, it is found that drift is an important consideration and must be accounted for. For properties or regions where drift is important, the drift correction method must be carefully considered. The use of a drift estimate based on the full control time series is recommended to minimize the contamination of the drift estimate by internal variability.
Analytical and numerical modeling of shape memory alloy Negator springs for constant-force, long-stroke actuators
Authors: Spaggiari Andrea , Dragoni Eugenio
Published: July 2013

This article explores the merits of shape memory alloy Negator springs as powering elements for solid-state actuators. A Negator spring is a spiral spring made of strip of metal wound on the flat with an inherent curvature such that, in repose, each coil wraps tightly on its inner neighbor. The unique characteristic of Negator springs is the nearly constant force needed to unwind the strip for very large, theoretically infinite deflections. Moreover, the flat shape, having a high area-over-volume ratio, grants improved bandwidth compared to any solution with solid wires or helical springs. The shape memory alloy material is modeled as elastic in austenitic range while an exponential continuum law is used to describe the martensitic behavior. The mathematical model of the mechanical behavior of shape memory alloy Negator springs is provided, and their performances as active elements in constant-force, long-stroke actuators are assessed. The shape memory alloy Negator spring is also simulated in a commercial finite element software, ABAQUS, and its mechanical behavior is estimated through finite element analyses. The analytical and the numerical predictions are in good agreement, both in martensitic and in austenitic ranges.
Increasing the Social Skills of a Student With Autism Through a Literacy-Based Behavioral Intervention
Authors: Francis Grace L. , McMullen Victoria B. , Blue-Banning Martha , Haines Shana
Published: July 2013

Social skills instruction is as important for many students with disabilities as instruction in core academic subjects. Frequently, students with autism require individualized social skills instruction to experience success in general education settings. Literacy-based behavioral Interventions (LBBIs) are an effective intervention that instructors may use to increase positive social skills among students. This article describes LBBIs, provides step-by-step instructions for creating an LBBI, and describes the benefits of LBBIs.
Traits versus Issues
Authors: Dunaway Johanna , Lawrence Regina G. , Rose Melody , Weber Christopher R.
Published: July 2013

As female candidates may face greater challenges in establishing their “qualifications” for office, coverage of their personal traits may be pernicious, because it tends to de-emphasize substantive qualifications. This study focuses on relative amounts of trait and issue coverage of contests with and without women candidates. We find that races with female candidates yield more coverage of traits than male versus male contests and races with female candidates are less likely to generate issue coverage than trait coverage. Candidate gender and office interact; female gubernatorial candidates are most likely to garner trait coverage and least likely to engender issue coverage.
Development and Validation of the Strengths Self-Efficacy Scale (SSES)
Authors: Tsai Chia-Lin , Chaichanasakul Adipat , Zhao Ran , Flores Lisa Y. , Lopez Shane J.
Published: July 2013

The Strengths Self-Efficacy scale (SSES) was developed to allow career counselors, educators, and researchers to assess individuals’ perceived abilities to build their personal strengths and apply them in their daily life. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted with 275 adults and resulted in one factor: general strengths self-efficacy. The internal consistency was .96 and SSES was weakly related to social desirability. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed using another sample of 302 adults, and results verified the one-factor structure. The results suggested that the 11-item SSES demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = .95) and that SSES scores were moderately related to self-esteem and life satisfaction and weakly related to social desirability. Finally, a test–retest reliability analysis on a sample of 36 adults indicated that SSES scores were stable over a 3-week period. Implications for career counseling and mental health practices as well as research applications of this new measure were discussed.
Further Validation of Work–Family Conflict and Work–Family Enrichment Scales Among Portuguese Working Parents
Authors: Vieira Joana Marina , Lopez Frederick G. , Matos Paula Mena
Published: July 2013

This study aimed to develop and validate two Portuguese versions of the Work–Family Conflict Scale (WFCS) and the Work–Family Enrichment Scale (WFES), testing for its factor structure validity, reliability, and measurement invariance across gender. Both WFCS and WFES were translated according to the guidelines of the International Test Commission and tested with two Portuguese samples of working parents, involved in dual-earner relationships. The validation of these two scales was established by confirming the dimensionality of their structures (first- and second-order confirmatory factor analyses) and demonstrating the good discriminant validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency of its subscales. Finally, for both WFCS and WFES, a two-group measurement procedure allowed to demonstrate their measurement invariance across gender.
Experiments on fuzzy sliding mode variable structure control for vibration suppression of a rotating flexible beam
Authors: Qiu Zhi-cheng , Han Jian-da , Liu Jin-guo
Published: July 2013

Space robots are a kind of coupling system with a rigid body and flexible structures, in which harmonic drive gears are usually used as speed reducers. Thus, the vibration problem is unavoidable due to maneuvering and external disturbances. This paper is concerned with the design and implementation of a fuzzy sliding mode control (FSMC) algorithm and a composite controller to dampen the vibration of a flexible manipulator with a flexible link and a harmonic drive gear (flexible joint). The designed controllers are used to dampen the end-point vibration of the flexible link and flexible joint manipulator, to compensate for unknown and time-varying nonlinear uncertain parameters, such as friction torque and flexible joint characteristics of a harmonic drive gear, etc. The experimental comparison research was conducted, including set-point active vibration control and vibration suppression under resonant excitation. The experimental results demonstrate that the FSMC and the composite algorithms can significantly enhance the performance of vibration suppression for flexible manipulator.
Cognitive Interventions Targeting Subjective Cognitive Complaints
Authors: Canevelli Marco , Adali Nawal , Tainturier Cécile , Bruno Giuseppe , Cesari Matteo , Vellas Bruno
Published: July 2013

Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are being increasingly recognized as a preclinical phase of dementia. Thus, SCCs may represent a “promising” stage for planning and implementing preventive interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of cognitive disorders. The aim of the present study is to present and discuss the available evidence coming from clinical trials adopting cognitive interventions in individuals with SCCs. A systematic review of literature was conducted to evaluate the available trials testing nonpharmacological cognitive interventions for the prevention of dementia in subjects with SCCs. Six studies were included in the present study. Overall, most interventions showed to objectively improve cognitive performance in subjects with SCCs. A relevant heterogeneity was found concerning their characteristics and feasibility. Conversely, there is a current lack of evidence in the literature about the efficacy of nonpharmacological cognitive interventions for preventing dementia or cognitive impairment.
French Validation of the Revised Algase Wandering Scale for Long-Term Care
Authors: Martin Elodie , Biessy-Dalbe Nathalia , Albaret Jean-Michel , Algase Dona L.
Published: July 2013

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to create a French equivalent of the revised Algase wandering scale for long-term care (RAWS-LTC).

Methods:

The RAWS-LTC French version (F-RAWS-LTC), Mini-Mental State Examination, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory were administered to a sample of 100 institutionalized patients from 12 specialized homes.

Results

The mean of the overall F-RAWS-LTC was 2.32 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.74, range 1-4), and the mean of each subscale was 2.48 for persistent walking, 1.62 for eloping behavior, and 2.30 for spatial disorientation. The correlation between the overall F-RAWS-LTC and each subscale was between 0.73 (for Spatial Disorientation) and 0.87 (for Persistent Walking). The correlation between the degree of behavioral disturbances and the overall F-RAWS-LTC is 0.42, and the correlation with the cognitive impairment is 0.50. Differences between the wanderers and nonwanderers are significant for the overall F-RAWS-LTC and for all the subscales.

Discussion

Data demonstrate the statistical validity of the F-RAWS-LTC.
Infant Cardiac Surgery: Mothers Tell Their Story
Authors: Re Jennifer , Dean Suzanne , Menahem Samuel
Published: July 2013

Background:

Serious congenital heart disease frequently requires major congenital heart surgery. It causes much distress for parents, which may not always be recognized and treated appropriately.

Patients and Methods:

As part of a larger study, 26 mothers of two-month-old infants subjected to recent cardiac surgery were interviewed in depth. Each mother was invited to describe her own and what she perceived were her infant’s experiences and to comment on the interview process. A systematic content analysis of the interviews was performed using qualitative research methodology.

Results:

Almost all participants described acute stress symptoms relating to the diagnosis and the infant’s surgery. In addition, most mothers reported that the interview helped them to think about and integrate what had happened to them and their infant, suggesting a probable therapeutic value to the interview.

Conclusions:

A suitably qualified and experienced mental health professional, assisting the mother to tell her story about the diagnosis and her infant’s cardiac surgery, may provide a valuable, brief, and very cost-effective therapeutic intervention for these mothers and infants. It has the potential to alleviate maternal distress, with associated gains for the developing mother–infant relationship, reducing infant morbidity, and enhancing the quality of life for both infant and mother.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms and thrombosis
Authors: Barbui Tiziano , Finazzi Guido , Falanga Anna
Published: July 2013

Major causes of morbidity and mortality in myeloproliferative neoplasms are represented by arterial and venous complications, progression to myelofibrosis, and transformation to acute leukemia. The pathogenesis of thrombosis results from a complex interplay of clinical and disease-related factors. Abnormalities of blood cells arising from the clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells involve not only quantitative changes but also qualitative modifications that characterize the switch of these cells from a resting to a procoagulant phenotype. According to age and previous thrombosis, patients are classified in a “high risk” or “low risk”. Novel disease-related determinants such as leukocytosis and JAK2V617F mutational status and/or mutational burden are now under active investigation. In low-risk polycythemia vera patients, only phlebotomy and primary antithrombotic prophylaxis with aspirin is recommended, while in high-risk patients cytotoxic therapy is considered. Whether novel drugs targeting the constitutively active JAK2/STAT pathway will improve the management of thrombosis is a challenge for future studies.