bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporary pools provide stability to fish assemblages in Amazon headwater streams
Authors: Espírito‐Santo Helder M. V. , Zuanon Jansen
Published: July 2016

Temporal variations in the environment may function as disturbances that affect population processes and change the structure and composition trajectories of communities. The presence of refuges may buffer such variations and also support the recovery of communities after disturbances. In this study, we tested the effect of temporary pools as seasonal refuges for the ichthyofauna in upland forest streams in the Brazilian Amazon. We sampled environmental characteristics and fish in five occasions over one seasonal cycle in eight stream stretches and their adjacent temporary pools in Reserva Ducke, Manaus. We recorded 27 fish species, 13 of which occurred in both habitats and represented 81% of the total fish abundance in the stream–pool system (3695 records of fish, 54% made in pools). During rainy periods, fish abundance in pools was higher than in the channels. Total number of records varied inversely among habitats over time with a reduction in the pools and an increase in the channels as the pools gradually desiccated. The number of species exhibited a similar pattern. When data from pools and channels were pooled, representing the entire flood zone, fluctuations in all the measured variables along the time were smoothed. The variability in fish assemblage composition was associated with variability in the volume of water in the entire system. These results indicate that temporary pools are an important habitat component of upland forest streams, providing resources and spatial refuges for the fish during rainy periods, and regulating the stability of these communities.
Do individual Activity Patterns of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) alter the Exposure to Parasitic Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) Larvae?
Authors: Wengström Niklas , Wahlqvist Fredrik , Näslund Joacim , Aldvén David , Závorka Libor , Österling Martin E , Höjesjö Johan
Published: July 2016

The hypothesis that interindividual differences in the activity of brown trout alter the exposure to parasitic freshwater pearl mussel glochidia was tested in a Swedish stream. Wild yearling brown trout (N = 103) were caught, individually tagged for identification and scored for open‐field activity during standardized laboratory tests in June. Fifty gravid freshwater pearl mussels were relocated to the stream, where after the trout were released back into the stream. The fish were recaptured in October (N = 35), checked for glochidia encystment (infested individuals: n = 6) and re‐scored for open‐field activity traits. Swimming velocity during the test was higher in fish infected with glochidia, suggesting that high activity could increase their exposure to glochidia. Potentially, as metabolism rate and ventilation rate typically increase with activity, elevated activity may lead to an increased likelihood of glochidia passing over the gills. This novel finding suggests that glochidia infestation is non‐random and that the behaviour of the host fish can influence the likelihood of glochidia infestation.
Associations between hospital characteristics and patient satisfaction in Germany
Authors: Kraska Rike Antje , Weigand Marcel , Geraedts Max
Published: July 2016

Background

The patient perspective is increasingly recognized as a central pillar of quality in hospital care. International evidence suggests that an array of interacting factors may influence patient satisfaction with hospital care, whereas only a few studies have examined the impact of hospital characteristics.

Objective

To explore which hospital characteristics exert an influence on patient satisfaction with inpatient care.

Design

Cross‐sectional study using secondary data.

Setting and participants

A total of 999 hospitals in Germany with 300 200 patient surveys from 2013 formed the study population. Patient satisfaction was surveyed using the Patients’ Experience Questionnaire, and hospital characteristics were extracted from mandatory quality reports. Only hospitals with at least 75 surveys were included in the analysis.

Main variables studied and main outcome measures

Four dimensions of patient satisfaction (medical care, nursing care, organization and overall impression) were studied as the outcome measures. Region, profit orientation, size, staffing per bed and quality scores were considered possible influencing hospital characteristics. We performed risk‐adjusted multivariate analyses.

Results

All of the characteristics had a significant influence on the patient satisfaction dimensions (P<.05), and patients in East Germany, in small hospitals or in not‐for‐profit hospitals, were more satisfied. Additionally, more staffing per bed as well as a better process and outcome quality were associated with more satisfied patients.

Conclusion

Structural and quality characteristics of hospitals have a significant impact on patient satisfaction. This association confirms that patients are sensitive to important hospital quality measures and reinforces the consideration of patient satisfaction as an indicator of the quality of care.
Histological analysis and gene expression profile following augmentation of the anterior maxilla using rhBMP‐2/ACS versus autogenous bone graft
Authors: de Freitas Rubens Moreno , Susin Cristiano , Tamashiro Wirla Maria da Silva Cunha , Chaves de Souza João Antonio , Marcantonio Claudio , Wikesjö Ulf ME , Pereira Luís Antônio Violin Dias , Marcantonio Elcio
Published: July 2016

Aim

The objective of this report was to present histological characteristics and gene expression profile of newly formed bone following horizontal augmentation of the atrophic anterior maxilla using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 in an absorbable collagen sponge carrier (rhBMP‐2/ACS) versus an autogenous bone graft (ABG).

Methods

Bone core biopsies from 24 subjects participating in a randomized clinical trial were obtained at dental implant placement, 6 months following alveolar ridge augmentation using rhBMP‐2/ACS (rhBMP‐2 at 1.5 mg/ml; total dose 4.2 mg) or a particulate ABG harvested from the mandibular retro‐molar region. A titanium mesh was used to provide wound stability and space for bone formation. Analysis included histological/histometric observations and gene expression profile of the newly formed bone.

Results

rhBMP‐2/ACS yielded bone marrow rich in capillaries, undifferentiated cells and bone lining cells compared with the ABG (p = 0.002). Whereas no significant differences were observed in total bone fraction (p = 0.53), non‐vital bone particles trapped in lamellar vital bone were observed in the ABG group (p < 0.001). Real‐time PCR showed greater BMP‐2 and RUNX2 expression for rhBMP‐2/ACS over the ABG (p = 0.001 and 0.0021, respectively), while the ABG exhibited greater expression of RANKL:OPG, BSP and OPN over rhBMP‐2/ACS (p = 0.01, 0.005 and 0.0009, respectively).

Conclusions

Our observations suggest that formative biological processes explain bone formation following implantation of rhBMP‐2/ACS, whereas remodelling, resorptive/formative processes, characterizes sites receiving ABGs.
Announcements of Interest Rate Forecasts: Do Policymakers Stick to Them?
Authors: MIRKOV NIKOLA , NATVIK GISLE JAMES
Published: July 2016

If central banks value the ex post accuracy of their published forecasts, previously announced interest rate paths might influence the current policy rate. We explore if “forecast adherence” has affected monetary policy in New Zealand and Norway, where central banks have published their interest rate forecasts the longest. We derive and estimate policy rules with separate weights on past interest rate forecasts and find that they have explanatory power for current policy decisions, over and above their correlation with other conventional interest rate rule arguments.
The Federal Reserve's Tools for Policy Normalization in a Preferred Habitat Model of Financial Markets
Authors: CHEN HAN , CLOUSE JIM , IHRIG JANE , KLEE ELIZABETH
Published: July 2016

We develop a model to analyze monetary policy implementation with multiple Federal Reserve liabilities and superabundant reserves. The analysis demonstrates the Federal Reserve's tools including interest on excess reserves (IOER), overnight reverse repurchase agreements (ON RRP), and term deposits should allow the Federal Reserve to raise the short‐term interest rates to any desired level. We find the contribution of each the increase in the IOER and ON RRP offering rates in firming money market rates suggested by the data during the December 2015 policy tightening event is remarkably similar to the effect of each tool implied by the calibrated model.
Both below‐ground and above‐ground functional traits can help predict levee grassland root length density as a proxy for flow erosion resistance
Authors: Helsen Kenny , Vannoppen Wouter , Honnay Olivier , Poesen Jean
Published: July 2016

Aims

Concentrated flow erosion resistance of herbaceous vegetation is linked to vegetation‐level root length density (RLD). However, RLD measurements involve destructive and time‐consuming sampling. Since plant species richness, functional diversity and functional composition are expected to affect RLD through either non‐additive diversity effects or biomass ratio effects, we evaluated whether these measures can be used as a proxy for RLD in levee grassland communities.

Location

Levee grassland communities, Scheldt estuary, northern Belgium.

Methods

We assessed the strength of correlation between empirically quantified RLD and species richness, functional diversity and functional composition of levee grasslands. More specifically, we used nine below‐ground and ten above‐ground plant traits retrieved from public databases, and applied linear regressions and partial least square regressions.

Results

Plant functional diversity was a better proxy for RLD than plant species richness, with better predictive performance for below‐ground than for above‐ground traits. More specifically, the highest predictive power was achieved through integration of functional diversity, functional composition and species richness. This suggests that variation in RLD is driven by a combination of both non‐additive diversity effects and biomass ratio effects.

Conclusions

This study provides a first positive indication of the value of plant functional traits retrieved from databases to predict RLD for river levee grasslands. Furthermore, although less reliable than below‐ground traits, above‐ground traits are still useful for RLD prediction when information on below‐ground traits is lacking.
Vibrio cholerae laboratory infection of the adult house fly Musca domestica
Authors: EL‐BASSIONY G. M. , LUIZZI V. , NGUYEN D. , STOFFOLANO J. G. , PURDY A. E.
Published: July 2016

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that house flies may be capable of specifically harbouring ingested Vibrio cholerae in their digestive tracts. Flies were continuously fed green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labelled, non‐O1/non‐O139 environmental strains of V. cholerae. Bacterial burdens were quantitatively measured using plate counts and localization was directly observed using confocal microscopy. Vibrio cholerae were present in the fly alimentary canal after just 4 h, and reached a plateau of ∼107 colony‐forming units (CFU)/fly after 5 days in those flies most tolerant of the pathogen. However, individual flies were resistant to the pathogen: one or more flies were found to carry < 180 V. cholerae CFU at each time‐point examined. In flies carrying V. cholerae, the pathogen was predominantly localized to the midgut rather than the rectal space or crop. The proportion of house flies carrying V. cholerae in the midgut was dose‐dependent: the continuous ingestion of a concentrated, freshly prepared dose of V. cholerae increased the likelihood that fluorescent cells would be observed. However, V. cholerae may be a transient inhabitant of the house fly. This work represents the first demonstration that V. cholerae can inhabit the house fly midgut, and provides a platform for future studies of host, pathogen and environmental mediators of the successful colonization of this disease vector.
Genome‐wide associations with flowering time in switchgrass using exome‐capture sequencing data
Authors: Grabowski Paul P. , Evans Joseph , Daum Chris , Deshpande Shweta , Barry Kerrie W. , Kennedy Megan , Ramstein Guillaume , Kaeppler Shawn M. , Buell C. Robin , Jiang Yiwei , Casler Michael D.
Published: July 2016

Flowering time is a major determinant of biomass yield in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a perennial bioenergy crop, because later flowering allows for an extended period of vegetative growth and increased biomass production. A better understanding of the genetic regulation of flowering time in switchgrass will aid the development of switchgrass varieties with increased biomass yields, particularly at northern latitudes, where late‐flowering but southern‐adapted varieties have high winter mortality.

We use genotypes derived from recently published exome‐capture sequencing, which mitigates challenges related to the large, highly repetitive and polyploid switchgrass genome, to perform genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) using flowering time data from a switchgrass association panel in an effort to characterize the genetic architecture and genes underlying flowering time regulation in switchgrass.

We identify associations with flowering time at multiple loci, including in a homolog of FLOWERING LOCUS T and in a locus containing TIMELESS, a homolog of a key circadian regulator in animals.

Our results suggest that flowering time variation in switchgrass is due to variation at many positions across the genome. The relationship of flowering time and geographic origin indicates likely roles for genes in the photoperiod and autonomous pathways in generating switchgrass flowering time variation.
From start to finish: amino‐terminal protein modifications as degradation signals in plants
Authors: Gibbs Daniel J. , Bailey Mark , Tedds Hannah M. , Holdsworth Michael J.
Published: July 2016

The amino‐ (N‐) terminus (Nt) of a protein can undergo a diverse array of co‐ and posttranslational modifications. Many of these create degradation signals (N‐degrons) that mediate protein destruction via the N‐end rule pathway of ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis. In plants, the N‐end rule pathway has emerged as a major system for regulated control of protein stability. Nt‐arginylation‐dependent degradation regulates multiple growth, development and stress responses, and recently identified functions of Nt‐acetylation can also be linked to effects on the in vivo half‐lives of Nt‐acetylated proteins. There is also increasing evidence that N‐termini could act as important protein stability determinants in plastids. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of the relationship between the nature of protein N‐termini, Nt‐processing events and proteolysis in plants.

Contents

Summary
1188

I.
Introduction
1188

II.
The plant Arg/N‐end rule: a central regulator of development and stress signalling
1189

III.
Nt‐acetylation as a putative degradation signal in plants
1190

IV.
The N‐terminus as a stability determinant in plastids
1191

V.
Concluding remarks
1192

Acknowledgements
1192

References
1192
Hispania and the Atlantic Route in Roman Times: new Approaches to Ports and Trade
Authors: Morillo Ángel , Fernández Ochoa Carmen , Salido Domínguez Javier
Published: July 2016

This paper explores the role of Hispania in the Atlantic route in Roman times. We analyse the different Atlantic Iberian territories along this route, based on recent archaeological advances and discoveries related to trade as well as the shipping infrastructure. The aim is to explain the origin and evolution of a new maritime area that was completely integrated with the political and commercial structure of the Empire, with trade routes that followed the coastal areas of the Iberian Peninsula all the way to the Mediterranean.
Feto‐maternal heart rate ratio in pregnant bitches: effect of gestational age and maternal size
Authors: Alonge S , Mauri M , Faustini M , Luvoni GC
Published: July 2016

Contents

Few information is available on parameters that can be used to objectively assess the foetal health during canine pregnancy. To identify a reliable parameter for the evaluation of foetal well‐being, the effect of pre‐gestational maternal bodyweight and gestational age on foetal heart rate (FHR) and on feto‐maternal heart rate ratio (FHR/MHR) was investigated. Seventeen client‐owned pregnant bitches of different pre‐gestational maternal bodyweight were examined by serial echo colour Doppler. Only data from 11 uncomplicated pregnancies were included in the statistical analysis. The relationship between FHR, and FHR/MHR, and independent variables was analysed by polynomial regression (p ≤ .05). The FHR and the FHR/MHR significantly fitted a multiple quadratic regression for all independent variables. They both increased from 35 to 20 days before parturition and then a decreasing pattern followed. Higher values of both parameters were observed in bitches of lowest and highest bodyweight. Patterns of FHR and FHR/MHR were similar, but the ratio better describes the effect of the independent variables on the data. Thus, the highest significance of FHR/MHR compared to FHR alone encourages the application of this ratio to evaluate foetal well‐being. The equation derived by the regression analysis of FHR/MHR could be applied in clinical practice to obtain its expected values in healthy pregnancies.
Social stimuli increase physiological reactivity but not defensive responses
Authors: Kosonogov Vladimir , Sanchez‐Navarro Juan Pedro , Martinez‐Selva Jose Maria , Torrente Ginesa , Carrillo‐Verdejo Eduvigis
Published: July 2016

Emotional reactions are crucial in survival because they provide approach and withdrawal behaviors. However, an unsolved question is whether the social content of the affective stimuli has a specific effect on emotional responses. We studied whether the social content of affective pictures influenced the defensive response and response mobilization. For this purpose, we recorded startle blink reflex (a defensive response) and skin conductance responses (a measure of unspecific physiological reactivity or arousal) in 73 participants while they viewed a series of 81 pictures of varying affective valence and social content. Our results revealed that defense response, as indicated by increases in the magnitude of the startle blink reflex, was mainly dependent on threatening or unpleasant cues, but was unrelated to the social content of the pictures. The social content, however, had an influence on pleasant stimuli, provoking an increase in resource mobilization, as reflected by changes in electrodermal activity. Hence, the social content of the affective stimuli may increase the physiological arousal elicited by pleasant stimuli, and it appears to be unrelated to the defense reactivity provoked by unpleasant stimuli.
Bidirectional Associations Between Parental Responsiveness and Executive Function During Early Childhood
Authors: Merz Emily C. , Landry Susan H. , Montroy Janelle J. , Williams Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2016

In this study, we examined bidirectional associations between parental responsiveness and executive function (EF) processes in socioeconomically disadvantaged preschoolers. Participants were 534 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children (71 percent Hispanic/Latino; 28 percent African American; 1 percent European American) attending Head Start programs. At Time 1 (T1) and 6.5 months later at Time 2 (T2), parents and children participated in a videotaped free play session and children completed delay inhibition (gift delay‐wrap, gift delay‐bow) and conflict EF (bear/dragon, dimensional change card sort) tasks. Parental warm acceptance, contingent responsiveness, and verbal scaffolding were coded from the free play videos and aggregated to create a parental responsiveness latent variable. A cross‐lagged panel structural equation model indicated that higher T1 parental responsiveness significantly predicted more positive gain in delay inhibition and conflict EF from T1 to T2. Higher T1 delay inhibition, but not T1 conflict EF, significantly predicted more positive change in parental responsiveness from T1 to T2. These associations were not explained by several possible confounding variables, including children's age, gender, race/ethnicity, and verbal ability. Findings suggest that parental responsiveness may support EF development in disadvantaged children, with reciprocal effects of delay inhibition on parental responsiveness.
Psychological interventions for post‐traumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV in Resource poor settings: a systematic review
Authors: Verhey Ruth , Chibanda Dixon , Brakarsh Jonathan , Seedat Soraya
Published: July 2016

Objective

Post‐traumatic stress disorder is pervasive in low‐ and middle‐income countries. There is evidence to suggest that post‐traumatic stress disorder is more common among people living with HIV than non‐infected matched controls. We carried out a systematic review of interventions for adult post‐traumatic stress disorder from resource poor settings with a focus on people living with HIV.

Methods

We included all studies that investigated interventions for adult post‐traumatic stress disorder from resource poor settings with a focus on interventions that were either randomised controlled trials or observational cohort studies carried out from 1980 to May 2015.

Results

Of the 25 articles that were identified for full review, two independent reviewers identified seven studies that met our study inclusion criteria. All randomised controlled trials (RCT) (n = 6) used cognitive behavioural therapy‐based interventions and focused on people living with HIV in resource poor settings. There was only one study focusing on the use of lay counsellors to address post‐traumatic stress disorder but core competencies were not described. There were no intervention studies from Africa, only an observational cohort study from Rwanda.

Conclusion

Rigorously evaluated interventions for adult post‐traumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV are rare. Most were undertaken in resource poor settings located in high‐income countries. There is a need for research on the development and implementation of appropriate interventions for post‐traumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Riboflavin and ultraviolet illumination affects selected platelet mRNA transcript amounts differently
Authors: Klein‐Bosgoed Christa , Schubert Peter , Devine Dana V.
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

Pathogen inactivation (PI) techniques use ultraviolet (UV) illumination with or without a photosensitizer to destroy pathogen RNA and DNA. Although lacking a nucleus and innate DNA transcription, platelets (PLTs) contain RNA and can synthesize proteins. The impact of PI on PLT protein synthesis and function is unknown; altered synthesis may affect overall PLT quality. In this study we determine to what extent PLT RNA is affected by PI.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In a pool‐and‐split design, paired apheresis PLT concentrates were treated with riboflavin and UV illumination or were left untreated. PLT total RNA and mRNA amounts specific for glycoproteins (GP)IIIa, GPIIb, and GPIb; α‐granule proteins PLT factor (PF)4; osteonectin and thrombospondin (TSP); and housekeeping protein glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were determined using absorbance and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

After treatment, amounts of all analyzed mRNAs were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), but to different degrees. For GAPDH and PF4, transcripts appeared less susceptible to the treatment, with 70% remaining 1 hour after UV illumination. For GPIIIa and TSP, less than 15% remained after treatment. There was a correlation (R2 = 0.85) between transcript length and amount of mRNA remaining 1 hour after treatment. Total RNA demonstrated a life span equal to the PLT life span of 10 to 11 days.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of the impact of riboflavin and UV illumination on PLT mRNA. Results suggest that all mRNA present in PLTs is affected by the treatment although the degree of the effect varies among transcripts.
Contribution of the seed microbiome to weed management
Authors: Müller‐Stöver D , Nybroe O , Baraibar B , Loddo D , Eizenberg H , French K , Sønderskov M , Neve P , Peltzer D A , Maczey N , Christensen S
Published: July 2016

Seed‐attacking microorganisms have an undefined potential for management of the weed seedbank, either directly through inundative inoculation of soils with effective pathogenic strains, or indirectly by managing soils in a manner that promotes native seed‐decaying microorganisms. However, research in this area is still limited and not consistently successful because of technological limitations in identifying the pathogens involved and their efficacy. We suggest that these limitations can now be overcome through application of new molecular techniques to identify the microorganisms interacting with weed seeds and to decipher their functionality. However, an interdisciplinary weed management approach that includes weed scientists, microbiologists, soil ecologists and molecular biologists is required to provide new insights into physical and chemical interactions between different seed species and microorganisms. Such insight is a prerequisite to identify the best candidate organisms to consider for seedbank management and to find ways to increase weed seed suppressive soil communities.
Silver nanoparticles production by two soil isolated bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis and Enterobacter cloacae, and assessment of their cytotoxicity and wound healing effect in rats
Authors: Pourali Parastoo , Razavian Zadeh Nasrin , Yahyaei Behrooz
Published: July 2016

Production of silver nanoparticles by Bacillus thuringiensis and Enterobacter cloacae was performed and confirmed through UV–visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)−2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using mouse fibroblast cell line NIH‐3T3 D4 was carried out and IC50s of AgNPs were obtained. The nontoxic dose of each AgNPs solution was selected for wound healing assay. Thirty‐two rats were divided into four groups; two were used as the controls and two were treated by AgNPs that were produced by two bacterial strains. Results revealed that the produced AgNPs were amorphous, spherical in shapes, and had sizes under 100 nm. Histological analysis showed that AgNPs had better wound healing efficacy than the control groups. In conclusion, when the biologically produced AgNPs were used in vivo, they induced the epithelization, formation of the collagen bundles and fibroplasia and reduced the duration of completion of the epithelization and the angiogenesis.
Predictors of Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation, Job Satisfaction, and Group Cohesion Among Regional Fellowship Program Participants
Authors: Kim Son Chae , Stichler Jaynelle F. , Ecoff Laurie , Brown Caroline E. , Gallo Ana‐Maria , Davidson Judy E.
Published: July 2016

Background

A regional, collaborative evidence‐based practice (EBP) fellowship program utilizing institution‐matched mentors was offered to a targeted group of nurses from multiple local hospitals to implement unit‐based EBP projects. The Advancing Research and Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration (ARCC) model postulates that strong EBP beliefs result in high EBP implementation, which in turn causes high job satisfaction and group cohesion among nurses.

Aims

This study examined the relationships among EBP beliefs, EBP implementation, job satisfaction, group cohesion, and group attractiveness among the fellowship program participants.

Methods

A total of 175 participants from three annual cohorts between 2012 and 2014 completed the questionnaires at the beginning of each annual session. The questionnaires included the EBP beliefs, EBP implementation, job satisfaction, group cohesion, and group attractiveness scales.

Results

There were positive correlations between EBP beliefs and EBP implementation (r = 0.47; p <.001), as well as EBP implementation and job satisfaction (r = 0.17; p = .029). However, no statistically significant correlations were found between EBP implementation and group cohesion, or group attractiveness. Hierarchical multiple regression models showed that EBP beliefs was a significant predictor of both EBP implementation (β = 0.33; p <.001) and job satisfaction (β = 0.25; p = .011). However, EBP implementation was not a significant predictor of job satisfaction, group cohesion, or group attractiveness.

Linking Evidence to Action

In multivariate analyses where demographic variables were taken into account, although EBP beliefs predicted job satisfaction, no significant relationship was found between EBP implementation and job satisfaction or group cohesion. Further studies are needed to confirm these unexpected study findings.
Employee Share Ownership as Productivity Factor in Companies in Cameroon
Authors: Alim Ousmanou
Published: July 2016

This paper estimates the effects of employee ownership on productivity in companies in Cameroon. So the mechanism of employee ownership studied is the participation of employees in the capital which about 31 limited companies. These analyses are conducted of using descriptive and cross-sectional times series method on data collected during 2008-2013 from the National Institute of Statistics of Cameroon. It founds that the companies surveyed belong the whole sectors:  industry (45.2 %), services (22.6 %), agriculture (16.1 %), transport (9.7%) and trade (6.5 %). From the perspective of the workforce of employees, these companies are mostly large (83.9 %) and medium size (16.1 %). Moreover, the level of participation of employees in the capital of these enterprises is usually between 5 % and 10 % (61.3 %) and the average level around 7.4 %. Indeed, the level average of productivity each person employed is about 11.87 million. The study concludes also the participation of employees in the capital positively and significantly affects productivity. This research, therefore devotes postulates of psychological theory on changing attitudes and behaviors of employees. The paper recommends expanding the employee ownership policy in Cameroon’s companies and adequate monitoring by the government of this policy.
Conflicto, religión y educación religiosa en Colombia
Authors: Bonilla Morales Jaime Laurence
Published: July 2016

El conflicto, desde las perspectivas de violencia y paz, es un tema capital en nuestro contexto. El problema demanda tratamiento interdisciplinar y en ese marco es importante considerar la responsabilidad de las instituciones religiosas, la teología y la educación religiosa, pues estas poseen argumentos, experiencias, potencialidades, enfoques y valores capaces de transformar las tendencias violentas y de reconducir los distintos conflictos hacia una cultura de paz.
Principios y actualidad de la experiencia mística en San Juan de la Cruz
Authors: González Suárez Lucero
Published: July 2016

Pretende dilucidar los principios de la experiencia mística propuestos por San Juan de la Cruz, con el objeto de justificar la afirmación de que el único medio proporcionado para la realización del fin sobrenatural para el cual fuimos creados es la virtud sobrenatural de la fe, que Dios infunde en contemplación. Para ello, la autora sigue los postulados metodológicos de la fenomenología hermenéutica de la mística.
Developing Additive Manufacturing Technology for Burner Repair
Authors: Andersson Olov , Graichen Andreas , Brodin Håkan , Navrotsky Vladimir
Published: July 2016

Low emission combustion is one of the most important requirements for industrial gas turbines. Siemens industrial gas turbines SGT-800 and SGT-700 use dry low emission (DLE) technology and are equipped with third generation of DLE burners. These burners demonstrate high-performance and reliable operation for the duration of their design lifetime. The design and shape of the burner tip is of great importance in order to achieve a good fuel/ air mixture and at the same time a resistance to the fatigue created by heat radiation input. This gives a requirement for a tip structure with delicate internal channels combined with thicker structure for load carrying and production reasons. It was found that the extension of the burner lifetime beyond the original design life could be accomplished by means of repair of the burner tip. Initially, the tip repair has been done by conventional methods— i.e., cutting off the tip and replacing it with a premanufactured one. Due to the sophisticated internal structure of the burner, the cuts have to be made fairly high upstream to avoid having the weld in the delicate channel area. Through the use of additive manufacturing (AM) technology, it has been possible to simplify the repair and only replace the damaged part of the tip. Special processes have been developed for AM repair procedure, including the following: machining off of the damaged and oxidized tip, positioning the sintered model on the burner face, sintering a new tip in place, quality assurance and inspection methods, powder handling, material qualification including bonding zone, development of methods for mechanical integrity calculation, and qualification of the whole repair process. This paper describes how we have developed and qualified SGT-800 and SGT-700 DLE burners repair with the help of additive manufacturing technology and our research work performed. In addition, this paper highlights the challenges we faced during design, materials qualification, and repair work shop set up.
On the Significance of Asperity Models Predictions of Rough Contact With Respect to Recent Alternative Theories
Authors: Ciavarella M.
Published: July 2016

Recently, it has been shown that while asperity models show correctly qualitative features of rough contact problems (linearity in area–load, negative exponential dependence of load on separation which means also linearity of stiffness with load), the exact value of the coefficients are not precise for the idealized case of Gaussian distribution of heights. This is due to the intrinsic simplifications, neglecting asperity coalescence, and interaction effects. However, the issue of Gaussianity has not been proved or experimentally verified in many cases, and here, we show that, for example, assuming a Weibull distribution of asperity heights, the area–load linear coefficient is not much affected, while the relationships load–separation and, therefore, also stiffness–load do change largely, particularly when considering bounded distributions of asperity heights. It is suggested that Gaussianity of surfaces should be further tested in the experiments, before applying the most sophisticated rough contact models based on the Gaussian assumption.
Effect of Groove Textures on the Performances of Gaseous Bubble in the Lubricant of Journal Bearing
Authors: Meng F. M. , Zhang L. , Long T.
Published: July 2016

Effects of groove textures on the performances for gaseous bubbles in the lubricant used for a textured journal bearing is studied under the consideration of thermal effect of lubricant. The Reynolds, energy, and Rayleigh–Plesset (RP) equations are solved simultaneously for simulating the behavior of the bubble. Numerical results show that the gaseous bubble radius shows a nonlinearly oscillation in a full cycle period, and high bubble pressure and temperature appear when the bubble collapses. Moreover, appropriately choosing groove length, width, or interval can reduce the maximum radius, collapse pressure, and collapse temperature of the bubble. There exists a critical groove depth minimizing the bubble pressure and temperature.
Pitch perception and production in congenital amusia: Evidence from Cantonese speakers
Authors: Liu Fang , Chan Alice H. D. , Ciocca Valter , Roquet Catherine , Peretz Isabelle , Wong Patrick C. M.
Published: July 2016

This study investigated pitch perception and production in speech and music in individuals with congenital amusia (a disorder of musical pitch processing) who are native speakers of Cantonese, a tone language with a highly complex tonal system. Sixteen Cantonese-speaking congenital amusics and 16 controls performed a set of lexical tone perception, production, singing, and psychophysical pitch threshold tasks. Their tone production accuracy and singing proficiency were subsequently judged by independent listeners, and subjected to acoustic analyses. Relative to controls, amusics showed impaired discrimination of lexical tones in both speech and non-speech conditions. They also received lower ratings for singing proficiency, producing larger pitch interval deviations and making more pitch interval errors compared to controls. Demonstrating higher pitch direction identification thresholds than controls for both speech syllables and piano tones, amusics nevertheless produced native lexical tones with comparable pitch trajectories and intelligibility as controls. Significant correlations were found between pitch threshold and lexical tone perception, music perception and production, but not between lexical tone perception and production for amusics. These findings provide further evidence that congenital amusia is a domain-general language-independent pitch-processing deficit that is associated with severely impaired music perception and production, mildly impaired speech perception, and largely intact speech production.
Spatial organization of chromatin domains and compartments in single chromosomes
Authors: Wang Siyuan , Su Jun-Han , Beliveau Brian J. , Bintu Bogdan , Moffitt Jeffrey R. , Wu Chao-ting , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: July 2016

Spatial organization inside the nucleus

In eukaryotic cells, DNA is packaged into a complex macromolecular structure called chromatin. Wang
et al.
have developed an imaging method to map the position of multiple regions on individual chromosomes, and the results confirm that chromatin is organized into large contact domains called TADS (topologically associating domains). Unexpectedly, though, folding deviates from the classical fractal-globule model at large length scales.

Science
, this issue p.
598
Genome Sequence of the Uncommon
Streptococcus pyogenes
M/
emm
66 Strain STAB13021, Isolated from Clonal Clustered Cases in French Brittany
Authors: Meygret Alexandra , Vincent Pascal , Moullec Séverine , Nacazume Jessica , Adnani Yahia , Lavenier Dominique , Kayal Samer , Faili Ahmad
Published: July 2016

Here, we announce the complete annotated genome sequence of the invasive
Streptococcus pyogenes
strain M/
emm
66, isolated in 2013 from a subcutaneous abscess in new clustered cases in French Brittany.
Giant rectal polyp prolapse in an adult patient with the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Authors: Cano-Contreras Ana Delfina , Meixueiro-Daza Arturo , Grube-Pagola Peter , Remes-Troche Jose Maria
Published: July 2016

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant intestinal polyposis syndrome characterised by the presence of hamartomatous polyps and mucocutaneous pigmentation. Prolapse of the polyps through the anus is an infrequent manifestation in children with PJS, and this complication is extremely rare in adult patients. We report the case of a 30-year-old man recently diagnosed with PJS who was seen at the emergency department because of the abrupt onset of severe anal pain with a foreign body sensation in the anal canal and rectal bleeding.

Physical examination revealed a giant prolapsed polyp.
Psychological factors are associated with the outcome of physiotherapy for people with shoulder pain: a multicentre longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Chester Rachel , Jerosch-Herold Christina , Lewis Jeremy , Shepstone Lee
Published: July 2016

Background/aim

Shoulder pain is a major musculoskeletal problem. We aimed to identify which baseline patient and clinical characteristics are associated with a better outcome, 6 weeks and 6 months after starting a course of physiotherapy for shoulder pain.

Methods

1030 patients aged ≥18 years referred to physiotherapy for the management of musculoskeletal shoulder pain were recruited and provided baseline data. 840 (82%) provided outcome data at 6 weeks and 811 (79%) at 6 months. 71 putative prognostic factors were collected at baseline. Outcomes were the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyse prognostic factors associated with outcome.

Results

Parameter estimates (β) are presented for the untransformed SPADI at 6 months, a negative value indicating less pain and disability. 4 factors were associated with better outcomes for both measures and time points: lower baseline disability (β=−0.32, 95% CI −0.23 to −0.40), patient expectation of ‘complete recovery’ compared to ‘slight improvement’ as ‘a result of physiotherapy’ (β=−12.43, 95% CI −8.20 to −16.67), higher pain self-efficacy (β=−0.36, 95% CI −0.50 to −0.22) and lower pain severity at rest (β=−1.89, 95% CI −1.26 to −2.51).

Conclusions

Psychological factors were consistently associated with patient-rated outcome, whereas clinical examination findings associated with a specific structural diagnosis were not. When assessing people with musculoskeletal shoulder pain and considering referral to physiotherapy services, psychosocial and medical information should be considered.

Study registration

Protocol published athttp://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/14/192.
Ethnic differences in serum lipids and lipoproteins in overweight/obese African-American and white American women with pre-diabetes: significance of NMR-derived lipoprotein particle concentrations and sizes
Authors: Gaillard Trudy , Osei Kwame
Published: July 2016

Objective

African-American women (AAW) suffer disproportionately from higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality compared with white American women (WAW), despite favorable lipid and lipoprotein profile. Therefore, we used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to examine lipoprotein particle concentrations and sizes in overweight/obese AAW and WAW with pre-diabetes.

Participants and methods

We studied 69 AAW and 41 WAW, with mean age 46.5±11.3 years and body mass index (BMI) 37.8±6.4 kg/m2. All participants completed standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT). Insulin sensitivity (Si) was calculated using MINIMOD method. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Fasting blood was obtained for traditional lipids/lipoproteins and NMR-derived lipoprotein particle sizes and concentrations.

Results

We found that AAW with pre-diabetes were more obese (BMI 38.8±6.7 vs 36.0±5.4 kg/m2, p=0.02) than WAW. Mean Si was not significantly different. However, the mean serum triglycerides were lower, whereas the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) were significantly higher in AAW versus WAW. The large HDL particle concentration (6.1±3.1 vs 4.6±3.1 µmol/L, p=0.02) was significantly higher in AAW versus WAW. Mean total very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle concentration was lower in AAW versus WAW (39.9±24.4 vs 59.2±25.6 nmol/L, p≤0.001). While mean total LDL particle concentrations were not different, mean small LDL particle concentrations were lower in AAW versus WAW (538.8±294.1 vs 638.4±266 nmol/L, p=0.07).

Conclusions

We found a more favorable NMR-derived lipoprotein profile in AAW that extends the traditional antiatherogenic lipid/lipoprotein profiles. Clinically, these favorable lipid/lipoprotein profiles cannot explain the paradoxically higher CVD mortality in AAW than WAW and warrant further prospective outcome studies.
Health impact of human rights testimony: harming the most vulnerable?
Authors: Meffert Susan M , Shome Shonali , Neylan Thomas C , Musalo Karen , Fineberg Harvey V , Cooke Molly M , Volberding Paul A , Goosby Eric P
Published: July 2016

Background

Current legal efforts to document human rights violations typically include interviews in which survivors are asked to provide detailed descriptions of their traumatic experiences during a single meeting. Research on similar interview techniques used as part of a mental health treatment (eg, debriefing) has raised concerns that they might worsen mental health—more than doubling the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder in some studies. While controversy over the mental health impact of debriefing continues, debriefing treatments have been discontinued in most clinics nearly 2 decades ago. The purpose of this article is to promote the development and integration of preventative measures to limit potential mental health damage associated with legal endeavours to address human rights violations and international crimes.

Methods and findings

Given the recent growth of the field of global mental health and its current capacity to provide feasible, acceptable, effective care in low-resource settings, we propose a research agenda to identify the mental health impact of current human rights legal practices and test a model of scalable medicolegal care that minimises risk by integrating mental health monitoring and applying up-to-date models of trauma treatment, including multiple meeting sessions, as indicated.

Conclusions

As the fields of global health, human rights law, international criminal law and transitional justice increasingly overlap in their efforts to assist communities affected by grave violence, we propose that synchronising efforts may offer important opportunities to improve mental health for survivors.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of effects of community-delivered positive youth development interventions on violence outcomes
Authors: Melendez-Torres G J , Dickson Kelly , Fletcher Adam , Thomas James , Hinds Kate , Campbell Rona , Murphy Simon , Bonell Chris
Published: July 2016

Background

We systematically reviewed and meta-analysed evaluations testing the effectiveness of positive youth development (PYD) interventions for reducing violence in young people.

Methods

Two reviewers working independently screened records, assessed full-text studies for inclusion and extracted data. Outcomes were transformed to Cohen's d. Quality assessment of included evaluations was undertaken using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Effect sizes were combined using multilevel meta-analysis. We searched 21 databases, including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and CENTRAL, and hand-searched key journals and websites. We included studies where the majority of participants were aged 11–18 years and where interventions were delivered in community (not clinical or judicial) settings outside of normal school hours. We excluded studies targeting predefined physical and mental health conditions or parents/carers alongside young people. We defined violence as perpetration or victimisation of physical violence including violent crime.

Results

Three randomised trials were included in this systematic review. Included evaluations each had design flaws. Meta-analyses suggested that PYD interventions did not have a statistically significant effect on violence outcomes across all time points (d=0.021, 95% CI −0.050 to 0.093), though interventions did have a statistically significant short-term effect (d=0.076, 95% CI 0.013 to 0.140).

Conclusions

Our meta-analyses do not offer evidence of PYD interventions in general having effects of public health significance in reducing violence among young people. Evaluations did not consistently report theories of change or implementation fidelity, so it is unclear if our meta-analyses provide evidence that the PYD theory of change is ineffective in reducing violence among young people.