bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomical study on the mollusks collected in Marion-Dufresne (MD55) and other expeditions to SE Brazil: the Fissurellidae (Mollusca, Vetigastropoda)
Authors: SIMONE LUIZ RICARDO L. , CUNHA CARLO M.
Published: July 2014

The Fissurellidae collected by the Marion-Dufresne Expedition, as well as other regional expeditions to SE Brazil are examined taxonomically, treating 21 species, of which 20 are new. The following new species are described (order according to depth range; species marked with * are from expeditions other than MD55): Cornisepta uirapa (790–940 m), Cornisepta arrepiata (295–1,050 m), Cornisepta aninga (295–1,050 m), Cranopsis hycavis (637 m), Cranopsis nymphalis (295 m), Cranopsis enigmatica (790–940 m), Cranopsis cearensis* (250 m), Cranopsis apostrema (110–940 m), Cranopsis alaris (250–450 m), Cranopsis canopa* (250 m), Cranopsis columbaris* (250 m), Emarginula suspira (54–940 m), Emarginula icosisculpta (10–12 m), Manganesepta atiaia (950–1,570 m), Profundisepta denudata* (3,000 m), Puncturella volcano (607–620 m), Rimula leptarcis (85–105 m), Zeidora pussa (607–940 m), Zeidora crepidula (790–940 m), Hemimarginula hemitoma (1–105 m). Diodora mirifica Métivier, 1972 (10–12 m), common in Brazilian oceanic islands, is the only fissurellid species previously known from that area. The genera Cornisepta, Cranopsis, Manganesepta, Profundisepta, Zeidora, and Hemimarginula are reported for the first time from Brazil. Emarginula suspira is named for material that has been misidentified as E. tuberculosa, a Miocene Mediterranean fossil
Additional record of Rayllianassa amboinensis (de Man, 1888) from Japan, and description of a new species from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea: Callianassidae)
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , FUJITA YOSHIHISA , MAENOSONO TADAFUMI
Published: July 2014

Two species referred to the callianassid ghost shrimp genus Rayllianassa Komai & Tachikawa, 2008 are reported herewith. Additional locality records from Japan are provided for R. amboinensis (de Man, 1888), and the synonymy of Callianassa ngochoae Sakai, 1999 with R. amboinensis is discussed. It is shown that R. amboinensis is associated with sponges or alcyonacean soft corals, representing unusual habitats for callianassids. Rayllianassa rudisulcus n. sp. is described on the basis of a single ovigerous female from shallow soft sediment in Ohura Bay, Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands. The new species is distinguished from R. amboinensis by the absence of a dorsal oval on the carapace, the antennal peduncle being longer than the antennular peduncle, and the different shape of the third maxilliped. The status of Rayllianassa is also briefly discussed.
Endogean and cavernicolous Coleoptera of the Balkans. XIV. Melledobythus bilandzijae, new genus and species of cavernicolous Bythinini (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from the Island Mljet, Croatia
Authors: HLAVÁČ PETER , NAKLÁDAL OTO , JALŽIĆ BRANKO
Published: July 2014

Melledobythus bilandzijae, new cavernicolous genus and species of the tribe Bythinini is described from the island of Mljet, Croatia. A detailed morphological study is presented. The new genus belongs to the phylogenetic lineage of small and anophthalmous Bythinini that lack sutural elytral striae.
Symmetric and Antisymmetric Convection Signals in the Madden–Julian Oscillation. Part I: Basic Modes in Infrared Brightness Temperature
Authors: Tung Wen-wen , Giannakis Dimitrios , Majda Andrew J.
Published: July 2014

This work studies the significance of north–south asymmetry in convection associated with the 20–90-day Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) propagating across the equatorial Indo-Pacific warm pool region. Satellite infrared brightness temperature data in the tropical belt for the period 1983–2006 were decomposed into components symmetric and antisymmetric about the equator. Using a recent nonlinear objective method called nonlinear Laplacian spectral analysis, modes of variability were extracted representing symmetric and antisymmetric features of MJO convection signals, along with a plethora of other modes of tropical convective variability spanning diurnal to interannual time scales. The space–time reconstruction of these modes during the 1992/93 Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) period is described in detail. In particular, the boreal winter MJO emerges as a single pair of modes in both symmetric and antisymmetric convection signals. Both signals originate in the Indian Ocean around 60°E. They coexist for all significant MJO events with a varying degree of relative importance, which is affected by ENSO. The symmetric signals tend to be suppressed when crossing the Maritime Continent, while the antisymmetric signals are not as inhibited. Their differences in peak phase and propagation speed suggest fundamental differences in the underlying mechanisms. The multiscale interactions between the diurnal, MJO, and ENSO modes of convection were studied. It was found that the symmetric component of MJO convection appears out of phase with the symmetric component of the diurnal cycle, while the antisymmetric component of MJO convection is in phase with the antisymmetric diurnal cycle. The former relationship likely breaks down during strong El Niño events, and both relationships likely break down during prolonged La Niña events.
Protrusion of the tongue in bodies burned after death: Two cases of arson to cover homicide
Authors: Nikolić Slobodan , Živković Vladimir
Published: July 2014

In the forensic assessment of burned bodies, the question of whether the victim was exposed to fire before or after death is of crucial importance. Many authors consider tongue protrusion in cases of burned bodies to be a post-mortem phenomenon. Deep-heating effects of fire are sufficient to cook muscle. The muscle becomes shortened by dehydration and protein denaturation. Exposure to heat causes flexion of the extremities on the contraction of muscles and tendons – heat rigour. The flexors, being bulkier than the extensors, contract more and force the limbs into the position of general flexion. The genioglossus is the major muscle of the tongue and is responsible for protruding or sticking out the tongue: by means of its inferior fibres, it draws the root of the tongue forward and protrudes the apex from the mouth. Similar to the action of limb flexors exposed to heat and the appearance of post-mortem general flexion of a burned body due to heat rigour, perhaps the geniglossus could be shortened by heat, causing post-mortem tongue protrusion to appear as heat rigour of the tongue. In this paper, we present two such cases of protrusion of the tongue in bodies burned after death – cases of arson to cover homicide.
Myths and Misconceptions in Popular Psychology
Authors: Furnham Adrian , Hughes David J.
Published: July 2014

This study examined the prevalence of psychological myths and misconceptions among psychology students and within the general population. In total, 829 participants completed a 249-item questionnaire designed to measure a broad range of psychological myths. Results revealed that psychological myths and misconceptions are numerous and widely held. A number of widely held, potentially harmful, and socially divisive myths were identified. Psychology students recognized more myths than did the general population. However, effect sizes were small, indicating that education has only a very limited success in alleviating psychological myths and misconceptions.
Parenting Behaviors, Adolescent Depressive Symptoms, and Problem Behavior
Authors: Wang Cixin , Xia Yan , Li Wenzhen , Wilson Stephan M. , Bush Kevin , Peterson Gary
Published: July 2014

Cross-sectional data from 589 Chinese adolescents were used to investigate whether parenting behaviors are directly or indirectly (through self-esteem and school adjustment difficulties) associated with adolescent depressive symptoms and problem behavior. Structural equation modeling results showed that school adjustment difficulties fully mediated the relations between two parenting behaviors (parental punitiveness and paternal monitoring) and adolescent problem behavior and partially mediated the relation between maternal monitoring and adolescent problem behavior. Adolescent self-esteem partially mediated the relations between maternal punitiveness and adolescent depressive symptoms and fully mediated the relations between parental support and adolescent depressive symptoms. Parental love withdrawal was not significantly related to any adolescent adjustment when other parenting practices were controlled. The findings highlight the interactions between family and school contexts in adolescent development.
Net and Global Differential Item Functioning in PISA Polytomously Scored Science Items
Authors: Akour Mutasem , Sabah Saed , Hammouri Hind
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to apply two types of Differential Item Functioning (DIF), net and global DIF, as well as the framework of Differential Step Functioning (DSF) to real testing data to investigate measurement invariance related to test language. Data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)–2006 polytomously scored science items for four countries with different test languages were used, where French and English represented the reference languages. The findings showed that many items exhibited both types of DIF, although, in most cases, the results were inconsistent for the two source languages. In addition, net and global DIF tests did not always yield the same results depending on the DSF effect pattern. Furthermore, the DSF analysis provided valuable information over and above that provided by the net DIF analysis concerning the nature and the location of the DIF effect.
Energy saving and thermal comfort performance of air conditioners incorporating distributed environmental sensing by wireless sensor network
Authors: Chiu Min-sheng , Kristantama Johan , Tzeng Chun-Ta , Lai Chi-Ming
Published: July 2014

Appropriate spatial temperature sensing is recognized as one of the main challenges for thermostats used in air conditioners. In this study, a motivation is emerged to change this return-air-sensing by integrating the concept of distributed environment sensing toward the air-conditioning system (DES-A/C). An improved A/C system was established incorporating distributed environmental sensing by wireless sensor networks. Experimental research with two different treatments, single-point and multi-point user-neighborhood sensing, has been conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of this concept. It has been revealed that DES-A/C could save 43% energy compared to conventional A/C. In addition, DES-A/C could maintain the predicted mean vote (PMV) index in satisfaction range (−1 < PMV < +1) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied index no more than 27.5%.
The Bet: Paul Ehrlich, Julian Simon and Our Gamble over Earth’s Future
Authors: Foster John
Published: July 2014

Paul Sabin, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2013, 320 pages, US $28.50 (HB). ISBN: 9780300176483.
A Nurse Practitioner Patient Care Team
Authors: Golden Julia Rose
Published: July 2014

The role of the pediatric advanced practice registered nurse continues to evolve within the ever-changing field of health care. In response to increased demand for health care services and because of a variety of changes in the health care delivery system, nurse practitioner patient care teams are an emerging trend in acute care settings. Care provided by nurse practitioner teams has been shown to be effective, efficient, and comprehensive. In addition to shorter hospital stays and reduced costs, nurse practitioner teams offer increased quality and continuity of care, and improved patient satisfaction. Nurse practitioner patient care teams are well suited to the field of pediatric oncology, as patients would benefit from care provided by specialized clinicians with a holistic focus. This article provides health care professionals with information about the use of nurse practitioner patient care teams and implications for use in pediatric oncology.
On Becoming an Experiential Educator
Authors: Kolb Alice Y. , Kolb David A. , Passarelli Angela , Sharma Garima
Published: July 2014

Background

Becoming an experiential educator involves more than just being a facilitator or matching learning style with teaching style. Experiential education is a complex relational process that involves balancing attention to the learner and to the subject matter while also balancing reflection on the deep meaning of ideas with the skill of applying them.

Aim

To describe a dynamic matching model of education based on Experiential Learning Theory and to create a self-assessment instrument for helping educators understand their approach to education.

Method

A dynamic matching model for “teaching around the learning cycle” describes four roles that educators can adopt to do so—facilitator, subject expert, standard-setter/evaluator, and coach. A self-assessment instrument called the Educator Role Profile was created to help educators understand their use of these roles.

Results

Research using the Educator Role Profile indicates that to some extent educators do tend to teach the way they learn, finding that those with concrete learning styles are more learner-centered, preferring the facilitator role; while those with abstract learning styles are more subject-centered preferring the expert and evaluator roles.

Conclusion

A model for the practice of dynamic matching of educator roles, learner style, and subject matter can aid in the planning and implementation of educational experiences. With practice, both learners and educators can develop the flexibility to use all educator roles and learning styles to create a more powerful and effective process of teaching and learning—in Mary Parker Follett’s words to, “. . . free the energies of the human spirit . . . the highest potentiality of all human association.”
Problem-Focused Coping
Authors: Maradik Harris Lesley , Kim Bum Jung
Published: July 2014

In this article, we examine skipped-generation caregivers who foster their grandchildren orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Vietnam. We investigated the challenges facing this population and the ways in which grandparents handled their trials on behalf of their families. Specifically, how did caregivers make sense of their roles, and how did these meanings inform their coping strategies? We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 21 older caregivers and 7 key informants and selected 5 caregivers from the sample to complete participant observations. The participants understood coping as problem-focused coping; for example, by considering a set of caregiving-related activities that included providing childcare, making money, borrowing money, cooking, and doing other daily chores. The voices of older caregivers must be a vital component to influence and inform service organizations and HIV sectors working in Vietnam. Based on a deeper understanding of the caregiving process, we outline implications for service development within the area of HIV caregiving.
The Meaning of Coping for Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Ryan Jacqueline , Rapley Mark , Dziurawiec Suzanne
Published: July 2014

Contemporary psychiatric theory holds that a precipitant of major mental illness is the inability of some vulnerable individuals to cope with the difficulties of everyday life. Such mentally ill people are characterized as having deficient, dysfunctional, or absent coping skills. Recently, researchers have exerted considerable effort to distinguish between productive and nonproductive coping. In this article, we argue that not only are such conceptualizations reliant on reductive, circular logic, but they also miss the essentially rational, local, and individual nature of coping in psychiatric patients’ lives. We used semistructured interviews and thematic analyses of psychiatric patients’ descriptions of their coping. Patients reported that professional intervention reduced their ability to cope, that they distrusted the mental health system and its professionals, that coping mechanisms were misinterpreted, that situational crises modulated coping, and that sometimes coping was just “not coping.” We argue for a more respectful, nuanced understanding of coping among mental health professionals.
Manufacturing textured surfaces: State of art and recent developments
Authors: Coblas Daniela G , Fatu Aurelian , Maoui Abdelghani , Hajjam Mohamed
Published: July 2014

Surface texturing and its influence on tribological systems performances represent one of the main research topics nowadays. Textures functionality is initially ensured by correct optimization of its geometrical parameters, but the influence of textures quality is not to be neglected. Therefore, a proper selection of fabrication methods appropriate for each individual application is imperative. The process of selection is somehow exhaustive due to abundance of parameters and selection criterions. Hence, this paper proposes a general classification of texture manufacturing techniques, used nowadays within industrial manufacturing and research platforms, with pertinent description of each process including key advantages and drawbacks concerning their application within mechanical systems.
Therapy-related acute leukaemia with mitoxantrone: Four years on, what is the risk and can it be limited?
Authors: Ellis Richard , Brown Sean , Boggild Mike
Published: July 2014

Therapy-related acute leukaemia (TRAL) is a significant concern, when considering treatment with mitoxantrone for multiple sclerosis (MS). We re-evaluated the literature, identifying all case reports and series of > 50 patients reporting TRAL cases in MS. TRAL was diagnosed in 0.73% of the 12,896 patients identified. Median onset was 22 months following treatment. We calculated a number needed to harm of 137.5 exposed patients, significantly higher than our 2008 analysis. We found that 82.8% of patients were exposed to > 60 mg/m2 with a relative risk of 1.85 ( p = 0.018) compared to < 60mg/m2, strongly suggesting a relationship to dose. MS treatment regimens which limit the mitoxantrone dose to < 60mg/m2 reduce the risk of TRAL.
The financial news ecosystem: Journalists’ perceptions of group hierarchy
Authors: Ragas Matthew W , Tran Hai L
Published: July 2014

While global financial journalism has grown substantially in recent decades, little is known about journalists’ perceptions of the key players in this news ecosystem. This study draws from research into social group hierarchies and prestige media to explore this question within the United States, the largest market for financial journalists. A national survey of financial journalists ( n = 349) shows that The Wall Street Journal and Andrew Ross Sorkin of The New York Times are perceived as the most influential financial media outlet and journalist, respectively. However, financial journalists are not a monolithic entity in terms of their perceptions of the leaders in the field. Some differences exist among the respondents as a function of their demographic and work-related characteristics. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
α1 Antitrypsin deficiency: current best practice in testing and augmentation therapy
Authors: Campos Michael A. , Lascano Jorge
Published: July 2014

α1 Antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), liver disease and other conditions. Although it is not a rare disease, it is a condition rarely diagnosed because of unawareness by most healthcare providers who manage subjects at risk. Testing recommendations have been published and strongly suggest testing all subjects with confirmed COPD, cryptogenic liver cirrhosis, subjects with incompletely reversible airflow obstruction and siblings of affected individuals. Testing strategies usually imply a combination of measures of α1 antitrypsin (AAT) levels, phenotyping and genotyping, techniques that have been facilitated for in-office use by development of testing kits using dried blood spots. Early detection of subjects is crucial to apply effective preventive measures and early institution of therapy.

The only specific Food and Drug Administration - approved therapy for this condition is lifelong weekly intravenous AAT replacement (augmentation therapy). Observational studies strongly suggest a beneficial effect of augmentation therapy in slowing lung function decline and randomized trials suggest a beneficial effect in slowing the progression of emphysema over time as measured by computed tomography. In addition, augmentation therapy has been shown to modulate systemic inflammatory responses and affect markers of elastin degradation. As new markers of disease progression are discovered, new doses of AAT replacement are tested and sub-phenotypes of disease are described, treatment recommendations are likely to change towards a more individualized therapeutic approach.
STEM High School Administrators’, Teachers’, and Students’ Perceptions of Curricular and Instructional Strategies and Practices
Authors: Bruce-Davis Micah N. , Gubbins E. Jean , Gilson Cindy M. , Villanueva Merzili , Foreman Jennifer L. , Rubenstein Lisa DaVia
Published: July 2014

The present qualitative study was conducted in response to federal initiatives aimed at increasing the number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) schools in the United States; and to better understand STEM high school administrators’, teachers’, and students’ perceptions of the characteristics of the curricular and instructional strategies and practices representative of their schools. Six STEM high schools with diverse organizational models were purposively selected to represent varied geographical regions, socioeconomic and ethnic groups, and levels of entrance criteria. During 2-day site visits at each school, administrators, teachers, and students were interviewed. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) a common vision of a challenging and engaging learning environment, (b) a focus on applying curricular and instructional strategies and practices to real-world problems, and (c) an appreciation for academic and affective support in the challenging learning environment. Interested stakeholders might discover strategies and practices to support their respective missions.
Using the Glucometrics Website to Benchmark ICU Glucose Control Before and After the NICE-SUGAR Study
Authors: Lleva Ranee R. , Thomas Prem , Bozzo Janis E. , Hendrickson Karrie C. , Inzucchi Silvio E.
Published: July 2014

Background:

Prior to 2009, intensive glycemic control was the standard in main intensive care units (ICUs). Glucose targets have been recalibrated after publication of the NICE-SUGAR study in that year, followed by updated guidelines that endorsed more moderated control. We sought to determine if the prevalence of hyperglycemia in US ICUs had increased after the NICE-SUGAR study’s results were reported.

Methods:

We used data from hospitals submitted to the Yale Glucometrics™ website to assess mean blood glucose values, percentage of blood glucose within various ranges, and the prevalence of hypo- and hyperglycemic excursions, based on the patient-day method, comparing the pre- to post-NICE-SUGAR time period.

Results:

Among more than a total of 2 million blood glucose determinations, comprising 408 790 patient-days, median patient-day blood glucose decreased from 144 mg/dL to 141 mg/dL ( P < .001) in the pre- versus post-NICE-SUGAR time period. The percentage of patient days with a mean blood glucose of 110-179 mg/dl increased from 58.3 to 63.6%. The percentage of patient-days with either hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dl) or severe hyperglycemia (≥300 mg/dl) decreased during this time.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that glycemic control in US ICUs has improved when comparing time periods before versus after publication of the NICE-SUGAR study. We found no evidence that fewer hypoglycemic events were achieved at the expense of more hyperglycemia.
Service Research in the Hospitality Literature
Authors: Kandampully Jay , Keating Byron William , Kim BeomCheol (Peter) , Mattila Anna S. , Solnet David
Published: July 2014

This study applies a Delphi analysis regarding the level of integration of service topics in the hospitality literature, as found in 539 service-related papers published in four hospitality journals from 1998 to 2012. The journals in question are Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, International Journal of Hospitality Management, and Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research. The number of service-related studies account for 16 percent of the total pool of articles in the four journals over the fifteen-year period, and the analysis records an increase in the number of service-based articles published over this period. Since then, the number of articles dealing with service-related phenomena has ebbed somewhat. Theory-testing papers dominated the hospitality literature during the study period, accounting for more than half of the papers, while theory-building papers accounted for a quarter of all papers, and around 15 percent had a conceptual purpose. The most popular topic for papers in this sample was service experience, followed by operations management, human resource management, and accounting.
Does School Scoliosis Screening Make the Grade?
Authors: Jakubowski Tami L. , Alexy Eileen M.
Published: July 2014

School nurses have provided routine health screenings of school-age children for decades. During the 1970s, recommendations for school scoliosis screening, which were based upon poor access to health care, led state boards of education to mandate that school nurses screen for scoliosis. The history of mandated scoliosis screening in U.S. schools is reviewed, and current school nurse practices for scoliosis screening are presented. Elevated referral rates for repeat scoliosis examination following school scoliosis screenings have led to questions of efficacy. Further controversy exists regarding school nurses screening for scoliosis due to a lack of evidence indicating a decreased need for scoliosis surgery. This article contains evidence-based recommendations for discontinuing school scoliosis screening to help school nurses refocus their efforts on complex health needs and preventive health issues more likely to impact the majority of their students.
Tined lead versus percutaneous nerve evaluation for sacral nerve stimulator assessment
Authors: Kass-Iliyya A , Jenks J , Moore CM , Hamid R , Shah JR , Greenwell TJ , Ockrim JL
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

We compared the outcomes of percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE) with first-stage tined lead placement (FSTLP) for the testing phase of sacral nerve neuromodulation (SNM), and we assessed the outcomes of these two techniques following implantation of a (second-stage) permanent sacral nerve stimulator (SNS).

Methods:

Seventy consecutive patients had either PNE ( n = 35) or FSTLP ( n = 35) evaluation, and conversion to a permanent SNS implant according to response. Primary outcomes were assessed using frequency-volume charts, pad testing, ICIQ/EQ5D questionnaires and global health perception visual analogue scale (VAS). Success was considered if they achieved greater than 50% improvement in their urinary symptoms. Success and failure rates were compared during the test phase and after implantation of the SNS.

Results:

Mean follow-up for the FSTLP group was 14 months (nine to 20) and for the PNE group was 22 months (eight to 27). Sixteen (46%) of the PNE tests and 20 (57%) of the FSTLP patients were converted to permanent implant. A significant correlation was noted between patients’ general health (VAS score) and a successful test phase ( r = 0.297, p = 0.013). Eighteen of 19 (95%) of tined lead patients have successful SNS implants, whereas five of 16 (31%) of PNE evaluations failed to convert test efficacy to the permanent SNS implant ( p = 0.042). Furthermore, two of PNE-SNS patients were successfully salvaged by the implantation of a second tined lead.

Conclusions:

FSTLP-SNS has a significantly higher success rate than PNE-SNS in converting the test phase to SNS implantation. This may be due in part to difficulties retaining accurate lead placement with the two-lead (PNE-SNS) approach. These findings have important cost and logistical implications for SNS services.
Transcriptome analysis of the differences in gene expression between testis and ovary in green mud crab (Scylla paramamosain)
Authors: Gao Jie , Wang Xiaowei , Zou Zhihua , Jia Xiwei , Wang Yilei , Zhang Ziping
Published: July 2014

Background

The green mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) is the most prevalent crustacean on the southeast coast of China. The molecular regulatory mechanism of sex determination and gonadal differentiation in this species has received considerable attention in recent years because of the huge differences—both biological and economic—between male and female crabs. In this study, next-generation sequencing technology was used to develop deep-coverage transcriptomic sequencing data for the testis and ovary of S. paramamosain.

Results

A total of 365,116 reads (testis 171,962, ovary 193,154) with an average sequence length of 285 bp were produced from testis and ovary cDNA libraries. After filtering out contaminating reads, the clean reads were assembled, producing a total of 21,791 isotigs and leaving 22,814 reads as singlets. Using the BLASTX program, 3,471 unique sequences (2,275 isotigs and 1,196 singletons) were annotated with known protein sequences from the NCBI non-redundant (Nr) protein sequence database. The Gene Ontology and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses allowed the 224 unique sequences that were annotated with enzyme code (EC) numbers to be mapped into 174 KEGG pathways. After comparing the ovary and testis libraries, 4,021 gonad-differentially, 10,522 ovary-specifically, and 19,013 testis-specifically expressed genes were identified. Moreover, 33 ovary-specific, 14 testis-specific, and 34 gonad-differential transcripts were confirmed by semi-quantitative PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, 8,610 putative simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 23,879 potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified.

Conclusion

This is the first large-scale RNA sequencing of S. paramamosain to be reported. We have identified many important functional genes and made a preliminary attempt to construct the regulatory network involved in the gonadal development of crustaceans. The annotated transcriptome data will provide fundamental support for future research into the reproduction biology of S. paramamosain. A large number of candidate SSRs and SNPs were detected, which could be used as genetic markers for population genetics and functional genomics in this species.
High antioxidant and DNA protection activities of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and chitobiose produced by exolytic chitinase from Bacillus cereus EW5
Authors: Azam Mohammed Shariful , Kim Eun Jung , Yang Han-Soeb , Kim Joong Kyun
Published: July 2014

Chitin-degrading bacterial strains were screened and tested for their ability to degrade shrimp-shell waste (SSW). Among the potential strains, B. cereus EW5 exhibited the highest chitin-degrading ability compared with other strains and produced 24 mg of reducing sugar per gram of dry SSW after 4 days of incubation. A TLC analysis of SSW biodegradation revealed that the chitosaccharides produced in the culture supernatant were mainly N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and chitobiose due to the isolate’s exolytic chitinase activity. The culture supernatant exhibited a high degree of antioxidant activity, as indicated by 83% DPPH, 99.6% ABTS, 51% hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and 0.34 reducing power. The formation of GlcNAc and chitobiose during biodegradation of SSW is considered to be the major contributor to the antioxidant activity. The EW5 culture supernatant also displayed inhibition of DNA damage, enhancing the reutilization value of SSW. This report presents the first description of fermented production of GlcNAc and DNA protective activity of culture supernatant from SSW by B. cereus.
Learning restricted Boolean network model by time-series data
Authors: Ouyang Hongjia , Fang Jie , Shen Liangzhong , Dougherty Edward R , Liu Wenbin
Published: July 2014

Restricted Boolean networks are simplified Boolean networks that are required for either negative or positive regulations between genes. Higa et al. (BMC Proc 5:S5, 2011) proposed a three-rule algorithm to infer a restricted Boolean network from time-series data. However, the algorithm suffers from a major drawback, namely, it is very sensitive to noise. In this paper, we systematically analyze the regulatory relationships between genes based on the state switch of the target gene and propose an algorithm with which restricted Boolean networks may be inferred from time-series data. We compare the proposed algorithm with the three-rule algorithm and the best-fit algorithm based on both synthetic networks and a well-studied budding yeast cell cycle network. The performance of the algorithms is evaluated by three distance metrics: the normalized-edge Hamming distance

μ
ham
e

, the normalized Hamming distance of state transition

μ
ham
st

, and the steady-state distribution distance μ
ssd. Results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the others according to both

μ
ham
e

and

μ
ham
st

, whereas its performance according to μ
ssd is intermediate between best-fit and the three-rule algorithms. Thus, our new algorithm is more appropriate for inferring interactions between genes from time-series data.
Resource development in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery: An analysis on patient education resource development
Authors: Goldfarb Jeremy , Gupta Vishaal , Sampson Heather , Chiodo Albino
Published: July 2014

Background

There is a need for educational tools in the consenting process of otolaryngology-head and neck procedures. A development strategy for the creation of educational tools in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, particularly pamphlets on the peri-operative period in an adenotonsillectomy, is described.

Methods

A participatory design approach, which engages key stakeholders in the development of an educational tool, is used. Pamphlets were created through a review of traditional and grey literature and then reviewed by a community expert in the field. The pamphlets were then reviewed by an interdisciplinary team including educational experts, and finally by less vulnerable members of the target population. Questionnaires evaluating the pamphlets’ content, layout, style, and general qualitative features were included.

Results

The pamphlets yielded high ratings across all domains regardless of patient population. General feedback was provided by a non-vulnerable patient population and final pamphlets were drafted.

Conclusions

By using a participatory design model, the pamphlets are written at an appropriate educational level to incorporate a broad audience. Furthermore, this methodology can be used in future resource development of educational tools.
Chk1 protects against chromatin bridges by constitutively phosphorylating BLM serine 502 to inhibit BLM degradation
Authors: Petsalaki Eleni , Dandoulaki Maria , Morrice Nick , Zachos George
Published: July 2014

Chromatin bridges represent incompletely segregated chromosomal DNA connecting the anaphase poles and can result in chromosome breakage. The Bloom's syndrome protein (BLM) helicase suppresses formation of chromatin bridges. Here, we show that checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1)-deficient cells exhibit higher frequency of chromatin bridges and reduced BLM protein levels compared to controls. Chk1-inhibition leads to BLM ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation in interphase. Furthermore, Chk1 constitutively phosphorylates human BLM at serine 502 (S502) and phosphorylated BLM localises to chromatin bridges. Non-phosphorylatable mutation of S502 to alanine (S502A) reduces stability of BLM protein whereas expression of a phospho-mimicking S502D BLM, in which S502 is mutated to aspartic acid, stabilises BLM and prevents chromatin bridges in Chk1-deficient cells. In addition, wild-type but not S502D BLM associates with Cullin 3 and Cullin 3-depletion rescues BLM accumulation and localisation to chromatin bridges after Chk1-inhibition. We propose that Chk1 phosphorylates BLM-S502 to inhibit Cullin 3-mediated BLM degradation in interphase. These results suggest that Chk1 prevents deleterious anaphase bridges by stabilising BLM.
Physiological vagility and its relationship to dispersal and neutral genetic heterogeneity in vertebrates
Authors: Hillman Stanley S. , Drewes Robert C. , Hedrick Michael S. , Hancock Thomas V.
Published: July 2014

Vagility is the inherent power of movement by individuals. Vagility and the available duration of movement determine the dispersal distance individuals can move to interbreed which affects the fine-scale genetic structure of vertebrate populations. Vagility and variation in population genetic structure are normally explained by geographic variation and not by the inherent power of movement by individuals. We present a new, quantitative definition for physiological vagility that incorporates aerobic capacity, body size, body temperature, and the metabolic cost of transport, variables that are independent of the physical environment. Physiological vagility is the speed at which an animal can move sustainably based on these parameters. This meta-analysis tests whether this definition of physiological vagility correlates with empirical data for maximal dispersal distances and measured microsatellite genetic differentiation with distance ((FST/1-FST)/ ln km) for amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals utilizing three locomotor modes (running, flying, swimming). Maximal dispersal distance and physiological vagility increased with body mass for amphibians, reptiles and mammals utilizing terrestrial movement. The relative slopes of these relationships indicate that larger individuals require longer movement durations to achieve maximal dispersal distances. Both physiological vagility and maximal dispersal distance were independent of body mass for flying vertebrates. Genetic differentiation with distance was greatest for terrestrial locomotion, with amphibians showing the greatest mean and variance in differentiation. Flying birds, flying mammals, and swimming marine mammals showed the least differentiation. Mean physiological vagility of different groups (class and locomotor mode) accounted for 98% of the mean variation in genetic differentiation with distance in each group. Genetic differentiation with distance was not related to body mass. The physiological capacity for movement (physiological vagility) quantitatively predicts genetic isolation by distance in the vertebrates examined.
A context-dependent alarm signal in the antTemnothorax rugatulus
Authors: Sasaki Takao , Hölldobler Bert , Millar Jocelyn G. , Pratt Stephen C.
Published: July 2014

Because collective cognition emerges from local signaling among group members, deciphering communication systems is critical to understanding underlying mechanisms. Alarm signals are widespread in the social insects and can elicit a variety of behavioral responses to danger, but the functional plasticity of these signals has not been well studied. Here we report an alarm pheromone in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus that elicits two different behaviors depending on context. When an ant was tethered inside an unfamiliar nest site and unable to move freely, she released a pheromone from her mandibular gland that signaled other ants to reject this nest as a potential new home, presumably to avoid potential danger. When the same pheromone was presented near the ants' home nest, they were instead attracted to it, presumably to respond to a threat to the colony. We used coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify candidate compounds from the mandibular gland and tested each one in a nest choice bioassay. We found that 2,5-dimethylpyrazine was sufficient to induce rejection of a marked new nest and also to attract ants when released at the home nest. This is the first detailed investigation of chemical communication in the leptothoracine ants. We discuss the possibility that this pheromone's deterrent function can improve an emigrating colony's nest site selection performance.
Precocene-I inhibits juvenile hormone biosynthesis, ovarian activation, aggression and alters sterility signal production in bumble bee (Bombus terrestris) workers
Authors: Amsalem Etya , Teal Peter , Grozinger Christina M. , Hefetz Abraham
Published: July 2014

Juvenile hormone (JH) is an important regulator of development and physiology in insects. While in many insect species, including bumble bees, JH functions as gonadotropin in adults, in some highly eusocial insects its role has shifted to regulate social behavior including division of labor, dominance and aggression. Studying JH functions across social insect species is important for understanding the evolution of sociality; however, these studies have been limited due to inability to reduce JH levels without surgically removing its glandular source, the corpora allata. Precocene is known to inhibit JH biosynthesis in several non-social insects, but was poorly studied in social insects. Here, we tested if precocene-I can effectively reduce JH levels in Bombus terrestris workers, and examined its effects on their physiology and behavior. Precocene-I treatment of 3-worker groups decreased JH titer and ovarian activation, irrespective of the bees' dominance rank within the group, and was remedied by JH replacement therapy. Precocene-I also decreased aggressiveness and increased ester-sterility-signal production. These changes were rank-dependent, affected mainly in the most reproductive and the least aggressive workers, respectively, and could not be remedied by JH replacement therapy. These results clearly confirm the role of JH as a gonadotropin and mediator of aggression in B. terrestris, and that JH effects are associated with worker dominance rank. The ability to chemically reduce JH titer provides us with a non-intrusive method to probe the evolutionary changes associated with JH and the hormonal mechanisms that are associated with reproduction and behavior in social insects.
Spatial coordination of foot contacts in unrestrained climbing insects
Authors: Theunissen Leslie M. , Vikram Subhashree , Dürr Volker
Published: July 2014

Animals that live in a spatially complex environment such as the canopy of a tree, constantly need to find reliable foothold in three-dimensional (3D) space. In multi-legged animals, spatial coordination among legs is thought to improve efficiency of finding foothold by avoiding searching-movements in trailing legs. In stick insects, a "targeting mechanism" has been described that guides foot-placement of hind and middle legs according to the position of their leading ipsilateral leg. So far, this mechanism was shown for standing and tethered walking animals on horizontal surfaces. Here, we investigate the efficiency of this mechanism in spatial limb coordination of unrestrained climbing animals. For this, we recorded whole-body kinematics of freely climbing stick insects and analyzed foot placement in 3D space. We found that touch-down positions of adjacent legs were highly correlated in all three spatial dimensions, revealing 3D coordinate transfer among legs. Furthermore, targeting precision depended on the position of the leading leg. A second objective was to test the importance of sensory information transfer between legs. For this, we ablated a proprioceptive hair field signaling the levation of the leg. After ablation, the operated leg swung higher and performed unexpected searching-movements. Furthermore, targeting of the ipsilateral trailing leg was less precise in antero-posterior and in dorso-ventral directions. Our results reveal that the targeting mechanism is used by unrestrained climbing stick insects in 3D space and that information from the trochanteral hair field is used in ipsilateral spatial coordination among legs.
Institutional Environment in the Context of Development of Sustainable Society in the European Union Countries
Authors: Zielenkiewicz Małgorzata
Published: July 2014

For many countries the Industrial Revolution was an opportunity for a dynamic economic development, but it was accompanied by deep social changes. Inequalities between regions have deepened, pollution has increased and also conjunctural fluctuations have intensified. In contemporary view at the social welfare there is a tendency to abandon identifying it with the level of income. Also, the research on the causes of socio-economic success is developing. One of the aspects of the research, which the article refers to, is the role of the institutions (within the meaning of institutional economics) in the socio-economic development. The aim of the paper is to examine the relationship between indicators of institutional environment and indices related to socio-economic development. For the analysis of the institutional environment the indices published by the World Bank under the name of Worldwide Governance Indicators were used. The analysis of socio-economic level of the countries is based on Sustainable Society Index and its components, which include a wide range of factors related to well-being. The analysis was conducted in two stages. The first stage is a general study of the correlation between WGI and SSI for 151 countries from different continents. The second stage includes a more detailed analysis conducted for the European Union, using the cluster method and the analysis of the level of indicators in groups of countries. The study is based on the data from 2010.
Strategy-Proofness Makes the Difference: Deferred-Acceptance with Responsive Priorities
Authors: Ehlers Lars , Klaus Bettina
Published: July 2014

In college admissions and student placements at public schools, the admission decision can be thought of as assigning indivisible objects with capacity constraints to a set of students such that each student receives at most one object and monetary compensations are not allowed. In these important market design problems, the agent-proposing deferred-acceptance (DA) mechanism with responsive strict priorities performs well, and economists have successfully implemented DA-mechanisms or slight variants thereof. We show that almost all real-life mechanisms used in such environments—including the large classes of priority mechanisms and linear programming mechanisms—satisfy a set of simple and intuitive properties. Once we add strategy-proofness to these properties, DA-mechanisms are the only ones surviving. In market design problems that are based on weak priorities (like school choice), generally multiple tie-breaking (MTB) procedures are used and then a mechanism is implemented with the obtained strict priorities. By adding stability with respect to the weak priorities, we establish the first normative foundation for MTB-DA-mechanisms that are used in New York City.
Pedagogical Strategies to Develop Students’ Metacognitive Skills in Order to Optimize their Playing Efficacy
Authors: García Malinalli Peral , Dubé Francis
Published: July 2014

This article is about the knowledge and teaching strategies that can be applied to develop instrument students’ metacognitive skills. First, the various components of metacognition that instrument teachers must integrate into their pedagogy to guide their students in their metacognitive development are discussed. Then, the pedagogical modes which should be prioritized to start instrument students in a metacognitive process are presented. Finally, two teaching strategies coming from the educational sciences, which have been adapted to the specific needs of instrumental practice and intended to develop metacognitive skills of students will be explained. These tools offer the musician-teacher references to guide the development of metacognitive skills of their students.