bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aesthetics
Authors: Nanay Bence
Published: March 2016

The claim defended in this chapter is that aesthetics is about experiences, so philosophy of perception is the natural place to turn if we want to engage with debates in aesthetics. This approach does not entail that all aesthetic phenomena are perceptual phenomena because philosophy of perception is about much more than just perception. Aesthetics is distinguished from philosophy of art, which has little to do with perception and experiences. This way of thinking about aesthetics can also avoid the complaints of the anti-aesthetics movements according to which aesthetics is either a narrow and somewhat irrelevant concept or so broad that everything would count as aesthetic. If we understand aesthetics in the light of philosophy of perception, we can avoid both of these potential problems.
Ctenophora
Authors: Simmons David K. , Martindale Mark Q.
Published: March 2016

The ctenophore nervous system is very complex with various specialized sensory cells, peripheral nerve nets, a centralized apical organ, neurons identifiable in all animal layers (epidermis, mesoglea, and gastrodermis), and with extensive regional specialization. The genomic content of nervous system genes (neural transcription factors, pre- and post- synaptic scaffold, neurotransmitter enzymes, and axon guidance genes) in ctenophores is the most reduced of any animal, more similar to that of the sponges, than to placozoans, cnidarians, and bilaterians. It is curious why ctenophores, but not sponges and placozoans, have such a highly diverse nervous system, even though sponges and placozoans have a larger number of genes traditionally thought to be involved with neural development and function. The proposed phylogenetic placement of the ctenophore divergence, at the base of the Metazoa, suggests that some form of a nervous system was already present at the ctenophore-extant animal split, and that this nervous system became exquisitely adapted for life as pelagic gelloplankton in ctenophores; while sponges and Trichoplax failed to exploit or lost this system. Conversely, ctenophores could have independently evolved their nervous system from the generic genetic components pre-existing in its extinct metazoan ancestors, and nervous systems were invented again by the cnidarian–bilaterian ancestor. Regardless, our current understanding of nervous system structure and genomic data from bilaterians, all four non-bilaterian phyla, and various protists, strongly suggests that ctenophores possess the absolute minimum genetic requirements for a functional nervous system of any animal. Consequentially, ctenophores are also most likely the oldest extant animal to possess a functional nervous system.
Xenoturbella
Authors: Stach Thomas
Published: March 2016

Xenoturbella is a taxon comprising two marine species. Xenoturbellids are worms with a simple body organization of up to 3 cm length that inhabit soft sediments between 40 and 300 m depth. In spite of an enormous interest in placing Xenoturbella phylogenetically, little is known about the biology of these animals. The entire nervous system of xenoturbellids is organized as a simple plexus within the epithelium of the epidermis. The plexus consists of neurons and sensory cells that are arranged in a more or less planar reticular pattern, intermingled between the basal parts of various cell types within the epidermis. Neurons in the epidermal plexus of xenoturbellids show immunoreactivity in studies with antibodies against serotonin, FMRFamide, and SALMFamides 1 and 2. In addition to neurons the plexus contains numerous sensory cells. The statocyst-like organ, situated at the anterior end of the animals, lies at the border between epidermis and mesoderm.
Kamptozoa (Entoprocta)
Authors: Wanninger Andreas
Published: March 2016

Kamptozoa is a group of 150 species of acoelomate, solitary or colonial, predominantly marine organisms that live epizooically on various substrates. Body size ranges from a few hundred micrometres to various millimetres, divided into a calyx and a stalk. Generally, the adult central nervous system consists of a dumbbell-shaped ganglion that is considered to be the fused once paired (‘cerebral’) ganglion. It is situated in the loop of the digestive tract and consists of a ventral neuropil mass with associated lateral somata. From the cerebral ganglion, all major neurites emanate; these do not seem to form distinct nerve cords. Numerous minute neurites penetrate the calyx and innervate ciliated sensory organs that are distributed all over the kamptozoan body, including the foot. There are two types of larvae: the planktotrophic swimming-type larva and the lecithotrophic creeping-type larva. Their neuroanatomies differ significantly. The nervous system of the creeping-type larva exhibits an astonishing degree of complexity. In particular, the apical organ consists of considerably more cells than that of most other spiralians. From the neuropil underlying the apical organ, a paired neurite bundle emerges which gives rise to one pair of ventral neurite bundles and one pair of more dorso-laterally positioned visceral neural bundles. The ventral neurite bundles are interconnected by commissures and have several, serially arranged sets of associated somata. Because of this tetraneuralin nervous system and numerous other characteristics, including the complex apical organ, a sistergroup relationship of Kamptozoa and Mollusca (Tetraneuralia) has been proposed.
Mollusca: Bivalvia
Authors: Wanninger Andreas
Published: March 2016

With approximately 15,000 described recent species, Bivalvia is the second largest molluscan class-level taxon. Compared to other conchiferan molluscs, the bivalve body plan has undergone several reductions, such as the lack of a distinct head including radula and buccal muscles, which is also reflected in the relatively simple nervous system exhibited by most bivalves. In autobranch bivalves, three pairs of ganglia are present: the cerebropleural ganglia (as a fusion product of the cerebral and pleural ganglia), the pedal ganglia, and the visceral ganglia. The pedal ganglia are often fused in the midline of the animal. Other ganglia such as, for example, buccal ganglia, are considered to be secondarily lost. The arrangement of the longitudinal nerve cords follows the molluscan-like tetraneural condition. The pedal ganglia are connected to the cerebropleural ganglia by two connectives. Bivalves have a remarkably high number of sensory organs, particularly at the mantle folds and in the oral region. The statocysts are situated within the foot and a paired osphradium, either innervated by an osphradial nerve from the visceral ganglion, or by a distinct osphradial ganglion, is often found. Photoreceptor cells or eyes may occur along the mantle margin, ranging from unicellular, cup-like ocelli to complex, lense-bearing eyes. Reliable data on bivalve neurogenesis and larval neuroanatomy are scarce. Larvae of Mytilus trossulus possess five serotonin-like and five FMRFamide-like cells in the apical organ. Taken together, the few data currently available permits no detailed comparison of neurogenesis in bivalves to that of other molluscs.
Annelida: Sipuncula
Authors: Kristof Alen , Maiorova Anastassya S.
Published: March 2016

Sipuncula, commonly known as peanut worms, constitutes a small marine invertebrate taxon of about 150 species that is widespread and at all depths throughout the oceans. Adult sipunculans exhibit an unsegmented body, subdivided into a posterior trunk and a retractable anterior introvert. The central nervous system of adult sipunculans consists of a dorsally positioned brain at the base of the tentacles from where circumoesophageal connectives are forming an unpaired ventromedian nerve cord that extends the length of the body. The ventral nerve cord forms a single longitudinal neurite bundle without ganglia. The somata of the ventral cord are arranged ventrally, while the neurites, as well as the glial cells, are on the dorsal side. The innervation of the tentacles, nuchal organ, retractor muscles, digestive system, and ventral nerve cord originates at the brain, while sipunculan eyes, bipolar photoreceptor cells, lie dorsolaterally on each side of the bifurcated brain. Lateral nerves, irregularly arranged along most of the ventral nerve cord, innervate various structures such as the body wall, digestive system, and sensory organs on the body surface (e.g. cilia, glands, papillae), and thereby form the peripheral nervous system. Immunocytochemical studies of the nervous system in larval sipunculans have had a critical impact on phylogenetic considerations, since they have revealed numerous features that are shared between sipunculans and annelids, including the formation of the nervous system; thus supporting their close affiliation. For instance, in the ventral nervous system, serotonergic somata and lateral nerves are arranged in a rope-ladder-like pattern which is lost at metamorphosis.
Onychophora
Authors: Mayer Georg
Published: March 2016

Onychophorans, or velvet worms, are soft-bodied, terrestrial invertebrates that inhabit tropical and temperate forests of the southern hemisphere and around the equator, where they are mainly found in rotted logs and leaf litter. Together with tardigrades (water bears), onychophorans are regarded as the closest relatives of arthropods (spiders, centipedes, crustaceans, insects, and their kin). However, in contrast to arthropods, the anatomy of onychophorans has changed little since the Early Cambrian, making these animals a key group for understanding the evolution of arthropods, including the origins of their highly diverse nervous systems. This chapter summarizes our current knowledge on the organization and development of the nervous system in onychophorans, including details on the brain, the ventral nerve cords, the innervation of cephalic structures, and the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, as well as neurogenesis and neural development. Given the key phylogenetic position of Onychophora, different hypotheses on the evolutionary origin and homology of neural structures are presented and their implications on the phylogenetic relationship of Onychophora, Tardigrada, and Arthropoda are discussed.
PERSPECTIVE—Heads And Brains In Arthropods: 40 Years After The ‘Endless Dispute’
Authors: Scholtz Gerhard
Published: March 2016

The problem of arthropod head segmentation is addressed. In spite of a certain consensus concerning some features, such as a deutocerebral position of chelicerae, the head problem is still unsolved. In this chapter a new perspective on the issue is presented through the deconstruction of the head and brains of recent and fossil panarthropods. Three units are identified that reveal an independent evolutionary pace of cephalization: (1) dorsal cephalized structures such as head shields, carapaces etc., (2) ventral cephalized structures, such as appendages transformed to mouth parts or sensory organs, and (3) cerebralized regions of the central nervous system. Based on current phylogenetic hypotheses of panarthropod relationships, and new data concerning fossil brains, the evolutionary alterations of the three units are discussed. In particular, the phylogenetic positions of Tardigrada and of some fossil taxa, as well as the interpretation of fossil neuroanatomy, are crucial for the reconstruction of the evolution of arthropod heads.
Arachnida (Excluding Scorpiones)
Authors: Lehmann Tobias , Melzer Roland R. , Hörnig Marie K. , Michalik Peter , Sombke Andy , Harzsch Steffen
Published: March 2016

Arachnids are terrestrial predatory chelicerates, including spiders and mites, with more than 110,000 described species within these two groups. The conquest of land led to an enormous adaptive radiation, and in the Carboniferous all extant groups were present. Terrestrialization resulted in several dramatic morphological modifications, including often loss of opisthosomal appendages, transformation of gills into book lungs, and gain of internal fertilization. Extant arachnids are characterized by two tagmata, prosoma, and opisthosoma. Only scorpions retained an appearance similar to the extinct eurypterids, characterized by a division of the opisthosoma into meso- and metasoma. The emergence of the common arachnid ancestor from sea to land also triggered dramatic changes in the organization of the sense organs. For example, cuticular sense organs such as trichobothria and slit-sense organs evolved, which play an important role in orientation and perception of vibrations. Furthermore, a variety of other tactile and chemosensitive hairs are present, mainly on the appendages. Some taxa such as spiders or ricinuleids carry tarsal or pore organs, which are cuticular depressions equipped with thermo-, hygro-, and/or chemoreceptors. For perceiving visual stimuli, arachnids possess a number of median and lateral eyes. The lateral eyes (maximum of five pairs) may be evolutionarily related to compound eyes, which are still present in other chelicerates (Xiphosura). The median eyes can be very prominent as in jumping spiders, or can be lacking as in anactinotrichid mites. In this chapter, the structure of the chelicerate nervous system with a strong bias on their visual system is summarized.
Perspective—
Authors: Stollewerk Angelika
Published: March 2016

The taxon Arthropoda contains a large number of diverse species. This raises the question of how the nervous system has been adjusted in parallel with the emergence of new body forms and specialized structures. It is conceivable that evolutionary changes in the structure of the nervous system can in principle be introduced at different stages of development and the life cycle. In this chapter the evolution of neurogenesis in arthropods is discussed with specific focus on the emergence of different types of neural precursors and neural diversification in embryonic development. Molecular and morphological research over the past ten years have considerably advanced our knowledge of the variation of arthropod neurogenesis but have also raised many questions, which are posed here.
Cephalocarida
Authors: Stegner Martin E.J. , Richter Stefan
Published: March 2016

The discovery of Cephalocarida, a marine taxon of blind crustaceans, in the mid twentieth century has contributed considerably to the debate on arthropod phylogeny and evolution. Many features of Cephalocarida, such as their thoracopod-like maxilla, their combined enditic filter feeding and swimming, and their second-order olfactory centre in the brain, have been traced back to the ground pattern of Tetraconata, Mandibulata, or even Arthropoda. The thirteen species described to date are morphologically similar. The cephalocarid body is divided into a cephalon comprising the pre-antennular region and five segments (antennular, antennar, mandibular, maxillular, and maxillar), which are fused and covered by a large horseshoe-shaped cephalic shield; a thorax comprising nine broadly homonomous limb-bearing segments, an abdomen comprising ten limbless segments, and a terminal, non-segmental telson with a furca. Although their habitats are ecologically diverse and distributed worldwide, ranging from the intertidal to the deep sea, all Cephalocarida live in the benthos of sediments with a nutrient-rich flocculent upper layer of sunken detritus.
Remipedia
Authors: Stemme Torben , Harzsch Steffen
Published: March 2016

Remipedia are blind, cave-dwelling crustaceans occurring exclusively in submerged marine (anchialine) cave systems. Their distribution is mainly restricted to the Caribbean Sea, although isolated populations occur on Lanzarote (Spain) and Western Australia. Because of their late discovery in the early 1980s and the hardly accessible habitat many aspects of their natural and evolutionary history are still unexplored. In the matter of their phylogenetic relationships, nearly every possible position within the Tetraconata has been postulated, giving them a key role in the understanding of tetraconate evolution. In the light of the growing field of neurophylogeny, effort has been put into investigating the anatomy of the nervous system. Here, the chapter summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the arrangement of the central nervous system and the distribution of neuroactive substances in the three investigated species. Remipedia exhibit a complex brain, in some ways similar to Malacostraca and Hexapoda. The dominating deutocerebral glomerular organized olfactory neuropils are connected via crossing olfactory globular tracts to protocerebral hemiellipsoid bodies. The protocerebrum contains a central complex with a central body, protocerebral bridge, and lateral accessory lobes. Serotonin-immunoreactivity reveals putative W-, X-, W-, Z-, tracts. Although several molecular sequence analyses propose Remipedia to be closely related to Cephalocarida, this grouping is not supported by neuroanatomical data. In spite of controversies with the sistergroup of Remipedia, neuroanatomical and molecular phylogenetic studies agree in not assigning Remipedia a basal position within Crustacea any more, but instead consider them to be a derived crustacean taxon.
Malacostraca
Authors: Schmidt Manfred
Published: March 2016

The central nervous system (CNS) of malacostracan crustaceans (e.g. shrimp, crayfish, lobsters, crabs, stomatopods, isopods, amphipods) is an arthropod-typical ventral nerve cord with fused anterior ganglia forming a brain and a suboesophageal ganglion. The brain contains two prominent pathways for sensing distant objects, the visual and the olfactory pathway, which in their overall organization are highly similar to corresponding sensory pathways in the insect brain. Neuropils with distinctly different structure serve both pathways: the neuropils of the visual pathway are organized into retinotopic columns, the neuropils of the olfactory pathway are organized into glomeruli (first synaptic relay) or microglomeruli (second stage core neuropil). Both pathways are devoid of innervation by motor neurons and thus do not participate directly in controlling motor output. The brain, the suboesophageal ganglion, the thoracic ganglia, and the abdominal ganglia contain bilaterally symmetrical neuropils that receive chemo- and mechanosensory input from sensilla on the segmental appendages and serve as local motor centres of these appendages. These neuropils are structured into transverse units indicative of somatotopic information processing and they provide the neuronal substrate for direct sensory–motor interactions. Integration of multimodal sensory information and coordination of movements of different segmental appendages is mediated mainly by unstructured neuropils of the medial and lateral protocerebrum of the brain. As insects evolved from crustaceans, a deeper understanding of the functional neuroanatomy of the malacostracan CNS promises to reveal the trajectory of the evolutionary changes shaping the CNS of insects and making them the most successful terrestrial arthropods.
Perspective— Evolutionary Aspects of Motor Control and Coordination: The Central Pattern Generators in the Crustacean Stomatogastric and Swimmeret Systems
Authors: Stein Wolfgang , Städele Carola , Smarandache-Wellmann Carmen R.
Published: March 2016

Central pattern generators (CPGs) are assemblies of neurons that autonomically produce rhythmic patterns of neural activity. Most, if not all, rhythmic behaviours in animals are driven by such CPGs, and examples are manifold across all taxa. CPGs have evolved independently many times and they show phylogenetic and functional diversity. They control a spectrum of very different behaviours in both vertebrates and invertebrates, including some that require the coordination of several body segments, or even the whole body, and others that move limited anatomical appendages. Some behaviours driven by CPGs are continuous and stereotypic while others are episodic and more flexible. Some are impervious to sensory feedback, while others are strongly influenced by sensory feedback. This phylogenetic and functional diversity, although precluding a comparison of CPG circuitry in detail, allows us to distill the core features of CPG circuits and to learn general principles of neural function that underlie some of the most vital behaviours in animals. Here, the chapter reviews two systems that are at the forefront of studying central pattern generation and coordination of CPGs. The processing of food in the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system will be used as a generic model for addressing evolutionary aspects and highlighting general functional motifs of central pattern generation. The crayfish swimmeret system, on the other hand, will serve to demonstrate the known mechanisms of coordination of segmented CPGs.
The Insect Brain: A COMMENTATED PRIMER
Authors: Wolff Gabriella H. , Strausfeld Nicholas J.
Published: March 2016

Within invertebrate neuroscience, it is without question the nervous system of insects that is most intensely studied. This chapter summarizes our knowledge about structure and function of the insect brain in close comparison with that of the closest insect relatives, the crustaceans. Major subsystems of the insect brain include the visual neuropils, the central olfactory pathways, the central complex and the mushroom bodies. The structures of these subsystems are described in detail, including instructive wiring diagrams summarizing inputs and outputs as well as known interneuronal connections. A detailed knowledge of the insect brain’s architecture provides insights into how these systems may function as a whole to generate coordinated behaviours.
Acrania (Cephalochordata)
Authors: Lacalli Thurston , Stach Thomas
Published: March 2016

This chapter provides an overview and update of the 2005 review of CNS organization in the lancelet (amphioxus) by Wicht and Lacalli (Can. J. Zool. 83: 122–150). While interesting in its own right, amphioxus has a special place in comparative studies as the best available model for ancestral chordates, having replaced tunicates in this role, and there is an increasing body of data on the molecular mechanisms that act to pattern the CNS for comparison with related taxa. Our knowledge of circuitry, cell types, and transmitters in amphioxus is best for the larval stage, where EM and neurochemical maps of the anterior CNS are available. In contrast, there are still large gaps in our understanding of the adult CNS, even in terms of the basic functions that various parts of the system and its constituent cell types perform. The anterior nerve cord is specialized and brain-like, both in terms of molecular signatures and circuitry. Amphioxus has an assortment of receptor cell types, including four kinds of photoreceptors and numerous peripheral receptor cells, and an extensive system of peripheral plexuses whose functions are poorly understood. An anterior secretory structure, the preoral pit, has in the past been considered a possible homologue of the anterior pituitary, but this remains problematic, not least because amphioxus is now known to lack all but one of the hormones produced by the vertebrate pituitary.
The 21-cm BAO signature of enriched low-mass galaxies during cosmic reionization
Authors: Cohen Aviad , Fialkov Anastasia , Barkana Rennan
Published: March 2016

Studies of the formation of the first stars have established that they formed in small haloes of ∼105–106 M⊙ via molecular hydrogen cooling. Since a low level of ultraviolet radiation from stars suffices to dissociate molecular hydrogen, under the usually assumed scenario this primordial mode of star formation ended by redshift z ∼ 15 and much more massive haloes came to dominate star formation. However, metal enrichment from the first stars may have allowed the smaller haloes to continue to form stars. In this Letter, we explore the possible effect of star formation in metal-rich low-mass haloes on the redshifted 21-cm signal of neutral hydrogen from z = 6 to 40. These haloes are significantly affected by the supersonic streaming velocity, with its characteristic baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) signature. Thus, enrichment of low-mass galaxies can produce a strong signature in the 21-cm power spectrum over a wide range of redshifts, especially if star formation in the small haloes was more efficient than suggested by current simulations. We show that upcoming radio telescopes can easily distinguish among various possible scenarios.
Baseline Predictors for Success Following Strategy-Based Cognitive Remediation Group Training in Schizophrenia
Authors: Farreny Aida , Aguado Jaume , Corbera Silvia , Ochoa Susana , Huerta-Ramos Elena , Usall Judith
Published: March 2016

Our aim was to examine predictive variables associated with the improvement in cognitive, clinical, and functional outcomes after outpatient participation in REPYFLEC strategy-based Cognitive Remediation (CR) group training. In addition, we investigated which factors might be associated with some long-lasting effects at 6 months’ follow-up. Predictors of improvement after CR were studied in a sample of 29 outpatients with schizophrenia. Partial correlations were computed between targeted variables and outcomes of response to explore significant associations. Subsequently, we built linear regression models for each outcome variable and predictors of improvement. The improvement in negative symptoms at posttreatment was linked to faster performance in the Trail Making Test B. Disorganization and cognitive symptoms were related to changes in executive function at follow-up. Lower levels of positive symptoms were related to durable improvements in life skills. Levels of symptoms and cognition were associated with improvements following CR, but the pattern of resulting associations was nonspecific.
Effectiveness of Inhaled Loxapine in Dual-Diagnosis Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Roncero Carlos , Ros-Cucurull Elena , Grau-López Lara , Fadeuilhe Christian , Casas Miguel
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Episodes of psychotic agitation are frequent in patients with dual diagnosis, that is, in patients with concomitant psychiatric and substance use disorders. Rapid intervention is needed to treat the agitation at a mild stage to prevent the escalation to aggressive behavior. Inhaled loxapine has been demonstrated to rapidly improve symptoms of mild-to-moderate agitation in adults with psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), but data on patients with dual diagnosis are scarce.

Methods

This study is a retrospective review of data from a case series of patients with dual diagnosis, which were attended for symptoms of agitation while at the emergency room (n = 9), in the outpatient clinic (n = 4), or during hospitalization (n = 1) at 1 center in Spain. All patients received inhaled loxapine for treating the agitation episodes.

Results

Data from 14 patients with dual diagnosis were reviewed. All patients had 1 or more psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, drug-induced psychotic disorder, posttraumatic stress, borderline or antisocial personality disorder, depression, or anxiety) along with a variety of substance use disorders (alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, hypnotics and antianxiety drugs, caffeine, or street drugs). Overall, only 1 dose of inhaled loxapine (9.1 mg) was needed to calm each patient during an acute episode of agitation.

Conclusions

Inhaled loxapine was rapid, effective, and well accepted in all dual-pathology patients presenting with acute agitation in the emergency setting. Inhaled loxapine facilitated both patient cooperation and an adequate management of his or her disease.
CRISPR-Cas gene-editing reveals RsmA and RsmC act through FlhDC to repress the SdhE flavinylation factor and control motility and prodigiosin production in Serratia
Authors: Hampton Hannah G. , McNeil Matthew B. , Paterson Thomas J. , Ney Blair , Williamson Neil R. , Easingwood Richard A. , Bostina Mihnea , Salmond George P. C. , Fineran Peter C.
Published: March 2016

SdhE is required for the flavinylation and activation of succinate dehydrogenase and fumarate reductase (FRD). In addition, SdhE is conserved in proteobacteria (α, β and γ) and eukaryotes. Although the function of this recently characterized family of proteins has been determined, almost nothing is known about how their genes are regulated. Here, the RsmA (CsrA) and RsmC (HexY) post-transcriptional and post-translational regulators have been identified and shown to repress sdhEygfX expression in Serratia sp. ATCC 39006. Conversely, the flagella master regulator complex, FlhDC, activated sdhEygfX transcription. To investigate the hierarchy of control, we developed a novel approach that utilized endogenous CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas (CRISPR associated) genome-editing by a type I-F system to generate a chromosomal point mutation in flhC. Mutation of flhC alleviated the ability of RsmC to repress sdhEygfX expression, whereas RsmA acted in both an FlhDC-dependent and -independent manner to inhibit sdhEygfX. Mutation of rsmA or rsmC, or overexpression of FlhDC, led to increased prodigiosin, biosurfactant, swimming and swarming. Consistent with the modulation of sdhE by motility regulators, we have demonstrated that SdhE and FRD are required for maximal flagella-dependent swimming. Together, these results demonstrate that regulators of both metabolism and motility (RsmA, RsmC and FlhDC) control the transcription of the sdhEygfX operon.
Dual immunosensor based on methylene blue-electroadsorbed graphene oxide for rapid detection of influenza virus antigen
Authors: Veerapandian Murugan , Hunter Robert , Neethirajan Suresh
Published: March 2016

Rapid detection of influenza viral infections in the poultry farm is advantageous in several facts such as environmental/personal safety, food-security and socio-economy. Herein, we report the development of an electrochemical based dual sensor platform composed of methylene blue-electroadsorbed graphene oxide nanostructures modified with monoclonal antibodies, H5N1 and H1N1. Bio-functional layers comprised of chitosan and protein-A molecules were implemented at the interface of sensor element and antibodies, which synergistically enriched the bio-activity of immobilized antibodies for the immune complex formation. The differential pulse voltammetric signals resulted from the developed immunosensor platform exhibited a good correlation (R2= 0.9978 for H1N1 and R2=0.9997 for H5N1) for the wide range of target concentrations (25 to 500 pM). Chronoamperometric study also revealed the amplified current sensitivity of the immunoelectrodes even at the picomolar level. The proposed immunosensor design not only provide rapid analytical response time (<1 min) but also provide simplicity in fabrication and instrumentation which paves an attractive platform for on-farm monitoring of viral infections.
Acceptance of mobile advertising by consumers in public service institutions in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Nwagwu Williams Ezinwa , Famiyesin Bunmi
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the acceptance of mobile advertising by consumers in public service institutions in Lagos Nigeria from the perspective of non-permission-based nature of advertising practice in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

– Guided by the theory of reasoned action, data were collected from 389 respondents in a sample survey using a structured questionnaire, and the variables were measured on ordinal scale.

Findings

– The respondents reported that the mobile advertising is informative; they also strongly agreed that the media is ubiquitous but irritating. Attitude of consumers towards mobile advertising, behavioural control and subjective norm have correlations with acceptance. Irritation and informativeness significantly and positively predicted acceptance of mobile advertising, while credibility and ubiquity predicted acceptance of the technology negatively. Age has a negative relationship with acceptance; both gender (male =1) and tertiary education have a significant relationship with acceptance of mobile advertising just as marital status.

Research limitations/implications

– The study focused only on public service mobile consumers in Lagos, Nigeria.

Practical implications

– Mobile adverts are ubiquitous in Nigeria, but consumers do not trust or use the adverts, although they consider them informative. The telecomm regulatory body needs to control deployment of mobile technologies for produce and service ads, so that ads will be subject to individual choices and discretion, and thereby reducing the ubiquity and increase the trust consumers have on the strategy.

Social implications

– There is hype that mobile advert has penetrated Nigerian market, but the strategy is not credulous to the people.

Originality/value

– There is no study focusing on the acceptance of this ad strategy in the public service sector in Nigeria.
Talking about tags
Authors: Clements Lucy , Liew Chern Li
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– While examining subject headings and tags is a popular research topic, most studies focus on comparing user-assigned tags and professional subject heading. Studies that compare Library of Congress Subject Headings to user-assigned tags, for instance, dominate the literature. However, little research has involved an examination on how and to what extent these features are actually used by library staff. This study adds to the body of knowledge. This study aims to focus on how librarians perceive and use tags. By focusing on people’s perceptions rather than simply comparing social tags and formal subject headings, new insights can be collected.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research collects data through semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 library staff from various roles and locations throughout Auckland Libraries.

Findings

– The research findings show that while social tags have been adopted and used in their work by the majority of library staff interviewed, there remains resistance to using them. Some library staff preferred the traditional hierarchical subject headings found in the traditional catalogue. A general lack of awareness about tag functions and features is also evident among the staff interviewed.

Originality/value

– The research focus is unique because it examines this phenomenon in a public library setting rather than in academic libraries, an area that is rarely examined in the literature.
Diabetic Foot and Footwear
Authors: Ameersing Luximon , Balasankar Ganesan , Abida Younus
Published: March 2016

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases around the world, and mainly affects the foot among the human body parts. The main causes of the diabetic foot are neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease and foot deformities; it leads to foot ulceration. Generally, sensory loss, high plantar pressure, foot deformities, inappropriate footwear, blindness, and age are the causing risk factors for developing foot ulceration in diabetic patients. Foot ulceration will result in prolonged hospitalization, high medical expenses, and serious complications with lower extremity amputation. For a long time, appropriate footwear has been recommended by physicians for reducing plantar pressure to prevent foot ulceration, the risk of amputation, and re-ulceration. A review is provided in this article towards the existing literature on the causes and prevalence of the diabetic foot, foot ulceration, off-loading pressure, footwear modification for different types of diabetic foot deformities, and types of footwear and textile materials used in footwear insoles for healing purposes.
Plasma Treatment for Pigment Application to Textiles - A Critical Review
Authors: Man W.S. , Kan C.W. , Ng S.P.
Published: March 2016

Dyes are extensively used in textile coloration. Recently, pigment coloration has become more and more popular in the textile industry as it has more environmental advantages. However, the color uptake, colorfastness to crocking and levelness of pigment dyed fabric are not satisfactory, and modification is needed to obtain a better color quality. Plasma treatment is widely used for modifying heat sensitive material surfaces through active plasma species. Therefore, a comprehensive comparison of dye and pigment coloration and a review of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment have been conducted in this paper.
Pressure Distribution Model for Pressure Garment Development
Authors: Bin Salleh Mohamed Najib , Acar Memis , Burns Neil D.
Published: March 2016

This paper reports a pressure distribution model that will predict the pressure applied by a pressure garment onto a wounded body segment which could facilitate the production of custom made pressure garments. The model is generated by using the 3D data of the wounded body segment of a patient which are obtained by a non-intrusive non-contact measurement system. The circumference of the body segment is calculated from scanned digital data. Then, a circumference reduction factor is calculated to determine the circumference of the pressure garment in order to apply the design pressure by using a specific fabric with an experimentally determined modulus of elasticity in the circumferential direction. Then, the radius of curvature for each data point in a given layer is calculated and the pressure applied is obtained. Finally, a 3D pressure distribution model for the whole wounded part is constructed by stacking the pressure maps of adjacent layers. The model is verified through a comparison with the actual pressure measured by using custom made pressure garments and volunteer subjects. The comparison shows reasonable agreement. The model enables garment manufacturers/therapists to evaluate the effectiveness of a custom designed pressure garment before it is manufactured and eliminates the need for in-situ pressure measurements.
Optimization of Production Parameters of Geotextiles Used for Shoreline Protection
Authors: Jamshidi Jamshid
Published: March 2016

The use of geotextile sand containers (GSCs) in shoreline protection systems has moderately grown since the first applications in the 1970s and increasingly used as an alternative to natural stone, slag, and concrete. Due to their economical, technical and ecological advantages, the use of geotextiles and geocomposites for filter and drainage functions is increasing worldwide and has a 40 year history already. For coastal protection measures, nonwovens are proven to have long-term resistance against ultraviolet radiation and saltwater. High elongation behavior provides superior properties during loading in coastal protection means, which is determined as being the biggest risk for damaging geotextiles. Such applications require certain functional characteristics in the geotextiles, besides their basic properties, which are required to be engineered by the judicious optimization of the needlepunching process. In this study, the effect of the process parameters including punch density and depth of needle penetration has been investigated on the mechanical (tensile strengths in the machine and cross-machine directions) properties of needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles. These process parameters are then empirically related to the fabric properties by using a multiple regression technique.
The Influence of Non-mainstream Culture on the Aesthetic Judgment of Fashion Trends
Authors: Wu Fan
Published: March 2016

By looking back into the history of fashion, if any fashion element went even one step beyond the traditional standards, it would be considered as betrayal. All betrayals would be undoubtedly resisted by mainstream culture (aristocracy culture). After the recent half century, postmodern fashion designers have been evoking people to question and debate about the traditional aesthetic standards of fashion. It is the moment of fierce shocks between mainstream and non-mainstream culture, and traditional and modern aesthetics. The inspiring spark broke through all fetters and would bring about the aesthetic judgment of non-mainstream culture into the saintly palace of high fashion. The consciousness of the non-mainstream culture of postmodernism will continue to create newer items and turn fashion culture into a new era. It is important for future research on aesthetics to directly look to impacts on human aesthetics in fashion, and furthermore, in attitudes towards values or life.
Fabrication of Self-Cleaning Polyvinylidene Fluoride Film
Authors: Zheng Zhenrong , Gu Zhenya , Huo Ruiting , Ye Yonghong
Published: March 2016

Self-cleaning surfaces have received a great deal of attention recently, both in theoretical studies and commercial applications. Lotus flowers are a symbol of purity in Asian cultures; even though they grow in muddy waters, they remain clean and uncontaminated. The “self-cleaning” surface of their leaves is hydrophobic and rough, showing a micro- and nano-scale morphology. The micro-reliefs of lotus leaves are mimicked by using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film and the nano-scale peaks on top of the micro-reliefs are implemented by a reaction between CH3SiCl3 and the reactive groups of the PVDF film treated by oxygen plasma. A lotus leaf-like surface of the PVDF film is clearly observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Elemental composition analysis by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals that the material of the nanostructure of the PVDF film is polymethylsiloxane. The superhydrophobic property of the mimicked self-cleaning surface is validated by the water contact and sliding angles on the lotus leaf-like PVDF film, which are 165°and 4°, respectively. In this case, water drops can easily move off the PVDF surface, carrying dust away and leaving a clean surface
Psychological and Social Factors of Fashion Consciousness: An Empirical Study in the Luxury Fashion Market
Authors: Leung Alexandra C. Y. , Yee Rachel W. Y. , Lo Eric S. C.
Published: March 2016

Fashion consciousness is an important consumers' attribute affecting their purchase of luxury products. The existing research mainly focuses on certain factors of fashion consciousness in fashion markets. This research investigates the psychological and social factors of fashion consciousness in the luxury fashion market. Specifically, we analyse how these factors affect fashion consciousness and purchase behaviour among consumers in three age groups of 18-23, 24-29 and 30-35. We find that self-monitoring and self-concept affect fashion consciousness among consumers of the age group of 18-23. We also show that media exposure has a positive effect on fashion consciousness in the age groups of 24-29 and 30-35. Accordingly, we suggest that retailers come up with proper advertising messages to influence the self-monitoring and self-concept of young consumers around the twenties. We also recommend selecting appropriate channels to enhance the exposure of luxury fashion information to consumers in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties.
Study on Different Techniques of Fabricating Conductive Fabrics for Developing Wearable Electronics
Authors: Kumar L Ashok
Published: March 2016

In recent years, interdisciplinary studies have been the mainstream in research discourses and practices. Depending on the degree of integration, the combination of electronics and textiles can be divided into three categories: wearable electronics, textronics and fibertronics. This paper discusses the development of cotton-wrapped nichrome yarn, copper core conductive yarn and optical core conductive yarn in different diameters for the production of nichrome fabric, copper core conductive fabric, optical core conductive fabric and teleintimation fabric. The yarn and the fabric were tested by a test rig especially developed for this research work. This work provides a methodology of developing conductive yarn and fabric for the development of wearable electronic products in terms of user acceptability.
Effect of Spinning Systems on Properties of Dyed Egyptian Cotton Yarns after Mercerization Treatment
Authors: El-Sayed Ihab , Saleh S.M.
Published: March 2016

The effects that spinning technology and spinning parameters have on the color strength (K/S), strength, and breaking elongation of post dyed and mercerized yarns are investigated in this study. The emphasis of the study is on the selection of long stable Egyptian cotton varieties, namely Giza 80, Giza 86, and extra long stable Giza 92. The cotton samples are spun by using compact, ring, and open end spinning technologies. For the purpose of this study, different yarn counts and twist multipliers are used. The mechanical properties, such as the tensile strength and breaking elongation of the produced yarn are investigated and compared before and after the mercerization treatment (slack and tension), followed by a reactive dyeing process. All of the samples are prepared for dyeing after mercerization. The dyeing performance in terms of the K/S is studied. When the results are examined, it is found that the samples that have undergone (bleaching + slack mercerization + reactive dyeing) generally have higher K/S values than samples that have undergone (bleaching + tension mercerization + reactive dyeing) and (bleaching + non-mercerization + reactive dyeing) respectively. Open-end spun yarns have a higher K/S compared to the compact and ring spun yarns with the lowest count yarn and twist level. The strength percentages are higher for compact, then ring and finally open-end spun yarns respectively with tension mercerization. There is no noticeable difference in the elongation% for all of the treatment processes. The authors have used quality engineering reproducibility and repeatability (R&R) tools to guarantee the repeatability and reproducibility of the results in this research paper.
Brand community, loyalty and promise in myfootballclub.co.uk
Authors: Guimaraes Guilherme , Stride Chris , O'Reilly Daragh
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to link the notions of brand community, loyalty and promise as a reminder to marketers of the importance to brands of keeping their commercial promises to brand community members.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reports on a questionnaire survey (n=500) of members of a sport brand community as part of an investigation into the relationship between brand community and brand loyalty.

Findings

– Brand loyalty was predicted by age, frequency of attendance, motivations for joining the brand community and the degree to which expectations built by the brand promise are met.

Research limitations/implications

– In common with many inquiries in the area of brand community, this is a single case study. It is primarily a cross-sectional study, with a minor longitudinal element.

Practical implications

– Branding practitioners and consultants with responsibility for brand community management issues need to balance the consumer-to-consumer dimensions of community with a careful understanding and operationalisation of the brand promise.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to integrate the constructs of brand community and brand loyalty with that of brand promise.
Rational Dissent, Unitarianism, and the Closure of the Northampton Academy in 1798
Authors: Wykes David L.
Published: March 2016

The decision by the Coward Trustees to close their academy at Northampton in June 1798 has generally been attributed to the prevalence of Unitarianism amongst the students. The reasons are more complex. Neither John Horsey, the theological tutor, nor the students at the time of the closure were Unitarian, though the latter were probably not Calvinists either. The appointment of David Savile, a zealous Calvinist, as assistant tutor by the trustees was a poor choice and led directly to the end of the academy. Closer investigation shows that the trustees differed little in their religious opinions from either Horsey or the students. The closure of the academy at Northampton can be used to identify the growing tensions within rational dissent as a result of the emergence of a more militant Unitarianism. It also proved to have extremely serious consequences for the future training of ministers for liberal dissent