bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A holistic perspective of patients' lives post‐Ilizarov external fixation
Authors: Baschera Dominik , Kingwell Doug , Wren Michael , Zellweger René
Published: May 2014

Background

The Ilizarov external fixator (IEF) is used in the treatment of complicated fractures with severe soft tissue damage. Despite advantages of being minimally invasive and allowing early weight‐bearing, the IEF has limitations, including size, treatment duration and crucial pin‐site care. Many patients showed enormous resilience despite the devastating effects of their injuries. Our aim was to assess the value of IEF treatment for trauma patients with a focus on their quality of life.

Methods

A postal survey was administered to 89 patients treated with an IEF at a level 1 trauma centre between January 2000 and June 2009. An SF‐12 health survey was incorporated to measure quality of life. SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis of the data.

Results

The response rate was 73%. The majority of patients (77%) were treated with IEF for primary fractures. The median duration in IEF was 174 days (56–614 days). The SF‐12 mean mental component score was 51 (16–66) and the mean physical component score was 38 (16–57) at the time of survey. The mental component score was similar to that of a normal population but the physical component score was markedly below. A total of 96.8% respondents were satisfied with the IEF treatment and 91.7% reported that under the same circumstances they would have the same treatment again.

Conclusions

Patient's quality of life scores correlated directly with their injury severity and pre‐existing conditions. They were not negatively affected by IEF treatment itself. High quality of life scores (non‐physical) were achieved with IEF treatment.
First Experience With the Synergy Micro‐Pump in Patients in INTERMACS Class 1–2 as a Bridge to Transplantation: Pushing the Limits?
Authors: Sabashnikov Anton , Popov Aron‐Frederik , Bowles Christopher T. , Weymann Alexander , Mohite Prashant N. , Wahlers Thorsten , Wittwer Thorsten , Zych Bartlomiej , Garcia‐Saez Diana , Patil Nikhil P. , Fatullayev Javid , Amrani Mohamed , Banner Nicholas R. , Seidler Tim , Unsoeld Bernhard , Bireta Christian , Schoendube Friedrich A. , Simon André R.
Published: May 2014

The Synergy Micro‐pump is the smallest implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and provides partial flow support up to 4.25 L/min. It was shown that early intervention with this device can provide substantial benefits to patients with severe heart failure not yet sick enough for a full‐support LVAD. However, as it can be inserted via small incisions with no need for sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass, it might be beneficial for selected high‐risk patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Synergy Micro‐pump in patients in INTERMACS class 1–2. From February 2012 to August 2013, 13 patients with severe heart failure were supported with the Synergy Pocket Micro‐pump. Patients were divided into two groups according to INTERMACS class: the high‐risk group (INTERMACS class 1–2) and the low‐risk group (INTERMACS class 3–4). There were seven patients in INTERMACS class 1–2 and six in INTERMACS class 3–4. Patient demographics, perioperative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in patient demographics, and mean support time was 108 ± 114 days in the high‐risk group and 238 ± 198 days in the low‐risk group. Also, there were no significant differences in perioperative characteristics or in the rate of postoperative adverse events. The overall survival was comparable between the two groups (one late death in each group, log‐rank P = 0.608). Two patients from the high‐risk group were upgraded to a full‐support LVAD (P = 0.462) after 65 ± 84.9 days of mean support. One patient from the high‐risk group and two patients from the low‐risk group were successfully transplanted (P = 0.559). The use of the Synergy Micro‐pump in INTERMACS 1–2 patients is feasible and is associated with similar postoperative outcome as in patients in INTERMACS 3–4. Carefully selected patients with severe heart failure could benefit due to the small size of the pump; however, further studies and medium‐term follow‐up are required.
A New Computational Fluid Dynamics Method for In‐Depth Investigation of Flow Dynamics in Roller Pump Systems
Authors: Zhou Xiaoming , Liang Xin M. , Zhao Gang , Su Youchao , Wang Yang
Published: May 2014

Roller pumps are commonly used in circulatory assist devices to deliver blood, but the inherent high mechanical stresses (especially wall shear stress) may cause considerable damage to cells. Conventional experimental approaches to evaluate and reduce device‐induced cell damage require considerable effort and resources. In this work, we describe the use of a new computational fluid dynamics method to more effectively study roller pump systems. A generalized parametric model for the fluid field in a typical roller pump system is presented first, and analytical formulations of the moving boundary are then derived. Based on the model and formulations, the dynamic geometry and mesh of the fluid field can be updated automatically according to the time‐dependent roller positions. The described method successfully simulated the pulsing flow generated by the pump, offering a convenient way to visualize the inherent flow pattern and to assess shear‐induced cell damage. Moreover, the highly reconfigurable model and the semiautomated simulation process extend the usefulness of the presented method to a wider range of applications. Comparison studies were conducted, and valuable indications about the detailed effects of structural parameters and operational conditions on the produced wall shear stress were obtained. Given the good consistency between the simulated results and the existing experimental data, the presented method displays promising potential to more effectively guide the development of improved roller pump systems which produce less mechanical damage to cells.
How Norms Work: Self‐Identification, Attitude, and Self‐Efficacy Mediate the Relation between Descriptive Social Norms and Vegetable Intake
Authors: Stok F. Marijn , Verkooijen Kirsten T. , de Ridder Denise T.D. , de Wit John B.F. , de Vet Emely
Published: May 2014

Background: The current studies aim to show that descriptive social norms influence vegetable intake and to investigate three potentially underlying processes (self‐identification, attitude, and self‐efficacy). Methods: In two studies, descriptive social norms regarding vegetable intake were manipulated (majority vs. minority norm). Study 1 investigated both the relation between baseline vegetable intake and self‐identification, attitude, and self‐efficacy, as well as the effect of the norm manipulation on vegetable intake over a one‐week period. Study 2 investigated potential mediation of the effect of the manipulation on vegetable intake intentions through self‐identification, attitude, and self‐efficacy. Results: Study 1 showed that the proposed mediators were related to a baseline measure of vegetable intake. Moreover, in participants identifying strongly with the norm referent group, majority norms led to higher vegetable consumption than minority norms. Study 2 showed that the direct effect of the social norm manipulation on vegetable intake intentions was partly mediated by self‐identification, attitude, and self‐efficacy. Conclusions: These studies shed first light on processes underlying the effect of descriptive social norms on health behavior. A norm describing the behavior of a salient social group leads people to identify more with, have more positive attitudes toward, and feel more self‐efficacious regarding that behavior.
Comparison of the composting process using ear corn residue and three other conventional bulking agents during cow manure composting under high‐moisture conditions
Authors: Hanajima Dai
Published: May 2014

To elucidate the characteristics of ear corn residue as a bulking agent, the composting process using this residue was compared with processes using three other conventional materials such as sawdust, wheat straw and rice husk, employing a bench‐scale composting reactor. As evaluated via biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ear corn residue contains 3.3 and 2.0 times more easily digestible materials than sawdust and rice husk, respectively. In addition, mixing ear corn residue with manure resulted in reduced bulk density, which was the same as that of wheat straw and was 0.58 and 0.67 times lower than that of sawdust and a rice husk mixture, respectively. To evaluate temperature generation during the composting process, the maximum temperature and area under the temperature curve (AUCTEMP) were compared among the mixed composts of four bulking agents. Maximum temperature (54.3°C) as well as AUCTEMP (7310°C●h) of ear corn residue were significantly higher than those of sawdust and rice husk (P < 0.05), and they are similar to that of wheat straw mixed compost. Along with the value of AUCTEMP, the highest organic matter losses of 31.1% were observed in ear corn residue mixed compost, followed by wheat straw, saw dust and rice husk.
Parameters affecting genome simulation for evaluating genomic selection method
Authors: Nishio Motohide , Satoh Masahiro
Published: May 2014

The present study investigated the parameter settings for obtaining a simulated genome at steady state of allele frequency (mutation–drift equilibrium) and linkage disequilibrium (LD), and evaluated the impact of whether or not the simulated genome reached steady state of allele frequency and LD on the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs). After 500 to 50 000 historical generations, the base population and subsequent seven generations were generated as recent populations. The allele frequency distribution of the last generations of the historical population and LD in the base population were calculated when varying the values of five parameters: initial minor allele frequency, mutation rate, effective population size, number of markers and chromosome length. The accuracies of GEBVs in the last generation of the recent population were calculated by genomic best linear unbiased prediction. The number of historical generations required to reach mutation–drift equilibrium depended on the initial allele frequency and mutation rate. Regardless of the parameters, LD reached a steady state before allele frequency distribution reached mutation–drift equilibrium. The accuracies of GEBVs largely reflect the extent of linkage disequilibrium with the exception of varying chromosome length, although there were no associations between the accuracies of GEBVs and allele frequency distribution.
Assessing effects of cholera vaccination in the presence of interference
Authors: Perez‐Heydrich Carolina , Hudgens Michael G. , Halloran M. Elizabeth , Clemens John D. , Ali Mohammad , Emch Michael E.
Published: May 2014

Interference occurs when the treatment of one person affects the outcome of another. For example, in infectious diseases, whether one individual is vaccinated may affect whether another individual becomes infected or develops disease. Quantifying such indirect (or spillover) effects of vaccination could have important public health or policy implications. In this article we use recently developed inverse‐probability weighted (IPW) estimators of treatment effects in the presence of interference to analyze an individually‐randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of cholera vaccination that targeted 121,982 individuals in Matlab, Bangladesh. Because these IPW estimators have not been employed previously, a simulation study was also conducted to assess the empirical behavior of the estimators in settings similar to the cholera vaccine trial. Simulation study results demonstrate the IPW estimators can yield unbiased estimates of the direct, indirect, total, and overall effects of vaccination when there is interference provided the untestable no unmeasured confounders assumption holds and the group‐level propensity score model is correctly specified. Application of the IPW estimators to the cholera vaccine trial indicates the presence of interference. For example, the IPW estimates suggest on average 5.29 fewer cases of cholera per 1000 person‐years (95% confidence interval 2.61, 7.96) will occur among unvaccinated individuals within neighborhoods with 60% vaccine coverage compared to neighborhoods with 32% coverage. Our analysis also demonstrates how not accounting for interference can render misleading conclusions about the public health utility of vaccination.
Partial correlation matrix estimation using ridge penalty followed by thresholding and re‐estimation
Authors: Ha Min Jin , Sun Wei
Published: May 2014

Motivated by the problem of construction of gene co‐expression network, we propose a statistical framework for estimating high‐dimensional partial correlation matrix by a three‐step approach. We first obtain a penalized estimate of a partial correlation matrix using ridge penalty. Next we select the non‐zero entries of the partial correlation matrix by hypothesis testing. Finally we re‐estimate the partial correlation coefficients at these non‐zero entries. In the second step, the null distribution of the test statistics derived from penalized partial correlation estimates has not been established. We address this challenge by estimating the null distribution from the empirical distribution of the test statistics of all the penalized partial correlation estimates. Extensive simulation studies demonstrate the good performance of our method. Application on a yeast cell cycle gene expression data shows that our method delivers better predictions of the protein–protein interactions than the Graphic Lasso.
The use of ubiquitous sensor technology in evaluating student thought process during practical operations for improving student technical and creative skills
Authors: Jou Min , Wang Jingying
Published: May 2014

This study investigated a Ubiquitous Sensor System (USS) that we developed to assess student thought process during practical lessons on a real‐time basis and to provide students with a reflective learning environment. Behavioral curves and data obtained by the USS would help students understand where they had made mistakes during practical lessons and the exact times when incorrect process parameters were observed. This research was conducted during a course on manufacturing. The results indicated that the proposed USS was effective in improving student analysis and evaluation skills in manufacturing thinking, as well as the three psychomotor skills of guided response, mechanism and complex overt response. Student psychomotor skills also gained an overall improvement. Results also showed that improvements in student thought process also helped in the learning of psychomotor skills and that the USS helped improve the clarity of student thought process during practical operations. The improved clarity of thought allowed students to understand the reasons behind their thought process for them to make the necessary logical deductions. Through repeated reflection and practice, students would then be able to create works with personal creative elements.
The Incredible Years Parent–Toddler Programme and parental language: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Gridley N. , Hutchings J. , Baker‐Henningham H.
Published: May 2014

Background

Parental language is associated with children's later language development. Parenting programmes, based on social learning theory, enhance a range of parenting behaviours, yet there is limited evidence for their effect on parental language.

Aim

To assess the benefits of a behavioural‐based parenting programme, which features components of language and communication, to enhance parental language.

Method

Parents of toddlers, aged 12 to 36 months, were recruited from eight Flying Start early intervention centres across Wales. Participants were randomised 2:1 either to a parenting programme (n = 60) or to a wait‐list control group (n = 29). Researchers were blind to participant allocation throughout the trial. Fifteen‐minute video‐recorded observations of parents and children interacting during free‐play, both at a pre‐intervention and at 6‐month follow‐up, provided the data for the study. Five observed measures of parental language were assessed; quantity and variety, encouraging, critical, child‐led and parent led interactions.

Intervention

The Incredible Years Parent–Toddler Programme (IYPTP) is a 12‐week group‐based behavioural intervention that teaches effective relationship and behavioural management skills including social, emotional and persistence coaching to enable parents to better support their children's development.

Results

Of 89 dyads that completed pre‐intervention assessments 81 (54 intervention and 27 control) met the criteria for the current study. Intention to treat analysis indicated that child‐led language interactions significantly benefited from the intervention [regression coefficient (B) = −1.44, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = −2.59 to −0.29, P = 0.015, effect size (ES) = 0.47] and a positive trend for encouraging language in favour of the intervention sample was evident. Per‐protocol sample analysis replicated these findings with encouraging language reaching statistical significance (B = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.11 to 2.03, P = 0.03, ES = 0.52). No further benefits were evident.

Conclusions

The IYPTP has limited evidence as an effective programme for enhancing some aspects of parental language.
Down-regulated expression of monocyte/macrophage major histocompatibility complex receptors in human and mouse monocytes by expression of their ligands
Authors: Yamana H , Tashiro-Yamaji J , Hayashi M , Maeda S , Shimizu T , Tanigawa N , Uchiyama K , Kubota T , Yoshida R
Published: May 2014

Mouse monocyte/macrophage major histocompatibility complex (MHC) receptor 1 (MMR1; or MMR2) specific for H-2Dd (or H-2Kd) molecules is expressed on monocytes from non-H-2Dd (or non-H-2Kd), but not those from H-2Dd (or H-2Kd), inbred mice. The MMR1 and/or MMR2 is essential for the rejection of H-2Dd- and/or H-2Kd-transgenic mouse skin onto C57BL/6 (H-2Db Kb) mice. Recently, we found that human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B44 was the sole ligand of human MMR1 using microbeads that had been conjugated with 80 types of HLA class I molecules covering 94·2% (or 99·4%) and 92·4% (or 96·2%) of HLA-A and B molecules of Native Americans (or Japanese), respectively. In the present study, we also explored the ligand specificity of human MMR2 using microbeads. Microbeads coated with HLA-A32, HLA-B13 or HLA-B62 antigens bound specifically to human embryonic kidney (HEK)293T or EL-4 cells expressing human MMR2 and to the solubilized MMR2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein; and MMR2+ monocytes from a volunteer bound HLA-B62 molecules with a Kd of 8·7 × 10−9 M, implying a three times down-regulation of MMR2 expression by the ligand expression. H-2Kd (or H-2Dd) transgene into C57BL/6 mice down-regulated not only MMR2 (or MMR1) but also MMR1 (or MMR2) expression, leading to further down-regulation of MMR expression. In fact, monocytes from two (i.e. MMR1+/MMR2+ and MMR1–/MMR2–) volunteers bound seven to nine types of microbeads among 80, indicating ≤ 10 types of MMR expression on monocytes.

The physiological role of constitutive MMRs on monocytes possibly towards allogeneic (e.g. fetal) cells in the blood appears to be distinct from that of inducible MMRs on macrophages toward allografts in tissue.
Evolution of an Innovative Approach to the Delivery of In‐Person Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
Authors: Schmidt Karen L. , Yasko Laurel , Green Michael , Alexander Jane , Ryan Christopher
Published: May 2014

The responsible conduct of research (RCR) Center is an innovative, workshop‐based approach to research ethics education at the University of Pittsburgh. A flexibly scheduled program of workshops combines the benefits of traditional case–based discussion and in‐person instruction with greater accessibility and a broader disciplinary reach. Essential features of the program include a rotating schedule of independent workshops with separate registration, expert speakers, and a dedicated program director position. At an institutional level, this novel response to National Institutes of Health‐mandated training requirements increases access to a wide range of interactive RCR training programs and promotes interdisciplinary conversations on research ethics that involves investigators, trainees, and the research community at large.
A critical review of public health interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and/or increasing knowledge among pregnant women
Authors: Crawford‐Williams Fiona , Fielder Andrea , Mikocka‐Walus Antonina , Esterman Adrian
Published: May 2014

Issues

It is well established that alcohol can cross the placenta to the fetus and can affect both physical and psychological development of the infant; however, many women continue to drink during pregnancy. It is therefore important to determine whether interventions can be successful in reducing alcohol consumption among pregnant women. Past reviews have investigated the effectiveness of clinical interventions in reducing alcohol consumption in pregnancy; however, the aim of the current review was to focus on the effectiveness of public health interventions.

Approach

A critical literature review was conducted by searching several electronic databases using key words such as ‘pregnancy’, ‘alcohol’, ‘interventions’ and ‘public health’. Studies were included if they utilised a public health intervention and included alcohol consumption or levels of knowledge as an outcome measure.

Key Findings

Seven studies were included in the review. Interventions included multimedia and educational interventions. Improvements in knowledge were reported in six studies, whereas one study found contradictory results. Four studies used alcohol consumption rates as an outcome measure, and although a reduction in consumption was reported, the results were non‐significant.

Implications

The effectiveness of public health interventions that aim to increase awareness and reduce alcohol consumption among pregnant women cannot be assessed because of the paucity of studies.

Conclusions

The results of this critical review emphasise a lack of evidence and highlight the need for further evaluation research on this topic.

[Crawford‐Williams F, Fielder A, Mikocka‐Walus A, Esterman A. A critical review of public health interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and/or increasing knowledge among pregnant women. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:154–61]
Adopting a spatially explicit perspective to study the mysterious fairy circles of Namibia
Authors: Getzin Stephan , Wiegand Kerstin , Wiegand Thorsten , Yizhaq Hezi , von Hardenberg Jost , Meron Ehud
Published: May 2014

The mysterious ‘fairy circles’ are vegetation‐free discs that cover vast areas along the pro‐Namib Desert. Despite 30 yr of research their origin remains unknown. Here we adopt a novel approach that focuses on analysis of the spatial patterns of fairy circles obtained from representative 25‐ha aerial images of north‐west Namibia. We use spatial point pattern analysis to quantify different features of their spatial structures and then critically inspect existing hypotheses with respect to their ability to generate the observed circle patterns. Our working hypothesis is that fairy circles are a self‐organized vegetation pattern. Finally, we test if an existing partial‐differential‐equation model, that was designed to describe vegetation pattern formation, is able to reproduce the characteristic features of the observed fairy circle patterns. The model is based on key‐processes in arid areas such as plant competition for water and local resource‐biomass feedbacks.

The fairy circles showed at all three study areas the same regular spatial distribution patterns, characterized by Voronoi cells with mostly six corners, negative correlations in their size up to a distance of 13 m, and remarkable homogeneity over large spatial scales. These results cast doubts on abiotic gas‐leakage along geological lines or social insects as causal agents of their origin. However, our mathematical model was able to generate spatial patterns that agreed quantitatively in all of these features with the observed patterns. This supports the hypothesis that fairy circles are self‐organized vegetation patterns that emerge from positive biomass‐water feedbacks involving water transport by extended root systems and soil‐water diffusion. Future research should search for mechanisms that explain how the different hypotheses can generate the patterns observed here and test the ability of self‐organization to match the birth‐ and death dynamics of fairy circles and their regional patterns in the density and size with respect to environmental gradients.
Micro‐geographical scale variation inDrosophila melanogasterlarval olfactory behaviour is associated with host fruit heterogeneity
Authors: Satorre I. , Fanara J.J. , Lavagnino N.J.
Published: May 2014

Organisms utilize environmental cues to deal with heterogeneous environments. In this sense, behaviours that mediate interactions between organisms and their environment are complex traits, especially sensitive to environmental conditions. In animals, olfaction is a critical sensory system that allows them to acquire chemical information from the environment. The genetic basis and physiological mechanisms of the olfactory system ofDrosophila melanogasterMeigen (Diptera:Drosophilidae) are well known, but the effects of ecological factors on the olfactory system have received less attention. In this study, we analysed the effect of environmental heterogeneity (different host fruits) on variation in larval olfactory behaviour in a natural population ofD. melanogaster. We generated half‐sib lines ofD. melanogasterderived from two nearby fruit plantations,Vitis viniferaL. (Vitaceae) (‘grape’) andPrunus persicaL. (Rosaceae) (‘peach’), and measured, using a simple behavioural assay, larval olfactory response to natural olfactory stimuli. Results indicate that patterns of variation for this trait depend on host fruit plantation where lines were collected. In fact, only lines derived from ‘grape’ showed phenotypic plasticity for larval olfaction, whereas a genotype*environment interaction was detected solely in lines derived from ‘peach’. Therefore, our results demonstrate the existence of genetic differences inD. melanogasterlarval olfactory behaviour at a micro‐geographical scale and also reveal that the trait studied presents a dynamic genetic architecture which is strongly influenced by the environment.
Enriched environment impacts trimethylthiazoline‐induced anxiety‐related behavior and immediate early gene expression: critical role of Crhr1
Authors: Sotnikov S. V. , Chekmareva N. Y. , Schmid B. , Harbich D. , Malik V. , Bauer S. , Kuehne C. , Markt P. O. , Deussing J. M. , Schmidt M. V. , Landgraf R.
Published: May 2014

It has been shown previously (Sotnikov et al., ) that mice selectively inbred for high anxiety‐related behavior (HAB) vs. low anxiety‐related behavior in the elevated plus maze differentially respond to trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a synthetic fox fecal odor. However, less is known about whether environmental factors can rescue these extreme phenotypes. Here, we found that an enriched environment (EE) provided during early adolescence induced anxiolytic effects in HAB (HAB‐EE) mice, rescuing their strong avoidance behavior induced by TMT. In a series of experiments, the contribution of maternal, juvenile and adolescent behavior to the anxiolytic effects elicited by EE was investigated. At the molecular level, using c‐fos expression mapping, we found that the activity of the medial and basolateral amygdala was significantly reduced in HAB‐EE mice after TMT exposure. We further analysed the expression of Crhr1, as its amount in the amygdala has been reported to be important for the regulation of anxiety‐related behavior after EE. Indeed, in situ hybridisation indicated significantly decreased Crhr1 expression in the basolateral and central amygdala of HAB‐EE mice. To further test the involvement of Crhr1 in TMT‐induced avoidance, we exposed conditional glutamatergic‐specific Crhr1‐knockout mice to the odor. The behavioral response of Crhr1‐knockout mice mimicked that of HAB‐EE mice, and c‐fos expression in the amygdala after TMT exposure was significantly lower compared with controls, thereby further supporting a critical involvement of Crhr1 in environmentally‐induced anxiolysis. Altogether, our results indicate that EE can rescue strong avoidance of TMT by HAB mice with Crhr1 expression in the amygdala being critically involved.
Extinction debt of cities and ways to minimise their realisation: a focus on Melbourne
Authors: Hahs Amy K. , McDonnell Mark J.
Published: May 2014

The formation and growth of cities sets in train a slow process of local species extinction, although it can take a long time for that extinction to be realised. Using Melbourne as an example, the authors ask ‘What plant species are potentially at risk and what strategies and actions could minimise the predicted negative outcomes?’
Our view of islands: Joining the values of science and society
Authors: Sides Alexandra , Davis Lloyd , Rock Jenny
Published: May 2014

Both the public and the scientific perception of an island's value are important in deciding its future, with regard to the levels of access, protection and funding for research. There is a popular belief that the preservation of islands equates to the slightly idiosyncratic conservation of unique remote habitats, where the value of any island is its isolation. However, by understanding how scientists use islands, a different picture emerges; islands may be seen also as integrated, or representative fragments of the world that contribute to biodiversity and scientific theory far beyond their narrow geographical boundaries. Here, we broadly review the full scope of values science places on islands. We resolve four central perspectives by which scientists view islands, based on how islands are incorporated into their research: (i) species‐level studies; (ii) island‐level studies; (iii) islands as model systems; and (iv) islands as part of a global network. Recognising this diverse value system helps enlarge our understanding of islands and reforges their importance to the public and policy makers.
The Lure of the Brand: Evidence from the European Mutual Fund Industry
Authors: Hazenberg Jan Jaap , Irek Fabian , van der Scheer Willem , Stefanova Mariela
Published: May 2014

We investigate the effect of the fund family's brand on mutual fund flows by using a unique data set that represents a direct assessment of the brand image of European fund providers. A superior brand image increases the sensitivity of flows to good past performance, while it protects against outflows when there is underperformance. Flows of funds of independent providers have a higher sensitivity to past performance and brand image than flows of funds of providers owned by banks or insurers. These findings highlight the importance of marketing and brand in generating growth for the fund families.
Crystal structure of calpain‐3 penta‐EF‐hand (PEF) domain – a homodimerized PEF family member with calcium bound at the fifth EF‐hand
Authors: Partha Sarathy K. , Ravulapalli Ravikiran , Allingham John S. , Campbell Robert L. , Davies Peter L.
Published: May 2014

Calpains are Ca2+dependent intracellular cysteine proteases that cleave a wide range of protein substrates to help implement Ca2+ signaling in the cell. The major isoforms of this enzyme family, calpain‐1 and calpain‐2, are heterodimers of a large and a small subunit, with the main dimer interface being formed through their C‐terminal penta‐EF hand (PEF) domains. Calpain‐3, or p94, is a skeletal muscle‐specific isoform that is genetically linked to limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy. Biophysical and modeling studies with the PEF domain of calpain‐3 support the suggestion that full‐length calpain‐3 exists as a homodimer. Here, we report the crystallization of calpain‐3′s PEF domain and its crystal structure in the presence of Ca2+, which provides evidence for the homodimer architecture of calpain‐3 and supports the molecular model that places a protease core at either end of the elongated dimer. Unlike other calpain PEF domain structures, the calpain‐3 PEF domain contains a Ca2+ bound at the EF5‐hand used for homodimer association. Three of the four Ca2+‐binding EF‐hands of the PEF domains are concentrated near the protease core, and have the potential to radically change the local charge within the dimer during Ca2+ signaling. Examination of the homodimer interface shows that there would be steric clashes if the calpain‐3 large subunit were to try to pair with a calpain small subunit.

Database

Structural data are available in the Protein Data Bank database under accession number 4OKH.

Structured digital abstract

Calpain-3 and Calpain-3 bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)
A novel geranylgeranyl reductase from the methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans displays unique regiospecificity
Authors: Ogawa Takuya , Isobe Keisuke , Mori Takeshi , Asakawa Susumu , Yoshimura Tohru , Hemmi Hisashi
Published: May 2014

Saturation of a prenyl group to various levels is a frequently observed modification of isoprenoids. The members of the geranylgeranyl reductase family, however, are the only known enzymes responsible for such reductive modifications in archaea. A methanogenic archaeon, Methanosarcina acetivorans, has proteins homologous to phytoene desaturase CrtI, which is the carotenogenic enzyme that catalyzes oxidation/isomerization of phytoene to lycopene, but their function in carotenogenesis is unlikely in a methanogen that does not produce carotenoids. In the present study, we identified one of the homologues, MA1492, as a new type of archaeal geranylgeranyl reductase that is not homologous to known geranylgeranyl reductases. The expression of MA1492 in Escherichia coli cells, which were genetically modified to produce unsaturated archaeal‐type lipids, led to the production of partially saturated lipid derivatives. Furthermore, we analyzed the substrate specificity of recombinant MA1492 via in vitro assays. The LC‐MS, or radio‐TLC, analysis of the reaction products showed that the enzyme was definitely specific to compounds containing C20 geranylgeranyl groups and reduced only one of four double bonds in a geranylgeranyl chain. The GC‐MS analysis of the product from geranylgeraniol confirmed that the reduction selectively occurred on the ω‐terminal double bond. The available crystallographic structure of an orthologue enzyme may explain the reaction mechanism that achieves the substrate specificity and regiospecificity.

Database

Microbial Genome Database (http://mbgd.genome.ad.jp/), EMBOSS Needle (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/psa/emboss_needle)
Long‐Term Evidence on the Effect of Aggregate Earnings on Prices
Authors: Chen Yunhao , Jiang Xiaoquan , Lee Bong‐Soo
Published: May 2014

We examine the time‐series properties and determinants of the relation between aggregate earnings information and stock prices (aggregate earnings response coefficient or AERC) employing return decompositions with data since 1871. We confirm that AERC is negative even though firms respond positively to individual firm earnings information, but we also find that AERC is time varying. Furthermore, we show that AERC components based on expected earnings, cash flows, and discount rates are also time varying and differ in relative importance.
Pre‐impoundment stock assessment of two Pimelodidae species caught by small‐scale fisheries in the Madeira River (Amazon Basin – Brazil)
Authors: Sant'Anna I. R. A. , Doria C. R. C. , Freitas C. E. C.
Published: May 2014

The middle stretch of the Madeira River has supported an intensive commercial fishery for several decades. Developed in an area of rapids and waterfalls, this fishery focuses primarily on catfish stocks, mainly pimelodids. Data from fish landings collected in the years immediately prior to the start in operations of two large hydroelectric dams were used to estimate growth and mortality rates for Pirinampus pirinampu (Spix & Agassiz) and Brachyplatystoma platynemum Boulenger. In addition, stock assessment was carried out for both species, and the results used to evaluate the status of the fishery. Mean population parameters were L∞ = 80.85 cm (total length), k = 0.52 year−1, ϕ = 3.53, A0.95 = 6 year, M = 0.87, F = 1.41–1.64 and Z = 2.28–2.51 for P. pirinampu; and L∞ = 95.55 cm (total length), k = 0.28 year−1, ϕ = 3.40, winter point = 0.41, A0.95 = 11 year, M = 0.55, F = 0.16–0.35 and Z = 0.71–0.90 for B. platynemum. Yield‐per‐recruit analysis indicated P. pirinampu was overfished and that the stock of B. platynemum was under‐exploited. Moreover, overfishing of the P. pirinampu stock and the effects of fragmentation caused by the construction of the dam should be monitored.
Concomitant Persistent Pain in Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia – Evidence for Different Subtypes
Authors: Maarbjerg Stine , Gozalov Aydin , Olesen Jes , Bendtsen Lars
Published: May 2014

Objective

To describe the clinical characteristics in classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) with concomitant persistent pain and to investigate whether TN with concomitant persistent pain represents a distinct phenotype.

Background

There has been much debate about the possible pathophysiological and clinical importance of concomitant persistent pain in TN. This has led to subgrouping of TN into forms with and without concomitant persistent pain in the recent 3rd International Classification of Headache Disorders beta classification.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, data on the clinical characteristics were systematically and prospectively collected from consecutive TN patients.

Results

A total of 158 consecutive TN patients were included. Concomitant persistent pain was present in 78 patients (49%). The average intensity of concomitant persistent pain was 4.6 (verbal numerical rating scale). The concomitant persistent pain was present at onset or early in the disease course. Patients with concomitant persistent pain were on average 6.2 (P = .008) years younger at onset, but the 2 groups had the same duration of disease (P = .174). There was a preponderance of women in TN with (P < .001) but not in TN without concomitant persistent pain (P = .820). Right‐sided pain was more prevalent than left‐sided in TN without (P = .007) but not in TN with concomitant persistent pain (P = .907). TN with concomitant persistent pain more frequently had sensory abnormalities (P < .001) and less frequently responded to sodium channel blockers (P = .001). There were no significant differences in other clinical characteristics.

Conclusions

Concomitant persistent pain is very prevalent in TN and is not a consequence of paroxysmal pain. Findings support that the 3rd International Classification of Headache Disorders beta division of TN with and without concomitant persistent pain is clinically and scientifically important.
Migratory connectivity of Palaearctic–African migratory birds and their responses to environmental change: the serial residency hypothesis
Authors: Cresswell Will
Published: May 2014

In most long‐distance migratory birds, juveniles migrate without their parents and so are likely to lack detailed knowledge of where to go. This suggests the potential for stochasticity to affect their choice of wintering area at a large scale (> 1000 km). Adults, in contrast, may re‐use non‐breeding sites that promote their survival, so removing uncertainty from their subsequent migrations. I review the evidence for large‐scale stochastic juvenile site selection followed by adult site fidelity, and then develop a ‘serial‐residency’ hypothesis based on these two traits as a framework to explain both the migratory connectivity and the population dynamics of migrant birds and how these are affected by environmental change. Juvenile stochasticity is apparent in the age‐dependent effects of weather or experimental displacement on the outcome of migration and in the very wide variation in the destinations of individuals originating from the same area. Adults have been shown to be very faithful to their wintering grounds and even to staging sites. The serial residency hypothesis predicts that migrants that show these two traits will rely on an individually unique but fixed series of temporally and spatially linked sites to complete their annual cycle. As a consequence, migratory connectivity will be apparent at a very small scale for individuals, but only at a large scale for a population, and juveniles are predicted to occur more often at less suitable sites than adults, so that survival will be lower for juveniles. Migratory connectivity will arise only through spatial and temporal autocorrelation with local environmental constraints, particularly on passage, and the distribution and age structure of the population may reflect past environmental constraints. At least some juveniles will discover suitable habitat that they may re‐use as adults, thus promoting overall population‐level resilience to environmental change, and suggesting value in site‐based conservation. However, because migratory connectivity only acts on a large scale, any population of migrants will contain individuals that encounter a change in suitability somewhere in their non‐breeding range, so affecting average survival. Differences in population trends will therefore reflect variation in local breeding output added to average survival from wintering and staging areas. The latter is likely to be declining given increasing levels of environmental degradation throughout Africa. Large‐scale migratory connectivity also has implications for the evolutionary ecology of migrants, generally because this is likely to lead to selection for generalist traits.
An evaluation of an intervention designed to improve the evidence-based supply of non-prescription medicines from community pharmacies
Authors: Ngwerume Karebor , Watson Margaret , Bond Christine , Blenkinsopp Alison
Published: May 2014

Objectives

The aims of this study were to conduct the proof of concept study and to develop and evaluate an educational intervention that promotes the evidence-based supply of non-prescription medicines (NPMs).

Method

An educational intervention was delivered to pharmacy assistants and pharmacists in three pharmacies in England. The intervention included the provision of summaries of evidence for the treatment of four minor ailments and resulted in the preparation of evidence-based portfolios for the treatment of the following ailments: athlete's foot, cough, nasal congestion and period pain. The effect of the intervention was evaluated using a combination of direct overt observation, vignettes, self-reported behaviour and interviews.

Key findings

Evaluation data were collected from the three pharmacies. Data were derived from 3 pharmacists and 13 assistants, of whom 10 (3 pharmacists; 7 assistants) attended the training event. Comparing pre- and post-intervention practice, 8/11 (pre-) versus 5/6 (post-) observed, 46/80 versus 62/80 vignette and 25/30 versus 39/40 self-reported recommendations were evidence based. Prior to the intervention, 3/16 participants understood the role of evidence regarding the supply of NPMs compared with 16/16 post-intervention. Participants reported relying upon experiential knowledge to inform their decision making prior to the educational intervention. Thereafter, the participants reported using evidence to a greater extent. Barriers and facilitators for evidence-based practice were also identified.

Conclusion

A one-off educational intervention increased participants' self-reported awareness and potential application of evidence to inform their supply of NPMs. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness, long-term impact, generalisability and cost-effectiveness of this intervention for a wider range of common conditions.
Islamist terrorism as identity threat: the case of ambivalent identification and self‐stereotyping among Turkish Muslims
Authors: Uz Irem , Kemmelmeier Markus
Published: May 2014

Terrorist attacks committed in 2003 by Turkish Islamist extremists threatened the social identity of Turkish Muslims by associating them with terrorism. Using a 2 × 3 experimental design, we categorized Turkish respondents and terrorists as members of a shared superordinate group (“Muslims”) or as members of separate subgroups. When sharing superordinate group membership with terrorists, less identified Turkish respondents experienced ambivalent identification, i.e., they sought to maintain attachment to their group while simultaneously seeking distance from it. Ambivalent identification was reduced when respondents emphasized their typicality as members of a Muslim subgroup that did not include terrorists. The discussion focuses on ambivalent identification as a response to identity threat, and the implications for Islamist terrorism for the social identity of Muslims.
Can appraisals of common political life events impact subjective well‐being?
Authors: Kaniasty Krzysztof , Jakubowska Urszula
Published: May 2014

This study examined the psychological impact of global subjective appraisals of influence exerted on people's lives by common political events. A list of 24 political events was administered to a random sample of 400 adults in Poland. Political self‐efficacy, interest in politics, perceived political social support, and political collective efficacy were also assessed as potential moderators of the link between political stress appraisals and subjective well‐being (satisfaction with life, sense on anomie, positive affect). Perceptions of the negative influence of political stressors on one's life and the life of the country were associated with concomitant variations in subjective well‐being. Among psychosocial resources, political self‐efficacy consistently moderated the influence of appraisals of political stressors on satisfaction with life and positive affect.
Modeling type 2 diabetes in rats using high fat diet and streptozotocin
Authors: Skovsø Søs
Published: May 2014

The pathology of type 2 diabetes is complex, with multiple stages culminating in a functional β‐cell mass that is insufficient to meet the body's needs. Although the broad outlines of the disease etiology are known, many critical questions remain to be answered before next‐generation therapeutics can be developed. In order to further elucidate the pathobiology of this disease, animal models mimicking the pathology of human type 2 diabetes are of great value. One example of a type 2 diabetes animal model is the high‐fat diet‐fed, streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)‐treated rat model. The present review first summarizes the current understanding of the metabolic profile and pathology involved in the different stages of the type 2 diabetes disease progression in humans. Second, the known characteristics of the HFD/STZ rat model are reviewed and compared with the pathophysiology of human type 2 diabetes. Next, the suitability of the HFD/STZ model as a model of type 2 diabetes with a focus on identifying critical caveats and unanswered questions about the model is discussed. The improved understanding of refined animal models will hopefully lead to more relevant preclinical studies and development of improved therapeutics for diabetes. Depending on the amount of residual functional β‐cells mass, the HFD/STZ rat model might be a suitable animal model of the final stage of type 2 diabetes.