bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peer-assisted learning: filling the gaps in basic science education for preclinical medical students
Authors: Sammaraiee Yezen , Mistry Ravi D. , Lim Julian , Wittner Liora , Deepak Shantal , Lim Gareth
Published: July 2016

In contrast to peer-assisted learning (PAL) in clinical training, there is scant literature on the efficacy of PAL during basic medical sciences teaching for preclinical students. A group of senior medical students aimed to design and deliver clinically oriented small-group tutorials after every module in the preclinical curriculum at a United Kingdom medical school. Twenty tutorials were delivered by senior students throughout the year to first- and second-year students. A baseline questionnaire was delivered to inform the development of the program followed by an end-point questionnaire the next year ( n = 122). Quizzes were administered before and after five separate tutorials to assess changes in mean student scores. Additionally, each tutorial was evaluated via a questionnaire for participants ( n = 949). All five posttutorial quizzes showed a significant improvement in mean student score ( P < 0.05). Questionnaires showed students found the program to be relevant and useful for revision purposes and appreciated how tutorials contextualized basic science to clinical medicine. Students appreciated the interactive nature of the sessions and found receiving personalized feedback about their learning and consolidating information with someone familiar with the material to be useful. With the inclusion of the program, students felt there were now an adequate number of tutorials during the year. In conclusion, this study shows that senior medical students can design and deliver a program that adds value to the mostly lecture-based formal preclinical curriculum. We hope that our study can prompt further work to explore the effect of PAL on the teaching of basic sciences during preclinical studies.
Student exam analysis (debriefing) promotes positive changes in exam preparation and learning
Authors: Favero Terence G. , Hendricks Nora
Published: July 2016

Traditional exam review sessions, typically conducted orally and in class by the instructor, are intended to identify the most frequently missed or problematic question with the intent of helping students perform better on subsequent exams. The shortcoming of this instructor-led activity is that it tends to focus on issues with content or understanding rather than helping the individual student prevent or avoid similar mistakes on future exams. Here, we report that students who performed a more comprehensive out-of-class exam debrief after the first exam significantly improve their exam performance compared with students that did not conduct the exam debrief. We also identify the most common mistakes that students make on exams and the most frequent self-selected strategies to improve their learning. By having students focus on missed questions coupled with addressing deficiencies in their test preparation strategies and behaviors, they likely engage in more self-regulated learning to better prepare for exams and avoid repeating past mistakes.
Morphological and molecular aspects of immobilization-induced muscle atrophy in rats at different stages of postnatal development: the role of autophagy
Authors: Foresto Camila Silva , Paula-Gomes Sílvia , Silveira Wilian Assis , Graça Flávia Aparecida , Kettelhut Isis do Carmo , Gonçalves Dawit Albieiro Pinheiro , Mattiello-Sverzut Ana Claudia
Published: July 2016

Muscle loss occurs following injury and immobilization in adulthood and childhood, which impairs the rehabilitation process; however, far fewer studies have been conducted analyzing atrophic response in infants. This work investigated first the morphological and molecular mechanisms involved in immobilization-induced atrophy in soleus muscles from rats at different stages of postnatal development [i.e., weanling (WR) and adult (AR) rats] and, second, the role of autophagy in regulating muscle plasticity during immobilization. Hindlimb immobilization for 10 days reduced muscle mass and fiber cross-sectional area, with more pronounced atrophy in WR, and induced slow-to-fast fiber switching. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in markers of protein synthesis and an increase in autophagy. The ubiquitin (Ub)-ligase MuRF1 and the ubiquitinated proteins were upregulated by immobilization in AR while the autolyzed form of μ-calpain was increased in WR. To further explore the role of autophagy in muscle abnormalities, AR were concomitantly immobilized and treated with colchicine, which blocks autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Colchicine-treated immobilized muscles had exacerbated atrophy and presented degenerative features. Despite Igf1/Akt signaling was downregulated in immobilized muscles from both age groups, Foxo1 and 4 phosphorylation was increased in WR. In the same group of animals, Foxo1 acetylation and Foxo1 and 4 content was increased and decreased, respectively. Our data show that muscle disorders induced by 10-day-immobilization occur in both age-dependent and -independent manners, an understanding that may optimize treatment outcomes in infants. We also provide further evidence that the strong inhibition of autophagy may be ineffective for treating muscle atrophy.
American Ginseng Attenuates Colitis-Associated Colon Carcinogenesis in Mice: Impact on Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics
Authors: Wang Chong-Zhi , Yu Chunhao , Wen Xiao-Dong , Chen Lina , Zhang Chun-Feng , Calway Tyler , Qiu Yunping , Wang Yunwei , Zhang Zhiyu , Anderson Samantha , Wang Yitao , Jia Wei , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: July 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease is a risk factor for colorectal cancer initiation and development. In this study, the effects of American ginseng on chemically induced colitis and colon carcinogenesis were evaluated using an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) mouse model. During the acute phase on day 15, the oral administration of ginseng (15 and 30 mg/kg/day) significantly suppressed AOM/DSS–induced colitis, as demonstrated by the disease activity index and colon tissue histology. During the chronic phase in week 13, AOM/DSS–induced tumor multiplicity was significantly suppressed by ginseng. Ginseng significantly attenuated the increase of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL1α, IL1β, IL6, G-CSF, and GM-CSF. Serum metabolomics data in the PCA plots showed good separation between the AOM/DSS model and ginseng-treated mice, and the most important endogenous metabolite changes were identified. The 16S rRNA data showed that after AOM/DSS, the microbiome community in the model group was obviously changed, and ginseng inhibited these changes. Fecal metabolomics analysis supported these findings. In conclusion, oral ginseng significantly decreased AOM/DSS–induced colitis and colon carcinogenesis by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and restoring the metabolomics and microbiota profiles accordingly. Selective endogenous small molecules could be used as biomarkers to elucidate the effects of ginseng treatment. Cancer Prev Res; 9(10); 803–11. ©2016 AACR.
The Feasibility of Using Metacognitive Strategy Training to Improve Cognitive Performance and Neural Connectivity in Women with Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Wolf Timothy J. , Doherty Meghan , Kallogjeri Dorina , Coalson Rebecca S. , Nicklaus Joyce , Ma Cynthia X. , Schlaggar Bradley L. , Piccirillo Jay
Published: July 2016

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effect of metacognitive strategy training (MCST) on cognitive performance and on neural connectivity in the frontoparietal network in women with chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) following treatment for breast cancer. Methods: A single-group pre/post study was conducted. After completing the baseline assessment battery and neuroimaging, the participants completed a 12-session MCST intervention. Following the completion of the intervention, the subjects completed the same assessment battery and neuroimaging as was completed at baseline within 4 weeks after the intervention. The key inclusion/exclusion criteria for this study were: completed chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer, no other neurological or psychiatric diagnoses, self-reported CICI, and no contraindications to the use of MRI. Results: MCST had a small-to-large positive effect on all primary (cognitive) and secondary (quality of life and psychosocial) behavioral outcome measures (r = -0.12 to -0.88). There was also a positive change in functional connectivity in a frontoparietal cognitive control network connection in 6 of the 10 subjects, which was correlated to changes in the behavioral measures. Conclusions: This study found that MCST was associated with a positive effect on cognitive performance and neural connectivity in women with CICI following treatment for breast cancer.
The Effects of Folate Supplementation on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Metabolic Status in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Talari Hamid Reza , Rafiee Motahereh , Farrokhian Alireza , Raygan Fariba , Bahmani Fereshteh , Darooghegi Mofrad Manijeh , Hamidian Yaser , Tamtaji Omid Reza , Karamali Fatemeh , Asemi Zatollah
Published: July 2016

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of folate supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and metabolic status among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. They were all overweight in the age range 40-85 years. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 30) received 5 mg folate supplements and group B (n = 30) received placebo for 12 weeks. Results: Folate supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in maximum levels of left CIMT (-0.05 ± 0.13 vs. +0.02 ± 0.11 mm, p = 0.01) compared with the placebo. Changes in fasting plasma glucose (-2.2 ± 37.5 vs. +30.2 ± 65.8 mg/dl, p = 0.02), serum insulin concentration (-2.0 ± 10.7 vs. +3.0 ± 7.6 µIU/ml, p = 0.04) and homeostasis of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (-0.6 ± 2.3 vs. +0.9 ± 2.3, p = 0.01) in supplemented patients were significantly different from those of patients in the placebo group. Changes in serum triglycerides (p = 0.04), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p = 0.001), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.01) and plasma nitric oxide concentrations (p < 0.001) were significantly different between the supplemented patients and placebo group. Conclusions: Overall, 5 mg/day folate supplementation for 12 weeks among patients with MetS had beneficial effects on CIMT and the metabolic status.
Complexo de Carney esporádico com Schwannoma melanocítico e carcinoma papilífero de tireóide: relato de caso
Authors: Coelho Junior Luilson Geraldo , Silva Débora Gonçalves da
Published: July 2016

Complexo de Carney é uma forma rara de neoplasia endócrina múltipla familiar de herança autossômica dominante. Está associado à alteração de pigmentação cutânea e mucosa, doença nodular adrenal pigmentosa primária, mixomas cardíacos, cutâneos ou vaginais, adenomas hipofisários funcionantes, neoplasia testicular, adenoma ou carcinoma de tireóide e cistos ovarianos. Cerca de 70% dos indivíduos diagnosticados com Complexo de Carney têm pais afetados e 30% apresentam a forma esporádica da doença. O complexo de Carney esporádico é raro, o que dificulta ainda mais o diagnóstico. Apresentamos um caso de uma paciente de 24 anos com schwanoma de células fusiformes e carcinoma papilífero de tireóide, tais achados, remetem ao diagnóstico de suspeição de Complexo de Carney.
Programa Saúde e Cidadania”: a contribuição da extensão universitária na Amazônia para a formação médica
Authors: Martins Ricardo Gonçalves , Moysés Rosana Pimentel Correia , Valle Fabio Francesconi do , Valle Valeska Albuquerque Francesconi do , Souza Celsa da Silva Moura , Barcellos José Fernando Marques
Published: July 2016

Com destaque à importância na formação médica, relata-se a experiência vivida por discentes e docentes de medicina em parceria com os residentes multiprofissionais em saúde num programa de extensão no interior do Amazonas. O resultado da imersão destes autores na realidade comunitária e de suas vivências práticas, individuais e coletivas, dentro do “Programa Saúde e Cidadania” em municípios do interior do Amazonas, entre fevereiro de 2012 e julho de 2015, é descrito numa abordagem qualitativa do tipo relato de experiência. Desde 2012, mais de 50 acadêmicos puderam estar presentes nas viagens de campo, programadas e executadas pelos próprios alunos sob orientação da equipe de coordenadores e docentes do Programa, em parceria com multiprofissionais da Residência Multiprofissional em Saúde da Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM). Os graduandos do curso de medicina têm a oportunidade de imergir na realidade destas comunidades e, assim, vislumbrar o contexto social, as peculiaridades territoriais e os Determinantes Sociais em Saúde que influenciam no processo saúde-doença. As vivências neste programa de extensão colaboraram para integrar criticidade, humanização e trabalho em equipe à formação técnica da grade, possibilitando que se formem médicos mais sensíveis às propostas do Sistema Único de Saúde.
Aptamer-Based Proteomic Profiling Reveals Novel Candidate Biomarkers and Pathways in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Ngo Debby , Sinha Sumita , Shen Dongxiao , Kuhn Eric W. , Keyes Michelle J. , Shi Xu , Benson Mark D. , O’Sullivan John F. , Keshishian Hasmik , Farrell Laurie A. , Fifer Michael A. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Sabatine Marc S. , Larson Martin G. , Carr Steven A. , Wang Thomas J. , Gerszten Robert E.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Single-stranded DNA aptamers are oligonucleotides of ≈50 base pairs in length selected for their ability to bind proteins with high specificity and affinity. Emerging DNA aptamer-based technologies may address limitations of existing proteomic techniques, including low sample throughput, which have hindered proteomic analyses of large cohorts.

Methods:

To identify early biomarkers of myocardial injury, we applied an aptamer-based proteomic platform that measures 1129 proteins to a clinically relevant perturbational model of planned myocardial infarction (PMI), patients undergoing septal ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Blood samples were obtained before and at 10 and 60 minutes after PMI, and protein changes were assessed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. The generalizability of our PMI findings was evaluated in a spontaneous myocardial infarction cohort (Wilcoxon rank-sum). We then tested the platform’s ability to detect associations between proteins and Framingham Risk Score components in the Framingham Heart Study, performing regression analyses for each protein versus each clinical trait.

Results:

We found 217 proteins that significantly changed in the peripheral vein blood after PMI in a derivation cohort (n=15;
P
<5.70E-5). Seventy-nine of these proteins were validated in an independent PMI cohort (n=15;
P
<2.30E-4); >85% were directionally consistent and reached nominal significance. We detected many protein changes that are novel in the context of myocardial injury, including Dickkopf-related protein 4, a WNT pathway inhibitor (peak increase 124%,
P
=1.29E-15) and cripto, a growth factor important in cardiac development (peak increase 64%,
P
=1.74E-4). Among the 40 validated proteins that increased within 1 hour after PMI, 23 were also elevated in patients with spontaneous myocardial infarction (n=46;
P
<0.05). Framingham Heart Study analyses revealed 156 significant protein associations with the Framingham Risk Score (n=899), including aminoacylase 1 (β=0.3386,
P
=2.54E-22) and trigger factor 2 (β=0.2846,
P
=5.71E-17). Furthermore, we developed a novel workflow integrating DNA-based immunoaffinity with mass spectrometry to analytically validate aptamer specificity.

Conclusions:

Our results highlight an emerging proteomics tool capable of profiling >1000 low-abundance analytes with high sensitivity and high precision, applicable both to well-phenotyped perturbational studies and large human cohorts, as well.
Incidence and Predictors of Complications During Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Guhl Emily N. , Siddoway Donald , Adelstein Evan , Bazaz Raveen , Mendenhall George S. , Nemec Jan , Saba Samir , Schwartzman David , Voigt Andrew , Wang Norman C. , Jain Sandeep K.
Published: July 2016

Background

Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (
PVI
) has emerged as an alternative to radiofrequency
PVI
for atrial fibrillation (
AF
). Data are lacking to define the rates and predictors of complications, particularly phrenic nerve injury (
PNI
).

Methods and Results

We evaluated a single‐center prospective registry of 450 consecutive patients undergoing cryoballoon
PVI
between 2011 and 2015. Patients were 59±10 years old, 26% were women, 58% had hypertension, their mean
CHA
2
DS
2
VAS
c score was 1.7±1.3, 30% had persistent atrial fibrillation, and 92% received a second‐generation 28‐mm balloon. Predefined major complications were persistent
PNI
, pericardial effusion, deep vein thrombosis, arteriovenous fistula, atrioesophageal fistula, bleeding requiring transfusion, stroke, and death.
PNI
was categorized as persistent if it persisted after discharge from the laboratory. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of complications and specifically
PNI
. We identified a major complication in 10 (2.2%) patients. In 49 (10.8%) patients, at least transient
PNI
was observed; only 5 persisted beyond the procedure (1.1%). All cases of
PNI
resolved eventually, with the longest time to resolution being 48 days. We also describe 2 cases of
PNI
manifesting after the index hospitalization. Regression analysis identified 23‐mm balloon use (16.3% versus 5.2%, odds ratio 2.94,
P
=0.011) and increased age (62.8±7.7 versus 58.7±0.12 years, odds ratio 1.058,
P
=0.014) as independent significant predictors of
PNI
. There were no significant predictors of major complications.

Conclusions

In a large contemporary cohort, cryoballoon
PVI
is associated with low procedural risk, including lower rates of
PNI
than previously reported. Older age and 23‐mm balloon use were associated with
PNI
. Our low rate of
PNI
may reflect more sensitive detection methods, including compound motor action potential monitoring and forced double‐deflation.
Endothelin‐1 Drives Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition in Hypertensive Nephroangiosclerosis
Authors: Seccia Teresa M. , Caroccia Brasilina , Gioco Francesca , Piazza Maria , Buccella Valentina , Guidolin Diego , Guerzoni Eugenia , Montini Barbara , Petrelli Lucia , Pagnin Elisa , Ravarotto Verdiana , Belloni Anna S. , Calò Lorenzo A. , Rossi Gian Paolo
Published: July 2016

Background

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis, the final outcome of most kidney diseases, involves activation of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) activates EMT in cancer cells, but it is not known whether it drives EMT in the kidney. We therefore tested the hypothesis that tubulointerstitial fibrosis involves EMT driven by ET‐1.

Methods and Results

Transgenic TG[mRen2]27 (TGRen2) rats developing fulminant angiotensin II–dependent hypertension with prominent cardiovascular and renal damage were submitted to drug treatments targeted to ET‐1 and/or angiotensin II receptor or left untreated (controls). Expressional changes of E‐cadherin and α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA) were examined as markers of renal EMT. In human kidney HK‐2 proximal tubular cells expressing the ET
B
receptor subtype, the effects of ET‐1 with or without ET‐1 antagonists were also investigated. The occurrence of renal fibrosis was associated with EMT in control TGRen2 rats, as evidenced by decreased E‐cadherin and increased αSMA expression. Irbesartan and the mixed ET‐1 receptor antagonist bosentan prevented these changes in a blood pressure–independent fashion (
P
< 0.001 for both versus controls). In HK‐2 cells ET‐1 blunted E‐cadherin expression, increased αSMA expression (both
P
< 0.01), collagen synthesis, and metalloproteinase activity (
P
< 0.005, all versus untreated cells). All changes were prevented by the selective ET
B
receptor antagonist BQ‐788. Evidence for involvement of the Rho‐kinase signaling pathway and dephosphorylation of Yes‐associated protein in EMT was also found.

Conclusions

In angiotensin II–dependent hypertension, ET‐1 acting via ET
B
receptors and the Rho‐kinase and Yes‐associated protein induces EMT and thereby renal fibrosis.
Source-Oriented Generalizations as Grammar Inference in Russian Vowel Deletion
Authors: Becker Michael , Gouskova Maria
Published: July 2016

Speakers learn detailed generalizations about the morphophonology of their language and extend them to nonce words. We propose a theory of this morphophonological knowledge that partitions the lexicon into uniform and productive sublexicons. Each sublexicon has its own phonotactic grammar, which the speaker uses as an inference mechanism to determine the relative productivity of each sublexicon. We report the results of an experiment on the generalization of mid vowel deletion (‘‘yer’’ deletion) in Russian, showing that speakers encode source-oriented generalizations about the shapes of words that can undergo vowel deletion, as well as product-oriented generalizations about words that result from vowel deletion. An implementation of our model learns the patterns of deletion and captures both source-oriented and product-oriented generalizations.
Unaccentedness in Japanese
Authors: Ito Junko , Mester Armin
Published: July 2016

A characteristic, though not necessary, property of so-called pitch accent languages is the existence of unaccented words. Work on unaccentedness in Japanese has found a concentration of such words in very specific areas of the lexicon, defined in prosodic terms. While unaccentedness might be some kind of default, the prosodic rationale for the way it is distributed over the lexicon is far from clear. This article investigates the underlying structural reasons for the distribution and develops a formal Optimality Theory account, which involves two well-known constraints: RIGHTMOST and NONFINALITY. The tension between the two, usually resolved by ranking (NONFINALITY ≫ RIGHTMOST ), finds another surprising resolution in unaccentedness: no accent, no conflict. Besides providing a more detailed analysis of Japanese word accent, which takes into consideration other mitigating phonological and morphological factors, the article aims to gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between pitch accent and stress accent languages.
Personality differences in a translocated population of endangered kangaroo rats (Dipodomys stephensi) and implications for conservation success
Authors: Baker Liv , Lawrence Michael S. , Toews Mary , Kuling Sean , Fraser David
Published: July 2016

Personality affects how animals respond to challenging circumstances and may affect the success of conservation translocations. To assess personality in translocated Stephens’ kangaroo rats we exposed animals to a mirror to simulate a conspecific and to predator scent. Observers made subjective ratings of animals using 16 traits and recorded behaviour. We assayed faecal cortisol at time of capture and during captivity. We identified three personality dimensions: Assertiveness, Excitability, and Persistence. Individuals received similar scores for these dimensions in the two tests, suggesting consistent differences across context. High-Assertiveness animals showed risky behaviour, and had lower baseline cortisol. Assertiveness corresponds to ‘proactive-reactive coping’ described for other rodents. High-Excitability animals were scored as high for Anxious and Fearful; this dimension may correspond to ‘emotional-reactivity’ described in rats. Considering personality in translocations may allow selection of individuals who better cope with stressors, and may identify individuals needing special care to survive translocation.
Lectotypifications of 15 names of Chinese taxa in three families
Authors: DUAN YIFAN , YANG XIN-XIN , LI YONG-FU , SHI JI-SEN , WANG XIAN-RONG
Published: July 2016

The Nanjing Forestry University Herbarium (Nanjing, Jiangsu), coded as NF in the Index Herbarium (Thiers 2016), is one of the most important herbarium in Eastern China, especially for its collections in woody plants. While studying the type specimens housed at NF, the types of 15 names of Chinese taxa in three families were found to be represented by gatherings with two or more specimens, that can be regarded as syntypes (Arts. 9.5, 40.2 Note 1 of the ICN, McNeill et al., 2012). Lectotypes for these names were here designated according to Arts. 8.1, 8.2, 9.2 of the ICN (McNeill et al. 2012).
Corrigendum to “Taxonomic studies in the Aganisia complex (Orchidaceae, Zygopetalinae)”
Authors: MENEGUZZO THIAGO E. C. , BERG CÁSSIO VAN DEN
Published: July 2016

We propose Aganisia cyanea f. albiflora as a new name for Acacallis cyanea f. alba because our previously proposed Aganisia cyanea f. alba was an illegitimate homonym of Aganisia cyanea var. alba, a taxon currently recognized as Warreella cyanea f. alba.
A new species of Anthiadinae (Teleostei: Serranidae) from São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago, Brazil, Equatorial Atlantic
Authors: CARVALHO-FILHO ALFREDO , MACENA BRUNO CÉSAR LUZ , NUNES DIOGO MARTINS
Published: July 2016

A new species of Anthiadinae, Odontanthias cauoh, is described from São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago (SPSPA), Brazil, Equatorial Atlantic. The new species differs from its only Atlantic congener by a combination of several characters: pectoral-fin rays 20; total gill rakers on first arch 39; vomerine tooth patch with a posterior prolongation; pelvic fin not reaching base of last anal-fin ray; dorsal, anal and pelvic fins scaleless; and coloration (dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins mostly dark red). The record of the new species contributes to increase the fish endemism in SPSPA.
A new species of Anacaena Thomson, 1859 from South Africa (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)
Authors: BILTON DAVID T. , KOMAREK ALBRECHT
Published: July 2016

Anacaena namaqua sp. nov. is described from the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces of South Africa, in an area transitional between the fynbos and succulent karoo biomes. The habitus, aedeagus, femoral pubescence and habitats of the new species are illustrated, together with details of its ecology. A key to all Anacaena confirmed from South Africa to date is also provided.
DNA barcoding the phyllosoma of Scyllarides squammosus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Decapoda: Achelata: Scyllaridae)
Authors: PALERO FERRAN , GENIS-ARMERO REBECA , HALL MICHAEL R. , CLARK PAUL F.
Published: July 2016

Scyllarides has the largest number of species with commercial importance within the Scyllaridae family. As for other achelate lobsters, however, little is known of the unique long-lived planktonic phyllosoma stages of any of these tropical and temperate species. Recently, a large and diverse collection of Scyllaridae phyllosoma, compiled from cruises along the Coral Sea and spanning several years, has been analysed. Molecular evidence from DNA-barcoding and phylogenetic analyses is provided here on the identity of S. squammosus phyllosoma larvae, including stages that were previously undescribed or poorly known. As a consequence, the growth and morphological changes that occur during the mid- to late-stages of S. squammosus larval development is now well-documented. Furthermore, an additional collection of S. squammosus larvae, described by Alain Michel and thought to be no longer extant, were discovered in the crustacean collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris. This new molecular and morphological information is complemented by a review of the literature. As a result, descriptions of key larval characters by a number of authors were evaluated and appear to suggest the existence of distinct groups of larvae within Scyllarides. From a combination of adult and larval morphology, and molecular data, the results presented here revealed inconsistencies with regard to the affinities of species assigned to Scyllarides. This new evidence will contribute to future studies addressing the phylogenetic relationships within the genus.
Geophilus pygmaeus (Chilopoda: Geophilidae): clarifying morphology, variation and geographic distribution
Authors: PERETTI EMILIANO , BONATO LUCIO
Published: July 2016

The European centipede Geophilus pygmaeus (Chilopoda: Geophilidae) has been known since 1880. It has been repeatedly reported since then and its validity has never been questioned. Nevertheless, a complete description of the species and an unambiguous diagnosis are still lacking. Based on the examination of one of the syntypes and > 110 specimens from 28 other localities, we provide here a full description and illustration of the morphology of G. pygmaeus and a revised and updated overview of the geographic range of the species. G. pygmaeus is less than 2 cm long, has 41–47 pairs of legs and differs from all other European species of Geophilus in a combination of characters including the shape of the forcipular apparatus and a unique arrangement of the coxal pores. G. pygmaeus is distributed through the Southern Limestone Alps, between the Bergamasque Prealps in the West and the Slovene Prealps in the East, and in the northernmost Dinarides. Published records from other European areas are actually erroneous or uncertain.
An integrative taxonomy on the locally endangered species of the Korean Scarabaeus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)
Authors: HAN TAEMAN , KIM JIN ILL , YI DAE-AM , JEONG JONGCHEL , AN SEUNG LAK , PARK IN GYUN , PARK HAECHUL
Published: July 2016

The ball-rolling dung beetles of the genus Scarabaeus are very ecologically important for the recycling of feces of large herbivores and the related nature management. There has been a significant decline, however, in the numbers of many species at the population and individual levels. S. typhon is currently thought to be the sole member of Scarabaeus distributed in Korea; however, that species underwent serious local extinctions in the 1970s. Before planning a full-scale species recovery, it is important to have an understanding of the exact species diversity and genetic structures of the focal species. We therefore attempted an integrative taxonomy focused on the Korean population of S. typhon and also on S. pius and S. sacer, which were once thought to be distributed in Korea, using both morphological and molecular approaches. The results of both approaches reveal the Korean species of Scarabaeus to be S. typhon and S. pius. In particular, our molecular results inferred from cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genetic analysis show that S. typhon should be considered a single species despite having various haplotypes throughout its wide geographical range from Europe to Korea. We identified two distinct lineages of S. pius (groups A and B) across a wide distributional range. We conclude that the Korean specimens of S. pius belong to group A and that S. pius is new to Korea under the current taxonomic treatment.
On the Cryptops subgenus Trichocryptops Verhoeff, 1937, with a discussion of the problems of differentiating Cryptops species (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Cryptopidae)
Authors: LEWIS JOHN G. E.
Published: July 2016

Three putative species comprising Verhoeff’s Cryptops subgenus Trichocryptops are here reviewed. There is little justification for the retention of the subgenus and the three species previously assigned to it are here placed in synonymy with the subgenus Cryptops. Cryptops (T.) malaccanus Verhoeff, 1937, closely resembles Nepalese C. doriae Pocock, 1891, and it is proposed that it be regarded as its junior subjective synonym. Cryptops doriae, as presently understood, is widely distributed and quite variable. Cryptops (T.) brachyraphe Attems, 1934, and C. (T.) iucundus Würmli, 1972, are very similar but bearing in mind the present paucity of material, they are here retained as separate species. The possible characters distinguishing populations of C. doriae, C. nepalensis Lewis, 1999 and the three “Trichocryptops” species and C. niuensis Chamberlin, 1920, are reviewed. The current situation is far from satisfactory. Individual variation, possible ontogenetic changes, a relative paucity of morphological characters and small numbers of individuals render decisions as to the status of some Cryptops specimens problematical and subjective.
Sources of Uncertainty in Future Projections of the Carbon Cycle
Authors: Hewitt Alan J. , Booth Ben B. B. , Jones Chris D. , Robertson Eddy S. , Wiltshire Andy J. , Sansom Philip G. , Stephenson David B. , Yip Stan
Published: July 2016

The inclusion of carbon cycle processes within CMIP5 Earth system models provides the opportunity to explore the relative importance of differences in scenario and climate model representation to future land and ocean carbon fluxes. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach was used to quantify the variability owing to differences between scenarios and between climate models at different lead times. For global ocean carbon fluxes, the variance attributed to differences between representative concentration pathway scenarios exceeds the variance attributed to differences between climate models by around 2025, completely dominating by 2100. This contrasts with global land carbon fluxes, where the variance attributed to differences between climate models continues to dominate beyond 2100. This suggests that modeled processes that determine ocean fluxes are currently better constrained than those of land fluxes; thus, one can be more confident in linking different future socioeconomic pathways to consequences of ocean carbon uptake than for land carbon uptake. The contribution of internal variance is negligible for ocean fluxes and small for land fluxes, indicating that there is little dependence on the initial conditions. The apparent agreement in atmosphere–ocean carbon fluxes, globally, masks strong climate model differences at a regional level. The North Atlantic and Southern Ocean are key regions, where differences in modeled processes represent an important source of variability in projected regional fluxes.
Impact of Assimilating Dropsonde Observations from MPEX on Ensemble Forecasts of Severe Weather Events
Authors: Romine Glen S. , Schwartz Craig S. , Torn Ryan D. , Weisman Morris L.
Published: July 2016

Over the central Great Plains, mid- to upper-tropospheric weather disturbances often modulate severe storm development. These disturbances frequently pass over the Intermountain West region of the United States during the early morning hours preceding severe weather events. This region has fewer in situ observations of the atmospheric state compared with most other areas of the United States, contributing toward greater uncertainty in forecast initial conditions. Assimilation of supplemental observations is hypothesized to reduce initial condition uncertainty and improve forecasts of high-impact weather.

During the spring of 2013, the Mesoscale Predictability Experiment (MPEX) leveraged ensemble-based targeting methods to key in on regions where enhanced observations might reduce mesoscale forecast uncertainty. Observations were obtained with dropsondes released from the NSF/NCAR Gulfstream-V aircraft during the early morning hours preceding 15 severe weather events over areas upstream from anticipated convection. Retrospective data-denial experiments are conducted to evaluate the value of dropsonde observations in improving convection-permitting ensemble forecasts. Results show considerable variation in forecast performance from assimilating dropsonde observations, with a modest but statistically significant improvement, akin to prior targeted observation studies that focused on synoptic-scale prediction. The change in forecast skill with dropsonde information was not sensitive to the skill of the control forecast. Events with large positive impact sampled both the disturbance and adjacent flow, akin to results from past synoptic-scale targeting studies, suggesting that sampling both the disturbance and adjacent flow is necessary regardless of the horizontal scale of the feature of interest.
Depth of Cochlear Implant Array Within the Cochlea and Performance Outcome
Authors: Hilly Ohad , Smith Leah , Hwang Euna , Shipp David , Symons Sean , Nedzelski Julian M. , Chen Joseph M. , Lin Vincent Y.W.
Published: July 2016

Objective:

To evaluate whether the depth of cochlear implant array within the cochlea affects performance outcomes 1 year following cochlear implantation.

Methods:

A retrospective case review of 120 patients who were implanted with the Advanced Bionics HiFocus 1J. Post-implantation plain-radiographs were retrospectively reviewed, and the depth of insertion was measured in degrees from the round window to the electrode tip. Correlation between the depth of insertion and 1-year post-activation Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) scores was analyzed. Intrascala position was not assessed.

Results:

Depth of electrode insertion ranged from 180° to 720°, and HINT scores ranged from 0% to 100%. A Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated significantly improved 1-year post-activation HINT scores in patients with an insertion depth of 360° or more in comparison with patients with insertion depth of less than 360° (81% vs 61%, P = .048). Patients with 13 to 15 contacts within cochlear turns performed as well as patients with full insertion of all 16 contacts, while patients with only 12 contacts performed poorly.

Conclusions:

Insertion depth of the AB HiFocus 1J electrode of less than 360° is associated with reduced 1-year post-activation HINT scores when compared with deeper insertions. Partial insertion of 13 active contacts or more led to similar results as full insertion.
Life after Death
Authors: Bibby Reginald W.
Published: July 2016

This paper examines beliefs and experiential claims concerning life after death provided by some 5,000 people in Canada, the United States, and Britain in the spring of 2014. The surveys show that large numbers of people continue to believe life continues after death. Beyond belief, many maintain that individuals who have died are following what is taking place in their lives and continuing to be in contact. Such claims raise important questions as to why these beliefs and claims are so pervasive, and the appropriate responses of academics.
Low prevalence of the use of the Chinese term for ‘psychiatry’ in the names of community psychiatry clinics: A nationwide study in Taiwan
Authors: Dai Ying-Xiu , Chen Mu-Hong , Chen Tzeng-Ji
Published: July 2016

Background:

Relabeling has been proposed as a strategy to reduce the stigma associated with mental illnesses. Previous studies have shown that changing the names of psychiatry clinics has led to reduced feelings of being stigmatized among patients. In Taiwan, terms other than ‘psychiatry’ (in Chinese, jīng shén kē) are more commonly used in the names of psychiatry clinics. The term ‘psychosomatic clinics’ is widely used instead.

Aims:

This study investigated the characteristics of psychiatry clinic names in order to better understand the role of clinic names in primary care settings.

Methods:

Relevant data were extracted from an open database maintained by the government of Taiwan. These data included the names of community psychiatry clinics and hospital-based psychiatry clinics, population size and the degree of urbanization in the area served by each clinic.

Results:

At the time of this study, there were 254 community psychiatry clinics and 190 hospital-based psychiatry clinics in Taiwan. Only 18.9% of the community clinic names included the term ‘psychiatry’. Additionally, 14.6% of community clinic names and 28.4% of hospital-based clinic names included the term ‘psychosomatics’. The regions in which clinics without ‘psychiatry’ in their names were located had significantly larger populations and higher levels of urbanization than the regions in which clinics with ‘psychiatry’ in their names were located.

Conclusion:

A low prevalence of the term ‘psychiatry’ in community psychiatry clinic names was found in Taiwan. The stigma associated with psychiatry and other socio-cultural factors are hypothesized to explain this phenomenon.
Inequalities in Indigenous Oral Health: Findings from Australia, New Zealand, and Canada
Authors: Jamieson L.M. , Elani H.W. , Mejia G.C. , Ju X. , Kawachi I. , Harper S. , Thomson W.M. , Kaufman J.S.
Published: July 2016

The objective was to compare absolute differences in the prevalence of Indigenous-related inequalities in dental disease experience and self-rated oral health in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Data were sourced from national oral health surveys in Australia (2004 to 2006), Canada (2007 to 2009), and New Zealand (2009). Participants were aged ≥18 y. The authors measured age- and sex-adjusted inequalities by estimating absolute prevalence differences and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Clinical measures included the prevalence of untreated decayed teeth, missing teeth, and filled teeth; self-reported measures included the prevalence of “fair” or “poor” self-rated oral health. The overall pattern of Indigenous disadvantage was similar across all countries. The summary estimates for the adjusted prevalence differences were as follows: 16.5 (95% CI: 11.1 to 21.9) for decayed teeth (all countries combined), 18.2 (95% CI: 12.5 to 24.0) for missing teeth, 0.8 (95% CI: –1.9 to 3.5) for filled teeth, and 17.5 (95% CI: 11.3 to 23.6) for fair/poor self-rated oral health. The I2 estimates were small for each outcome: 0.0% for decayed, missing, and filled teeth and 11.6% for fair/poor self-rated oral health. Irrespective of country, when compared with their non-Indigenous counterparts, Indigenous persons had more untreated dental caries and missing teeth, fewer teeth that had been restored (with the exception of Canada), and a higher proportion reporting fair/poor self-rated oral health. There were no discernible differences among the 3 countries.
The Effect of Mentoring on Protégés’ Organizational Deviance
Authors: Chen Cheng , Wen Peng
Published: July 2016

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of mentoring on protégés’ organizational deviance. The sample comprised 202 ongoing formal mentoring dyads in the People’s Republic of China (mentor samples: 61.9% male, M age = 36.8 years; protégé samples: 57.4% male, M age = 25.0 years). The regression results showed that mentoring was negatively related to protégés’ organizational deviance. Moreover, job embeddedness and organizational identification mediated the association between mentoring and protégés’ organizational deviance. Furthermore, the perceived developmental climate played a significant moderating role in the relationships between mentoring and job embeddedness and organizational identification such that the relationships were stronger when protégés perceived a stronger developmental climate. The theoretical and practical implications of this study were discussed.
Brazil and Responsibility to Protect: a case of agency and norm entrepreneurship in the Global South
Authors: Stuenkel Oliver
Published: July 2016

This article questions the still broadly accepted notion that the global debate about Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is divided into a Western (or Northern) ‘pro-R2P’ camp and a non-Western (or Southern) ‘anti-R2P camp’. In the same way, the relatively broadly accepted assertion that R2P is a Western concept overlooks the important contributions developing countries have made in the creation of the norm. Brazil’s stance vis-à-vis R2P, analyzed in this article, is a powerful example of this reality, and the country has, in the past years, temporarily assumed leadership in the discussion about how to strengthen the norm. Paradoxically, Brazil’s move was widely seen as obstructionist. This points to a broader bias that tends observers not to grant non-Western powers the same agency in the creation of rules and norms. The ongoing multipolarization will force observers to correct this vision, as countries in the Global South such as China will be increasingly able to ‘act upon’ R2P, a capacity that so far has been reserved for established powers.
Implementing Spaces to Favor the Emergence of Ecologies of Complex Innovation in the Public Sector: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Touati N. , Denis J.-L , Grenier C. , Smits P.
Published: July 2016

Dougherty et al. posit that production of complex innovations requires that ecologies be organized, involving three activities: orchestrating knowledge capabilities, ongoing strategizing to frame and direct continuous innovation, and developing public policy to embrace ambiguity. Our study aims to understand how such ecologies emerge. Based on a longitudinal case study, performed in the context of the Quebec health system, our results suggest (a) that the emergence of innovations in highly institutionalized fields requires an additional activity, namely, working on boundaries to make actors perceive their interdependences (b) some levers that can foster the implementation of the model.
Is There a Moral Right to Nonmedical Vaccine Exemption?
Authors: Emhoff Isha Ann , Fugate Ellen , Eyal Nir
Published: July 2016

A recent measles outbreak in the United States was linked to a single source, yet it spanned eighteen jurisdictions and infected 121 people. Forty-seven states currently allow legal exemption from vaccination on religious grounds, eighteen of which also allow it on philosophical grounds. Recent research usually accepts a fundamental right to vaccine exemption and primarily seeks ways to protect herd immunity while also respecting that right, for example, by keeping the exemption available yet harder to procure or by imposing torts for infection-related injury. We argue that when herd immunity is at risk, any moral claim to exemption from vaccination on conscientious, philosophical, or religious grounds is overridden.

Our argument rests on an analogy to a series of situations in which a person puts others at risk through philosophically or religiously motivated choices. In these situations, intuitively, there is no claim-right to compromise the safety of others. Similarly, we propose, there is no claim-right to refuse vaccination, regardless of one's conscience, when refusal is sufficiently likely to seriously affect herd immunity and the safety of others. We also address several counterarguments. The lack of a claim-right to exemption when herd immunity is at risk does not mean, however, that it is always prudent for the state to force vaccination, or even that forcing vaccinations must be legal. Alternatives to forced vaccination may prove wiser and more conducive to high vaccination rates.
Extended approaches based on Genetic Algorithms (GAs) for MIMO singular systems approximation
Authors: Adamou-Mitiche Amel BH , Mitiche Lahcène
Published: July 2016

In this paper we present an extension of three important model reduction techniques: namely, the stability equation, the modified pole clustering and the dominant modes methods for conventional (regular) systems to reduce complexity relating to high dimensionality of mathematical models representing physical, generalized (also called singular) systems. Combining these methods to Genetic Algorithms’ tools and exploiting a special representation base where a full order singular system is deflating into proper and improper subsystems, different natures of stable, optimal low order models are obtained. To show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms, a numerical example is given, where six approximants are derived from a multi-input multi-output singular system. By the use of two optimal norms, the MOR errors are quantified and permits to conclude to the quality of the proposed reduced order models.