bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles of Notch1 Signaling in Regulating Satellite Cell Fates Choices and Postnatal Skeletal Myogenesis
Authors: Shan Tizhong , Xu Ziye , Wu Weiche , Liu Jiaqi , Wang Yizhen
Published: December 2016

Adult skeletal muscle stem cells, also called satellite cells, are indispensable for the growth, maintenance, and regeneration of the postnatal skeletal muscle. Satellite cells, predominantly quiescent in mature resting muscles, are activated after skeletal muscle injury or degeneration. Notch1 signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that plays crucial roles in satellite cells homeostasis and postnatal skeletal myogenesis and regeneration. Activation of Notch1 signaling promotes the muscle satellite cells quiescence and proliferation, but inhibits differentiation of muscle satellite cells. Notably, the new roles of Notch1 signaling during late‐stage of skeletal myogenesis including in post‐differentiation myocytes and post‐fusion myotubes have been recently reported. Here, we mainly review and discuss the regulatory roles of Notch1 in regulating satellite cell fates choices and skeletal myogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2964–2967, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel Aryl‐Modified Benzoylamino‐N‐(5,6‐dimethoxy‐1H‐benzoimidazol‐2‐yl)‐heteroamides as Potent Inhibitors of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors 1 and 2
Authors: Ashok Abhishek , Thanukrishnan Kannan , Bhojya Naik Halehatty S. , Maridu Rajendraswami
Published: December 2016

Tumor angiogenesis has become an important target for antitumor therapy, with most current therapies aimed at blocking the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. The VEGF and its receptors have been implicated as key factors in tumor angiogenesis and are major targets in cancer therapy. A series of aryl‐modified benzoylamino‐N‐(5,6‐dimethoxy‐1H‐benzoimidazol‐2‐yl)‐heteroamides were synthesized from 2‐amino‐5,6‐dimethoxy benzimidazole and aryl‐substituted benzoylamino hetero acids. The new compounds were tested for inhibition of VEGF receptors I and II (VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2). Compound 6e displayed VEGFR‐2 inhibitory activity with a 50% inhibition concentration value as low as 0.020 μM in a homogeneous time‐resolved fluorescence enzymatic assay. VEGFR‐2 active compounds display good activity against VEGFR‐1 as well.
Tropical intraseasonal oscillations in CFSv2 during Boreal summer and winter
Authors: Krishnamurthy V.
Published: December 2016

The simulation of the tropical intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) by a coupled model in the Indo‐Pacific region is examined in this study. The retrospective forecasts by the Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) of National Centers of Environmental Prediction for the period 1982–2010 have been analysed and compared with observation. The leading Indian monsoon intraseasonal oscillation (MISO) during the boreal summer and the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) during the boreal winter are extracted from daily precipitation anomalies in forecasts and observations by using a data‐adaptive method. The model forecasts from May initial conditions simulates the observed spatial structure, magnitude and the northward and eastward propagation of MISO reasonably well. Similar performance is also evident in the simulation of the eastward propagating MJO in forecasts from November initial conditions. In the simulation of both the MISO and MJO by the model, the zonal wind at lower level shows appropriate observed relation with the precipitation and coupling with convection. The observed phase relations between precipitation and low‐level relative vorticity and between precipitation and upper‐level divergence in the zonal and meridional propagations are captured by the model. However, the variance of the ISOs differs from observation in certain regions, and the phase of the ISOs exhibits wide differences among the ensemble members of the forecast and with the observation. Comparison with the earlier model, CFS version 1, shows that the space‐time structure and evolution of MISO and MJO are better simulated by CFSv2.
Videotaping of surgical procedures and outcomes following extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer
Authors: Paterson Catherine , McLuckie Sarah , Yew‐Fung Chin , Tang Benjie , Lang Stephen , Nabi Ghulam
Published: December 2016

Background

Video‐recording of emerging minimally invasive surgical procedures is likely to become an integral component of patient record‐keeping in the future for prostate cancer treatment. No prior work has shown the impact of videotaping of laparoscopic prostatectomy on patient outcomes. Our aim was to determine correlation between independent peer review of videotaping quality scores of extraperitoneal laparoscopic prostatectomy (ELRP) with complications, re‐admissions, functional, and early oncological outcomes.

Study Design, Setting, and Participants

We conducted a single‐institution prospective cohort study comparing videotaping quality scores with the outcomes of ELRP in men with localized prostate cancer. Videotaping of surgical procedures were scored by two experienced laparoscopic surgeons using a validated scoring method. Validated record‐linkage methodology and self‐reported questionnaires were used to assess surgical complications, re‐admissions, functional, and oncological outcomes based on a common identifier called as community health index (CHI) number. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the different covariates with statistical significance considered at P < 0.05. Multivariate analyses assessed oncological outcomes (positive surgical margins/biochemical recurrence), post‐operative complications, and re‐admission into hospital following initial hospital discharge with quality of surgical procedure.

Results

200 men were recruited into the study. 51 (25.5%) participants had post‐operative complications. Record‐linkage methodology identified 18 (9%) participants had re‐admissions within 90 days of the procedure. 13 (6.5%) of these men required percutaneous drainage with hospital stay following re‐admissions ranged between 3 and 12 days. 10 (5.0%) participants had intra/peri‐operative complications. 23 (11.5%) men reported to primary care physicians for various indications. Higher quality surgical technique videotaped scores (assessed by independent peer review) had a significant correlation with early continence recovery at 3 months post‐procedure, (P = 0.013), but lost statistical significance with overall continence at 1 year. No statistical correlation was observed between videotaped scores and oncological outcomes (positive surgical margins/biochemical recurrence), post‐operative complications, and readmission into hospital.

Conclusions

Quality of surgical procedure assessed by independent third party videotaping score predicted early resumption of continence following extraperitoenal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, however, it did not predict complications, oncological or functional outcome as assessed using patient reported outcomes at 12 months. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:1016–1023. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Separation of phenolic acids from sugarcane rind by online solid‐phase extraction with high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Geng Ping , Fang Yingtong , Xie Ronglong , Hu Weilun , Xi Xingjun , Chu Qiao , Dong Genlai , Shaheen Nusrat , Wei Yun
Published: December 2016

Sugarcane rind contains some functional phenolic acids. The separation of these compounds from sugarcane rind is able to realize the integrated utilization of the crop and reduce environment pollution. In this paper, a novel protocol based on interfacing online solid‐phase extraction with high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) was established, aiming at improving and simplifying the process of phenolic acids separation from sugarcane rind. The conditions of online solid‐phase extraction with HSCCC involving solvent system, flow rate of mobile phase as well as saturated extent of absorption of solid‐phase extraction were optimized to improve extraction efficiency and reduce separation time. The separation of phenolic acids was performed with a two‐phase solvent system composed of butanol/acetic acid/water at a volume ratio of 4:1:5, and the developed online solid‐phase extraction with HSCCC method was validated and successfully applied for sugarcane rind, and three phenolic acids including 6.73 mg of gallic acid, 10.85 mg of p‐coumaric acid, and 2.78 mg of ferulic acid with purities of 60.2, 95.4, and 84%, respectively, were obtained from 150 mg sugarcane rind crude extracts. In addition, the three different elution methods of phenolic acids purification including HSCCC, elution–extrusion counter‐current chromatography and back‐extrusion counter‐current chromatography were compared.
One‐Pot Fabrication of Poly(ε‐Caprolactone)‐Incorporated Bovine Serum Albumin/Calcium Alginate/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Scaffolds by High Internal Phase Emulsion Templates
Authors: Hu Yang , Han Wenfang , Chen Yanling , Zou Ruixuan , Ouyang Yi , Zhou Wuyi , Yang Zhuohong , Wang Chaoyang
Published: December 2016

In this work, the authors report an effective one‐pot method to prepare poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐incorporated bovine serum albumin (BSA)/calcium alginate/hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocomposite (NC) scaffolds by templating oil‐in‐water high internal phase emulsion (HIPE), which includes alginate, BSA, and HAp in water phase and PCL in oil phase. The water phase of HIPEs is solidified to form hydrogels containing emulsion droplets via gelation of alginate induced by Ca2+ ions released from HAp. And the prepared hydrogels are freeze‐dried to obtain PCL‐incorporated porous scaffolds. The obtained scaffolds possess interconnected pore structures. Increasing PCL concentration clearly enhances the compressive property and BSA stability, decreases the swelling ratio of scaffolds, which assists in improving the scaffold stability. The anti‐inflammatory drug ibuprofen can be highly efficiently loaded into scaffolds and released in a sustained rate. Furthermore, mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells can successfully proliferate on the scaffolds, proving the biocompatibility of scaffolds. All results show that the PCL‐incorporated NC scaffolds possess promising potentials in tissue engineering application.

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Convolution theorem for fractional cosine‐sine transform and its application
Authors: Feng Qiang , Li Bing‐Zhao
Published: December 2016

Fractional cosine transform (FRCT) and fractional sine transform (FRST), which are closely related to the fractional Fourier transform (FRFT), are useful mathematical and optical tool for signal processing. Many properties for these transforms are well investigated, but the convolution theorems are still to be determined. In this paper, we derive convolution theorems for the fractional cosine transform (FRCT) and fractional sine transform (FRST) based on the four novel convolution operations. And then, a potential application for these two transforms on designing multiplicative filter is presented. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A dynamic pricing algorithm for a network of virtual resources
Authors: Naudts Bram , Flores Mario , Mijumbi Rashid , Verbrugge Sofie , Serrat Joan , Colle Didier
Published: December 2016

A service function chain (SFC) is an ordered combination of abstract network functions (eg, network address translation and a firewall) that together define a network service (eg, video on demand). In an SDN/NFV‐based architecture, SFCs are composed of virtual network functions that need to be mapped to physical network components. Because the mapping of an SFC may be possible by multiple competing infrastructure providers (InPs), price will be a key differentiating factor. The pricing algorithm is therefore essential towards revenue management, yet current static pricing approaches suffer from several limitations. Among others, they do not consider the characteristics of the requests or the current state of the physical network. Using historical data, market data, and the current state of the physical network we investigate whether it is possible to increase total revenue of an InP compared to traditional static pricing approaches. This paper proposes a dynamic pricing algorithm to determine (1) at which utilization level it is rewarding to charge a higher price for a particular resource and (2) the alternative price that should be charged.

Our simulation results for 8 different setups show that the proposed heuristic outperforms a static pricing approach significantly (by 8‐85% points for the considered scenarios). As a consequence, the proposed approach can be considered as an alternative for static pricing approaches. Still, it is unclear how the total revenue of an InP is affected when multiple or all competitors use a dynamic pricing algorithm; this will therefore remain the focus of future work.
A reduced‐order representation of the Poincaré–Steklov operator: an application to coupled multi‐physics problems
Authors: Aletti Matteo , Lombardi Damiano
Published: December 2016

This work investigates a model reduction method applied to coupled multi‐physics systems. The case in which a system of interest interacts with an external system is considered. An approximation of the Poincaré–Steklov operator is computed by simulating, in an offline phase, the external problem when the inputs are the Laplace–Beltrami eigenfunctions defined at the interface. In the online phase, only the reduced representation of the operator is needed to account for the influence of the external problem on the main system. An online basis enrichment is proposed in order to guarantee a precise reduced‐order computation. Several test cases are proposed on different fluid–structure couplings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telephone‐delivered individual cognitive behavioural therapy for cancer patients: An equivalence randomised trial
Authors: Watson M. , White C. , Lynch A. , Mohammed K.
Published: December 2016

Objective

To evaluate Telephone‐Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (T‐CBT) compared to CBT face to face treatment as usual (TAU‐CBT), in cancer patients with high psychological needs, in terms of mental health and coping.

Method

A prospective randomised equivalence trial with Patient Reported Outcome (PRO's), measured pre‐ and post‐therapy including; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale: Helpless/Hopeless subscale only (MAC H/H), Checklist of Cancer Concerns (CLCC) and the Cancer Coping Questionnaire (CCQ). A study‐specific Service Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) was include.

Results

Assessment of change scores, in n = 118 randomised patients referred for psychological care, indicate significant improvements (P < 0.01 or greater) for both therapy groups pre‐ and post‐therapy in HADS anxiety, depression and total scores and cancer concerns (CLCC). Overall, for the groups combined, there is a significant shift towards reduction of CCQ stress (P = 0.028) and worry (P = 0.003) post‐therapy when compared to baseline levels. Median number of therapy sessions was four. For cancer coping (CCQ) and for Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) there were significant change scores only for Positive Focus and Helpless/hopeless scores respectively, in the TAU‐CBT group. Although equivalence was not observed, the data demonstrate that T‐CBT was non‐inferior to TAU‐CBT.

Conclusions

Delivery of CBT to patients with clinician identified high need can be offered according to patient choice without loss of mental health benefit. Both TAU‐CBT and T‐CBT are effective at reducing mental health problems on the specific outcome measures.
Searching for a Narrative of Loss: Interactional Ordering of Ambiguous Grief
Authors: Sawicka Maja
Published: December 2016

In this article I analyze the collective management of ambiguous emotions in the case of grief arising from perinatal loss/stillbirth. Based on a content analysis of selected Polish discussion lists for bereaved parents and interviews with moderators of these lists, I conceptualize the experience of grief arising from miscarriage/stillbirth as both culturally “disembedded”—not regulated by a coherent set of feeling and display rules, and interactionally “disenfranchised”—framed by the immediate social surrounding of the bereaved as illegitimate. This study then focuses on subsequent social processes surrounding the collective management of such emotions through interactions within online bereavement communities, leading to the creation of local definitions of the situation of loss and formation of subcultural feeling and display rules of grief. I posit that in a wider perspective these community processes can be seen as grassroots mechanisms that agents use to transform the existing emotional culture of grief.
The development of spatial and memory circuits in the rat
Authors: Tan Hui Min , Wills Thomas Joseph , Cacucci Francesca
Published: December 2016

We provide a concise review of recent studies related to the development of neural circuits supporting spatial navigation and memory in the rat. We chart the relative timeline of the emergence of the four main classes of spatially tuned neurons within the hippocampus and related limbic areas: head direction cells emerge earliest (postnatal day 12, P12), before the eyes of the rats are even open, followed by place cells and boundary responsive cells; grid cells emerge last, around the age of weaning (P21). The rate of maturation is unique to each type of neuron, with the head direction and grid cells showing rapid developmental spurts, in contrast to place cells, which show a more gradual trend of maturation. Interestingly, the emergence of allocentric spatial abilities occurs only after the full complement of spatial neurons becomes functional at P20–21, whereas associative processing in the place cell network is evident from as early as P16. We also present evidence supporting the view that the sensory inputs, which are particularly salient to adult spatial networks, may not be essential for the immature spatial system. Crucially, visual information, although more salient than other sensory modalities for anchoring the adult head direction system, does not appear to be essential for setting up the immature head direction network. We conclude by highlighting an urgent need for new theoretical models that can account for the sequential emergence of spatial cells, as well as the lack of primacy of vision in the early organization of the head direction network. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1424. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1424

This article is categorized under:

Neuroscience > Behavior

Neuroscience > Development

Neuroscience > Physiology
Medical student resilience strategies: A content analysis of medical students’ portfolios
Authors: Prayson Richard A. , Bierer S. Beth , Dannefer Elaine F.
Published: December 2016

Introduction Stress and burnout among medical students is a well-recognized concern. A student’s ability to employ resilience strategies to self-regulate behaviour is critical to the student’s future career as a physician.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed a sampling of year 1, 2 and 5 portfolio essays focused on the Personal Development competency and performance milestones, written by 49 students from three different classes in a 5-year programme devoted to training physician investigators. Two medical educators used a framework established by Jensen and colleagues (2008) to identify the nature and prevalence of various resilience strategies (valuing the physician role, self-awareness, personal arena, professional arena, professional support and personal support) medical students reported in portfolio essays.

Results All students documented at least one strategy in their essays each year. In all years, the most commonly documented strategies were in the personal arena (95.7% of year 1, 98% of year 2 and 87.8% of year 5 portfolios). The least frequently documented strategy in all years was professional support (42.8% of year 1, 38.8% of year 2, and 28.6% of year 5 portfolios). Year 5 portfolios discussed personal support strategies (79.6%) more frequently than year 1 (53.1%) and year 2 (59.2%) portfolios.

Discussion The results suggest that medical students can identify stressors and articulate resilience strategies that can be employed to potentially address them.
WWOOF Ecopedagogy: Linking ‘Doing’ to ‘Learning’
Authors: Nakagawa Yoshifumi
Published: December 2016

WWOOF (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) is an increasingly popular form of ecotourism in Australia. An ethnographic study of 10 young adult international tourists was conducted at five rural Victorian WWOOF sites. The objective was to examine the participants’ nature experience. As part of the ethnographic study, this article selectively reports on the ecopedagogy at the WWOOF sites, focusing on the potential linking of spatio-sensory ‘doing’ in the environment and conceptual ‘learning’ about (including from, for, and with) the environment. The WWOOF environment is designed physically, materially, and naturally. These dimensions can be interpreted in overlapping spatial levels. Each spatial level partially correlates with the dominant bodily senses. By analysing the participants’ reflexive accounts of their WWOOF nature experience, this article suggests that their spatio-sensory ‘doing’ contributed to their environmental ‘learning’, which is categorised into three heuristic types. These are called symbolic, transpositional, and transformative. This study empirically and conceptually adds to the literature on experiential environmental learning with a possible ecopedagogical model of incorporating spatialised bodily senses in curriculum design.
An orientational order transition in a sheared suspension of anisotropic particles
Authors: Marath Navaneeth K. , Dwivedi Ruchir , Subramanian Ganesh
Published: December 2016

Under Stokesian conditions, a neutrally buoyant non-Brownian spheroid in simple shear flow rotates indefinitely in any of a one-parameter family of closed (Jeffery) orbits characterized by an orbit constant $C$. The limiting values, $C=0$ and $C=\infty$, correspond to spinning and tumbling modes respectively. Hydrodynamics alone does not determine the distribution of spheroid orientations across Jeffery orbits in the absence of interactions, and the rheology of a dilute suspension of spheroids remains indeterminate. A combination of inertia and stochastic orientation fluctuations eliminates the indeterminacy. The steady-state Jeffery-orbit distribution arising from a balance of inertia and thermal fluctuations is shown to be of the Boltzmann equilibrium form, with a potential that depends on $C$, the particle aspect ratio ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D705}$), and a dimensionless shear rate ($Re\,Pe_{r}$, $Re$ and $Pe_{r}$ being the Reynolds and rotary Péclet numbers), and therefore lends itself to a novel thermodynamic interpretation in $C{-}\unicode[STIX]{x1D705}{-}Re\,Pe_{r}$ space. In particular, the transition of the potential from a single to a double-well structure, below a critical $\unicode[STIX]{x1D705}$, has similarities to a thermodynamic phase transition, and the small-$C$ and large-$C$ minima are therefore identified with spinning and tumbling phases. The hysteretic dynamics within the two-phase tumbling–spinning envelope renders the rheology sensitively dependent on the precise shear rate history, the signature in simple shear flow being a multivalued viscosity at a given shear rate. The tumbling–spinning transition identified here is analogous to the coil–stretch transition in the polymer physics literature. It should persist under more general circumstances, and has implications for the suspension stress response in inhomogeneous shearing flows.
Nonlinear Analysis of Twisted Wind Turbine Blade
Authors: Yangui M. , Bouaziz S. , Taktak M. , Haddar M. , El-Sabbagh A.
Published: December 2016

Modal analysis is developed in this paper in order to study the dynamic characteristics of rotating segmented blades assembled with spar. Accordingly, a three dimensional finite element model was built using the three node triangular shell element DKT18, which has six degrees of freedom, to model the blade and the spar structures. This study covers the effect of rotation speed and geometrically nonlinear problems on the vibration characteristics of rotating blade with various pretwist angles. Likewise, the effect of the spar in the blade is taken into consideration. The equation of motion for the finite element model is derived by using Hamilton's principle, while the resulting nonlinear equilibrium equation is solved by applying the Newmark method combined with the Newton Raphson schema. Results show that the natural frequencies increase by taking account of the spar, they are also proportional to the angular rotation speed and influenced by geometric nonlinearity and pretwist angle.
Association of Weight Perception, Race and Readiness to Quit Smoking amongst a Cohort of Workers
Authors: Lin Jenny J. , Revenson Tracey A. , Neugut Alfred I. , Rundle Andrew , Mohan Sumit , Wisnivesky Juan P.
Published: December 2016

Introduction: Weight concerns may inhibit smoking quit attempts and may be more influential amongst African-Americans who are more likely to be overweight.

Aims: To assess if weight perception is associated with readiness to quit and whether this relationship is modified by race.

Methods: We used data from a cohort of current smokers undergoing routine health examinations. Based on differences between ideal and measured BMI, participants’ weight perceptions were classified as within, somewhat above, or far above ideal weight. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate adjusted associations of weight perception and race with readiness to quit.

Results: Of 2,831 current smokers, 23% were obese and 38% overweight. Amongst white smokers, those who perceived being far above ideal weight were more likely to be ready to quit (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03–2.03), but this association was not observed for African-American smokers who perceived themselves to be somewhat or far above their ideal weight (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.10–1.24 and OR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.11–1.19, respectively).

Conclusions: Perception of being overweight is associated with increased readiness to quit amongst white but not African-American smokers. Smoking cessation programmes may need to culturally tailor interventions based on smokers’ weight perceptions.
An Evaluative Norm for Belief
Authors: TURP MICHAEL-JOHN
Published: December 2016

It is often argued that belief is partly constituted by a norm of truth. Most recent discussions have assumed that the norm is deontic concerning what may or ought to be believed. I criticize two proposals, one canvassed by Krister Bykvist and Anandi Hattiangadi, and the other defended by Daniel Whiting. Instead, I argue in favour of an evaluative norm, according to which we would do well to believe the truth. I show that an evaluative norm fares better than its deontic competitors with respect to the demandingness of truth, the aim of truth, and epistemic blame.
LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon, columbite-tantalite and40Ar–39Ar muscovite age constraints for the rare-element pegmatite dykes in the Altai orogenic belt, NW China
Authors: ZHOU QIFENG , QIN KEZHANG , TANG DONGMEI , WANG CHUNLONG , SAKYI PATRICK ASAMOAH
Published: December 2016

The Chinese Altai is renowned for its rich rare-element resources. Nine representative rare-element (REL) pegmatites were dated using LA-ICP-MS and40Ar–39Ar methods. The columbite grains yield a weighted mean206Pb/238U age of 239.6±3.8 Ma for the Dakalasu (Be-Nb-Ta) pegmatite and concordia U–Pb ages of 258.1±3.1 Ma and 262.3±2.5 Ma for the Xiaokalasu (Li-Nb-Ta) pegmatite. The zircons display a weighted mean206Pb/238U age of 198.5±2.5 Ma for the Husite (Be) pegmatite and concordia U–Pb ages of 194.3±1.6 Ma and 248.2±2.2 Ma for the Qunkuer (Be) and Taerlang (barren) pegmatites. The muscovite40Ar–39Ar dating gives plateau ages of 286.4±1.6 Ma, 297.0±2.6 Ma, 265.2±1.5 Ma, 178.8±1.0 Ma, 162.2±0.9 Ma, 237.7±1.3 Ma, 237.4±1.2 Ma and 231.9±1.2 Ma for the Talate (Li-Be-Nb-Ta), Baicheng (Nb-Ta), Kangmunagong (barren), Husite (Be), Qunkuer (Be-Nb-Ta), Xiaokalasu (Li-Nb-Ta), Weizigou (Be) and Taerlang (barren) pegmatites, respectively. These new ages coupled with previous geochronological work suggest that the REL pegmatites in the Chinese Altai formed during early Permain – Late Jurassic time. The REL pegmatites located in the Central Altaishan terrane are younger than those in the Qiongkuer–Abagong terrane, showing a correlation with the coeval and adjacent granites. The formation of the REL pegmatites and these granites indicates frequent and strong magmatic activity in the post-orogenic and anorogenic setting. The spatial and temporal distribution of pegmatites and granites reveals a magmatism path from the SE (of age early–middle Permian), to the NW (middle Permian – Middle Triassic) and finally to the central part (Middle Triassic – Jurassic) of the Chinese Altai.
Fraternity Hazing and the Process of Planned Failure
Authors: CIMINO ALDO
Published: December 2016

American fraternities have long engaged in hazing, subjecting their prospective members to curious and painful ordeals. Many fraternities also appear to incorporate planned failure within their inductions: near-impossible tasks where failure is punished with hazing. This paper provides evidence for the widespread use of planned failure in fraternities, describing its application in a modern hazing fraternity and presenting evidence of planned failure in other fraternities using interviews and decades of scholarly and non-scholarly accounts of hazing. Discussion is focussed on possible explanations for the existence and persistence of this ostensibly core feature of fraternity inductions.
Otological symptoms and audiometric findings in patients with temporomandibular disorders: Costen's syndrome revisited
Authors: Effat K G
Published: December 2016

Objective:

Otological symptoms (otalgia, subjective hearing loss, blocked ear sensation, tinnitus and vertigo) associated with temporomandibular disorders are documented features of Costen's syndrome. However, the origin of these symptoms and the causes of hearing loss are unknown. This study aimed to characterise hearing loss in a large number of patients with temporomandibular disorders. The causes of these symptoms were explored in patients with otological symptoms and normal audiometric findings.

Methods:

A prospective case study and literature review were performed. The audiometric features of 104 temporomandibular disorder patients were compared with those of 110 control participants.

Results:

A large proportion of temporomandibular disorder patients had several otological symptoms. Twenty-five per cent of unilateral or bilateral temporomandibular disorder patients had either unilateral (ipsilateral) or bilateral hearing loss; respectively, which was usually mild (p= 0.001). Hearing loss was predominantly sensorineural.

Conclusion:

The main cause of otological symptoms (apart from otalgia) and of audiometric findings in temporomandibular disorder patients is postulated to be an altered middle-ear to inner-ear pressure equilibrium.
Distribution pattern, density and growth of the stout razor clam Tagelus plebeius in a South-west Atlantic estuarine system
Authors: Lomovasky Betina J. , Brey Thomas , Klügel Andreas , Iribarne Oscar
Published: December 2016

The population biology of the stout razor clam Tagelus plebeius is poorly understood, despite the species' current wide distribution, and the potential use of its Holocene shell deposits to infer past environmental and ecological conditions. This study investigates distribution and growth pattern of T. plebeius in the south-western Atlantic Mar Chiquita Coastal lagoon (37°32′S 57°19′W), Argentina. The population includes the oldest individuals (up to 27 years) reported so far with shell length up to 77.9 mm. A von Bertalanffy model with L∞ = 67.60 mm (95% CI = 64.55; 70.64), k = 0.181 year−1 (CI = 0.142; 0.218), and t0 = −0.77 (CI = −1.46; −0.08) best described their individual growth for the whole population. The higher density, growth rate k, t0 and maximum age and lower L∞ were in the low intertidal rather than in the medium intertidal, but there were no differences in density and age between medium and high intertidal. Given the results and the current knowledge on the effects of different factors influencing this species, we conclude that the distribution pattern and shell growth observed in our study reflect a response to metabolic necessities in combination with a strong influence of biological interactions.
The high resolution melting analysis (HRM) as a molecular tool for monitoring parasites of the wildlife
Authors: HÉRITIER LAURENT , VERNEAU OLIVIER , BREUIL GREGORY , MEISTERTZHEIM ANNE-LEILA
Published: December 2016

In an interconnected world, the international pet trade on wild animals is becoming increasingly important. As a consequence, non-native parasite species are introduced, which affect the health of wildlife and contribute to the loss of biodiversity. Because the investigation of parasite diversity within vulnerable host species implies the molecular identification of large samples of parasite eggs, the sequencing of DNA barcodes is time-consuming and costly. Thereby, the objectives of our study were to apply the high resolution melting (HRM) approach for species determination from pools of parasite eggs. Molecular assays were validated on flatworm parasites (polystomes) infecting the Mediterranean pond turtleMauremys leprosaand the invasive red-eared sliderTrachemys scripta elegansin French natural environments. HRM analysis results indicated that double or multiple parasitic infections could be detected from wild animal populations. They also showed that the cycle of parasite eggs production was not regular over time and may depend on several factors, among which the ecological niche and the target species. Thereby, monitoring parasites from wild endangered animals implies periodic parasitological surveys to avoid false negative diagnostics, based solely on eggs production.
The effects of seasonality on host–bat fly ecological networks in a temperate mountain cave
Authors: RIVERA-GARCÍA KARINA D. , SANDOVAL-RUIZ CÉSAR A. , SALDAÑA-VÁZQUEZ ROMEO A. , SCHONDUBE JORGE E.
Published: December 2016

Changes in the specialization of parasite–host interactions will be influenced by variations in host species composition. We evaluated this hypothesis by comparing the composition of bats and bat flies within a roost cave over one annual. Five bat and five bat fly species occupied the cave over the course of the study. Bat species composition was 40% different in the rainy season compared with the dry–cold and dry–warm seasons. Despite the incorporation of three new bat species into the cave during the rainy season, bat fly species composition was not affected by seasonality, since the bats that arrived in the rainy season only contributed one new bat fly species at a low prevalence. Bat–bat fly ecological networks were less specialized in the rainy season compared with the dry–cold and dry–warm seasons because of the increase of host overlap among bat fly species during this season. This study suggests that seasonality promote: (1) differences in host species composition, and (2) a reduction in the specialization of host–parasite ecological networks.
Prevalence, hematological findings and genetic diversity ofBartonellaspp. in domestic cats from Valdivia, Southern Chile
Authors: MÜLLER ANANDA , WALKER ROMINA , BITTENCOURT PEDRO , MACHADO ROSANGELA ZACARIAS , BENEVENUTE JYAN LUCAS , DO AMARAL RENAN BRESSIANI , GONÇALVES LUIZ RICARDO , ANDRÉ MARCOS ROGÉRIO
Published: December 2016

The present study determined the prevalence, hematological findings and genetic diversity ofBartonellaspp. in domestic cats from Valdivia, Southern Chile. A complete blood count andnuoGgene real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) forBartonellaspp. were performed in 370 blood samples from cats in Valdivia, Southern Chile.nuoGqPCR-positive samples were submitted to conventional PCR for thegltAgene and sequencing for species differentiation and phylogenetic analysis. Alignment ofgltAgene was used to calculate the nucleotide diversity, polymorphic level, number of variable sites and average number of nucleotide differences.BartonellaDNA prevalence in cats was 18·1% (67/370). Twenty-nine samples were sequenced with 62·0% (18/29) identified asBartonella henselae, 34·4% (10/29) asBartonella clarridgeiae, and 3·4% (1/29) asBartonella koehlerae. Bartonella-positive cats had low DNA bacterial loads and their hematological parameters varied minimally. EachBartonellaspecies from Chile clustered together and with otherBartonellaspp. described in cats worldwide.Bartonella henselaeandB. clarridgeiaeshowed a low number of variable sites, haplotypes and nucleotide diversity.Bartonella clarridgeiaeandB. koehleraeare reported for the first time in cats from Chile and South America, respectively.
TASK COMPLEXITY, LANGUAGE-RELATED EPISODES, AND PRODUCTION OF L2 SPANISH VOWELS
Authors: Solon Megan , Long Avizia Y. , Gurzynski-Weiss Laura
Published: December 2016

This study tests the theoretical predictions regarding effects of increasing task complexity (Robinson, 2001a, 2001b, 2007, 2010; Robinson & Gilabert, 2007) for second language (L2) pronunciation. Specifically, we examine whether more complex tasks (a) lead to greater incidence of pronunciation-focused language-related episodes (LREs) and (b) positively impact accuracy of phonetic form during task completion. Seventeen dyads of intermediate L2 Spanish learners completed simple (+few elements) and complex (-few elements) information-gap map tasks in which the pronunciation of Spanish vowels was made task essential through the inclusion of minimal pair street names (e.g.,Calle Copa“Copa Street” andCalle Capa“Capa Street”). Results revealed no statistical difference in learner-produced pronunciation-related LREs in the simple and complex tasks. Vowel production, however, moved in a targetlike direction for one of five segments (/e/) during the complex task. Results therefore point to some benefits of task complexity manipulations for L2 pronunciation.
The work of the British School at Athens, 2015–2016
Authors: Bennet John
Published: December 2016

The School's research programme in 2015 was once again extensive, including archaeological fieldwork in six sites or regions and study at a further seven, as well as the work of the Fitch Laboratory and the Knossos Research Centre (see Map 1). Other activities of the School span many other disciplines: history, anthropology, philosophy and the fine arts, including music, for example, represented by a successful conference held in May in Athens in collaboration with the Athens Conservatoire and Kings College London on music and identity (Fig. 1a). Research, of course, demands publication and, as noted last year, the School has now overhauled its publication arrangements. In addition to the Annual of the BSA and Archaeological Reports, we continue to collaborate with the French School on AGOnline (http://chronique.efa.gr/index.php/); our Supplements series also continues, as a vehicle for the publication of BSA fieldwork projects. The inaugural volume in the new Ashgate (now Routledge) series, British School at Athens Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies, appeared in December 2015 (Couroucli and Marinov 2015) (Fig. 1b). Two further volumes in this series will appear in 2016 and the first publication in the new Cambridge University Press series, British School at Athens Studies in Greek Antiquity, will appear in late 2016 (Kiriatzi and Knappett forthcoming).
Geophysical survey in Greece: recent developments, discoveries and future prospects
Authors: Donati Jamieson C. , Sarris Apostolos
Published: December 2016

Geophysics has emerged as a significant and primary tool of archaeological research in Greece. It is no longer marginalized to a supporting role for excavations and pedestrian surveying, but has developed into a fundamental method of investigating layers of cultural heritage in its own right. This can be explained varyingly, from the increasingly holistic nature of archaeological fieldwork, to a broader appreciation of the diverse applications of geophysics to characterize historical contexts, the unique range of site assessment offered by geophysics and the capacity of geophysics to explore the subsurface in challenging conditions. Technology too plays a vital role. New generations of equipment have the ability to map archaeological features in high resolution, in rapid sequence and oftentimes in 3D. Geophysics along with other non-invasive methods, like satellite and airborne remote sensing, has also gained wider traction because of concerns about the costs, impacts and time horizons of traditional fieldwork practices. This brief report highlights some of the recent developments and applications of geophysical survey in Greece. It is not meant to be an inclusive account or an evaluation of each geophysical technique; instead, it emphasizes current trends in this important and expanding field of research and touches upon its future prospects in the country.
Assessment of seed quality using non-destructive measurement techniques: a review
Authors: Rahman Anisur , Cho Byoung-Kwan
Published: December 2016

Seed quality is of great importance in optimizing the cost of crop establishment. Rapid and non-destructive seed quality detection methods must therefore be developed for agriculture and the seed production industry. This review focuses primarily on non-destructive techniques, namely machine vision, spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, soft X-ray imaging, thermal imaging and electronic nose techniques, for assessing the quality of agricultural seeds. The fundamentals of these techniques are introduced. Seed quality, including chemical composition, variety identification and classification, insect damage and disease assessment as well as seed viability and germinability of various seeds are discussed. We conclude that non-destructive techniques are accurate detection methods with great potential for seed quality assessment.
Changes in body fatness affect cardiovascular outcomes more than changes in physical activity
Authors: Cayres Suziane U. , Kemper Han C. G. , Vanderlei Luiz C. M. , Casonatto Juliano , Machado-Rodrigues Aristides M. , Barbosa Maurício F. , Fernandes Rômulo A.
Published: December 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyse whether changes in physical activity and body fatness are related to modifications in cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents.

Material and methods

A sample of 89 healthy adolescents was recruited for this study. We assessed habitual physical activity, body fat percentage, arterial thickness, blood sample, and biological maturation. Multivariate models were used to analyse the relationships between independent and dependent variables.

Results

Physical activity (mean difference: 429.4 steps [95% confidence interval=−427 to 1286]) and body fatness (mean difference: −0.7% [95% confidence interval=−1.6–0.2]) remained stable during the study period. Independent of changes in physical activity, for each percentage increase in body fatness, femoral intima-media thickness increased by 0.007 mm (β=0.007 [95% confidence interval=0.001–0.013]). Longitudinal relationships were found for high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (β=−0.477 mg/dl [95% confidence interval=−0.805 to −0.149]) and triacylglycerol (β=2.329 mg/dl [95% confidence interval=0.275–4.384]).

Conclusion

Changes in body fatness are more important than the amount of physical activity on cardiovascular and metabolic risks.
Transcatheter closure or surgical repair of right pulmonary artery–left atrial fistula
Authors: Yang Yan-Kun , Zheng Hong , Zhou Xian-Liang
Published: December 2016

Right pulmonary artery–left atrial fistula is a rare congenitalcardiac anomaly, and only a few articles published so far have reported the diagnosis and treatment of right pulmonary artery–left atrial fistula. In this study, we report three cases of successful transcatheter closure or surgical repair of right pulmonary artery–left atrial fistula.
Late-term development of an atrial defect and thrombus formation after device fracture following successful transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect with a STARFlex device
Authors: Rose Molly J. , Cevallos Priscila C. , Gellis Laura , Bergersen Lisa
Published: December 2016

Development of a new defect following transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect has yet to be reported. In this study, we present an acutely successful atrial septal defect closure with a STARFlex device, resulting in surgical explantation after discovery of device fracture, thrombus formation, and a second atrial defect 5 years after catheterisation. This case highlights the need for ongoing device surveillance, even in late follow-up.
Recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying postural tachycardia syndrome in children: practical implications for treatment
Authors: Zheng Xiaochun , Chen Yonghong , Du Junbao
Published: December 2016

Postural tachycardia syndrome is defined by a heart rate increment of 40 beats/minute (bpm) (or a heart rate that exceeds 125 bpm) within 10 minutes of change from the supine position to an upright position in the absence of obvious orthostatic hypotension. There are multiple pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie postural tachycardia syndrome, including peripheral denervation, β-receptor supersensitivity, hypovolaemia, and impaired muscle pump. Some children afflicted with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and hypovolaemic dysregulation have been found to have perturbed renin–angiotensin–aldosterone profile, disturbed vascular endothelial function, and abnormal vasodilation. The hyperadrenergic state in some postural tachycardia syndrome patients is likely a driver for orthostatic tachycardia. Other mechanisms include the presence of treatable autonomic neuropathies. An understanding of these pathophysiological mechanisms might be helpful for the effective treatment of postural tachycardia syndrome.
Training novice clinical psychologist trainees to implement effective CBT for anxiety disorders: training model and clinic outcomes
Authors: O'Keeffe Fiadhnait , Watson Sue , Linke Stuart
Published: December 2016

The need for development of effective models of training and superivision for trainee clinical psychologists to build CBT competencies and to implement high-quality CBT is frequently highlighted. Effectiveness of trainee therapist outcomes working within different models of training, supervision and services is also important to establish. This paper reports on the development and outcome effectiveness of a model of training and supervision aimed at increasing CBT clinical skills and competence of trainee clinical psychologists offering CBT for anxiety disorders in an anxiety disorders clinic (ADC) in inner-city London. Details of the training and supervision model are provided, which was conducted over a period of 3 months, with ongoing weekly supervision throughout the intervention period. Pre- and post-intervention data were analysed from service users who attended the ADC over a 2-year period. Over the 2-year period, 10 trainees treated 57 clients. Data from completer and intention-to-treat samples indicated that scores on four outcome measures improved significantly: at post-therapy, 75% of service users who completed the intervention showed reliable and clinically significant recovery or improvement. When supported by appropriate training and supervision, as outlined in this training model, initially inexperienced trainee psychologists can achieve outcomes comparable to those obtained in other secondary-care settings with qualified therapists.