bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of highlighting on processing and memory of central and peripheral text information: evidence from eye movements
Authors: Yeari Menahem , Oudega Marja , van den Broek Paul
Published: March 2016

The present study investigated the effect of text highlighting on online processing and memory of central and peripheral information. We compared processing time (using eye‐tracking methodology) and recall of central and peripheral information for three types of highlighting: (a) highlighting of central information, (b) highlighting of peripheral information and (c) no highlighting. Results indicate that highlighting central information decreased the amount of rereading of peripheral information, whereas highlighting peripheral information increased the amount of rereading of peripheral information. Processing and recall of central information did not differ across highlighting conditions but were higher than the processing and recall of peripheral information (i.e., centrality effects). These findings suggest that highlighting influences processing of text but that this influence occurs after initial processing, interacts with centrality and is strongest for text information that is relatively peripheral to the overall coherence and meaning of the text. Proficient readers apparently selectively process and store central information regardless of what is highlighted in the text.

Highlights

The following issues are already known about the paper's topic:

Text highlighting is a common useful device that students use for coping with reading large amounts of texts.

In most cases, reading time is longer, and memory is better when information is highlighted than when it is not.

In most cases, reading time is longer and memory is better when information is central than when it is not central.

This paper adds the following:

Text highlighting and text centrality affect rereading time but not initial reading time of textual information.

The reading and memory of central information are not affected by highlighting.

Rereading is more frequent when peripheral information is highlighted than when it is not.

Implications for practice and/or policy:

Students should be practised in highlighting central or important information for their study; highlighting peripheral information results in a wasting of time in rereading unimportant information; this is especially relevant for studying under time pressure, when highlighting is mostly needed and helpful.

Proficient adult readers succeed in attending important information even when less‐important information is highlighted; this notion is encouraging regarding texts that are highlighted in an inadequate manner.

Less proficient and/or young readers should receive special care with regard to the quality of highlighting in their texts.
Accounts from behind the Curtain: History and Geography in the Critical Analysis of Urban Theory
Authors: Ferenčuhová Slavomíra
Published: March 2016

This article seeks to contribute to the debate on the proposal to decentre urban theory and to develop postcolonial urban studies, and on the related issue of the geography of the production and circulation of knowledge. It focuses on how scholars writing about post‐socialist cities explain why their sub‐field has so far contributed little to urban theory, and it proposes an alternative—historically informed—perspective on the issue. Based on an analysis of the ties and exchanges that existed between urban studies in Central and Eastern Europe and ‘West‐based' urban theory and research during the state‐socialist period, this article argues that the recognized current position of research on post‐socialist cities in relation to international urban scholarship has important historical parallels with the period prior to 1989. The article thus underlines the need to include a historically informed analysis of geography of knowledge production in critical thinking about urban theory and in the project of cosmopolitan urban studies. The capacities of researchers in different localities to contribute to this project are various and shaped by the history of the discipline. The conditions and perspectives in and from which researchers contribute to urban theory should therefore be taken into account if the project of cosmopolitan urban studies is to succeed.
Disaster Warnings in Your Pocket: How Audiences Interpret Mobile Alerts for an Unfamiliar Hazard
Authors: Bean Hamilton , Liu Brooke F. , Madden Stephanie , Sutton Jeannette , Wood Michele M. , Mileti Dennis S.
Published: March 2016

This study investigates how people interpret Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) and Twitter‐length messages (‘tweets’) delivered over mobile devices for an unfamiliar hazard. Specifically, through four (N = 31) focus groups and 31 think‐out‐loud interviews, participants’ understanding of, belief in and personalisation of WEAs and tweets were assessed for a mock improvised nuclear device detonation in a major U.S. metropolitan area. While participants offered a wide variety of interpretations, WEAs and tweets were often deemed confusing, difficult to believe and impersonal. Participants also consistently found WEAs and tweets to be fear inducing and uninformative. The findings compel improvements in the way that WEAs and tweets are currently written, as well as indicate future directions for applied risk and crisis communication theory development.
Medical scribes in emergency medicine produce financially significant productivity gains for some, but not all emergency physicians
Authors: Walker Katherine J , Ben‐Meir Michael , Phillips David , Staples Margaret
Published: March 2016

Objective

The present study aims to determine if a scribe in an Australian ED can assist emergency physicians to work with increased productivity and to investigate when and where to allocate a scribe and to whom.

Methods

This was a prospective observational single‐centre study conducted at a private ED in Melbourne. It evaluated one American scribe and five doctors over 6 months. A scribe is a trained assistant who performs non‐clinical tasks usually performed by the doctor. The primary outcomes were patients/hour/doctor and billings/patient. Additional analyses included individual doctor productivity, productivity by ED region, shift time, day of the week and physician learning curves. Door‐to‐doctor time, time spent on ambulance bypass and door‐to‐discharge time were examined, also complaints or issues with the scribe.

Results

There was an overall increase in doctor consultations of 0.11 (95%CI 0.07–0.15) primary consultations per hour (13%). There was variation seen between individual doctors (lowest increase 0.06 [6%] to highest increase 0.12 [15%]). Billings per patients, door‐to‐doctor, door‐to‐discharge and ambulance bypass times remained the same. There was no advantage to allocating a scribe to a specific time of day, day of week or region of the ED. There was no learning period found.

Conclusions

In the present study, scribe usage was associated with overall improvements in primary consultations per hour of 13% per scribed hour, and this varied depending on the physician. There is an economic argument for allocating scribes to some emergency physicians on days, evenings and weekends, not to trainees.
Burnout among university accounting educators in Australia and New Zealand: determinants and implications
Authors: Vesty Gillian , Sridharan VG , Northcott Deryl , Dellaportas Steven
Published: March 2016

Increased teaching workloads combined with pressures to publish in limited outlets has intensified the burnout potential among accounting educators in Australia and New Zealand. However, amongst the few studies on tertiary accounting education, the focus has so far been only on burnout arising from student contact intensity. We broaden this literature by examining how other worklife characteristics contribute to burnout. Based on 158 responses from Australian and New Zealand accounting academics, we find evidence for emotional exhaustion due to high workload. However, professional efficacy continues to remain high. Qualitative responses offer deeper insights on how various burnout factors are interrelated.
Discretion in bank loan loss allowance, risk taking and earnings management
Authors: Jin Justin , Kanagaretnam Kiridaran , Lobo Gerald J.
Published: March 2016

We study whether banks use the allowance for loan losses (ALL) for efficiency or for opportunistic reasons. We find that banks that had higher abnormal ALL during the period prior to the 2007–2009 crisis engaged in less risk taking during the pre‐crisis period and had a lower probability of failure during the crisis period. In testing earnings management to meet or beat earnings benchmarks, we find that abnormal ALL is unrelated to next period's loss avoidance and just meeting or beating the prior year's earnings. Our results suggest that banks use ALL for efficiency and not for opportunistic purposes.
Radiotelemetry reveals key data for the conservation of Sheppardia gabela (Rand, 1957) in the Angolan Escarpment forest
Authors: Cáceres Aimy , Melo Martim , Barlow Jos , Mills Michael S. L.
Published: March 2016

Biodiversity information in Angola is limited or nonexistent, hindering the design and implementation of conservation strategies. The Escarpment forest is one of the most important areas for bird diversity in the country. However, there is almost no information about the territorial needs and habitat preferences of its threatened endemic birds. This study evaluated these needs and preferences in Gabela akalat Sheppardia gabela, a range‐restricted endemic to the Central Escarpment. Eighteen individuals of Gabela akalat were captured and radio‐tracked with the objectives of establishing their territory size (through home‐range size estimates) and habitat preferences using compositional analysis. Home‐range sizes were slightly larger than other Sheppardia species and Gabela akalat evidently avoided clearings and preferred forest habitat, although it was also able to use farmland areas and secondary growth to a lesser extent. Conservation measures should focus on the preservation of remaining old‐growth forest through the establishment of a nature reserve in Kumbira. To assure the success of such an initiative, the local population should participate in planning, administration and enforcement. We outline some measures that could help address the economic needs of the local community while maintaining forest cover.
Tree communities of different aged logged areas in an Afrotropical rainforest
Authors: Owiny Arthur A. , Valtonen Anu , Nyeko Philip , Malinga Geoffrey M. , Roininen Heikki
Published: March 2016

Predicting the recovery processes in tree communities after logging is critical when developing conservation strategies. We assessed the patterns in tree communities in logged and primary forests in Kibale National Park, Uganda, representing 9‐ to 19‐year‐old clear‐cuts of former conifer plantations, 42‐ to 43‐year‐old logged forests and primary forests. Species density and diversity were lower and dominance higher in the 9‐ to 19‐year‐old forests compared to the 42‐ to 43‐year‐old forests or primary forests. The tree species density, diversity and dominance of 42‐ to 43‐year‐old forests did not differ significantly from primary forests. However, they had a lower stem density, and higher cover of Acanthus pubescens, a shrub known to arrest the succession in Kibale. The tree community compositions of 9‐ to 19‐year‐old, 42‐ to 43‐year‐old and primary forests differed from each other. A large group of tree species (21) were primary forest indicators, that is, they were either missing or relatively rare in logged forests. The results of this study show that even after four decades of natural recovery, logged Afrotropical forests can still be distinguished from primary forests in their tree community compositions, emphasizing the slow community recovery and the important role of primary forests when preserving the tree communities in tropical rainforests.
Ancient islands acted as refugia and pumps for conifer diversity
Authors: Condamine Fabien L. , Leslie Andrew B. , Antonelli Alexandre
Published: March 2016

Island species are thought to be extinction‐prone because of small population sizes, restricted geographical distribution and limited dispersal ability. However, the topographical and environmental heterogeneity, geographical isolation and stability of islands over long timescales could create refugia for taxa whose source area is threatened by environmental changes. We address this possibility by inferring the evolution of the New Caledonia (NC) and New Zealand (NZ) conifer diversity, which represents over 10% of the world's diversity for this group. We estimate speciation and extinction rates in relation to the presence/absence on these islands, and dispersal rates between the islands and surrounding areas. We also test the Eocene submersion of NC and the Oligocene drowning of NZ by comparing the fit of biogeographical scenarios using ancestral area estimations. We find that extinction rates were significantly lower for island species, and dispersal “out of islands” was higher. A model including a diversification shift when NC emerged better explains the diversification dynamics. Biogeographical analyses corroborate that conifers experienced high continental extinctions, but survived on islands. NC and NZ have thus contributed to the world's conifer diversity as “island refugia”, by maintaining early‐diverging lineages from continents during environmental changes on continents. These ancient islands also acted as “species pumps”, providing species into adjacent areas. Our study highlights the important but neglected role of islands in promoting the evolution and conservation of biodiversity.
Evaluation of the insertion torque, implant stability quotient and drilled hole quality for different drill design: an in vitro Investigation
Authors: Gehrke Sergio Alexandre , Guirado José Luis Calvo , Bettach Raphaël , Fabbro Massimo Del , Martínez Carlos Pérez‐Albacete , Shibli Jamil Awad
Published: March 2016

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to compare the insertion torque and implant stability quotient between different drill design for implant site preparation.

Materials and Methods

Synthetic blocks of bone (type I density) were used for drilling procedures. Three groups were evaluated: Group G1 ‐ drilling with a single bur for a 4.2 mm conical implant; Group G2 and Group G3 ‐ drilling with three consecutive burs for a 4.1 mm cylindrical implant and for a 4.3 mm conical implant respectively. For each group, 15 drilling procedures were performed without irrigation for 10‐mm in‐depth. The drilled hole quality (HQ) after the osteotomy for implant site preparation was measured in the five‐first holes through a fully automated roundness/cylindricity instrument at three levels (top, middle, and bottom of the site). The insertion torque value (ITV) was achieved with a computed torquimeter and the implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were measured using a resonance frequency apparatus.

Results

The single drill (group 1) achieved a significantly higher ITV and ISQ than the multiple drills for osteotomy (groups 2 and 3). Group 1 and 3 displayed significantly better HQ than group 2.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of the study, the results suggest that the hole quality, in addition to the insertion torque, may significantly affect implant primary stability.
Postirradiation pseudosclerodermatous panniculitis with involvement of breast parenchyma: a dramatic example of a rare entity and a pitfall in diagnosis
Authors: Shirsat Hemlata S. , Walsh Noreen M. , McDonald Lori J. , Rutledge Robert , Porter Geoff , Barnes Penny J.
Published: March 2016

Postirradiation pseudosclerodermatous panniculitis is a rare complication of external beam radiotherapy. This inflammatory process typically presents as an erythematous indurated plaque in a previously irradiated region of skin. To date, 13 cases have been reported worldwide. We present a case of a 70‐year‐old female who received breast irradiation following conservation surgery for invasive breast carcinoma. In her third year of follow‐up, she developed an enlarging mass, involving the subcutis and underlying breast tissue, associated with mammographically detected coarse calcifications and density, at the surgical site. This was deemed highly suspicious of recurrent malignancy. Following several benign needle core biopsies, she had an excision of the mass. This revealed a lobular panniculitis and irradiation‐induced vascular changes affecting subcutaneous fat and underlying breast tissue. This is the 14th reported case of this rare entity. It is unique in the degree of involvement, affecting breast parenchyma as well as subcutaneous fat, and in its corresponding dramatic clinical and radiographic manifestations.
Health Systems Research in a Complex and Rapidly Changing Context: Ethical Implications of Major Health Systems Change at Scale
Authors: MacGregor Hayley , Bloom Gerald
Published: March 2016

This paper discusses health policy and systems research in complex and rapidly changing contexts. It focuses on ethical issues at stake for researchers working with government policy makers to provide evidence to inform major health systems change at scale, particularly when the dynamic nature of the context and ongoing challenges to the health system can result in unpredictable outcomes. We focus on situations where ‘country ownership’ of HSR is relatively well established and where there is significant involvement of local researchers and close ties and relationships with policy makers are often present. We frame our discussion around two country case studies with which we are familiar, namely China and South Africa and discuss the implications for conducting ‘embedded’ research. We suggest that reflexivity is an important concept for health system researchers who need to think carefully about positionality and their normative stance and to use such reflection to ensure that they can negotiate to retain autonomy, whilst also contributing evidence for health system change. A research process informed by the notion of reflexive practice and iterative learning will require a longitudinal review at key points in the research timeline. Such review should include the convening of a deliberative process and should involve a range of stakeholders, including those most likely to be affected by the intended and unintended consequences of change.
Eutypella canker of maple: first report from Germany and situation in Austria
Authors: Cech T. L. , Schwanda K. , Klosterhuber M. , Straßer L. , Kirisits T.
Published: March 2016

Eutypella canker of maple, caused by Eutypella parasitica (which is native to North America), is reported for the first time from Germany. From 2013 to 2015, this perennial canker disease was recorded on 105 maple trees in Munich. Six maple species were affected: Acer pseudoplatanus, A. campestre, A. platanoides, A. cappadocicum, A. heldreichii ssp. trautvetteri and A. hyrcanum. Occurrence on the latter three species represents new host records for E. parasitica. In Austria, Eutypella canker was newly discovered on two trees at a second locality in 2011, and it is now known to occur on seven A. pseudoplatanus trees at two localities, which are separated nearly 150 km. A. pseudoplatanus was the most frequent host of E. parasitica in Munich and Austria, which is in agreement with previous studies in Europe. The identity of the causative pathogen as E. parasitica was verified by ITS rDNA sequencing of fungal cultures obtained from cankers in Munich and at both Austrian localities. The presence of large and old cankers in both countries suggests that introduction of E. parasitica dates back a long time, probably several decades. The new records of Eutypella canker in Germany and Austria show that the disease is more widely distributed in central Europe than previously recognized.
A new record of Rhizoctonia butinii associated with Picea glauca ‘Conica’ in Slovenia
Authors: Hauptman T. , Piškur B.
Published: March 2016

In 2013, the death of needles of dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) seedlings was observed in an arboretum in Slovenia. Needles on infected P. glauca ‘Conica’ twigs were covered with thick, yellowish brown hyphal cushions. The outgrowing mycelium was white and had completely overgrown some needles and connected them to each other. To definitively identify the fungus affecting P. glauca ‘Conica’, morphological examinations of isolated pure cultures were performed, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA was sequenced. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses together with the performed pathogenicity trial, we identified the causal agent of the observed symptoms as Rhizoctonia butinii – a recently described species. This report connects this fungus to a new locality and a new host plant.
Beta‐catenin is essential for ameloblast movement during enamel development
Authors: Guan Xiaomu , Xu Mingang , Millar Sarah E. , Bartlett John D.
Published: March 2016

Beta‐catenin is a multifunctional protein that plays key roles in cadherin‐based cell adherens junctions and in the Wnt signaling pathway. The canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway can regulate transcription factors that control cell movement/invasion. We investigated whether β‐catenin regulates ameloblast movement through canonical Wnt signaling. The morphological and physical properties of enamel were assessed in enamel from control and β‐catenin conditional knockout (cKO) mice. Ameloblast‐lineage cells (ALC) were used to investigate the potential roles of β‐catenin in cell migration and in E‐cadherin expression. Compared with controls, incisors from β‐catenin cKO mice were short, blunt, and where enamel was present, it was soft and malformed. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a dysplastic rod pattern within the enamel of incisors from β‐catenin cKO mice, and Vickers microhardness measurements confirmed that mice with β‐catenin ablated from their enamel organ had enamel that was significantly softer than normal. Amelogenesis was disrupted in the absence of β‐catenin and the ameloblasts did not differentiate properly. We further demonstrated that migration of ALCs was inhibited in vitro and that E‐cadherin expression was significantly up‐regulated when ALCs were treated with the β‐catenin inhibitor, ICG‐001. Beta‐catenin ablation causes enamel malformation in mice and this phenotype may occur, in part, by a lack of ameloblast differentiation and/or movement necessary to form the decussating enamel rod structure.
Fitness correlates of crop transgene flow into weedy populations: a case study of weedy rice in China and other examples
Authors: Lu Bao‐Rong , Yang Xiao , Ellstrand Norman C.
Published: March 2016

Whether transgene flow from crops to cross‐compatible weedy relatives will result in negative environmental consequences has been the topic of discussion for decades. An important component of environmental risk assessment depends on whether an introgressed transgene is associated with a fitness change in weedy populations. Several crop‐weed pairs have received experimental attention. Perhaps, the most worrisome example is transgene flow from genetically engineered cultivated rice, a staple for billions globally, to its conspecific weed, weedy rice. China's cultivated/weedy rice system is one of the best experimentally studied systems under field conditions for assessing how the presence of transgenes alters the weed's fitness and the likely impacts of that fitness change. Here, we present the cultivated/weedy rice system as a case study on the consequences of introgressed transgenes in unmanaged populations. The experimental work on this system reveals considerable variation in fitness outcomes ‐ increased, decreased, and none ‐ based on the transgenic trait, its introgressed genomic background, and the environment. A review of similar research from a sample of other crop‐wild pairs suggests such variation is the rule. We conclude such variation in fitness correlates supports the case‐by‐case method of biosafety regulation is sound.
The involvement of clathrin‐mediated endocytosis and two Sid‐1‐like transmembrane proteins in double‐stranded RNA uptake in the Colorado potato beetle midgut
Authors: Cappelle K. , de Oliveira C. F. R. , Van Eynde B. , Christiaens O. , Smagghe G.
Published: March 2016

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool in entomology and shows promise as a crop protection strategy, but variability in its efficiency across different insect species limits its applicability. For oral uptake of the double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), the RNAi trigger, two different mechanisms are known: systemic RNA interference deficient‐1 (Sid‐1) transmembrane channel‐mediated uptake and clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. So far, a wide range of experiments has been conducted, confirming the involvement of one of the pathways in dsRNA uptake, but never both pathways in the same species. We investigated the role of both pathways in dsRNA uptake in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, known to have an efficient RNAi response. Through RNAi‐of‐RNAi experiments, we demonstrated the contribution of two different sid‐1‐like (sil) genes, silA and silC, and clathrin heavy chain and the 16kDa subunit of the vacuolar H+ ATPase (vha16), elements of the endocytic pathway, to the RNAi response. Furthermore, the sid‐1‐like genes were examined through phylogenetic and hydrophobicity analysis. This article reports for the first time on the involvement of two pathways in dsRNA uptake in an insect species and stresses the importance of evaluating both pathways through a well‐devised reporter system in any future experiments on cellular dsRNA uptake.
A qualitative study of the barriers and enablers to fertility‐awareness education in general practice
Authors: Hampton Kerry D. , Newton Jennifer M. , Parker Rhian , Mazza Danielle
Published: March 2016

Aims

To understand the barriers and enablers to fertility‐awareness education in general practice.

Background

Most women along with their primary care practitioners – general practitioners and practice nurses – believe that women should be educated about fertility‐awareness when first reporting trouble conceiving. To date, no in‐depth study has examined the enablers and challenges of this type of education in general practice.

Design

A descriptive exploratory qualitative study using deductive content analysis.

Methods

General practitioners (N = 11) and practice nurses (N = 20) were recruited from general practices in three socioculturally diverse areas in Victoria, Australia. Data were collected through semistructured interviews based on the 12 domains of a theoretical behaviour change framework from April–August 2012. The participants' responses were organized into themes that fall under the framework domains.

Findings

The biggest barriers to fertility‐awareness education in general practice were short consultations and time constraints faced by general practitioners together with a lack of patient educational materials and remuneration to support its delivery. The biggest enablers were a greater use of nurses trained in fertility‐awareness in a collaborative team care arrangement with general practitioners.

Conclusion

This study has identified several important barriers and enablers to fertility‐awareness education in general practice. Translation into practice of our findings is imperative as the first step in establishing a primary care model in fertility‐awareness. This would fill an important gap in the primary care of infertile women and build capacity in general practice to reduce infertility through women's enhanced fertility knowledge.
Actinic keratosis: correlation between clinical and histological classification systems
Authors: Schmitz L. , Kahl P. , Majores M. , Bierhoff E. , Stockfleth E. , Dirschka T.
Published: March 2016

Background

There are several clinical and histological classification systems for grading actinic keratosis (AK) lesions. The Olsen clinical classification scheme grades AK lesions according to their thickness and degree of hyperkeratosis (grades 1–3). The Roewert‐Huber histological classification system grades AK lesions based on the extent of epidermal atypical keratinocytes (AK I–III).

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between these clinical and histological AK classification schemes.

Methods

One AK lesion from patients in three pivotal clinical studies and routine practice was assessed clinically and histologically. A match in grading was defined as Olsen grade 1 being classified histologically as AK I, Olsen grade 2 as AK II and Olsen grade 3 as AK III.

Results

Of the 892 lesions included, 29.0% were classified as Olsen grade 1, 59.6% as Olsen grade 2 and 11.3% as Olsen grade 3; 19.2% were histologically classified as AK I, 69.6% as AK II and 11.2% as AK III. Only 480 lesions (53.8%) had a matching clinical and histological classification. Of these matches, most were ‘Olsen grade 2 = AK II’ (83.1%). The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for clinical and histological classification was r = 0.0499 (P = 0.137).

Conclusions

Clinical classification of AK lesions using the system of Olsen does not accurately match histological classification of the same lesions using the system of Roewert‐Huber. Consequently, it is not possible to draw conclusions about the histology of AK lesions from their clinical appearance. This finding reinforces the need to treat all AK lesions as well as field cancerization.
Integrative approach revealed contrasting pattern of spatial structuring within urban and rural biotypes of Culex pipiens
Authors: Krtinić B. , Francuski L. , Ludoški J. , Milankov V.
Published: March 2016

Population structure of pests is an important issue when designing management strategies to optimize control measures. In this study, we investigated a spatial pattern of genetic and phenotypic variation within seven urban and within six rural populations of Culex pipiens from Vojvodina Province (Serbia) incorporating landscape genetic methods (using allozyme data) and wing size and shape (using geometric morphometric approach). Comparing rural samples, no strong genetic groupings of individuals were detected. Nevertheless, traditional approaches where individuals are pre‐assigned to populations, including F statistics and amova (analysis of molecular variance), revealed low, but significant genetic differentiation among samples. Similarly, phenotypic data (wing size and shape) indicated some level of heterogeneity among rural samples. Contrary to genetic homogeneity found within rural biotype, the individual‐based structuring characterized urban biotype. Geneland revealed the presence of two genetic clusters within urban group which is in concordance with FST and amova results. These results showed that sample from Novi Sad (NS) is a distinct genetic unit, which has been likely resulted in intensive insecticide use over several decades. Furthermore, phenotypic differentiation supported the existence of spatial structuring. Therefore, complementary use of molecular markers and phenotypic traits may be a powerful tool for revealing hidden spatial diversity within Cx. pipiens.
Bio‐safety evaluation of Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, Cry1Ca, Cry1F and Vip3Aa on Harmonia axyridis larvae
Authors: Ali I. , Zhang S. , Cui J.‐J.
Published: March 2016

Dietary exposure studies are initial steps in environmental risk assessments of genetically engineered plants on non‐target organisms. These studies are conducted in the laboratory where surrogate species are exposed to purified and biologically active insecticidal compounds at higher concentrations than those expected to occur in transgenic crops foliage. Thus, dietary exposure (early tier) tests provide robust data needed to make general conclusions about the susceptibility of the surrogate species to the test substance. For this, we developed suitable artificial diet and used it to establish a dietary exposure test for assessing the toxicity of midgut‐active insecticidal compounds to the larvae of the Asian ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Using boric acid as a model compound, we validated the bioassay established for H. axyridis larvae. An artificial diet containing boric acid which negatively affected survival, development and adult weights was offered to larvae and indicated that the bioassay was able to detect toxic effects of insecticidal substances incorporated in diets. Using this dietary exposure test, environmental risk assessment of Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, Cry1Ca, Cry1F and the non‐Cry protein Vip3Aa was evaluated by analysing pupation rates, adult emergence rates, 7‐day larval weights, and freshly emerged male and female weights among the toxin treatments and a pure artificial diet. These life‐table parameters did not vary among artificial diets containing 200 μg/g Bt proteins or pure artificial diet. In contrast, boric acid adversely affected all life‐table parameters. Thus on these bases, we concluded H. axyridis larvae are not sensitive to these Bt proteins expressed in genetically engineered crops.
Acetic acid lure placement within traps affects moth catches of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Barros‐Parada W. , Basoalto E. , Fuentes‐Contreras E. , Cichon L. , Knight A. L.
Published: March 2016

Previous studies have shown that the addition of an acetic acid colure (AA) to traps baited with pear ester, (E,Z)‐2,4‐ethyl‐decadienoate, and codlemone, (E,E)‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol, the sex pheromone (PH) of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), (Combo lure) can significantly increase moth catches. A commercial AA colure was developed to be used with the Combo lure using a specialized cardboard lure holder. However, research in 2011 suggested that the addition of the AA colure placed in the holder was reducing moth catches. Studies were subsequently conducted in both North America and South America to examine the factors affecting these unexpected results. Hanging the AA colure from the inside top of the delta trap was found to be a primary factor reducing moth catches of male but not female codling moth. Significantly, more males were caught if the AA colure was placed on the sticky liner of the trap than in the holder. Laboratory and field studies found that this negative effect on moth catches lessens over time with aged AA colures that had lower emission rates. The position of the holder in the trap (upwind or downwind) relative to the direction where moths approached was not a significant factor affecting moth catch with the AA colure. However, the spacing of the lures on the holder was an important factor with significantly higher male catches with lures 5.5 cm apart and the AA lure above the Combo lure than with lures 1.5 cm apart and the Combo lure above the AA lure. Similarly, pinning the Combo lure to the roof of the trap was more effective than the use of the holder with the AA lure on the liner. Standardization of lure placement will be important to fully utilize the use of bisexual, multilure monitoring systems for codling moth and likely for other pests.
Effective molecular detection of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in bulk insect samples from sticky traps
Authors: Fujiwara K. , Uechi N. , Shimizu Y. , Toda S. , Inoue H. , Yamaguchi T. , Iwanami T. , Fujikawa T.
Published: March 2016

Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the principal vector of citrus greening (huanglongbing) disease. Invasion of new areas by the vector increases the risk of further spread of the disease and has economic impacts on the global citrus industry. Effective implementation of vector surveys is essential to contain disease outbreaks. This is especially true in countries such as Japan, where most of the major citrus‐producing areas are free from citrus greening. Recently, vector surveys have been routinely conducted to maintain ‘disease‐free’ and ‘disease‐ and vector‐free’ areas in Japan, and improvement of methods that can detect D. citri in native insect populations is imperative. Here, we developed a method of using conventional and real‐time PCR to detect D. citri among bulk insects captured in sticky traps without the need for preliminary differentiation steps based on morphology. DNA fragments of D. citri were specifically detected by both conventional and real‐time PCR in a mixture of a 10−3 dilution (ca. 0.008–0.009 ng/μl) of D. citriDNA and 100 ng/μl of bulk insect DNA, indicating that small body parts such as pieces of leg or parts of wings of D. citri were detectable in the bulk insect samples. No misleading amplification of fragments from the other psyllid species and citrus pests we used occurred under our PCR conditions. Our results suggest that the technique is applicable to extensive surveys of D. citri in early warning programmes.
Visual, auditive and somatosensory pathways alterations in geriatric rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Ibáñez‐Contreras A. , Poblano A. , Arteaga‐Silva M. , Hernández‐Godínez B. , Hernández‐Arciga U. , Toledo R. , Königsberg M.
Published: March 2016

Background

Synapses loss during aging is associated to neurophysiologic alterations that impair organism's health span, thus making the study and prevention of sensory decline relevant for healthy aging and welfare. Therefore the aim of this study was to obtain normative data related to the electrophysiological responses of the different neurosensory components in the visual, auditory and somatosensory pathways in healthy geriatric rhesus monkeys in captivity.

Methods

Twenty‐four rhesus monkeys were divided in two groups: (i) Geriatric monkeys, 20–30 years of age, and (ii) Young monkeys, 7 years of age. Evoked potentials were obtained from the visual, auditory and somatosensory pathways.

Results

Regardless the sensory pathways evaluated, a significant delay in nerve conduction was observed in the geriatric group in comparison to the young group.

Conclusions

Evoked potentials allowed identifying changes generated during aging in rhesus monkeys and normative data for this species were obtained.
Progress on Understanding Ageism
Authors: Levy Sheri R. , Macdonald Jamie L.
Published: March 2016

Almost 50 years ago, ageism (negative attitudes toward older adults) was introduced as a significant social issue. Since then, the worldwide population of adults ages 60 and over has rapidly become the fastest growing age group, making the study of ageism an even more pressing social issue. This review outlines three broad and intertwined themes as the field continues to develop a fuller understanding of ageism: studying both positive and negative aspects of ageism, taking a lifespan focus, and integrating the study of ageism with the study of aging. The review also focuses on several timely subthemes such as the need and benefits of expanding measures of ageism and intervening variables, expanding the diversity of study samples, expanding the research methodologies, and expanding the contexts under study toward greater cross‐cultural and within‐culture investigations. This review and the international, interdisciplinary research showcased in this special issue are intended to set the stage for the next wave of international research on ageism across the lifecycle and of effective interventions and public policies supporting older adults and positive intergenerational relations.
Retirement as Meaningful: Positive Retirement Stereotypes Associated with Longevity
Authors: Ng Reuben , Allore Heather G. , Monin Joan K. , Levy Becca R.
Published: March 2016

Studies examining the association between retirement and health have produced mixed results. This may be due to previous studies treating retirement as merely a change in job status rather than a transition associated with stereotypes or societal beliefs (e.g., retirement is a time of mental decline or retirement is a time of growth). To examine whether these stereotypes are associated with health, we studied retirement stereotypes and survival over a 23‐year period among 1,011 older adults. As predicted by stereotype embodiment theory, it was found that positive stereotypes about physical health during retirement showed a survival advantage of 4.5 years (hazard ratio = 0.88, p = .022) and positive stereotypes about mental health during retirement tended to show a survival advantage of 2.5 years (hazard ratio = 0.87, p = .034). Models adjusted for relevant covariates such as age, gender, race, employment status, functional health, and self‐rated health. These results suggest that retirement preparation could benefit from considering retirement stereotypes.
Ageism can be Hazardous to Women's Health: Ageism, Sexism, and Stereotypes of Older Women in the Healthcare System
Authors: Chrisler Joan C. , Barney Angela , Palatino Brigida
Published: March 2016

Women tend to live longer than men, and thus typically have more interactions with the healthcare system in old age than men do. Ageism and stereotypes of older people in general can have an important impact on elders’ physical and mental health and well‐being. For example, internalized negative stereotypes can produce self‐fulfilling prophecies through stereotype embodiment and contribute to weakness and dependency. Ageist beliefs and stereotypes can interfere with health care seeking as well as with diagnosis and treatment recommendations; they can, for example, contribute to gender disparities in the health care of older adults if older women are perceived as too frail to undergo aggressive treatments. Ageism also results in disrespectful treatment of older patients, which is communicated through baby talk and other forms of infantilization or the shrugging off of patients’ complaints and concerns as “just old age.” Intersectional identities can result in a cumulative burden for older women patients who may have a history of disrespectful treatment for other reasons (e.g., sexism, racism, bias against lesbians). Reduction of ageism and sexism and promotion of more realistic and diverse views of older women could improve doctor–patient relationships, facilitate adherence to treatment regimens, and reduce disparities in health and health care.
Ageism in the Workplace: The Role of Psychosocial Factors in Predicting Job Satisfaction, Commitment, and Engagement
Authors: Macdonald Jamie L. , Levy Sheri R.
Published: March 2016

With a worldwide aging population and increasingly youth‐centered societies around the world, there are mounting concerns about how perceptions of age and aging may influence the workplace. Using an age diverse national sample of workers (n= 800) from a wide range of occupations and socioeconomic backgrounds in the United States, this study investigated understudied psychosocial factors (age identity, aging anxiety, perceived age discrimination, perceived social support at work, and work centrality) that may buffer or hinder job satisfaction, commitment, and engagement. Identity variables, both age identity and work centrality, as well as perceived social support at work, were found to be positively associated with job satisfaction, commitment, and engagement, while both perceived age discrimination and anxiety about aging were negatively associated with these three job longevity variables. The results suggest that psychosocial factors such as age identity, work centrality, and perceived social support could be targeted to improve job satisfaction, commitment, and engagement, while it would be beneficial for organizational policies to continue to focus on reducing age discrimination as well as reducing anxiety about aging in the workplace.
When Passionate Advocates Meet Research on Diversity, Does the Honest Broker Stand a Chance?
Authors: Eagly Alice H.
Published: March 2016

In an ideal world, social science research would provide a strong basis for advocacy and social policy. However, advocates sometimes misunderstand or even ignore scientific research in pursuit of their goals, especially when research pertains to controversial questions of social inequality. To illustrate the chasm that can develop between research findings and advocates’ claims, this article addresses two areas: (a) the effects of the gender diversity of corporate boards of directors on firms’ financial performance and (b) the effects of the gender and racial diversity of workgroups on group performance. Despite advocates’ insistence that women on boards enhance corporate performance and that diversity of task groups enhances their performance, research findings are mixed, and repeated meta‐analyses have yielded average correlational findings that are null or extremely small. Therefore, social scientists should (a) conduct research to identify the conditions under which the effects of diversity are positive or negative and (b) foster understanding of the social justice gains that can follow from diversity. Unfortunately, promulgation of false generalizations about empirical findings can impede progress in both of these directions. Rather than ignoring or furthering distortions of scientific knowledge to fit advocacy goals, scientists should serve as honest brokers who communicate consensus scientific findings to advocates and policy makers in an effort to encourage exploration of evidence‐based policy options.
Prevalence and RT/RNase H Genealogy of Sugarcane Bacilliform Virus Isolates from China
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Bin , Alabi Olufemi J. , Damaj Mona B. , Sun Sheng‐Ren , Mirkov Theodore Erik , Fu Hua‐Ying , Chen Ru‐Kai , Gao San‐Ji
Published: March 2016

Sugarcane bacilliform viruses (SCBV; genusBadnavirus; familyCaulimoviridae) are a threat to the global exchange of sugarcane germplasm. To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity ofSCBVacross major Chinese sugarcane‐growing areas, a total of 280 sugarcane leaf tissue samples collected from six provinces in China, 25 from three states in theUSAand five from Queensland, Australia, were tested for the presence ofSCBVby polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using newly designed degenerate primers targeting a 720‐base pair (bp) fragment of the reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (RT/RNase H) genomic region.PCR‐amplified fragments from 94SCBV‐positive samples were then cloned, sequenced and analysed for their genetic diversity. The results revealed a considerable haplotype diversity within individualSCBVisolates. Recombination analyses showed weak signatures of recombination among some of theSCBVsequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the segregation of globalSCBVisolates into three major monophyletic clades encompassing 18 subgroups, including five previously undescribed subgroups named asSCBV‐N to ‐R. Population genetic analysis data indicated that relatively low levels of genetic exchange have occurred betweenSCBVpopulations from different sugarcane production regions of the world. Together with the new set of degenerateSCBV‐specific primers designed in this study, our results will advance the understanding ofSCBVpopulation structure in a semi‐perennial host plant and aid the screening of global sugarcane germplasm to minimize the spread of genetic variants of the virus via contaminated plant materials.