bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The integration of ICT in library and information science curriculum analytical study of students’ perception in Jordanian Universities
Authors: Al-Shwabkah Younis , Hamad Faten , Taha Nashrawan , Al-Fadel Maha
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This study aims to explore undergraduate students’ perceptions of teaching information and communication technology (ICT) courses in the library and information science (LIS) program in Jordanian universities. It also aims at investigating the correlation between the impact of some variables, namely, gender, the type of university, academic year and student GPA on and their students’ views.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative methods were adopted. A questionnaire with 40 items was distributed on a stratified random sample of 220 students from four LIS departments in Jordan and, of whom, 203 responded with a response rate of 92.3 per cent.

Findings

Research findings indicated that teaching ICT courses was considered highly important. Students stressed on the importance of incorporating ICT courses in LIS programs. They also pointed out the competence of the teaching staff and the efficacy of their teaching methods. On the other hand, student assessments of the curriculum content, the teaching pedagogy and methods of assessment were on an average level. In addition, the findings indicated that resources and facilities necessary to teach ICT courses were available and adequate. It was noted that the “university” was the only factor that affected results; the University of Jordan students showed a higher satisfaction. The other factors (gender, academic year and GPA) did not appear to affect student perceptions.

Originality/value

Previous studies investigated the importance of teaching ICT courses in general but did not consider students’ perceptions. Only a few studies discussed students’ perceptions of studying ICT courses but in a different context, i.e. Kuwait. This research focused on students’ perceptions of studying ICT in Jordan as a new geographic region. This would be beneficial for other developing countries to learn from this experience and refine their ICT curricula and LIS programs accordingly.
Impact of adalimumab treatment on cardiovascular risk biomarkers in psoriasis: Results of a pilot study
Authors: Gkalpakiotis Spyridon , Arenbergerova Monika , Gkalpakioti Petra , Potockova Jana , Arenberger Petr , Kraml Pavel
Published: October 2016

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic immune‐mediated inflammatory dermatosis associated with several comorbidities. Psoriasis patients are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), namely, coronary heart disease, stroke or peripheral vascular disease, and psoriasis seems to be an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Antipsoriatic systemic therapy, especially anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, seems to exert a beneficial effect on these comorbidities. The purpose of this study was: (i) to measure the level of cardiovascular serum markers in psoriasis patients in comparison with healthy volunteers; and (ii) to compare the serum level of the same markers in patients before and 3 months after adalimumab therapy. We investigated six biomarkers connected to CVD: C‐reactive protein (measured high sensitively, hsCRP), oxidized low‐density lipoproteins (oxLDL), oxLDL/β‐glycoprotein I complex (oxLDL/β2GPI), vascular endothelial adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1), E‐selectin and interleukin (IL)‐22. These biomarkers were measured in 21 patients with moderate/severe psoriasis before and after treatment with adalimumab and in healthy volunteers. hsCRP (P < 0.05), oxLDL‐β2GPI complex (P < 0.05), E‐selectin (P < 0.001) and IL‐22 (P < 0.001) were significantly increased in comparison with healthy controls, whereas oxLDL and VCAM‐1 were also higher in psoriasis patients but the difference did not reach statistical significance. A decrease of E‐selectin (P < 0.001) and IL‐22 (P < 0.001) was observed after 3 months of adalimumab therapy. Inhibition of TNF‐α seems to not only improve psoriasis but also decreases serum cardiovascular biomarkers. E‐selectin and IL‐22 could serve for monitoring of the efficacy of antipsoriatic systemic therapy on cardiovascular risk.
Intraspecific priority effects modify compensatory responses to changes in hatching phenology in an amphibian
Authors: Murillo‐Rincón Andrea P. , Kolter Nora A. , Laurila Anssi , Orizaola Germán
Published: October 2016

In seasonal environments, modifications in the phenology of life‐history events can alter the strength of time constraints experienced by organisms. Offspring can compensate for a change in timing of hatching by modifying their growth and development trajectories. However, intra‐ and interspecific interactions may affect these compensatory responses, in particular if differences in phenology between cohorts lead to significant priority effects (i.e. the competitive advantage that early‐hatching individuals have over late‐hatching ones).

Here, we conducted a factorial experiment to determine whether intraspecific priority effects can alter compensatory phenotypic responses to hatching delay in a synchronic breeder by rearing moor frog (Rana arvalis) tadpoles in different combinations of phenological delay and food abundance.

Tadpoles compensated for the hatching delay by speeding up their development, but only when reared in groups of individuals with identical hatching phenology. In mixed phenology groups, strong competitive effects by non‐delayed tadpoles prevented the compensatory responses and delayed larvae metamorphosed later than in single phenology treatments. Non‐delayed individuals gained advantage from developing with delayed larvae by increasing their developmental and growth rates as compared to single phenology groups.

Food shortage prolonged larval period and reduced mass at metamorphosis in all treatments, but it did not prevent compensatory developmental responses in larvae reared in single phenology groups.

This study demonstrates that strong intraspecific priority effects can constrain the compensatory growth and developmental responses to phenological change, and that priority effects can be an important factor explaining the maintenance of synchronic life histories (i.e. explosive breeding) in seasonal environments.
Soil conditioning affects interactions between native and invasive exotic perennials of semi‐natural grasslands
Authors: Vink Stefanie N. , Jordan Nicholas R. , Aldrich‐Wolfe Laura , Huerd Sheri C. , Sheaffer Craig C. , Kinkel Linda L.
Published: October 2016

Semi‐natural perennial grasslands are of increasing importance as components of multifunctional agroecosystems, combining biomass production with provision of other ecosystem services. Soil legacies from previous land use or exotic species can hinder their establishment, but might be overcome through a multi‐stage successional strategy, whereby certain species are used to facilitate native grassland species establishment. We tested this strategy via a feedback experiment examining soil‐conditioning effects on interference interactions between native and exotic species.

Soils in a former maize–soybean production field in Minnesota,USA, were conditioned for 3 years with native or invasive exotic perennials or a maize–soybean crop rotation. Nitrogen (N) fertilization was an additional treatment in field plots. In a greenhouse, native and invasive exotic perennial grassland seedlings were grown on these soils, in monoculture and in native–exotic species pairs, with and without N fertilization. The impact of soil conditioning and field and greenhouse N fertilization on interactions between native and exotic seedlings in mixture was determined.

Neighbouring plants suppressed biomass production in all native and exotic species. The maize–soybean rotation left a soil legacy that enhanced suppression of native species when grown with exotic species, while exotic species suffered no such disadvantage.

The strong and specific disadvantage to native species of maize–soybean soils decreased with greenhouse N fertilization, but remained significant, while field N addition did not alter this effect.

Synthesis and applications. We found that the negative soil legacy of the maize–soybean rotation for native plant performance in interaction with exotics was greatly diminished in soils conditioned by native or exotic perennial species, irrespective of nitrogen addition. This highlights the potential value of perennial species in conversion from row‐crop agriculture to grasslands, because all perennial species alleviated the enhanced suppression of natives observed on maize–soybean soils. We did not find strong evidence that these perennial species were capable of specifically facilitating native species over exotics, but a broader range of species should be evaluated.
Prioritising seascape connectivity in conservation using network analysis
Authors: Engelhard Sarah L. , Huijbers Chantal M. , Stewart‐Koster Ben , Olds Andrew D. , Schlacher Thomas A. , Connolly Rod M.
Published: October 2016

Connectivity is regarded globally as a guiding principle for conservation planning, but due to difficulties in quantifying connectivity, empirical data remain scarce. Lack of meaningful connectivity metrics is likely leading to inadequate representation of important biological connections in reserve networks. Identifying patterns in landscape connectivity can, theoretically, improve the design of conservation areas.

We used a network model to estimate seascape connectivity for coral reef‐associated fishes in a subtropical bay in Australia. The model accounted for two scales of connectivity: (i) within mosaics at a local scale and (ii) among these mosaics at a regional scale. Connections among mosaics were modelled using estimations of post‐larval small and intermediate movement distances represented by home ranges of two fish species.

Modelled connectivity patterns were assessed with existing data on fish diversity. For fishes with intermediate home ranges (0–6 km), connectivity [quantified by the index Probability of Connectivity (dPC)] explained 51–60% of species diversity. At smaller home ranges (0–1 km), species diversity was associated closely with intramosaic connectivity quantified by the index dPCintra.

Mosaics and their region‐wide connections were ranked for their contribution to overall seascape connectivity and compared against current positions and boundaries of reserves. Our matching shows that only three of the 10 most important mosaics are at least partly encompassed within a reserve, and only a single important regional connection lies within a reserve.

Synthesis and applications. Notwithstanding its formal recognition in reserve planning, connectivity is rarely accounted for in practice, mainly because suitable metrics of connectivity are not available in planning phases. Here, we show how a network analysis can be effectively used in conservation planning by identifying biological connectivity inside and outside present reserve networks. Our results demonstrate clearly that connectivity is insufficiently represented within a reserve network. We also provide evidence of key pathways in need of protection to avoid nullifying the benefits of protecting key reefs. The guiding principle of protecting connections among habitats can be achieved more effectively in future, by formally incorporating our findings into the decision framework.
Sequential stable isotope analysis reveals differences in dietary history of three sympatric equid species in the Mongolian Gobi
Authors: Burnik Šturm Martina , Ganbaatar Oyunsaikhan , Voigt Christian C. , Kaczensky Petra
Published: October 2016

Competition among sympatric wild herbivores is reduced by different physiological, morphological and behavioural traits resulting in different dietary niches. Wild equids are a rather uniform group of large herbivores which have dramatically declined in numbers and range. Correlative evidence suggests that pasture competition with livestock is one of the key factors for this decline, and the situation may be aggravated in areas where different equid species overlap.

The Dzungarian Gobi is currently the only place where two wild equid species coexist and share the range with the domesticated form of a third equid species. In the winter‐cold Gobi desert pasture productivity is low, highly seasonal, and wild equids additionally face increasing livestock densities.

We used stable isotope chronologies of tail hairs to draw inferences about multi‐year diet seasonality, isotopic dietary niches and physiological adaptations in the Asiatic wild ass (khulan), re‐introduced Przewalski's horse, and domestic horse in the Mongolian part of the Dzungarian Gobi.

Our results showed that even in the arid Gobi, both horse species are predominantly grazers, whereas khulan are highly seasonal, switching from being grazers in summer to mixed feeders in winter. The isotopic dietary niches of the two horse species were almost identical, did not vary with season as in khulan and were narrower than in the latter. Higher δ15N values point towards higher water use efficiency in khulan, which may be one reason why they can exploit pastures further away from water.

Synthesis and applications. The high degree of isotopic dietary niche overlap in the two horse species in the Mongolian Gobi points towards a high potential for pasture competition during the critical nutritional bottleneck in winter and highlights the need to severely restrict grazing of domestic horses on the range of the Przewalski's horses. The evolutionary more distant khulan are less constrained by water and seem more flexible in their choice of diet or less successful in exploiting grass‐dominated habitats in winter due to human presence. Providing additional water sources could increase the competition between khulan and livestock and should, therefore, only be done following careful consideration.
Beyond Kriesiland: EU integration as a super issue after the Eurocrisis
Authors: OTJES SIMON , KATSANIDOU ALEXIA
Published: October 2016

Where some researchers have seen only a limited impact of Europeanisation on national party politics, others have added a separate European Union dimension to the pre‐existing economic left‐right dimension to model the national political space. This article examines the effects of the European crisis on the national political space across the EU utilising data from the 2014 European Election Survey. It analyses the effect of a country's economic development on the coherence between attitudes towards the EU and economic issues using multilevel regression. Strong evidence is found that in the Southern European debtor states economic and European issues are merging as a result of strong European interference in their economic policy. In the Northern European creditor states a second relevant dimension focuses on cultural issues. These results offer the next step in theorising Europeanisation.
ITS all right mama: investigating the formation of chimeric sequences in the ITS2 region by DNA metabarcoding analyses of fungal mock communities of different complexities
Authors: Bjørnsgaard Aas Anders , Davey Marie Louise , Kauserud Håvard
Published: October 2016

The formation of chimeric sequences can create significant methodological bias in PCR‐based DNA metabarcoding analyses. During mixed‐template amplification of barcoding regions, chimera formation is frequent and well documented. However, profiling of fungal communities typically uses the more variable rDNA region ITS. Due to a larger research community, tools for chimera detection have been developed mainly for the 16S/18S markers. However, these tools are widely applied to the ITS region without verification of their performance. We examined the rate of chimera formation during amplification and 454 sequencing of the ITS2 region from fungal mock communities of different complexities. We evaluated the chimera detecting ability of two common chimera‐checking algorithms: perseus and uchime. Large proportions of the chimeras reported were false positives. No false negatives were found in the data set. Verified chimeras accounted for only 0.2% of the total ITS2 reads, which is considerably less than what is typically reported in 16S and 18S metabarcoding analyses. Verified chimeric ‘parent sequences’ had significantly higher per cent identity to one another than to random members of the mock communities. Community complexity increased the rate of chimera formation. GC content was higher around the verified chimeric break points, potentially facilitating chimera formation through base pair mismatching in the neighbouring regions of high similarity in the chimeric region. We conclude that the hypervariable nature of the ITS region seems to buffer the rate of chimera formation in comparison with other, less variable barcoding regions, due to shorter regions of high sequence similarity.
Latecomers: The Sources and Impacts of Late Arrival Among Adolescent Immigrant Students
Authors: Allard Elaine C.
Published: October 2016

In this ethnographic study, the author describes and analyzes the experiences of latecomers, adolescent immigrant students who arrive late in the school year. She shines a light on the multifaceted challenges posed by these students’ transnationalism, undocumented status, and labor migration, which contribute to their late arrival and threaten their school persistence. This article adds to the developing body of research on heterogeneity among adolescent emergent bilinguals, a growing and underserved population.
Multimodal Mapmaking: Working Toward an Entangled Methodology of Place
Authors: Powell Kimberly
Published: October 2016

This article addresses mapmaking as a multimodal method and lens for place‐based ethnographic inquiry. I describe three contexts drawn from my research on and teaching of mapmaking. Drawing from my own sense‐making of mapping as an embodied phenomenon, I discuss how the fields of sensory and materialist studies might expand the interpretive possibilities of multimodal ethnography as an epistemological and ontological lens involving the entanglement of place, body, and experience with knowing and becoming.[mapmaking, multimodality, senses, place, materiality]
Genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of Bactrian camels shown by mitochondrial sequence variations
Authors: Ming L. , Yi L. , Sa R. , Wang Z. X. , Wang Z. , Ji R.
Published: October 2016

The Bactrian camel includes various domestic (Camelus bactrianus) and wild (Camelus ferus) breeds that are important for transportation and for their nutritional value. However, there is a lack of extensive information on their genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure. Here, we studied these parameters by examining an 809‐bp mtDNA fragment from 113 individuals, representing 11 domestic breeds, one wild breed and two hybrid individuals. We found 15 different haplotypes, and the phylogenetic analysis suggests that domestic and wild Bactrian camels have two distinct lineages. The analysis of molecular variance placed most of the genetic variance (90.14%, P < 0.01) between wild and domestic camel lineages, suggesting that domestic and wild Bactrian camel do not have the same maternal origin. The analysis of domestic Bactrian camels from different geographical locations found there was no significant genetic divergence in China, Russia and Mongolia. This suggests a strong gene flow due to wide movement of domestic Bactrian camels.
Discovery of porcine miRNA‐196a/b may influence porcine adipogenesis in longissimus dorsi muscle by miRNA sequencing
Authors: Liu Linqing , Qian Kun , Wang Chonglong
Published: October 2016

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is one of the fat traits that has economic importance in the pork industry. Longissimus dorsi muscle contains IMF and is suitable for studying adipogenesis. To discover further potential regulatory miRNAs that may influence adipogenesis, we analyzed miRNA in the longissimus dorsi muscle of Yorkshire (YY, lean‐type) and Chinese Wannanhua (WH, fatty) pigs using miRNA sequencing (miRNA‐seq). From this dataset, we identified 598 unique miRNAs comprising 325 pre‐miRNAs and 273 novel pre‐miRNAs through comparison with known miRNAs in miRBase version 21. We found 42 miRNAs including nine up‐ and 33 down‐regulated between the YY and WH pigs. Moreover, we found two miRNAs, miR‐196a/b (miR‐196a, miR‐196b‐5p), that had the highest level of expression in WH pigs, and miR‐196a/b may influence porcine adipogenesis in longissimus dorsi muscle through an adipocytokine signaling pathway.
Corneal confocal microscopy alterations in Sjögren's syndrome dry eye
Authors: Lanza Michele , Iaccarino Stefania , Varricchi Gilda , D'Errico Tito , Gironi Carnevale Ugo Antonello , Bifani Mario
Published: October 2016

Purpose

To evaluate light backscattering (LB) in corneal layers in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome dry eye (SSDE) utilizing in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) and to determine the eventual association with the lacrimal functional test values.

Methods

A complete ophthalmic evaluation, Schirmer test with and without stimulation, break‐up time (BUT) and IVCM were performed on 55 patients affected by SSDE and in an age‐ and sex‐matched cohort of healthy participants (HP). Light backscattering, measures as light reflectivity unit (LRU), detected by IVCM at Bowman's membrane (BM) at 50 μm, at 100 μm and at 200 μm deeper than BM was compared in the two groups. The correlations between LB values and lacrimal function results were evaluated.

Results

In patients affected by SSDE, LB was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in each corneal layer examined (+14 ± 6.33 LRU at BM), compared with HP. A good reverse correlation between the light reflectivity measures at BM with Schirmer test with (r = −0.91) and without (r = −0.90) stimulation and BUT (r = −0.88) was found. Correlations were lower in the deeper corneal layers.

Conclusion

Even if our results should be confirmed in further studies with a larger population, these findings show that IVCM is a device able to detect alterations in corneal layers in SSDE patients related to the lacrimal function. Light backscattering (LB) could be very useful for clinical diagnosis and management of SSDE.
Sterile corneal infiltrates after corneal collagen cross‐linking: evaluation of risk factors
Authors: Çerman Eren , Özcan Deniz Özarslan , Toker Ebru
Published: October 2016

Purpose

To evaluate possible risk factors leading to sterile corneal infiltrates following corneal collagen cross‐linking (CXL).

Methods

A total of 588 eyes of 459 patients treated with Epi‐off (n = 461) or Epi‐on (n = 127) CXL were retrospectively evaluated. Risk factors, including preoperative blepharitis and vernal conjunctivitis, the postoperative use of topical non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as Kmax and pachymetry measurements, were assessed. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) analyses were performed in patients with sterile infiltrates.

Results

Sterile infiltrates developed in 19 cases (3.2%). No patients in the Epi‐on group developed sterile infiltrates. The evaluation of acceleration of the CXL procedure as a risk factor revealed no specific difference in the incidence of infiltrates among four different Epi‐off groups (3 mW/cm2–30 min, 9 mW/cm2–10 min, 18 mW/cm2–5 min, 30 mW/cm2–4 min procedures; p > 0.05, all). Blepharitis, vernal conjunctivitis, Kmax and pachymetry were not identified as risk factors (p > 0.05). Postoperative use of NSAIDs was a significant contributor (p = 0.007), and it increased the chance of sterile infiltrates 4.09 times (95% CI, 1.463–11.428). In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) showed non‐specific inflammation with dendritic cells at the epithelium and at Bowman's layer. In AS‐OCT, a hyper‐reflective band at the level of the anterior stroma to a depth of 100–140 μm was observed.

Conclusion

The evaluation of the risk factors such as blepharitis, the use of NSAIDs, vernal conjunctivitis, the duration of CXL procedure and amount of light intensity showed that epithelial damage is possibly the common pathway in the pathogenesis, as no sterile infiltrates in Epi‐on CXL occurred, and the postoperative use of NSAIDs increased the risk of developing sterile infiltrates about four times.
Modelling goal adjustment in social relationships: Two experimental studies with children and adults
Authors: Thomsen Tamara , Kappes Cathleen , Schwerdt Laura , Sander Johanna , Poller Charlotte
Published: October 2016

In two experiments, we investigated observational learning in social relationships as one possible pathway to the development of goal adjustment processes. In the first experiment, 56 children (M = 9.29 years) observed their parent as a model; in the second, 50 adults (M = 32.27 years) observed their romantic partner. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: goal engagement (GE), goal disengagement (GD), or control group (CO) and were asked to solve (unsolvable) puzzles. Before trying to solve the puzzles by themselves, subjects observed the instructed model, who was told to continue with the same puzzle (GE) or to switch to the next puzzle (GD). Results show that children in the GE group switched significantly less than in the GD or CO group. There was no difference between the GD group and CO group. Adults in the GE group switched significantly less than in the GD or CO group, whereas subjects in the GD group switched significantly more often than the CO group.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Previous research focused mainly on the functions of goal adjustment processes. It rarely considered processes and conditions that contribute to the development of goal engagement and goal disengagement. There are only two cross‐sectional studies that directly investigate this topic.

Previous research that claims observational learning as a pathway of learning emotion regulation or adjustment processes has (only) relied on correlational methods and, thus, do not allow any causal interpretations.

Previous research, albeit claiming a life span focus, mostly investigated goal adjustment processes in one specific age group (mainly adults). There is no study that investigates the same processes in different age groups.

What does this study add?

In our two studies, we focus on the conditions of goal adjustment processes and sought to demonstrate one potential pathway of learning or changing the application of goal adjustment processes, namely observational learning.

We employed an experimental design to study observational learning, instead of using a correlational design. The present studies are the first to apply an experimental design to investigate observational learning of adjustment processes.

In our studies, we implemented the same design and studied the same process in different age groups. Thus, they expand knowledge beyond a particular age group and under a life span perspective.
HOW DO FISCAL CONSOLIDATION AND FISCAL STIMULI IMPACT ON THE SYNCHRONIZATION OF BUSINESS CYCLES?
Authors: Agnello Luca , Caporale Guglielmo Maria , Sousa Ricardo M.
Published: October 2016

Using quarterly data for a panel of advanced economies, we show that synchronized fiscal consolidation (stimulus) programmes in different countries make their business cycles more closely linked. We also find: (i) some evidence of decoupling when an inflation targeting regime is unilaterally adopted; (ii) an increase in business cycle synchronization when countries fix their exchange rates and become members of a monetary union; (iii) a positive effect of bilateral trade on the synchronization of business cycles. Global factors, such as a rise in global risk aversion and uncertainty and a reversal of nonstandard expansionary monetary policy, can also reduce the degree of co‐movement of business cycles across countries. From a policy perspective, our work shows that an inflation targeting regime coupled with simultaneous fiscal consolidations can lead to more business cycle synchronization.
Economic Experiments as a Tool for Agricultural Policy Evaluation: Insights from the European CAP
Authors: Colen Liesbeth , Gomez y Paloma Sergio , Latacz‐Lohmann Uwe , Lefebvre Marianne , Préget Raphaële , Thoyer Sophie
Published: October 2016

This article assesses the potential contribution of economic experiments to evidence‐based policy making in the field of agriculture, with a special focus on the European Union (EU)'s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). CAP evaluation mostly relies on standard tools such as farm and market simulation models, calibrated with EU‐wide statistical data; statistical and econometric analysis of survey data; and a range of qualitative methods such as interviews with stakeholders, focus group, or Internet‐based public consultation. Yet, the CAP has changed considerably over the past decades, requiring adaptations of its evaluation toolbox. A detailed review of existing studies using economic experiments for designing and evaluating agricultural policies provides the backbone for a comprehensive assessment of the complementarity of experimental approaches with standard evaluation tools. Based on conclusions drawn from a workshop organized with experts, academics, and policy makers of Directorate‐General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, the article further provides recommendations aiming at facilitating inclusion of economic experiments into the CAP evaluation toolbox.

Cet article étudie la contribution potentielle des méthodes expérimentales pour l'élaboration de politiques agricoles fondée sur des données probantes, en considérant en particulier le cas de la politique agricole commune de l'UE (PAC). L'évaluation de la PAC repose principalement sur des outils standard tels que des modèles de simulation d'exploitations et de marchés agricoles, calibrés avec des données récoltées à l'échelle de l'UE; des analyses statistiques et économétriques sur des données d'enquête; et une série de méthodes qualitatives telles que des entretiens avec les parties prenantes, des groupes de discussion ou des consultations publiques sur Internet. Pourtant, la PAC a considérablement changé ces dernières décennies, ce qui nécessite d'adapter ses méthodes d'évaluation. Un examen détaillé des études existantes mobilisant les approches expérimentales pour la conception et l'évaluation de politiques agricoles permet d'analyser la complémentarité des méthodes expérimentales avec les outils d'évaluation standards. A partir des conclusions d'un atelier organisé avec des experts, des universitaires et des décideurs politiques de la Direction générale de l'agriculture et du développement rural de la Commission européenne, cet article propose en outre des recommandations pour faciliter l'intégration des approches expérimentales dans les méthodes d'évaluation de la PAC.
Extrapolating cetacean densities to quantitatively assess human impacts on populations in the high seas
Authors: Mannocci Laura , Roberts Jason J. , Miller David L. , Halpin Patrick N.
Published: October 2016

As human activities expand beyond national jurisdictions to the high seas, there is an increasing need to consider anthropogenic impacts to species inhabiting these waters. The current scarcity of scientific observations of cetaceans in the high seas impedes the assessment of population‐level impacts of these activities. We developed plausible density estimates to facilitate a quantitative assessment of anthropogenic impacts on cetacean populations in these waters. Our study region extended from a well‐surveyed region within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone into a large region of the western North Atlantic sparsely surveyed for cetaceans. We modeled densities of 15 cetacean taxa with available line transect survey data and habitat covariates and extrapolated predictions to sparsely surveyed regions. We formulated models to reduce the extent of extrapolation beyond covariate ranges, and constrained them to model simple and generalizable relationships. To evaluate confidence in the predictions, we mapped where predictions were made outside sampled covariate ranges, examined alternate models, and compared predicted densities with maps of sightings from sources that could not be integrated into our models. Confidence levels in model results depended on the taxon and geographic area and highlighted the need for additional surveying in environmentally distinct areas. With application of necessary caution, our density estimates can inform management needs in the high seas, such as the quantification of potential cetacean interactions with military training exercises, shipping, fisheries, and deep‐sea mining and be used to delineate areas of special biological significance in international waters. Our approach is generally applicable to other marine taxa and geographic regions for which management will be implemented but data are sparse.
Amygdala–orbitofrontal connectivity predicts alcohol use two years later: a longitudinal neuroimaging study on alcohol use in adolescence
Authors: Peters Sabine , Peper Jiska S. , Van Duijvenvoorde Anna C.K. , Braams Barbara R. , Crone Eveline A.
Published: October 2016

This study tested the relation between cortical–subcortical functional connectivity and alcohol consumption in adolescents using an accelerated longitudinal design, as well as normative developmental patterns for these measures. Participants between ages 8 and 27 completed resting‐state neuroimaging scans at two time points separated by two years (N = 274 at T1, N = 231 at T2). In addition, participants between ages 12 and 27 reported on recent and lifetime alcohol use (N = 193 at T1, N = 244 at T2). Resting‐state connectivity analyses focused on amygdala–orbitofrontal connectivity given prior research linking reduced coupling between these regions to alcohol use. Mixed model analyses revealed that age had a cubic relationship with alcohol use, with little to no use in childhood, steep increases in adolescence and leveling off in adulthood. No age effects were found for amygdala–OFC connectivity. Prediction analyses showed that left amygdala–orbitofrontal connectivity at the first time point predicted recent and lifetime alcohol use two years later. There was no evidence for the reversed relation, suggesting that brain connectivity measures precede explorative risk‐taking behavior in adolescence, possibly because decreased subcortical–frontal connectivity biases towards more explorative or risky behavior.
Cotinine administration improves impaired cognition in the mouse model of Fragile X syndrome
Authors: Pardo Marta , Beurel Eleonore , Jope Richard S.
Published: October 2016

Cotinine is the major metabolite of nicotine and has displayed some capacity for improving cognition in mouse models following chronic administration. We tested if acute cotinine treatment is capable of improving cognition in the mouse model of Fragile X syndrome, Fmr1−/− knockout mice, and if this is related to inhibition by cotinine treatment of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK3β), which is abnormally active in Fmr1−/− mice. Acute cotinine treatment increased the inhibitory serine‐phosphorylation of GSK3β and the activating phosphorylation of AKT, which can mediate serine‐phosphorylation of GSK3β, in both wild‐type and Fmr1−/− mouse hippocampus. Acute cotinine treatment improved cognitive functions of Fmr1−/− mice in coordinate and categorical spatial processing, novel object recognition, and temporal ordering. However, cotinine failed to restore impaired cognition in GSK3β knockin mice, in which a serine9‐to‐alanine9 mutation blocks the inhibitory serine phosphorylation of GSK3β, causing GSK3β to be hyperactive. These results indicate that acute cotinine treatment effectively repairs impairments of these four cognitive tasks in Fmr1−/− mice, and suggest that this cognition‐enhancing effect of cotinine is linked to its induction of inhibitory serine‐phosphorylation of GSK3. Taken together, these results show that nicotinic receptor agonists can act as cognitive enhancers in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome and highlight the potential role of inhibiting GSK3β in mediating the beneficial effects of cotinine on memory.
Heidegger on Human Finitude: Beginning at the End
Authors: Magid Oren
Published: October 2016

Interpreters generally understand Heidegger's notion of finitude in one of two ways: (1) as our mortality – that, in the end, we are certain to die; or (2) the susceptibility of our self‐ and world‐understanding to collapse – the fragility and vulnerability of human sense‐making. In this paper, I put forward an alternative account of what Heidegger means by ‘finitude’: human self‐ and world‐understanding is non‐transparently grounded in a ‘final end.’ Our self‐ and world‐understanding, that is, begins at the end, and authenticity requires us to interpretively appropriate the full range of this understanding. After laying out this view of finitude, via an analogical appeal to the Socratic account of action and desire in the Gorgias, I discuss its relationship to the two leading views of finitude mentioned above.
In Sync and in Control: A Meta‐Analysis of Parent–Child Positive Behavioral Synchrony and Youth Self‐Regulation
Authors: Davis Molly , Bilms Joanie , Suveg Cynthia
Published: October 2016

A growing body of research has highlighted the connection between parent–child positive behavioral synchrony and youth self‐regulation; however, this association has yet to be the focus of a meta‐analytic review. Therefore, the present meta‐analysis aimed to estimate the magnitude of the relation between parent–child positive behavioral synchrony and youth self‐regulation and to identify moderator variables that can explain the variability in the degree of this association across the extant literature. A thorough literature search of two major databases, in addition to scanning the reference sections of relevant articles, yielded a total of 10 peer‐reviewed articles (24 effect sizes, 658 children) that were eligible for inclusion in the current meta‐analysis. Results from the overall mean effect size calculation using a random‐effects model indicated that parent–child positive behavioral synchrony was significantly, positively correlated with youth self‐regulation and the effect size was medium. Children's ages at the time of synchrony and self‐regulation measurements, as well as parent gender, served as significant moderator variables. Findings from the present meta‐analysis can help to refine existing theoretical models on the role of the parent–child relationship in youth adjustment. Prevention and intervention efforts may benefit from an increased emphasis on building parent–child positive behavioral synchrony to promote youth self‐regulation and thus children's overall well‐being.
Riparian vegetation management for water temperature regulation: implications for the production of macroinvertebrate prey of salmonids
Authors: Ryan D. K. , Kelly‐Quinn M.
Published: October 2016

The effect of riparian vegetation on the seasonal availability of macroinvertebrate prey for salmonids was examined. Although prey composition changed significantly between sampling seasons, overall prey density remained similar. It is often assumed that there is greater benthic production within streams without riparian vegetation, but this assumption was found to be dependent on stream size. The presence of riparian vegetation increased benthic macroinvertebrate density, but only in larger streams. Greater densities of prey of terrestrial origin were found in the drift of streams with riparian cover but only in spring. An unforeseen contributor to potential prey items for salmonids in streams with riparian vegetation was the increased presence of drifting prey of aquatic origin. The results further support riparian management as a viable tool for regulating instream temperatures without impacting on macroinvertebrate density. The presence of riparian vegetation can even increase salmonid prey availability in some instances.
Unique CT Perfusion Imaging in a Case of HaNDL: New Insight into HaNDL Pathophysiology and Vasomotor Principles of Cortical Spreading Depression
Authors: Burke Matthew J. , Lamb Michael J. , Hohol Marika , Lay Christine
Published: October 2016

Background

The etiology of HaNDL is not known. Recent neuroimaging studies have suggested that there may be altered cerebrovascular blood flow during acute episodes. However, what exactly these vascular changes represent and how they may relate to the overall pathogenesis of HaNDL is uncertain.

Case

A 42‐year‐old, right‐handed male, presented with acute aphasia and right arm weakness. Urgent CT/CT‐angiogram were normal except for an incidental hypoplastic right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) A1 segment. However, CT perfusion revealed global left hemisphere hypoperfusion in the range of oligemia. Also, the right ACA territory, supplied by the dominant left A1, shared the same pattern of hypoperfusion. Further investigations and clinical course were consistent with HaNDL.

Discussion/Conclusions

The pattern of global left hemispheric hypoperfusion seen in this case of HaNDL supports a hypothesis of secondary oligemia induced by a hemispheric wave of cortical spreading depression (CSD). However, the extension of hypoperfusion to the right ACA territory represents a phenomenon not previously reported in this field. We speculate that the direct spread of CSD‐induced vasomotor changes across the anomalous vasculature could account for this finding. This case provides a valuable contribution toward understanding HaNDL pathophysiology and in doing so may also yield broader implications regarding neurophysiological principles of CSD.
History of Education in the News: The Legacy of Slavery, Racism, and Contemporary Black Activism on Campus
Authors: Anderson James D. , Span Christopher M.
Published: October 2016

History of Education Quarterly editorial team is planning to integrate a new feature, “History of Education in the News,” into periodic issues of the journal. Our idea is to highlight relevant historical scholarship on a topic that has contemporary public resonance. Our first piece in this new vein engages the current uptick of interest in the links between slavery and higher education. Recent scholarship and popular press accounts have documented how many eastern colleges and universities benefited from enslaved African-American labor.

We asked Professors James D. Anderson and Christopher M. Span of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to take up this issue and reflect on how a deep knowledge of history informs recent activism on college and university campuses, particularly activism focused on forcing institutions to reckon with their histories and become antiracist spaces.
How Well Does Theory Travel? David Garland in the Global South
Authors: STEINBERG JONNY
Published: October 2016

How well does theory travel? The article examines this question by exploring how David Garland's work on crime control in Britain and the United States might be used to shed light on crime control in South Africa. I argue that theory travels badly when what is transferred is not the hard work of genealogical method but the shiny concepts that are the product of somebody else's labour. Entire countries and regions appear to have come off an assembly line, each made from the same parts, each more or less resembling the next. Theory travels well when it transmits imaginative resources that inspire one's own genealogical explorations, thus giving due weight to the historical antecedents of contemporary practices.
Clinical efficacy of EDTA ultrasonic activation in the reduction of endotoxins and cultivable bacteria
Authors: Herrera D. R. , Martinho F. C. , de‐Jesus‐Soares A. , Zaia A. A. , Ferraz C. C. R. , Almeida J. F. A. , Gomes B. P. F. A.
Published: October 2016

Aim

This clinical study was conducted to investigate the influence of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) ultrasonic activation after chemomechanical preparation (CMP) on eliminating/reducing oral bacterial lipopolysaccharides (known as endotoxins) and cultivable bacteria in teeth with pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis.

Methodology

Samples were taken from 24 root canals at several clinical periods: S1 – before CMP; S2 – after CMP; S3 – after EDTA: G1 – with ultrasonic activation (n = 12) and G2 – without ultrasonic activation (n = 12). Root canals were instrumented using Mtwo rotary files. Culture techniques were used to determine the number of colony‐forming units (CFU). Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) was used to measure endotoxin levels. Friedman's and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were used to compare the amount of bacteria and endotoxin levels in each period (P < 0.05).

Results

Endotoxins and cultivable bacteria were recovered in 100% of the initial samples (S1). CMP was effective in reducing endotoxins and bacterial load (all with P < 0.05). Higher values of endotoxin reduction were achieved with EDTA ultrasonic activation [G1, 0.02 EU mL−1 (range 0.01–0.75)] compared with the no activation group [G2, 1.13 EU mL−1 (range 0.01–8.34)] (P < 0.05). Regarding bacterial reduction, no statistically significant difference was found in S3, regardless of the group (G1, G2, P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Chemomechanical preparation was effective in reducing bacteria and endotoxins, but could not completely eliminate them. The ultrasonic activation of EDTA was effective in further reducing endotoxin levels in the root canals of teeth with pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis.
Physician agreement regarding the expansion of pharmacist professional activities in the management of patients with asthma
Authors: Tilly-Gratton Audrey , Lamontagne Alexandrine , Blais Lucie , Bacon Simon L , Ernst Pierre , Grad Roland , Lavoie Kim L , McKinney Martha L , Desplats Eve , Ducharme Francine M
Published: October 2016

Background

Asthma control remains suboptimal in Canada. Expansion of pharmacist’s professional activities offers the opportunity to improve the interdisciplinary management of patients with asthma.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the level of agreement of physicians regarding the expansion of pharmacists’ professional activities in the management of asthma patients.

Methods

We conducted a survey of randomly selected Quebec physicians in family medicine, paediatrics and emergency medicine. A 102-item questionnaire, including 10 questions regarding pharmacist’s expanded professional activities, was sent using the Tailored Design Method. Questions were answered on a 6-point Likert-like scale (0 — strong disagreement to 5 — strong agreement).

Results

With a 56% response rate, 421 (250 family medicine, 115 paediatric and 56 emergency medicine) physicians participated; the median years of practice (25%, 75%) was 13 (5–21) years and 69% of respondents were women. Physicians were in favour of the expansion of pharmacist’s professional activities with strong endorsement rates (rating of ≥4 on a maximum of 5) exceeding 60% for all but three activities: suggesting a written action plan to the physician (55%), adjusting the dose of prescribed asthma medication to achieve a therapeutic target (52%) and offering spirometry testing in pharmacies (45%). Emergency physicians, physicians with fewer years of practice, and those with a favourable perception of an interprofessional approach were associated with higher endorsement of these activities.

Conclusion

Physicians are favourable to the expansion of pharmacist activities in the management of patients with asthma. More complex activities were less frequently endorsed. The characteristics of strong intenders have been identified.
The Interplay Between Public and Private External Debt Stocks
Authors: Brzozowski Michał , Siwińska‐Gorzelak Joanna
Published: October 2016

Using a sample of 48 emerging and developing countries in the 1970–2012 period, we investigated the interactions between the stock of sovereign debt and the quantity of corporate external borrowing. We found that public external debt hinders private‐sector access to external loan and bond markets. By contrast, the stock of private debt in international financial markets exerts a positive influence on public external debt from all sources except other private creditors. We also found the incidence of bank crises, capital account openness and the rate of economic growth to be among the macroeconomic variables that have a significant impact on both public and private external debts.