bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional traits of seeds dispersed through endozoochory by native forest ungulates
Authors: Picard Mélanie , Chevalier Richard , Barrier Rachel , Boscardin Yves , Baltzinger Christophe
Published: June 2016

Aims

Zoochory is a prominent dispersal process in a wide range of plant species. However, the extent to which the trait composition of dispersed seed assemblages differs from the regional assemblage remains untested, as does the extent to which sympatric native herbivores disperse traits non‐randomly.

Location

Lorris and Montargis forests, central France.

Methods

We compared the taxonomic and functional composition of seed assemblages dispersed by three wild ungulates to the characteristics of the regional flora in an agro‐forested landscape. We collected roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) faeces in two forests, and subjected the samples to germination under controlled conditions. We first examined how different vectors influence the composition of the dispersed plant assemblages by comparing abundance and species richness of the seedlings emerging from the faeces of the three ungulates. We then compared the functional characteristics of the dispersed pool with those of the regional flora in a multivariate functional space built from 20 relevant plant traits.

Results

A total of 754 seedlings and 46 plant species germinated from 300 faeces samples, with higher plant species richness and abundance for red deer faeces. All three ungulates widely use forest habitat, but the proportion of non‐forest plants was higher in red deer and wild boar faeces than in the regional species pool. Traits such as seed shape, seed size or seed bank longevity affected dispersal probability, but their effects were overshadowed by habitat effects.

Conclusions

Endozoochory acts as an indirect functional filter, filtering species according to the vectors' feeding habitat. This could affect the composition of forest plant communities by allowing plants from open habitats to colonize forested areas.
Cellular basis of anti‐predator adaptation in a lizard with autotomizable blue tail against specific predators with different colour vision
Authors: Kuriyama T. , Morimoto G. , Miyaji K. , Hasegawa M.
Published: June 2016

Juveniles of numerous lizard species have a vividly blue‐coloured tail that likely serves to deflect predator attacks toward the autotomizable tail rather than the lizard's body. The shades of blue colour in the tails of juvenile Plestiodon latiscutatus lizards vary across populations, most notably among those island populations with different predator assemblages. Here, we determine if this intraspecific variation is associated with the differences in colour vision capabilities of lizard predator species. If associated, it would be evidence for local adaptation of tail colour phenotype – natural selection is maximizing the conspicuousness of the tail to the dominant predator species to increase the chance of successfully deflecting attacks. We also use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the proximate cellular mechanisms that produce the shades of blue in different populations. We revealed that lizard tails with vivid blue reflectance evolved in communities with either weasel or snake predators, two groups of animals with the ability to detect blue wavelengths. However, lizard tail UV reflectance was much higher in populations with only snake predators; that snakes can detect UV, yet weasels cannot, suggests that high UV reflectance is an adaptation to increase tail conspicuousness specifically to snake predators. Finally, a cryptic brown tail evolved independently on the islands where birds are the primary lizard predator. We suggest that because birds have keen visual acuity; a brown, camouflaged phenotype is more advantageous. We also determined through TEM that the thickness of light reflecting platelets in iridophores, and densities of iridophores and xanthophores, predicted the wavelengths and intensity of light reflected by the lizard tail. For example, blue coloration was produced by selective reflection of short wavelengths of light by the thin light reflecting platelets of the iridophore. Greater iridophore density increased light reflectance, while greater xanthophore density decreased light reflectance.
A Perceptual Learning Approach to the Whorfian Hypothesis: Supervised Classification of Motion
Authors: Athanasopoulos Panos , Albright Daniel
Published: June 2016

Recent research on the relationship between grammatical aspect and motion event cognition has shown that speakers of nonaspect languages (e.g., German, Swedish) attend to event endpoints more than speakers of aspect languages (e.g., English, Spanish). In this study, we took a perceptual learning approach to the Whorfian hypothesis, training native English speakers to categorize events either in an English‐like way (same‐language bias) or in a Swedish‐like way (other‐language bias), with and without verbal interference in English. Results showed that successful learning occurred in both language conditions. However, verbal interference disrupted learning only in the condition where the perceptual dimension to be learned was also salient in the participant's native language. This revealed selective language influence depending on the associative or dissociative relationship between the linguistic features occurring in the observer's native language and the perceptual features of the stimuli presented to them.

Open Practices

This article has been awarded an Open Materials badge. All materials are publicly accessible in the IRIS digital repository athttp://www.iris‐database.org. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science:https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki.
Speaking with different voices: the problems with English law and psychiatric injury
Authors: Orr Russell
Published: June 2016

Private law courts in the UK have maintained the de minimis threshold as a condition precedent for a successful claim for the infliction of mental harm. This de minimis threshold necessitates the presence of a ‘recognised psychiatric illness’ as opposed to ‘mere emotion’. This standard has also been adopted by the criminal law courts when reading the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 to include non-physical injury. In determining the cut-off point between psychiatric injury and mere emotion, the courts have adopted a generally passive acceptance of expert testimony and the guidelines used by mental health professionals to make diagnoses. Yet these guidelines were developed for use in a clinical setting, not a legal one. This paper examines the difficulty inherent in utilising the ‘dimensional’ diagnostic criteria used by mental health professionals to answer ‘categorical’ legal questions. This is of particular concern following publication of the new diagnostic manual, DSM-V, in 2013, which will further exacerbate concerns about compatibility. It is argued that a new set of diagnostic guidelines, tailored specifically for use in a legal context, is now a necessity.
The evolution of reading in the age of digitisation: an integrative framework for reading research
Authors: Mangen Anne , van der Weel Adriaan
Published: June 2016

In the course of digitisation, the range of substrates for textual reading is being expanded to include a number of screen‐based technologies and reading devices, such as e‐readers (e.g. Kindle) and tablets (e.g. iPad). These technologies have distinctly different affordances than paper has. Given that textual reading is at the same time likely to remain important as a cultural practice, and is undergoing massive change as digital screens are supplementing paper – with the potential to replace it as the dominant substrate – there is an urgent need to investigate what effects such change might have on the reading of different kinds of texts, for different purposes. This article proposes the need for an integrative, transdisciplinary model of embodied, textual reading accounting for its psychological, ergonomic, technological, social, cultural and evolutionary aspects. The envisaged model aims to be partly explanatory, in the sense that it aligns and integrates existing knowledge, and partly exploratory, in the sense that it points to blank spots in our knowledge where further research is needed. The model will thus serve to guide the planning of such further research, and to make research more compatible and research outcomes more widely useable.
Magnetic alignment in warthogs Phacochoerus africanus and wild boars Sus scrofa
Authors: Červený Jaroslav , Burda Hynek , Ježek Miloš , Kušta Tomáš , Husinec Václav , Nováková Petra , Hart Vlastimil , Hartová Veronika , Begall Sabine , Malkemper E. Pascal
Published: June 2016

Magnetic alignment (MA) results from the preference of animals to align themselves along the field lines of the geomagnetic field, a behavioural expression of a magnetic sense. MA is well documented for ruminants and might demonstrate a general magnetic sensory ability among artiodactyls. We measured body‐axis alignment in 1614 foraging or resting wild boars Sus scrofa, 1849 wild boar beds, and 1347 warthogs Phacochoerus africanus, and found a highly significant north–south preference. The magnetic field was the only common denominator of all observations. Thus, we provide the first data suggesting a magnetic sense in the Suidae.
Phenotyping of subjects for large scale studies on patients with IBS
Authors: Boeckxstaens G. E. , Drug V. , Dumitrascu D. , Farmer A. D. , Hammer J. , Hausken T. , Niesler B. , Pohl D. , Pojskic L. , Polster A. , Simren M. , Goebel‐Stengel M. , Van Oudenhove L. , Vassallo M. , Wensaas K.‐A. , Aziz Q. , Houghton L. A. ,   COST Action BM1106 GENIEUR members
Published: June 2016

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex condition with multiple factors contributing to its aetiology and pathophysiology. Aetiologically these include genetics, life‐time events and environment, and physiologically, changes in motility, central processing, visceral sensitivity, immunity, epithelial permeability and gastrointestinal microflora. Such complexity means there is currently no specific reliable biomarker for IBS, and thus IBS continues to be diagnosed and classified according to symptom based criteria, the Rome Criteria. Carefully phenotyping and characterisation of a ‘large’ pool of IBS patients across Europe and even the world however, might help identify sub‐populations with accuracy and consistency. This will not only aid future research but improve tailoring of treatment and health care of IBS patients.

Purpose

The aim of this position paper is to discuss the requirements necessary to standardize the process of selecting and phenotyping IBS patients and how to organise the collection and storage of patient information/samples in such a large multi‐centre pan European/global study. We include information on general demographics, gastrointestinal symptom assessment, psychological factors, quality of life, physiological evaluation, genetic/epigenetic and microbiota analysis, biopsy/blood sampling, together with discussion on the organisational, ethical and language issues associated with implementing such a study. The proposed approach and documents selected to be used in such a study was the result of a thoughtful and thorough four‐year dialogue amongst experts associated with the European COST action BM1106 GENIEUR (www.GENIEUR.eu).
Judith Butler's theories: reflections for nursing research and practice
Authors: Nagington Maurice G.
Published: June 2016

Judith Butler is one of the most influential late 20th and early 21st century philosophers in regard to left wing politics, as well as an active campaigner for social justice within the United States and worldwide. Her academic work has been foundational to the academic discipline of queer theory and has been extensively critiqued and applied across a hugely wide range of disciplines. In addition, Butler's work itself is extensive covering topics such as gender, sexuality, race, literary theory, and warfare. This article can only serve as a taster for the potential application of her work in relation to nursing, which is in its infancy. This introduction covers three of the potentially most productive themes in Butler's work, namely power, performativity, and ethics. Each of these themes are critically explored in turn, sometimes in relation to their actual application in nursing literature, but also in relation to their potential for producing novel critiques of nursing practice. Suggestions are made about how Butler's work can develop nursing research and practice. The article concludes with a short summary of Butler's key works as well as suggested reading for people interested in examining how her theories have been applied across different academic settings.
Successful living donor liver transplantation for classical maple syrup urine disease
Authors: Yasui Toshihiro , Suzuki Tatsuya , Hara Fujio , Watanabe Shunsuke , Uga Naoko , Naoe Atsuki , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Ito Tetsuya , Nakajima Yoko , Miura Hiroki , Sugioka Atsushi , Kato Yutaro , Tokoro Takamasa , Tanahashi Yoshinao , Kasahara Mureo , Fukuda Akinari , Kurahashi Hiroki
Published: June 2016

MSUD is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by a deficiency in the enzyme, BCKDH, which catalyzes the breakdown of BCAAs. If left untreated, MSUD can result in mental retardation, central nervous system disorders, and even death. Most patients with MSUD are treated with a restricted protein diet and milk from which BCAAs have been removed. LT has been shown effective in patients with MSUD. This report describes the case of a 15‐month‐old boy who received a liver graft from his mother. Transplantation was successful, and the patient was then able to ingest a normal diet. Despite episodes of acute rejection, chylous ascites, and high fever (40 °C), he has shown no evidence of MSUD recurrence. These findings indicate that patients with MSUD can be successfully treated by LDLT, even when the donor is a heterozygous carrier of a mutated BCKDH gene.
Novel function of histamine signaling via histamine receptors in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism: Histamine H2 receptor protects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Yamada Sohsuke , Guo Xin , Wang Ke‐Yong , Tanimoto Akihide , Sasaguri Yasuyuki
Published: June 2016

We have reported that the function of histamine and its receptors (HRs) has a close relationship with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, much less is known regarding its pathogenic and molecular mechanism(s), including the early stage of hepatic and intestinal function for lipid and bile acid (BA) metabolism. We used H1R and H2R knockout mice (H1/2R‐KO) to clarify those pivotal roles in cholesterol/BA metabolism, in which H1/2R‐KO mice were separately fed a short‐term 1% cholesterol or cholic acid (CA) diet. [3H]Cholesterol absorption study revealed that significantly enhanced accumulation occurred in the jejunum, blood and liver, but not in the feces, of H2R‐KO mice, compared to wild‐type and H1R‐KO mice. Furthermore, four weeks after the high‐cholesterol diet, the H2R‐KO jejunum but not liver exhibited increased expressions of cholesterol transporters, consistent with higher plasma lipoprotein levels. Five days after CA diet, the H2R‐KO mice showed significantly higher expressions of ileal BA‐reabsorption and hepatic BA‐efflux factors, corresponding to higher serum but lower fecal BA levels. The following long‐term CA diets resulted in severe injury to the H2R‐KO liver. Histamine/H2R signaling might have a protective role in the initial phase during NAFLD progression, correlated with cholesterol and BA metabolism in the liver/intestine.
Clonality analysis performed using human androgen receptor assay in a rare case of undifferentiated thymic carcinoma coexisting with type AB thymoma
Authors: Karino Fumi , Yokose Tomoyuki , Matsukuma Shoichi , Miyagi Yohei , Murakami Shuji , Ito Hiroyuki , Nakayama Haruhiko , Yamada Kouzo
Published: June 2016

We report a very rare case of combined thymic carcinomas: undifferentiated thymic carcinoma coexisting with type AB thymoma. The precise mechanism underlying the coexistence of these tumors remains unknown. Therefore, we used clonality analysis to ascertain whether the two tumors were clonally related. A 63‐year‐old woman with thyroid cancer visited our hospital. Chest computed tomography also revealed an anterior mediastinal tumor. The patient was treated with total thyroidectomy and surgery for mediastinal tumors together with left upper lobe partial resection. The mediastinal tumor was pathologically diagnosed as undifferentiated thymic carcinoma coexisting with type AB thymoma. Multiple pulmonary metastases were detected in the patient and stage IV disease was diagnosed. The tumor was treatment‐resistant, and the patient received fourth‐line chemotherapy. We conducted clonality analysis using an improved human androgen receptor gene‐amplification assay that involves random X‐chromosome inactivation through methylation, followed by methylated gene‐specific PCR amplification after sample DNA digestion with HpaII, a methylation‐sensitive restriction enzyme. Clonality analysis demonstrated identical X‐chromosome inactivation in cells present in both thymoma and thymic carcinoma areas, and thus revealed clonal proliferation. The two lesions in the patient might have arisen through the transformation of a preexisting thymoma into a more malignant lesion.
Strategies to modulate the intestinal microbiota of Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in aquaculture: a review
Authors: Haygood Alyssa M. , Jha Rajesh
Published: June 2016

Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) are the most widespread aquaculture species grown and are expected to continue increasing in production to meet the growing demand for fish by an ever‐increasing human population. Fish health management is one of the major concerns in the production of aquaculture species. A number of studies have been conducted to identify new procedures for reducing disease of commonly farmed species, such as tilapia. To prevent disease, the use of antibiotics is common practice in most aquaculture facilities. However, consumer demand and increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance have caused the reduction in the use of antibiotics being administered regularly. A recent strategy is the incorporation of antibiotic alternatives, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and alternative carbohydrate ingredients to promote the growth and health of the fish through the modulation of gastrointestinal microbiota. Intestinal autochthonous microbiota fulfils a number of important roles in host digestion, immunity and intestinal integrity. In the past, the majority of studies on the intestinal microbiota of tilapia used culture‐based methods that are not representative of the entire community. With the advancement of molecular techniques, current studies are utilizing culture‐independent methods to monitor the microbial modulation in the tilapia gastrointestinal tract. This review discusses the effects of antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics and alternative feed ingredients on the intestinal microbiota of tilapia using culture‐independent techniques. Although advances have been made in the understanding of tilapia intestinal microbiota, more research is needed into the microbial ecology, alternative feedstuff effects and economic impacts of modulating intestinal microbiota of tilapia.
Design and implementation of a collaborative epidemiological surveillance system for aquaculture (VECA)
Authors: Muniesa Ana , Ruiz‐Zarzuela Imanol , de Blas Ignacio
Published: June 2016

Syndromic surveillance and participatory epidemiology are nowadays taking part in the public health system because they can be very interesting tools to complement the classical ones. Although syndromic surveillance could be nonspecific, it is usually based on real‐time data analysis to provide early warnings. Participatory Epidemiology can bring us different and interesting approaches that we can use to better understand the problem. VECA implements an epidemiological surveillance system, validated by experts and users, which allows collecting real‐time information of each facility on production data, origin of animals, environmental parameters, disease status and therapeutic and prophylactic measures. Based on the data collected, the results of preliminary epidemiological analyses have been selected to design the most relevant indexes, which will set different levels of health warning, to help those responsible for aquatic animal health and producers to make the right decisions. The platform can be used by owners or those responsible of farms who wish to collaborate in the development of this system of epidemiological alert and to prevent future diseases that cause incalculable losses in the sector.
Comparison of DNA Fragmentation Assay in Frozen‐Thawed Cat Epididymal Sperm
Authors: Kunkitti P , Sjödahl A , Bergqvist A‐S , Johannisson A , Axnér E
Published: June 2016

Contents

DNA fragmentation of frozen‐thawed feline epididymal sperm from corpus and cauda regions was evaluated by three different techniques. The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was compared between techniques: the sperm chromatin structural assay (SCSA®), acridine orange staining techniques (AOT) and the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD). There were significant differences in DFI among the techniques (p < 0.05) with no correlations. Only DFI values obtained from SCD revealed a significantly higher DFI in corpus compared with cauda spermatozoa (p < 0.05). The discrepancy between techniques might be due to the sensitivity of each technique, differences in severity of DNA damaged that can be detected. The difference in DFI between epididymal regions from SCD technique might indicate different maturational stages of spermatozoa, with less chromatin condensation of spermatozoa in corpus compared with cauda epididymis.
Need for intensive care in patients admitted for asthma: Red flags from the social history
Authors: Moghaddas Fiona , Smith Catherine , Pilcher David , O'Hehir Robyn , Hew Mark , Dabscheck Eli
Published: June 2016

Background and objective

Asthma deaths in Australia are associated with illicit substance abuse, mental health problems and social issues. However, a large proportion of these deaths occurs out of hospital and is difficult to avert by the time the individuals seek medical attention. We hypothesized that these characteristics may also increase the risk for a patient to require intensive care admission when they present to emergency departments.

Methods

We studied consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary metropolitan hospital with a primary diagnosis of asthma between January 2010 and January 2014. Clinical and demographical data were obtained from chart review. The patient's postcode was used as a surrogate for socioeconomic status.

Results

There were 482 asthma patients admitted during the study period, of which 39 required intensive care. Ten patients admitted to intensive care (26%) used illicit drugs compared with 29 (7%) of those admitted to the ward (adjusted odds ratio: 3.6, P = 0.012). For illicit users, nonadherence to preventer therapy was associated with an even higher risk of intensive care unit admission. Socioeconomic index was lower in the group requiring intensive care admission. The frequency of psychiatric diagnoses was similar in both groups.

Conclusion

Among patients admitted to hospital for asthma, illicit substance abuse is a strong independent risk factor for intensive care requirement. Preventer therapy nonadherence further increases this risk. Lower socioeconomic status is also associated with increased risk. These historical features should be actively sought on admission and may serve as useful ‘red flags’ to prompt consideration of intensive monitoring.
Development of a simple screening tool for opportunistic COPD case finding in primary care in Latin America: The PUMA study
Authors: López Varela Maria Victorina , Montes de Oca Maria , Rey Alejandra , Casas Alejandro , Stirbulov Roberto , Di Boscio Valentina ,   on behalf of the PUMA Team
Published: June 2016

Background and objective

Opportunistic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) case finding approaches for high‐risk individuals with or without symptoms is a feasible option for disease identification. PUMA is an opportunistic case finding study conducted in primary care setting of Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and Uruguay. The objectives were to measure COPD prevalence in an at‐risk population visiting primary care for any reason, to assess the yield of this opportunistic approach and the accuracy of a score developed to detect COPD.

Methods

Subjects attending routine primary care visits, ≥40 years of age, current or former smokers or exposed to biomass smoke, completed a questionnaire and performed spirometry. COPD was defined as post‐bronchodilator (post‐BD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 0.70 and the lower limit of normal of FEV1/FVC.

Results

A total of 1743 subjects completed the interview; 1540 performed acceptable spirometry. COPD prevalence was 20.1% (n = 309; ranging from 11.0% in Venezuela to 29.6% in Argentina) when defined using post‐BD FEV1/FVC < 0.70, and 14.7% (n = 226; ranging from 8.3% in Venezuela to 21.8% in Colombia) using the lower limit of normal. Logistic regression analysis for both definitions showed that the risk of COPD was significantly higher for persons >50 years, heavy smokers (>30 pack‐years), with dyspnoea, and having prior spirometry. A simple score and a weighted score constructed using the following predictive factors: gender, age, pack‐years smoking, dyspnoea, sputum, cough and spirometry, had a mean accuracy for detecting COPD (post‐BD FEV1/FVC < 0.70) of 76% and 79% for the simple and weighted scores, respectively.

Conclusion

This simple seven‐item score is an accurate screening tool to select subjects for spirometry in primary care.
Information Sources as Explanatory Variables for the Belgian Health‐Related Risk Perception of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident
Authors: Vyncke Bart , Perko Tanja , Van Gorp Baldwin
Published: June 2016

The media play an important role in risk communication, providing information about accidents, both nearby and far away. Each media source has its own presentation style, which could influence how the audience perceives the presented risk. This study investigates the explanatory power of 12 information sources (traditional media, new media, social media, and interpersonal communication) for the perceived risk posed by radiation released from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant on respondents’ own health and that of the population in general. The analysis controlled for attitude toward nuclear energy, gender, education, satisfaction with the media coverage, and duration of attention paid to the coverage. The study uses a large empirical data set from a public opinion survey, which is representative for the Belgian population with respect to six sociodemographic variables. Results show that three information sources are significant regressors of perceived health‐related risk of the nuclear accident: television, interpersonal communication, and the category of miscellaneous online sources. More favorable attitudes toward nuclear power, longer attention to the coverage, and higher satisfaction with the provided information lead to lower risk perception. Taken together, the results suggest that the media can indeed have a modest influence on how the audience perceives a risk.
Model Selection and Estimation with Quantal‐Response Data in Benchmark Risk Assessment
Authors: Peña Edsel A. , Wu Wensong , Piegorsch Walter , West Ronald W. , An LingLing
Published: June 2016

This article describes several approaches for estimating the benchmark dose (BMD) in a risk assessment study with quantal dose‐response data and when there are competing model classes for the dose‐response function. Strategies involving a two‐step approach, a model‐averaging approach, a focused‐inference approach, and a nonparametric approach based on a PAVA‐based estimator of the dose‐response function are described and compared. Attention is raised to the perils involved in data “double‐dipping” and the need to adjust for the model‐selection stage in the estimation procedure. Simulation results are presented comparing the performance of five model selectors and eight BMD estimators. An illustration using a real quantal‐response data set from a carcinogenecity study is provided.
REDD+ as Result‐based Aid: General Lessons and Bilateral Agreements of Norway
Authors: Angelsen Arild
Published: June 2016

The initiative known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) officially became part of the international climate agenda in 2007. At that time, REDD+ was an idea regarding payment to countries (and possibly also projects) for reducing emission from forests, with funding primarily from carbon markets. The initiative has since become multi‐objective in nature; the policy focus has changed from a payments for environmental services (PES) approach to broader policies, and international funding primarily originates from development aid budgets. This “aidification” of REDD+ has made the program similar to previous efforts using conditional or results‐based aid (RBA). However, the experience of RBA in other sectors has scarcely been addressed in the REDD+ debate. The alleged advantages of RBA are poorly backed by empirical research. This paper reviews the primary challenges in designing and implementing a system of RBA, namely, donor spending pressure, performance criteria, reference levels, risk sharing, and funding credibility. It then reviews the four partially performance‐based, bilateral REDD+ agreements that Norway has entered with Tanzania, Brazil, Guyana, and Indonesia. These agreements and the aid experience provide valuable lessons for the design and implementation of future REDD+ mechanisms.
Progressive Lending in Microfinance—What about the Farmers?
Authors: Hering Imke , Musshoff Oliver
Published: June 2016

Dynamic incentives have become a common measure in microfinance institutions (MFI) to counteract the risk of default and to strengthen the borrower's identification with his micro‐lender. This article focuses on progressive lending over the course of the bank–borrower relationship. As the agricultural sector is increasingly important for Azerbaijan's economy, this study differentiates between the lending policies faced by farmers and non‐farmers, and matches the findings with the repayment performances of both client groups. By means of a rich data set spanning from 2007 through 2012 provided by an MFI in Azerbaijan, it can be demonstrated that farmers face a higher degree of loan volume rationing that cannot be justified by our findings on repayment performances. Moreover, we find that repeated borrowing increases the default probabilities of both client groups. In conclusion, we deduce that the MFI and borrowers could benefit from reconsidering the current lending policies.
Shame, Guilt, and Suicide Ideation among Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadomasochism Practitioners: Examining the Role of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
Authors: Roush Jared F. , Brown Sarah L. , Mitchell Sean M. , Cukrowicz Kelly C.
Published: June 2016

To date, no study has examined rates of suicide ideation or theory‐based risk factors for suicide ideation among bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism (BDSM) practitioners. Participants were 321 adults that endorsed BDSM involvement. Thirty‐seven percent of the sample indicated a nonzero level of suicide ideation. Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness (PB) were positively associated with suicide ideation and their interactive effect predicted additional variance in suicide ideation after adjusting for depressive symptoms. Overall, shame and guilt were positively associated with suicide ideation and these relations were mediated by thwarted belongingness and PB in parallel adjusting for depressive symptoms; however, there were some differences between demographic subgroups. Among BDSM practitioners, stigma‐related internalized feelings (i.e., shame and guilt) may be associated with increased thwarted belongingness and PB, which are associated with suicide ideation.
Networks for Welfare Provision: Getting a Grip on Processes of Social Exclusion by Evaluating Network Effectiveness
Authors: De Corte Joris , Verschuere Bram , De Bie Maria
Published: June 2016

It has been repeatedly stated that the topic of network effectiveness has often been neglected. This has led to a situation of ‘network euphoria’ amongst practitioners and policymakers with regard to the creation of networks as a means to (re‐)organize welfare provision. Starting from a case study of networks for welfare provision in two Belgian cities, this article focuses on the effectiveness of service delivering networks at the client level, which is understood as the contribution of the network in improving the conditions of life of those being served or targeted by the network. Therefore, we focused on the collective efforts via these networks (e.g. by creating a night shelter or by conducting case consultations) to look after a population of homeless people who face multiple problems and are not able yet to benefit from welfare provision. Our findings revealed that these networks were able to realize a ‘collaborative advantage’ by filling in service gaps and by overcoming fragmentation of care. Nevertheless, these networks equally maintained criteria that restricted the accessibility or usefulness of welfare services provided to homeless people. In the concluding section, we highlight some of the factors that could help us to explain our findings and highlight the tension between the effectiveness of networks at the client level and the effectiveness at the organizational level.
The LORE1 insertion mutant resource
Authors: Małolepszy Anna , Mun Terry , Sandal Niels , Gupta Vikas , Dubin Manu , Urbański Dorian , Shah Niraj , Bachmann Asger , Fukai Eigo , Hirakawa Hideki , Tabata Satoshi , Nadzieja Marcin , Markmann Katharina , Su Junyi , Umehara Yosuke , Soyano Takashi , Miyahara Akira , Sato Shusei , Hayashi Makoto , Stougaard Jens , Andersen Stig U.
Published: June 2016

Long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are closely related to retroviruses, and their activities shape eukaryotic genomes. Here, we present a complete Lotus japonicus insertion mutant collection generated by identification of 640 653 new insertion events following de novo activation of the LTR element Lotus retrotransposon 1 (LORE1) (http://lotus.au.dk). Insertion preferences are critical for effective gene targeting, and we exploit our large dataset to analyse LTR element characteristics in this context. We infer the mechanism that generates the consensus palindromes typical of retroviral and LTR retrotransposon insertion sites, identify a short relaxed insertion site motif, and demonstrate selective integration into CHG‐hypomethylated genes. These characteristics result in a steep increase in deleterious mutation rate following activation, and allow LORE1 active gene targeting to approach saturation within a population of 134 682 L. japonicus lines. We suggest that saturation mutagenesis using endogenous LTR retrotransposons with germinal activity can be used as a general and cost‐efficient strategy for generation of non‐transgenic mutant collections for unrestricted use in plant research.
14‐3‐3 protein mediates plant seed oil biosynthesis through interaction with AtWRI1
Authors: Ma Wei , Kong Que , Mantyla Jenny J. , Yang Yang , Ohlrogge John B. , Benning Christoph
Published: June 2016

Plant 14‐3‐3 proteins are phosphopeptide‐binding proteins, belonging to a large family of proteins involved in numerous physiological processes including primary metabolism, although knowledge about the function of 14‐3‐3s in plant lipid metabolism is sparse. WRINKLED1 (WRI1) is a key transcription factor that governs plant oil biosynthesis. At present, AtWRI1‐interacting partners remain largely unknown. Here, we show that 14‐3‐3 proteins are able to interact with AtWRI1, both in yeast and plant cells. Transient co‐expression of 14‐3‐3‐ and AtWRI1‐encoding cDNAs led to increased oil biosynthesis in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Stable transgenic plants overproducing a 14‐3‐3 protein also displayed increased seed oil content. Co‐production of a 14‐3‐3 protein with AtWRI1 enhanced the transcriptional activity of AtWRI1. The 14‐3‐3 protein was found to increase the stability of AtWRI1. A possible 14‐3‐3 binding motif was identified in one of the two AP2 domains of AtWRI1, which was also found to be critical for the interaction of AtWRI1 with an E3 ligase linker protein. Thus, we hypothesize a regulatory mechanism by which the binding of 14‐3‐3 to AtWRI1 interferes with the interaction of AtWRI1 and the E3 ligase, thereby protecting AtWRI1 from degradation. Taken together, our studies identified AtWRI1 as a client of 14‐3‐3 proteins and provide insights into a role of 14‐3‐3 in mediating plant oil biosynthesis.
The influence of graft placement on clinical outcome in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Padua Roberto , Alviti Federica , Venosa Michele , Mazzola Carlo , Padua Luca
Published: June 2016

Purpose: the aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of graft tunnel position on both clinical outcome and instrumental knee stability in patients submitted to arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) graft.

Methods: thirty patients (24 men and 6 women) who underwent ACL reconstruction performed using an autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft were studied at a mean follow-up of 18 months. Clinical outcome was assessed on the basis of the Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective form and the Short Form-36. Clinical outcomes were correlated with both femoral and tibial tunnel placement measured on standard anteroposterior and lateral knee radiographs, in accordance with established guidelines.

Results: tibial tunnel position on the lateral view correlated significantly with both the IKDC subjective form (r = -0.72; p<0.05) and the Lysholm score (r=-0.73; p<0.05). Tibial tunnel position on the lateral view also correlated with stability measured using a KT-1000 arthrometer at 30N of force (r=0.57; p<0.05). No correlation was found between α angle and anteroposterior (AP) laxity measured by KT-1000 arthrometer. No significant correlation was found between femoral tunnel position (on either view) and Lysholm score, IKDC score and Tegner activity level. Similarly, no correlation was found between AP laxity measured by KT-1000 arthrometer and femoral tunnel position.

Conclusions: these results suggest that the more anterior the placement of the tibial tunnel, the better the clinical outcome will be. On the basis of literature data and our findings, we discuss the hypothesis that there exists a “correct area” for tunnel placement, making it possible to obtain the best results.

Level of evidence: Level IV, case series.
Coracoid syndrome: a neglected cause of anterior shoulder pain
Authors: Gigante Antonio , Bottegoni Carlo , Barbadoro Pamela
Published: June 2016

Purpose: the present prospective open-label study was designed to gain further insights into a condition thought to constitute a neglected but not uncommon syndrome characterized by anterior shoulder pain and tenderness to palpation over the apex of the coracoid process, not related to rotator cuff or pectoralis minor tendinopathy, long head of the biceps tendon disorders, or instability. The aim was to clarify its prevalence, clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis and response to corticosteroid injections.

Methods: patients with primary anterior shoulder pain precisely reproduced by deep pressure on the apex of the coracoid process were recruited. Patients with clinical or instrumental signs of other shoulder disorders were excluded. Patients were given an injection of triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/ml 1 ml at the coracoid trigger point. They were evaluated after 15, 30 and 60 days and at 2 years using Equal Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) and the italian version of the Simple Shoulder Test (SST).

Results: between January 1 and December 31 2010, we treated 15 patients aged 26-66 years. The majority were women (86.67%). At 15 days, 6 (40%) patients reported complete resolution of their symptoms, while 9 (60%) complained of residual symptoms and received another injection. At 30 days, 14 (93.33%) patients were pain-free and very satisfied. At 2 years, the 14 patients who had been asymptomatic at 30 days reported that they had experienced no further pain or impaired shoulder function. The analysis of variance for repeated measures showed a significant effect of time on EQ-VAS and SST scores.

Conclusions: the present study documents the existence, and characteristics, of a “coracoid syndrome” characterized by anterior shoulder pain and tenderness to palpation over the apex of the coracoid process and showed that the pain is usually amenable to steroid treatment. This syndrome should be clearly distinguished from anterior shoulder pain due to other causes, in order to avoid inappropriate conservative or surgical treatment.

Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Design and Evaluation of Model-Based Health Monitoring Scheme for Automated Manual Transmission
Authors: Chen Qi , Ahmed Qadeer , Rizzoni Giorgio , Qiu Mingming
Published: June 2016

Health monitoring of automated manual transmission (AMT) in modern vehicles can play a critical role to avoid its malfunctions and ensure vehicle functional safety. In order to meet this demand, this paper presents a model-based fault detection and identification (FDI) scheme for AMT. After developing the fault model of AMT, structural analysis (SA)-based fault detectability and isolability is realized with the available set of sensors, prior to design and development of residuals. The residuals are generated by employing the theory of SA, where the concepts of analytical redundant relationship (ARR) are utilized to make residuals stable and robust. Finally, the proposed FDI scheme is successfully evaluated to detect and isolate the sensor faults in EcoCAR2 AMT.
Simulations of Anisotropic Texture Evolution on Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic Materials Subject to a Magnetic Field Using Q-State Monte Carlo
Authors: Allen J. B.
Published: June 2016

The present work incorporates a modified Q-state Monte Carlo (Potts) model to evaluate two-dimensional annealing of representative paramagnetic and diamagnetic polycrystalline materials in the presence of a magnetic field. Anisotropies in grain boundary energy, caused by differences in grain orientation (texturing), and the presence of an external magnetic field are examined in detail. In the former case, the Read–Shockley equations are used, in which grain boundary energies are computed using a low-angle misorientation approximation. In the latter case, magnetic anisotropy is simulated based on the relative orientation between the principal grain axis and the external magnetic field vector. Among other findings, the results of texture development subject to a magnetic field showed an increasing orientation distribution function (ODF) asymmetry over time, with higher intensities favoring the grains with principal axes most closely aligned with the magnetic field direction. The magnetic field also tended to increase the average grain size, which was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the total grain boundary energy.
Examination of a Variable-Diameter Synthetic Jet
Authors: Albright Spencer O. , Solovitz Stephen A.
Published: June 2016

Synthetic jet actuators are used to produce net axial momentum flow without net mass flux. Through strategic application, such devices can be used for flow control, propulsive thrust, and cooling. A novel application uses a variable-diameter orifice to constrict the exiting flow, and the motion can be synchronized with the pulse of the jet. This device is examined using phase-locked particle image velocimetry (PIV), permitting investigation of the flow fields and momentum flow. When compared to fixed-diameter synthetic jets, the variable-diameter actuator produces a larger vortex ring that lingers nearer the aperture. In addition, the experiments show increased momentum when the aperture is contracted in phase with the pulsing jet, with peak levels more than twice that of a constant-diameter jet.
Reduction of Epistemic Model Uncertainty in Simulation-Based Multidisciplinary Design
Authors: Jiang Zhen , Chen Shishi , Apley Daniel W. , Chen Wei
Published: June 2016

Model uncertainty is a significant source of epistemic uncertainty that affects the prediction of a multidisciplinary system. In order to achieve a reliable design, it is critical to ensure that the disciplinary/subsystem simulation models are trustworthy, so that the aggregated uncertainty of system quantities of interest (QOIs) is acceptable. Reduction of model uncertainty can be achieved by gathering additional experiments and simulations data; however, resource allocation for multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) and analysis remains a challenging task due to the complex structure of the system, which involves decision makings about where (sampling locations), what (disciplinary responses), and which type (simulations versus experiments) for allocating more resources. Instead of trying to concurrently make the above decisions, which would be generally intractable, we develop a novel approach in this paper to break the decision making into a sequential procedure. First, a multidisciplinary uncertainty analysis (MUA) is developed to identify the input settings with unacceptable amounts of uncertainty with respect to the system QOIs. Next, a multidisciplinary statistical sensitivity analysis (MSSA) is developed to investigate the relative contributions of (functional) disciplinary responses to the uncertainty of system QOIs. The input settings and critical responses to allocate resources are selected based on the results from MUA and MSSA, with the aid of a new correlation analysis derived from spatial-random-process (SRP) modeling concepts, ensuring the sparsity of the selected inputs. Finally, an enhanced preposterior analysis predicts the effectiveness of allocating experimental and/or computational resource to answer the question about which type of resource to allocate. The proposed method is applied to a benchmark electronic packaging problem to demonstrate how epistemic model uncertainty is gradually reduced via resource allocation for data gathering.
Gear Flank Modification Using a Variable Lead Grinding Worm Method on a Computer Numerical Control Gear Grinding Machine
Authors: Fong Zhang-Hua , Chen Gwan-Hon
Published: June 2016

Tooth crowning of a ground helical gear is usually done by adjusting the radial feed with respect to the axial feed of the grinding worm on the modern CNC gear grinding machine. However, when the amount of crowning and the helical angle of the gear are large, this method always results in a twisted tooth flank. Hence, in this paper, we propose a tooth flank crowning method for helical gears, which uses a diagonal (combined tangential and axial) feed on a grinding machine with a variable lead grinding worm (VLGW) obtained by adjusting the axial feed of the dressing disk with respect to the rotation angle of the grinding worm. Since all the required corrective motions for the proposed VLGW method are existing CNC controlled axes on modern gear grinding machines, it can easily be implemented without extra cost to modify the grinder hardware. Three numerical examples are presented to show the validation of the proposed method and its ability to reduce tooth flank twist even in the case of a large helical angle, with a particularly significant reduction on a crowned helical gear.