bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal effects on offspring consumption can stabilize fluctuating predator–prey systems
Authors: Garbutt Jennie S. , Little Tom J. , Hoyle Andy
Published: December 2015

Maternal effects, where the conditions experienced by mothers affect the phenotype of their offspring, are widespread in nature and have the potential to influence population dynamics. However, they are very rarely included in models of population dynamics. Here, we investigate a recently discovered maternal effect, where maternal food availability affects the feeding rate of offspring so that well-fed mothers produce fast-feeding offspring. To understand how this maternal effect influences population dynamics, we explore novel predator–prey models where the consumption rate of predators is modified by changes in maternal prey availability. We address the ‘paradox of enrichment', a theoretical prediction that nutrient enrichment destabilizes populations, leading to cycling behaviour and an increased risk of extinction, which has proved difficult to confirm in the wild. Our models show that enriched populations can be stabilized by maternal effects on feeding rate, thus presenting an intriguing potential explanation for the general absence of ‘paradox of enrichment' behaviour in natural populations. This stabilizing influence should also reduce a population's risk of extinction and vulnerability to harvesting.
Dynamic sensitivity and nonlinear interactions influence the system-level evolutionary patterns of phototransduction proteins
Authors: Invergo Brandon M. , Montanucci Ludovica , Bertranpetit Jaume
Published: December 2015

Determining the influence of complex, molecular-system dynamics on the evolution of proteins is hindered by the significant challenge of quantifying the control exerted by the proteins on system output. We have employed a combination of systems biology and molecular evolution analyses in a first attempt to unravel this relationship. We employed a comprehensive mathematical model of mammalian phototransduction to predict the degree of influence that each protein in the system exerts on the high-level dynamic behaviour. We found that the genes encoding the most dynamically sensitive proteins exhibit relatively relaxed evolutionary constraint. We also investigated the evolutionary and epistatic influences of the many nonlinear interactions between proteins in the system and found several pairs to have coevolved, including those whose interactions are purely dynamical with respect to system output. This evidence points to a key role played by nonlinear system dynamics in influencing patterns of molecular evolution.
Female preference for multi-modal courtship: multiple signals are important for male mating success in peacock spiders
Authors: Girard Madeline B. , Elias Damian O. , Kasumovic Michael M.
Published: December 2015

A long-standing goal for biologists has been to understand how female preferences operate in systems where males have evolved numerous sexually selected traits. Jumping spiders of theMaratusgenus are exceptionally sexually dimorphic in appearance and signalling behaviour. Presumably, strong sexual selection by females has played an important role in the evolution of complex signals displayed by males of this group; however, this has not yet been demonstrated. In fact, despite apparent widespread examples of sexual selection in nature, empirical evidence is relatively sparse, especially for species employing multiple modalities for intersexual communication. In order to elucidate whether female preference can explain the evolution of multi-modal signalling traits, we ran a series of mating trials usingMaratus volans. We used video recordings and laser vibrometry to characterize, quantify and examine which male courtship traits predict various metrics of mating success. We found evidence for strong sexual selection on males in this system, with success contingent upon a combination of visual and vibratory displays. Additionally, independently produced, yet correlated suites of multi-modal male signals are linked to other aspects of female peacock spider behaviour. Lastly, our data provide some support for both theredundant signalandmultiple messageshypotheses for the evolution of multi-modal signalling.
Local effects drive heterozygosity–fitness correlations in an outcrossing long-lived tree
Authors: Rodríguez-Quilón Isabel , Santos-del-Blanco Luis , Grivet Delphine , Jaramillo-Correa Juan Pablo , Majada Juan , Vendramin Giovanni G. , Alía Ricardo , González-Martínez Santiago C.
Published: December 2015

Heterozygosity–fitness correlations (HFCs) have been used to understand the complex interactions between inbreeding, genetic diversity and evolution. Although frequently reported for decades, evidence for HFCs was often based on underpowered studies or inappropriate methods, and hence their underlying mechanisms are still under debate. Here, we used 6100 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to test for general and local effect HFCs in maritime pine (Pinus pinasterAit.), an iconic Mediterranean forest tree. Survival was used as a fitness proxy, and HFCs were assessed at a four-site common garden under contrasting environmental conditions (total of 16 288 trees). We found no significant correlations between genome-wide heterozygosity and fitness at any location, despite variation in inbreeding explaining a substantial proportion of the total variance for survival. However, four SNPs (including two non-synonymous mutations) were involved in significant associations with survival, in particular in the common gardens with higher environmental stress, as shown by a novel heterozygosity–fitness association test at the species-wide level. Fitness effects of SNPs involved in significant HFCs were stable across maritime pine gene pools naturally growing in distinct environments. These results led us to dismiss thegeneraleffect hypothesis and suggested a significant role of heterozygosity in specific candidate genes for increasing fitness in maritime pine. Our study highlights the importance of considering the species evolutionary and demographic history and different spatial scales and testing environments when assessing and interpreting HFCs.
nihexporter: an R package for NIH funding data
Authors: Hesselberth Jay , Baschal Erin , Ellinwood Nick , Pacheco Ashley , Peach Sally , Sweet Mary , Wang Yuying
Published: December 2015

1

1.1

Motivation

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the major source of federal funding for biomedical research in the United States. Analysis of past and current NIH funding can illustrate funding trends and identify productive research topics, but these analyses are conductedad hocby the institutes themselves and only provide a small glimpse of the available data. The NIH provides free access to funding data via NIH EXPORTER, but no tools have been developed to enable analysis of this data.

1.2

Results

We developed thenihexporter Rpackage, which provides access to NIH EXPORTER data. We used the package to develop several analysis vignettes that show funding trends across NIH institutes over 15 years and highlight differences in how institutes change their funding profiles. Investigators and institutions can use the package to perform self-studies of their own NIH funding.

1.3

Availability

Thenihexporter Rpackage can be installed via github.

1.4

Implementation

Thenihexporterpackage is implemented in the R Statistical Computing Environment.

1.5

Contact

Jay Hesselberthjay.hesselberth@gmail.com, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Male sex pheromone components inHeliconiusbutterflies released by the androconia affect female choice
Authors: Darragh Kathy , Vanjari Sohini , Mann Florian , Gonzalez-R Maria F , Morrison Colin R , Salazar Camilo , Pardo-Diaz Carolina , Merrill Richard M , McMillan W Owen , Schulz Stefan , Jiggins Chris D.
Published: December 2015

Sex specific pheromones are known to play an important role in butterfly courtship, and may influence both individual reproductive success and reproductive isolation between species. Extensive ecological, behavioural and genetic studies ofHeliconiusbutterflies have made a substantial contribution to our understanding of speciation. Male pheromones, although long suspected to play an important role, have received relatively little attention in this genus. Here, we combine morphological, chemical, and behavioural analyses of male pheromones in the Neotropical butterflyHeliconius melpomene.First, we identify putative androconia that are specialized brush-like scales that lie within the shiny grey region of the male hindwing. We then describe putative male sex pheromone compounds, which are largely confined to the androconial region of the hindwing of mature males, but are absent in immature males and females. Finally, behavioural choice experiments reveal that females ofH. melpomene,H. eratoandH. timaretastrongly discriminate against conspecific males which have their androconial region experimentally blocked. As well as demonstrating the importance of chemical signalling for female mate choice inHeliconiusbutterflies, the results describe structures involved in release of the pheromone and a list of potential male sex pheromone compounds.
Reticulate evolution is favored in influenza niche switching
Authors: Ma Eric J. , Hill Nichola J. , Zabilansky Justin , Yuan Kyle , Runstadler Jonathan A.
Published: December 2015

Reticulate evolution is thought to accelerate the process of evolution beyond simple genetic drift and selection, helping to rapidly generate novel hybrids with combinations of adaptive traits. However, the long-standing dogma that reticulate evolutionary processes are likewise advantageous for switching ecological niches, as in microbial pathogen host switch events, has not been explicitly tested. We use data from the influenza genome sequencing project and a phylogenetic heuristic approach to show that reassortment, a reticulate evolutionary mechanism, predominates over mutational drift in transmission between different host species. Moreover, as host evolutionary distance increases, reassortment is increasingly favored. We conclude that the greater the quantitative difference between ecological niches, the greater the importance of reticulate evolutionary processes in overcoming niche barriers.

Significance Statement

Are the processes that result in the exchange of genes between microbes quantitatively advantageous for those microbes when switching between ecological niches? To address this question, we consider the influenza A virus as a model microbe, with its ability to infect multiple host species (ecological niches) and undergo reassortment (exchange genes) with one another. Through our analysis of sequence data from the Influenza Research Database and the Barcode of Life Database, we find that the greater the quantitative difference between influenza hosts, the greater the proportion of reassortment events were found. More broadly, for microbes, we infer that reticulate evolutionary processes should be quantitatively favoured when switching between ecological niches.
Homeostatic activity-dependent tuning of recurrent networks for robust propagation of activity
Authors: Gjorgjieva Julijana , Evers Jan Felix , Eglen Stephen J.
Published: December 2015

Developing neuronal networks display spontaneous rhythmic bursts of action potentials that are necessary for circuit organization and tuning. While spontaneous activity has been shown to instruct map formation in sensory circuits, it is unknown whether it plays a role in the organization of motor networks that produce rhythmic output. Using computational modeling we investigate how recurrent networks of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal populations assemble to produce robust patterns of unidirectional and precisely-timed propagating activity during organism locomotion. One example is provided by the motor network inDrosophilalarvae, which generates propagating peristaltic waves of muscle contractions during crawling. We examine two activity-dependent models which tune weak network connectivity based on spontaneous activity patterns: a Hebbian model, where coincident activity in neighboring populations strengthens connections between them; and a homeostatic model, where connections are homeostatically regulated to maintain a constant level of excitatory activity based on spontaneous input. The homeostatic model tunes network connectivity to generate robust activity patterns with the appropriate timing relationships between neighboring populations. These timing relationships can be modulated by the properties of spontaneous activity suggesting its instructive role for generating functional variability in network output. In contrast, the Hebbian model fails to produce the tight timing relationships between neighboring populations required for unidirectional activity propagation, even when additional assumptions are imposed to constrain synaptic growth. These results argue that homeostatic mechanisms are more likely than Hebbian mechanisms to tune weak connectivity based on local activity patterns in a recurrent network for rhythm generation and propagation.
Clinical Validation of a Non-Invasive Prenatal Test for Genome-Wide Detection of Fetal Copy Number Variants
Authors: Lefkowitz Roy B. , Tynan John A. , Liu Tong , Wu Yijin , Mazloom Amin R. , Almasri Eyad , Hogg Grant , Angkachatchai Vach , Zhao Chen , Grosu Daniel S. , McLennan Graham , Ehrich Mathias
Published: December 2015

1.

Background

Current cell-free DNA (cfDNA) assessment of fetal chromosomes does not analyze and report on all chromosomes. Hence, a significant proportion of fetal chromosomal abnormalities are not detectable by current non-invasive methods. Here we report the clinical validation of a novel NIPT designed to detect genome-wide gains and losses of chromosomal material ≥7 Mb and losses associated with specific deletions <7 Mb.

Objective

The objective of this study is to provide a clinical validation of the sensitivity and specificity of a novel NIPT for detection of genome-wide abnormalities.

Study Design

This retrospective, blinded study included maternal plasma collected from 1222 study subjects with pregnancies at increased risk for fetal chromosomal abnormalities that were assessed for trisomy 21 (T21), trisomy 18 (T18), trisomy 13 (T13), sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs), fetal sex, genome-wide copy number variants (CNVs) 7 Mb and larger, and select deletions smaller than 7 Mb. Performance was assessed by comparing test results with findings from G-band karyotyping, microarray data, or high coverage sequencing.

Results

Clinical sensitivity within this study was determined to be 100% for T21, T18, T13, and SCAs, and 97.7% for genome-wide CNVs. Clinical specificity within this study was determined to be 100% for T21, T18, and T13, and 99.9% for SCAs and CNVs. Fetal sex classification had an accuracy of 99.6%.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that genome-wide non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for fetal chromosomal abnormalities can provide high resolution, sensitive, and specific detection of a wide range of sub-chromosomal and whole chromosomal abnormalities that were previously only detectable by invasive karyotype analysis. In some instances, this NIPT also provided additional clarification about the origin of genetic material that had not been identified by invasive karyotype analysis.
Accelerated DNA evolution in rats is driven by differential methylation in sperm
Authors: Liu Xiao-Hui , Lian Jin-Min , Ling Fei , Li Ning , Wang Da-Wei , Song Ying , Li Qi-Ye , Jin Ya-Bin , Feng Zhi-Yong , Cong Lin , Yao Dan-Dan , Sui Jing-Jing
Published: December 2015

Lamarckian inheritance has been largely discredited until the recent discovery of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. However, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance is still under debate for unable to rule out DNA sequence changes as the underlying cause for heritability. Here, through profiling of the sperm methylomes and genomes of two recently diverged rat subspecies, we analyzed the relationship between epigenetic variation and DNA variation, and their relative contribution to evolution of species. We found that only epigenetic markers located in differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between subspecies, but not within subspecies, can be stably and effectively passed through generations. DMRs in response to both random and stable environmental difference show increased nucleotide diversity, and we demonstrated that it is variance of methylation level but not deamination caused by methylation driving increasing of nucleotide diversity in DMRs, indicating strong relationship between environment-associated changes of chromatin accessibility and increased nucleotide diversity. Further, we detected that accelerated fixation of DNA variants occur only in inter-subspecies DMRs in response to stable environmental difference but not intra-subspecies DMRs in response to random environmental difference or non-DMRs, indicating that this process is possibly driven by environment-associated fixation of divergent methylation status. Our results thus establish a bridge between Lamarckian inheritance and Darwinian selection.
Crystal structures of ethyl 6-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromene-2-carboxylate and ethyl 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromene-2-carboxylate
Authors: Gomes Ligia R. , Low John Nicolson , Fernandes Carlos , Gaspar Alexandra , Borges Fernanda
Published: December 2015

The crystal structures of two chromone derivatives,viz.ethyl 6-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromene-2-carboxylate, C19H16O4, (1), and ethyl 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromene-2-carboxylate C18H13FO4, (2), have been determined: (1) crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. A comparison of the dihedral angles beween the mean planes of the central chromone core with those of the substituents, an ethyl ester moiety at the 2-position and apara-substituted phenyl ring at the 6-position shows that each molecule differs significantly from the others, even the two independent molecules (aandb) of (1). In all three molecules, the carbonyl groups of the chromone and the carboxylate aretrans-related. The supramolecular structure of (1) involves only weak C—H...π interactions between H atoms of the substituent phenyl group and the phenyl group, which link molecules into a chain of alternating moleculesaandb, and weak π–π stacking interactions between the chromone units. The packing in (2) involves C—H...O interactions, which form a network of two intersecting ladders involving the carbonyl atom of the carboxylate group as the acceptor for H atoms at the 7-position of the chromone ring and from anortho-H atom of the exocyclic benzene ring. The carbonyl atom of the chromone acts as an acceptor from ameta-H atom of the exocyclic benzene ring. π–π interactions stack the molecules by unit translation along theaaxis.
Crystal structure of μ-fluorido-bis{(η4-cyclooctadiene)[hexafluoridoantimonato(V)]platinum(II)} hexafluoridoantimonate(V) hydrogen fluoride 0.75-solvate
Authors: Seppelt Konrad , Friedemann Roland
Published: December 2015

In the complex cation of the binuclear solvated title salt, [Pt2F(SbF6)2(C8H12)2]SbF6·0.75HF, an F atom bridges the two platinum(II) atoms with a bond angle of 123.3 (2)°. The corresponding Pt—F bond lengths are in the range of other fluorine-bridged binuclear platinum(II) complexes. Two of the three SbF6−anions each coordinate with one F atom to one platinum(II) atom. Including the η4-bound cyclooctadiene (COD) ligands, the overall coordination sphere of each platinum(II) atom is square-planar. The third SbF6−anion is not bound to the complex. Hydrogen fluoride is present in the crystal structure as a solvent disordered over three positions, each with an occupancy of 0.25. F...F distances of 2.5512 (7), 2.6076 (8) and 3.2215 (10) Å to surrounding SbF6−anions are indicative of F—H...F hydrogen-bonding interactions although no H atoms could be localized for the disordered solvent molecules. The resulting hydrogen-bonded network is three-dimensional.
Crystal structure of the coordination compound of triiodidomethyltin(IV) with 2,2′-bipyridine, MeSnI3·bipy
Authors: Reuter Hans , Reichelt Martin
Published: December 2015

The title compound, (2,2′-bipyridine-κ2N,N′)triiodidomethyltin(IV), [Sn(CH3)I3(C10H8N2)], crystallizing in the non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic space groupPca21as an inversion twin, represents one of the few structurally characterized coordination compounds of an organotin(IV) trihalide with 2,2′-biypridine. Its distorted octahedral geometry shows a meridional arrangement of the I atoms and the methyl group is in-plane with the five-membered chelate ring. Asymmetric bonding of the biypridine ligand to the tin(IV) atom is reflected by different Sn—N bond lengths [2.268 (4) Åversus2.293 (4) Å] and caused by the statictranseffect of the methyl group. Sn—I bond lengths show some differences with respect to their orientation to the methyl group or the bipyridine ligand, respectively. Angular distortions in the coordination sphere of the SnIVatom mainly arise from the large I atoms. Distortion of the 2,2′-bipyridine ligand as a result of its coordination to the SnIVatom are described by the twisting angle of 2.5 (2)° between the least-squares planes of the two pyridine rings, as well as by the angle of 6.2 (2)° between the two lines through the pyridine-connecting C atoms and thepara-orientated C atoms. Directional intermolecular interactions are restricted to weak I...H van der Waals contacts.
Rev‐erbα modulates the hypothalamic orexinergic system to influence pleasurable feeding behaviour in mice
Authors: Feillet Céline A. , Bainier Claire , Mateo Maria , Blancas‐Velázquez Aurea , Salaberry Nora L. , Ripperger Jürgen A. , Albrecht Urs , Mendoza Jorge
Published: December 2015

The drive to eat is regulated by two compensatory brain pathways termed as homeostatic and hedonic. Hypothalamic orexinergic (ORX) neurons regulate metabolism, feeding and reward, thus controlling physiological and hedonic appetite. Circadian regulation of feeding, metabolism and rhythmic activity of ORX cells are driven by the brain suprachiasmatic clock. How the circadian clock impacts on ORX signalling and feeding‐reward rhythms is, however, unknown. Here we used mice lacking the nuclear receptor REV‐ERBα, a transcription repressor and a key component of the molecular clockwork, to study food‐reward behaviour. Rev‐Erbα mutant mice showed highly motivated behaviours to obtain palatable food, an increase in the intake and preference for tasty diets, and in the expression of the ORX protein in the hypothalamus. Palatable food intake was inhibited in animals treated with the ORX1R antagonist. Analyzing the Orx promoter, we found Retinoic acid‐related Orphan receptor Response Element binding sites for Rev‐Erbα. Furthermore, Rev‐Erbα dampened the activation of Orx in vitro and in vivo. Our data provide evidence for a possible repressive role of Rev‐Erbα in the regulation of ORX signalling, highlighting an implication of the circadian clockwork in modulating food‐reward behaviours with an important impact for the central regulation of overeating.
Primary hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy: management by minimally invasive surgery based on ultrasound localization
Authors: Stringer Kate M. , Gough Jenny , Gough Ian R.
Published: December 2015

Background

Primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy has the potential to seriously impact the mother and foetus. Management may be difficult because the condition is usually diagnosed during pregnancy necessitating a rapid decision to proceed with surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is appealing due to shorter operative times and lower risk of complications.

Method

We present a consecutive series of eight women diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy.

Results

All eight women were treated successfully by parathyroidectomy during pregnancy with no maternal or foetal complications. Seven of these 8 women were treated with minimally invasive parathyroidectomy based on ultrasound localization.

Conclusion

Where ultrasound localization is performed by experienced endocrine surgeons, minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is a feasible and safe approach in the pregnant patient with primary hyperparathyroidism.
Routine multidisciplinary cerebrovascular meetings do not reduce aneurysm clipping case load: a cohort study
Authors: Davis Brendan W. , Stuart Michael J. , Jayapratap Pravitha , Hall Bruce I.
Published: December 2015

Background

Structured multidisciplinary care is an increasingly popular tool in the management of many complex disease processes; however, there is little published data regarding the effects of such a process on management of intracranial aneurysms and neurosurgical case loads. There is some resistance in the neurosurgical community to routine involvement of interventional neuroradiologists in the care of patients with intracranial aneurysms due to concerns regarding maintenance of neurosurgical case loads and training capabilities. At our tertiary Australian hospital, we have implemented a weekly multidisciplinary cerebrovascular meeting (MDCVM) facilitating routine discussion of these cases between neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists.

Methods

This study identified management modalities for ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms diagnosed at our centre for a 2‐year period before and after the implementation of MDCVM culminating in a 4‐year retrospective cohort study. The pre‐ and post‐MDCVM cohorts were well matched for demographics with 162 and 224 patients, respectively.

Results

There is no significant difference in percentage or absolute numbers of endovascular or surgical cases in the pre‐MDCVM (103; 73.0% versus 38; 27.0%, respectively) or post‐MDCVM cohorts (105; 79.5% versus 27; 20.5%, respectively), reflecting a maintained surgical case load after the implementation of MDCVM (P = 0.21). There were no significant differences in any confounding variables including age, sex, aneurysm size/location, Fisher or World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade.

Conclusions

Implementation of MDCVM did not impact on active management case loads with consistent numbers and percentages for both endovascular and microsurgical management.
Twitter in urology and other surgical specialties at global conferences
Authors: Chung Amanda , Woo Henry
Published: December 2015

Background

Over recent years, Twitter has demonstrated an expanding role in scientific discussion, surgical news and conferences. This study evaluates the role of Twitter in urological conferences, with comparison to other surgical specialties.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of Twitter metrics during the two largest recent English‐speaking conferences for each surgical specialty was performed. Using www.symplur.com, all ‘tweets’ under the official conference hashtag from 0000 hour the first day to 24.00 hour the final day were assessed. The number of impressions, ‘tweeters’ and rates of ‘tweeting’ were analysed.

Results

Nine of 18 conferences examined had official hashtags registered with Symplur Healthcare Hashtags. Plastic and urological surgery had both major conferences registered. Only one of two conferences for each cardiothoracic, general, orthopaedic, otolaryngology and paediatric was registered. Both major neurosurgical and vascular conferences were unregistered. Urological conferences were associated with significantly more Twitter activity than non‐urological surgical conferences in all parameters, with greater than triple the number of impressions, tweets and ‘tweeters’. Urological surgical conferences were associated with 337% more tweets and 164% more impressions per conference day, than non‐urological surgical conferences.

Conclusion

Twitter has been used to supplement surgical conferences. In this regard, the urological community leads the way compared to the remainder of surgical specialty communities.
The Future of Research Methods in Work and Occupational Health Psychology
Authors: Spector Paul E. , Pindek Shani
Published: December 2015

A content analysis of the two leading WOHP journals (Journal of Occupational Health Psychology and Work & Stress) from 2010 to September 2014 revealed current practices in research design, sampling, and statistics, as well as the popularity of six major topics. Five suggested future trends are discussed that we feel will move the field forward in a positive way. First, the field is too dominated by the theory‐based deductive approach, and needs to make better use of exploratory/inductive methods that are more common in medical and natural sciences. Second, more explicit approaches are needed to illuminate processes, that is, the temporal sequence of events, whereby organisational conditions lead to health‐related outcomes. Third, qualitative approaches should be more widely utilised, not only in the beginning stages of research, but as a means of studying process and testing hypotheses, as well. Fourth, researchers need to make more frequent use of complex research designs that go beyond cross‐sectional self‐reports by incorporating multiple methods and/or longitudinal structures in order to draw more definitive conclusions. Fifth, the rapid increase in the use of multilevel modeling statistics is likely to continue, having opened the door to isolating the effects of group phenomena, as well as investigating daily fluctuations in variables over time.
Legal Traditions and Foreign Ownership Modes: Evidence from China
Authors: Gu Quanlin , Huang Shaoan , Shi Yupeng
Published: December 2015

Using census data gathered in 2001, the present paper examines how legal traditions influence foreign investors’ choice of ownership modes in China. The study finds that, first, investors from economies sharing the same legal origin with China tend to select ownership modes with a relatively high level of foreign control. That is, such foreign direct investment (FDI) firms are more likely to be wholly owned enterprises or joint ventures with relatively large foreign shares. Second, similarities in legal enforcement between China and the home economies correlate positively with high foreign control. Third, the effects of legal traditions on ownership modes are relatively weak for new entrants compared to their forerunners, probably owing to the continuous improvement in China's business and law institutions.
Assessment of corneal curvature using verion optical imaging system: a comparative study
Authors: Lauschke Jenny L , Lawless Michael , Sutton Gerard , Roberts Timothy V , Hodge Christopher
Published: December 2015

Background

Keratometry is a critical determinant of the postoperative refractive outcome. This study evaluates the comparability of keratometry measurements obtained using the Verion Optical Imaging System with devices used in current clinical practice. Further, it determines the interobserver reliability of the Verion Optical Imaging System.

Design

Retrospective analysis of patient data

Participants

Keratometric data was obtained from 100 patients presenting for pre‐operative evaluation. Furthermore, repeatability and reproducibility were assessed using 15 healthy volunteers.

Methods

Corneal curvature values acquired by the Verion Optical Imaging System were compared with existing keratometry devices including autokeratometry, partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster) and Scheimpflug corneal topography (Pentacam).

Main Outcome Measures

Direct comparison of corneal power, cylinder, axis of astigmatism and vector analysis were performed using correlation and Bland–Altman analyses. Reproducibility and reliability of the device were assessed using within‐subject standard deviation and intraclass correlation coefficients for experienced and inexperienced technicians.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between Verion values and those obtained by other methods in relation to mean keratometry, corneal astigmatism, steep meridian and vector analyses (P > 0.05). Bland–Altman plots showed narrow limits of agreement for keratometry and astigmatism and wider agreement for steep meridian.

Intraoperator reliability for both experienced and inexperienced operators and interoperator reproducibility showed no statistically significant differences between values.

Conclusion

Measurements show no significant difference from those obtained by the other devices. This suggests the Verion system is en par with instruments used in current clinical practice. The Verion Optical Imaging System produces repeatable data with no difference related to operator experience.
The Danish agricultural revolution in an energy perspective: a case of development with few domestic energy sources
Authors: Henriques Sofia Teives , Sharp Paul
Published: December 2015

This article examines the case of Denmark—a country which historically had next to no domestic energy resources—for which new historical energy accounts are presented for the years 1800–1913. It demonstrates that Denmark's take‐off at the end of the nineteenth century was relatively energy dependent. This is related to Denmark's well‐known agricultural transformation and development through the dairy industry, and thus the article complements the literature which argues that expensive energy hindered industrialization, by arguing that similar obstacles would have precluded other countries from a more agriculture‐based growth. The Danish cooperative creameries, which spread throughout the country over the last two decades of the nineteenth century, were dependent on coal. Although Denmark had next to no domestic coal deposits, this article demonstrates that Danish geography allowed cheap availability throughout the country through imports. On top of this it emphasizes that another important source of energy was imported feed for cows.
Laissez‐faire, theIrish famine, andBritish financial crisis
Authors: Read Charles
Published: December 2015

The decision in 1847 to cutTreasury spending on public relief efforts during theIrish famine is generally attributed by economic historians to the pervasive influence of ‘laissez‐faire’ ideas on theWhig government ofLordJohnRussell. This article draws on the papers of political leaders and contemporary financial information to argue that economic reasons were the trigger for the change in policy.RobertPeel andCharles Wood's macroeconomic policies of the 1840s, including the gold standard, theBankCharterAct, and corn law repeal, left theWhigs unable to borrow to finance relief efforts inIreland without panicking markets. The scaling back of public assistance programmes that resulted from this—and which increased mortality at the height of the Irish famine—was the unintended result ofPeel andWood's economic policies, in the context of theWhig government's parliamentary weakness.
In‐Class vs. Online Testing in University‐Level Language Courses: A Research Report
Authors: VanPatten Bill , Trego Daniel , Hopkins Walter P.
Published: December 2015

Against the background of concerns for how paper‐and‐pencil testing fits into contemporary language teaching, this brief research report presents the findings of a first study on the difference in scores between in‐class testing and online testing in a communicative and proficiency‐oriented program. A total of 244 students of third‐semester Spanish at the university level participated. One hundred twenty‐four took tests online, while 120 took tests in class. Results showed no difference between the scores, suggesting that at least for this particular kind of program, in‐class testing can be altered and moved online, freeing up class time for alternative measurements (in this case, curriculum‐specific can‐do statements).
Tiered Housing Allocation with Preannounced Rankings: An Experimental Analysis
Authors: Carrillo Juan D. , Singhal Saurabh
Published: December 2015

We study in the laboratory a variant of the house allocation with existing tenants problem where subjects are partitioned into tiers with hierarchical privileges, and they know their position in the priority queue before making their decision. We evaluate the performance of the modified versions of three well‐known mechanisms: Top Trading Cycle (TTC), Gale‐Shapley, and Random Serial Dictatorship (RSD) with Squatting Rights. For all three mechanisms, we find low rates of participation (around 40%), high rates of truth‐telling conditional on participation (around 90%), high proportions of fair allocations (above 90%), and significant efficiency losses. We also observe differences across mechanisms: RSD is ranked highest in efficiency and TTC is ranked lowest in fairness. We then show that position in the queue has a positive and significant impact on participation whereas tier has little effect on behavior. Finally, the individual analysis reveals that the majority of subjects who do not play according to the theory still follow discernible patterns of participation and preference revelation.
Effects of Childhood Experiences of Family Violence on Adult Partner Violence: A Meta‐Analytic Review
Authors: Smith‐Marek Erika N. , Cafferky Bryan , Dharnidharka Prerana , Mallory Allen B. , Dominguez María , High Jessica , Stith Sandra M. , Mendez Marcos
Published: December 2015

This meta‐analysis examined the association between being raised in a physically violent home and becoming an adult victim or perpetrator of physical intimate partner violence (IPV). We also explored the effects of sex of child victim and sex of parent perpetrator. In total, 124 studies, which reported 288 effect sizes measuring the association between witnessing interparental violence and/or experiencing child abuse and adult IPV, were included. Results revealed small effect sizes, with stronger effect sizes for perpetration than for victimization. The relationship between experiencing family‐of‐origin violence and subsequent IPV perpetration was significantly stronger for males than for females. The relationship between experiencing family‐of‐origin violence and subsequent IPV victimization was significantly stronger for females than for males.
Beyond Average Effects: Incorporating Heterogeneous Treatment Effects Into Family Research
Authors: Turney Kristin
Published: December 2015

Family researchers are increasingly concerned with causal inference. In this article, I urge family researchers to consider 2 types of causal inference: pretreatment heterogeneity, a consideration of nonrandom selection into a treatment (e.g., divorce), and posttreatment heterogeneity, a consideration of systematic differential responses to a treatment. I detail the heterogeneous treatment effects approach, a method designed to account for both pretreatment heterogeneity and posttreatment heterogeneity. I then review existing research that has implemented this method, paying particular attention to research on family life. Finally, I provide concrete examples of how family researchers can implement heterogeneous treatment effects to answer key research questions.
The Vital Role of Measurement Equivalence in Family Research
Authors: Dyer W. Justin
Published: December 2015

The construct is the most basic aspect of a theoretical model. Whether a construct is equivalent across groups or time is a vital consideration when testing theory. However, examining construct equivalence is often not well understood either conceptually or statistically. This article provides a conceptual and statistical overview of construct equivalence as well as a rationale for its increased use. An example of testing for equivalence is also provided. Three hundred 12‐year‐olds rated their mother and father on a scale of parental engagement. It was examined whether this scale demonstrated equivalence for both mothers and fathers. Equivalence tests found that strong equivalence was not met, and therefore mean comparisons are not justified. Theoretical and practical implications of measurement equivalence are discussed.
Autoethnography and Family Research
Authors: Adams Tony E. , Manning Jimmie
Published: December 2015

This article describes how autoethnography, a research method that uses—and even foregrounds—personal experience, can be used as a method for studying families. We first define autoethnography, describe orientations to autoethnographic research, and review research that has used autoethnography as a method for studying families. Although autoethnography has numerous strengths, four qualities make it especially suitable for doing family research. We describe how autoethnography can allow researchers to offer insider accounts of families; study everyday, unexpected experiences of families, especially as they face unique or difficult situations; write against limited extant research about families; and make research more accessible to nonacademic audiences. We conclude by offering criteria for evaluating autoethnography, including risks and limitations of the method.
Putting Families Into Place: Using Neighborhood‐Effects Research and Activity Spaces to Understand Families
Authors: Noah Aggie J.
Published: December 2015

Neighborhood is an important context in which individuals and families are embedded. Yet family studies researchers have been relatively slow to incorporate spatial approaches into family science. Although limited theoretical and methodological attention has been devoted to families in neighborhood‐effects research, family scholars can contribute greatly to theories about neighborhood effects, and neighborhood‐effects research can help move the field of family studies forward. This article reviews the theories, applications, and limitations of research on neighborhood effects and discusses how family studies can benefit from incorporating a spatial perspective from neighborhood‐effects research. I then present an innovative methodology—referred to as activity spaces—emerging in neighborhood‐effects research, and I discuss how this approach can be used to better understand the complexity and heterogeneity of families. Last, I highlight ways to incorporate space into family studies by “putting families into place.”
Intravenous immunoglobulin in acute Sydenham's chorea: A systematic review
Authors: Mohammad Shekeeb S , Nosadini Margherita , Grattan‐Smith Padraic , Dale Russell C
Published: December 2015

Sydenham's chorea (SC) is a major manifestation seen in 25% of patients with acute rheumatic fever. SC is the prototypic autoimmune neurological disorder, which has a less appreciated associated risk of psychiatric morbidity. We undertook a systematic review to examine whether the use of intravenous immunoglobulin affects clinical recovery and morbidity.
Human papillomavirus vaccination crisis in Japan
Authors: Dornbusch Hans Jürgen , Stiris Tom , del Torso Stefano , Ross‐Russell Robert , Zavrsnik Jernej , Wettergren Björn , Mercier Jean‐Christophe , Valiulis Arunas , Hadjipanayis Adamos
Published: December 2015

The European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) is gravely concerned about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination crisis in Japan and particularly about the negative position taken by governmental authorities. Given that the HPV vaccine is both safe and effective, there is no recognizable reason to date to withhold this lifesaving and cost effective public health measure from a population. Therefore, the EAP strongly encourages the Japanese health authorities to actively support HPV vaccination for the future health of their children and adolescents.
Sexual Function and Pessary Management Among Women Using a Pessary for Pelvic Floor Disorders
Authors: Meriwether Kate V. , Komesu Yuko M. , Craig Ellen , Qualls Clifford , Davis Herbert , Rogers Rebecca G.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Pessaries are commonly used to treat pelvic floor disorders, but little is known about the sexual function of pessary users.

Aim

We aimed to describe sexual function among pessary users and pessary management with regard to sexual activity.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial of new pessary users, where study patients completed validated questionnaires on sexual function and body image at pessary fitting and 3 months later.

Main Outcome Measures

Women completed the Pelvic Organ Prolapse—Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire, International Urogynecological Association Revised (PISQ-IR), a validated measure that evaluates the impact of pelvic floor disorders on sexual function, a modified female body image scale (mBIS), and questions regarding pessary management surrounding sexual activity.

Results

Of 127 women, 54% (68/127) were sexually active at baseline and 42% (64/114) were sexually active at 3 months. Sexual function scores were not different between baseline and 3 months on all domains except for a drop of 0.15 points (P  = 0.04) for sexually active women, and a drop of 0.34 points for non-sexually active women (P  = 0.02) in the score related to the sexual partner. Total mBIS score did not change (P  = 0.07), but scores improved by 0.2 points (P  = 0.03) in the question related to self-consciousness. Pessary satisfaction was associated with improved sexual function scores in multiple domains and improved mBIS scores. The majority (45/64, 70%) of sexually active women removed their pessary for sex, with over half stating their partner preferred removal for sex (24/45, 53%).

Conclusion

Many women remove their pessary during sex for partner considerations, and increased partner concerns are the only change seen in sexual function in the first 3 months of pessary use. Pessary use may improve self-consciousness and pessary satisfaction is associated with improvements in sexual function and body image.
Discussing Sexual Dysfunction with Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Practice Patterns in the Office of the Nephrologist
Authors: van Ek Gaby F. , Krouwel Esmée M. , Nicolai Melianthe P. , Bouwsma Hanneke , Ringers Jan , Putter Hein , Pelger Rob C.M. , Elzevier Henk W.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common problem in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sexual health remains a difficult subject to detect and discuss. Although many studies have been performed on the incidence of SD, little is known about practice patterns when it concerns quality of life (QoL)-related questions such as SD in the nephrologists’ practice.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine to which extent nephrologists, important renal care providers, discuss SD with their patients and their possible barriers toward discussing this subject.

Methods

A 50-item questionnaire was sent to all Dutch nephrologists (n = 312).

Main Outcome Measures

The survey results.

Results

The response rate of the survey was 34.5%. Almost all responders (96.4%) stated to address SD in less than half of their new patients. The most important barrier not to discuss SD was patients not expressing their concern regarding SD spontaneously (70.8%). Other important barriers were: “the lack of a suitable moment to discuss” (61.9%) and “insufficient time” (46.9%). Eighty-five percent of the nephrologists stated that insufficient attention was paid to SD and treatment options during their training. Sixty-five percent of the respondents stated to be in need of extending their knowledge on the discussing of SD.

Conclusions

Dutch nephrologists do not discuss problems with sexual function routinely. The lack of knowledge, suitable education, and insufficient time are factors causing undervaluation of SD in CKD patients. Implementation of competent sexual education and raising awareness among nephrologists on the importance of paying attention to SD could improve care and QoL for patients with CKD. More research should be performed among patients and other renal care providers to develop an adequate method to enhance our current system.