bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging prion disease drives host selection in a wildlife population
Authors: Robinson Stacie J. , Samuel Michael D. , Johnson Chad J. , Adams Marie , McKenzie Debbie I.
Published: April 2012

Infectious diseases are increasingly recognized as an important force driving population dynamics, conservation biology, and natural selection in wildlife populations. Infectious agents have been implicated in the decline of small or endangered populations and may act to constrain population size, distribution, growth rates, or migration patterns. Further, diseases may provide selective pressures that shape the genetic diversity of populations or species. Thus, understanding disease dynamics and selective pressures from pathogens is crucial to understanding population processes, managing wildlife diseases, and conserving biological diversity. There is ample evidence that variation in the prion protein gene (PRNP) impacts host susceptibility to prion diseases. Still, little is known about how genetic differences might influence natural selection within wildlife populations. Here we link genetic variation with differential susceptibility of white‐tailed deer to chronic wasting disease (CWD), with implications for fitness and disease‐driven genetic selection. We developed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay to efficiently genotype deer at the locus of interest (in the 96th codon of the PRNP gene). Then, using a Bayesian modeling approach, we found that the more susceptible genotype had over four times greater risk of CWD infection; and, once infected, deer with the resistant genotype survived 49% longer (8.25 more months). We used these epidemiological parameters in a multi‐stage population matrix model to evaluate relative fitness based on genotype‐specific population growth rates. The differences in disease infection and mortality rates allowed genetically resistant deer to achieve higher population growth and obtain a long‐term fitness advantage, which translated into a selection coefficient of over 1% favoring the CWD‐resistant genotype. This selective pressure suggests that the resistant allele could become dominant in the population within an evolutionarily short time frame. Our work provides a rare example of a quantifiable disease‐driven selection process in a wildlife population, demonstrating the potential for infectious diseases to alter host populations. This will have direct bearing on the epidemiology, dynamics, and future trends in CWD transmission and spread. Understanding genotype‐specific epidemiology will improve predictive models and inform management strategies for CWD‐affected cervid populations.
Occupancy in continuous habitat
Authors: Efford Murray G. , Dawson Deanna K.
Published: April 2012

The probability that a site has at least one individual of a species (‘occupancy') has come to be widely used as a state variable for animal population monitoring. The available statistical theory for estimation when detection is imperfect applies particularly to habitat patches or islands, although it is also used for arbitrary plots in continuous habitat. The probability that such a plot is occupied depends on plot size and home‐range characteristics (size, shape and dispersion) as well as population density. Plot size is critical to the definition of occupancy as a state variable, but clear advice on plot size is missing from the literature on the design of occupancy studies. We describe models for the effects of varying plot size and home‐range size on expected occupancy. Temporal, spatial, and species variation in average home‐range size is to be expected, but information on home ranges is difficult to retrieve from species presence/absence data collected in occupancy studies. The effect of variable home‐range size is negligible when plots are very large (>100 × area of home range), but large plots pose practical problems. At the other extreme, sampling of ‘point' plots with cameras or other passive detectors allows the true ‘proportion of area occupied' to be estimated. However, this measure equally reflects home‐range size and density, and is of doubtful value for population monitoring or cross‐species comparisons. Plot size is ill‐defined and variable in occupancy studies that detect animals at unknown distances, the commonest example being unlimited‐radius point counts of song birds. We also find that plot size is ill‐defined in recent treatments of “multi‐scale” occupancy; the respective scales are better interpreted as temporal (instantaneous and asymptotic) rather than spatial. Occupancy is an inadequate metric for population monitoring when it is confounded with home‐range size or detection distance.
Effects of isoflurane anesthesia with and without dexmedetomidine or remifentanil on quantitative electroencephalographic variables before and after nociceptive stimulation in dogs
Authors: Kulka Anne M. , Otto Klaus A. , Bergfeld Carina , Beyerbach Martin , Kästner Sabine B. R.
Published: April 2012

Objective—To evaluate the influence of various anesthetic protocols and 3 multiples of isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) before and after supramaximal stimulation on electroencephalographic (EEG) variables in dogs.

Animals—6 healthy adult Beagles (mean ± SD body weight, 16.3 ± 1.0 kg).

Procedures—All dogs underwent 3 anesthesia sessions with a minimum of 1 week separating sessions: isoflurane alone, isoflurane and a constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine (3 μg/kg/h, IV; ID), and isoflurane and a constant rate infusion of remifentanil (18 μg/kg/h, IV; IR). The MAC of isoflurane was determined via supramaximal electrical stimulation. Quantitative variables (frequency bands and their ratios, median frequency, 95% spectral edge frequency [SEF], and an EEG index) were determined directly before and after supramaximal stimulation at 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 times the MAC for each session of 20-second epochs.

Results—Mean ± SD isoflurane MACs for isoflurane alone, ID, and IR were 1.7 ± 0.3%, 1.0 ± 0.1%, and 1.0 ± 0.1%, respectively. Prestimulation 95% SEF decreased significantly with increasing MAC during the isoflurane alone and ID sessions. Significant decreases in δ frequency band (0.5 to 3.5 Hz) presence and significant increases in β frequency band (> 12.5 Hz) presence, median frequency, and 95% SEF after stimulation were dependent on the MAC and anesthetic protocol. The EEG index had the strongest correlation with increasing MAC during the isoflurane-alone session (ρ = −0.89) and the least in the IR session (ρ = −0.15).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Anesthesia with isoflurane alone resulted in the greatest overall EEG depression of all protocols. Use of remifentanil depressed the EEG response to nociceptive stimulation more strongly than did dexmedetomidine. The EEG variables evaluated did not appear useful when used alone as indicators of anesthetic depth in dogs.
Radical Decisions in Cancer: Redox Control of Cell Growth and Death
Authors: Sainz Rosa M. , Lombo Felipe , Mayo Juan C.
Published: April 2012

Free radicals play a key role in many physiological decisions in cells. Since free radicals are toxic to cellular components, it is known that they cause DNA damage, contribute to DNA instability and mutation and thus favor carcinogenesis. However, nowadays it is assumed that free radicals play a further complex role in cancer. Low levels of free radicals and steady state levels of antioxidant enzymes are responsible for the fine tuning of redox status inside cells. A change in redox state is a way to modify the physiological status of the cell, in fact, a more reduced status is found in resting cells while a more oxidative status is associated with proliferative cells. The mechanisms by which redox status can change the proliferative activity of cancer cells are related to transcriptional and posttranscriptional modifications of proteins that play a critical role in cell cycle control. Since cancer cells show higher levels of free radicals compared with their normal counterparts, it is believed that the anti-oxidative stress mechanism is also increased in cancer cells. In fact, the levels of some of the most important antioxidant enzymes are elevated in advanced status of some types of tumors. Anti-cancer treatment is compromised by survival mechanisms in cancer cells and collateral damage in normal non-pathological tissues. Though some resistance mechanisms have been described, they do not yet explain why treatment of cancer fails in several tumors. Given that some antitumoral treatments are based on the generation of free radicals, we will discuss in this review the possible role of antioxidant enzymes in the survival mechanism in cancer cells and then, its participation in the failure of cancer treatments.
Pioglitazone therapy in progressive differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Bockisch A. , Nagarajah J. , Rosenbaum-Krumme S. J.
Published: April 2012

Aim: Rosiglitazone achieved promising results in progressive differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with redifferentiative and antiproliferative effects, but has been taken off the market. Thus we evaluated another glitazone, pioglitazone, expecting similar positive results. Patient, materials, methods: Five patients with progressive DTC and no or only negligible iodine uptake were enrolled. Oral pioglitazone treatment was applied for 6 months. The re-differentiative effect was assessed by 124I-NaI PET/CT dosimetry and the anti-proliferative effect by 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Results: A redifferentiative effect of pioglitazone could not be shown. Lesion dosimetry indicated that 3/5 patients had unchanged no lesion absorbed dose per administered activity (LDpA) in any tumour lesion, 2/5 patients had a deterioration of LDpA within some lesions, thus radioiodine therapy was not performed in any patient. Volumetric analysis, using RECIST criteria, revealed progressive disease in 3/5 patients and stable disease in 2/5 patients. Metabolic changes, using EORTC criteria, revealed 3/5 patients with progressive metabolic disease, 1/5 patient with stable metabolic disease and 1/5 patients with partial metabolic response. The medication was well-tolerated, and no patient developed clinically important toxicity associated with the treatment. Conclusion: Pioglitazone revealed some positive effects in radioiodine negative and progressive DTC patients but it did not fulfill the expectations given by the results of rosiglitazone therapy.
Complications of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs
Authors: Peirone B. , Bergh M. S.
Published: April 2012

The tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is one of the most common surgical procedures used to treat cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs. Complications occurring during or after TPLO can range in severity from swelling and bruising to fracture and osteomyelitis. Ten to 34% of TPLO surgical procedures are reported to experience a complication and approximately two to four percent require revision surgery to address a complication. Although the risk factors for many complications have not been fully assessed, the best available evidence suggests that complications of TPLO can be reduced with increased surgeon experience, careful surgical planning, and accurate execution of the surgical procedure. Identification of known or suspected risk factors and intraoperative technical errors allow subsequent action to be taken that is aimed at decreasing postoperative morbidity. There is a need for prospective studies with consistent data reporting in order to fully reveal the incidence risk factors for complications associated with TPLO.
Measuring Critical Thinking Dispositions of Novice Nursing Students Using Human Patient Simulators
Authors: Wood Robin Y. , Toronto Coleen E.
Published: April 2012

This study assessed the influence of human patient simulator (HPS) practice on critical thinking dispositions in a sample of novice baccalaureate nursing students. Eighty-five second-year nursing students were randomly assigned to an experimental (
n
= 42) or a control (
n
= 43) group based on exposure to a 2-hour HPS practice session prior to a course competency examination. The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) was administered before and after the competency examination. No between-group differences were found on overall or subscale CCTDI mean scores. Within-group differences for the HPS practice group were significant for overall scores (
p
< 0.05) and the truth-seeking (
p
< 0.01) and judiciousness or maturity of judgment (
p
< 0.01) subscales. This preliminary data analysis suggests disposition gains for individual students practicing critical assessment skills using HPS. The cohort will be followed for 2 years to assess long-term critical thinking outcomes following practice with HPS.
From Dinner Table to Digital Tablet: Technology’s Potential for Reducing Loneliness in Older Adults
Authors: McCausland Lauren , Falk Nancy L.
Published: April 2012

Statistics estimate that close to 35% of our nation’s older individuals experience loneliness. Feelings of loneliness have been associated with physical and psychological illness in several research studies. As technology advances and connectivity through tablet devices becomes increasingly user friendly, the potential for tablets to reduce loneliness among older adults is substantial. This article discusses the issue of loneliness among older adults and suggests tablet technology as a tool to improve connectivity and reduce loneliness in the older adult population. As nurses, we have the opportunity to help enhance the quality of life for our clients. Tablet technology offers a new option that should be fully explored.
Enclosed Versus Open Nursing Stations in Adult Acute Care Psychiatric Settings: Does the Design Affect the Therapeutic Milieu?
Authors: Southard Kelly , Jarrell Ashley , Shattell Mona M. , McCoy Thomas P. , Bartlett Robin , Judge Christine A.
Published: April 2012

Specific efforts by hospital accreditation organizations encourage renovation of nursing stations, so nurses can better see, attend, and care for their patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of nursing station design on the therapeutic milieu in an adult acute care psychiatric unit. A repeated cross-sectional, pretest-posttest design was used. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 81 patients and 25 nursing staff members who completed the Ward Atmosphere Scale. Pretest data were collected when the unit had an enclosed nursing station, and posttest data were collected after renovations to the unit created an open nursing station. No statistically significant differences were found in patient or staff perceptions of the therapeutic milieu. No increase in aggression toward staff was found, given patients’ ease of access to the nursing station. More research is needed about the impact of unit design in acute care psychiatric settings.
Behaviour of Temporary Edge Protection Systems of high density polyethylene tested to static and impact load
Authors: González M. N. , Cobo A. , Lozano C. , Bresó S.
Published: April 2012

We have tested under static and dynamic load temporary edge protection systems (TEPS) formed by a continuous fence, some are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and others have been manufactured using a composite material, adding glass fiber at a matrix of HDPE at a rate of 4%.

Tests under static and impact have been performed according to standard UNE-EN 13374, class systems A and B. It has been found the influence of aging on TEPS and samples of the same materials as the TEPS.

All tested TEPS exceed the strength requirements and accidental load and requirements compared to dynamic loads. The incorporation of glass fibers results in a composite material with a modulus of elasticity higher and significantly less creep. We haven’t seen dependence on the results with the degree of aging or in SPPB or in the samples.
The relationship between the self-esteem and employability attributes of postgraduate business management students
Authors: Potgieter Ingrid
Published: April 2012

Orientation: The effects of challenges (like decreased employment opportunities, increased personal responsibility to keep up with changes, current skill shortages and of retaining talented and skilled staff) have led to an emphasis on career meta-competencies to improve employability attributes.Research purpose: The objectives of the study were to determine the relationship between self-esteem (as the Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory measures it) and employability attributes (as the Employability Attributes Scale measures it); to determine whether people’s biographical details significantly predict their self-esteem and employability attributes; and whether men and women differ significantly in their self-esteem and employability attributes.Motivation for the study: There seems to be a paucity of studies that investigate how people’s self-esteem relates to their employability attributes in South Africa’s multi-cultural context.Research design, approach and method: The researcher conducted a quantitative survey on a convenience sample of 304 employed adults enrolled for an honours degree in business management in a higher education institution. She used correlational statistics, multiple regression analyses, categorical regressions and independent t-tests to analyse the data.Main findings: The researcher found a number of significant relationships between the participants’ self-esteem and employability. The results showed that biographical details significantly predicted participants’ employability attributes.Practical/managerial implications: Career counsellors and human resource practitioners need to recognise how people’s self-esteem and their biographical details influence their employability attributes.Contribution/value-add: The findings add to the literature on the skills, abilities and biographical information that influence employability and give valuable information that organisations can use during career development support and career counselling practices in the contemporary world of work.
Age and Structure of Mature Knobcone Pine Forests in the Northern California Coast Range, USA
Authors: Fry Danny L. , Dawson James , Stephens Scott L.
Published: April 2012

An understanding of current structural conditions and disturbance history is a requisite for optimal management of forest ecosystems, especially for serotinous species such as knobcone pine (Pinus attenuataLemmon). Knobcone pine is widely distributed in California, yet little is known regarding age and forest structure patterns. In this study, we quantify forest conditions of 21 mature knobcone pine stands in the northern Mayacmas Mountains, north Coast Range, California, USA. Characterized by complex terrain, knobcone pine forests occur in small patches interspersed with chaparral and mixed evergreen forests. Stands displayed unimodal, bimodal, and diffuse age distributions with predominant stand ages ranging from 42 yr to 70 yr, although trees ranged from 17 yr to 98 yr old. Knobcone pine stands appear to have been maintained by stand replacing fires. However, stands with uneven-aged structures were produced through the persistence of residual trees and low intensity fires that created secondary cohorts. Stands varied in density, ranging from 503 stems ha−1to 2986 stems ha−1, with snags comprising 12 % to 40 % of total density. Wildfires that occurred from the 1930s to the 1960s, in addition to a large wildfire in 1981, created a heterogeneous landscape of knobcone pine forests. Older stands have lower canopy cover, high snag densities, and many trees with evidence of western gall rust (Peridermium harknessii) infections—signs that they are approaching their expected life spans. Risks and constraints associated with using stand replacing prescribed fire pose a challenge for managers of knobcone pine forests, and research may be needed to explore feasible treatment alternatives.
Modelling Fire Ignition Probability from Satellite Estimates of Live Fuel Moisture Content
Authors: Jurdao Sara , Chuvieco Emilio , Arevalillo Jorge M.
Published: April 2012

Biomass burning has critical ecological and social impacts. Recent changes in climate patterns and land use have involved alterations of traditional fire regimes, which have increased the negative impacts of fire. Live Fuel Moisture Content (LFMC) has proven to be one of the main factors related to fire risk, as it affects fire ignition and fire behavior, and therefore it is an essential indicator for fire risk assessment. The aim of our research was to explore several methods to convert LFMC into Ignition Probability (IP) at a national scale, considering climate and vegetation functional types. The project covers the Iberian Peninsula territory of Spain (492 175 km2), for a ten year period. The LFMC data was estimated from NOAA-AVHRR imagery, whereas fire occurrence was based on the standard MODIS Thermal Anomalies product (MOD14). Non-parametric significance tests, histograms and percentiles, classification trees, and logistic regression models were used for estimating the IP from five variables based on LFMC. These modelling approaches were compared and Logistic Regression (LR) analysis was found to be most advantageous, since it uses several predictor variables to compute a continuous probability of IP. The area under the ROC curve of the LR models for the Iberian Peninsula was 0.65 for the Mediterranean region and >0.8 for the Eurosiberian region. The LFMC from one week before the fire detection was the most influential variable in the statistical analysis and it was the main variable in the Mediterranean models. In the Eurosiberian models, the LFMC decrement since spring was also important. The LFMC one week before the fire detection and the difference between the LFMC one week and two weeks before the fire detection were included in the grassland model. Shrubland is less susceptible to rapid moisture changes than grassland, so the LFMC from two weeks before the fire and the LFMC decrement since spring were more influential.
Otolaryngologists: How Safe They are from Skin Infections?
Authors: Puri KJPS , Kalsy Jyotika , Kalra PS
Published: April 2012

Otolaryngologists are daily examining patients both in clinics and theaters which makes them vulnerable to acquire infections.

Aim

To highlight the early signs and symptoms of skin infections in patients coming to otolaryngology department and to learn to safeguard oneself from contagious skin problems as many of them are contagious in their early stages of evolution.

Patients and methods

Over a period of 1 year, 2,450 patients were screened for the skin problems. The patients were examined clinically by dermatologist for contagious skin diseases. Photographs were taken and necessary investigations done, like scrapings for fungus in 10% KOH under direct microscopy, pus for culture sensitivity for fungus, bacteria and virus, tzanck smear, direct examination of expressed material under microscope skin biopsy.

Results

Out of the 2,450 patients, 182 (7.4%) patients were found to have skin diseases with high and low virulence. They were in the age range from 1 to 66 years. Around 111(60.99%) patients were females and 71(39.01%) males. It was found that maximum patients were in the age group of 20 to 40 years. Majority of the diseases were bacterial in nature in 72 (39.5%) patients, followed by superficial fungal infections in 56 (30.9%) patients, viral infections in 36 (19.7%) and arthropod infections in 18 (9.9%) patients.

Conclusion

Otolaryngologists are daily examining patients both in clinics and theaters which makes them more prone to acquire infections. So, the emphasis of study is to be able to diagnose, treat and safeguard oneself from these skin infections.
Simplified Nomenclature for describing Keratoconus
Authors: Kim Joan T , Zloty Peter
Published: April 2012

Keratoconus is a condition that has been described since the 1850s. It is typically defined as a bilateral, progressive, noninflammatory thinning and steepening disorder of the central or paracentral cornea. In its advanced form, diagnosis is rather straightforward. It is the subtler manifestations of keratoconus that impart a diagnostic challenge. With the advent of newer diagnostic equipment and the parameters that are now measurable, there is an opportunity to update our current classifications and definitions of keratoconus. The purpose of our paper is to propose and define terminology that reflects both our current knowledge and new data from diagnostic tests.

How to cite this article

Belin MW, Kim JT, Zloty P, Ambrosio R Jr. Simplified Nomenclature for describing Keratoconus. Int J Keratoco Ectatic Corneal Dis 2012;1(1):31-35.
On the linkage between tropospheric and Polar Stratospheric clouds in the Arctic as observed by space–borne lidar
Authors: Achtert P. , Karlsson Andersson M. , Khosrawi F. , Gumbel J.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The type of Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) as well as their temporal and spatial extent are important for the occurrence of heterogeneous reactions in the polar stratosphere. The formation of PSCs depends strongly on temperature. However, the mechanisms of the formation of solid PSCs are still poorly understood. Recent satellite studies of Antarctic PSCs have shown that their formation can be associated with deep-tropospheric clouds which have the ability to cool the lower stratosphere radiatively and/or adiabatically. In the present study, lidar measurements aboard the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite were used to investigate whether the formation of Arctic PSCs can be associated with deep-tropospheric clouds as well. Deep-tropospheric cloud systems have a vertical extent of more than 6.5 km with a cloud top height above 7 km altitude. PSCs observed by CALIPSO during the Arctic winter 2007/2008 were classified according to their type (STS, NAT, or ice) and to the kind of underlying tropospheric clouds. Our analysis reveals that 172 out of 211 observed PSCs occurred in connection with tropospheric clouds. 72% of these 172 observed PSCs occurred above deep-tropospheric clouds. We also find that the type of PSC seems to be connected to the characteristics of the underlying tropospheric cloud system. During the Arctic winter 2007/2008 PSCs consisting of ice were mainly observed in connection with deep-tropospheric cloud systems while no ice PSC was detected above cirrus. Furthermore, we find no correlation between the occurrence of PSCs and the top temperature of tropospheric clouds. Thus, our findings suggest that Arctic PSC formation is connected to adiabatice cooling, i.e. dynamic effects rather than radiative cooling.
Annual hypoxia dynamics in an enclosed gulf
Authors: Kountoura K. , Zacharias I.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Hypoxia in coastal environments is a worldwide problem and is expected to worsen in future. Due to the stratification of the water column in many enclosed or semi-enclosed gulfs, deep waters are isolated and hypoxic or anoxic conditions frequently become dominant. The most common method for the oxygenation of these isolated anoxic water masses is vertical mixing. However, there are enclosed gulfs which rarely have the appropriate energy to ensure the mixing of the entire water column. The main purpose of this paper is to find if there are any other hydrodynamic processes which can cause oxygenation of deep waters, apart from vertical mixing. In order to achieve this aim, an enclosed gulf, Amvrakikos in Western Greece, was chosen to be the case study area and bimonthly physicochemical data were collected for one year and used in combination with a three-dimensional model in order to simulate the hydrodynamic circulation of the system. According to our results, another hydrodynamic process can lead to the oxygenation of the deepest water in an enclosed gulf. This process is the horizontal intrusion of well oxygenated water from the open sea. The key factor in determining the success of this horizontal intrusion is the density difference between the deepest area of the enclosed gulf and the open sea outside the gulf. From autumn to winter, when the open sea water is denser than that inside the gulf, the well oxygenated open sea water inflows into the gulf near the bottom sea floor and re-oxygenates the isolated deep waters through mixing. However, from spring to summer, when the deep water of the gulf is characterized by higher density in comparison with the open sea water, the inflow of well oxygenated water stops, causing the development of hypoxic/anoxic conditions during the summer months.
Assessing precipitation distribution impacts on droughts on the island of Crete
Authors: Vrochidou A.-E. K. , Tsanis I. K.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Precipitation records from 56 stations on the island of Crete (Greece) revealed that areal mean annual precipitation is of a strong orographic type and its magnitude decreases in west-east direction by as much as 400 mm on average. Amongst many parameters that influence precipitation, the elevation and longitude were the most important and provided the highest spatial correlation. It was found that during the year with minimum precipitation, the precipitation shortage was greater at high elevations while the precipitation excess during the year with maximum precipitation was greater in the western part of the island. The assessment of the spatial and temporal distribution of droughts was carried out with the aid of the Spatially Normalized Standardized Precipitation Index (SN-SPI) for the period 1974–2005 in order to compare drought conditions between neighbouring areas of differing precipitation heights. The analysis showed that severe droughts occurred around the year 1992–1993, with a duration of up to 3 yr. Multiple linear regression (MLR) modeling of precipitation in conjunction with cluster analysis of drought duration exhibits the linkage between precipitation, droughts and geographical factors. This connection between spatial precipitation distribution and geographical parameters provides an important clue for the respective spatial drought pattern. The above findings on the spatio-temporal drought distribution will update the current~drought management plans by developing more precise drought warning systems.
Estimation of Evapotranspiration and Water Budget Components Using Concurrent Soil Moisture and Water Table Monitoring
Authors: Rahgozar Mandana , Shah Nirjhar , Ross Mark
Published: April 2012

Simultaneous measurements of soil moisture profiles and water table heads, along a flow path, were used to determine evapotranspiration (ET) along with other components of the water budget. The study was conducted at a small-scale (~0.8 Km2) hydrologic monitoring field site in Hillsborough County, Florida, from January 2002 to June 2004. Frequency Domain Reflectometry soil moisture probes, installed in close proximity to water table monitoring wells were used to derive changes in the soil water storage. A one-dimensional transect model was developed; changes in the soil water storage and water table observations served as input to determine all vertical and lateral boundary fluxes along the shallow water table flow plane. Two distinct land cover environments, grassland and an alluvial wetland forest, were investigated in this particular study. The analysis provided temporally variable ET estimates for the two land covers with annual totals averaging 850 mm for grassland, to 1100 mm for the alluvial wetland forest. Quantitative estimates of other components of a water budget, for example, infiltration, interception capture, total rainfall excess, and runoff were also made on a quarterly and annual basis. Novelty of this approach includes ability to resolve ET components and other water budget fluxes that provide useful parameterization and calibration potential for predictive simulation models.
Forced migration
Authors: Chatty Dawn
Published: April 2012

Forced migration as a substantive topic is a new field of academic scholarship. It was first delineated in
Imposing Aid
, the seminal work by Barbara Harrell‐Bond (1986) and in the establishment of a center for the study of forced migration at the University of Oxford in 1982. Two important survey works in the 1980s and 1990s, Hansen and Oliver‐Smith (1982) and Zolberg et al. (1989) contributed to the expansion of this academic field of study.
Child Sex Moderates the Association between Negative Parenting and Childhood Conduct Problems
Authors: Tung Irene , Li James J. , Lee Steve S.
Published: April 2012

Although multiple dimensions of negative parenting behavior are associated with childhood conduct problems (CP), there is relatively little research on whether the association is equally robust in boys and girls. To improve the specificity of current models of negative parenting and offspring CP, we explored the potential moderating role of child sex in a sample of 179 5‐ to 10‐year‐old ethnically diverse boys and girls with and without attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were assessed using multiple methods (i.e., rating scales, semistructured interviews) and informants (i.e., parents, teachers). Controlling for children's age, race‐ethnicity, and ADHD diagnostic status (i.e., ADHD vs. non‐ADHD), inconsistent discipline was positively associated with offspring aggression and rule‐breaking behavior, whereas harsh punishment was positively associated with aggression, rule‐breaking behavior, and oppositional defiant disorder symptoms. Furthermore, child sex significantly moderated the association of inconsistent discipline and aggression and rule‐breaking behavior, such that inconsistent discipline was positively associated with CP for boys, but not for girls. Given the centrality of negative parenting to theories of and efficacious interventions for aggression and CP, we discuss these findings within a developmental psychopathology framework and consider their implications for intervention. Aggr. Behav. 38:239–251, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Biophysical Study of Disassembling Nanohybrid Bioconjugates with a Cubic Octasilsesquioxane Core
Authors: Trastoy Beatriz , Bonsor Daniel A. , Pérez‐Ojeda M. Eugenia , Jimeno M. Luisa , Méndez‐Ardoy Alejandro , García Fernández José Manuel , Sundberg Eric J. , Chiara Jose Luis
Published: April 2012

Polyhedral oligosilsesquioxanes (POSS) have recently attracted attention as scaffolds for the synthesis of multivalent bioconjugates. The synthesis of glycosyl‐octasilsesquioxanes (glyco‐POSS) using a copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition approach is reported. The problems associated with the use of bases or aqueous media in their preparation are investigated and a comprehensive study of the multivalent interaction between the mannosyl‐octasilsesquioxanes and a model lectin, concanavalin A (Con A), using an array of complementary biophysical techniques is presented. The possibility to modulate the half‐life of POSS conjugates in aqueous solution and the low toxicity of their constituent monomeric organosilanes offers an advantage over other scaffolds in vivo, preventing bioaccumulation and saturation of complementary receptors (lectins). Despite the hydrolysis in water, the octamannosyl‐POSS studied shows a 50‐fold higher binding affinity to Con A than methyl α‐D‐mannopyranoside. These experiments suggest that the novel glyco‐POSS are attractive compounds for in vivo applications that require multivalent display of glycans.
Informed consent for whole genome sequencing: A qualitative analysis of participant expectations and perceptions of risks, benefits, and harms
Authors: Tabor Holly K. , Stock Jacquie , Brazg Tracy , McMillin Margaret J. , Dent Karin M. , Yu Joon‐Ho , Shendure Jay , Bamshad Michael J.
Published: April 2012

Scientific evidence on the extent to which ethical concerns about privacy, confidentiality, and return of results for whole genome sequencing (WGS) are effectively conveyed by informed consent (IC) is lacking. The aim of this study was to learn, via qualitative interviews, about participant expectations and perceptions of risks, benefits, and harms of WGS. Participants in two families with Miller syndrome consented for WGS were interviewed about their experiences of the IC process and their perceptions of risks, benefits, and harms of WGS. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. IC documents are included in the Supplementary Materials. Participants expressed minimal concerns about privacy and confidentiality with regard to both their participation and sharing of their WGS data in restricted access databases. Participants expressed strong preferences about how results should be returned, requesting both flexibility of the results return process and options for the types of results to be returned. Participant concerns about risks to privacy and confidentiality from broad sharing of WGS data are likely to be strongly influenced by social and medical context. In these families with a rare Mendelian syndrome, the perceived benefits of participation strongly trumped concerns about risks. Individual preferences, for results return, even within a family, varied widely. This underscores the need to develop a framework for results return that allows explicitly for participant preferences and enables modifications to preferences over time. Web‐based tools that facilitate participant management of their individual research results could accommodate such a framework. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Specific paucity of unmyelinated C‐fibers in cutaneous peripheral nerves of the African naked‐mole rat: Comparative analysis using six species of bathyergidae
Authors: Smith Ewan S , Purfürst Bettina , Grigoryan Tamara , Park Thomas J. , Bennett Nigel C. , Lewin Gary R.
Published: April 2012

In mammalian peripheral nerves, unmyelinated C‐fibers usually outnumber myelinated A‐fibers. By using transmission electron microscopy, we recently showed that the saphenous nerve of the naked mole‐rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has a C‐fiber deficit manifested as a substantially lower C:A‐fiber ratio compared with other mammals. Here we determined the uniqueness of this C‐fiber deficit by performing a quantitative anatomical analysis of several peripheral nerves in five further members of the Bathyergidae mole‐rat family: silvery (Heliophobius argenteocinereus), giant (Fukomys mechowii), Damaraland (Fukomys damarensis), Mashona (Fukomys darlingi), and Natal (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) mole‐rats. In the largely cutaneous saphenous and sural nerves, the naked mole‐rat had the lowest C:A‐fiber ratio (∼1.5:1 compared with ∼3:1), whereas, in nerves innervating both skin and muscle (common peroneal and tibial) or just muscle (lateral/medial gastrocnemius), this pattern was mostly absent. We asked whether lack of hair follicles alone accounts for the C‐fiber paucity by using as a model a mouse that loses virtually all its hair as a consequence of conditional deletion of the β‐catenin gene in the skin. These β‐catenin loss‐of function mice (β‐cat LOF mice) displayed only a mild decrease in C:A‐fiber ratio compared with wild‐type mice (4.42 compared with 3.81). We suggest that the selective cutaneous C‐fiber deficit in the cutaneous nerves of naked mole‐rats is unlikely to be due primarily to lack of skin hair follicles. Possible mechanisms contributing to this unique peripheral nerve anatomy are discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2785–2803, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A multistage logistics system design problem with inventory considering demand change by hybrid genetic algorithm
Authors: Inoue Hisaki , Gen Mitsuo
Published: April 2012

The logistics model used in this study is a three‐stage model employed by an automobile company, which aims to solve traffic problems at a total minimum cost. Recently, research on the metaheuristics method has advanced as an approximate means for solving optimization problems as found in this model. These problems can be solved using various methods such as a genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing, and tabu search. A genetic algorithm is superior in terms of robustness and adjustability toward a change in the structure of these problems. However, a genetic algorithm has a disadvantage in that it has a slightly inefficient search performance because it carries out a multipoint search. A hybrid genetic algorithm that combines another method is attracting considerable attention since it can compensate for a fault in a partial solution in which early convergence has a negative impact on a result. In this study, we propose a novel hybrid random key‐based genetic algorithm (h‐rkGA) that combines local search and parameter tuning of the crossover rate and mutation rate; h‐rkGA is an improved version of the random key‐based genetic algorithm (rk‐GA). We attempted comparative experiments with a spanning tree‐based genetic algorithm, priority‐based genetic algorithm, and random key‐based genetic algorithm. Further, we attempted comparative experiments with “h‐GA by only local search” and “h‐GA by only parameter tuning.” We report the effectiveness of the proposed method on the basis of the results of these experiments. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 95(5): 56–65, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10374
Generation and characterization of optical emission in highly repetitive pulsed‐glow discharges in air
Authors: Kikuchi Jun , Igarashi Koichi , Ibuka Shinji , Ishii Shozo
Published: April 2012

To analyze atmospheric‐pressure transient glow microdischarges powered by a fast high‐voltage pulse train generated by a nonlinear transmission line generator, we conducted a simulation experiment using double rectangular pulsed voltages having variable pulse intervals. The discharges were characterized by optical emission spectro‐scopy. Although the temporal evolution of the spectral line intensities of nitrogen molecules and ions followed the discharge current, the atomic helium line intensity did not follow the current. The development of a discharge at the interface between a helium gas flow column and the surrounding air affects the observed evolution of the spectral lines. The strong effect of metastable helium was confirmed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(2): 17–23, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21223
Magnetic characteristics analysis of permanent magnet motor by using complex approximation taking account of two‐dimensional magnetic properties
Authors: Zeze Shingo , Todaka Takashi , Enokizono Masato
Published: April 2012

This paper presents a complex E&S modeling approach, which is developed with a complex approximation for conventional E&S modeling. Complex E&S modeling is used to analyze a permanent magnet motor and the validity of complex E&S modeling is demonstrated. The computation time of complex E&S modeling can be considerably reduced in comparison with conventional E&S modeling. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(2): 9–16, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21268
Investigation of optimum applied voltage for water treatment by pulsed streamer discharge in air‐sprayed water droplets
Authors: Sugai Taichi , Suzuki Tomoya , Minamitani Yasushi , Nose Taisuke
Published: April 2012

In this study, we investigated a water treatment method of spraying droplets of wastewater into a pulse discharge space. The water treatment was carried out by applying voltage with different pulse widths to determine the optimum pulse width, and the optimum pulse voltage determined on the basis of the results of the study was analyzed. The rise time of the voltages with pulse widths of 40, 60, and 80 ns was about 12, 19, and 32 ns, respectively, and the discharge current in the case of the faster rise time was higher. The number of streamer discharges is believed to increase with a decrease in the rise time. The energy efficiency in the case of the pulse width of 40 ns is higher than that in the case of the other pulse widths. This is because almost all of the active species are generated by early streamer discharge, and the longer discharging time at longer pulse widths increases the ineffectual energy by thermal loss. These results show that pulsed voltages with a faster rise time and shorter pulse width are optimum for the treatment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(2): 1–8, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21273
Analytical model and characteristics of current‐observer‐based induction motor speed‐sensorless vector control system taking into account iron loss
Authors: Tsuji Mineo , Xu Fujin , Tsuruda Yasutaka , Hamasaki Shin‐ichi
Published: April 2012

We have proposed a current‐observer‐based speed‐sensorless vector control system that is in a rotating reference frame and takes into account iron loss. By deriving a linear model and by computing the trajectories of poles and zeros, the system stability on various parameters such as operating points, observer gain, controller gain, and stator resistance has been investigated. Furthermore, an exact analytical model including PWM control, dead time, and nonideal features of power devices is developed. The characteristic improvement and stability limit of the proposed system are discussed by simulation and experiment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(1): 46–56, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21301
Affine‐invariant character recognition by progressive removing
Authors: Iwamura Masakazu , Horimatsu Akira , Niwa Ryo , Kise Koichi , Uchida Seiichi , Omachi Shinichiro
Published: April 2012

Recognizing characters in scene images suffering from perspective distortion is a challenge. Although there are some methods to overcome this difficulty, they are time‐consuming. In this paper, we propose a set of affine‐invariant features and a new recognition scheme called “progressive removing” that can help reduce the processing time. Progressive removing gradually removes less feasible categories and skew angles by using multiple classifiers. We observed that progressive removing and the use of the affine invariant features reduced the processing time by about 60% in comparison to a trivial algorithm without decreasing the recognition rate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(2): 55–63, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22276