bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Association Between Electrical Stimulation Dose, Subsequent Cognitive Function and Depression Severity in Patients Receiving Bilateral Electroconvulsive Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Sinclair Jenny Elisabeth , Fernie Gordon , Bennett Daniel Mark , Reid Ian Cameron , Cameron Isobel Mary
Published: April 2016

Objective

To assess the relationship between electrical stimulation administered to patients undergoing bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and subsequent measures of cognitive function and depression severity.

Methods

Stimulus dose titrated patients receiving bilateral ECT were assessed with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) Spatial Recognition Memory test and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at baseline, after 4 ECT treatments and on course completion. Changes in CANTAB and MADRS scores were assessed in relation to electrical dosage, initial stimulus dose, and demographic variables using linear mixed models.

Results

Data pertained to 143 patients (mean age, 56.85 [SD, 14.94], 43% male). Median change in CANTAB score was −10% (−20% to 5%) after 4 ECT treatments and −10% (−20% to 5%) at course completion. Median change in MADRS score was −22 (−33 to −13) after 4 ECT treatments and −14 (−25 to −7) at course completion. Electrical dosage had no effect on CANTAB or MADRS change scores either after 4 treatments or course completion. Improvement in CANTAB score at end of course was associated with female sex (P < 0.05), higher intelligence quotient (P = 0.01), and age. After 4 treatments, improvement in CANTAB score was associated with younger age (P < 0.001) and higher intelligence quotient (P < 0.01). Improved MADRS score at course completion was associated with older age (P < 0.001 at end of course and after 4 treatments).

Conclusions

Electroconvulsive therapy has significant antidepressant and cognitive effects which are not associated with the total electrical dose administered. Other, unalterable variables, such as age and sex, have an influence on these effects.
Introduction of rubella-containing-vaccine to Madagascar: implications for roll-out and local elimination
Authors: Wesolowski Amy , Mensah Keitly , Brook Cara E. , Andrianjafimasy Miora , Winter Amy , Buckee Caroline O. , Razafindratsimandresy Richter , Tatem Andrew J. , Heraud Jean-Michel , Metcalf C. Jessica E.
Published: April 2016

Few countries in Africa currently include rubella-containing vaccination (RCV) in their immunization schedule. The Global Alliance for Vaccines Initiative (GAVI) recently opened a funding window that has motivated more widespread roll-out of RCV. As countries plan RCV introductions, an understanding of the existing burden, spatial patterns of vaccine coverage, and the impact of patterns of local extinction and reintroduction for rubella will be critical to developing effective programmes. As one of the first countries proposing RCV introduction in part with GAVI funding, Madagascar provides a powerful and timely case study. We analyse serological data from measles surveillance systems to characterize the epidemiology of rubella in Madagascar. Combining these results with data on measles vaccination delivery, we develop an age-structured model to simulate rubella vaccination scenarios and evaluate the dynamics of rubella and the burden of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) across Madagascar. We additionally evaluate the drivers of spatial heterogeneity in age of infection to identify focal locations where vaccine surveillance should be strengthened and where challenges to successful vaccination introduction are expected. Our analyses indicate that characteristics of rubella in Madagascar are in line with global observations, with an average age of infection near 7 years, and an impact of frequent local extinction with reintroductions causing localized epidemics. Modelling results indicate that introduction of RCV into the routine programme alone may initially decrease rubella incidence but then result in cumulative increases in the burden of CRS in some regions (and transient increases in this burden in many regions). Deployment of RCV with regular supplementary campaigns will mitigate these outcomes. Results suggest that introduction of RCV offers a potential for elimination of rubella in Madagascar, but also emphasize both that targeted vaccination is likely to be a lynchpin of this success, and the public health vigilance that this introduction will require.
Induction of Kanizsa contours requires awareness of the inducing context
Authors: Banica Theodora , Schwarzkopf Dietrich Samuel
Published: April 2016

It remains unknown to what extent the human visual system interprets information about complex scenes without conscious analysis. Here we used visual masking techniques to assess whether illusory contours (Kanizsa shapes) are perceived when the inducing context creating this illusion does not reach awareness. In the first experiment we tested perception directly by having participants discriminate the orientation of an illusory contour. In the second experiment, we exploited the fact that the presence of an illusory contour enhances performance on a spatial localization task. Moreover, in the latter experiment we also used a different masking method to rule out the effect of stimulus duration. Our results suggest that participants do not perceive illusory contours when they are unaware of the inducing context. This is consistent with theories of a multistage, recurrent process of perceptual integration. Our findings thus challenge some reports, including those from neurophysiological experiments in anaesthetized animals. Furthermore, we discuss the importance to test the presence of the phenomenal percept directly with appropriate methods.
Is most published research really false?
Authors: Leek Jeffrey T. , Jager Leah R.
Published: April 2016

There has been an increasing concern that most published medical findings are false. But what does it mean to be false? Here we describe the range of definitions of false discoveries in the scientific literature. We summarize the philosophical, statistical, and experimental evidence for each type of false discovery. We discuss common underpinning problems with the scientific and data analytic practices and point to tools and behaviors that can be implemented to reduce the problems with published scientific results.
An empirical test of the influence of society at large on police integrity in a centralized police system
Authors: Ivković Sanja Kutnjak , Cajner Mraović Irena , Borovec Krunoslav
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test the theory of police integrity, particularly its fourth dimension, on a centralized police agency and to assess the degree to which levels of police integrity are related to the characteristics of the larger environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– In 2008, a stratified representative sample of 945 Croatian police officers from ten police administrations evaluated 11 hypothetical scenarios describing a range of various forms of police misconduct. The questionnaire measures officer views regarding scenario seriousness, appropriate and expected discipline, and willingness to report the misconduct.

Findings

– Bivariate analyses show that police officers’ evaluations of seriousness differed across categories of police administrations for more than one-half of the scenarios. Multivariate analyses reveal that, once organizational predictors are entered into the models, community characteristics remain significant predictors of seriousness evaluations for only a few scenarios.

Research limitations/implications

– The analytical strategies were limited by the number of police administrations in the country.

Practical implications

– The results indicate that levels of police integrity in large, centralized organizations vary across units and that the characteristics of the communities the police are a contributing factor to these differences. At the same time, organizational characteristics carry substantial weight.

Originality/value

– Prior studies of police integrity focussed on the organizational aspects (the first three dimensions of the theory); the present paper extends the literature to ascertain the importance of the larger environment and its characteristics for levels of police integrity (the fourth dimension of the police integrity theory).
‘Short Interest Pressure’ and Competitive Behaviour
Authors: Hughes‐Morgan Margaret , Ferrier Walter J.
Published: April 2016

This study introduces and examines a new‐to‐strategy form of Wall Street pressure – ‘short interest pressure’ – the tension felt by management caused by short sales of the firm's stock. Drawing from a sample of over 5000 competitive actions carried out by competing firms over a 6‐year time period, we test whether the level of short interest pressure experienced by the firm in one time period is predictive of properties of the firm's competitive action repertoire in the ensuing time period. Our findings suggest that when faced with short interest pressure firms tend to carry out a higher number of competitive actions in the following time period, as well as a set of actions that deviate from the industry norm. In addition, post hoc analysis reveals that this effect is amplified for poorly performing firms. Thus, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between capital market signals and competitive strategy.
New Evidence on What Works in Effective Public Reporting
Authors: Sandmeyer Brent , Fraser Irene
Published: April 2016

Objective

To describe the current state of the public reporting field and provide guidance to public report producers based on the evidence.

Principal Findings

Public reports should address the questions and priorities that consumers actually have; present information credibly and in a way that is understood by the intended audience; reach the intended audience; and enable consumers to act on the information.

Conclusions

Public reports have advanced greatly in recent years, but there remains much room for improvement. Report producers should continually evaluate their reports and apply the latest evidence to maximize their usefulness and impact.
Oil Palm Expansion among Smallholder Farmers in Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Euler Michael , Schwarze Stefan , Siregar Hermanto , Qaim Matin
Published: April 2016

Many tropical regions are experiencing a rapid growth of oil palm cultivation. In Indonesia, the world's leading palm oil producer, in addition to large companies, smallholder farmers are increasingly engaged in the oil palm sector. Smallholder oil palm cultivation may contribute to income gains and socio‐economic development. However, land‐use decisions by smallholders are not well understood. Without appropriate policies, negative social and environmental consequences can also occur. To improve the knowledge base, we use data about present and past land‐use decisions from a survey of farm households in Sumatra. Employing duration models, we analyse the determinants and dynamics of oil palm adoption among smallholders. We find that independently operating farmers are currently driving growth rates in the oil palm sector. Smallholder adoption decisions are mainly attributable to regional and village level factors. While the current adoption primarily occurs outside of contracts, previous contractual ties between companies and other farmers in the same village play an important role for individual decisions. Beyond initial adoption, we also analyse later expansion decisions. While expanding the oil palm area subsequent to initial adoption is common among all types of adopters, those without previous contracts are found to expand significantly faster. We conclude that the concessions the government has allocated to palm oil companies in the past have initiated oil palm adoption in the small farm sector, but that the ensuing land‐use dynamics are mostly beyond government control. Some wider implications are discussed.
Identification of MBF2 family genes in Bombyx mori and their expression in different tissues and stages and in response to Bacillus bombysepticus infection and starvation
Authors: Zhou Chun‐Yan , Zha Xing‐Fu , Liu Chun , Han Min‐Jin , Zhang Li‐Ying , Shi Pan‐Pan , Wang He , Zheng Ren‐Wen , Xia Qing‐You
Published: April 2016

The Multiprotein bridge factor 2 (MBF2) gene was first identified as a co‐activator involved in BmFTZ‐F1‐mediated activation of the Fushi tarazu gene. Herein, nine homologous genes of MBF2 gene are identified. Evolutionary analysis showed that this gene family is insect‐specific and that the family members are closely related to response to pathogens (REPAT) genes. Tissue distribution analysis revealed that these genes could be expressed in a tissue‐specific manner. Developmental profiles analysis showed that the MBF2 gene family members were highly expressed in the different stages. Analysis of the expression patterns of nine MBF2 family genes showed that Bacillus bombysepticus treatment induced the up‐regulation of several MBF2 family genes, including MBF2‐4, ‐7, ‐9, ‐8. Furthermore, we found the MBF2 family genes were modulated by starvation and the expression of these genes recovered upon re‐feeding, except for MBF2‐5, ‐9. These findings suggested roles for these proteins in insect defense against pathogens and nutrient metabolism, which has an important guiding significance for designing pest control strategies.
Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities of the Extracts from Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposite Thunb.) Flesh and Peel and the Effective Compounds
Authors: Liu Yuanxue , Li Hongfa , Fan Yaya , Man Shuli , Liu Zhen , Gao Wenyuan , Wang Tingting
Published: April 2016

The aims of this study are to investigate the antioxidant and antitumor activities of the water and ethanol extracts isolated from Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposite Thunb.) flesh (CYF) and peel (CYP) and the effective compounds. It was found that all peel portions have a better effect on reactive oxygen (ROS) scavenging assay than meat portions, especially for the water extract of Chinese yam peel (CYP‐W). Its IC50 values for hydroxyl radical (OH•) scavenging assay (744.25 ± 3.46 μg/mL) and for 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay (374.85 ± 6.78 μg/mL) were both lower than that of yam flesh (CYF‐W). Furthermore, the antitumor property of yam peel was more effective than that of yam flesh (CYF‐W) on mouse models, with tumor inhibition rates were 47.92% and 27.41% for Ehrlich Ascites Tumor (EAC) model and 40.44% and 24.22% for H22 hepatocarcinoma tumor (H22) model. Meanwhile, extracts of peel showed higher allantoin, total flavonoids, and total phenolics contents than extracts of flesh. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that CYP‐W exerted better antitumor activity than flesh extracts and the scavenging ROS effects were also significantly higher in the CYP‐W in vitro. Moreover, the data indicated that allantoin may play an important role on antioxidative and antitumor capacity in yam peel.
Relocation potentiates obesity and cardiovascular risk: A case–control study on relocatees from the Three Gorges area
Authors: Huang Hantao , Peng Miaomiao , Zhang Jiaoyue , Hu Xiang , Chen Lulu
Published: April 2016

Highlights

Relocatees of The Three Gorges, compared with original inhabitants, are at higher risk of general and abdominal obesity, and other metabolic disorders associated with cardiovascular risk, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome.

The process of rapid nutritional transition from under‐nutrition to subsequent nutritional restoration in adulthood, which is associated with the relocation, may be one of the major factors for the metabolic disorder epidemic in Asia.
Effect of the oral iron chelator deferiprone in diabetic nephropathy rats
Authors: Zou Chunbo , Liu Xiaogang , Liu Ruichan , Wang Mingao , Sui Manshu , Mu Suhong , Li Li , Ji Liqi , Xie Rujuan
Published: April 2016

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the iron chelator deferiprone in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats and the mechanisms involved.

Methods

Thirty‐two male Wistar rats (180–220 g, 6 weeks old) were randomly divided into a control group, a DN group and two DN groups treated with either 50 or 100 mg/kg per day deferiprone. The DN group was established by feeding of a high‐carbohydrate–fat diet and injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin into the vena caudalis. The duration of deferiprone treatment was 20 weeks. Histopathological changes were detected by hematoxylin–eosin and Masson staining, as well as transmission electron microscopy. Levels of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)‐1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9, tissue‐specific inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1, cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐2, and nitrotyrosine were determined in kidney tissues using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), western blotting, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Histopathological observations showed that deferiprone treatment alleviated inflammation infiltrates and collagenous fibrosis in DN rats. Results from RT‐PCR and western blotting indicated that deferiprone inhibited the expression of NF‐κB, MCP‐1, COX‐2, and nitrotyrosine, which were overexpressed in DN rats. Immunohistochemistry showed that the mechanism of deferiprone action may involve regulation of MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1. Decreased MMP‐9 expression and increased TIMP‐1 expression in DN rats were significantly promoted and inhibited by deferiprone, respectively.

Conclusion

Iron chelation by oral deferiprone has a renoprotective effect in DN rats by relieving oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis, which is related to the cytokines NF‐κB, MCP‐1, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, COX‐2, and nitrotyrosine.
Computational analyses of type 2 diabetes‐associated loci identified by genome‐wide association studies
Authors: Cheng Mengrong , Liu Xinhong , Yang Mei , Han Lanchun , Xu Aimin , Huang Qingyang
Published: April 2016

Background

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of type 2 diabetes (T2D) have discovered a number of loci that contribute to susceptibility to the disease. Future challenges include elucidation of functional mechanisms through which these GWAS‐identified loci modulate T2D disease risk. The aim of the present study was to comprehensively characterize T2D associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes through computational approaches.

Methods

Computational biology approaches used in the present study included comparative genomic analyses and functional annotation using GWAS3D and RegulomeDB, investigation of the effects of T2D‐associated SNPs on miRNA binding and protein phosphorylation, and gene ontology, pathway enrichment, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks and functional module analysis of T2D‐associated genes from previously published GWAS.

Results

Computational analysis identified a number of T2D GWAS‐associated SNPs that were located at protein binding sites, including CCCTC‐binding factor (CTCF), E1A binding protein p300 (EP300), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4A), transcription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L2), forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) and A2 (FOXA2), and potentially affected the binding of miRNAs and protein phosphorylation. Pathway enrichment analysis confirmed two well‐known maturity onset diabetes of the young and T2D pathways, whereas PPI network analysis identified highly interconnected “hub” genes, such as TCF7L2, melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B), and solute carrier family 30 (zinc transporter), member 8 (SLC30A8), that created two tight subnetworks.

Conclusions

The results provide objectives and clues for future experimental studies and further insights into the molecular pathogenesis of T2D.
Transitional Justice as Elite Justice? Compromise Justice and Transition in Tunisia
Authors: Lamont Christopher K. , Pannwitz Hannah
Published: April 2016

This article reflects upon the ways in which transitional justice debates and processes impacted Tunisia's transition. It explores key questions such as what demands for justice emerged in the aftermath of the Tunisian revolution? Did Tunisia's transitional justice process reflect these demands? And, did international norms of transitional justice, which emerged from a field of practice that draws heavily upon European, Latin America and Sub‐Saharan experiences, but has largely excluded the Arab Middle East, serve to mediate between competing demands for justice in the aftermath of the Tunisian revolution? It will be argued that transitional justice demands in Tunisia reflected a breakdown in the state–society socioeconomic bargain, which had maintained autocratic regimes since independence in 1956; however, due to the elite‐centred nature of transitional justice discourses, many transitional justice demands never resonated into mainstream transitional justice discourse. We will argue that international transitional justice entrepreneurs' attempt to import a normative framework that was ill suited to grapple with the complex legacies of socioeconomic marginalization, resulted in a growing disillusionment and disengagement from the state driven transitional justice process on the part of Tunisian society.
Learning from Experience inNSW?
Authors: Bell Brian , Dollery Brian , Drew Joseph
Published: April 2016

While the bulk of the empirical evidence shows that municipal mergers do not improve the performance of local authorities, Australian policy‐makers nonetheless continue to impose council amalgamation, as illustrated by the current New South WalesFit for the Futurelocal government reform process. This paper first critically examines the empirical evidence employed by the Independent Local Government Review Panel on the impact of the 2004 council mergers. We argue that this evidence is flawed. We then provide an empirical assessment of the municipal mergers, which occurred over 2000–2004 with our sample drawn from Group 4 councils in the New South Wales variant of the Australian Local Government Classification System. Group 4 councils represent a group of significant regional cities and town councils with similar operational activities. We demonstrate that merged councils have not performed any better than their unmerged peers over the period 2004 to 2014. The paper concludes with some brief policy implications for local government reform in New South Wales and elsewhere.
Prescribing patterns of dental practitioners in Australia from 2001 to 2012. Antimicrobials
Authors: Ford PJ , Saladine C , Zhang K , Hollingworth SA
Published: April 2016

Background

The development of antibiotic resistance by bacteria is of global concern. Inappropriate prescribing has the potential to exacerbate this issue. We aimed to examine the patterns of prescribing of antimicrobial medicines by dental practitioners in Australia from 2001 to 2012.

Methods

Data were collected from Medicare Australia on prescriptions from dental practitioners dispensed to concessional beneficiaries between 2001 and 2012. We examined patterns of use over time.

Results

There was an overall increase in number of prescriptions and in dispensed use (standardized by dose and population) of antibiotics and antifungals for the concessional population over the 12‐year period. The use of dentally prescribed antibiotics increased 50%. Amoxicillin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic accounting for 66% of all prescriptions in 2012. Generally, there was preferential prescribing of the highest dose formulations. The use of the two antifungals increased 30% over the study period with a preference for amphotericin B (74%) rather than nystatin.

Conclusions

These data show a concerning increase in prescribing of antibiotics and antifungals by dentists in Australia. It would appear that Australian dentists may not be prescribing these medicines appropriately; however, further research is needed to understand prescribing behaviours and decision‐making by dentists.
A population‐based registry study evaluating surgery in newly diagnosed uterine cancer
Authors: Borgfeldt Christer , Kalapotharakos Grigorios , Asciutto Katrin C. , Löfgren Mats , Högberg Thomas
Published: April 2016

Introduction

The aim was to evaluate surgical treatment of newly diagnosed uterine cancer in a Swedish population.

Material and methods

Data in the GynOp registry from 2008 to 2014 were analyzed.

Results

In total, 3443 cases were included: 430 (12%) were robotic‐assisted laparoscopic, 272 (8%) laparoscopic, and 2741 (80%) abdominal operations. There was an increasing trend in minimally invasive surgery from 2008 to 2014 (41%). Women with lymph nodes removed in the robotic‐assisted laparoscopic group experienced less blood loss (mean 105 vs. 377 mL), shorter length of hospital stay (2.4 vs. 4.1 days), and fewer days to normal activities of daily living (6.5 vs. 12.7 days) (all p < 0.001) compared with the abdominal group, but operating time did not differ. Similar results were found in women with no lymph node removal and in women with body mass index ≥35. Major complications during hospital stay, reoperations, and time to work were less in both minimally invasive groups. More lymph nodes were retrieved in the abdominal (mean 34.4) than in the robotic‐assisted laparoscopic (mean 26.0) group, but the number of women with lymph node metastases did not differ, totaling 211/960 (21.9%; 95% CI 19.4–24.7%). Isolated para‐aortic lymph node metastases were found in 3.9% (95% CI 2.4–5.6%) of women.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive surgery in uterine cancer patients reduces days to normal activities of daily living, number of days to return to work, length of hospital stay, and blood loss in patients without and with lymph node dissection and in obese patients.
Prevalence of bleeding manifestations in 128 heterozygotes for Factor X deficiency, mainly for FX Friuli, matched versus 128 unaffected family members, during a long sequential observation period (23.5 years)
Authors: Girolami Antonio , Cosi Elisabetta , Santarossa Claudia , Ferrari Silvia , Girolami Bruno , Lombardi Anna Maria
Published: April 2016

Objectives

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of bleeding manifestations in heterozygotes for FX deficiency vs. unaffected family members. Secondary objective was to compare the prevalence of arterial or venous diseases found in the two groups.

Patients and methods

A total of 128 heterozygote patients for FX deficiency were investigated. A total of 102 patients had FX Friuli; 26 patients had other forms of FX deficiency. At time of diagnosis, each patient was paired with an unaffected family member, matched by gender and age (±5). Patients and their normal counterparts were checked every 1–2 yr for a mean period of 23.5 yr. The occurrence of bleeding manifestations was recorded and scored. The occurrence of arterial diseases and venous thrombosis was also recorded as a secondary finding.

Results

A total of 38 heterozygote patients (29.7%) had one or more than one bleeding manifestation. The most frequent one was bleeding after tooth extraction or surgery. On the contrary, only three control subjects (2.3%) had documented hemorrhagic symptoms. There was a good correlation between bleeding and FX levels. Arterial disease (acute coronary syndromes, ischemic stroke, stable angina, peripheral arteries disease) was found in eight patients (6.3%) with FX deficiency and in seven unaffected subjects (5.5%). On the contrary, no venous thrombosis was seen in the affected group, whereas three cases (2.3%) of documented venous thrombosis were observed in the control group (two deep veins and one superficial vein).

Conclusions

Heterozygotes FX deficiency may be accompanied by a mild bleeding tendency. This has important implications to assure a safe FX level in case of surgery or invasive procedures. Furthermore, mild FX deficiency seems to have no protective effect on arterial disease but does seem to protect from venous thrombosis.
Social aphids use their antennae to perceive density cue for soldier production
Authors: Shibao Harunobu , Takanashi Takuma , Kutsukake Mayako , Matsuyama Shigeru , Shimada Masakazu , Fukatsu Takema
Published: April 2016

In social insects, local interactions among colony members facilitate information transfer, and allow the whole colony to regulate division of labor and task allocation in an integrated and coordinated manner. In particular, regulation of caste differentiation in response to external cues is important for sustaining social insect colonies. The social aphid Tuberaphis styraci exhibits a caste polyphenism, producing second‐instar soldiers and non‐soldiers. Previous studies using an artificial diet rearing system identified high aphid density as a crucial cue for soldier production, which acts on embryos in the maternal body and newborn first‐instar nymphs to induce soldier differentiation. While direct contact stimuli from live non‐soldiers were suggested to mediate the density effect, how the aphids perceive the stimuli has been unknown. Here we investigated how antennal removal of adult females affects the soldier production in T. styraci. Under a high density condition, intact females produced the highest percentage of soldiers, females deprived of both antennae produced the lowest percentage of soldiers, and females deprived of one antenna exhibited an intermediate percentage of soldiers. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the aphids revealed the existence of sensory organs for chemoreception and tactile sensation on the antennae of the mother aphids. These results indicate that T. styraci females use their antennae to perceive soldier‐inducing density cue, suggesting that maternal perception of density cue is involved in regulation over caste phenotype of their offspring.
The Log in Your Eye: Is Europe's External Promotion of Religious Freedom Consistent With its Internal Practice?
Authors: Gatti Mauro
Published: April 2016

The commitment of the EU to the external promotion of the respect for human rights allegedly distinguishes its foreign policy from that of traditional powers. Yet there is the perception that EU's statements are not always consistent with internal practices. This article analyses one set of EU's inconsistencies that has not been sufficiently studied: the discrepancy between internal and external human rights standards. The article focuses on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, which has become a priority of the EU's foreign policy. It is submitted that the EU's external position generally reflects values common to the Member States, but is sometimes contradicted by the practice of domestic authorities. The human rights standards identified in the EU's foreign policy may arguably serve as a reference for legal reform and the interpretation of fundamental rights in Europe.
Fatigue reliability analysis for vibroseis baseplates
Authors: Huang Z.Q. , Chen Z. , Li Q. , Jing S. , Li G. , Tao Z.F.
Published: April 2016

High precision vibroseis are widely used in oil and gas exploration. The key component of a vibroseis is its baseplate, suffered from complicated external load. Cracks could be generated in the baseplate, and fractures could occur in the welding parts of baseplates because of an extreme loading. This failure not only reduces the baseplate life significantly, but also affects the quality and precision of the signal excitation seriously. The objective of this work is to study the fatigue behavior of the baseplate by the finite element analysis (FEA) and fatigue reliability analysis. At first, the solid model of the baseplate is built, and the dynamic characteristics are analyzed by FEA based on the orthogonal design scheme. Then the stress distribution and peak area of baseplate are obtained under a series of loadings, thereby producing the stress‐time data of the risky areas. With the S–N curve and the Palmgren–Miner cumulative damage theory, we could therefore predict the baseplate life, and then its fatigue reliability is calculated with the Kriging response surface method. The sensitivity of fatigue reliability with respect to the design parameters is also obtained, and this provides useful information about the importance of design parameters to the fatigue reliability, therefore resulting in the new design that would lead to longer baseplate life, higher quality of the seismic signal excitation, smaller signal distortion and higher accuracy of oil and gas exploration ultimately.
Exploring the relationship between stigma and help‐seeking for mental illness in African‐descended faith communities in the UK
Authors: Mantovani Nadia , Pizzolati Micol , Edge Dawn
Published: April 2016

Background

Stigma related to mental illness affects all ethnic groups, contributing to the production and maintenance of mental illness and restricting access to care and support. However, stigma is especially prevalent in minority communities, thus potentially increasing ethnically based disparities. Little is known of the links between stigma and help‐seeking for mental illness in African‐descended populations in the UK.

Objective and study design

Building on the evidence that faith‐based organizations (FBOs) can aid the development of effective public health strategies, this qualitative study used semi‐structured interviews with faith groups to explore the complex ways in which stigma influences help‐seeking for mental illness in African‐descended communities. A thematic approach to data analysis was applied to the entire data set.

Setting and participants

Twenty‐six men and women who had varying levels of involvement with Christian FBOs in south London were interviewed (e.g. six faith leaders, thirteen ‘active members’ and seven ‘regular attendees’).

Results

Key factors influencing help‐seeking behaviour were as follows: beliefs about the causes of mental illness; ‘silencing’ of mental illness resulting from heightened levels of ideological stigma; and stigma (re)production and maintenance at community level. Individuals with a diagnosis of mental illness were likely to experience a triple jeopardy in terms of stigma.

Discussion and conclusion

‘One‐size‐fits‐all’ approaches cannot effectively meet the needs of diverse populations. To ensure that services are more congruent with their needs, health and care organizations should enable service users, families and community members to become active creators of interventions to remove barriers to help‐seeking for mental illness.
“Money Talks”: The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the African-American Freedom Struggle in Mississippi
Authors: Sanders Crystal R.
Published: April 2016

I am honored to participate on this plenary and I want to extend my thanks to the conference planning committee for the invitation. I come to this gathering as a civil rights scholar who has an interest in black education in the South. I do not consider it hyperbole on this the fiftieth anniversary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to say that the legislation was the most important federal government action on black education since the second Morrill Act of 1890. Surely, some in this room would disagree with my assessment and make a strong case for the 1954 Brown decision. Indeed, the Supreme Court declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional was significant. The ruling, however, had a lot of bark but very little bite, and the recalcitrant South needed bite. We know the states of the former Confederacy needed a get-tough “if-then approach”—as in, if you don't do X, then you won't get Y.
BILATERAL MARKET STRUCTURES AND REGULATORY POLICIES IN INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE MARKETS
Authors: Ju Heng , Tan Guofu
Published: April 2016

We develop models of bilateral oligopoly with traffic exchanges to study the competition and regulatory policies in the international telephone markets. Under the requirement of uniform settlement rates, the proportional return rule (PRR) inflates the rates and hence neutralizes PRR's effect on calling prices. Retail competition and PRR increase net settlement payments. Market efficiency is improved when there are multiple channels for traffic exchanges. Using a panel of 47 countries that exchanged traffic with the United States between 1992 and 2004, we test the effects of bilateral market structures and the U.S. policies. The empirical results support our theoretical findings.
“WHY NOT SETTLE DOWN ALREADY?” A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DELAY IN MARRIAGE
Authors: Santos Cezar , Weiss David
Published: April 2016

A striking change in American society in the last 40 years has been the decline and delay in marriage. The fraction of young adults who have never been married increased significantly between 1970 and 2000. Idiosyncratic labor income volatility also rose. We establish a quantitatively important link between these facts. If marriage involves consumption commitments, then a rise in income volatility delays marriage. We quantitatively assess this hypothesis vis‐à‐vis others in the literature. Increased volatility accounts for about 20% of the observed delay in marriage and is strong relative to other mechanisms.
FINANCIAL FRICTIONS AND NEW EXPORTER DYNAMICS
Authors: Kohn David , Leibovici Fernando , Szkup Michal
Published: April 2016

This article studies the role of financial frictions as a barrier to international trade. We study new exporter dynamics to identify how these frictions affect export decisions. We introduce a borrowing constraint and working capital requirements into a standard model of international trade, with exports more working capital intensive than domestic sales. Our model can quantitatively account for new exporter dynamics in contrast to a model with sunk export entry costs. We provide additional evidence in support of our mechanism. We find that financial frictions reduce the impact of trade liberalization, suggesting that they constitute an important trade barrier.
Both initial red cell distribution width (RDW) and change in RDW during heart failure hospitalization are associated with length of hospital stay and 30‐day outcomes
Authors: Muhlestein J. B. , Lappe D. L. , Anderson J. L. , Muhlestein J. B. , Budge D. , May H. T. , Bennett S. T. , Bair T. L. , Horne B. D.
Published: April 2016

Introduction

We examined the predictive ability of red cell distribution width (RDW) and the change in RDW during hospitalization (ΔRDW) for length of stay (LOS) and 30‐day outcomes after heart failure (HF) inpatient stay.

Methods

Electronic query of Intermountain Healthcare medical records identified patients (N = 6414) with a primary diagnosis of HF who were discharged between 2004 and 2013, had RDW measured within 24 h after admission, and had RDW tested at least once more during the same hospitalization. ΔRDW was defined as the last RDW within 24 h prior to discharge minus the first RDW.

Results

Median LOS by initial RDW quartiles was Q1: 3.0, Q2: 3.1, Q3: 3.7, and Q4: 4.0 days (P‐trend<0.001), and by ΔRDW quartiles was Q1: 4.1, Q2: 3.4, Q3: 3.6, and Q4: 4.7 days (P‐trend<0.001). Both initial RDW (16.8 ± 2.8% vs. 16.3 ± 2.7%, P < 0.001) and ΔRDW (0.21 ± 1.09% vs. 0.14 ± 1.04%, P = 0.039) predicted 30‐day readmission vs. no readmit. For 30‐day decedents vs. survivors, initial RDW was 17.3 ± 3.0% vs. 16.3 ± 2.6% (P < 0.001), while ΔRDW was +0.20 ± 1.14% vs. +0.14 ± 1.04% (P = 0.15).

Conclusions

Greater initial RDW and ΔRDW during HF hospitalization were associated with 30‐day mortality, longer LOS, and 30‐day all‐cause readmission, suggesting both ΔRDW and initial RDW may aid in personalizing prognosis and treatment.
Funding for change: New Zealand pharmacists’ views on, and experiences of, the community pharmacy services agreement
Authors: Kinsey Hannah , Scahill Shane , Bye Lynne , Harrison Jeff
Published: April 2016

Objective

To explore pharmacist’s views on the shift in ethos, funding and service delivery model introduced through the New Zealand’s Community Pharmacy Services Agreement (CPSA).

Methods

A purposive sampling approach drew pharmacists from a matrix who were then contacted via telephone and invited to be interviewed. Semistructured interviews were conducted face-to-face with community pharmacists (n = 17) across urban and rural New Zealand. An interview schedule exploring 12 subject areas was used to facilitate discussion and determine pharmacist’s views and understanding of the CPSA. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and a general inductive approach was taken to identifying emergent themes.

Key findings

Key themes that emerged were: pharmacists supported the philosophy behind the CPSA, pharmacists understanding of the CPSA, implementing CPSA-related services, perceived impact on patient outcomes and future sustainability of the CPSA. Overall, pharmacists supported the alignment of funding with patient-centred services, but pharmacy owners reported difficulty understanding the funding model, resulting in uncertainty over income. Several pharmacists believed the quality of care offered had not changed, while others found their attitudes towards care had evolved. All pharmacists communicated an increase in their workload and many perceived the sustainability of the CPSA to be linked to its ability to financially sustain community pharmacies.

Conclusions

The majority of pharmacists believed in the philosophy of the CPSA, but expressed concerns over funding, workload and benefits for patients. Future research is required to determine generalisability of these findings, investigate patient perspectives and assess the effect of the CPSA on patient outcomes.
Alternative splicing enhances transcriptome complexity in desiccating seeds
Authors: Srinivasan Arunkumar , Jiménez‐Gómez José M. , Fornara Fabio , Soppe Wim J. J. , Brambilla Vittoria
Published: April 2016

Before being dispersed in the environment, mature seeds need to be dehydrated. The survival of seeds after dispersal depends on their low hydration in combination with high desiccation tolerance. These characteristics are established during seed maturation. Some key seed maturation genes have been reported to be regulated by alternative splicing (AS). However, so far AS was described only for single genes and a comprehensive analysis of AS during seed maturation has been lacking. We investigated gene expression and AS during Arabidopsis thaliana seed development at a global level, before and after desiccation. Bioinformatics tools were developed to identify differentially spliced regions within genes. Our data suggest the importance and shows the peculiar features of AS during seed desiccation. We identified AS in 34% of genes that are expressed at both timepoints before and after desiccation. Most of these AS transcript variants had not been found before in other tissues. Among the AS genes some seed master regulators could be found. Interestingly, 6% of all expressed transcripts were not transcriptionally regulated during desiccation, but only modified by AS. We propose that AS should be more routinely taken into account in the analysis of transcriptomic data to prevent overlooking potentially important regulators.
rno‐miR‐665 targets BCL2L1 (Bcl‐xl) and increases vulnerability to propofol in developing astrocytes
Authors: Sun Wen‐Chong , Pei Ling
Published: April 2016

Propofol exerts a cytotoxic influence over immature neurocytes. Our previous study revealed that clinically relevant doses of propofol accelerated apoptosis of primary cultured astrocytes of developing rodent brains via rno‐miR‐665 regulation. However, the role of rno‐miR‐665 during the growth spurt of neonatal rodent brains in vivo is still uncertain. Post‐natal day 7 (P7) rats received a single injection of propofol 30 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.), and neuroapoptosis of hippocampal astrocytes was analyzed by immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The differential expression of rno‐miR‐665, BCL2L1 (Bcl‐xl), and cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) was surveyed by qRT‐PCR and western blotting. In addition, the utility of A‐1155463, a highly potent and BCL2L1‐selective antagonist, was aimed to assess the contribution of BCL2L1 for neuroglial survival. Following the intraventricular injection of lentivirus rno‐miR‐665, neuroprotection was detected by 5‐point scale measurement. The single dose of propofol 30 mg/kg triggered dose‐dependent apoptosis of developing hippocampal astrocytes. Meanwhile, propofol triggered both rno‐miR‐665 and CC3, and depressed BCL2L1, which was predicted as one target gene of rno‐miR‐665. Combination treatment with A‐1155463 and propofol induced lower mRNA and protein levels of BCL2L1 and more CC3 activation than propofol treatment alone in vivo. The lentivirus‐mediated knockdown of rno‐miR‐665 elevated BCL2L1 and attenuated CC3 levels, whereas up‐regulation of rno‐miR‐665 suppressed BCL2L1 and induced CC3 expression in vivo. More importantly, rno‐miR‐665 antagomir infusion improved neurological outcomes of pups receiving propofol during the brain growth spurt. Rno‐miR‐665, providing a potential target for alternative therapeutics for pediatric anesthesia, is susceptible to propofol by negatively targeting antiapoptotic BCL2L1.

image

Relatively little is known about the association between exposure of astrocytes to brief propofol anaesthesia and risk for impairment. Here, it revealed that propofol‐related neurotoxicity of neonatal astrocytes was under rno‐miR‐665 regulation during the brain growth spurt. Rno‐miR‐665 might act as a clinically alternative therapeutic target for treatment of neurological disorders in peadiatric anesthesia or sedation with propofol in future.
Reliability and Validity of the Physical Education Activities Scale
Authors: Thomason Diane L. , Feng Du
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

Measuring adolescent perceptions of physical education (PE) activities is necessary in understanding determinants of schoolPEactivity participation. This study assessed reliability and validity of the Physical Education Activities Scale (PEAS), a 41‐item visual analog scale measuring high school adolescent perceptions of schoolPEactivity participation.

METHODS

Adolescents (N = 529) from the Pacific Northwest aged 15‐19 in grades 9‐12 participated in the study. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Measurement invariance across sex groups was tested by multiple‐groupCFA. Internal consistency reliability was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha. Inter‐subscale correlations (Pearson's r) were calculated for latent factors and observed subscale scores.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis suggested a 3‐factor solution explaining 43.4% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the 3‐factor model fit the data adequately (comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.90, Tucker‐Lewis index [TLI] = 0.89, root mean squared error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.063). Factorial invariance was supported. Cronbach's alpha of the totalPEASwas α = 0.92, and for subscales α ranged from 0.65 to 0.92. Independent t‐tests showed significantly higher mean scores for boys than girls on the total scale and all subscales.

CONCLUSION

Findings provide psychometric support for using thePEASfor examining adolescent's psychosocial and environmental perceptions to participating inPEactivities.