bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the impact of insulator material on the performance of dissimilar electrode metal-insulator-metal diodes
Authors: Alimardani Nasir , King Sean W. , French Benjamin L. , Tan Cheng , Lampert Benjamin P. , Conley John F.
Published: July 2014

The performance of thin film metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diodes is investigated for a variety of large and small electron affinity insulators using ultrasmooth amorphous metal as the bottom electrode. Nb2O5, Ta2O5, ZrO2, HfO2, Al2O3, and SiO2 amorphous insulators are deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD). Reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS) is utilized to measure the band-gap energy (EG) and energy position of intrinsic sub-gap defect states for each insulator. EG of as-deposited ALD insulators are found to be Nb2O5 = 3.8 eV, Ta2O5 = 4.4 eV, ZrO2 = 5.4 eV, HfO2 = 5.6 eV, Al2O3 = 6.4 eV, and SiO2 = 8.8 eV with uncertainty of ±0.2 eV. Current vs. voltage asymmetry, non-linearity, turn-on voltage, and dominant conduction mechanisms are compared. Al2O3 and SiO2 are found to operate based on Fowler-Nordheim tunneling. Al2O3 shows the highest asymmetry. ZrO2, Nb2O5, and Ta2O5 based diodes are found to be dominated by Frenkel-Poole emission at large biases and exhibit lower asymmetry. The electrically estimated trap energy levels for defects that dominate Frenkel-Poole conduction are found to be consistent with the energy levels of surface oxygen vacancy defects observed in REELS measurements. For HfO2, conduction is found to be a mix of trap assisted tunneling and Frenkel-Poole emission. Insulator selection criteria in regards to MIM diodes applications are discussed.
High frequency electromagnetic properties of interstitial-atom-modified Ce2Fe17NX and its composites
Authors: Li L. Z. , Wei J. Z. , Xia Y. H. , Wu R. , Yun C. , Yang Y. B. , Yang W. Y. , Du H. L. , Han J. Z. , Liu S. Q. , Yang Y. C. , Wang C. S. , Yang J. B.
Published: July 2014

The magnetic and microwave absorption properties of the interstitial atom modified intermetallic compound Ce2Fe17NX have been investigated. The Ce2Fe17NX compound shows a planar anisotropy with saturation magnetization of 1088 kA/m at room temperature. The Ce2Fe17NX paraffin composite with a mass ratio of 1:1 exhibits a permeability of μ′ = 2.7 at low frequency, together with a reflection loss of −26 dB at 6.9 GHz with a thickness of 1.5 mm and −60 dB at 2.2 GHz with a thickness of 4.0 mm. It was found that this composite increases the Snoek limit and exhibits both high working frequency and permeability due to its high saturation magnetization and high ratio of the c-axis anisotropy field to the basal plane anisotropy field. Hence, it is possible that this composite can be used as a high-performance thin layer microwave absorber.
Diurnal variation in rumen fill of dairy cows grazing Persian clover at different pasture allowances
Authors: Williams Y. J. , Doyle P. T. , Egan A. R.
Published: July 2014

In this experiment 12 rumen-fistulated cows in late lactation, grazing Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) at four pasture allowances [9, 16, 32 and 53 kg dry matter (DM)/cow.day], had their entire rumen contents removed and sampled six times over 6 days, with the time of sampling varied between days. These rumen pool size measurements occurred at 0645 hours, 0915 hours, 1045 hours, 1345 hours, 1530 hours and 1900 hours. The cows were offered new allocations of pasture twice daily at 0715 hours and 1530 hours. Herbage intake increased (P < 0.001) from 5.6 to 20.4 kg DM as pasture allowance increased. Pasture allowance had no effects on rumen pool sizes of wet matter (WM) (P = 0.95), DM (P = 0.914), neutral detergent fibre (NDF, P = 0.499) or the DM% of the digesta (P = 0.078). Rumen pool sizes of WM, DM and NDF varied throughout the day. Pool sizes of WM and DM were lowest at 0645 hours and highest at 1900 hours for all allowances (P < 0.001) and along with pool sizes of NDF, were also lower at 0645 hours compared with 0915 hours and at 1530 hours compared with 1900 hours. The lack of increase in rumen pool sizes as pasture allowance increased when cows grazed Persian clover suggests that outflow rates increased with the increasing intakes. The low, and similar, rumination times between allowances also suggests that there is little restriction to the ability of outflow rates to increase when cows graze Persian clover at increasing allowances. The changes in rumen pool sizes over the day were consistent with the twice daily allocation of fresh pasture to the cows. The diurnal rumen pool size information obtained from this experiment will assist with the development of mechanistic rumen models that are capable of simulating the discontinuous intake and varying rumen pool sizes of cows in grazing systems.
Expansion of the fusion stalk and its implication for biological membrane fusion
Authors: Risselada Herre Jelger , Bubnis Gregory , Grubmüller Helmut
Published: July 2014

Significance

We focus on computing lipidic fusion pathway energetics and interpret them in a biological context. We illustrate that the progression of fast synaptic fusion may not rely on the point-like forces that are being transmitted to the membrane via the transmembrane domains of SNARE molecules. Our work bridges the many present gaps between diverse but related experiments and their interpretation, thus providing a coherent and integrative picture.
Acuity-independent effects of visual deprivation on human visual cortex
Authors: Hou Chuan , Pettet Mark W. , Norcia Anthony M.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Deviation of the direction of two eyes (strabismus) or chronic optical blur (anisometropia) separately and together can disrupt the development of visual cortex. To shed new light on how these two forms of visual deprivation affect cortical development, we used event-related potentials coupled with a stimulation paradigm to study the temporal evolution of visual responses in patients who had experienced either strabismus or anisometropia early in life. Our results indicate that strabismus generates significant abnormalities at both early and later stages of cortical processing and, importantly, that these abnormalities are independent of visual-acuity deficits. The nonamblyopic eyes of anisometropic amblyopes, by contrast, are normal, suggesting that these two forms of visual deprivation are differentiated very early in visual cortex.
Visual word learning in skilled readers of English
Authors: Kwok Rosa Kit Wan , Ellis Andrew W.
Published: July 2014

Three experiments are reported analysing the processes by which adult readers of English learn new written words. Visual word learning was simulated by presenting short (four-letter) and longer (seven-letter) nonwords repeatedly and observing the reduction in naming latencies and the convergence in reaction times (RTs) to shorter and longer items that are the hallmarks of visual word learning. Experiment 1 presented nonwords in ten consecutive blocks. Naming latencies reduced over the first four or five presentations. The effect of length on naming RTs was large in block 1 but non-significant after four or five presentations. Experiment 2 demonstrated some reduction in RTs to untrained nonwords following practice on a trained set, but the reduction was less than for the trained items and RTs to shorter and longer nonwords did not converge. Experiment 3 included a retest after seven days which showed some slowing of RTs compared with the end of the first session but also considerable retention of learning. We conclude that four to six exposures to novel words (nonwords) are sufficient to establish durable lexical representations that permit parallel processing of newly-learned words. The results are discussed in terms of theoretical models of reading and word learning.
Unique mutation portraits and frequent COL2A1 gene alteration in chondrosarcoma
Authors: Totoki Yasushi , Yoshida Akihiko , Hosoda Fumie , Nakamura Hiromi , Hama Natsuko , Ogura Koichi , Yoshida Aki , Fujiwara Tomohiro , Arai Yasuhito , Toguchida Junya , Tsuda Hitoshi , Miyano Satoru , Kawai Akira , Shibata Tatsuhiro
Published: July 2014

Chondrosarcoma is the second most frequent malignant bone tumor. However, the etiological background of chondrosarcomagenesis remains largely unknown, along with details on molecular alterations and potential therapeutic targets. Massively parallel paired-end sequencing of whole genomes of 10 primary chondrosarcomas revealed that the process of accumulation of somatic mutations is homogeneous irrespective of the pathological subtype or the presence of IDH1 mutations, is unique among a range of cancer types, and shares significant commonalities with that of prostate cancer. Clusters of structural alterations localized within a single chromosome were observed in four cases. Combined with targeted resequencing of additional cartilaginous tumor cohorts, we identified somatic alterations of the COL2A1 gene, which encodes an essential extracellular matrix protein in chondroskeletal development, in 19.3% of chondrosarcoma and 31.7% of enchondroma cases. Epigenetic regulators (IDH1 and YEATS2) and an activin/BMP signal component (ACVR2A) were recurrently altered. Furthermore, a novel FN1-ACVR2A fusion transcript was observed in both chondrosarcoma and osteochondromatosis cases. With the characteristic accumulative process of somatic changes as a background, molecular defects in chondrogenesis and aberrant epigenetic control are primarily causative of both benign and malignant cartilaginous tumors.
Factors Explaining Child Survival in Ethiopia: Application of Two‐Stage Probit Model
Authors: Oyekale Abayomi Samuel
Published: July 2014

Policymakers in many developing countries had been mandated to pursue the goal of reducing child mortality as one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This paper analyses the factors influencing child survival in Ethiopia using a 2011 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) dataset. Descriptive statistics and two‐stage least square probit regression were employed for data analyses. Results showed that the majority of the children (82.19 per cent) were born to households in rural areas, while average household heads' age was 42.78 years. Using combined children data, fertility, age of household heads, residence in urban areas, drinking of alcohol and smoking significantly reduced probability of child survival, while altitude, education, male household headship, age at first birth and rendering of assistance on domestic chores by the husband increased it (p < 0.05). It was concluded that efforts at reducing maternal fertility by promoting education of female children will go a long way in reducing child mortality in Ethiopia.
QST–FST comparisons with unbalanced half‐sib designs
Authors: Gilbert Kimberly J. , Whitlock Michael C.
Published: July 2014

QST, a measure of quantitative genetic differentiation among populations, is an index that can suggest local adaptation if QST for a trait is sufficiently larger than the mean FST of neutral genetic markers. A previous method by Whitlock and Guillaume derived a simulation resampling approach to statistically test for a difference between QST and FST, but that method is limited to balanced data sets with offspring related as half‐sibs through shared fathers. We extend this approach (i) to allow for a model more suitable for some plant populations or breeding designs in which offspring are related through mothers (assuming independent fathers for each offspring; half‐sibs by dam); and (ii) by explicitly allowing for unbalanced data sets. The resulting approach is made available through the R package QstFstComp.
Trophic cascades in bell miner‐associated dieback forests: Quantifying relationships between leaf quality, psyllids and Psyllaephagus parasitoids
Authors: Steinbauer Martin J. , Sinai Katherine M. J. , Anderson Annette , Taylor Gary S. , Horton Bryony M.
Published: July 2014

Coteries of the meliphagid bird Manorina melanophrys are associated with a form of eucalypt defoliation and recovery called bell miner‐associated dieback (BMAD). Through their defence of cooperative colony boundaries against other insectivorous birds, bell miners may foster greater abundances of lerp‐forming psyllids (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), some of which reduce the lifespan of leaves. Trophic cascades in BMAD forests need to be understood to have a complete picture of regulatory processes. We studied relationships between leaf quality, psyllid and Psyllaephagus parasitoid/hyperparasitoid abundances within the Gondwana Rainforest World Heritage Area, NSW, Australia; our focal tree species were Eucalyptus propinqua and E. biturbinata. Eucalyptus biturbinata had tougher leaves than E. propinqua; leaf toughness of both species varied with site and tree. We found a statistically significant, negative relationship between toughness (surrogate for leaf age) and foliar nitrogen content; younger leaves had higher nitrogen contents. Both bell miner abundance and foliar nitrogen were positively correlated with psyllid abundance. The abundance of Glycaspis species (the psyllid that produces lerps with the highest sugar content) was more closely correlated with foliar nitrogen content than was the abundance of all five psyllid genera combined. We identified 14 Psyllaephagus spp./morphospecies, comprising 11 primary parasitoids and three hyperparasitoids. The abundance of all Psyllaephagus combined was positively correlated with the abundance of lerps. However, psyllid parasitism was not correlated with the abundance of lerps. The abundance of the three hyperparasitoids was positively correlated with the abundance of Psyllaephagus hosts. The availability of epicormic foliage (young, morphologically juvenile leaves produced following defoliation) is likely to alter the nutritional ecology underpinning the diversity and abundance of psyllid populations. Higher quality epicormic foliage should favour populations of Glycaspis species (by enhancing nymphal survival) creating lerp hotspots that induce residency by opportunistic bell miners. The positive contribution of induced amelioration, interacting with feedbacks from parasitoids and hyperparasitoids, to BMAD requires longitudinal investigation.
A second‐generation genetic linkage map for bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) based on microsatellite markers
Authors: Zhu C. , Tong J. , Yu X. , Guo W. , Wang X. , Liu H. , Feng X. , Sun Y. , Liu L. , Fu B.
Published: July 2014

Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) is an important aquaculture fish worldwide. Genetic linkage maps for the species were previously reported, but map resolution remained to be improved. In this study, a second‐generation genetic linkage map was constructed for bighead carp through a pseudo‐testcross strategy using interspecific hybrids between bighead carp and silver carp. Of the 754 microsatellites genotyped in two interspecific mapping families (with 77 progenies for each family), 659 markers were assigned to 24 linkage groups, which were equal to the chromosome numbers of the haploid genome. The consensus map spanned 1917.3 cM covering 92.8% of the estimated bighead carp genome with an average marker interval of 2.9 cM. The length of linkage groups ranged from 52.2 to 133.5 cM with an average of 79.9 cM. The number of markers per linkage group varied from 11 to 55 with an average of 27.5 per linkage group. Normality tests on interval distances of the map showed a non‐normal marker distribution; however, significant correlation was found between the length of linkage group and the number of markers below the 0.01 significance level (two‐tailed). The length of the female map was 1.12 times that of the male map, and the average recombination ratio of female to male was 1.10:1. Visual inspection showed that distorted markers gathered in some linkage groups and in certain regions of the male and female maps. This well‐defined genetic linkage map will provide a basic framework for further genome mapping of quantitative traits, comparative mapping and marker‐assisted breeding in bighead carp.
Minimally Invasive Off‐Pump Left Ventricular Assist Device Exchange: Anterolateral Thoracotomy
Authors: Rojas Sebastian V. , Avsar Murat , Khalpey Zain , Hanke Jasmin S. , Haverich Axel , Schmitto Jan D.
Published: July 2014

The new generation of left ventricular assist devices has enabled minimally invasive surgical procedures. Herein we present a novel technique of left ventricular assist device exchange through a left‐sided anterolateral thoracotomy.
Validated gene expression biomarker analysis for biopsy‐based clinical trials in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Boland B. S. , Boyle D. L. , Sandborn W. J. , Firestein G. S. , Levesque B. G. , Hillman J. , Zhang B. , Proudfoot J. , Eckmann L. , Ernst P. B. , Rivera‐Nieves J. , Pola S. , Copur‐Dahi N. , Chang J. T.
Published: July 2014

Background

Accurate and reproducible measurement of expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in colonic biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is essential for proof‐of‐concept and mechanism‐of‐action studies. Few studies have rigorously established the number of biopsies required for accurate and reproducible biomarker measurements.

Aim

To validate methods for measuring changes in gene expression in colonic biopsy samples.

Methods

Twelve colonic biopsies were obtained from each of six healthy controls, six patients with inactive UC and seven patients with active UC. Mayo endoscopic scores were used as a clinical reference standard. Quantitative PCR was used to assess mRNA expression of eight known inflammatory genes. The power to detect a reduction in gene expression in active vs. inactive UC was calculated using a linear mixed effect model.

Results

mRNA analysis of colonic biopsies is a sensitive and feasible approach for measuring inflammatory gene expression in colonic biopsies. Inflammatory biomarkers correlate with Mayo endoscopic subscores for each colonic region.

For most genes, three rectal biopsies from two to four patients are required to detect changes in gene expression corresponding to active vs. inactive UC to achieve a power of 80% with an alpha of 0.05.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that systematic measurement of inflammatory biomarkers at the mRNA level can be a valuable tool for hypothesis testing, and assessment of clinical activity and response to therapy in ulcerative colitis.
Patient‐centred care: barriers and opportunities in the dental surgery
Authors: Asimakopoulou Koula , Gupta Adyya , Scambler Sasha
Published: July 2014

Objectives

This paper explores the practice of patient‐centred care (PCC) within dentistry. The aim of this research was to explore the barriers and opportunities dentists face in practicing PCC.

Methods

The results of N = 20 thematically analysed, in‐depth semi‐structured qualitative interviews with a range of dentists working across clinical and teaching positions within a large UK dental school are presented.

Results

PCC was generally considered a positive, to be embraced concept which dentists believe they practice daily in the absence of any formal training. PCC presented dentists with opportunities to deliver treatment to highly compliant patients. The main barriers revolved around patients (e.g. disengaged or overly inquisitive) and practice factors (e.g. time and funding).

Conclusions

PCC is a concept that is generally seen as important in the dental surgery, presenting dentists with opportunities for compliance‐enhanced practice. Significant work is needed if dentists are going to be supported in overcoming self‐identified barriers to their delivery of PCC as per UK General Dental Council guidelines.
Interaction of lectin pathway of complement-activating pattern recognition molecules with M ycobacteria
Authors: Bartlomiejczyk M A , Swierzko A S , Brzostek A , Dziadek J , Cedzynski M
Published: July 2014

We have demonstrated that mannose-binding lectin (MBL) recognizes various slow-growing, pathogenic mycobacteria [Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), M. bovis, M. kansasii, M. gordonae] as well as non-pathogenic M. smegmatis. Recognition resulted in activation of the lectin pathway (LP) of complement and an enhancement of phagocytosis (shown for M. tuberculosis). Although MBL may be considered the main factor activating the LP upon recognition of mycobacteria, involvement of ficolins has also to be considered. Interaction of ficolin-3 with M. tuberculosis, M. bovis and M. kansasii, and ficolin-1 with M. tuberculosis and M. bovis was shown for the first time. Binding of recombinant MBL or ficolin-3 to MTB H37Rv led to the agglutination of bacteria and promoted their phagocytosis, but little effect was apparent with ficolin-1 or ficolin-2. Data from Western blots suggest mannosylated lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) to be one of the main cell components of slow-growing mycobacteria, involved in LP activation. However, the LP was also activated by other cell fractions. Results presented here supplement considerably the data concerning the ability of complement-activating lectins to interact with mycobacteria. Ficolins (especially ficolin-3) might influence host response to infection and thus have clinical significance, at least as disease modifiers.
ConVis: A Visual Text Analytic System for Exploring Blog Conversations
Authors: Hoque E. , Carenini G.
Published: July 2014

Today it is quite common for people to exchange hundreds of comments in online conversations (e.g., blogs). Often, it can be very difficult to analyze and gain insights from such long conversations. To address this problem, we present a visual text analytic system that tightly integrates interactive visualization with novel text mining and summarization techniques to fulfill information needs of users in exploring conversations. At first, we perform a user requirement analysis for the domain of blog conversations to derive a set of design principles. Following these principles, we present an interface that visualizes a combination of various metadata and textual analysis results, supporting the user to interactively explore the blog conversations. We conclude with an informal user evaluation, which provides anecdotal evidence about the effectiveness of our system and directions for further design.
A TALEN‐based specific transcript knock‐down of PIWIL2 suppresses cell growth in HepG2 tumor cell
Authors: Chen Y. , Hu W. , Lu Y. , Jiang S. , Li C. , Chen J. , Tao D. , Liu Y. , Yang Y. , Ma Y.
Published: July 2014

Objectives

PIWIL2 is widely expressed in various tumours and implicated in playing a role in tumourigenesis. For a more thorough study of PIWIL2 functions in tumour cells, we aimed to establish PIWIL2‐specific transcript knock‐down/knockout HepG2 cell lines using transcription activator‐like effector nuclease (TALEN) technology. Furthermore, we proposed to use the cell models to explore PIWIL2 functions in TGF‐β signalling in HepG2 cells. HepG2s are human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Materials and methods

We established PIWIL2 knock‐down or knock‐out cell lines in HepG2 using TALEN technology. Next, we sought to use the cell line models to investigate effects of full length PIWIL2‐specific transcripts in cell proliferation induced by TGF‐β.

Results

First, we established PIWIL2‐specific transcript mono‐allele and bi‐allele knockout HepG2 cell lines. By using the cell line models, we found that specific transcript knockdown of full length PIWIL2 can suppress cell proliferation, while ectopic expression of PIWIL2 enhanced proliferation of HepG2 by suppressing the TGF‐β pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PIWIL2 can interact with HSP90 to prevent formation of HSP90–TβR complexes, which promote degradation of TβRs.

Conclusions

Taken together, our study revealed critical negative regulation of TGF‐β signalling by PIWIL2 in HepG2 tumour cells, and provided an effective strategy to study specific gene transcript functions in cells.
A randomised controlled trial comparing the impact of yoga and physical education on the emotional and behavioural functioning of middle school children
Authors: Haden Sara C , Daly Leslie , Hagins Marshall
Published: July 2014

Background

Yoga programmes geared for school children have become more widespread, but research regarding its impact on children is lacking. Several studies have reported positive outcomes, though there is a need for more RCTs.

Objectives

To determine the effects of yoga on children's emotional and behavioural functioning when compared with physical education (PE) classes.

Methods

Thirty middle school children were randomised to participate in either a school‐based ashtanga‐informed yoga or PE class three times a week for 12 weeks. Emotional (i.e. affect, self‐perceptions) and behavioural (i.e. internalising and externalising problems, aggression) functioning were measured pre‐ and post‐intervention.

Results

There were no significant changes between groups in self‐reported positive affect, global self‐worth, aggression indices or parent reports of their children's externalising and internalising problems. However, negative affect increased for those children participating in yoga when compared to the PE programme.

Conclusions

In general, findings suggest that yoga and PE classes do not differentially impact on middle school children's emotional and behavioural functioning. However, children reported experiencing increased negative emotions after receiving yoga while children in the PE group reported a decrease in these feelings. Implications of these results and potential directions for future research on children's yoga are discussed.
Singularity analysis near the vertex of the V‐notch in Reissner's plate by coupling the asymptotic expansion technique with the interpolating matrix method
Authors: Cheng C. Z. , Han Z. L. , Wang D. P. , Niu Z. R. , Recho N.
Published: July 2014

A new numerical method for calculating the singularity orders of V‐notches in Reissner's plate is proposed in this paper. By introducing the asymptotic expansion of the generalised displacement field at the notch tip into the equilibrium equations of a plate, a set of characteristic ordinary differential equations with respect to the singularity order are established. In addition, by adopting the variable substitution technique, the obtained non‐linear characteristic equations are transformed into linear ones, which are solved by the interpolating matrix method. The singularity orders of moments and shear forces can be obtained simultaneously and can be distinguished from the corresponding characteristic angular functions conveniently. Four types of boundary conditions are proposed to investigate the influence of boundary conditions on the singularity order values. The effect of the Poisson's ratio on the singularity orders of the V‐notch in Reissner's plate is discussed. The present method is versatile for the singularity analysis of single material V‐notches and bi‐material V‐notches, and can be easily extended to multi‐material V‐notches.
The Impact of Sovereign Credit Ratings on Corporations: A Literature Review and Research Recommendations
Authors: Mai Nguyen Janna , zu Knyphausen‐Aufseß Dodo
Published: July 2014

During the financial crisis, sovereign ratings have come under increased public scrutiny due to their strong impact on sovereign borrowing costs and hence financial stability of countries. However, their influence on corporations within and outside the respective nations has so far attracted only limited attention, although several academics have provided intriguing insights in this regard. In order to obtain a structured overview of this relatively young strand of research, this paper reviews key insights and conclusions that the extant literature offers on the role of sovereign creditworthiness for corporations. Herein, it focuses on the effects that have been observed for the corporate business environment, access to capital, and foreign investment activities. Different research issues providing fertile ground for future studies are identified.
Spatial and body‐size dependent response of marine pelagic communities to projected global climate change
Authors: Lefort Stelly , Aumont Olivier , Bopp Laurent , Arsouze Thomas , Gehlen Marion , Maury Olivier
Published: July 2014

Temperature, oxygen, and food availability directly affect marine life. Climate models project a global warming of the ocean's surface (~+3 °C), a de‐oxygenation of the ocean's interior (~−3%) and a decrease in total marine net primary production (~−8%) under the ‘business as usual’ climate change scenario (RCP8.5). We estimated the effects of these changes on biological communities using a coupled biogeochemical (PISCES) – ecosystems (APECOSM) model forced by the physical outputs of the last generation of the IPSL‐CM Earth System Model. The APECOSM model is a size‐structured bio‐energetic model that simulates the 3D dynamical distributions of three interactive pelagic communities (epipelagic, mesopelagic, and migratory) under the effects of multiple environmental factors. The PISCES‐APECOSM model ran from 1850 to 2100 under historical forcing followed by RCP8.5. Our RCP8.5 simulation highlights significant changes in the spatial distribution, biomass, and maximum body‐size of the simulated pelagic communities. Biomass and maximum body‐size increase at high latitude over the course of the century, reflecting the capacity of marine organisms to respond to new suitable environment. At low‐ and midlatitude, biomass and maximum body‐size strongly decrease. In those regions, large organisms cannot maintain their high metabolic needs because of limited and declining food availability. This resource reduction enhances the competition and modifies the biomass distribution among and within the three communities: the proportion of small organisms increases in the three communities and the migrant community that initially comprised a higher proportion of small organisms is favored. The greater resilience of small body‐size organisms resides in their capacity to fulfill their metabolic needs under reduced energy supply and is further favored by the release of predation pressure due to the decline of large organisms. These results suggest that small body‐size organisms might be more resilient to climate change than large ones.
Thatcherism and the public sector
Authors: Jackson Peter M.
Published: July 2014

This article analyses the impact of Thatcher's economic reforms upon the UK public sector. It argues that Thatcherism was a continuation, albeit pursued with a stronger conviction, of changes in economic policy perspectives which had been initiated many years earlier. What became known as Thatcherism began life incompletely formed. Its precise form emerged subsequently through its implementation. Thatcher's original intentions to tame the public sector and to roll back the frontiers of the state were frustrated by the reality of events. Making real cuts in public spending proved to be difficult while expenditure on social security increased rapidly, partly as a result of the economic policies of the first Thatcher government. The ‘burden’ of taxation was not reduced, although marginal rates of income tax did fall. A feature of the Thatcher governments was a move towards introducing greater amounts of managerialism into the public sector in an attempt to secure efficiency improvements in the delivery of public services. This has produced mixed results.
Temporal evolution of coral reef fishes: global patterns and disparity in isolated locations
Authors: Hodge Jennifer R. , van Herwerden Lynne , Bellwood David R.
Published: July 2014

Aim

Many coral reef regions have a history of isolation and extinction. Our aim was to test whether the disparate evolutionary and biogeographical histories of the world's coral reef regions have significantly impacted temporal patterns of speciation within regions. In essence, do assemblages in peripheral locations contain the youngest coral reef fish species?

Location

Pan‐tropical coral reef systems.

Methods

Molecular data (mitochondrial 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, CO1, cytochrome b; nuclear TMO‐4C4, S7 intron 1) were assembled for genera with near‐complete taxon sampling (minimum 70% nominal species) from four major coral reef fish families (Chaetodontidae, Labridae, Pomacanthidae and Serranidae). This was combined with fossil data to simultaneously infer the phylogeny and estimate species' divergence times. species' distributions were quantified using IUCN maps and the ages of species with different biogeographical extents were compared. Model fitting was used to compare the distribution of species' ages across the whole phylogeny with age distributions of species restricted to the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands.

Results

Temporal patterns of coral reef fish divergence were similar among major marine realms and regions. However, notable differences were recorded between the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands. Red Sea endemics have diverged consistently throughout the last 16 Myr, whereas endemic species colonized the Hawaiian Islands in two distinct waves (0–3 Ma and 8–12 Ma). Differences in the proportions of allopatric and sympatric sister‐species between Red Sea and Hawaiian endemics were also detected.

Main conclusions

Despite differing geological histories, marine realms and regions have all experienced comparable and relatively recent divergences of extant coral reef fish species. Differences in age distributions and spatial relationships of endemic species in the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands suggest that markedly different processes have shaped patterns of diversification in these peripherally isolated locations.
Ptolemeba n. gen., a Novel Genus of Hartmannellid Amoebae (Tubulinea, Amoebozoa); with an Emphasis on the Taxonomy of Saccamoeba
Authors: Watson Pamela M. , Sorrell Stephanie C. , Brown Matthew W.
Published: July 2014

Hartmannellid amoebae are an unnatural assemblage of amoeboid organisms that are morphologically difficult to discern from one another. In molecular phylogenetic trees of the nuclear‐encoded small subunit rDNA, they occupy at least five lineages within Tubulinea, a well‐supported clade in Amoebozoa. The polyphyletic nature of the hartmannellids has led to many taxonomic problems, in particular paraphyletic genera. Recent taxonomic revisions have alleviated some of the problems. However, the genus Saccamoeba is paraphyletic and is still in need of revision as it currently occupies two distinct lineages. Here, we report a new clade on the tree of Tubulinea, which we infer represents a novel genus that we name Ptolemeba n. gen. This genus subsumes a clade of hartmannellid amoebae that were previously considered in the genus Saccamoeba, but whose mitochondrial morphology is distinct from Saccamoeba. In accordance with previous research, we formalize the clade as distinct from Saccamoeba. Transmission electron microscopy of our isolates illustrate that both molecularly discrete species can be further differentiated by their unique mitochondrial cristal morphology.
Development of a two‐step, non‐probed multiplex real‐time PCR for surveilling Vibrio anguillarum in seawater
Authors: Hickey M E , Richards G P , Lee J‐L
Published: July 2014

Vibrio anguillarum is an aggressive and halophilic bacterial pathogen most commonly originating from seawater. Vibrio anguillarum presence in fisheries and aquaculture facilities causes significant morbidity and mortality among aquaculture species primarily from haemorrhaging of the body and skin of the infected fish that eventually leads to death, collectively recognized as the disease vibriosis. This study served to develop a non‐probe, multiplex real‐time PCR assay to rapidly detect V. anguillarum presence in seawater. Specific primers targeting genes vah1, empA and rpoN of V. anguillarum were selected for multiplex reaction among 11 different primer sets and the extension step was eliminated. Primer concentration, denaturation time as well as annealing time and temperature of DNA amplification were optimized, thus reducing reaction duration. The two‐step, non‐probed multiplex real‐time PCR set forth by this study detects as little as 3 CFU mL−1 of V. anguillarum presence in sea water, without enrichment cultivation, in 70 min with molecular precision and includes melting curve confirmation.
An Evidence‐Based Program to Improve Analgesic Practice and Pain Outcomes in Residential Aged Care Facilities
Authors: Savvas Steven M. , Toye Chris M. , Beattie Elizabeth R. A. , Gibson Stephen J.
Published: July 2014

Pain is common in individuals living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs), and a number of obstacles have been identified as recurring barriers to adequate pain management. To address this, the Australian Pain Society developed 27 recommendations for comprehensive good practice in the identification, assessment, and management of pain. This study reviewed preexisting pain management practice at five Australian RACFs and identified changes needed to implement the recommendations and then implemented an evidence‐based program that aimed to facilitate better pain management. The program involved staff training and education and revised in‐house pain‐management procedures. Reviews occurred before and after the program and included the assessment of 282 residents for analgesic use and pain status. Analgesic use improved after the program (P < .001), with a decrease in residents receiving no analgesics (from 15% to 6%) and an increase in residents receiving around‐the‐clock plus as‐needed analgesics (from 24% to 43%). There were improvements in pain relief for residents with scores indicative of pain, with Abbey pain scale (P = .005), Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (P = .001), and Non‐communicative Patient's Pain Assessment Instrument scale (P < .001) scores all improving. Although physical function declined as expected, Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short‐Form Survey bodily pain scores also showed improvement (P = .001). Better evidence‐based practice and outcomes in RACFs can be achieved with appropriate training and education. Investing resources in the aged care workforce using this program improved analgesic practice and pain relief in participating sites. Further attention to the continued targeted pain management training of aged care staff is likely to improve pain‐focused care for residents.
Abbreviated Care‐Process Quality Indicator Sets Linked with Survival and Functional Status Benefit in Older Adults Under Ambulatory Care
Authors: Min Lillian , Reuben David , Karlamangla Arun , Naeim Arash , Prenovost Katherine , Lee Pearl , Wenger Neil
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To identify subsets of ambulatory care (outpatient only) quality indicators (QIs) associated with better survival and physical function outcomes.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

Pooled data from the Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE)‐1 study, which measured quality of care using 140 care‐process QIs, and the subsequent ACOVE‐2 study, which reduced the QIs to 69 ambulatory care QIs.

Participants

Older adults receiving ambulatory care (N = 1,015).

Measurements

To prioritize and reduce the QIs into subsets, an expert panel rated each of 69 ambulatory care QIs for the strength of the link between process and benefit, defined as direct trial evidence on older adults or high expectation of benefit if a trial were conducted in older adults. This resulted in three reduced QI sets, reflecting their intended benefit: 17 QIs for survival (ACOVE Quality for Survival (AQS)‐17), five QIs to preserve function (AQF‐5), and 16 QIs to improve quality‐of‐life related to physical health and symptoms (AQQ‐16). Whether AQS‐17 would predict 3‐year survival was first tested in 1,015 pooled ACOVE‐1 and ACOVE‐2 participants. Second, whether AQF‐5 (n = 74) and AQQ‐16 (n = 359) would predict change in the Physical Component Summary (PCS) score of the Medical Outcomes Study 12‐item Short‐Form Survey at 1 year was tested in the ACOVE‐2 cohort. Control variables were age, function‐based vulnerability, and comorbidity.

Results

Each 20‐percentage‐point increment in AQS‐17 was associated with survival (hazard ratio (HR)  = 0.83, P = .01) up to 500 days but not thereafter. AQF‐5, but not AQQ‐16, predicted 1‐year improvement in PCS score (1.13‐points per 20%‐point increment in AQF‐5, P = .02).

Conclusion

Subsets of care processes can be linked with outcomes important to older adults. The AQS‐17 and AQF‐5 are potential tools for improving ambulatory care of older adults.
Depression, Antidepressants, and Bone Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gebara Marie Anne , Shea Marcie L. O. , Lipsey Kim L. , Teitelbaum Steven L. , Civitelli Roberto , Müller Daniel J. , Reynolds Charles F. , Mulsant Benoit H. , Lenze Eric J.
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To examine the association between depression, antidepressant use, and bone health in older adults and the implications for treatment.

Design

Systematic review.

Setting

All studies that measured depression or antidepressant exposure and bone mineral density (BMD).

Participants

Adults aged 60 and older.

Measurements

Age, site of BMD measurement using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), measure of depression or depressive symptoms, association between BMD changes, and depression or antidepressant use.

Results

Nineteen observational studies met the final inclusion criteria; no experimental studies were found. Several cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies found that depression or depressive symptoms were associated with a decrease in BMD. Few studies and only two longitudinal studies addressed the association between serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) antidepressant use and a decrease in BMD and they had conflicting results.

Conclusion

Depression and depressive symptoms are associated with low bone mass and accelerated bone loss in older adults; putative mechanisms underlying this relationship are discussed. There is insufficient evidence that SRI antidepressants adversely affect bone health. Thus, a change in current recommendations for the use of antidepressants in older adults is not justified at the present time. Given the high public health significance of this question, more studies are required to determine whether (and in whom) antidepressants may be deleterious for bone health.
Complete forelimb myology of the basal theropod dinosaur Tawa hallae based on a novel robust muscle reconstruction method
Authors: Burch Sara H.
Published: July 2014

The forelimbs of nonavian theropod dinosaurs have been the subject of considerable study and speculation due to their varied morphology and role in the evolution of flight. Although many studies on the functional morphology of a limb require an understanding of its musculature, comparatively little is known about the forelimb myology of theropods and other bipedal dinosaurs. Previous phylogenetically based myological reconstructions have been limited to the shoulder, restricting their utility in analyses of whole‐limb function. The antebrachial and manual musculature in particular have remained largely unstudied due to uncertain muscular homologies in archosaurs. Through analysis of the musculature of extant taxa in a robust statistical framework, this study presents new hypotheses of homology for the distal limb musculature of archosaurs and provides the first complete reconstruction of dinosaurian forelimb musculature, including the antebrachial and intrinsic manual muscles. Data on the forelimb myology of a broad sample of extant birds, crocodylians, lizards, and turtles were analyzed using maximum likelihood ancestral state reconstruction and examined together with the osteology of the early theropod Tawa hallae from the Late Triassic of New Mexico to formulate a complete plesiomorphic myology for the theropod forelimb. Comparisons with previous reconstructions show that the shoulder musculature of basal theropods is more similar to that of basal ornithischians and sauropodomorphs than to that of dromaeosaurids. Greater development of the supracoracoideus and deltoideus musculature in theropods over other bipedal dinosaurs correlates with stronger movements of the forelimb at the shoulder and an emphasis on apprehension of relatively large prey. This emphasis is further supported by the morphology of the antebrachium and the intrinsic manual musculature, which exhibit a high degree of excursion and a robust morphology well‐suited for powerful digital flexion. The forelimb myology of Tawa established here helps infer the ancestral conformation of the forelimb musculature and the osteological correlates of major muscle groups in early theropods. These data are critical for investigations addressing questions relating to the evolution of specialized forelimb function across Theropoda.
‘Planning ahead’ among community‐dwelling older people from culturally and linguistically diverse background: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Jeong Sarah , Ohr Seok , Pich Jacqueline , Saul Peter , Ho Alan
Published: July 2014

Aims and objectives

To explore preparedness of end‐of‐life care planning among community‐dwelling older persons of culturally and linguistically diverse background.

Background

To improve end‐of‐life care through advance care planning, the key concept ‘Planning ahead’ has been promoted in Australia. However, since the introduction of the model in 2008, it is not known whether ‘Planning Ahead’ practice by older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds has improved.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

A total of 453 community older adults (65+) who attended 17 day care centres in a region were invited to participate in the study. A total of 229 people completed the survey with a response rate of 50·5%. The questions relevant to this study include: (1) awareness of enduring guardian, advance care directive and advance care planning, (2) the preference for substitute decision‐makers and (3) the challenges experienced with advance care planning.

Results

Awareness of advance care planning was low, and completion of advance care directive was very low. 37·5% of Anglo Celtic group had an enduring guardian, compared with 15·5, 24·1 and 13·3% from Mediterranean, Eastern European and Asia/Pacific group, respectively. Children were the most preferred substitute decision‐makers more for Asia/Pacific group than Anglo Celtic, Mediterranean and Eastern Europeans. The various difficulties experienced included being time‐consuming, difficult to understand terms and forms, and do not know how to do it.

Conclusion

Regardless of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, a low level of ‘Planning ahead’ practices was apparent because of a lack of understanding of the concept, the forms and the processes involved. The gap identified between the existing legal/ethical frameworks and the preferences of older people as substitute decision‐makers adds new knowledge for further discussion.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nursing professionals are provided with an opportunity to improve their practice to meet the needs of older persons and their families in planning ahead for future treatment options.