bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embedding psychological thinking: an evaluation of a regional training model for probation staff
Authors: Mapplebeck Clare , Ramsden Jo , Lowton Mark , Short Sammy , Burn Flora
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the qualitative evaluation of a training package delivered to offender managers (OMs) working to support the implementation of the national Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway and to examine qualitative changes in the way participants approach case material pre- and post-training.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 21 pre- and 21 post-training responses to a case vignette were recorded and used in the analysis. OMs were asked what they would like to know more about and what would they focus on with the individual in the vignette. The responses were matched and the vignettes pre- and post-training were identical except for the name of the (fictional) offender.

Findings

The responses were subjected to a thematic analysis and, whilst themes were similar both between questions and within each question over time, post-training responses focussed more on the offender’s relationship with the OM and showed a greater appreciation for the relevance of internal motivations (not just what but why). This tendency was less evident in all responses regarding risk/offending.

Originality/value

The OPD pathway is focussed on learning. The work is innovative and this paper adds to the body of early evidence which will hopefully inform future developments. In particular, the importance of involvement of probation stakeholders in the design and delivery of training is highlighted. In addition, it is expected that future research will focus on the impact of continued supervision for the participants in this study and, as such, this paper forms the beginning of a process of evaluating how and when various workforce development interventions are effective.
Back-testing extreme value and Lévy value-at-risk models
Authors: Mozumder Sharif , Dempsey Michael , Kabir M. Humayun
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to back-test value-at-risk (VaR) models for conditional distributions belonging to a Generalized Hyperbolic (GH) family of Lévy processes – Variance Gamma, Normal Inverse Gaussian, Hyperbolic distribution and GH – and compare their risk-management features with a traditional unconditional extreme value (EV) approach using data from future contracts return data of S&P500, FTSE100, DAX, HangSeng and Nikkei 225 indices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply tail-based and Lévy-based calibration to estimate the parameters of the models as part of the initial data analysis. While the authors utilize the peaks-over-threshold approach for generalized Pareto distribution, the conditional maximum likelihood method is followed in case of Lévy models. As the Lévy models do not have closed form expressions for VaR, the authors follow a bootstrap method to determine the VaR and the confidence intervals. Finally, for back-testing, they use both static calibration (on the entire data) and dynamic calibration (on a four-year rolling window) to test the unconditional, independence and conditional coverage hypotheses implemented with 95 and 99 per cent VaRs.

Findings

Both EV and Lévy models provide the authors with a conservative proportion of violation for VaR forecasts. A model targeting tail or fitting the entire distribution has little effect on either VaR calculation or a VaR model’s back-testing performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the back-testing performance of Lévy-based VaR models. The authors conduct various calibration and bootstrap techniques to test the unconditional, independence and conditional coverage hypotheses for the VaRs.
Risk management and managerial mindset
Authors: Eastburn Ronald William , Sharland Alex
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to determine why so many banks do not recognize in a timely manner the inherent risks and imbalances with their risk/reward decision trade-offs, to elevate the risk conversation by embracing a more strategic and adaptive behavioral perspective and to show how an effective risk management organizational mindset is a definite solution for mitigating risk.

Design/methodology/approach

A direct-mail questionnaire survey was designed with the unit of analysis US community bank (under US$1.5bn in assets) and its risk performance. We used quantitative methods using previously tested scales for main constructs and FDIC bank data for performance measures. To gauge the models capacity for determining discriminatory value, results were also measured against relative peer financial performance.

Findings

The findings established that an effective risk management process that assimilates risk tolerance, risk propensity and risk practices into a managerial mindset offers a sound solution for mitigating risk. By envisioning risk as a “conceptual model of thinking” and interpreting it as a “predictable business process”, and by offering specific “decision enablers” that complement the corporate mindset, it creates a safety net against unsafe risk practices. As a result, it allows for an appreciation that current financial performance is a direct measure of management’s risk decision capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size (n= 151), although adequate for our purpose was relatively small, was restricted to US community banks (less than US$1.5bn in assets) and single-informants (CEOs), thereby providing a somewhat narrow focus. Also, the survey was conducted during a slow economic period, and results may be different during a growth period. We see ripe opportunity for further research, especially related to money-center and regional banks and the next level of management as well as the behavioral influences that frame the risk/reward opportunity. Research on other industries, small businesses, etc., would be valuable because risk permeates all decisioning.

Practical implications

From a practitioner perspective, providing guidance on risk oversight allows for improved financial performance. The findings should be of interest to financial industry leaders, policy makers and regulators as understanding how an active orientation of risk tolerance, risk propensity and risk practices are coordinated across the organization is vital. Also, managers need to understand how characteristics of risk management manifest itself within their organization in terms of productivity and financial performance.

Originality/value

This paper is the first comprehensive empirical study that incorporates a conceptual approach that uses outcome history, behavioral influences and operational dimensions to identify risk management capabilities in community banks designed to increase risk/reward awareness.
Color texture classification based on proposed impulse-noise resistant color local binary patterns and significant points selection algorithm
Authors: Fekriershad Shervan , Tajeripour Farshad
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a color-texture classification approach which uses color sensor information and texture features jointly. High accuracy, low noise sensitivity and low computational complexity are specified aims for this proposed approach.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the efficient texture analysis operations is local binary patterns (LBP). The proposed approach includes two steps. First, a noise resistant version of color LBP is proposed to decrease its sensitivity to noise. This step is evaluated based on combination of color sensor information using AND operation. In a second step, a significant points selection algorithm is proposed to select significant LBPs. This phase decreases final computational complexity along with increasing accuracy rate.

Findings

The proposed approach is evaluated using Vistex, Outex and KTH-TIPS-2a data sets. This approach has been compared with some state-of-the-art methods. It is experimentally demonstrated that the proposed approach achieves the highest accuracy. In two other experiments, results show low noise sensitivity and low computational complexity of the proposed approach in comparison with previous versions of LBP. Rotation invariant, multi-resolution and general usability are other advantages of our proposed approach.

Originality/value

In the present paper, a new version of LBP is proposed originally, which is called hybrid color local binary patterns (HCLBP). HCLBP can be used in many image processing applications to extract color/texture features jointly. Also, a significant point selection algorithm is proposed for the first time to select key points of images.
Latest in VISION SENSOR Technology as well as innovations in sensing, pressure, force, medical, particle size and many other applications
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review some of the latest in new vision sensor technologies as well as other innovative sensor products being developed and reaching the market.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a review of published information and papers on research as well as contact and discussions with researchers and suppliers in this field at the Vision Show and the Ceramics Show.

Findings

Microelectronics and electrochemical technologies have been a major factor in technology advancements of sensors for a wide range of applications. Vision sensors have become very important, as applications such as drone aircraft and driver less cars have dramatically grown. Technology has advanced and so sensors are becoming smarter, are smaller, offer better resolution, are much more sensitive than in the past and address previously unserved applications.

Originality/value

Readers may be very excited to learn of the many advances in vision and other technologies which are coming to the sensor field. Such sensors are addressing new applications that were not previously possible which are now being served.
Sensors key to advances in precision agriculture
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This study aims to illustrate the growing role that sensors play in agriculture, with an emphasis on precision agricultural practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this study first provides an overview of agricultural measurements and applications. It then discusses the importance of airborne and land-based optical sensing techniques and the role of the normalised difference vegetation index. Sensors used on conventional and robotic agricultural machines are considered next, and fixed sensors and sensor networks are then discussed. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn.

Findings

This shows that much modern agriculture is a high-technology business which relies on a multitude of sensor-based measurements. Sensors are based on a diversity of optical and other technologies and measure a wide range of physical and chemical variables. They are deployed in the air, on agricultural machines and in the field and generate data that can be used to enhance productivity and reduce both costs and the impact on the environment.

Originality/value

This provides a detailed insight into the important role played by sensors in modern agricultural practices.
Contrasting effects of climate and population density over time and life stages in a long‐lived seabird
Authors: Fay Rémi , Barbraud Christophe , Delord Karine , Weimerskirch Henri
Published: January 2017

Although population responses to environmental variability have been extensively studied for many organisms, few studies have considered early‐life stages owing to the inherent difficulties in tracking the fate of young individuals. However, young individuals are expected to be more sensitive to environmental stochasticity owing to their inexperience and lower competitive abilities. Thus, they are keys to understand demographic responses of an age‐structured population to environmental variability.

In this study, we used capture–recapture modelling, based on a 49 year‐long individual‐based longitudinal monitoring dataset, to investigate climatic and population density effects on immature demographic parameters in a long‐lived seabird, the wandering albatross.

We provide evidence that climate and population size affected both survival and recruitment age of young individuals although in different ways according to the trait. We found that early‐life survival was mainly affected by population density, whereas recruitment age variation appeared to be better explained by climatic conditions, with a surprising long‐term effect of climate. While population size explained 60% of the variation in juvenile survival, the average Southern Annular Mode over the five previous years explained 52% of variation in recruitment age.

In addition, although early‐life survival was consistently negatively affected by population size, the relationship between recruitment age and population size shifted from negative to positive over time from the 1970s to 2000s, showing that density dependence mechanisms can temporarily disappear.

Finally, we found that similar climatic conditions may affect individual performances in opposite ways according to the life stage of individuals. This result underlines the critical need to assess age‐specific functional responses to environmental variability to allow accurate demographic predictions. By revealing the poorly known demographic process of younger age classes, the results of this study improve our understanding of population dynamics of long‐lived marine species.

A lay summary is available for this article.
The (extra)ordinary ethics of being HIV‐positive in rural Papua New Guinea
Authors: Wardlow Holly
Published: January 2017

HIV/AIDS continues to be intimately entwined with the moral domain, and thus a positive diagnosis can cast doubt on a person's moral status. I draw on recent literature in the anthropology of ethics and morality, as well as feminist moral philosophy, to analyse the post‐diagnosis practices of HIV‐positive women in Papua New Guinea as they attempt to recuperate their moral personhood and make their ethical commitments visible to others. I argue that they carve out a repertoire of (extra)ordinary ethics from the ‘ordinary’ domain and that their practices tend towards a deontological ethics, rather than a virtue ethics, orientation.
Where East meets West: in the house of individuation
Authors: Stein Murray
Published: January 2017

The psychological process of individuation as experienced in Jungian work may lead to states of consciousness that resemble advanced spiritual developments across religious traditions and cultures. This is where Westerners may reach a common ground with the East. In the essentials and with respect to the final goal there is little difference among the many ways to the self, even if the cultural features in the landscape are disparate. In late stage Jungian analysis and individuation and in what Erich Neumann calls ‘centroversion’, the personal and the impersonal aspects of the personality accumulate around the ego‐self axis to form a composite identity. In this complex structure the ego does not vanish but is joined to the impersonal archetypal levels of the psyche and identity thus becomes at once individual and archetypal. This is the third stage of conjunction as described by Jung in Mysterium Coniunctionis and it is identical to the type of consciousness depicted in the final scenes of Zen Buddhism's Ten Ox‐Herding Pictures.
Long‐term outcomes of transobturator tapes in women with stress urinary incontinence: E‐TOT randomised controlled trial
Authors: Karmakar D , Mostafa A , Abdel‐Fattah M
Published: January 2017

Objective

To assess the long‐term patient‐reported outcomes and adverse events following surgery using transobturator tension‐free vaginal tape (TO‐TVT).

Design

Postal follow‐up of the E‐TOT randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Setting

A tertiary urogynaecology centre in the UK; all procedures took place in 2005–2007.

Population

A total of 341 women were randomised to receive either ‘inside‐out’ TVT‐O (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) or ‘outside‐in’ TOT‐ARIS (Coloplast Corp., Minneapolis, MN, USA) procedure.

Methods

Long‐term follow‐up (median 9 years) using validated symptom severity and quality‐of‐life (QoL) questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using spss 22.0 and GraphPad statistics 2014.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was patient‐reported success rate, defined as ‘very much/much improved’ on the Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (PGI‐I) scale. Secondary outcomes included impact on women's QoL and sexual function, adverse events, and re‐operations for stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Results

The adjusted response rate was 67.8% and the median follow‐up period was 9.2 years. The overall patient‐reported success rate was 71.6%, with a further 14% reporting ‘improvement’, and there was no significant difference between inside‐out and outside‐in groups (P = 0.76; odds ratio, OR 0.8676; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.4744–1.5865). The success rate showed a significant reduction compared with 1‐year results (71.6 versus 80%; P = 0.004), but a clinically insignificant reduction when compared with the 3‐year results (71.6 versus 73.1%). A total of 7.96% underwent further continence surgery, the tape extrusion/erosion rate was 4.5%, and groin pain/discomfort was reported in 4.32%, with only 1.4% requiring treatment.

Conclusions

This is the largest and longest follow‐up randomised trial of TO‐TVT. TO‐TVT is associated with 71.6% patient‐reported success rate, 4% groin pain/discomfort, and 8% continence re‐operation rate at a median of 9 years follow‐up. The success rate is almost stable after 3 years.

Tweetable abstract

The success rate for TO‐TVT is 71% at 9 years, and is almost stable after 3 years; 8% required repeat surgery.
Paramedic resuscitation competency: A survey of Australian and New Zealand emergency medical services
Authors: Dyson Kylie , Bray Janet E , Smith Karen , Bernard Stephen , Straney Lahn , Finn Judith
Published: January 2017

Objective

We have previously established that paramedic exposure to out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is relatively rare, therefore clinical exposure cannot be relied on to maintain resuscitation competency. We aimed to identify the current practices within emergency medical services (EMS) for developing and maintaining paramedic resuscitation competency.

Methods

We developed and conducted an online cross‐sectional survey of Australian and New Zealand EMS in 2015. The survey was piloted by one EMS and targeted at education managers.

Results

A total of nine of the 10 EMS responded to the survey. All EMS reported that they provide resuscitation training to paramedics at the commencement of their employment (median 16 h, interquartile range [IQR]: 7–80). With the exception of one EMS that did not provide any refresher training, a median of 4 h (IQR: 1–7) resuscitation training was provided to paramedics annually. All EMS used cardiac arrest simulations and skill stations to train paramedics. Paramedic exposure to OHCA was not taken into account to determine their training needs. Resuscitation competency was tested by EMS: annually (3/9), biennially (4/9) or not at all (2/9). Two EMS used CPR‐feedback devices in clinical practice and only one EMS regularly performed formal debriefing after OHCA cases. Barriers to resuscitation competency included: difficulty removing paramedics from clinical duties for training and a lack of paramedic exposure to OHCA.

Conclusion

All of the surveyed EMS provided initial resuscitation training to paramedics, but competency testing and refresher training practices varied between services. A lack of individual exposure to cardiac arrest and training time were identified as barriers to resuscitation competency.
Impact of microbial invasion of amniotic cavity and the type of microorganisms on short‐term neonatal outcome in women with preterm labor and intact membranes
Authors: Cobo Teresa , Vives Irene , Rodríguez‐Trujillo Adriano , Murillo Clara , Ángeles Martina A. , Bosch Jordi , Vergara Andrea , Gratacós Eduard , Palacio Montse
Published: January 2017

Introduction

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and the type of microorganisms on pregnancy and short‐term neonatal outcomes in women with preterm labor.

Material and methods

Prospective observational cohort study including women with preterm labor from 22.0 to 36.0 weeks. Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity was defined based on amniotic fluid aerobic/anaerobic/mycoplasma cultures, and intra‐amniotic inflammation on amniotic fluid interleukin‐6 levels. Demographic data and pregnancy outcomes were compared among women exposed to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity byUreaplasmaspp., women with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity by other microorganisms, and a No‐microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity/No‐intra‐amniotic inflammation group. The short‐term neonatal outcome was evaluated in women delivering after 24.0 weeks.

Results

We included 228 women with preterm labor. Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity occurred in 35% (80/228), 28% (22/80) being caused byUreaplasmaspp. Gestational age at admission and at delivery were significantly earlier and the rate of delivery at <24.0 weeks' gestation and of women who further developed clinical chorioamnionitis were significantly higher in women with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity by microorganisms other thanUreaplasmaspp. However, after 24 weeks, regardless of the microorganisms isolated, the short‐term neonatal outcome was similar between women exposed to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and the No‐microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity/No‐intra‐amniotic inflammation group when gestational age was considered.

Conclusions

Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity by microorganisms other thanUreaplasmaspp. was associated with earlier gestational age at admission and at delivery, and a higher rate of preterm delivery <24.0 weeks and of women who developed clinical chorioamnionitis. However, we did not find differences in the short‐term neonatal outcome between women exposed to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and the no‐microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity/no‐intra‐amniotic inflammation group delivering after 24.0 weeks' gestation when adjusted by gestational age at delivery.
Applicability of the Chinese version of the Personal and Social Performance scale in patients with severe mental disorders
Authors: Qiao Ying , He Shen , Su Liang , Zhu Jian‐Zheng , Sheng Jian‐Hua , Li Hua‐Fang
Published: January 2017

Introduction

This study was designed to determine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP‐CHN) and assess the applicability of using the PSP‐CHN in patients with severe mental disorders.

Methods

A total of 285 outpatients with severe mental disorders, 220 with schizophrenia and 65 with major depressive disorder, were enrolled into the study. Both diagnoses were made using the DSM‐IV. All the patients were assessed with the PSP‐CHN, the GAF, and the CGI‐S. In addition, the PANSS and the MADRS were used to assess the patients with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, respectively.

Results

The PSP‐CHN showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.839, n = 285), high interrater reliability for total scores (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.865, n = 48), and good test‐retest reliability (ICC = 0.892, n = 130). The PSP‐CHN total score showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the GAF score (r = 0.927, P < .01, n = 285), as well as a significant negative correlation with the CGI‐S total score (r = −0.793, P < .01, n = 285), the PANSS total score (r = −0.694, P < .01, n = 220), and the MADRS total score (r = −0.721, P < .01, n = 65).

Discussion

We were able to demonstrate that the PSP‐CHN is a reliable and valid measurement tool to assess the personal and social functioning in patients with severe mental disorders.
Potent effects of dioscin against pancreatic cancer via miR‐149‐3P‐mediated inhibition of the Akt1 signalling pathway
Authors: Si Lingling , Xu Lina , Yin Lianhong , Qi Yan , Han Xu , Xu Youwei , Zhao Yanyan , Liu Kexin , Peng Jinyong
Published: January 2017

Background and Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and possible underlying mechanisms of dioscin against pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental Approach

In vitro actions of dioscin on viability of ASPC‐1 and PANC‐1 cells, and in vivo effects to suppress the tumour growth of cell xenografts in nude mice were assessed. In addition, microRNA microarray analysis determined which microRNAs were affected by dioscin. The mechanisms underlying the actions of dioscin against pancreatic cancer were elucidated in terms of Akt1 and other proteins related to aopoptosis.

Key Results

Dioscin markedly induced apoptosis and significantly suppressed the tumour growth of ASPC‐1 and PANC‐1 cell xenografts, in nude mice. Total of 107 microRNAs with differential changes were found, in which miR‐149‐3P targeted with Akt1 was markedly up‐regulated by dioscin. Further studies showed that dioscin significantly down‐regulated Akt1 levels, and thus induced cell apoptosis by increasing the levels of Bax, Apaf‐1, cleaved caspase‐3/9, cleaved PARP, suppressing Bcl‐2 levels, and causing cytochrome c release. The effects of an inhibitor of miR‐149‐3P and of siRNA of testicular Akt1 suggested that dioscin showed excellent activity against pancreatic cancer via miR‐ 149‐3P‐mediated inhibition of Akt1 signalling pathway.

Conclusions and Implications

Collectively, these findings confirmed the potent effects of dioscin against pancreatic cancer and also provided novel insights into the mechanisms of the compound as a potential candidate for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Assessing the assessments: evaluation of four impact assessment protocols for invasive alien species
Authors: Turbé Anne , Strubbe Diederik , Mori Emiliano , Carrete Martina , Chiron François , Clergeau Philippe , González‐Moreno Pablo , Le Louarn Marine , Luna Alvaro , Menchetti Mattia , Nentwig Wolfgang , Pârâu Liviu G. , Postigo Jose‐Luis , Rabitsch Wolfgang , Senar Juan Carlos , Tollington Simon , Vanderhoeven Sonia , Weiserbs Anne , Shwartz Assaf
Published: January 2017

Aim

Effective policy and management responses to the multiple threats posed by invasive alien species (IAS) rely on the ability to assess their impacts before conclusive empirical evidence is available. A plethora of different IAS risk and/or impact assessment protocols have been proposed, but it remains unclear whether, how and why the outcomes of such assessment protocols may differ.

Location

Europe.

Methods

Here, we present an in‐depth evaluation and informed assessment of the consistency of four prominent protocols for assessing IAS impacts (EICAT, GISS, Harmonia+ and NNRA), using two non‐native parrots in Europe: the widespread ring‐necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and the rapidly spreading monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus).

Results

Our findings show that the procedures used to assess impacts may influence assessment outcomes. We find that robust IAS prioritization can be obtained by assessing species based on their most severe documented impacts, as all protocols yield consistent outcomes across impact categories. Additive impact scoring offers complementary, more subtle information that may be especially relevant for guiding management decisions regarding already established invasive alien species. Such management decisions will also strongly benefit from consensus approaches that reduce disagreement between experts, fostering the uptake of scientific advice into policy‐making decisions.

Main conclusions

Invasive alien species assessments should take advantage of the capacity of consensus assessments to consolidate discussion and agreement between experts. Our results suggest that decision‐makers could use the assessment protocol most fit for their purpose, on the condition they apply a precautionary approach by considering the most severe impacts only. We also recommend that screening for high‐impact IAS should be performed on a more robust basis than current ad hoc practices, at least using the easiest assessment protocols and reporting confidence scores.
Speaking a tone language enhances musical pitch perception in 3–5‐year‐olds
Authors: Creel Sarah C. , Weng Mengxing , Fu Genyue , Heyman Gail D. , Lee Kang
Published: January 2017

Young children learn multiple cognitive skills concurrently (e.g., language and music). Evidence is limited as to whether and how learning in one domain affects that in another during early development. Here we assessed whether exposure to a tone language benefits musical pitch processing among 3–5‐year‐old children. More specifically, we compared the pitch perception of Chinese children who spoke a tone language (i.e., Mandarin) with English‐speaking American children. We found that Mandarin‐speaking children were more advanced at pitch processing than English‐speaking children but both groups performed similarly on a control music task (timbre discrimination). The findings support the Pitch Generalization Hypothesis that tone languages drive attention to pitch in nonlinguistic contexts, and suggest that language learning benefits aspects of music perception in early development. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/UY0kpGpPNA0
ABILHAND‐Kids questionnaire: responsive to change or room for change?
Authors: Pearse Janice , Basu Anna Purna
Published: January 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Bleyenheuft et al. on
pages 505–511 of this issue.
Believing In Twin Earth: New Evidence for the Normativity of Belief
Authors: Kalantari Seyed Ali , Miller Alexander
Published: January 2017

According to many philosophers, the notion of belief is constitutively normative (Boghossian (, ); Shah (, ); Shah and Velleman (); Gibbard (); Wedgwood (, )). In a series of widely discussed papers (, , ), Terence Horgan and Mark Timmons have developed an ingenious ‘Moral Twin Earth’ argument against ‘Cornell Realist’ metaethical views which hold that moral terms have synthetic natural definitions in the manner of natural kind terms. In this paper we shall suggest that an adaptation of the Moral Twin Earth argument to the doxastic case – Doxastic Twin Earth – provides new evidence for the normativity of belief.
Canopy manipulations of exotic Bitter Willow (Salix elaeagnos) forest for indigenous seedling recruitment: A pilot study
Authors: Forbes Adam
Published: January 2017

The invasive exotic tree species Bitter Willow (Salix elaeagnos; Salicaceae) has colonised areas of rank exotic grassland and has been found to contain indigenous seed, dispersed by frugivorous birds into the monospecific stands. This small pilot study examined whether indigenous seedlings that have germinated in the understorey of exotic Bitter Willow stands could be stimulated to establish through the creation of small‐scale canopy gaps. In Bitter Willow forest, four single Bitter Willow trees were poisoned to create canopy gaps. Light transmission and seedling regeneration of tree and shrub species were assessed beneath both the four manipulated and three comparable intact Bitter Willow canopies. Over 3 years, seedling height and density increased more beneath opened compared to intact Bitter Willow canopies. These results suggest that Bitter Willow can fill the roles of both a facilitative nurse and a perch tree. Larger‐scale canopy manipulation experiments of both Bitter Willow and other Salix species are needed to determine the full potential of canopy manipulations for forest restoration.
Mapping fire severity and fire extent in forest in Victoria for ecological and fuel outcomes
Authors: McCarthy Greg , Moon Kangmin , Smith Luke
Published: January 2017

This study shows how high‐resolution (~15 cm) simultaneous colour and infra‐red digital aerial photography can be used to map both fire severity and, particularly, fire extent, in forest in south‐eastern Australia. The results show that this methodology is capable of detecting and mapping burnt and unburnt edges under unaffected forest canopy (i.e. still green) – that is, revealing the mosaic of burnt and unburnt areas that often result from planned landscape burning under mild weather conditions (i.e. with little of the brownish canopy scorch that results from more intense bushfires). This has important implications for both fuel management and ecology. It can answer the basic questions of fire and biodiversity managers following planned burning –’how much of the planned area burnt, and, within the burnt area, what aspects were burnt, and how hot did they burn?’ The analysis of fire extent by aspect showed that about 80% of southern and eastern aspects remained unburnt during broadscale autumn prescribed burning, with many of these moister aspects potentially providing longer unburnt refuges over multiple burn rotations. The fire severity and extent mapping products, produced using the methodology outlined in this study, have the potential to substantially increase the understanding of the ecological and fuel outcomes of landscape‐scale autumn prescribed burning.
No short‐term change in avian assemblage following removal of Yellow‐throated Miner (Manorina flavigula) colonies
Authors: O'Loughlin Thea , O'Loughlin Luke S. , Clarke Michael F.
Published: January 2017

The overabundance of Yellow‐throated Miner (Manorina flavigula) has been shown to negatively affect the abundance and richness of small birds in areas they occupy, leading to homogenization of the avifauna across the fragmented landscape. In this study, we took advantage of a planned management cull to ask the question, does the removal of Yellow‐throated Miner colonies cause an immediate change in avian species richness and abundance? This cull was undertaken around the Bronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve (north‐western Victoria, Australia) in order to protect a resident population of endangered Black‐eared Miner (M. melanotis) from hybridization. We conducted avian surveys along roadsides surrounding the reserve at Yellow‐throated Miner colonies (n = 6), control sites with no miners (n = 7), and where colonies were removed (n = 3). We found that the cull was followed by only a very modest increase in the species richness and abundance of small birds, with no significant effects on avian assemblage overall. This result contrasts with far more dramatic increases following culls of other species of miner. Sites where miners were removed were not depauperate of other species prior to the cull, which could have been due to a combination of proximity to refuge for small birds in a neighbouring reserve or the low numbers of miners that made up each culled colony. This study highlights that assumed effects of a management action may be highly dependent upon spatial and temporal context.
Body regions have an impact on the collagen/elastin index of the skin measured by non‐invasive in vivo vertical two‐photon microscopy
Authors: Czekalla Carolin , Schönborn Karl Heinz , Döge Nadine , Jung Sora , Darvin Maxim E. , Lademann Jürgen , Meinke Martina C.
Published: January 2017

It is known that the collagen and elastin fibre structures are changing with age. There is little knowledge about the influence of body area as these investigations have been limited for ethical reasons, so far. Thus, modified non‐invasive two‐photon microscopy was used providing vertical optical sections of second harmonic generation and autofluorescence to calculate the collagen‐to‐elastin ratio and its alterations depending on the investigated body site in vivo. The results of this study indicate that the impact of different body areas could be higher than the influence of age and should be considered in future studies.
Igf1r signalling acts on the anagen‐to‐catagen transition in the hair cycle
Authors: Castela Mathieu , Linay Fabien , Roy Edwige , Moguelet Philippe , Xu Jie , Holzenberger Martin , Khosrotehrani Kiarash , Aractingi Selim
Published: January 2017

Insulin‐like growth factor 1 (Igf1) is important for skin development and homoeostasis. However, overexpression and inactivation studies have produced variable findings regarding its role in hair follicle (HF) biology. Here, we studied a conditional and inducible knockout of the Igf1 receptor (Igf1r) in keratin 15‐expressing bulge cells. Deletion of Igf1r after the development of the skin appendages in K15‐Igf1rKO mice showed no abnormalities in epidermal homoeostasis. Numbers of bulge cells were lower in K15‐Igf1rKO mice than in controls, without consequences on wound healing, at least in young mice. K15‐Igf1rKO HFs entered anagen phase earlier than controls and showed a delay in the anagen/catagen switch. The expression of Bmp‐4 mRNA was inhibited in HFs from K15‐Igf1rKO. MED1 transcription was impaired in the epidermis of K15‐Igf1rKO mice. These findings suggest that Igf1r controls the hair cycle, partly through Bmp‐4 activation.
In silico prediction of Leishmania major‐specific CD8+ epitopes
Authors: Dietze‐Schwonberg Kirsten , Grewe Beatrix , Brosch Sven , Kuharev Joerg , van Zandbergen Ger , Rammensee Hans‐Georg , Tenzer Stefan , von Stebut Esther
Published: January 2017

Infections with Leishmania (L.) major induce protective IFN‐γ‐dependent Th1/Tc1 immunity in C57BL/6 mice as well as in immunocompetent humans. Even though antigen‐specific immunity provides lifelong immunity against reinfection, a vaccine against this pathogen does not yet exist. Here, we compared the results obtained from in silico predictions of murine CD8‐specific L. major peptides using the algorithm SYFPEITHI with the number and predicted affinity of known proteins/peptides. Our results indicate that the majority of “immunodominant” epitopes of L. major have not been identified so far; thus, computer‐based prediction algorithms may aid the development of an effective vaccine.
Skin microbiome and acne vulgaris: Staphylococcus, a new actor in acne
Authors: Dreno Brigitte , Martin Richard , Moyal Dominique , Henley Jessica B. , Khammari Amir , Seité Sophie
Published: January 2017

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the sebaceous gland and follicular keratinocytes are considered the three actors involved in the development of acne. This exploratory study investigated the characteristics of the skin microbiota in subjects with acne and determined microbiota changes after 28 days of application of erythromycin 4% or a dermocosmetic. Skin microbiota were collected under axenic conditions from comedones, papulo‐pustular lesions and non‐lesional skin areas from subjects with mild to moderate acne according to the GEA grading using swabs. Samples were characterized using a high‐throughput sequencing approach that targets a portion of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Overall, microbiota samples from 26 subjects showed an overabundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and an under‐representation of Actinobacteria. Staphylococci were more abundant on the surface of comedones, papules and pustules (P=.004 and P=.003 respectively) than on non‐lesional skin. Their proportions increased significantly with acne severity (P<.05 between GEA‐2 and GEA‐3). Propionibacteria represented less than 2% of the bacteria on the skin surface. At Day 28, only the number of Actinobacteria had decreased with erythromycin while the dermocosmetic decreased also the number of Staphylococci. A significant reduction (P<.05) from Day 0 of comedones, papules and pustules with no significant difference between the products was observed. The bacterial diversity on all sampling areas was similar. The dermocosmetic decreased the number of Actinobacteria and Staphylococcus spp. after 28 days. Staphylococcus remained the predominant genus of the superficial skin microbiota. No significant reduction in Staphylococcus spp. was observed with the topical antibiotic.
A Person‐Oriented Analysis of Couple and Relationship Education
Authors: DuPree Devin G. , Whiting Jason B. , Harris Steven M.
Published: January 2017

Couple and relationship education (CRE) has effectively improved communication and relationship satisfaction, but some question its effectiveness for couples who are at risk. Mixed findings may derive from focusing on aggregated sample results. This study explored the benefit of using a person‐oriented analysis for evaluating CRE program effectiveness with low‐income couples and individuals. Couple participants reported moderate improvement in communication and relationship satisfaction, but the magnitude of reported improvement varied for male participants from different ethnic groups. An outcomes‐focused cluster analysis showed that variance in reported improvement can be explained by pre‐workshop outcome measures, with couples starting in the middle range of scores reporting the most improvement. Similar patterns were found for individual participants. Researchers and practitioners should further investigate the use of person‐oriented methods in CRE program evaluation and the use of pre‐workshop assessments to adjust CRE interventions on the basis of the state of participants' relationships at intake.
Study of the stress intensity factor analysis through thickness: methodological aspects
Authors: Garcia‐Manrique J , Camas D , Gonzalez‐Herrera A
Published: January 2017

This paper is focused on the methodological aspects of the numerical study of stress intensity factor (SIF) evolution through thickness. The work evaluates the modelling of an Al‐alloy 2024‐T351 CT specimen under mode I nominal loading in fracture. No plastic wake effect is introduced to separate the influence of plasticity‐induced crack closure near the surface. Numerical models have shown the complexity 3‐D behaviour in the vicinity of the crack front and finite element methods (FEM) are widely used in these problems with interesting results.

However, there is a lack of literature support in many simplifying assumptions. In previous studies, authors have analysed some issues as the evolution of the plastic zone, the crack closure stress or the SIF. The current work attempts to describe and justify the key aspects of the methodology developed to address these problems by the FEM. A huge effort has been made to study main parameters involved and their influence in the results, especially in order to properly capture the SIF distribution along the thickness. Recommendations about mesh density are provided, and the main procedures to obtain K are discussed.
Building democratic public spheres? Transnational advocacy networks and the social forum process
Authors: NORMAN DAVID J.
Published: January 2017

What, if anything, can transnational advocacy networks (TANs) contribute to the democratization of public spheres outside Westphalian frameworks? On the one hand, TANs excel at turning international public campaigns into political influence – connecting people and power across borders. On the other hand, the increasingly policy‐orientated nature of TANs raises questions about their legitimacy in speaking on behalf of multiple publics. In this article, I suggest that a TAN's success in ensuring the political efficacy of public spheres, while at the same time undermining their normative legitimacy, reflects two sides of the same coin. This is a consequence of the recent internal professionalization of advocacy networks. Framing professionalization as a particular form of communicative distortion within TAN decision‐making, I suggest that networks should incorporate internal deliberative mechanisms, adapted from international social forums, to enhance the normative legitimacy of democratic public spheres.
Synthesis and antioxidant properties of caffeic acid corn bran arabinoxylan esters
Authors: Li Y. , Zhu Y. , Liang R. , Yang C.
Published: January 2017

Objective

As a potential of bioactive additives, corn bran arabinoxylan (CAX) was prominent in its probiotic benefits and immuno‐enhancing activities. To improve the antioxidant ability of CAX, naturally occurring caffeic acid (CA) was covalently attached to CAX by esterification to generate caffeic acid corn bran arabinoxylan esters (CA‐CAX) with various degrees of substitution (DS).

Methods

The structure of CA‐CAX was analysed by NMR, and the DS was determined by HPLC. The antioxidant activity of CA‐CAX was investigated on scavenging the 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and autoxidazing methyl linoleate, and an aqueous linolenic acid dispersion was also used as an in vitro test system to examine the inhibition effect of CA‐CAX on the lipid peroxidation level after UV exposure. The ability of CA‐CAX to prevent H2O2‐induced oxidative damage of cell was studied by reducing MDA levels and increasing SOD and GSH‐Px activities in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell.

Results

The results certificated that CA was linked to CAX successfully with various DS. Compared with CAX, the antioxidant capacity of CA‐CAX was improved significantly and enhanced with the increasing concentration and DS.
Low‐temperature molten salt synthesis of forsterite powders with controllable morphology
Authors: Wang Zhou Fu , Chen Mei Jing , Ma Yan , Liu Hao , Han Chun Hui , Wang Xi Tang
Published: January 2017

Forsterite powders with controllable morphology were synthesized using oxides as raw materials in NaCl–KCl molten salt media. The effects of MgO/SiO2 ratio, calcining temperature, and salt/oxide ratio on the phase composition and morphology of the powders are investigated. The results indicate that single‐phase forsterite powders can be synthesized from a mixture of MgO and SiO2 with a MgO/SiO2 molar ratio of 2:1.3 at 700°C. With the increase in calcining temperature, the powders obtained changes from an irregular to a columnar morphology. In addition, the morphology of the forsterite powders produced can also be controlled by altering the salt/oxide ratio.
Tumor necrosis factor alpha gene promoter −238G/A polymorphism increases the risk of psoriasis vulgaris in Indian patients
Authors: Rajesh Deepa , Gurumurthy Rajesh , Kutty A. V. Moideen , Balakrishna Sharath
Published: January 2017

Background

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) gene −238G/A polymorphism (rs361525) is associated with psoriasis in several populations worldwide. To the best of our knowledge, there is no information about this polymorphism in Indian psoriatic patients. This study was undertaken to fill the gap in knowledge.

Methods

This case–control study involved 72 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) and 72 age and gender matched healthy individuals. TNFα −238G/A polymorphism was genotyped by PCR‐RFLP method.

Results

TNFα −238A allele was 5 times commoner in PsV patients than in the control group (P = 4.1 × 10−7; odds ratio [OR] = 6.5 [0.95 CI: 2.9–14.6]). Distribution of the genotypes in the two groups showed statistically significant difference in dominant genetic model (P = 2.3 × 10−7) and not in recessive genetic model (P = 2.5 × 10−1). Odds ratio for the occurrence of −238A genotype in PsV patients was 8.8 (0.95 CI: 3.5–20.2). The association showed no major difference when PsV patients were subgrouped into type I and type II categories and tested separately. Subgroup analysis on the basis of disease severity showed higher association with the moderate‐severe subgroup (P = 2.4 × 10−9, OR 15.4 [0.95 CI: 5.8–41.0]) than with mild subgroup (P = 1.3 × 10−2, OR 3.8 [0.95 CI: 1.3–10.9]).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that TNFα gene −238G/A polymorphism increases the risk of developing psoriasis vulgaris among Indians. Also, the data show that severity and not the type affects the strength of association in this population.