bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of male and female release calls in African clawed frogs
Authors: Tobias Martha L. , Korsh Jeremy , Kelley Darcy B.
Published: July 2014

In anurans, male clasps can elicit release calls from either sex. Male release calls have been observed in many anuran genera and this vocal response is thus highly conserved. Female release calls, however, are not as prevalent, suggesting that evolutionary trajectories for anuran release calls differ by sex. We analyzed male and female release calls in all available species of Xenopus, a fully aquatic African genus. Phylogenetic relationships in this genus include three species groups, two of which are clades and one of which is characterized by a reticulated phylogeny due in part to hybridizations between species with different ploidy levels (Evans et al., 2004; Evans, 2008). In all species, males produce release calls when clasped by another male. Females in the reticulated group do not produce release calls, but females in the rest of the genus do. Release calls consist of click trains of variable durations and inter-call intervals. In both sexes, inter-click interval divides the genus into groups with different click rates and these groups are phylogenetically related. In general, inter-click interval is shorter in male than in female release calls. Across species and sexes, release calls are characterized by a single, low (∼1000 Hz) dominant frequency. In X. laevis Congo and X. borealis, clasp duration is longer for male–female than for male–male pairs and clasp duration is correlated with the number, but not the duration, of release calls in male–male pairs. We discuss evolutionary scenarios for release call traits as well as the sex difference in occurrence.
The Future of the Past
Authors: Gabrielle M. Spiegel
Published: July 2014

The article examines revisions to theories of “linguistic turn” historiography in order to show the ways in which those revisions have created a path for a return of the analysis of individual agency and experience in history, changes that, it is argued, constitute a form of neo-phenomenology as the governing philosophical orientation in historiography. To the extent that this is correct, it establishes a philosophical and theoretical basis for the integration of memory and memorial testimony into the study of the past.

The article proceeds to investigate the methodological, historiographical and ethical implications of the rise of memory studies in contemporary history. Memorial literature, as Berber Bevernage has so compellingly demonstrated, relies on a certain haunting of the present by the past. It thus deploys a conception of historical temporality significantly different from the modernist assumption of the death of the past as the basis of historical understanding. In that sense, as Michael Roth has argued, the “acknowledgement of the past in the present is a necessary ingredient of modern historical consciousness.” Yet, to incorporate “memory” and trauma into historical representation will mean acknowledging and accepting as historiographically viable the differing status of analytically recuperated “facts” and victim testimony. This will require, in turn, that we find a way to theorize, as has yet to be done, the materiality and reality of “voices” from the past, without assuming the necessary truth of what they convey, at least in terms of the factuality of its content. In the end, however, what is at stake in not the epistemological question of “truth” but an ethical response to the catastrophes of the last century.

At the same time, it is clear that memory is no longer the sole vehicle for the promotion of a new ethical orientation in history, as recent work by Hayden White, Keith Jenkins and Frank Ankersmit, among others, suggest. Precisely how these different approaches to history, memory and ethics can be combined to constitute a viable and coherent mode of historiography remains an open, and debated, question.
The Continuing Relevance of Speculative Philosophy of History
Authors: Fillion Réal
Published: July 2014

Speculative philosophy of history is concerned with history as a whole, which includes explicitly relating the past to the present and the present to the future. It proposes a philosophical appreciation of the importance of history in our lives and in our self-knowledge, but where history is understood not only as revealing to us what is past, but also as a shaping of the present, which itself sets the conditions for future developments. The notion of history-as-a-whole I propose to call, for the purposes of discussion, the past-present-future complex and it is this complex that is the explicit concern of the speculative philosopher of history. The speculative philosopher of history is never far from the historian and her work, whose concern is to elucidate the past and reveal its intelligibility, and in that sense, the past remains the privileged “object” of history, precisely because the past, as past, needs to be re-presented in order to be known, and is known through its re-presentations. I will here briefly discuss Frank Ankersmit’s account of the work of representation in his recent Meaning, Truth, and Reference in Historical Representation (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2012).

Two things about this work of re-presentation will be noted: 1) because what is re-presented is a past reality, it provides a contrast to present reality, and 2) because the past re-presented is meant to be an account of the reality of the past, it gives us a sense of the necessity of what has been. For the speculative philosopher of history, taking these two features together raises the modal consideration of the relation between the necessity of what has come to pass (as re-presented) and the lived contingency of the present. Here I will briefly discuss the relevance of Michel Foucault’s work in relating past and present in terms of the contingent formations that shape our lives (including the histories we re-present). While Foucault’s focus on contingent formations privileges the notion of possibility within the historical field of the present, it does not systematically address how such possibility might relate to the future. For this last modal consideration, I will discuss briefly Ernst Bloch’s work, specifically the notions of Not-Yet- and What-Is- as discussed in the Principle of Hope (Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1986) as a way to address the future within the past-present-future complex that is the concern of speculative philosophy of history.
On Eulimnogammarus messerschmidtii, sp. n. (Amphipoda: Gammaridea) from Lake Baikal, Siberia, with redescription of E. cyanoides (Sowinsky) and remarks on taxonomy of the genus Eulimnogammarus
Authors: BEDULINA DARIA S. , TAKHTEEV VADIM V. , POGREBNYAK SVYATOSLAV G. , GOVORUKHINA EKATERINA B. , MADYAROVA EKATERINA V. , LUBYAGA YULIA A. , VERESHCHAGINA KSENIYA P. , TIMOFEYEV MAXIM A. , LUCKENBACH TILL
Published: July 2014

A new amphipod species of the endemic fauna of Lake Baikal (East Siberia, Russia), Eulimnogammarus messerschmidtii sp. n., from the littoral zone of the northern part of the lake is described. The species is characterized by the presence of a group of spines with dense setae on the last 4 body segments. The basal peduncular segment of antenna 1 bears bunches of dense setae without spines, uropods 3 are covered by dense simple setae without plumose setae and the outer ramus has a second small article. The body length of sampled specimens ranges from 7.5 to 18 mm. Population analysis at one of the sampling points revealed a spring-summer reproduction period for this species. This species was previously erroneously identified as E. cyanoides. E. cyanoides is here redescribed in details based on the lectotype. The differences between E. messerschmidtii sp. n., E. cyanoides and other closely related Eulimnogammarus species are described. The taxonomy of the genus Eulimnogammarus is discussed.
On the Recovery of 3D Spatial Statistics of Particles from 1D Measurements: Implications for Airborne Instruments
Authors: Larsen Michael L. , Briner Clarissa A. , Boehner Philip
Published: July 2014

The spatial positions of individual aerosol particles, cloud droplets, or raindrops can be modeled as a point processes in three dimensions. Characterization of three-dimensional point processes often involves the calculation or estimation of the radial distribution function (RDF) and/or the pair-correlation function (PCF) for the system. Sampling these three-dimensional systems is often impractical, however, and, consequently, these three-dimensional systems are directly measured by probing the system along a one-dimensional transect through the volume (e.g., an aircraft-mounted cloud probe measuring a thin horizontal “skewer” through a cloud). The measured RDF and PCF of these one-dimensional transects are related to (but not, in general, equal to) the RDF/PCF of the intrinsic three-dimensional systems from which the sample was taken. Previous work examined the formal mathematical relationship between the statistics of the intrinsic three-dimensional system and the one-dimensional transect; this study extends the previous work within the context of realistic sampling variability. Natural sampling variability is found to constrain substantially the usefulness of applying previous theoretical relationships. Implications for future sampling strategies are discussed.
What Does “Brief” Mean? A Theoretical Critique of The Concept of Brief Therapy from a Psychoanalytic Viewpoint
Authors: Migone Paolo
Published: July 2014

The concept of “brief therapy” contains internal contradictions. The techniques suggested by brief therapists are the same techniques that have been discussed historically in debates on theory of technique, both within and without psychoanalysis (e.g., the experiential factor at the center of the Freud-Ferenczi confrontation is also an important aspect of Gestalt therapy). A time limit is the only operational criterion that allows a rigorous definition of brief therapy; without this criterion it is impossible to discriminate between “brief” and simply “good” therapies (i.e., those in which patients are successfully treated in a short time). An important question is why, with a given patient, a therapist should decide, a priori, to terminate a treatment within a set time. Two clinical examples are presented, illustrating the usefulness of Eissler’s concept of parameters as a heuristic framework to identify the potentially defensive nature of both “brief” and “long-term” therapy.
A novel method for the measurement of plasma metanephrines using online solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Adaway Joanne E , Peitzsch Mirko , Keevil Brian G
Published: July 2014

Background

Measurement of plasma metanephrine, normetanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine is useful in the diagnosis of phaeochromocytomas, but many assays require a large volume of plasma due to poor assay sensitivity, and often require lengthy sample preparation. Our aim was to develop a method for measurement of plasma metanephrines using a small sample volume with minimal hands-on preparation.

Methods

Samples were deproteinised using 10 K spin filters prior to online solid phase extraction using a Waters Acquity UPLC Online SPE Manager (Waters, Manchester, UK) coupled to a Waters Xevo TQ-S mass spectrometer (Waters, Manchester, UK). The assay was validated and results compared to a previously published method.

Results

We achieved a limit of quantification of 37.5 pmol/L for metanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine and 75 pmol/L for normetanephrine using only 150  µL of sample. The assay was linear up to 30,000 pmol/L for all analytes and in a method comparison study results showed good agreement with a previously published LC-MS/MS assay.

Conclusions

We have developed a simple method for measurement of plasma metanephrine, normetanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine using only 150  µL of sample. There is minimal hands-on sample preparation required and the assay is suitable for routine use in a clinical laboratory.
Landholding and Fertility Relationship in Kenya: A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Chege Violet , Susuman A Sathiya
Published: July 2014

The aim of study was to address the factors influencing landholdings and fertility among women in rural Kenya. The data used are from the 2008–2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) of a representative sample size of 6761 women, aged 15–49 years. Statistical tests are utilized to answer the research question, such as Chi-square and logistic regression and P-tests. The results show that the relationship between fertility and landholdings influences family sizes. The relationship between fertility behaviour and occupational status is found to be statistically significant with a P-value of 0.00 and χ2 of 268.24. A high proportion (68.9%) of the women had worked in the preceding reference period. The result of this study is expected to be of particular use for policy makers, planners and other interested stakeholders in population and development spheres.
Mechanical and dielectric properties of microcellular polycarbonate foams with unimodal or bimodal cell-size distributions
Authors: Ma Zhonglei , Zhang Guangcheng , Yang Quan , Shi Xuetao , Liu Yang
Published: July 2014

This article reports on the compressive, dynamic mechanical and dielectric properties of microcellular polycarbonate foams with unimodal or bimodal cell-size distributions fabricated using the environment-friendly supercritical carbon dioxide. The effects of cell morphologies such as relative density, cell-size distribution and porosity on the compressive strength, Young’s modulus, storage modulus, loss modulus, dielectric constant and loss tangent of the microcellular polycarbonate foams are investigated quantitatively. Experimental values of the compressive strength and Young’s modulus fit very well with the theoretical values calculated from the Gibson–Ashby model at low relative densities. The higher relative density leads to higher storage modulus and loss modulus. The bimodal foams significantly improve the compressive and dynamic mechanical properties compared to the unimodal foams with the same relative density. The dielectric properties of microcellular foams depend only on the total porosity, but not on the cell-size distribution or microstructure of the foams. With increasing porosity, the dielectric constant of the microcellular foams gradually decreases, and agrees very well with the curve calculated from the Maxwell-Garnett-spheres model.
Reliability Estimation for Single-unit Ceramic Crown Restorations
Authors: Lekesiz H.
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of a survival prediction method for the assessment of ceramic dental restorations. For this purpose, fast-fracture and fatigue reliabilities for 2 bilayer (metal ceramic alloy core veneered with fluorapatite leucite glass-ceramic, d.Sign/d.Sign-67, by Ivoclar; glass-infiltrated alumina core veneered with feldspathic porcelain, VM7/In-Ceram Alumina, by Vita) and 3 monolithic (leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic, Empress, and ProCAD, by Ivoclar; lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic, Empress 2, by Ivoclar) single posterior crown restorations were predicted, and fatigue predictions were compared with the long-term clinical data presented in the literature. Both perfectly bonded and completely debonded cases were analyzed for evaluation of the influence of the adhesive/restoration bonding quality on estimations. Material constants and stress distributions required for predictions were calculated from biaxial tests and finite element analysis, respectively. Based on the predictions, In-Ceram Alumina presents the best fast-fracture resistance, and ProCAD presents a comparable resistance for perfect bonding; however, ProCAD shows a significant reduction of resistance in case of complete debonding. Nevertheless, it is still better than Empress and comparable with Empress 2. In-Ceram Alumina and d.Sign have the highest long-term reliability, with almost 100% survivability even after 10 years. When compared with clinical failure rates reported in the literature, predictions show a promising match with clinical data, and this indicates the soundness of the settings used in the proposed predictions.
Matching 4.7-Å XRD Spacing in Amelogenin Nanoribbons and Enamel Matrix
Authors: Sanii B. , Martinez-Avila O. , Simpliciano C. , Zuckermann R.N. , Habelitz S.
Published: July 2014

The recent discovery of conditions that induce nanoribbon structures of amelogenin protein in vitro raises questions about their role in enamel formation. Nanoribbons of recombinant human full-length amelogenin (rH174) are about 17 nm wide and self-align into parallel bundles; thus, they could act as templates for crystallization of nanofibrous apatite comprising dental enamel. Here we analyzed the secondary structures of nanoribbon amelogenin by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and tested if the structural motif matches previous data on the organic matrix of enamel. XRD analysis showed that a peak corresponding to 4.7 Å is present in nanoribbons of amelogenin. In addition, FTIR analysis showed that amelogenin in the form of nanoribbons was comprised of β-sheets by up to 75%, while amelogenin nanospheres had predominantly random-coil structure. The observation of a 4.7-Å XRD spacing confirms the presence of β-sheets and illustrates structural parallels between the in vitro assemblies and structural motifs in developing enamel.
Receding horizon H∞ control of time-delay systems
Authors: Taşçıkaraoglu Fatma Yıldız , Ucun Levent , Küçükdemiral Ibrahim B
Published: July 2014

This paper deals with the disturbance rejection problem for discrete-time linear systems having time-varying state delays and control constraints. The study proposes a novel receding horizon H∞ control method utilizing a linear matrix inequality based optimization algorithm which is solved in each step of run-time. The proposed controller attenuates disturbances having bounded energies on controlled output and ensures the closed-loop stability and dissipation while meeting the physical control input constraints. The originality of the work lies on the extension of the idea of the well-known H∞ receding horizon control technique developed for linear discrete-time systems to interval time-delay systems having time-varying delays. The efficiency of the proposed method is illustrated through simulation studies that are carried out on a couple of benchmark problems.
Electromechanical inertial sensors test and analysis method based on identification using adaptive noise cancellation
Authors: Ji Yue , Li Xingfei , Zhao Jianyuan
Published: July 2014

Inertial systems design and performance analysis critically depend on the development of the inertial sensors test and analysis. The requirements for the wide use of electromechanical inertial sensors necessitate the exploitation of the test and analysis method that allows optimal elimination of the disturbance in the test over the whole frequency band of interest. A method based on identification using adaptive noise cancellation is proposed to process the sensors’ signal. In theory, there is no correlation between the signal components reflecting the sensors noise and disturbance from the test environment. The semi-physical simulation based on the identification of sensor ontology is established to pick up the noise in the test as the noise background. The normalized least-mean-squares (NLMS) algorithm is applied to abstract the sensors output as adaptive noise canceller. The experiments of dynamically tuned gyroscopes and quartz accelerometers demonstrate the validity of the method, besides the results of tests in different bandwidths after denoising are consistent in accuracy level. Additionally, its implementation in different grades of inertial sensors is presented to support the effectiveness of the algorithm and the importance of bandwidth in the test.
The Role of the Physical Environment in Promoting Physical Activity in Children Across Different Group Compositions
Authors: Larson Tracy A. , Normand Matthew P. , Morley Allison J. , Hustyi Kristin M.
Published: July 2014

Physical activity is an important health-related behavior, but the environmental variables that promote or abate it are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to conduct a functional analysis evaluating the effect of the physical environment on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in preschool children, and to evaluate the utility of the methodology across different group compositions. The Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children was used to define the test conditions and the measures of physical activity for eight preschool children. The functional analysis was implemented according to a multi-element experimental design. The highest levels of MVPA were observed when fixed playground equipment was available and at least one peer was present. Moreover, differential responding was observed across group compositions. The implications of this methodology and these findings on the development of interventions to increase MVPA are discussed.
Another Look at Adoption in Romans 8:15 in Light of Roman Social Practices and Legal Rules
Authors: Kim Kyu Seop
Published: July 2014

This study investigates the legal and social background of Paul's adoption metaphor in its historical context (particularly, in terms of Roman social practices and legal rules), and applies it to an interpretation of Paul's adoption metaphor. Firstly, adopting complete strangers was rare in Roman society, and adoptees were usually chosen from among close relatives and friends' children. Secondly, adopting slaves should be distinguished from adopting freeborn children in Roman social practice and law. Thirdly, adoption in the presence of a legitimate heir was also regarded as unusual in Roman society. Therefore, it should be noted that Paul's adoption metaphor was unusual, because the metaphor refers to adopting slaves in the presence of a legitimate heir, and that this metaphor functions to stress God's unusual and extraordinary favour and love to the believers in the context of Rom 8:15.
Orality and Literacy in Early Christianity
Authors: Kelber Werner H.
Published: July 2014

This review essay engages Pieter Botha's Orality and Literacy in Early Christianity in a wide-ranging discussion of the ancient and early Christian communications culture. It reviews and seeks to carry forward some of the author's principal ideas about voice and chirographic practices, oral-scribal interfaces, compositional processes and performative activities, authorship, and memory both as an individual and as a social force. The first part draws a stark difference between the modern typographic media world and the oral-scribal-memorial communication processes of antiquity, and it exposes a tendency in biblical studies to project key features of the former upon the latter. The second part focuses on two major issues. One is the development of the Jesus traditions with an emphasis on rumor transmission, an unofficial, uncontrollable, interactional process. The second issue concerns the compositional identity of Mark, posing a sharp alternative between Mark as autograph of oral traditioning vis-à-vis a scribally accomplished hermeneutical act of interpretation. The third part revisits Paul's practices of authoring, placing his letters firmly in the context of the ancient memorial-oral-scribal-performative network of communications.
Gospel Parallels/Parallel Gospels
Authors: Kloppenborg John
Published: July 2014

Zeba Crook's Parallel Gospels, mainly for use by undergraduates and students who lack Greek, takes the genre of the Gospel synopsis in innovative and helpful directions. Crook's addition of texts of the “Sayings Gospel Q” and the Gospel of Thomas enhance the utility of his synopsis; Crook's innovative and controversial English translation is designed to maximize the user's ability to see small differences and critical similarities; and his display and alignment of parallels lets the user see what other many synopses obscure.
Self-regulation among youth in four Western cultures
Authors: Gestsdottir Steinunn , Geldhof G. John , Paus Tomáš , Freund Alexandra M. , Adalbjarnardottir Sigrun , Lerner Jacqueline V. , Lerner Richard M.
Published: July 2014

We address how to conceptualize and measure intentional self-regulation (ISR) among adolescents from four cultures by assessing whether ISR (conceptualized by the SOC model of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation) is represented by three factors (as with adult samples) or as one “adolescence-specific” factor. A total of 4,057 14- and 18-year-old youth in Canada, Germany, Iceland, and the US participated. Confirmatory factor analyses did not confirm a tripartite model of SOC in any sample, whereas a single (nine-item) composite fit in all samples. A partial weak factorial invariance model showed a roughly equivalent meaning of the nine-item composite among German, Icelandic, and US youth. We discuss the need for further examination of the relative importance of items among Canadian youth, and possible problems using reverse-coded items with adolescents. The similarities that were observed across age and cultural groups suggest that a single factor structure of SOC, as measured by nine items, may be robust for youth in Western cultural settings and that SOC processes are not fully developed until adulthood.
Children’s negative emotionality combined with poor self-regulation affects allostatic load in adolescence
Authors: Dich Nadya , Doan Stacey , Evans Gary
Published: July 2014

The present study examined the concurrent and prospective, longitudinal effects of childhood negative emotionality and self-regulation on allostatic load (AL), a physiological indicator of chronic stress. We hypothesized that negative emotionality in combination with poor self-regulation would predict elevated AL. Mothers reported on children’s emotionality ( N = 239, 116 males) at age 9, and self-regulation was measured at age 9 using a standard behavioural index of delay of gratification. AL was measured at ages 9 and 17. The AL measure captured hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, sympathetic adrenal medullary system, cardiovascular, and metabolic activity. Our results confirmed that negative emotionality prospectively predicted increases in AL, but only in children with low levels of self-regulation. The findings suggest that the link between negative emotionality and stress physiology is moderated by self-regulation and contribute to understanding the role of negative emotionality in physiological functioning throughout childhood and adolescence.
Risk factors associated with adverse outcome following extracorporeal life support: analysis from 360 consecutive patients
Authors: Papadopoulos N , Marinos S , El-Sayed Ahmad A , Keller H , Meybohm P , Zacharowski K , Moritz A , Zierer A
Published: July 2014

Objective:

Risk factors for adverse outcome after extracorporeal life support (ECLS) are yet to be defined. For this purpose, we reviewed our institutional data from more than a decade, focusing on patients with ECLS.

Methods:

Between December 2001 and June 2013, 360 consecutive cardiac surgical patients received ECLS for post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock, with high mortality risk despite optimal conventional therapy. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, ECLS-related morbidity, as well as in-hospital and long-term mortality were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of adverse outcome (failed ECLS weaning, in-hospital mortality).

Results:

The mean age was 62±17 years, 76% were male and the mean preoperative ejection fraction was 35±16%. ECLS was established through peripheral (90%) or central thoracic cannulation. The mean duration of ECLS was 7±1 days. Intra-aortic balloon pumps were implanted in 22% of the patients. ECLS weaning was successful in 58% and 30% could be discharged from hospital. The main cause of death was sepsis (69%). Overall, major cerebrovascular events occurred in 12% (bleeding 3%, embolic 9%), limb ischaemia in 13%, gastrointestinal complications in 16% and renal replacement therapy in 61%. Independent risk factors for adverse outcome were prior cardiorespiratory resuscitation (OR: 4.1, 95%CI: 0.34-4.21, p=0.04), pH <7.1 (OR: 2.8, 95%CI: 0.45-3.28, p=0.01), serum lactate >120 mg/dL (OR: 2.6, 95%CI: 0.75-2.96, p< 0.01), norepinephrine dosage >0.5 µg/kg/min (OR: 2.4, 95%CI: 0.35-2.92, p=0.02) and age >75 years (OR: 2.0, 95%CI: 0.41-2.88, p=0.02). Kaplan Meier estimates for long-term survival were 26±3% at one year and 22±2% at five years.

Conclusion:

ECLS therapy offers one-year survival to one quarter of patients with an otherwise fatal prognosis. Procedural mortality is low and morbidity at the implantation site typically moderate. Thus, prolonged metabolic deterioration in combination with high-dose vasopressor support prior to ECLS therapy should be avoided, particularly in younger patients.
Re-examining the role of benzodiazepines in the treatment of schizophrenia: A systematic review
Authors: Sim Faye , Sweetman Isabel , Kapur Shitij , Patel Maxine X
Published: July 2014

Background

Benzodiazepine prescribing for schizophrenia occurs in clinical practice and antipsychotic trials. This review examined the clinical outcomes for benzodiazepines in schizophrenia.

Method

A systematic search identified randomised controlled trials that evaluated benzodiazepines in comparison with placebo or antipsychotics, and also as adjuncts to antipsychotics. Relevant clinical outcome data was extracted.

Results

Twenty six studies were included with some reporting multiple comparisons. Seven short-term studies compared benzodiazepines with placebo: benzodiazepine superiority was found in two out of five studies for global improvements and two out of four studies for psychiatric/behavioural outcomes. Eleven studies compared benzodiazepines with first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs): four out of nine studies (including two long-term studies) reported greater global improvements for antipsychotics; four out of five studies showed no treatment differences for psychiatric/behavioural outcomes. Fourteen studies compared benzodiazepines (as adjunct to antipsychotics) vs antipsychotics alone (mostly FGAs); benzodiazepine superiority was found for global improvement in one out of eight studies and inferiority in two out of eight short-term studies whereas superiority was found for psychiatric/behavioural outcomes in three out of 12 short-term studies and inferiority in three out of 12 studies.

Conclusion

Benzodiazepine superiority over placebo was found for global, psychiatric and behavioural outcomes, but inferiority to antipsychotics on longer-term global outcomes. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the addition of benzodiazepines to antipsychotics; thus the use of benzodiazepines in clinical practice and antipsychotic trials should be limited.
Structural magnetic resonance imaging markers of susceptibility and transition to schizophrenia: A review of familial and clinical high risk population studies
Authors: Bois C , Whalley HC , McIntosh AM , Lawrie SM
Published: July 2014

There is a growing consensus that a symptomatology as complex and heterogeneous as schizophrenia is likely to be produced by widespread perturbations of brain structure, as opposed to isolated deficits in specific brain regions. Structural brain-imaging studies have shown that several features of the brain, such as grey matter, white matter integrity and the morphology of the cortex differ in individuals at high risk of the disorder compared to controls, but to a lesser extent than in patients, suggesting that structural abnormalities may form markers of vulnerability to the disorder. Research has had some success in delineating abnormalities specific to those individuals that transition to psychosis, compared to those at high risk that do not, suggesting that a general risk for the disorder can be distinguished from alterations specific to frank psychosis. In this paper, we review cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of individuals at familial or clinical high risk of the disorder. We conclude that the search for reliable markers of schizophrenia is likely to be enhanced by methods which amalgamate structural neuroimaging data into a coherent framework that takes into account the widespread distribution of brain alterations, and relates this to leading hypotheses of schizophrenia.
Neoliberalism and Managed Health
Authors: Gurrieri Lauren , Brace-Govan Jan , Previte Josephine
Published: July 2014

This response to Gould and Semaan’s (2014) commentary aims to both clarify misinterpretations of and extend the positions taken in our article, “Women’s Bodies as Sites of Control: Inadvertent Stigma and Exclusion in Social Marketing.” Specifically, our response focuses on four areas: the ruse of individual responsibility and choice; the disciplinary and normalizing effects of surveillance; moving beyond micro-level “hot” and “cold” tactics; and the marginalizing effects of healthism. We conclude with a call for greater ethical responsibility in social marketing scholarship and practice, particularly through macro-level engagements at the socio-cultural level as a means of addressing the inadvertent effects of overly simplified campaign messages and images framed through the prism of neo-liberalism that manage and control the bodies of women.
Feline Chronic Kidney Disease Is Associated With Upregulation of Transglutaminase 2
Authors: Sánchez-Lara A. C. , Elliott J. , Syme H. M. , Brown C. A. , Haylor J. L.
Published: July 2014

Chronic kidney disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cats. Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a calcium-dependent enzyme proposed to mediate tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the kidney by cross-linking collagen fibrils. Postmortem kidney tissue was obtained from primary renal azotemic ( n = 10) and nonazotemic ( n = 5) cats (14 domestic short hair, 1 Burmese; aged 9–23.7 years). Extracellular matrix protein deposition was determined by Masson’s trichrome staining and collagen immunofluorescence. Total kidney transglutaminase (TG) enzyme activity and TG2 protein were measured in tissue homogenates by putrescine incorporation and Western blotting. Extracellular TG enzyme activity and TG2 protein were determined in situ by immunofluorescence, quantified by multiphase image analysis. Results were compared using the unpaired Student’s t-test with Welch’s correction. Elevated plasma creatinine, urea, and phosphate concentrations were associated with tubulointerstitial fibrosis but not glomerular fibrosis. Kidney homogenates from azotemic cats showed a 3-fold higher total TG enzyme activity and TG2 protein compared with kidneys from nonazotemic cats. Immunofluorescent studies performed in situ confirmed a 3-fold higher extracellular TG enzyme activity and TG2 protein in cats with azotemia. Tubulointerstitial TG2 showed a positive linear correlation with both renal function and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In conclusion, for cats with azotemia, both filtration failure and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were associated with the upregulation of TG2, a collagen cross-linking enzyme and the major isoform of transglutaminase in the kidney. TG2 may provide a new therapeutic target for drugs designed to slow the progression of feline chronic kidney disease.
Neurogenic Cardiomyopathy in Rabbits With Experimentally Induced Rabies
Authors: Kesdangsakonwut S. , Sunden Y. , Yamada K. , Nishizono A. , Sawa H. , Umemura T.
Published: July 2014

Cardiomyopathies have been rarely described in rabbits. Here we report myocardial necrosis of the ventricular wall in rabbits with experimentally induced rabies. Myocardial lesions were found only in rabbits with brain lesions, and the severity of the cardiac lesions was proportional to that of the brain lesions. Neither the frequency nor the cumulative dose of anesthesia was related to the incidence or the severity of the myocardial lesions. The myocardial lesions were characterized by degeneration and/or necrosis of myocardial cells and were accompanied by contraction band necrosis, interstitial fibrosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The brain lesions due to rabies virus infection were most prominent in the cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem, and medulla. Rabies virus antigen was not found in the hearts of any rabbits. Based on these findings, the myocardial lesions were classified as neurogenic cardiomyopathy.
Sexual History Disclosure Polygraph Outcomes
Authors: Jensen Todd M. , Shafer Kevin , Roby C. Y. , Roby Jini L.
Published: July 2014

Despite the empirical and theoretical chasm between the opponents and proponents of polygraphy, its use is prominent among sex offender agencies in the United States. However, current research on polygraph examination outcomes among juvenile sex offenders, along with potential differences from their adult counterparts, is scarce and outdated. In the present study, we assess the difference between juvenile and adult sex offenders in terms of the propensity for passing a sexual history disclosure polygraph examination. A sample of 324 sex offenders (86 juveniles and 238 adults) who engaged in a sexual history disclosure polygraph examination as part of their treatment in an Intermountain West sex offender treatment agency was used for the analysis. Results from preliminary and logistic regression analyses indicate that juvenile and adult offenders do not significantly differ in the likelihood of passing a sexual history disclosure polygraph examination. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Against Married Women in Nepal
Authors: Atteraya Madhu Sudhan , Gnawali Shreejana , Song In Han
Published: July 2014

This study was to explore the factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) in Nepal. A sample of 3,373 married women was taken from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey. Multilevel logistic regression methods were used to analyze the data. The results show that 28.31% of the population experienced the IPV in the past year. The results indicate that female illiteracy, low economic status, violent family history, and a lack of decision-making autonomy were associated with IPV. Regarding family background, whether or not the husband was an alcoholic, the husband’s level of education, and a higher number of children were risk factors associated with IPV. At the community level, women most at risk of IPV were those living in the Terai region, and women belonging to underprivileged castes and ethnic groups. The findings suggest the need for context-specific policy formation and the need for the creation of the certain intervention programs designed to mitigate IPV in Nepal.
College Students’ Perceived Risk of Sexual Victimization and the Role of Optimistic Bias
Authors: Saling Untied Amy , Dulaney Cynthia L.
Published: July 2014

Many college women believe that their chances of experiencing a sexual assault are less than their peers. This phenomenon, called optimistic bias, has been hypothesized to be one important element to address in sexual assault risk reduction and awareness programs aimed at reducing women’s chances of experiencing a sexual assault. The present study examined the role that participants’ ( N = 89) perceived similarity to a narrator (portraying a sexual assault survivor) describing an assault plays in reducing this bias. The age of the narrator was manipulated (similar or dissimilar to age of participants) with the aim of assessing whether the program could produce reductions in optimistic bias for those participants who watched a video of someone similar to them in age. A significant interaction between pre- and post-program and age similarity indicated a significant decrease in optimistic bias from pre- to posttest for the similar group. Furthermore, an exploratory analysis indicated optimistic bias for White participants decreased from pre- to posttest, whereas optimistic bias for the Black participants increased. These results suggest that some factors such as age similarity may reduce optimistic bias in sexual assault risk reduction and awareness programs. However, a race dissimilarity may increase optimistic bias. Thus, more research is needed to understand the factors that affect optimistic bias with regard to sexual assault awareness.
Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies Moderate the Relationship Between Psychological Abuse and Avoidant Coping
Authors: Shepherd-McMullen Cassandra , Mearns Jack , Stokes Julie E. , Mechanic Mindy B.
Published: July 2014

This study explored the relationships among psychological abuse, attitudes about intimate partner violence (IPV), negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE), and coping. Participants were 126 female college students in dating, cohabitating, or married relationships within the previous year. In one single session, they completed self-report scales measuring IPV, NMRE, and coping. Results indicated that women reporting higher levels of psychological abuse reported less negative attitudes toward IPV, engaged in less-active coping responses, and had lower NMRE. Psychological abuse was a significant predictor of avoidant coping, while NMRE significantly predicted both active and avoidant coping. In addition, the interaction of NMRE × Psychological abuse added incremental prediction of avoidant coping. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Are the Kids All Right? A Qualitative Study of Adults with Gay and Lesbian Parents
Authors: Sasnett Sherri
Published: July 2014

Based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews, this article examines the experiences of twenty adults with gay and lesbian parents. Faced with ruptures in significant childhood attachments and strains in parent–child bonds, respondents developed coping strategies to deal with the disruptions to their bonds with others and the demands of forced autonomy that are the result of the creation of new identities. How and when they were told of their parents’ sexual orientation proved to be the fulcrum for how they were able to manage their identities as the children of gay and lesbian parents. The sexual orientation of their parents did not prove to be an issue for these respondents; instead the reactions of others proved to be a critical component for how they were able to create meanings in their lives—their identities were reinforced by positive interactions, and challenged by negative interactions. In the end, the influence of parental sexual orientation was less important, in relation to how respondents were able to construct meanings, and develop and maintain identities, than the qualities of familial relationships and interactions.
Functional Limitations as Potential Mediators of the Effects of Self-Reported Vision Status on Fall Risk of Older Adults
Authors: Steinman Bernard A. , Allen Susan M. , Chen Jie , Pynoos Jon
Published: July 2014

Objective: To test whether limitations in mobility and large-muscle functioning mediate self-reported vision status to increase fall risk among respondents age 65 and above. Method: This study used two waves from the Health and Retirement Study. We conducted binary logistic and negative binomial regression analyses to test indirect paths leading from self-reported vision status to falls, via indices of mobility and large-muscle functioning. Results: Limited evidence was found for a mediating effect among women; however, large-muscle groups were implicated as partially mediating risk factors for falls among men with fair self-reported vision status. Discussion: Implications of these findings are discussed including the need for prioritizing improved muscle strength of older men and women with poor vision as a preventive measure against falls.
Trusting the Untrustworthy: The Theology, Practice and Implications of Faith-Based Volunteers’ Work with Ex-Prisoners
Authors: Armstrong Ruth
Published: July 2014

This article analyses the nature of trust involved in mentoring ex-prisoners. Literature outlines understandings of well-placed trust as dependent upon the motivations of the trust parties, placed in those who are perceived to be trustworthy, or placed in those who have the potential to be trust-responsive. This article describes how faith-based volunteer mentors’ motivations to serve God rather than save man facilitated their bestowal of unearned trust on their ex-prisoner protégés and how this gift of trust was capable of potentiating a trustworthy response. It also describes how this proactive trust was well-placed in some who failed to be trustworthy because it encouraged open and honest communication of this failure. As a result, it argues in some circumstances it could be intelligent to place trust proactively without evidence of trustworthiness, and that trust of this kind could be especially important to people released from prison.
Novel reverse-selective poly(2,5-benzimidazole) derivatives for membrane-based gas separation
Authors: Jiang Can , Jie Xingming , Wang Lina , Cheng Yili , Liu Dandan , Liu Jianhui , Cao Yiming
Published: July 2014

Three novel polymers were synthesized by introducing hexyl, dodecyl, and octadecyl groups to the side chains of poly (2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI). Fourier transform infrared, thermal stability, and mechanical strength tests were applied to characterize the three polymers. Elemental analysis was also carried out to determine the degree of substitution. Gas permeation behavior of the three derivative membranes was investigated with pure gas, including hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), oxygen, methane, and carbon dioxide (CO2). The results show that except the hexyl-substituted ABPBI the other two polymers are reverse selective because in both polymers CO2 has a higher permeability than H2. Among the three derivatives, octadecyl-modified ABPBI shows the best permselectivity of gas pairs, such as CO2/N2 (approximately 13) and CO2/H2 (approximately 2.8), with a quite high CO2 permeability (approximately 100 barrer) at 35°C and 3.0 atm.
A comparative study for collocated and non-collocated sensor/actuator placement in vibration control of a maneuvering flexible satellite
Authors: Shahravi Morteza , Azimi Milad
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a study concerning the vibration control of smart flexible sub-structures of satellite during attitude maneuver. A comparison between the collocated and non-collocated piezoceramic patches acting as sensors and actuators is performed in order to investigate their effectiveness to suppress vibrations in flexible substructures. A rigid hub with two elastic appendages containing surface bounded piezoelectric patches is being considered as satellite model. Finite element method and Lagrangian formulation are used for derivation of system equations of motion. Stability proof of the overall closed-loop system is given via Lyapunov analysis. The numerical simulations verify the results of the study.
Austerity and social dialogue in French local government
Authors: Jeannot Gilles
Published: July 2014

This article investigates whether and how social dialogue has influenced austerity policies in French local government, with a particular focus on municipalities. With regard to local government staff, social dialogue takes place at two levels, with wage and general rules being discussed at national level and working conditions and individual career issues at local level. National-level measures, as in many countries, have included unilateral wage freezes. However, though staff reductions have already occurred in the state administration, they have not (yet) affected municipalities. As seen in our case study, when it comes to local-level austerity measures such as cuts in services and restructuring measures, we are witnessing a situation of real bargaining – including conflict and formalized agreements. Even if not leading to official collective agreements, this strengthens the role of formal committees and suggests the potential resilience of social dialogue linked to the proximity of decision-making authorities and affected citizens.