bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Working together: making the case for integrated forensic services for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: MacMahon Kenneth , McClements Ricky
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– There is a general consensus that healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities should be provided by multi-disciplinary teams. Within a forensic setting, recommendations are often made for separate or “parallel” forensic teams, operating independently of generic mental health or intellectual disability teams. An alternative to this model is an “integrated” service, where specialist forensic clinicians work within the general intellectual disability service, to provide support for clients with forensic needs. For clients with intellectual disabilities and forensic needs, there may be advantages to providing access to a wider multi-disciplinary team, through the application of an integrated model. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the working of an integrated forensic service within a learning disability team, to identify positive aspects of this model, and how potential shortcomings may be overcome.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature review, description of service outline with case example.

Findings

– Although some studies have compared parallel and integrated forensic models within mental health services, there are no evaluations that compare models of forensic services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. However, specific advantages of an integrated model may include availability of multi-disciplinary clinicians, development of forensic skills across wider groups of clinicians, reduction in stigma and avoidance of delay in transfer of care between services. In addition, in areas with smaller populations, parallel services may not be feasible due to low case numbers.

Originality/value

– There has been no formal evaluation of parallel vs integrated forensic services within an intellectual disability setting. However, the authors describe a fully integrated service and suggest means by which the potential shortcomings of an integrated model may be overcome.
Agency, intimacy, and rape jokes: an ethnographic study of young women and sexual risk in Chennai
Authors: Krishnan Sneha
Published: December 2015

In this article, I examine the circulation of jokes about sexual violence among young middle‐class women in the South Indian city of Chennai. Drawing on ethnographic research with undergraduate students in this city, I locate the rape joke in an ambivalent discourse of risk that conflates the possibility of sexual assault with the perceived ‘risks’ of women's sexual autonomy. In this context, I argue that humour about sexual violence functions as a form of lateral agency, facilitating a break from the task of reproducing middle‐class respectability.
N.W. Thomas and colonial anthropology in British West Africa: reappraising a cautionary tale
Authors: Basu Paul
Published: December 2015

As the first government anthropologist to be appointed by the British Colonial Office, Northcote Whitridge Thomas (1868‐1936) has earned a place in the footnotes of anthropological history. Historians of the discipline have discussed his career in West Africa in their wider explorations of the relationship between anthropology and colonial administration in the early twentieth century. Through this work, an orthodox account of Thomas has emerged as an eccentric dilettante who damaged the reputation of the discipline, setting back its adoption as a practical science of value to colonial governance by a generation or more. Adopting a micro‐historical approach, closer scrutiny of the archival evidence challenges this orthodoxy, and places Thomas more centrally within the professional networks and practices of British anthropology in the period 1900 to 1915. As well as correcting the record concerning Thomas's professional reputation, a more complex picture emerges regarding the colonial authorities’ attitudes towards anthropology and the reason why this early experiment in colonial anthropology failed.
Short Sales and Price Discovery in the Hong Kong Real Estate Market
Authors: Wong Siu Kei , Lai Thomas C. C. , Deng Kuang Kuang
Published: December 2015

Indirect real estate (IRE) returns are often shown to lead direct real estate (DRE) returns. Apart from differences in liquidity, transaction costs, and management skills, the DRE market is also less complete than the IRE market—when negative shocks arrive, one can only short IRE (e.g., real estate stocks or REITs), but not DRE. This study investigates if short sales in the IRE market convey any information to the DRE market. Based on high‐frequency (weekly) property price data in Hong Kong from 2000 to 2012, we find that short sales in the IRE market led DRE returns, even after controlling for the lagged IRE returns in a VAR model. This supports an information spillover mechanism in which the DRE market learns private information that is not reflected in IRE returns. The spillover effect, however, weakened after the recent global financial crisis because the increased uncertainty over the credibility of individual firms made short sales more reflective of firm‐specific information than real estate market fundamentals.
Occurrence of diapause in neotropical parasitoids attacking Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) in a subtropical rainforest from Argentina
Authors: Ovruski Sergio M , Schliserman Pablo , Aluja Martin
Published: December 2015

Incidence of diapause in neotropical parasitoid species associated with the tephritid fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) infesting three major host plants collected from the southernmost end of Argentinean Yungas rainforest was studied. Three other objectives were the frequency of diapause according to the fruiting season of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (peach), Psidium guajava L. (guava) and Juglans australis Grisebach (walnut); the length of diapause period for each recovered parasitoid species; and the proportion of diapausing parasitoid individuals that displayed prolonged diapause. Between 2001 and 2003, infested ripe fruits were weekly collected in wild vegetation areas. A portion of the fruit samples was processed at the same collection site. Recovered A. fraterculus puparia were kept under natural environmental conditions inside a wooden frame cage covered with a cloth mesh. The remaining halves of fruit samples were taken to the laboratory and puparia were kept under environmental controlled condition. Unenclosed puparia were kept for 2 years. Diapause period fluctuated between 131 and 426 days and was observed in all recovered parasitoid species (Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Opius bellus Gahan, Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) and Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes)). All diapausing individuals dissected from host puparia were instar III and were also remarkably different from non‐diapausing larvae because of their smaller body size. The 65% of all diapausing individuals was recorded in early autumn and was recovered from A. fraterculus larvae that had developed in guava. Prolonged diapause was recorded in a small fraction of the diapausing populations of D. brasiliensis, D. areolatus and A. pelleranoi. Results suggest that diapause is an adaptive mechanism that allows parasitoids to overcome periods of marked host scarcity given that guava is the last widely available host plant before the winter season begins.
The Reform of Mutual Aid Associations in Japan: Civil Service Employee Pension Reform in 2012
Authors: Yamamoto Katsuya
Published: December 2015

Civil service employee pension reform began by removing non‐clerical work from the main body of the Mutual Aid Association (MAA) pension system. Further changes were based on administrative reform and pension jealousy. In particular, the Nakasone cabinet's administrative reform privatized the non‐clerical sector. Before the 1979 reform, the pensionable age was 55 for theMAAand 60 for the Employee Pension Insurance (EPI) scheme. TheMAApension benefit formula adopted the final salary system, which was larger than the average lifetime salary calculation used forEPIbenefits. The final salary system was abolished during the 1986 reform. Public employee criticism over “Amakudari” led to further civil service employee remuneration reform in 2005. In 2007, the Social Insurance Agency pension record scandal led to a change of government by 2009. The biggest reform of theMAApension system was the abolishment of the occupational portion of the pension, a compromise between the government and unions. We project that this compromise will cost 22 trillion yen over 90 years old. After 2055, the newly establishedMAApension scheme will be abolished; thus the public pension may finally be sustainable.
Immunolocalization of c‐myc‐positive cells in lizard tail after amputation suggests cell activation and proliferation for tail regeneration
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: December 2015

After tail amputation in lizard, a regenerative response is elicited leading to the formation of a new tail. The stimulation of the proliferation process may involve the proto‐oncogene c‐myc. The immunocytochemical analysis detects the c‐myc protein few days after wound in free cells accumulating over the injured tissues of the tail stump. Western blot detects a protein band at 68–70 kDa that is more intense in the regenerating blastema than in normal tail tissues. Nuclei positive for the c‐myc protein are seen in mesenchymal‐like cells located among muscles, connectives and fat tissues of the tail stump 4 days postamputation. Proliferating cells labelled for 5BrdU are seen at 4 days postamputation and are sparse in the mesenchyme of the regenerating blastema formed at 12 days postamputation. Fine immunolocalization of the c‐myc protein shows it is mainly located over euchromatin or poorly condensed chromatin to indicate gene activation. The study correlates the detection of the c‐myc protein with activation of cell division in the injured tissues leading to the formation of the regenerative blastema. The lizard c‐myc protein probably activates a controlled proliferation process through a mechanism that can give information on the uncontrolled process occurring in cancer.
Distinct and complementary roles for α and β isoenzymes of PKC in mediating vasoconstrictor responses to acutely elevated glucose
Authors: Jackson Robert , Brennan Sean , Fielding Peter , Sims Mark W , Challiss RA John , Adlam David , Squire Iain B , Rainbow Richard D
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose

We investigated the hypothesis that elevated glucose increases contractile responses in vascular smooth muscle and that this enhanced constriction occurs due to the glucose‐induced PKC‐dependent inhibition of voltage‐gated potassium channels.

Experimental Approach

Patch‐clamp electrophysiology in rat isolated mesenteric arterial myocytes was performed to investigate the glucose‐induced inhibition of voltage‐gated potassium (Kv) current. To determine the effects of glucose in whole vessel, wire myography was performed in rat mesenteric, porcine coronary and human internal mammary arteries.

Key Results

Glucose‐induced inhibition of Kv was PKC‐dependent and could be pharmacologically dissected using PKC isoenzyme‐specific inhibitors to reveal a PKCβ‐dependent component of Kv inhibition dominating between 0 and 10 mM glucose with an additional PKCα‐dependent component becoming evident at concentrations greater than 10 mM. These findings were supported using wire myography in all artery types used, where contractile responses to vessel depolarization and vasoconstrictors were enhanced by increasing bathing glucose concentration, again with evidence for distinct and complementary PKCα/PKCβ‐mediated components.

Conclusions and Implications

Our results provide compelling evidence that glucose‐induced PKCα/PKCβ‐mediated inhibition of Kv current in vascular smooth muscle causes an enhanced constrictor response. Inhibition of Kv current causes a significant depolarization of vascular myocytes leading to marked vasoconstriction. The PKC dependence of this enhanced constrictor response may present a potential therapeutic target for improving microvascular perfusion following percutaneous coronary intervention after myocardial infarction in hyperglycaemic patients.
Time‐dependent activation of prostacyclin and nitric oxide pathways during continuous i.v. infusion of serelaxin (recombinant human H2 relaxin)
Authors: Leo C H , Jelinic M , Ng H H , Tare M , Parry L J
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose

In the RELAX‐AHF trial, a 48 h i.v. serelaxin infusion reduced systemic vascular resistance in patients with acute heart failure. Consistent with preclinical studies, serelaxin augments endothelial vasodilator function in rat mesenteric arteries. Little is known about the contribution of endothelium‐derived relaxing factors after a longer duration of continuous serelaxin treatment. Here we have assessed vascular reactivity and mechanistic pathways in mesenteric arteries and veins and the aorta after 48 or 72 h continuous i.v. infusion of serelaxin.

Experimental Approach

Male rats were infused with either placebo or serelaxin (13.3 μg·kg−1·h−1) via the jugular vein using osmotic minipumps. Vascular function was assessed using wire myography. Changes in gene and protein expression and 6‐keto PGF1α levels were determined by quantitative PCR, Western blot and ELISA respectively.

Key Results

Continuous i.v. serelaxin infusion augmented endothelium‐dependent relaxation in arteries (mesenteric and aorta) but not in mesenteric veins. In mesenteric arteries, 48 h i.v. serelaxin infusion increased basal NOS activity, associated with increased endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression. Interestingly, phosphorylated‐eNOSSer1177, eNOS and basal NOS activity were reduced in mesenteric arteries following 72 h serelaxin treatment. At 72 h, serelaxin treatment improved bradykinin‐mediated relaxation through COX2‐derived PGI2 production.

Conclusions and Implications

Continuous i.v. serelaxin infusion enhanced endothelial vasodilator function in arteries but not in veins. The underlying mediator at 48 h was NO but there was a transition to PGI2 by 72 h. Activation of the PGI2‐dependent pathway is key to the prolonged vascular response to serelaxin treatment.
Spectrum of urorectal septum malformation sequence
Authors: Shah Krupa , Nayak Shalini S. , Shukla Anju , Girisha Katta M.
Published: December 2015

Urorectal septum malformation sequence (URSMS) is a rare spectrum of malformations involving various organ systems. Here, we present eight cases of URSMS, noted in autopsy, with different degrees of complexity, seven being the complete type and one being the partial type. All cases had gastrointestinal tract malformation in the form of the imperforate anus and indeterminate genitalia. Other gastrointestinal tract anomalies were anal agenesis in two cases, anorectal agenesis in two cases, and malformed lower intestinal tract in four cases. The associated renal abnormality was noted in five cases, which were unilateral renal agenesis, dysplastic kidney, hydronephrosis, horseshoe kidney, and unilateral hypoplastic ectopic kidney. External genital malformation, present in both male and female fetuses, included a knob‐like structure at perineum in female fetuses, genital fold hypoplasia and penile aplasia or hypoplasia in male fetuses. Skeletal abnormalities included two cases of sacral agenesis and one case of lumbosacral dysraphism. Other anomalies included a case with alobar holoprosencephaly, truncus arteriosus with hypoplastic lungs in one case, and three cases with abdominal wall defects. It is our attempt to delineate a spectrum of abnormalities associated with URSMS.
Expanding the MYBPC1 phenotypic spectrum: a novel homozygous mutation causes arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
Authors: Ekhilevitch N. , Kurolap A. , Oz‐Levi D. , Mory A. , Hershkovitz T. , Ast G. , Mandel H. , Baris H.N.
Published: December 2015

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is characterized by heterogeneous nonprogressive multiple joint contractures appearing at birth. We present a consanguineous Israeli‐Druze family with several members presenting with AMC. A variable intra‐familial phenotype and pected autosomal recessive inheritance prompted molecular diagnosis by whole‐exome sequencing. Variant analysis focused on rare homozygous changes, revealed a missense variant in MYBPC1, NM_002465:c.556G>A (p.E286K), affecting the last nucleotide of Exon 8. This novel variant was not observed in the common variant databases and co‐segregated as expected within the extended family. MYBPC1 encodes a slow skeletal muscle isoform, essential for muscle contraction. Heterozygous mutations in this gene are associated with distal arthrogryposis types 1b and 2, whereas a homozygous nonsense mutation is implicated in one family with lethal congenital contractural syndrome 4. We present a novel milder MYBPC1 homozygous phenotype.
Right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension following sub‐massive pulmonary embolism
Authors: Samaranayake Chinthaka B. , Royle Gordon , Jackson Sharon , Yap Elaine
Published: December 2015

Background and objectives

Persistent right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and pulmonary hypertension (PHT) are important outcomes following sub‐massive pulmonary embolism (PE). The aims were to determine the rates and factors associated with RVD and/or PHT on echocardiography (ECHO) and the rate of 30‐day and 1‐year all‐cause mortality following sub‐massive PE. Patients who received thrombolysis and non‐thrombolysis were also compared.

Methods

Consecutive patients with sub‐massive PE over a five year period with at least 1‐year follow‐up were retrospectively identified. Regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of outcomes.

Results

Eighty‐seven patients met inclusion criteria. Sixty‐one (70%) had admission ECHOs with a follow‐up ECHO in 42 (48.3%) at a mean of 7.6 months (SD 5.2). Fifty‐one had RVD (58.6%) and 35 (40.2%) had PHT on admission. The rates of persistent RVD and raised right ventricular systolic pressure in this study population were 12% and 17%, respectively. Thrombolysis was associated with a trend towards improvement of PHT (53.3% PHT on admission to 0% PHT on follow‐up in the thrombolysis group, P = 0.29). The rate of 30‐day and 1‐year all‐cause mortality were 12.6% and 21.8%, respectively. Thirty‐day all‐cause mortality was independently predicted by the presence of right heart strain on computed tomography pulmonary angiography [OR 3.7 (P = 0.045)], echocardiographic evidence of RVD [OR 3.9 (P = 0.041)] and age.

Conclusion

The majority of patients with RVD and PHT at the time of sub‐massive PE improve on follow‐up; however, there is a subset who remain abnormal. Future studies are needed to identify modifiable risk factors for these complications.
Pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen as a biomarker for the discrimination of tumor‐related pleural effusion
Authors: Li Huiling , Huang Liyan , Tang Hailing , Zhong Nanshan , He Jianhang
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To assess the value of tumor biomarkers in the determination of tumor‐related pleural effusion (PE). Cytological examination of the pleural fluid has a limited sensitivity in diagnosing tumor PE.

Methods

Pleural fluid and serum samples were obtained from 1137 patients and PE etiology was determined by multiple diagnostic techniques. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were measured in both pleural fluid and serum samples. Levels of cancer antigen (CA) 125, glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assessed in pleural fluid specimens.

Results

601 PE patients were diagnosed with tumors, while 595 tested individuals were tumor‐free. Among the measured biomarkers, pleural fluid CA 125, glucose, and LDH levels, and serum CEA amounts were comparable between tumor and tumor‐free PE patients (P > 0.05). Only pleural fluid CEA levels were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). A CEA cutoff of 2.645 ng/mL yielded sensitivity and specificity of 69.4% and 82.2%, respectively, for tumor‐related PE detection. The area under the curve for CEA was 0.740 (95%CI: 0.710–0.770).

Conclusion

CEA levels in pleural fluid were a potential biomarker for the detection of tumor‐related PE. These findings provide an easy and simple method for clinical screening and detection of PE.
The Changing Faces of Mentorship: Application of a Developmental Network Framework in a Health Services Research Career Development Program
Authors: Halvorson Max A. , Finney John W. , Bi Xiaoyu , Maisel Natalya C. , Hayashi Ko P. , Weitlauf Julie C. , Cronkite Ruth C.
Published: December 2015

Historically, mentorship has been conceived of as a dyadic relationship between a senior mentor and an early‐career investigator. Models involving multiple mentors have gained favor in recent years, but empirical research on multiple‐mentor models has been lacking. The current work aims to fill this gap by describing a long‐standing health services research mentoring program at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which has adopted a network‐based approach to mentoring. As part of a broader project, we surveyed VA HSR&D Career Development Awardees who received an award between 2000 and 2012. In total, 133 awardees participated (84%). Awardees reported on the structure of mentoring relationships with their two most influential mentors. Awardees were mentored by teams consisting of one to five mentors (M = 2.7 mentors). Most often, one mentor served as primary mentor while one or more mentors played a supporting role. In most cases, an awardee‘s primary mentor was co‐located with the awardee, with fewer secondary mentors co‐located. More recently funded CDAs had more mentors and were less likely to be co‐located with secondary mentors. The VA HSR&D CDA program incorporates current thinking about Developmental Network models of mentorship into a comprehensive program providing a rich mentorship experience for its awardees.
A systematic review of evidence‐based assessment practices by allied health practitioners for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: O'Connor Bridget , Kerr Claire , Shields Nora , Imms Christine
Published: December 2015

Aim

The routine use of psychometrically robust assessment tools is integral to best practice. This systematic review aims to determine the extent to which evidence‐based assessment tools were used by allied health practitioners for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis protocols 2015 was employed. A search strategy applied the free text terms: ‘allied health practitioner’, ‘assessment’, and ‘cerebral palsy’, and related subject headings to seven databases. Included articles reported assessment practices of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, or speech pathologists working with children withCPaged 0 to 18 years, published from the year 2000.

Results

Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Eighty‐eight assessment tools were reported, of which 23 were in high use. Of these, three tools focused on gross motor function and had acceptable validity for use with children withCP: Gross Motor Function Measure, Gross Motor Function Classification System, and goniometry. Validated tools to assess other activity components, participation, quality of life, and pain were used infrequently or not at all.

Interpretation

Allied health practitioners used only a few of the available evidence‐based assessment tools. Assessment findings in many areas considered important by children and families were rarely documented using validated assessment tools.
Model‐based integration of observed and expert‐based information for assessing the geographic and environmental distribution of freshwater species
Authors: Domisch Sami , Wilson Adam M. , Jetz Walter
Published: December 2015

Freshwater ecosystems harbor specialized and vulnerable biodiversity, and the prediction of potential impacts of freshwater biodiversity to environmental change requires knowledge of the geographic and environmental distribution of taxa. To date, however, such quantitative information about freshwater species distributions remains limited. Major impediments include heterogeneity in available species occurrence data, varying detectability of species in their aquatic environment, scarcity of contiguous freshwater‐specific predictors, and methods that support addressing these issues in a single framework. Here we demonstrate the use of a hierarchical Bayesian modeling (HBM) framework that combines disparate species occurrence information with newly‐developed 1 km freshwater‐specific predictors, to account for imperfect species detection and make fine‐grain (1 km) estimates of distributions in freshwater organisms. The approach integrates a Bernoulli suitability and a Binomial observability process into a hierarchical zero‐inflated Binomial model. The suitability process includes point presence observations, records of site visits, 1 km environmental predictors and expert‐derived species range maps integrated with a distance‐decay function along the within‐stream distance as covariates. The observability process uses repeated observations to estimate a probability of observation given that the species was present. The HBM accounts for the spatial autocorrelation in species habitat suitability projections using an intrinsic Gaussian conditional autoregressive model. We used this framework for three fish species native to different regions and habitats in North America. Model comparison shows that HBMs significantly outperformed non‐spatial GLMs in terms of AUC and TSS scores, and that expert information when appropriately included in the model can provide an important refinement. Such ancillary species information and an integrative, hierarchical Bayesian modeling framework can therefore be used to advance fine‐grain habitat suitability predictions and range size estimates in the freshwater realm. Our approach is extendable in terms of data availability and generality and can be used on other freshwater organisms and regions.
Developing students’ clinical reasoning skills: correlates of perceived relevance of two teaching and learning approaches
Authors: Postma T. C. , White J. G.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

‘Relevance’ is a key concept in adult learning. Hence, this study sought to examine students’ perceptions of relevance of the teaching and learning in relation to different instructional designs employed in a Comprehensive Patient Care (CPC) course that aims to develop integrated clinical reasoning skills.

Methods

Third to fifth year students (2009–2011) were asked to anonymously rate the relevance of the instructional design (RELID) they participated in by means of visual analogue scales at the School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria. They were also asked to rate their perceptions of the alignment between teaching and learning and outcomes (ATLO), assessments’ contribution to learning (ACL), course organisation (CO) and teacher competence (TC). RELID served as the outcome measure in stepwise linear regression analyses. ATLO, ACL, CO, TC and the instructional design (case‐based learning (CBL = 1) and the combination of discipline‐based and lecture‐based teaching in CPC (DB‐LBT = 0)) served as the co‐variables for each of the years of study.

Results

The analyses showed positive correlations between RELID and ATLO and between RELID and ACL for all the years of study. RELID was associated with TC in year three and four and CO was associated with RELID in year four and five. CBL outperformed DB‐LBT in terms of perceived relevance of the teaching and learning.

Conclusion

The results suggest that students’ perceptions of the relevance of the instructional design may be enhanced when outcomes, teaching, learning and assessment are constructively aligned during the development of clinical reasoning skills.
Fractures of the scapula
Authors: Auer J. A. , Fürst A. E.
Published: December 2015

Fractures of the scapula are uncommon and the majority of these involve the supraglenoid tubercle in young horses 2 years of age or less. Scapula fractures of the neck or body are rare. Comminuted scapula fractures have been diagnosed in racing breeds (Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses) and a review of the literature on the different fracture types and their management is presented in this article. The best prognosis for soundness is given for horses treated surgically. The different techniques for surgical management are described here and comments made with reference to nonsurgical management. A residual gait deficit may persist in some horses because of involvement of the suprascapular nerve at the time of injury, during surgery and follow‐up period, the severity of which depends on the degree of nerve trauma.
Do Family Assets Mediate the Relationship Between Community Assets and Youths' Perceived Spirituality?
Authors: James Anthony G. , Fine Mark A. , Turner Linda Jo
Published: December 2015

With increasing interest in the role of spirituality in youth development, and recent findings linking it to positive development, the authors investigated contextual factors that are potentially linked to youths' perceived spirituality. Using parent–child data from the 4‐H Study of Positive Youth Development, they took a social ecological approach to investigate the links between family and community factors and youths' self‐ratings of spirituality; specifically, they tested whether family factors mediated the relationship between community factors and youths' perceived spirituality. The results indicated that the presence of positive caring adults in a given community was positively related to youths' spirituality, and this link was partially mediated by family religious experience across different conceptions of spirituality. Although these findings have implications for how parents and practitioners engage youth to develop and nurture their spiritual lives, future studies will need more diverse samples and investigate more specific contextual processes that undergird youth spiritual development.
Maternal Perspectives on Deployment and Child–Mother Relationships in Military Families
Authors: Posada Germán , Walker David , Cardin Jean‐François , Nyaronga Dan , Schwarz Rona , Wadsworth Shelley MacDermid
Published: December 2015

Using survey data from 292 mothers married to members of the U.S. military, the authors examined relations among military deployment factors, quality of maternal care, and child attachment behavior with the mother. The results revealed that maternal perceptions of quality of care, mothers' depressive symptoms, and fathers' involvement when not deployed were significantly associated with children's attachment behavior. In addition, fathers' combat exposure was negatively associated with children's attachment behavior. Mothers' quality of care partially mediated the association between fathers' involvement and children's attachment behavior as well as the association between mothers' depressive symptoms and children's attachment behavior. A notable finding of this study was that deployment‐related factors were both directly and indirectly related to children's attachment.
The Role of Race/Ethnicity and Acculturation in the Functioning of Disadvantaged Mothers' Social Support Networks
Authors: Radey Melissa
Published: December 2015

Informal social support is often necessary among low‐income networks in the post‐welfare reform era when public supports are less available. Using social capital perspective and reciprocity theory, which recognize that social support necessitates positive social relationships and available resources, the author used data from the Welfare, Children, & Families project, a study of primarily low‐income mothers living in disadvantaged neighborhoods (n = 2,215), to examine how excess network burden relates to support availability and to consider how the relationship differs by race, ethnicity, and nativity. The findings revealed that mothers with excess burden and other vulnerabilities (e.g., of Mexican or Puerto Rican descent, born outside the U.S. mainland, single‐parent households, neighborhood problems) perceived less support, suggesting that perceiving excess burden provides little material and emotional protection and actually may accentuate vulnerability. A significant interaction suggests that excess burdens are less problematic for immigrant mothers' support networks. Policy and practice implications are provided.
Structural basis for dimer formation of the CRISPR‐associated protein Csm2 of Thermotoga maritima
Authors: Gallo Gloria , Augusto Gilles , Rangel Giulliana , Zelanis André , Mori Marcelo A. , Campos Cláudia B. , Würtele Martin
Published: December 2015

The clusters of regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and the Cas (CRISPR‐associated) proteins form an adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea that evolved as an RNA‐guided interference mechanism to target and degrade foreign genetic elements. In the so‐called type IIIA CRISPR‐Cas systems, Cas proteins from the Csm family form a complex of RNPs that are involved in surveillance and targeting tasks. In the present study, we report the crystal structure of Thermotoga maritima Csm2. This protein is considered to assemble into the helically shaped Csm RNP complex in a site opposite to the CRISPR RNA binding backbone. Csm2 was solved via cadmium single wavelength anomalous diffraction phasing at 2.4 Å resolution. The structure reveals that Csm2 is composed of a large 42 amino‐acid long α‐helix flanked by three shorter α‐helices. The structure also shows that the protein is capable of forming dimers mainly via an extensive contact surface conferred by its long α‐helix. This interaction is further stabilized by the N‐terminal helix, which is inserted into the C‐terminal helical portion of the adjacent subunit. The dimerization of Csm2 was additionally confirmed by size exclusion chromatography of the pure recombinant protein followed by MS analysis of the eluted fractions. Because of its role in the assembly and functioning of the Csm CRISPR RNP complex, the crystal structure of Csm2 is of great importance for clarifying the mechanism of action of the subtype IIIA CRISPR‐Cas system, as well as the similarities and diversities between the different CRISPR‐Cas system.

Database

The structure of Thermotoga maritima Csm2 has been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under accession code 5AN6.
Multi‐stage disruption of freshwater mussel reproduction by high suspended solids in short‐ and long‐term brooders
Authors: Gascho Landis Andrew M. , Stoeckel James A.
Published: December 2015

Suspended solids are one of the most widespread pollutants in streams, but little is known about their effects on freshwater mussels. In a previous study, we showed that increasing concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS) resulted in a decreased proportion of gravid female mussels; however, the generality of this effect and the specific stage at which reproduction was inhibited remain unknown.

In this study, we examined stage‐specific disruption of reproduction in a short‐term brooding mussel species (Reginaia ebenus) and a long‐term brooding species (Ligumia subrostrata).

High TSS concentrations disrupted reproduction in both the short‐ and long‐term brooding species, but the mechanism appeared to differ between species. A high proportion of female Reginaia ebenus (range = 0.33–0.93) were fertilised across the entire TSS gradient (11–92 mg L−1), but few glochidia developed at TSS >20 mg L−1. In contrast, only a low proportion (0–0.28) of female Ligumia subrostrata were fertilised at high TSS concentrations, but all gravid females eventually produced fully developed glochidia.

Excessive inputs of sediments and/or nutrients probably disrupt early reproductive stages of freshwater mussels via elevation of inorganic or organic TSS concentrations and may be important drivers of freshwater mussel declines.
Nitrogen deposition and greenhouse gas emissions from grasslands: uncertainties and future directions
Authors: Gomez‐Casanovas Nuria , Hudiburg Tara W. , Bernacchi Carl J. , Parton William J. , DeLucia Evan H.
Published: December 2015

Increases in atmospheric nitrogen deposition (Ndep) can strongly affect the greenhouse gas (GHG; CO2, CH4, and N2O) sink capacity of grasslands as well as other terrestrial ecosystems. Robust predictions of the net GHG sink strength of grasslands depend on how experimental N loads compare to projected Ndep rates, and how accurately the relationship between GHG fluxes and Ndep is characterized. A literature review revealed that the vast majority of experimental N loads were higher than levels these ecosystems are predicted to experience in the future. Using a process‐based biogeochemical model, we predicted that low levels of Ndep either enhanced or reduced the net GHG sink strength of most grasslands, but as experimental N loads continued to increase, grasslands transitioned to a N saturation‐decline stage, where the sensitivity of GHG exchange to further increases in Ndep declined. Most published studies represented treatments well into the N saturation‐decline stage. Our model results predict that the responses of GHG fluxes to N are highly nonlinear and that the N saturation thresholds for GHGs varied greatly among grasslands and with fire management. We predict that during the 21st century some grasslands will be in the N limitation stage where others will transition into the N saturation‐decline stage. The linear relationship between GHG sink strength and N load assumed by most studies can overestimate or underestimate predictions of the net GHG sink strength of grasslands depending on their N baseline status. The next generation of global change experiments should be designed at multiple N loads consistent with future Ndep rates to improve our empirical understanding and predictive ability.
Evaluation of tumor recurrence after superselective conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison of computed tomography and gadoxetate disodium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Miyayama Shiro , Yamashiro Masashi , Nagai Keiichi , Tohyama Jun , Kawamura Kenshi , Yoshida Miki , Sakuragawa Naoko
Published: December 2015

Aim

To retrospectively evaluate the detectability of tumor recurrence with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after superselective conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (cTACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

The detectability of tumor recurrence with CT and gadoxetate disodium‐enhanced MRI obtained within 30 days (mean, 16.9 ± 10.1) were compared in 38 patients with recurrent HCC after superselective cTACE. Tumor recurrence was divided into local and distant recurrence. Local recurrence was also divided into intratumoral and peritumoral recurrence.

Results

Tumor recurrence (maximum diameter, 19.7 ± 10.1 mm) was demonstrated by images 12.4 ± 11.7 months after cTACE. CT could depict 16 (76.2%) of 21 intratumoral recurrences in 12 patients and 14 (53.8%) of 26 peritumoral recurrences in 11, as well as 39 (55.7%) of 70 distant recurrences in 15 (75%) of 20 patients. Arterial phase MRI could depict 20 (95.2%) of 21 intratumoral recurrences in 14 patients and all 26 (100%) peritumoral recurrences in 21, as well as 60 (85.7%) distant recurrences in all 20 (100%) patients. The detectability of tumor recurrence with MRI was significantly higher than that with CT (P = 0.00549). On MRI, pseudolesions were observed in five (13.2%) patients and artifacts in the arterial phase in five (13.2%). Regarding the diagnostic performance, CT was superior to MRI in two (5.3%) patients and MRI was superior to CT in 19 (50%). They were almost equal in 17 (44.7%).

Conclusion

The detectability of tumor recurrence after superselective cTACE with gadoxetate disodium‐enhanced MRI was superior to that of CT.
Trends of extinction risk for Lepidoptera in Finland: the first national Red List Index of butterflies and moths
Authors: Juslén Aino , Cardoso Pedro , Kullberg Jaakko , Saari Sanna , Kaila Lauri
Published: December 2015

The Finnish Red Lists from 2000 and 2010 were used to calculate for the first time the national Red List Index for the order Lepidoptera and different Lepidoptera families with data from 2245 species.

We grouped species according to their primary habitats and analysed each habitat's RLI as well.

The overall RLI was significantly negative, reflecting the worsening of the group as a whole in the country.

A significant negative trend was found for families Tortricidae, Gelechiidae and Hesperiidae and for coastal habitats.

We also report that 76 Lepidoptera species newly established a population in Finland between 2000 and 2010, probably expanding northwards driven by climate warming.
Extracellular high‐mobility group box 1 mediates pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Ming , Jiang Hong , Yu Ying , Yu Peng , Tong Rui , Wu Jian , Zhang Shuning , Yao Kang , Zou Yunzeng , Ge Junbo
Published: December 2015

Inflammation plays a key role in pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, but the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), which is increased in myocardium under pressure overload, may be involved in pressure overload‐induced cardiac injury. The objectives of this study are to determine the role of HMGB1 in cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction under pressure overload. Pressure overload was imposed on the heart of male wild‐type mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), while recombinant HMGB1, HMGB1 box A (a competitive antagonist of HMGB1) or PBS was injected into the LV wall. Moreover, cardiac myocytes were cultured and given sustained mechanical stress. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed after the operation and sections for histological analyses were generated from paraffin‐embedded hearts. Relevant proteins and genes were detected. Cardiac HMGB1 expression was increased after TAC, which was accompanied by its translocation from nucleus to both cytoplasm and intercellular space. Exogenous HMGB1 aggravated TAC‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction, as demonstrated by echocardiographic analyses, histological analyses and foetal cardiac genes detection. Nevertheless, the aforementioned pathological change induced by TAC could partially be reversed by HMGB1 inhibition. Consistent with the in vivo observations, mechanical stress evoked the release and synthesis of HMGB1 in cultured cardiac myocytes. This study indicates that the activated and up‐regulated HMGB1 in myocardium, which might partially be derived from cardiac myocytes under pressure overload, may be of crucial importance in pressure overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction.
Killing cancer with platycodin D through multiple mechanisms
Authors: Khan Muhammad , Maryam Amara , Zhang He , Mehmood Tahir , Ma Tonghui
Published: December 2015

Cancer is a multi‐faceted disease comprised of a combination of genetic, epigenetic, metabolic and signalling aberrations which severely disrupt the normal homoeostasis of cell growth and death. Rational developments of highly selective drugs which specifically block only one of the signalling pathways have been associated with limited therapeutic success. Multi‐targeted prevention of cancer has emerged as a new paradigm for effective anti‐cancer treatment. Platycodin D, a triterpenoid saponin, is one the major active components of the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum and possesses multiple biological and pharmacological properties including, anti‐nociceptive, anti‐atherosclerosis, antiviral, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐obesity, immunoregulatory, hepatoprotective and anti‐tumour activities. Recently, the anti‐cancer activity of platycodin D has been extensively studied. The purpose of this review was to give our perspectives on the current status of platycodin D and discuss its anti‐cancer activity and molecular mechanisms which may help the further design and conduct of pre‐clinical and clinical trials to develop it successfully into a potential lead drug for oncological therapy. Platycodin D has been shown to fight cancer by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and autophagy and inhibiting angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis by targeting multiple signalling pathways which are frequently deregulated in cancers suggesting that this multi‐target activity rather than a single effect may play an important role in developing platycodin D into potential anti‐cancer drug.
Body composition and basal metabolic rate in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: a Danish population‐based and hospital‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Miller I.M. , Rytgaard H. , Mogensen U.B. , Miller E. , Ring H.C. , Ellervik C. , Jemec G.B.
Published: December 2015

Background

Several studies have suggested an association between Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and obesity. Obesity is often expressed as Body Mass Index (BMI). However,BMIlacks information on body composition. General obesity is a predictor of health status and cardiovascular risk, but body composition (e.g. abdominal fat) may be more so. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is an expression of resting metabolism and may serve as a complementary tool when assessing the possibly underlying metabolism behind a persons' body composition.

Objective

To investigate the body composition and basal metabolic rate in individuals withHScompared with healthy controls.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional study on both a hospital‐based and population‐basedHSgroup and compared with controls using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to assess body composition.

Results

We identified a hospital‐basedHSgroup of 32 hospitalHSpatients, a population‐basedHSgroup of 430 populationHSpatients, and 20 780 controls. Age‐ and sex‐adjusted analyses showed a 10.12% (P< 0.0001) significantly higher fat percentage in the hospital‐basedHSgroup and 3.11% (P< 0.0001) significantly higher fat percentage for the population‐basedHSgroup compared to controls. Correspondingly, theHSgroups had a lower muscle percentage (P< 0.0001) and lower bone mass percentage (P< 0.0001). Furthermore, visceral fat rating (P< 0.0001), Body Mass Index (P< 0.0001), waist circumference (P< 0.0001), and Waist/Hip Ratio (P< 0.0001) was significantly higher inHSpatients compared with controls. Additionally, age and sex‐adjusted analyses showed a higher predicted estimate ofBMRfor theHSgroups compared with controls (154.56 kcal/day (95%CI54.96–254.16) (P= 0.0031) for the hospital‐basedHSgroup, and 82.63 kcal/day (95%CI59.70–105.56) (P< 0.0001) for the population‐basedHSgroup).

Conclusion

Hidradenitis Suppurativa is associated with a high fat percentage, high visceral fat, and low muscle percentage adding to the morbidity ofHS. The higher predicted estimate of basal metabolic rate (BMR) inHSpatients may reflect a dysfunctional metabolism contributing to the high‐fat‐body composition.
Consumer Search with Limited Product Evaluation
Authors: Liu Lin , Dukes Anthony
Published: December 2015

Consumers need not evaluate all available product information before making a purchase. This may arise because shopping environments prevent a full evaluation (e.g., online). We develop a model of simultaneous search in which consumers have limited ability in product evaluation in order to study the impact of search cost on prices, consumer surplus, and social welfare. If consumers are endowed with the ability to choose how much information to acquire from a searched product, they may choose limited product evaluation. We find that consumers may evaluate more firms, enjoy lower prices, and higher surplus despite this limited ability. This implies that prices can decrease and consumer surplus can increase in search costs. We then extend our setting to the case of multiproduct firms and find similar effects due to changes in within‐firm search costs.