bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can livestock carrion availability influence diet of wintering red kites? Implications of sanitary policies in ecosystem services and conservation
Authors: Blanco Guillermo
Published: May 2014

The diet of wintering red kites Milvus milvus over the last decade in central Spain was recorded to evaluate the influence of sanitary policies on carcasses use. The results show major differences in diet composition of red kites wintering in areas with and without availability of livestock carcasses. In the area without livestock carcasses (north‐western Madrid province), red kites fed on a similarly large proportion of wild lagomorphs across the study period. In the area with livestock farming (Segovia province), red kites exploited carcasses from different livestock schemes (stabled livestock—primarily swine—versus free‐ranging ruminants) depending on changing sanitary regulations as consequence of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or ‘mad cow’ crisis initiated in 2001. During the period of restrictive sanitary legislation (after the ‘mad cow’ crisis) that greatly limited the use of animal by‐products from ruminants as food for avian scavengers, kites mostly predated on common voles and scavenged on swine carcasses. After the implementation of the less restrictive regulations (since 2011; regulations CE1069/2009, CE142/2011) that again permitted the abandonment of extensive livestock remains in the countryside and in feeding stations, the proportion of ruminants in the kites’ diet increased while the proportion of swine carrion decreased. Carcass dumps acted as temporally and spatially predictable sources of abundant food from stabled livestock before and even just after the mad‐cow crisis, but become relatively unpredictable foraging places afterwards due to the generalized carrion destruction in authorized plants, primarily of swine considered as non‐risk for the transmission of the bovine encephalopathy. This illustrates the deep and sometimes unexpected consequences that sanitary policies can impose on the composition and availability of food resources for scavenger wildlife. Much effort is still required to reconcile sanitary and environmental policies in order to ensure the conservation of avian scavengers and the provision of ecosystem services.
Environmental filters and patterns of tree regeneration in high altitude sub‐tropicalQuercus‐dominated forests
Authors: Olvera‐Vargas Miguel , Figueroa‐Rangel Blanca Lorena , Guzmán Ramón Cuevas
Published: May 2014

We investigated how environmental variables explain patterns of tree regeneration in high altitude sub‐tropicalQuercus‐dominated forests by: (1) determining whether the seedling and sapling communities show non‐random spatial patterns of floristic composition; (2) identifying which environmental variables explain the observed patterns of floristic composition; (3) examining if similarity in floristic composition is related to similarity in environmental variables. We used data gathered in permanent plots established across 10 km in high altitude sub‐tropicalQuercus‐dominated forests. Our analyses consisted of unconstrained ordination analyses (Non‐metric Multidimensional Scaling) to characterize the spatial patterns of floristic composition; constrained ordination analyses (Canonical correspondence analysis) to assess the contribution of environmental variables in explaining patterns of floristic composition and, the simple and partial Mantel test to correlate the floristic composition similarity to environmental similarity. Our results provided evidence of non‐random spatial patterns of floristic distribution due to structured environmental filters such as canopy‐related variables, litter, grazing and aspect. Floristic compositional similarity did not depend on geographical distance between sites or on differences in their environment; therefore a number of plots were similar in floristic composition, in both seedlings and saplings, but have no environmental similarity.
Building bridges: experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of INSPIRE and e-reporting of air quality data in Europe
Authors: Kotsev Alexander , Peeters Olav , Smits Paul , Grothe Michel
Published: May 2014

The collection, exchange and use of air quality data require diverse monitoring, processing and dissemination systems to work seamlessly together. These systems should supply data in a format usable for other applications such as planning, assessing population exposure and environmental impact assessment. As air quality does not change abruptly near national borders, international cooperation within this domain is highly desirable. This manuscript reports lessons learned during the implementation phase of one the world’s largest data harmonisation effort of environmental information infrastructures, INSPIRE, a backbone of a European wide spatial data reporting system which involves an unprecedented number of actors and volumes of data. It is important within the context of the Digital Earth concept and the establishment of a global spatial data infrastructure (SDI) through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), as the quality of ambient air is among the most pressing contemporary environmental problems. We summarise our findings from the perspective of national public authorities, obliged by law to transmit standardised spatio-temporal data to streamline reporting and facilitate the use of information, while keeping public expenditure under control. To develop implementation strategies for these type of e-reporting data flows we established a cross-border case study, looking at the process of harmonisation and exchange of data in Belgium and the Netherlands based on interoperable standards. Our results cover the legal, semantic, technological and organisational aspects of reporting. They are relevant to a cross-thematic audience having to undergo similar processes of reporting, such as climate change, environmental noise, marine, biodiversity, water management, etc.
Ligand-based photooxidations of dithiomaltolato complexes of Ru(ii) and Zn(ii): photolytic CH activation and evidence of singlet oxygen generation and quenching
Authors: Bruner Britain , Walker Malin Backlund , Ghimire Mukunda M. , Zhang Dong , Selke Matthias , Klausmeyer Kevin K. , Omary Mohammad A. , Farmer Patrick J.
Published: May 2014

Unusual light induced C–H oxidation initiated by excitation into Ru-bound dithiomaltol ligand absorption.
Heterocyclic substituted methanides as promising alternatives to the ubiquitous nacnac ligand
Authors: Dauer David-R. , Stalke Dietmar
Published: May 2014

A series of group 13 complexes containing deprotonated bisheterocyclomethanes have been prepared as well as structurally and spectroscopically characterised.
Current transport in graphene/AlGaN/GaN vertical heterostructures probed at nanoscale
Authors: Fisichella Gabriele , Greco Giuseppe , Roccaforte Fabrizio , Giannazzo Filippo
Published: May 2014

Local current–voltage measurements by CAFM on AlGaN/GaN and Gr/AlGaN/GaN. Energy band diagram of the Gr/AlGaN/GaN heterostructure.
Tailor-made directional emission in nanoimprinted plasmonic-based light-emitting devices
Authors: Lozano G. , Grzela G. , Verschuuren M. A. , Ramezani M. , Rivas J. Gómez
Published: May 2014

Directional emission of colour-converted light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be enhanced and accurately controlled using hexagonal arrays of aluminum nanoparticles, which sustain plasmonic–photonic modes. Left: scanning electron micrograph of a nanoimprinted hexagonal array with a lattice constant of 375 nm. Right: Fourier image of the directional emission of a light-emitting device featuring such an array.
Platinum nanoparticles on electrospun titania nanofibers as hydrogen sensing materials working at room temperature
Authors: Fratoddi Ilaria , Macagnano Antonella , Battocchio Chiara , Zampetti Emiliano , Venditti Iole , Russo Maria V. , Bearzotti Andrea
Published: May 2014

Pt–TiO2 were prepared as hydrogen sensing materials showing (at room temperature, under UV) enhancement of photoconductivity and high response.
Chemical speciation of heavy metals by surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy: identification and quantification of inorganic- and methyl-mercury in water
Authors: Guerrini Luca , Rodriguez-Loureiro Ignacio , Correa-Duarte Miguel A. , Lee Yih Hong , Ling Xing Yi , García de Abajo F. Javier , Alvarez-Puebla Ramon A.
Published: May 2014

Chemical speciation and quantification at trace levels of toxic mercury and methylmercury ions in water is achieved by SERS spectroscopy.
Type-tunable amplified spontaneous emission from core-seeded CdSe/CdS nanorods controlled by exciton–exciton interaction
Authors: Kelestemur Yusuf , Cihan Ahmet Fatih , Guzelturk Burak , Demir Hilmi Volkan
Published: May 2014

Controlling the exciton–exciton interaction by varying the core and shell size, blue-shifted and red-shifted amplified spontaneous emission is systematically demonstrated.
Glutathione-facilitated design and fabrication of gold nanoparticle-based logic gates and keypad lock
Authors: Huang Zhenzhen , Wang Haonan , Yang Wensheng
Published: May 2014

A commercially available tripeptide, glutathione, was used for facile fabrication of gold nanoparticle-based logic gates and a keypad lock.
Strong slip-induced anomalous enhancement and red-shifts in wide-range optical absorption of graphite under uniaxial pressure
Authors: Ren Ji-Chang , Zhang Rui-Qin , Ding Zejun , Van Hove Michel A.
Published: May 2014

Induced by an interlayer slip, optical absorption of graphite shows strong anomalous enhancement and red-shifts in a wide range under uniaxial pressure.
Straightforward synthesis of bimetallic Co/Pt nanoparticles in ionic liquid: atomic rearrangement driven by reduction–sulfidation processes and Fischer–Tropsch catalysis
Authors: Silva Dagoberto O. , Luza Leandro , Gual Aitor , Baptista Daniel L. , Bernardi Fabiano , Zapata Maximiliano J. M. , Morais Jonder , Dupont Jairton
Published: May 2014

Co/Pt nanoparticles prepared in IL undergo restructuration of the metal composition at the NP surface under H2 and H2S.
Gold nanostar substrates for SERS-based chemical sensing in the femtomolar regime
Authors: Indrasekara A. S. D. S. , Meyers S. , Shubeita S. , Feldman L. C. , Gustafsson T. , Fabris L.
Published: May 2014

A SERS sensor based on gold nanostars is described. The size and sharpness of the nanostar spikes are tuned to maximize sensitivity and SERS enhancement, yielding a detection limit of 10−15 M and an enhancement factor of 109. The effectiveness of the sensor is proven for both chemisorbed and physisorbed analytes under non-resonant conditions and its multiplexing capability is demonstrated.
Lithium deposition on graphite anode during long-term cycles and the effect on capacity loss
Authors: Yang Lijie , Cheng Xinqun , Gao Yunzhi , Ma Yulin , Zuo Pengjian , Du Chunyu , Cui Yingzhi , Guan Ting , Lou Shuaifeng , Wang Fuping , Fei Weidong , Yin Geping
Published: May 2014

The phenomenon of lithium deposition in long-term-cycled battery, its effect on capacity loss of the battery and the mechanism of deposit formation were evaluated.
Selective dissociation and conversion of hemicellulose in Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. var. pubescens to value-added monomers via solvent-thermal methods promoted by AlCl3
Authors: Luo Yiping , Hu Libin , Tong Dongmei , Hu Changwei
Published: May 2014

AlCl3promoted the selective dissolution of hemicellulose, while SiO2–AlCl3–H2O/THF promoted the conversion of oligomers and monomers to value-added chemicals.
Fluorescence enhancement detection of uric acid based on water-soluble 3-mercaptopropionic acid-capped core/shell ZnS:Cu/ZnS
Authors: Wang Meihua , Niu Weifen , Wu Xin , Li Lixia , Yang Jun , Shuang Shaomin , Dong Chuan
Published: May 2014

A simple core/shell ZnS:Cu/ZnS QD based fluorescence enhancement system is constructed for detecting uric acid. The method with high sensitivity, selectivity and lower toxicity features was applied for determination of UA in real samples.
A mechanistic and kinetic study of the heterogeneous degradation of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos oxon under the influence of atmospheric oxidants: ozone and OH-radicals
Authors: El Masri A. , Al Rashidi M. , Laversin H. , Chakir A. , Roth E.
Published: May 2014

Chlorpyrifos in the heterogeneous phase of the atmosphere is quickly removed by reaction with OH radicals (∼2 day) whereas its degradation product, chlorpyrifos oxon is more persistent.
Transmethylation of a four-coordinate nickel(i) monocarbonyl species with methyl iodide
Authors: Yoo Changho , Oh Seohee , Kim Jin , Lee Yunho
Published: May 2014

The reaction of a nickel(i) carbonyl species with CH3I revealed the formation of (PNP)NiCOCH3 which differs from its zerovalent congener.
Quinoline derivative-functionalized carbon dots as a fluorescent nanosensor for sensing and intracellular imaging of Zn2+
Authors: Zhang Zhaomin , Shi Yupeng , Pan Yi , Cheng Xin , Zhang Lulu , Chen Junying , Li Mei-Jin , Yi Changqing
Published: May 2014

Functionalization of carbon nanodots (C-dots) with quinoline derivatives enables a highly sensitive and specific nanosensor for Zn2+ sensing in aqueous solution and Zn2+ imaging in vivo.
Application of Concepts From Cross-Recurrence Analysis in Speech Production: An Overview and Comparison With Other Nonlinear Methods
Authors: Lancia Leonardo , Fuchs Susanne , Tiede Mark
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The aim of this article was to introduce an important tool, cross-recurrence analysis, to speech production applications by showing how it can be adapted to evaluate the similarity of multivariate patterns of articulatory motion. The method differs from classical applications of cross-recurrence analysis because no phase space reconstruction is conducted, and a cleaning algorithm removes the artifacts from the recurrence plot. The main features of the proposed approach are robustness to nonstationarity and efficient separation of amplitude variability from temporal variability.

Method

The authors tested these claims by applying their method to synthetic stimuli whose variability had been carefully controlled. The proposed method was also demonstrated in a practical application: It was used to investigate the role of biomechanical constraints in articulatory reorganization as a consequence of speeded repetition of CVCV utterances containing a labial and a coronal consonant.

Results

Overall, the proposed approach provided more reliable results than other methods, particularly in the presence of high variability.

Conclusion

The proposed method is a useful and appropriate tool for quantifying similarity and dissimilarity in patterns of speech articulator movement, especially in such research areas as speech errors and pathologies, where unpredictable divergent behavior is expected.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6170444
Effect of Modifying the Anion of an Ionic Liquid on the Outcome of an SN2 Process
Authors: Keaveney Sinead T. , Francis Dominic V. , Cao Winnie , Haines Ronald S. , Harper Jason B.
Published: May 2014

The effect of a series of ionic liquids containing different anions (bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, dicyanimide, hexafluorophosphate, tetrafluoroborate, and bromide) on the rate constant of a bimolecular substitution process was investigated. A general ionic liquid effect was noted, with increases in the rate constant observed in all ionic liquids used when compared with that in acetonitrile. Temperature-dependent kinetic data allowed calculation of activation parameters in each of the reaction mixtures considered; these parameters showed that the microscopic origins of the rate enhancements observed were not the same for all of the ionic liquids used, demonstrating the importance of the nature of the anion.
Choosing to live in a nursing home: a culturally and linguistically diverse perspective
Authors: Yeboah Cecilia A.
Published: May 2014

As part of the findings of a study on culturally and linguistically diverse older people relocating to a nursing home, this paper contributes to our understanding of how older people draw on their cultural history to explain their decisions to relocate. Family reciprocity was identified by most participants as central to their decisions, regardless of their specific cultural origins. Using the grounded theory methodology, data were collected through progressive, semi-structured, repeated, in-person, individual interviews with 20 residents of four nursing homes in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older people, regardless of specific cultural origin, make relocation decisions based on the importance and meaning of reciprocity within families. Understanding their decisions as reflecting a culturally valued reciprocity offered a sense of cultural continuity to the relocation and was comforting to the older adults involved in the study. This study also suggests that culturally and linguistically diverse older people are much more active participants in the decision to relocate to a nursing home than is commonly recognised. The four nursing homes in the northern suburbs of Melbourne and the 20 participants studied constitute only a small proportion of all culturally and linguistically diverse older nursing home residents in Australia. Therefore, the findings may not be pertinent to other culturally and linguistically diverse elderly. Nonetheless, this study makes an important contribution to future discussions regarding cultural diversity in the nursing home relocation of culturally and linguistically diverse older Australians. The study findings provide some insight into the conditions and contexts that impact nursing home relocation.
New arthrodires (placoderm fishes) from the Aztec Siltstone (late Middle Devonian) of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica
Authors: Young Gavin C. , Long John A.
Published: May 2014

A small collection of arthrodire remains is described from the Devonian Aztec Siltstone of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Barwickosteus antarcticus, gen. et sp. nov., is a small phlyctaeniid arthrodire probably closely related to Barrydalaspis from the Bokkeveld Group of South Africa. Grifftaylor antarcticus, gen. et sp. nov., is a generalised phlyctaeniid resembling Phlyctaenius and Neophlyctaenius. New specimens of Boomeraspis show that it had a high-spired trunk-armour with a median dorsal plate of similar proportions to Tiaraspis, Mithakaspis, Turrisaspis or Africanaspis. Other fragmentary median dorsal plates are provisionally referred to Turrisaspis and Mulgaspis. With these new taxa the vertebrate assemblage from the Aztec Siltstone comprises at least 37 genera and 50 species, making it one of the most diverse of Middle–Late Devonian age.
Mammalian microtubule P-body dynamics are mediated by nesprin-1
Authors: Rajgor Dipen , Mellad Jason A. , Soong Daniel , Rattner Jerome B. , Fritzler Marvin J. , Shanahan Catherine M.
Published: May 2014

Nesprins are a multi-isomeric family of spectrin-repeat (SR) proteins, predominantly known as nuclear envelope scaffolds. However, isoforms that function beyond the nuclear envelope remain poorly examined. Here, we characterize p50Nesp1, a 50-kD isoform that localizes to processing bodies (PBs), where it acts as a microtubule-associated protein capable of linking mRNP complexes to microtubules. Overexpression of dominant-negative p50Nesp1 caused Rck/p54, but not GW182, displacement from microtubules, resulting in reduced PB movement and cross talk with stress granules (SGs). These cells disassembled canonical SGs induced by sodium arsenite, but not those induced by hydrogen peroxide, leading to cell death and revealing PB–microtubule attachment is required for hydrogen peroxide-induced SG anti-apoptotic functions. Furthermore, p50Nesp1 was required for miRNA-mediated silencing and interacted with core miRISC silencers Ago2 and Rck/p54 in an RNA-dependent manner and with GW182 in a microtubule-dependent manner. These data identify p50Nesp1 as a multi-functional PB component and microtubule scaffold necessary for RNA granule dynamics and provides evidence for PB and SG micro-heterogeneity.
A new probe for super-resolution imaging of membranes elucidates trafficking pathways
Authors: Revelo Natalia H. , Kamin Dirk , Truckenbrodt Sven , Wong Aaron B. , Reuter-Jessen Kirsten , Reisinger Ellen , Moser Tobias , Rizzoli Silvio O.
Published: May 2014

The molecular composition of the organelles involved in membrane recycling is difficult to establish as a result of the absence of suitable labeling tools. We introduce in this paper a novel probe, named membrane-binding fluorophore-cysteine-lysine-palmitoyl group (mCLING), which labels the plasma membrane and is taken up during endocytosis. It remains attached to membranes after fixation and permeabilization and can therefore be used in combination with immunostaining and super-resolution microscopy. We applied mCLING to mammalian-cultured cells, yeast, bacteria, primary cultured neurons, Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junctions, and mammalian tissue. mCLING enabled us to study the molecular composition of different trafficking organelles. We used it to address several questions related to synaptic vesicle recycling in the auditory inner hair cells from the organ of Corti and to investigate molecular differences between synaptic vesicles that recycle actively or spontaneously in cultured neurons. We conclude that mCLING enables the investigation of trafficking membranes in a broad range of preparations.
Peter Cullen: Nexins have it sorted
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: May 2014

Cullen studies protein sorting in the endosomal network.
Functional ryanodine receptors in the membranes of neurohypophysial secretory granules
Authors: McNally James M. , Custer Edward E. , Ortiz-Miranda Sonia , Woodbury Dixon J. , Kraner Susan D. , Salzberg Brian M. , Lemos José R.
Published: May 2014

Highly localized Ca2+ release events have been characterized in several neuronal preparations. In mouse neurohypophysial terminals (NHTs), such events, called Ca2+ syntillas, appear to emanate from a ryanodine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool. Traditional sources of intracellular Ca2+ appear to be lacking in NHTs. Thus, we have tested the hypothesis that large dense core vesicles (LDCVs), which contain a substantial amount of calcium, represent the source of these syntillas. Here, using fluorescence immunolabeling and immunogold-labeled electron micrographs of NHTs, we show that type 2 ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are localized specifically to LDCVs. Furthermore, a large conductance nonspecific cation channel, which was identified previously in the vesicle membrane and has biophysical properties similar to that of an RyR, is pharmacologically affected in a manner characteristic of an RyR: it is activated in the presence of the RyR agonist ryanodine (at low concentrations) and blocked by the RyR antagonist ruthenium red. Additionally, neuropeptide release experiments show that these same RyR agonists and antagonists modulate Ca2+-elicited neuropeptide release from permeabilized NHTs. Furthermore, amperometric recording of spontaneous release events from artificial transmitter-loaded terminals corroborated these ryanodine effects. Collectively, our findings suggest that RyR-dependent syntillas could represent mobilization of Ca2+ from vesicular stores. Such localized vesicular Ca2+ release events at the precise location of exocytosis could provide a Ca2+ amplification mechanism capable of modulating neuropeptide release physiologically.
Impact of detubulation on force and kinetics of cardiac muscle contraction
Authors: Ferrantini Cecilia , Coppini Raffaele , Sacconi Leonardo , Tosi Benedetta , Zhang Mei Luo , Wang Guo Liang , de Vries Ewout , Hoppenbrouwers Ernst , Pavone Francesco , Cerbai Elisabetta , Tesi Chiara , Poggesi Corrado , ter Keurs Henk E.D.J.
Published: May 2014

Action potential–driven Ca2+ currents from the transverse tubules (t-tubules) trigger synchronous Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiomyocytes. Loss of t-tubules has been reported in cardiac diseases, including heart failure, but the effect of uncoupling t-tubules from the sarcolemma on cardiac muscle mechanics remains largely unknown. We dissected intact rat right ventricular trabeculae and compared force, sarcomere length, and intracellular Ca2+ in control trabeculae with trabeculae in which the t-tubules were uncoupled from the plasma membrane by formamide-induced osmotic shock (detubulation). We verified disconnection of a consistent fraction of t-tubules from the sarcolemma by two-photon fluorescence imaging of FM4-64–labeled membranes and by the absence of tubular action potential, which was recorded by random access multiphoton microscopy in combination with a voltage-sensitive dye (Di-4-AN(F)EPPTEA). Detubulation reduced the amplitude and prolonged the duration of Ca2+ transients, leading to slower kinetics of force generation and relaxation and reduced twitch tension (1 Hz, 30°C, 1.5 mM [Ca2+]o). No mechanical changes were observed in rat left atrial trabeculae after formamide shock, consistent with the lack of t-tubules in rodent atrial myocytes. Detubulation diminished the rate-dependent increase of Ca2+-transient amplitude and twitch force. However, maximal twitch tension at high [Ca2+]o or in post-rest potentiated beats was unaffected, although contraction kinetics were slower. The ryanodine receptor (RyR)2 Ca-sensitizing agent caffeine (200 µM), which increases the velocity of transverse Ca2+ release propagation in detubulated cardiomyocytes, rescued the depressed contractile force and the slower twitch kinetics of detubulated trabeculae, with negligible effects in controls. We conclude that partial loss of t-tubules leads to myocardial contractile abnormalities that can be rescued by enhancing and accelerating the propagation of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release to orphan RyR2 clusters.
Calmodulin regulation (calmodulation) of voltage-gated calcium channels
Authors: Ben-Johny Manu , Yue David T.
Published: May 2014

Calmodulin regulation (calmodulation) of the family of voltage-gated CaV1-2 channels comprises a prominent prototype for ion channel regulation, remarkable for its powerful Ca2+ sensing capabilities, deep in elegant mechanistic lessons, and rich in biological and therapeutic implications. This field thereby resides squarely at the epicenter of Ca2+ signaling biology, ion channel biophysics, and therapeutic advance. This review summarizes the historical development of ideas in this field, the scope and richly patterned organization of Ca2+ feedback behaviors encompassed by this system, and the long-standing challenges and recent developments in discerning a molecular basis for calmodulation. We conclude by highlighting the considerable synergy between mechanism, biological insight, and promising therapeutics.
Full‐wavefield migration of vertical seismic profiling data: using all multiples to extend the illumination area
Authors: Soni A.K. , Verschuur D.J.
Published: May 2014

Vertical seismic profiling data can provide a high‐resolution reservoir image because the receivers are located close to the reservoir and, hence, the wavefield encounters less distortion in the overburden compared to surface seismic data. However, conventional migration of vertical seismic profiling data using only upgoing primary wavefields often suffers from poor illumination, imaging artefacts and low image reliability, especially at image locations away from the well. We propose full‐wavefield migration to image vertical seismic profiling data using the primaries and all orders of surface multiples and internal multiples. The downgoing internal or surface multiples are treated as an additional source of illumination. In full‐wavefield migration, we aim to estimate a high‐resolution reflectivity image of the subsurface with this extended illumination. The algorithm is recursive in depth like conventional wavefield extrapolation‐based migration, however, it incorporates the non‐linear transmission and scattering effects at each depth level. Further, full‐wavefield migration is posed as a constrained least‐squares inversion problem that could be solved using a conjugate gradient method. We propose an iterative full‐wavefield forward modelling engine as the backbone of this inversion scheme. The parameter used in the modelling is subsurface reflectivity. Full‐wavefield modelling iteratively incorporates the non‐linearity of the wavefield due to multiple scattering, where every iteration utilizes one higher order of scattered wavefields to estimate the subsurface reflectivity. In addition, the constrained inversion helps in reducing the extrapolation artefacts and provides a high‐resolution image of the reservoir. In this paper, we discuss the concept of full‐wavefield migration and demonstrate its potential as an imaging tool for vertical seismic profiling data using synthetic examples.
Vertical seismic optical profiling on wireline logging cable
Authors: Hartog Arthur , Frignet Bernard , Mackie Duncan , Clark Mike
Published: May 2014

Vertical seismic profiles are usually acquired by deploying downhole seismic sensors below a wireline logging cable. A seismic source is triggered at surface while recording the downhole vibration via the wireline cable. In this paper, an alternative approach based on distributed vibration measurement is tested using wireline deployment for the first time.

Local axial strain of a multi‐kilometre fibre optic line is measured at intervals of approximately 1 m and processed to a spatial resolution of 10 m with sub nanometer strain resolution by an optical interrogation device (distributed vibration/acoustic sensing). When deployed in a well, the optical fibre line should be mechanically coupled to the borehole wall to generate valid seismic records.

A conventional vertical seismic profile was acquired with three‐component sensors in a vertical well near Bottesford, UK. The impulsive seismic source was a novel portable airgun tank. Clear seismic reflections are observed within and below the borehole, in agreement with surface seismic data. A single shot generated equivalent data with an experimental optical wireline logging cable and an adequate optical interrogator at the surface. The main difference between the two records is the presence of a strong tube wave in the optical profile, which can be easily removed with conventional velocity filter processing. Corridor stacks from both conventional and optical profiles match each other and provide a reasonable tie to a nearby surface seismic line.
Language development of children born following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) combined with assisted oocyte activation (AOA)
Authors: D'haeseleer Evelien , Vanden Meerschaut Frauke , Bettens Kim , Luyten Anke , Gysels Hannelore , Thienpont Ylenia , De Witte Griet , Heindryckx Björn , Oostra Ann , Roeyers Herbert , Sutter Petra De , van Lierde Kristiane
Published: May 2014

Background

The effect of assisted reproduction technology (ART) on language development is still unclear. Moreover, different techniques are introduced at rapid pace and are not always accompanied by extensive follow‐up programmes.

Aims

To investigate the language development of 3–10‐year‐old children born following ART using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) combined with assisted oocyte activation (AOA), which is a highly specialized technique applied in cases with a history of fertilization failure following conventional ICSI. Secondly, a comparison is made between the language development of singletons and twins.

Methods & Procedures

Twenty children, six boys and 14 girls, born following ICSI combined with AOA and older than 3 years were included in the study. The mean age of the children was 5;4 years (range = 3;1–10;4 years; SD = 1;8 years). Expressive and receptive language development were assessed using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF‐IV‐NL) for children older than 5 years and the Reynell Developmental Language Scales (RTOS) for children younger than or equal to 5 years.

Outcomes & Results

The mean total score for language ability (in percentiles) was 56.8 (SD = 33.6), which corresponds to normal language skills. Significantly higher scores were found for AOA singletons compared with twins. For the general language, none of the children scored within the clinical zone for language disability corresponding with a percentile lower than 5.

Conclusion & Implications

This study presents the first data concerning language outcome in 3–10‐year‐old children born following AOA. General language scores of the AOA children in this study are located within the normal ranges. The language development of singletons was significantly better compared with twins. Although the results are reassuring for language development, in future long‐term follow‐up studies in this population are necessary.
Communicative strategies used by spouses of individuals with communication disorders related to stroke‐induced aphasia and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Carlsson Emilia , Hartelius Lena , Saldert Charlotta
Published: May 2014

Background

A communicative disability interferes with the affected person's ability to take active part in social interaction, but non‐disabled communication partners may use different strategies to support communication. However, it is not known whether similar strategies can be used to compensate for different types of communicative disabilities, nor what factors contribute to the development of a particular approach by communication partners.

Aims

To develop a set of categories to describe the strategies used by communication partners of adults who have problems expressing themselves due to neurogenic communicative disabilities. The reliability of assessment was a particular focus.

Methods & Procedures

The material explored consisted of 21 video‐recorded everyday conversations involving seven couples where one spouse had a communicative disability. Three of the dyads included a person with dysarthria and anomia related to later stages of Parkinson's disease, while four of them included a person with stroke‐induced aphasia involving anomia. First a qualitative interaction analysis was performed to explore the strategies used by the communication partners when their spouses had problems expressing themselves. The strategies were then categorized, the reliability of the categorizations was explored and the relative frequency of the various strategies was examined.

Outcomes & Results

The analysis of the conversational interactions resulted in a set of nine different strategies used by the communication partners without a communicative disability. Each of these categories belonged to one of three overall themes: No participation in repair; Request for clarification or modification; and Providing candidate solutions. The reliability of the categorization was satisfactory. There were no statistically significant differences between diagnoses in the frequency of use of strategies, but the spouses of the persons with Parkinson's disease tended to use open‐class initiations of repair more often than the spouses of the persons with aphasia.

Conclusions & Implications

The types of strategies used by spouses of persons with neurogenic communicative disabilities seem to be more strongly associated with individual characteristics of communicative ability than with the type of disorder involved. The set of categories developed in this study needs to be trialled on larger groups of participants, and modified if and as necessary, before it can be regarded as a valid system for the description of such strategies in general. Once this has been done it may become a useful instrument in the assessment of the strategies used by communication partners of individuals with communicative disabilities.
Professional breastfeeding support for first‐time mothers: a multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fu ICY , Fong DYT , Heys M , Lee ILY , Sham A , Tarrant M
Published: May 2014

Objective

To evaluate the effect of two postnatal professional support interventions on the duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding.

Design

Multicentre, three‐arm, cluster randomised controlled trial.

Population

A cohort of 722 primiparous breastfeeding mothers with uncomplicated, full‐term pregnancies.

Methods

The three study interventions were: (1) standard postnatal maternity care; (2) standard care plus three in‐hospital professional breastfeeding support sessions, of 30–45 minutes in duration; or (2) standard care plus weekly post‐discharge breastfeeding telephone support, of 20–30 minutes in duration, for 4 weeks. The interventions were delivered by four trained research nurses, who were either highly experienced registered midwives or certified lactation consultants.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of any and exclusive breastfeeding at 1, 2, and 3 months postpartum.

Results

Rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding were higher among participants in the two intervention groups at all follow‐up points, when compared with those who received standard care. Participants receiving telephone support were significantly more likely to continue any breastfeeding at 1 month (76.2 versus 67.3%; odds ratio, OR 1.63, 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.10–2.41) and at 2 months (58.6 versus 48.9%; OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.04–2.10), and to be exclusively breastfeeding at 1 month (28.4 versus 16.9%; OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.24–2.90). Participants in the in‐hospital support group were also more likely to be breastfeeding at all time points, but the effect was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Professional breastfeeding telephone support provided early in the postnatal period, and continued for the first month postpartum, improves breastfeeding duration among first‐time mothers. It is also possible that it was the continuing nature of the support that increased the effectiveness of the intervention, rather than the delivery of the support by telephone specifically.
Are Trade Size‐Based Inferences About Traders Reliable? Evidence from Institutional Earnings‐Related Trading
Authors: CREADY WILLIAM , KUMAS ABDULLAH , SUBASI MUSA
Published: May 2014

The use of observed transaction sizes to differentiate between “small” and “large” investor trading patterns is widespread. A significant concern in such studies is spurious effects attributable to misclassification of transactions, particularly those originating from large investors. Such effects can arise unintentionally, strategically, or endogenously. We examine comprehensive records of a sample of institutional investors (i.e., “large” traders), including their order sizes and overall position changes, to assess the degree to which such misclassifications give rise to spurious inferences about “small” and “large” investor trading activities. Our analysis shows that these institutions are heavily involved in small transaction activity. It also shows that they increase their order sizes substantially in announcement periods relative to nonannouncement periods, presumably as an endogenous response to earnings news. In the immediate earnings announcement period, transaction size‐based inferences about directional trading are quite misleading—producing spurious “small trader” effects and, more surprisingly, erroneous inferences about “large trader” activity.
Detoxification of insecticides, allechemicals and heavy metals by glutathione S‐transferase SlGSTE1 in the gut of Spodoptera litura
Authors: Xu Zhi‐Bin , Zou Xiao‐Peng , Zhang Ni , Feng Qi‐Li , Zheng Si‐Chun
Published: May 2014

Insect glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) play important roles in detoxifying toxic compounds and eliminating oxidative stress caused by these compounds. In this study, detoxification activity of the epsilon GST SlGSTE1 in Spodoptera litura was analyzed for several insecticides and heavy metals. SlGSTE1 was significantly up‐regulated by chlorpyrifos and xanthotoxin in the midgut of S. litura. The recombinant SlGSTE1 had Vmax (reaction rate of the enzyme saturated with the substrate) and Km (michaelis constant and equals to the substrate concentration at half of the maximum reaction rate of the enzyme) values of 27.95 ± 0.88 μmol/min/mg and 0.87 ± 0.028 mmol/L for glutathione, respectively, and Vmax and Km values of 22.96 ± 0.78 μmol/min/mg and 0.83 ± 0.106 mmol/L for 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene, respectively. In vitro enzyme indirect activity assay showed that the recombinant SlGSTE1 possessed high binding activities to the insecticides chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, malathion, phoxim and dichloro‐diphenyl‐trichloroethane (DDT). SlGSTE1 showed higher binding activity to toxic heavy metals cadmium, chromium and lead than copper and zinc that are required for insect normal growth. Western blot analysis showed that SlGSTE1 was induced in the gut of larvae fed with chlorpyrifos or cadmium. SlGSTE1 also showed high peroxidase activity. All the results together indicate that SlGSTE1 may play an important role in the gut of S. litura to protect the insect from the toxic effects of these compounds and heavy metals.
EXPLAINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INCARCERATION AND DIVORCE
Authors: SIENNICK SONJA E. , STEWART ERIC A. , STAFF JEREMY
Published: May 2014

Recent studies have suggested that incarceration dramatically increases the odds of divorce, but we know little about the mechanisms that explain the association. This study uses prospective longitudinal data from a subset of married young adults in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 1,919) to examine whether incarceration is associated with divorce indirectly via low marital love, economic strain, relationship violence, and extramarital sex. The findings confirmed that incarcerations occurring during, but not before, a marriage were associated with an increased hazard of divorce. Incarcerations occurring during marriage also were associated with less marital love, more relationship violence, more economic strain, and greater odds of extramarital sex. Above‐average levels of economic strain were visible among respondents observed preincarceration, but only respondents observed postincarceration showed less marital love, more relationship violence, and higher odds of extramarital sex than did respondents who were not incarcerated during marriage. These relationship problems explained approximately 40 percent of the association between incarceration and marital dissolution. These findings are consistent with theoretical predictions that a spouse's incarceration alters the rewards and costs of the marriage and the relative attractiveness of alternative partners.
Value of ultrasonography for diagnosis of synovitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Xiao Hua , Liu Minghui , Tan Lihua , Liao Xiangping , Li Yajun , Gao Jiesheng , Li Fen , Xie Xi , Peng Qinghai , Mao Ni , Tian Jing , Du Jinfeng , Chen Jinwei
Published: May 2014

Aim

To investigate the value of ultrasonography (US) for diagnosing synovitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method

Bilateral metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) II–V and wrist joints of 46 RA patients and 35 healthy controls were evaluated by quantitative and semiquantitative US. Wrists on more severely affected sides of 20 of the 46 patients also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI and US results were compared. The US cutoff to distinguish pathology was calculated. The two US methods were compared and the correlation between quantitative methods and clinical serologic markers was analyzed.

Results

The imaging techniques (US and MRI) for detecting synovitis produced consistent results (γ = 0.70–0.77, P < 0.001). When the cutoffs for the MCP and PIP joints were 2.5 and 2.6 mm, respectively; the sensitivities/specificities were 82.8%/85.8% and 98.2%/84.8%, respectively. When the cutoff for the wrist was 5.2 mm, the sensitivity/specificity was 93.4%/93.4%. The average synovial membrane thickness was positively related to biochemical markers erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‐reactive protein, anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, and Disease Activity Index of 28 joints (γ = 0.307–0.614; P = 0.020, 0.038, 0.01, < 0.001, respectively) but was poorly related to rheumatoid factor immunoglobulin A (RF‐IgA), RF‐IgM, and RF‐IgG (γ = 0.06–0.115; P = 0.45, 0.45, 0.62, respectively).

Conclusions

US is a valid method for diagnosing early‐stage synovitis, with high‐accuracy cutoffs for MCP, PIP and wrist joints set at 2.5, 2.6 and 5.2 mm. The mean synovial thicknesses of the bilateral wrist, MCP II–IV and PIP II–IV joints can be used to assess disease activity.
Antisperm Antibodies: Invaluable Tools Toward the Identification of Sperm Proteins Involved in Fertilization
Authors: Vazquez‐Levin Mónica H. , Marín‐Briggiler Clara I. , Veaute Carolina
Published: May 2014

The identification of sperm proteins involved in fertilization has been the subject of numerous investigations. Much interest has been dedicated to naturally occurring antisperm antibodies (ASA) and their impact in fertility. Their presence in men and women has been associated with 2–50% of infertility cases. ASA may impair pre‐ and post‐fertilization steps. Experimental models have been developed using sperm proteins as immunogens to evaluate their involvement in sperm function. Our team has pursued investigations to assess ASA presence in biological fluids from patients consulting for infertility and their effect on fertilization. We found ASA in follicular fluids with ability of inducing the acrosome reaction and blocking sperm–zona pellucida interaction and used them to identify sperm entities involved in these events. We generated and utilized antibodies against proacrosin/acrosin to characterize the sperm protease system. We implemented an ELISA to detect proacrosin/acrosin antibodies in human sera and evaluated their impact upon fertility by developing in vitro assays and a gene immunization model. This review presents a summary of ASA history, etiology, current approaches for detection and effects upon fertility. ASA (naturally occurring, generated by animal immunization and/or of commercial origin) are invaluable tools to understand the molecular basis of fertilization, better diagnose/treat immunoinfertility and develop immunocontraceptive methods.
Linguistic Anthropology in 2013: Super‐New‐Big
Authors: Reyes Angela
Published: May 2014

In this essay, I discuss how linguistic anthropological scholarship in 2013 has been increasingly confronted by the concepts of “superdiversity,” “new media,” and “big data.” As the “super‐new‐big” purports to identify a contemporary moment in which we are witnessing unprecedented change, I interrogate the degree to which these concepts rely on assumptions about “reality” as natural state versus ideological production. I consider how the super‐new‐big invites us to scrutinize various reconceptualizations of diversity (is it super?), media (is it new?), and data (is it big?), leaving us to inevitably contemplate each concept's implicitly invoked opposite: “regular diversity,” “old media,” and “small data.” In the section on “diversity,” I explore linguistic anthropological scholarship that examines how notions of difference continue to be entangled in projects of the nation‐state, the market economy, and social inequality. In the sections on “media” and “data,” I consider how questions about what constitutes linguistic anthropological data and methodology are being raised and addressed by research that analyzes new and old technologies, ethnographic material, semiotic forms, scale, and ontology. I conclude by questioning the extent to which it is the super‐new‐big itself or the contemplation about the super‐new‐big that produces perceived change in the world.