bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex‐specific plasticity and genotype × sex interactions for age and size of maturity in the sheepshead swordtail, Xiphophorus birchmanni
Authors: Boulton K. , Rosenthal G. G. , Grimmer A. J. , Walling C. A. , Wilson A. J.
Published: December 2015

Responses to sexually antagonistic selection are thought to be constrained by the shared genetic architecture of homologous male and female traits. Accordingly, adaptive sexual dimorphism depends on mechanisms such as genotype‐by‐sex interaction (G×S) and sex‐specific plasticity to alleviate this constraint. We tested these mechanisms in a population of Xiphophorus birchmanni (sheepshead swordtail), where the intensity of male competition is expected to mediate intersexual conflict over age and size at maturity. Combining quantitative genetics with density manipulations and analysis of sex ratio variation, we confirm that maturation traits are dimorphic and heritable, but also subject to large G×S. Although cross‐sex genetic correlations are close to zero, suggesting sex‐linked genes with important effects on growth and maturation are likely segregating in this population, we found less evidence of sex‐specific adaptive plasticity. At high density, there was a weak trend towards later and smaller maturation in both sexes. Effects of sex ratio were stronger and putatively adaptive in males but not in females. Males delay maturation in the presence of mature rivals, resulting in larger adult size with subsequent benefit to competitive ability. However, females also delay maturation in male‐biased groups, incurring a loss of reproductive lifespan without apparent benefit. Thus, in highly competitive environments, female fitness may be limited by the lack of sex‐specific plasticity. More generally, assuming that selection does act antagonistically on male and female maturation traits in the wild, our results demonstrate that genetic architecture of homologous traits can ease a major constraint on the evolution of adaptive dimorphism.
Location, Proximity, and M&A Transactions
Authors: CAI YE , TIAN XUAN , XIA HAN
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we examine how the geographic location of firms affects acquisition decisions and value creation for acquirers in takeover transactions. We find that firms located in an urban area are more likely to receive a takeover bid and complete a takeover transaction as a target than firms located in rural areas, and takeover deals involving an urban target are associated with higher acquirer announcement returns, after controlling for the proximity between the target and the acquirer. In addition, a target's urban location significantly attenuates the negative effect of a long distance between the target and the acquirer on acquirer returns, a fact that is documented in the existing literature. Our findings reveal a previously underexplored force—firm location—that can affect takeover transactions, in addition to proximity. Our paper suggests that a firm's location plays an important role in facilitating the dissemination of soft information and enhancing information‐based synergies.
Central Auditory Processing Disorder: a systematic search and evaluation of clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Heine Chyrisse , O'Halloran Robyn
Published: December 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

An increased interest in Central Auditory Processing Disorder has seen the publication of several guidelines to help inform clinical practice. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic search and critically evaluate published guidelines to inform the ongoing development of evidence‐based practice in this area.

Method

A systematic search of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines. Nominated guidelines were then critiqued using the Appraisal of Guidelines and Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool.

Results

Five clinical practice guidelines in the area of Central Auditory Processing Disorder were identified. The British Society of Audiology guideline achieved the highest rating for scope and purpose, rigour of development and applicability and overall score.

Conclusions

The AGREE II tool is an effective way to critically evaluate the quality of methodological reporting of clinical practice guidelines in the area of Central Auditory Processing Disorder and provides direction for the ongoing development of these guidelines in the future.
Field and laboratory transmission studies of haemic neoplasia in the soft‐shell clam, Mya arenaria, from Atlantic Canada
Authors: Mateo D R , MacCallum G S , Davidson J
Published: December 2015

A two‐year laboratory and field study was initiated in 2001 in response to mass mortalities associated with haemic neoplasia (HN) in 1999 in Prince Edward Island (PEI) soft‐shell clams, Mya arenaria. A laboratory proximity experiment (cohabitation) and an inoculation challenge were conducted with clams and mussels (Mytilus edulis). Three field exposure experiments were also conducted, in which naive clams were held in sediment (in trays) or out of sediment (in mesh bags) at three high HN prevalence sites on PEI. There was a conversion to HN positive in clams in the proximity experiment and in clams injected with whole blood and cell‐free homogenate, but not at statistically significant levels. No mussels or control clams became HN positive. There was a significant conversion to HN positive in as little as 24 and 58 days after transfer with clams held out of sediment and in sediment, respectively. The laboratory and field experiments’ results suggest that HN‐infected clams are spreading the disease through water from infected clams to naïve individuals and via transplantation from affected to unaffected sites. Some environmental conditions (e.g. abnormally high water temperature and hypoxia‐induced sea lettuce [Ulva lacteus] invasion) may make clams susceptible to infections or exacerbate the proliferation of HN.
Global Water Scarcity in Relation to the International Energy Trade of Thailand
Authors: Okadera Tomohiro , Chaowiwat Winai , Boonya‐aroonnet Surajate , Tipayarom Danutawat , Yoochatchaval Wilasinee
Published: December 2015

It is predicted that energy requirements in developing countries will increase global water consumption as a result of implementation of new power generation systems, and to population growth of the middle classes. Thus, it is anticipated that increased regional energy consumption will likely increase global water scarcity as a result of the consequent international energy trade. The degree of impact, however, depends on the degree of water scarcity in the energy‐export regions. Therefore, the impact on global water scarcity by the international energy trade of Thailand was evaluated, using virtual water flow, and considering water scarcity. First, the amount of natural gas, crude oil, coal, and electricity imported and exported by each country was determined from energy and trading statistics. Concurrently, a database of water withdrawn per unit of energy production was built using commodity and water scarcity indices by country. Next, standard, scarcity‐weighted, and region‐based scarcity‐weighted virtual water flows were calculated using a bottom‐up approach. From this, the net virtual water import (NVWI) was determined to be 1,267 to 7,353 million cubic meters (m3), whereas the stress‐weighted and region‐based stress‐weighted NVWIs were determined to be from −2 to 1,820, and −4 to 3,696 million m3, respectively, over the past 20 years. It was found that, although the amount of virtual water import for the power generation was significant, imported crude oil was the greatest contributor to global water scarcity. Finally, the implications of these results for policy to prevent global water scarcity are considered, with discussion of the usability and uncertainty, of the water scarcity index.
Renal evaluation with B‐mode and Doppler ultrasound in captive tufted capuchins (Sapajus apella)
Authors: Carandina da Silva Luciana , Machado Vânia Maria de Vasconcelos , Teixeira Carlos Roberto , dos Santos Roberta Valeriano , Dias Neto Ramiro das Neves , Melchert Alessandra , Rahal Sheila Canevese
Published: December 2015

Background

This study aimed to evaluate, by B‐mode ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound, the kidneys of one Neotropical primate maintained in captivity.

Methods

Ten adult intact tufted capuchins (Sapajus apella) were evaluated. The morphometric parameters of both kidneys were evaluated and kidney volumes calculated. Color Doppler was used to evaluate renal vascular architecture and to identify arteries of the left kidney. Spectral Doppler was used to measure peak‐systolic velocity, end‐diastolic velocity, and resistive index (RI).

Results

Both kidneys presented homogeneous cortical echogenicity and homogeneous echotexture with preserved corticomedullary differentiation. There was no statistically significant difference between right and left kidneys for all morphometric parameters. RI of the left renal, interlobar, and arcuate arteries were, respectively, 0.75 (SD, 0.07), 0.70 (SD, 0.08), and 0.70 (SD, 0.06).

Conclusions

Both kidneys showed similar morphometric parameters by B‐mode ultrasound, whereas RI by spectral Doppler decreased progressively from renal artery to interlobar and arcuate arteries.
Indirect Incentives of Hedge Fund Managers
Authors: LIM JONGHA , SENSOY BERK A. , WEISBACH MICHAEL S.
Published: December 2015

Indirect incentives exist in the money management industry when good current performance increases future inflows of capital, leading to higher future fees. For the average hedge fund, indirect incentives are at least 1.4 times as large as direct incentives from incentive fees and managers’ personal stakes in the fund. Combining direct and indirect incentives, manager wealth increases by at least $0.39 for a $1 increase in investor wealth. Younger and more scalable hedge funds have stronger flow‐performance relations, leading to stronger indirect incentives. These results have a number of implications for our understanding of incentives in the asset management industry.
Simulation of dental collisions and occlusal dynamics in the virtual environment
Authors: Stavness I. K. , Hannam A. G. , Tobias D. L. , Zhang X.
Published: December 2015

Semi‐adjustable articulators have often been used to simulate occlusal dynamics, but advances in intra‐oral scanning and computer software now enable dynamics to be modelled mathematically. Computer simulation of occlusal dynamics requires accurate virtual casts, records to register them and methods to handle mesh collisions during movement. Here, physical casts in a semi‐adjustable articulator were scanned with a conventional clinical intra‐oral scanner. A coordinate measuring machine was used to index their positions in intercuspation, protrusion, right and left laterotrusion, and to model features of the articulator. Penetrations between the indexed meshes were identified and resolved using restitution forces, and the final registrations were verified by distance measurements between dental landmarks at multiple sites. These sites were confirmed as closely approximating via measure‐ments made from homologous transilluminated vinylpolysiloxane interocclusal impressions in the mounted casts. Movements between the indexed positions were simulated with two models in a custom biomechanical software platform. In model DENTAL, 6 degree‐of‐freedom movements were made to minimise deviation from a straight line path and also shaped by dynamic mesh collisions detected and resolved mathematically. In model ARTIC, the paths were further constrained by surfaces matching the control settings of the articulator. Despite these differences, the lower mid‐incisor point paths were very similar in both models. The study suggests that mathematical simulation utilising interocclusal ‘bite’ registrations can closely replicate the primary movements of casts mounted in a semi‐adjustable articulator. Additional indexing positions and appropriate software could, in some situations, replace the need for mechanical semi‐adjustable articulation and/or its virtual representation.
Capturing the DSM‐5 Alternative Personality Disorder Model Traits in the Five‐Factor Model's Nomological Net
Authors: Suzuki Takakuni , Griffin Sarah A. , Samuel Douglas B.
Published: December 2015

Several studies have shown structural and statistical similarities between the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM‐5) alternative personality disorder model and the Five‐Factor Model (FFM). However, no study to date has evaluated the nomological network similarities between the two models. The relations of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI‐R) and the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 (PID‐5) with relevant criterion variables were examined in a sample of 336 undergraduate students (Mage = 19.4; 59.8% female). The resulting profiles for each instrument were statistically compared for similarity. Four of the five domains of the two models have highly similar nomological networks, with the exception being FFM Openness to Experience and PID‐5 Psychoticism. Further probing of that pair suggested that the NEO PI‐R domain scores obscured meaningful similarity between PID‐5 Psychoticism and specific aspects and lower‐order facets of Openness. The results support the notion that the DSM‐5 alternative personality disorder model trait domains represent variants of the FFM domains. Similarities of Openness and Psychoticism domains were supported when the lower‐order aspects and facets of Openness domain were considered. The findings support the view that the DSM‐5 trait model represents an instantiation of the FFM.
Inter‐ and intraobserver agreement in interpretation of CT features of medial coronoid process disease
Authors: Shimizu N. , Warren‐Smith C. M. , Langley‐Hobbs S. J. , Burton N. J. , Kulendra E. , Bradley K. , Bowen E. , Holdsworth A. , Parsons K. J.
Published: December 2015

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate inter‐ and intraobserver reliability of the assessment of computed tomography features commonly used in the identification and classification of medial coronoid process disease and to assess inter‐ and intraobserver variability in the identification of the percentage ulna sclerosis from single transverse computed tomography images.

METHODS

Eight observers, on two occasions, reviewed 84 standardised single transverse computed tomography images acquired at the level of the apex of the medial coronoid process. Observers assessed: medial coronoid process disease, coronoid process fragmentation, osteophytes, sclerosis grade and sclerosis delineation with normal bone defined using a sclerometer. Cohen's kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated.

RESULTS

Inter‐observer agreement was fair to moderate for identification of computed tomography changes consistent with medial coronoid process disease, moderate to almost perfect for fragmentation, and moderate for osteophyte detection. Agreement was poor for sclerosis grading. Percentage sclerosis measured with a sclerometer had moderate to almost perfect inter‐ and intraobserver agreement.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

These findings suggest that subjective assessment of computed tomography images is less repeatable than more quantitative methods.
Our time is now – how companion animal veterinarians can transform biomedical science
Authors: Mellanby R. J.
Published: December 2015

Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in the “One Health” agenda, defined by the One Health Initiative to be “a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment.” The concept has spawned numerous conferences, under‐ and post‐graduate courses and has been the topic of dozens of articles that have discussed how medical doctors, scientists and veterinarians can work together to improve the health of both animals and humans. Although there is widespread agreement about the potential benefits of medical doctors and veterinarians working more closely together, this is far from routine practice for most companion animal veterinarians. This article reflects on why the topic of “One Health” is attracting such interest at the moment and discusses some of the reasons why the “One Health” agenda offers companion animal veterinarians a chance to be centre stage in the global drive to improve the health of both animals and humans.
Active and Passive Components of Pelvic Floor Muscle Tone in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Perspective Based on a Review of the Literature
Authors: Thibault-Gagnon Stéphanie , Morin Mélanie
Published: December 2015

Aim

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunctions, especially elevated tone or tension, are suggested to play an important role in the pathophysiology of provoked vestibulodynia (PVD). However, the involvement of the PFMs remains misunderstood as the assessment of muscle tone is complex and requires a thorough understanding of muscle physiology in relation to the characteristics and limitations of current PFM assessment tools. The aim of this review was to describe the structures and mechanisms involved in muscle tone in normally innervated muscle, and to discuss and relate these concepts to the PFM findings in women with PVD.

Methods

A narrative overview of the literature retrieved from searches of electronic databases and hand searches.

Results

Muscle tone in a normally innervated muscle comprises both active (contractile) and passive (viscoelastic) components. Current methods for evaluating PFM tone such as digital palpation, ultrasound imaging, pressure perineometry, dynamometry, and electromyography may evaluate different components. Research findings suggestive of PFM hypertonicity in women with PVD include elevated general PFM tone, changes in viscoelastic properties, and at least in some women, abnormal increases in electrogenic activity.

Conclusion

There is a growing body of evidence to support the involvement of PFM hypertonicity in the pathophysiology of PVD. Limitations of the instruments as well as their properties should be considered when evaluating PFM tone in order to obtain better insight into which component of PFM tone is assessed. Future research is required for further investigating the underlying mechanisms of PFM hypertonicity, and studying the specific effects of physiotherapeutic interventions on PFM tone in women with PVD.
Protecting Trade Secrets in India
Authors: Kumar Abhijeet , Mishra Adrija
Published: December 2015

Trade secret is the need of today's globalised economy. At times developers/inventors does not want to get the product/process patented, because of primary requirement of complete disclosure. Trade Secret is a one step solution to all such issues. Unfortunately, the concept of providing protection as trade secret has seen development in strong economies only. Through this paper authors would like to explain the reason why a trade secret should be made a part of IP regime. Intellectual Property is that branch of law jurisprudence regarding which is still in its developing stage in India. Time and again, Indian judiciary, by looking out to various foreign legislations and judgments, has tried to fill in that gap. The article will cite examples from the cases as they have been decided by the Indian Courts, while relying on the development of law by courts in European Union or in USA. One bold step was taken by the parliament in this regard, that is, National Innovation Bill 2008, but Bill lapsed without being tabled only, forcing the protection of trade secrets by other available legislations only. The paper also tries to provide some suggestions to remove the ambiguity and make a way ahead in this regard.
Fuzzy Cellular Automata Model for Signalized Intersections
Authors: Chai Chen , Wong Yiik Diew
Published: December 2015

At signalized intersections, the decision‐making process of each individual driver is a very complex process that involves many factors. In this article, a fuzzy cellular automata (FCA) model, which incorporates traditional cellular automata (CA) and fuzzy logic (FL), is developed to simulate the decision‐making process and estimate the effect of driving behavior on traffic performance. Different from existing models and applications, the proposed FCA model utilizes fuzzy interface systems (FISs) and membership functions to simulate the cognition system of individual drivers. Four FISs are defined for each decision‐making process: car‐following, lane‐changing, amber‐running, and right‐turn filtering. A field observation study is conducted to calibrate membership functions of input factors, model parameters, and to validate the proposed FCA model. Simulation experiments of a two‐lane system show that the proposed FCA model is able to replicate decision‐making processes and estimate the effect on overall traffic performance.
A novel Zn2Cys6 transcription factor BcGaaR regulates D‐galacturonic acid utilization in Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Zhang Lisha , Lubbers Ronnie J.M. , Simon Adeline , Stassen Joost H.M. , Vargas Ribera Pablo R. , Viaud Muriel , van Kan Jan A.L.
Published: December 2015

D‐galacturonic acid (GalA) is the most abundant monosaccharide component of pectin. Previous transcriptome analysis in the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea identified eight GalA‐inducible genes involved in pectin decomposition, GalA transport and utilization. Co‐expression of these genes indicates that a specific regulatory mechanism occurs in B. cinerea. In this study, promoter regions of these genes were analysed and eight conserved sequence motifs identified. The Bclga1 promoter, containing all these motifs, was functionally analysed and the motif designated GalA Responsive Element (GARE) was identified as the crucial cis‐regulatory element in regulation of GalA utilization in B. cinerea. Yeast one‐hybrid screening with the GARE motif led to identification of a novel Zn2Cys6 transcription factor (TF), designated BcGaaR. Targeted knockout analysis revealed that BcGaaR is required for induction of GalA‐inducible genes and growth of B. cinerea on GalA. A BcGaaR‐GFP fusion protein was predominantly localized in nuclei in mycelium grown in GalA. Fluorescence in nuclei was much stronger in mycelium grown in GalA, as compared to fructose and glucose. This study provides the first report of a GalA‐specific TF in filamentous fungi. Orthologs of BcGaaR are present in other ascomycete fungi that are able to utilize GalA, including Aspergillus spp., Trichoderma reesei and Neurospora crassa.
Classroom Versus Societal Willingness to Communicate: Investigating French as a Second Language in Flanders
Authors: DENIES KATRIJN , YASHIMA TOMOKO , JANSSEN RIANNE
Published: December 2015

This study investigates willingness to communicate (WTC) and its determinants through structural equation modelling (SEM). Building on models by MacIntyre and Charos (1996) and Yashima (2002), it addresses 3 apparent gaps in the current knowledge base: It is the first SEM‐based WTC study in a Western European context, investigating French as a second language in a representative sample of over 1,000 grade 12 students in Flanders, the Dutch‐speaking part of Belgium; it is among the few studies that compare classroom WTC with WTC outside the classroom; and it investigates the underexplored relationship between WTC and language proficiency through extensive standardized listening tests. Among the study's findings are that classroom WTC is a strong predictor of WTC outside the classroom; however, in naturalistic settings the role of integrativeness decreases while anxiety levels play a larger role. The study provides new support for several existing suggestions for L2 pedagogy.
Host preferences in host‐seeking and blood‐fed mosquitoes in Switzerland
Authors: SCHÖNENBERGER A. C. , WAGNER S. , TUTEN H. C. , SCHAFFNER F. , TORGERSON P. , FURRER S. , MATHIS A. , SILAGHI C.
Published: December 2015

The avian zoonotic agent for West Nile virus (WNV) can cause neuroinvasive disease in horses and humans and is expanding its range in Europe. Analyses of the risk for transmission to these hosts in non‐endemic areas are necessary. Host preferences of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), the main vectors of WNV, were determined in Switzerland using animal‐baited trap (horse, chickens) experiments at a natural and a periurban site. This was undertaken on four occasions during May–September 2014. In addition, the hosts of 505 blood‐fed mosquitoes collected in a zoo and in the field were determined. Mosquito data obtained in the animal bait experiments were corrected for host weight and body surface area and by Kleiber's scaling factor. Collections of 11–14 different mosquito species were achieved with these approaches. Statistically significant host preferences were identified in three species in both approaches. The other species showed opportunistic feeding behaviours to varying extents. Specifically, the invasive species Hulecoeteomyia japonica (= Aedes japonicus) was identified for the first time as feeding on avians in nature. Abundance data, spatiotemporal activity and laboratory vector competence for WNV suggested that, in addition to the main WNV vector Culex pipiens, H. japonica and Aedimorphus vexans (= Aedes vexans) are the most likely candidate bridge vectors for WNV transmission in Switzerland.
Isogenic enteric neural progenitor cells can replace missing neurons and glia in mice with Hirschsprung disease
Authors: Hotta R. , Cheng L. S. , Graham H. K. , Pan W. , Nagy N. , Belkind‐Gerson J. , Goldstein A. M.
Published: December 2015

Background

Transplanting autologous patient‐derived enteric neuronal stem/progenitor cells (ENSCs) is an innovative approach to replacing missing enteric neurons in patients with Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Using autologous cells eliminates immunologic and ethical concerns raised by other cell sources. However, whether postnatal aganglionic bowel is permissive for transplanted ENSCs and whether ENSCs from HSCR patients can be successfully isolated, cultured, and transplanted in vivo remains unknown.

Methods

ENSCs isolated from the ganglionic intestine of Ednrb−/− mice (HSCR‐ENSCs) were characterized immunohistochemically and evaluated for their capacity to proliferate and differentiate in vitro. Fluorescently labeled ENSCs were co‐cultured ex vivo with aganglionic Ednrb−/− colon. For in vivo transplantation, HSCR‐ENSCs were labeled with lentivirus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and implanted into aganglionic embryonic chick gut in ovo and postnatal aganglionic Ednrb−/− rectum in vivo.

Key Results

HSCR‐ENSCs maintain normal capacity self‐renewal and neuronal differentiation. Moreover, the Ednrb−/− aganglionic environment is permissive to engraftment by wild‐type ENSCs ex vivo and supports migratrion and neuroglial differentiation of these cells following transplantation in vivo. Lentiviral GFP‐labeled HSCR‐ENSCs populated embryonic chick hindgut and postnatal colon of Ednrb−/− HSCR, with cells populating the intermuscular layer and forming enteric neurons and glia.

Conclusions & Inferences

ENSCs can be isolated and cultured from mice with HSCR, and transplanted into the aganglionic bowel of HSCR littermates to generate enteric neuronal networks. These results in an isogenic model establish the potential of using autologous‐derived stem cells to treat HSCR and other intestinal neuropathies.
Uncertain for a century: quantum mechanics and the dilemma of interpretation
Authors: Frank Adam
Published: December 2015

Quantum mechanics, the physical theory describing the microworld, is one of science's greatest triumphs. Remarkably, however, after more than 100 years it is still unclear what quantum mechanics means in terms of basic philosophical questions about the nature of reality. While there are many interpretations of the mathematical machinery of quantum physics, there remain no experimental means to distinguish between most of them. In this contribution, I wish to consider the ways in which the enduring lack of an agreed‐upon interpretation of quantum physics influences a number of critical philosophical debates about physics and reality. I briefly review two problems affected by quantum interpretations: the meaning of the term universe and the nature of consciousness.
The Porphyromonas gingivalis hemagglutinins HagB and HagC are major mediators of adhesion and biofilm formation
Authors: Connolly E. , Millhouse E. , Doyle R. , Culshaw S. , Ramage G. , Moran G.P.
Published: December 2015

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a bacterium associated with chronic periodontitis that possesses a family of genes encoding hemagglutinins required for heme acquisition. In this study we generated ΔhagB and ΔhagC mutants in strain W83 and demonstrate that both hagB and hagC are required for adherence to oral epithelial cells. Unexpectedly, a double ΔhagB/ΔhagC mutant had less severe adherence defects than either of the single mutants, but was found to exhibit increased expression of the gingipain‐encoding genes rgpA and kgp, suggesting that a ΔhagB/ΔhagC mutant is only viable in populations of cells that exhibit increased expression of genes involved in heme acquisition. Disruption of hagB in the fimbriated strain ATCC33277 demonstrated that HagB is also required for stable attachment of fimbriated bacteria to oral epithelial cells. Mutants of hagC were also found to form defective single and multi‐species biofilms that had reduced biomass relative to biofilms formed by the wild‐type strain. This study highlights the hitherto unappreciated importance of these genes in oral colonization and biofilm formation.
Lay definitions of family and social capital in later life
Authors: GIRARDIN MYRIAM , WIDMER ERIC D.
Published: December 2015

This study explores the lay definitions of family in old age and their consequences for social capital in using an egocentric network approach. Data were derived from a subsample of 578 elders (aged 65 and older) from the Vivre/Leben/Vivere (VLV) study, a large survey addressing family life and health conditions of older people in Switzerland. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to create a typology of family networks based on family members who were cited as significant. We identified six family networks: Conjugal, Son, Daughter, Sibling, Kinship, and Sparse. These feature bonding and bridging social capital unequally. Therefore, one should take into account the lay definitions of family to better understand social capital within families in later life.
Implications of Using a Fetuses‐at‐Risk Approach When Fetuses Are Not at Risk
Authors: Basso Olga
Published: December 2015

Background

Gestational‐age‐specific rates of postnatal endpoints are sometimes estimated with denominators based on fetuses‐at‐risk (FAR), rather than live births. However, as infants can only be included in the numerator after they are born alive, interpretation of such rates is problematic.

Methods

Using simple algebra it can be shown that, at each gestational week, FAR rates of postnatal endpoints are the product of the conventional risk of outcome among live births and the probability of live birth, which increases from near zero early in gestation to close to one in the final weeks. The consequences of such a pattern of live birth on FAR rates are further illustrated in hypothetical scenarios with known conditions.

Results

FAR rates of postnatal endpoints will generally increase towards the end of pregnancy due to the rising probability of live birth, regardless of the ‘true’ effect of immaturity on risk. In the presence of an exposure that increases the probability of early birth, the same mechanism will cause FAR rates to be higher in the exposed group, even if the exposure has no effect.

Conclusions

Gestational‐age‐specific FAR rates of postnatal outcomes strongly depend on the probability of live birth. Thus, they reflect neither the causal effect of gestational length, nor that of a given exposure. Indeed, if an exposure shortens gestation, FAR rates will be higher in exposed infants even when the exposure has no impact on the outcome under study. These intrinsic limitations should be taken into account when applying FAR analyses to postnatal endpoints.
Immigrant Inclusion in the Safety Net: A Framework for Analysis and Effects on Educational Attainment
Authors: Condon Meghan , Filindra Alexandra , Wichowsky Amber
Published: December 2015

Across states, there is substantial variation in the degree to which immigrants and their children are offered public assistance. We present a theoretical framework for analyzing the effects of policy decisions about immigrant inclusion. We apply the framework to investigate the effect of the state safety net on educational attainment. We focus on the years following welfare reform in 1996, when states gained considerable autonomy over welfare policy, including decisions about the eligibility of immigrant residents. Leveraging state‐level data from before and after reform, we estimate a difference‐in‐difference model to identify the effect of variation in immigrant inclusivity on educational attainment. We find that when states broaden the inclusivity of the social safety net to immigrants, young Latinos are more likely to graduate from high school. This effect is present beyond the group of Latino residents who receive additional benefits, suggesting that policy decisions about immigrants spill over to broader communities and communicate broader messages about social inclusion to racial and ethnic groups. We find similar patterns among Asian youth, but not among black and non‐Hispanic white youth. We conclude that immigrant inclusion has consequences for the life prospects of the growing population of youth in high‐immigrant ethnic groups.
Numerical Quadrature over the Surface of a Sphere
Authors: Reeger Jonah A. , Fornberg Bengt
Published: December 2015

Large‐scale simulations in spherical geometries require associated quadrature formulas. Classical approaches based on tabulated weights are limited to specific quasi‐uniform distributions of relatively low numbers of nodes. By using a radial basis function‐generated finite differences (RBF‐FD)‐based approach, the proposed algorithm creates quadrature weights forNarbitrarily scattered nodes in onlyoperations.
Head injury trends and helmet use in skiers and snowboarders in Western Canada, 2008–2009 to 2012–2013: an ecological study
Authors: Dickson T. J. , Trathen S. , Terwiel F. A. , Waddington G. , Adams R.
Published: December 2015

This research explored associations between helmet use and head injuries in snowsports by investigating reported snowsport injuries in Western Canada from 2008–2009 to 2012–2013. The key finding was that increased helmet use (from 69% to 80%) was not associated with a reduction in reported head injuries. Over the study period, the average rate of reported head injuries was 0.2/1000 skier visits, with a statistically significant variation (P < 0.001). The line of best fit showed an non‐significant upward trend (P = 0.13). Lacerations were the only subcategory of head injuries that decreased significantly with helmet use. A higher proportion of people who reported a head injury were wearing a helmet than for injuries other than to the head. Skiers were more likely to report a head injury when wearing a helmet than snowboarders (P < 0.001 cf. P = 0.22). There were significant differences in characteristics of helmet and non‐helmet wearers. Helmet wearers were more likely to be: young adults (P < 0.001); beginner/novices (P = 0.004); and snowboarders (P < 0.001), but helmet wearing was not associated with gender (P = 0.191). Further research is needed to explore the possible reasons for the failure of helmets to reduce head injuries, for example, increased reporting of head injuries and increased risk‐taking combined with over‐rating of the helmets' protection.
Increased numbers of FoxP3‐expressing CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood from dogs with atopic dermatitis and its correlation with disease severity
Authors: Hauck Verena , Hügli Patrick , Meli Marina L. , Rostaher Ana , Fischer Nina , Hofmann‐Lehmann Regina , Favrot Claude
Published: December 2015

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease of humans and dogs. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential controllers of immune homeostasis and have been shown to play a key role in human AD, even though frequencies of Tregs in atopic human patients vary greatly. Only two studies have reported Treg numbers in the peripheral blood of dogs with canine AD (CAD).

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the numbers of circulating Tregs in healthy and atopic dogs, and to determine whether Treg numbers correlate with age, sex, disease severity or pre‐treatment.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs including 14 healthy dogs and 35 dogs with CAD.

Methods

Expression of Tregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. Tregs were phenotypically identified as T cells triple positive for CD4, CD25 and FoxP3.

Results

The percentage of circulating CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ Tregs in atopic dogs was increased significantly compared to healthy dogs (mean 2.1% versus 1%, P = 0.002) and correlated with disease severity (Pruritus Scale: r = 0.48, P = 0.003; CADESI‐04: r = 0.34, P = 0.044). No significant differences in age or sex were found in either group and pre‐treatment had no influence on results for atopic dogs.

Conclusions

Data suggest that, as in humans, CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ Tregs may contribute to the pathogenesis of CAD as indicated by an association between Treg frequency and disease severity. Further investigation is required to improve the understanding of the role of Tregs in atopic dogs.
International rare donor panels: a review
Authors: Nance S. , Scharberg E. A. , Thornton N. , Yahalom V. , Sareneva I. , Lomas‐Francis C.
Published: December 2015

International rare blood donor panels or registries are important in the consistent availability of rare blood for patients who need this scarce resource. In countries where it has been possible to commit resources to this effort and often where the need is great, donors have been entered into a registry. The ISBT leadership recognized the importance of this very challenging inventory management activity and created a Working Party to support it. Individual countries support the WHO International Rare Donor Panel by submitting their donors’ phenotype or genotype information to be catalogued into the database. It is extremely important that this database be cultivated and grown. The contributing countries keep their list updated and supply the blood product as they can when requested. It is known that some blood types are extremely scarce worldwide and requests for these are particularly difficult to fulfil. Thus, it is important to have a protocol to identify and recruit donors with rare blood types. It is equally or perhaps more important to ensure that the patients who need the rare blood are being managed appropriately in the presence and absence of rare blood products being available.
A comparison of wet and dry anaerobic digestion processes for the treatment of municipal solid waste and food waste
Authors: Angelonidi Eleni , Smith Stephen R.
Published: December 2015

A main distinction between anaerobic digestion (AD) technologies for treatment of municipal and industrial biodegradable wastes is the operating process solids content. Wet AD systems operate at low total solids (<10–20% TS) and dry systems have high operating solids (20–>40% TS). The performance of wet and dry AD systems was quantified in relation to: technical operation (footprint, capacity, feedstock characteristics, pretreatment and post‐treatment, retention time, water usage), energy balance (biogas productivity, parasitic energy, methane [CH4] content, utilization of biogas and produced energy), digestate management and economic performance (capital and operational costs, revenues, specific capital costs [per t of waste and per m3 biogas]). Wet AD plants had improved energy balance and economic performance compared to dry AD plants. However, dry AD plants offered several benefits, including greater flexibility in the type of feedstock accepted, shorter retention times, reduced water usage and more flexible management of, and opportunities for marketing, the end‐product.
MICROCONTROLLER-BASED FOR SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION TOOLS USING LEAST SQUARE METHOD FOR RC CIRCUITS
Authors: Jia Yi Ang , Abdul Majid M. S. , M. N. Azuwir , Yaacob S.
Published: December 2015

System identification is one of the method to construct a plant mathematical model from experimental data. This method has been widely applied in the automatic control, aviation, spaceflight medicine, society economics and other fields more. With the rapid growth of the science and technology, the system identification technique has increasingly grown in various applications. Since most of the system identification devices are off-line base, this means that the system identification can only be done after collecting the data and process through a computer devices. This paper will show how to process system identification method with real-time system. This method required a microcontroller as the medium to perform. That’s why the system identification method will be programmed into a microcontroller, based on Least Square Method. Later, the system will be tested on a RC circuit to see the effect of the signal and the mathematical model obtained. The data will undergo the system identification toolbox for process using ARX and ARMAX model. On the other hand, the data will also be collected using the microcontroller created for analysis purpose. To ensure the validity of the model some verification methods are performed. Results show that the Least Square Method using Microcontroller base has the capability to work as a system identification tools.
AN ACCELERATED PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZED BACK PROPAGATION ALGORITHM
Authors: Mohd. Nawi Nazri , Khan Abdullah , Rehman M. Z.
Published: December 2015

Recently, accelerated particle swarm optimization (APSO) derived from particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm’s principle is becoming a very popular method in solving many hard optimization problems particularly the inherent weight problem in back propagation (BP). Therefore, this paper proposed an accelerated particle swarm optimized back propagation neural network (APSO-BP) algorithm in order to overcome the problems faced in BP algorithm. By using APSO to optimize the weights at each iterations of BP algorithm, the proposed APSO-BP is able to increase the convergence speed and avoids local minima. The simulation results demonstrates that the proposed algorithm outperforms the traditional BP method and achieves the objectives of this research, which contributes to artificial intelligence field.
CLASSIFICATION OF HEARING PERCEPTION LEVEL USING AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS
Authors: M. P. Paulraj , Subramaniam Kamalraj , C. R. Hema
Published: December 2015

An auditory loss is one of the most common disabilities present in newborns and infants in India. A conventional hearing screening test’s applicability is limited as it requires a feedback response from the subject under test. To overcome such problems, the primary focus of this study is to develop an auditory loss assessment system using auditory evoked potential signals (AEP). The AEP responses of fourteen normal hearing subjects to auditory stimuli (20 dB, 30 dB, 40 dB, 50 dB and 60 dB) were derived from electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Box counting fractal method is applied to extract the fractal features from the recorded AEP signals. Feed forward and feedback neural networks are employed to distinguish the different hearing perception levels. The performance of the proposed auditory loss assessment system found to exceed 80% accuracy. This study indicates that AEP responses to the auditory stimuli to the normal hearing persons can clearly distinguish the higher order auditory stimuli followed by the lower order auditory stimuli and it can be used to estimate the level of hearing loss in the patient.
DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF USER ENGAGEMENT FOR MOBILE-BASED AUGMENTED REALITY GAMES
Authors: Permadi Dendi , Rafi Ahmad
Published: December 2015

This paper suggested a conceptual model of user engagement for mobile based augmented reality (AR) games. Literature revealed the importance of user engagement for defining a successful technology application such as game. However, user engagement in particular is still not clearly studied for the mobile augmented reality games area. This paper critically reviewed the relations of user engagement elements in the mobile augmented reality game and guidelines that related to engagement for such type of games. It then recommended eight attributes of user engagement conceptual model for mobile based augmented reality games that can be used by game designer to design engaging mobile AR games for the industry and future AR engagement research.
PERSUASIVE TECHNOLOGY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON THE ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN AWARENESS STUDY
Authors: Dolhalit Mohamad Lutfi , Abdul Salam Sobihatun Nur , Abdul Mutalib Ariffin
Published: December 2015

This paper reviews an empirical research of persuasive technology (PT) with the aim are to: (i) examine the result of the 25 persuasive technology studies related to awareness as the intended outcome, (ii) investigate the effects of persuasive technology usage to target users (iii) to examine computer roles in creating awareness to users and the effects of persuasive technology to the domain of studies. The main aim of this review is to assist researchers developing a reference in setting a future research in a persuasive technology particularly in awareness domain. Result from the review indicates that persuasive technology has the ability to increase user awareness toward certain context or issues. Most of the studies shows that the computer as a media and social actor gives more impact to increase the awareness compared to the computer as a tool. It can be concluded that understanding the appropriate persuasive strategy is important in helping researchers developing effective applications towards the intended outcome. This paper also has an implications towards designing persuasive system and as a references for future research.
EVALUATION OF E-STAR: AN ENHANCED SCIENCE TEXTBOOK USING AUGMENTED REALITY AMONG LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors: Gopalan Valarmathie , Zulkifli Abdul Nasir , Mohamed Nur Fadziana Faisal , Alwi Asmidah , Che Mat Ruzinoor , Abu Bakar Juliana Aida , Saidin Aeni Zuhana
Published: December 2015

As a developing country, Malaysia needs to produce adequate human resource in science and technology related fields. This is important especially towards making Malaysia a developed nation by 2020. Unfortunately, there is a downward trend in the number of students pursuing the science stream at the secondary education level. Lack of motivation has been identified as one of the cause of this phenomenon. This paper introduces an enhanced science textbook using Augmented Reality (e-STAR) application that facilitates students in science learning.  The e-STAR is intended to motivate the students to be more interested in science.  This paper also discusses on the evaluation of the e-STAR among a sample of form two secondary school students. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires for evaluating the following dimensions: motivation, ease of use, engaging, enjoyment and fun. The results indicate that the users agreed on all the dimensions. The findings proved that the e-STAR application can be one of the potential solutions to the above mentioned phenomenon.