bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in endothelial connexin 43 expression inversely correlate with microvessel permeability and VE-cadherin expression in endotoxin-challenged lungs
Authors: Kandasamy Kathirvel , Escue Rachel , Manna Jayeeta , Adebiyi Adebowale , Parthasarathi Kaushik
Published: July 2015

Endothelial barrier restoration reverses microvessel hyperpermeability and facilitates recovery from lung injury. Because inhibiting connexin 43 (Cx43)-dependent interendothelial communication blunts hyperpermeability in single microvessels, we determined whether endothelial Cx43 levels correlate with changes in microvessel permeability during recovery from lung injury. Toward this, bacterial endotoxin was instilled intratracheally into rat lungs, and at different durations postinstillation the lungs were isolated and blood perfused. Microvessel Cx43 expression was quantified by in situ immunofluorescence and microvessel permeability via a fluorescence method. To supplement the immunofluorescence data, protein levels were determined by immunoblots of lung tissue from endotoxin-instilled rats. Immunofluorescence and immunoblot together revealed that both Cx43 expression and microvessel permeability increased above baseline within a few hours after endotoxin instillation but declined progressively over the next few days. On day 5 postendotoxin, microvessel Cx43 declined to negligible levels, resulting in complete absence of intermicrovessel communication determined by photolytic uncaging of Ca2+. However, by day 14, both Cx43 expression and microvessel permeability returned to baseline levels. In contrast to Cx43, expression of microvessel vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, a critical determinant of vascular barrier integrity, exhibited an inverse trend by initially declining below baseline and then returning to baseline at a longer duration. Knockdown of vascular Cx43 by tail vein injection of Cx43 shRNA increased VE-cadherin expression, suggesting that reduction in Cx43 levels may modulate VE-cadherin levels in lung microvessels. Together, the data suggest that endotoxin challenge initiates interrelated changes in microvessel Cx43, VE-cadherin, and microvessel permeability, with changes in Cx43 temporally leading the other responses.
An experimental comparison of the relative benefits of work and torque assistance in ankle exoskeletons
Authors: Jackson Rachel W. , Collins Steven H.
Published: July 2015

Techniques proposed for assisting locomotion with exoskeletons have often included a combination of active work input and passive torque support, but the physiological effects of different assistance techniques remain unclear. We performed an experiment to study the independent effects of net exoskeleton work and average exoskeleton torque on human locomotion. Subjects wore a unilateral ankle exoskeleton and walked on a treadmill at 1.25 m·s−1while net exoskeleton work rate was systematically varied from −0.054 to 0.25 J·kg−1·s−1, with constant (0.12 N·m·kg−1) average exoskeleton torque, and while average exoskeleton torque was systematically varied from approximately zero to 0.18 N·m·kg−1, with approximately zero net exoskeleton work. We measured metabolic rate, center-of-mass mechanics, joint mechanics, and muscle activity. Both techniques reduced effort-related measures at the assisted ankle, but this form of work input reduced metabolic cost (−17% with maximum net work input) while this form of torque support increased metabolic cost (+13% with maximum average torque). Disparate effects on metabolic rate seem to be due to cascading effects on whole body coordination, particularly related to assisted ankle muscle dynamics and the effects of trailing ankle behavior on leading leg mechanics during double support. It would be difficult to predict these results using simple walking models without muscles or musculoskeletal models that assume fixed kinematics or kinetics. Data from this experiment can be used to improve predictive models of human neuromuscular adaptation and guide the design of assistive devices.
Ovarian Germline Stem Cells (OGSCs) and the Hippo Signaling Pathway Association with Physiological and Pathological Ovarian Aging in Mice
Authors: Li Jia , Zhou Fangyue , Zheng Tuochen , Pan Zezheng , Liang Xia , Huang Jian , Zheng Liping , Zheng Yuehui
Published: July 2015

Background: The Hippo signaling pathway plays fundamental roles in stem cell maintenance in a variety of tissues and has thus implications for stem cell biology. Key components of this recently discovered pathway have been shown to be associated with primordial follicle activation. However, whether the Hippo signaling pathway plays a role in the development of Ovarian Germline Stem Cells (OGSCs) during physiological and pathological ovarian aging in mice is unknown. Methods: Mice at the age of 7 days (7D), or of 2, 10, or 20 months (2M, 10M, 20M) and mice at 2M treated with TPT and CY/BUS drugs were selected as physiological and pathological ovarian aging models, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the development of follicles, and the co-localization of genes characteristic of OGSCs with MST1, LATS2 and YAP1 was assessed by immunofluorescence, western blotting and real-time PCR methods. Results: The Hippo signal pathway and MVH/OCT4 genes were co-expressed in the mouse ovarian cortex. The level and co-localization of LATS2, MST1, MVH, and OCT4 were significantly decreased with increased age, but YAP1 was more prevalent in the mouse ovarian cortex of 2M mice than 7D mice and was not observed in 20M mice. Furthermore, YAP1, MVH, and OCT4 were gradually decreased after TPT and CY/BUS treatment, and LATS2 mRNA and protein up-regulation persisted in TPT- and CY/BUS-treated mice. However, the expression of MST1 was lower in the TPT and CY/BUS groups compared with the control group. In addition, pYAP1 protein showed the highest expression in the ovarian cortexes of 7D mice compared with 20M mice, and the value of pYAP1/YAP1 decreased from 7D to 20M. Moreover, pYAP1 decreased in the TPT- and CY/BUS-treated groups, but the value of pYAP1/YAP1 increased in these groups. Conclusion: Taken together, our results show that the Hippo signaling pathway is associated with the changes that take place in OGSCs during physiological and pathological ovarian aging in mice. Thus, the Hippo signaling pathway may be involved in the development schedule of OGSCs.
The Role of MicroRNA-381 in Chondrogenesis and Interleukin-1-β Induced Chondrocyte Responses
Authors: Hou Changhe , Meng Fangang , Zhang Zhiqi , Kang Yan , Chen Weishen , Huang Guangxin , Fu Ming , Sheng Puyi , Zhang Ziji , Liao Weiming
Published: July 2015

Aim: The molecular pathways regulating cartilage degradation are unclear. miR-381 was identified as a putative regulator of chondrogenesis related genes. Here, we examined its role in chondrogenesis and osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration. Methods: miR-381 expression was assessed in vitro in response to IL-1β stimulation in primary human (PHC) and mouse (PMC) chondrocytes, and ATDC5 derived chondrocytes; and in vivo in mouse embryos and human osteoarthritic cartilage. The effects of miR-381 on chondrogenesis and NF-kB signaling were assessed using a synthetic RNA mimic or inhibitor and luciferase assay, respectively. Upstream regulators of miR381 were probed using siRNA or overexpression plasmids for Sox9 and Runx2. Results: miR-381 expression was elevated in chondrogenic and hypertrophic ATDC5 cells. miR-381 was induced in vitro by IL-1β in ATDC5 cells, PMCs, and PHCs, and was expressed in areas of cartilage degradation or absorption in vivo. Overexpression of Runx2 or Sox9 increased miR-381 expression in ATDC5 cells. miR-381 suppressed expression of collagen, type II, alpha 1, and enhanced expression of metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), but did not regulate NFKBIA and NKRF activity. Conclusion: miR-381 was highly expressed during chondrogenesis and in arthritic cartilage. It may contribute to absorption of the cartilage matrix by repressing type II collagen and inducing MMP-13.
Current Status of Five Different Regimens for Empiric First-Line Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Turkey
Authors: Gungor Gokhan , Baglıcakoglu Murat , Kayacetin Ertugrul , Biyik Murat , Ucar Ramazan , Goktepe Hakan , Ataseven Huseyin , Demir Ali
Published: July 2015

Background/Aims: This study aimed at comparing the efficacy and tolerability of 5 different regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication in recent years. Methods:H. pylori-positive patients with dyspeptic symptoms were included and separated into 5 groups. The ‘PAC group' was given pantoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin for 14 days. The ‘PAM group' was given pantoprazole, amoxicillin and metronidazole for 14 days. The ‘bismuth-containing group' was given pantoprazole, bismuth subsalicylate, tetracycline and metronidazole for 14 days. The ‘sequential group' was given pantoprazole and amoxicillin for 5 days, followed by pantoprazole, tetracycline, and metronidazole for the next 5 days. The ‘concomitant group' was given pantoprazole, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and metronidazole for 10 days. Eradication was assessed through the urea breath test on 6 weeks after eradication therapy. Results: The eradication rate of intention-to-treat/per protocol were 42/48.3% in the PAC group, 52/54.2% in the PAM group, 62/77.5% in the bismuth group, 71/80.7% in the sequential group and 72/83.7% in concomitant group. The frequency of mild and moderate side effects was similar between groups. Conclusion: The concomitant and sequential therapies are an effective treatment for H. pylori. Bismuth-containing therapy is superior to conventional triple therapies; however, the eradication rate is not satisfactory. In our country, conventional triple therapies are not effective for eradication.
Adult Bone Marrow Cell Therapy for Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Afzal Muhammad R. , Samanta Anweshan , Shah Zubair I. , Jeevanantham Vinodh , Abdel-Latif Ahmed , Zuba-Surma Ewa K. , Dawn Buddhadeb
Published: July 2015

Rationale:

Notwithstanding the uncertainties about the outcomes of bone marrow cell (BMC) therapy for heart repair, further insights are critically needed to improve this promising approach.

Objective:

To delineate the true effect of BMC therapy for cardiac repair and gain insights for future trials through systematic review and meta-analysis of data from eligible randomized controlled trials.

Methods and Results:

Database searches through August 2014 identified 48 eligible randomized controlled trials (enrolling 2602 patients). Weighted mean differences for changes in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, infarct size, LV end-systolic volume, and LV end-diastolic volume were analyzed with random-effects meta-analysis. Compared with standard therapy, BMC transplantation improved LV ejection fraction (2.92%; 95% confidence interval, 1.91–3.92;
P
<0.00001), reduced infarct size (−2.25%; 95% confidence interval, −3.55 to −0.95;
P
=0.0007) and LV end-systolic volume (−6.37 mL; 95% confidence interval, −8.95 to −3.80;
P
<0.00001), and tended to reduce LV end-diastolic volume (−2.26 mL; 95% confidence interval, −4.59 to 0.07;
P
=0.06). Similar effects were noted when data were analyzed after excluding studies with discrepancies in reporting of outcomes. The benefits also persisted when cardiac catheterization was performed in control patients as well. Although imaging modalities partly influenced the outcomes, LV ejection fraction improved in BMC-treated patients when assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Early (<48 hours) BMC injection after myocardial Infarction was more effective in reducing infarct size, whereas BMC injection between 3 and 10 days proved superior toward improving systolic function. A minimum of 50 million BMCs seemed to be necessary, with limited additional benefits seen with increasing cell numbers. BMC therapy was safe and improved clinical outcomes, including all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial Infarction, ventricular arrhythmia, and cerebrovascular accident during follow-up, albeit with differences between acute myocardial Infarction and chronic ischemic heart disease subgroups.

Conclusions:

Transplantation of adult BMCs improves LV ejection fraction, reduces infarct size, and ameliorates remodeling in patients with ischemic heart disease. These effects are upheld in the analyses of studies using magnetic resonance imaging and also after excluding studies with discrepant reporting of outcomes. BMC transplantation may also reduce the incidence of death, recurrent myocardial Infarction, ventricular arrhythmia, and cerebrovascular accident during follow-up.
Antithrombotic Treatment Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Patients With and Without Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Pennlert Johanna , Asplund Kjell , Carlberg Bo , Wiklund Per-Gunnar , Wisten Aase , Åsberg Signild , Eriksson Marie
Published: July 2015

Background and Purpose—

Patients who survive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) often have compelling indications for anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication. This nationwide observational study aimed to determine the extent and predictors of antithrombotic treatment after ICH in Sweden.

Methods—

Patients with a first-ever ICH in the Swedish Stroke Register (Riksstroke) 2005 to 2012 who survived hospital discharge were included. Riksstroke data were individually linked with other national registers to determine comorbid conditions and dispensed prescriptions of antithrombotic agents.

Results—

Among the 2777 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the proportion with a dispensed prescription of antithrombotic agents was 8.5% (anticoagulants) and 36.6% (antiplatelet agents) within 6 months and 11.1% (anticoagulants) and 43.6% (antiplatelet agents) within 1 year. Among the 11 268 patients without AF, the corresponding figures were 1.6% (anticoagulants) and 13.8% (antiplatelet agents) within 6 months and 2.0% (anticoagulants) and 17.5% (antiplatelet agents) within 1 year. In patients with AF, predictors of anticoagulant treatment were less severe ICH, younger age, previous anticoagulation, valvular disease, and previous ischemic stroke. High CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes mellitus, stroke [doubled], vascular disease, age, and sex category [female]) scores did not correlate with anticoagulant treatment. There was a positive correlation between high CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc and HAS-BLED (hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio, elderly, drugs/alcohol) scores (
r
s
=0.590,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

In majority of patients who receive antithrombotic agents, treatment is initiated within 6 months of ICH. Still, many patients with compelling indications for antithrombotic treatment are not prescribed antithrombotic agents. Factors other than high risk of embolic stroke by CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc in ICH survivors with concurrent AF are used to guide the anticoagulant treatment decision in Swedish clinical practice.
Predictors of Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Intervention
Authors: Linfante Italo , Walker Gail R. , Castonguay Alicia C. , Dabus Guilherme , Starosciak Amy K. , Yoo Albert J. , Abou-Chebl Alex , Britz Gavin W. , Marden Franklin A. , Alvarez Alexandria , Gupta Rishi , Sun Chun-Huan J. , Martin Coleman , Holloway William E. , Mueller-Kronast Nils , English Joey D. , Malisch Tim W. , Bozorgchami Hormozd , Xavier Andrew , Rai Ansaar T. , Froehler Michael T. , Badruddin Aamir , Nguyen Thanh N. , Taqi M. Asif , Abraham Michael G. , Janardhan Vallabh , Shaltoni Hashem , Novakovic Roberta , Chen Peng R. , Kaushal Ritesh , Nanda Ashish , Issa Mohammad A. , Nogueira Raul G. , Zaidat Osama O.
Published: July 2015

Background and Purpose—

Failure to recanalize predicts mortality in acute ischemic stroke. In the North American Solitaire Acute Stroke registry, we investigated parameters associated with mortality in successfully recanalized patients.

Methods—

Logistic regression was used to evaluate baseline characteristics and recanalization parameters for association with 90-day mortality. A multivariable model was developed based on backward selection with retention criteria of
P
<0.05 from factors with at least marginal significance (
P
≤0.10), then refit to minimize the number of excluded cases (missing data).

Results—

Successfully recanalized patients had lower mortality (25.2% [59/234] versus 46.9% [38/81]
P
<0.001). There was no difference in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage between patients with successful versus failed recanalization (9% [21/234] versus 14% [11/79];
P
=0.205). However, mortality was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (72% [23/32] versus 26% [73/281];
P
<0.001). Proximal occlusion (internal carotid artery or vertebrobasilar), initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale≥18, use of rescue therapy (
P
<0.05), and 3+ passes (
P
<0.10) were associated with mortality in recanalized patients. In the multivariate model with good predictive power (
c
index=0.72), proximal occlusion, initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale≥18, and use of rescue therapy remained significant independent predictors of 90-day mortality.

Conclusions—

Failure to recanalize and presence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage resulted in increased mortality. Despite successful recanalization, proximal occlusion, high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and need for rescue therapy were predictors of mortality.
Uric Acid Therapy Improves Clinical Outcome in Women With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Llull Laura , Laredo Carlos , Renú Arturo , Pérez Belén , Vila Elisabet , Obach Víctor , Urra Xabier , Planas Anna , Amaro Sergio , Chamorro Ángel
Published: July 2015

Background and Purpose—

It is unknown whether women and men with acute ischemic stroke respond similar to an antioxidant regimen administered in combination with thrombolysis. Here, we investigated the independent effect of sex on the response to uric acid (UA) therapy in patients with acute stroke treated with alteplase.

Methods—

In the Efficacy Study of Combined Treatment With Uric Acid and rtPA in Acute Ischemic Stroke (URICO-ICTUS) trial, 206 women and 205 men were randomized to UA 1000 mg or placebo. In this reanalysis of the trial, the primary outcome was the rate of excellent outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale, 0–1, or 2, if premorbid score of 2) in women and men using regression models adjusted for confounders associated with sex. The interaction of UA levels by treatment on infarct growth was assessed in selected patients.

Results—

Excellent outcome occurred in 47 of 111 (42%) women treated with UA, and 28 of 95 (29%) treated with placebo, and in 36 of 100 (36%) men treated with UA and 38 of 105 (34%) treated with placebo. Treatment and sex interacted significantly with excellent outcome (
P
=0.045). Thus, UA therapy doubled the effect of placebo to attain an excellent outcome in women (odd ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.088 [1.050–4.150];
P
=0.036), but not in men (odd ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.999 [0.516–1.934];
P
=0.997). The interactions between treatment and serum UA levels (
P
<0.001) or allantoin/UA ratio (
P
<0.001) on infarct growth were significant only in women.

Conclusions—

In women with acute ischemic stroke treated with alteplase, the administration of UA reduced infarct growth in selected patients and was better than placebo to reach excellent outcome.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00860366.
Water in Mythology
Authors: Witzel Michael
Published: July 2015

Water in its various forms–as salty ocean water, as sweet river water, or as rain–has played a major role in human myths, from the hypothetical, reconstructed stories of our ancestral “African Eve” to those recorded some five thousand years ago by the early civilizations to the myriad myths told by major and smaller religions today. With the advent of agriculture, the importance of access to water was incorporated into the preexisting myths of hunter-gatherers. This is evident in myths of the ancient riverine civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and China, as well as those of desert civilizations of the Pueblo or Arab populations.
Progress on Nonpoint Pollution: Barriers & Opportunities
Authors: Rissman Adena R. , Carpenter Stephen R.
Published: July 2015

Nonpoint source pollution is the runoff of pollutants (including soil and nutrients) from agricultural, urban, and other lands (as opposed to point source pollution, which comes directly from one outlet). Many efforts have been made to combat both types of pollution, so why are we making so little progress in improving water quality by reducing runoff of soil and nutrients into lakes and rivers? This essay examines the challenges inherent in: 1) producing science to predict and assess nonpoint management and policy effectiveness; and 2) using science for management and policy-making. Barriers to demonstrating causality include few experimental designs, different spatial scales for behaviors and measured outcomes, and lags between when policies are enacted and when their effects are seen. Primary obstacles to using science as evidence in nonpoint policy include disagreements about values and preferences, disputes over validity of assumptions, and institutional barriers to reconciling the supply and demand for science. We will illustrate some of these challenges and present possible solutions using examples from the Yahara Watershed in Wisconsin. Overcoming the barriers to nonpoint-pollution prevention may require policy-makers to gain a better understanding of existing scientific knowledge and act to protect public values in the face of remaining scientific uncertainty.
Water Unsustainability
Authors: Schnoor Jerald L.
Published: July 2015

Water is a vital renewable resource that is increasingly stressed by multiple and competing demands from people, industry, and agriculture. When water becomes unavailable or unusable, life itself cannot be sustained. Changes in supply and demand for water are driven by population growth, climate change, and our energy and land use choices. Poverty frequently precludes the ability of many people to respond and adapt to water insecurity. In this essay, we discuss the effects of these drivers on the diminution of rivers, aquifers, glaciers, and the severe pollution that renders some water resources unusable. While technologies for water reuse, desalination, aquifer replenishment, and better water pricing are important solutions, the recognition of water as a profoundly threatened resource and as a basic human right is essential for providing sustainable water for future generations.
Dynamic Markets for Dynamic Environments: The Case for Water Marketing
Authors: Anderson Terry L.
Published: July 2015

Static models used in economics and ecology ignore dynamic processes at work in both human and natural systems. In the case of water management, whether for quantity or quality, static models fail to connect changing human demands on water systems with changing supplies due to short-run climate variations and long-run climate change. Water markets provide a way of connecting human demands to nature's supplies through prices, which signal values and scarcity. For water markets to make this connection, water rights must be well-defined, enforced, and tradeable. When they are, entrepreneurs are able to meet old and new demands on water ecosystems in novel ways, as examples in this essay illustrate.
Is First-Order Vector Autoregressive Model Optimal for fMRI Data?
Authors: Ting Chee-Ming , Seghouane Abd-Krim , Khalid Muhammad Usman , Salleh Sh-Hussain
Published: July 2015

We consider the problem of selecting the optimal orders of vector autoregressive (VAR) models for fMRI data. Many previous studies used model order of one and ignored that it may vary considerably across data sets depending on different data dimensions, subjects, tasks, and experimental designs. In addition, the classical information criteria (IC) used (e.g., the Akaike IC (AIC)) are biased and inappropriate for the high-dimensional fMRI data typically with a small sample size. We examine the mixed results on the optimal VAR orders for fMRI, especially the validity of the order-one hypothesis, by a comprehensive evaluation using different model selection criteria over three typical data types—a resting state, an event-related design, and a block design data set—with varying time series dimensions obtained from distinct functional brain networks. We use a more balanced criterion, Kullback’s IC (KIC) based on Kullback’s symmetric divergence combining two directed divergences. We also consider the bias-corrected versions (AICc and KICc) to improve VAR model selection in small samples. Simulation results show better small-sample selection performance of the proposed criteria over the classical ones. Both bias-corrected ICs provide more accurate and consistent model order choices than their biased counterparts, which suffer from overfitting, with KICc performing the best. Results on real data show that orders greater than one were selected by all criteria across all data sets for the small to moderate dimensions, particularly from small, specific networks such as the resting-state default mode network and the task-related motor networks, whereas low orders close to one but not necessarily one were chosen for the large dimensions of full-brain networks.
The Codification Episteme in Islamic Juristic Discourse between Inertia and Change
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Fekry
Published: July 2015

Many historians view Islamic law as an organic and methodologically coherent system in which there is a systematic link between legal methodology (uṣūl) and substantive law (furūʿ). In this essay, I will argue against the conventional view, drawing support from the evolutionary trajectories of four genres of juridical writing: abridged legal compendia (mukhtaṣars); juristic disagreement (ikhtilāf); the commentary/supercommentary (sharḥ/ḥāshiya); and legal responsa (fatāwā) genres. The post-thirteenth century evolution of these genres reveals a pronounced tendency to marginalize the relationship between legal methodology and substantive law, privileging a codification ethos. Judges and low-ranking jurisconsults were expected to “apply” legal rules and frequently abandoned legal methodology as an avenue for legal change in favor of pragmatic school boundary-crossing. In doing so, they were less concerned with intra-school methodological coherence than with pursuing juristic flexibility by focusing on the content of the law rather than its process.
Overcoming Barriers to Cooperation: Territorial and Issue Neutralization as Tools of Conflict Management
Authors: Slobodchikoff Michael O.
Published: July 2015

This article investigates how states can begin to cooperate and form bilateral relationships given severe barriers to cooperation. Certain issues can prevent cooperation from occurring despite strategic interests in doing so by both states. However, if states agree to use the institutional design feature of territorial or issue neutralization, then conflict can be averted even if some of the major hindrances to cooperation remains unresolved. I examine in greater detail how both territorial and issue neutralization are used as institutional designs feature in building a cooperative bilateral relationship. Through two major case studies, the self-imposed territorial neutralization of Finland in its relations with the Soviet Union as well as issue neutralization in the relationship between Russia and Ukraine following the collapse of the Soviet Union, I am able to show that territorial and issue neutralization may be effective tools for resolving conflict in the post-Soviet space and could create cooperative relationships instead of conflictual ones.
Coastal Talitridae (Amphipoda: Talitroidea) from north-western Australia to Darwin with a revision of the genus Cochinorchestia Lowry & Peart, 2010
Authors: LOWRY J.K. , SPRINGTHORPE R.T.
Published: July 2015

Three species of coastal talitrids are reported from north-western Western Australia: Australorchestia tantabiddyensis sp. nov., from Tantabiddy Rockholes Cave, Cape Range National Park; Talorchestia dampieri sp. nov. from Roebuck Bay, Broome and Cygnet Bay, King Sound; and Tropicorchestia derbyensis gen. et sp. nov. from Derby, King Sound. Five species are reported from west of Darwin, Northern Territory: Cochinorchestia lindsayae sp. nov.; Cochinorchestia metcalfeae sp. nov.; Floresorchestia limicola (Haswell, 1880); Microrchestia ntensis sp. nov.; and Tropicorchestia glasbyi sp. nov. The genus Cochinorchestia Lowry & Peart, 2010 is revised: Orchestia notabilis of Griffiths, 1973 is assigned to the new species Cochinorchestia morrumbene sp. nov. from Mozambique; Orchestia sp. of Ledoyer, 1979 is assigned to the new species Cochinorchestia poka sp. nov. from Ambon, eastern Indonesia; and Orchestia notabilis of Ledoyer 1986 is assigned to the new species Cochinorchestia tulear sp. nov. from south-western Madagascar. Microrchestia sp. of Bussarawich 1985 appears to be an undescribed species of Cochinorchestia from Thailand. We introduce the term virgula dentata to describe the highly modified tip of antenna 2 in talitrid amphipods and propose a theory for the age and current distribution of the family.
A redescription of the ant mimicking spider Myrmecium gounellei (Araneae: Corinnidae, Castianeirinae), with notes on the genus
Authors: MARUSIK YURI M. , OMELKO MIKHAIL M. , KOPONEN SEPPO
Published: July 2015

Myrmecium Latreille, 1824 is a relatively large genus of Castianeirinae with 16 species, distributed exclusively in the Neotropics (WSC 2015). Although this genus is rather well known as a good example of ant mimicking spiders, its taxonomy is very poorly studied. Two of its species are described based on unknown sex; one species is described based on a juvenile; eight species are known based on a single sex: for seven, only females are known, and for one, only a male is known (Platnick 2014). Eleven species are known from a single record, and two species were never illustrated. The latest taxonomic paper dealing with Myrmecium was published more than 60 years ago by Camargo (1953). Although both sexes are known for six species of Myrmecium, the male palp and female epigyne are illustrated for three species only. The male palp is relatively well illustrated for the type species of the genus, M. rufum Latreille, 1824 (Camargo 1953). Somatic characters are illustrated also only for M. rufum (Simon 1897).
Contributions of Surface Sensible Heat Fluxes to Tropical Cyclone. Part II: The Sea Spray Processes
Authors: Ma Zhanhong , Fei Jianfang , Cheng Xiaoping , Wang Yuqing , Huang Xiaogang
Published: July 2015

In Part II of this study, the roles of surface sensible heat fluxes (SHX) in tropical cyclones (TCs) are further investigated in the context of sea spray processes. Results show that the sea spray evaporation is favorable for the TC intensification through enhancing the surface latent heat fluxes (LHX).

Unlike the results in Part I, the removal of SHX has led to a somewhat weaker TC by inclusion of sea spray. This is because the spray-mediated latent heat fluxes are simultaneously diminished after cutting down the SHX. Without the warming of SHX from the ocean, the surface air becomes cooler and thereby closer to saturation, which substantially hinders the evaporation of sea spray droplets. Therefore, the SHX are instrumental for sustaining the release of latent heat fluxes by sea spray evaporation. In the experiments of Part I and this study, the reduced total surface enthalpy fluxes as a result of the removal of SHX do not necessarily result in weakened TCs, while the larger LHX basically correspond to stronger TCs. This suggests that the TC intensity is largely dependent on the LHX rather than the total surface enthalpy fluxes, although the latter is generally dominated by the former. Relative roles of thermal and moisture effects in radially elevating the surface equivalent potential temperature θe are also compared. The contributions of thermal effects account for 30%–35% of the total changes in θe for mature TCs, no matter whether SHX from the ocean are included. This further implies that the SHX contribute insignificantly to the spinup of a TC.
The Seasonal Nature of Extreme Hydrological Events in the Northeastern United States
Authors: Frei Allan , Kunkel Kenneth E. , Matonse Adao
Published: July 2015

Recent analyses of extreme hydrological events across the United States, including those summarized in the recent U.S. Third National Climate Assessment (May 2014), show that extremely large (extreme) precipitation and streamflow events are increasing over much of the country, with particularly steep trends over the northeastern United States. The authors demonstrate that the increase in extreme hydrological events over the northeastern United States is primarily a warm season phenomenon and is caused more by an increase in frequency than magnitude. The frequency of extreme warm season events peaked during the 2000s; a secondary peak occurred during the 1970s; and the calmest decade was the 1960s. Cold season trends during the last 30–50 yr are weaker. Since extreme precipitation events in this region tend to be larger during the warm season than during the cold season, trend analyses based on annual precipitation values are influenced more by warm season than by cold season trends. In contrast, the magnitude of extreme streamflow events at stations used for climatological analyses tends to be larger during the cold season: therefore, extreme event analyses based on annual streamflow values are overwhelmingly influenced by cold season, and therefore weaker, trends. These results help to explain an apparent discrepancy in the literature, whereby increasing trends in extreme precipitation events appear to be significant and ubiquitous across the region, while trends in streamflow appear less dramatic and less spatially coherent.
A Comparison of Composite Reliability Estimators
Authors: Padilla Miguel A. , Divers Jasmin
Published: July 2015

Coefficient omega and alpha are both measures of the composite reliability for a set of items. Unlike coefficient alpha, coefficient omega remains unbiased with congeneric items with uncorrelated errors. Despite this ability, coefficient omega is not as widely used and cited in the literature as coefficient alpha. Reasons for coefficient omega’s underutilization include a limited knowledge of its statistical properties. However, consistent efforts to understand the statistical properties of coefficient omega can help improve its utilization in research efforts. Here, six approaches for estimating confidence intervals for coefficient omega with unidimensional congeneric items were evaluated through a Monte Carlo simulation. The evaluations were made through simulation conditions that mimic realistic conditions that investigators are likely to face in applied work, including items that are not normally distributed and small sample size(s). Overall, the normal theory bootstrap confidence interval had the best performance across all simulation conditions that included sample sizes less than 100. However, most methods had sound coverage with sample sizes of 100 or more.
A Comprehensive Regression-Based Approach for Identifying Sources of Person Misfit in Typical-Response Measures
Authors: Ferrando Pere J. , Lorenzo-Seva Urbano
Published: July 2015

This article proposes a general parametric item response theory approach for identifying sources of misfit in response patterns that have been classified as potentially inconsistent by a global person-fit index. The approach, which is based on the weighted least squared regression of the observed responses on the model-expected responses, can be used with a variety of unidimensional and multidimensional models intended for binary, graded, and continuous responses and consists of procedures for identifying (a) general deviation trends, (b) local inconsistencies, and (c) single response inconsistencies. A free program called REG-PERFIT that implements most of the proposed techniques has been developed, described, and made available for interested researchers. Finally, the functioning and usefulness of the proposed procedures is illustrated with an empirical study based on a statistics-anxiety scale.
Is Credit Status a Good Signal of Productivity?
Authors: Weaver Andrew
Published: July 2015

In this article, the author uses a unique identification strategy along with credit proxy variables in a national data set to test whether credit status reveals information about an employee’s character that is predictive of employee productivity. Many employers screen new hires by examining the credit reports of job applicants. The practice has sparked debate, with opponents asserting that it amounts to discrimination and proponents maintaining that it is an important tool by which employers can ensure the quality of new employees. To date, little evidence exists on the validity of credit status as a screening device. The issue is complicated both by the lack of available data and by the difficulty in establishing causality. Results indicate that the character-related portion of credit status is not a significant predictor of worker productivity.
Experience, Innovation, and Productivity
Authors: Daveri Francesco , Parisi Maria Laura
Published: July 2015

The authors investigate whether the level of employee experience is good or bad for innovation and productivity. Using a sample of Italian manufacturing firms during the early 2000s, the authors find different results for managers’ versus workers’ experience. The effect of managerial experience—proxied by age—on firm performance appears to depend on the type of firm; in innovative firms, having older managers and board members has a negative effect on innovation and productivity, while in non-innovative firms, the costs and benefits of having older managers appear to cancel each other out. For workers, the effect of having a high share of inexperienced (temporary) workers is unambiguously associated with low innovation and low productivity. These results also hold when endogenous regime switching is taken into consideration.
Why Firms Avoid Cutting Wages
Authors: Du Caju Philip , Kosma Theodora , Lawless Martina , Messina Julián , Rõõm Tairi
Published: July 2015

Firms very rarely cut nominal wages, even in the face of considerable negative economic shocks. The authors of this article use a unique survey of 14 European countries to ask firms directly about the incidence of wage cuts and to assess the relevance of a range of potential reasons for why the firms avoid cutting wages. They examine how firm characteristics and collective bargaining institutions affect the relevance of each of the common explanations for the infrequency of wage cuts. Concerns about the retention of productive staff and a lowering of morale and effort were reported as key reasons for downward wage rigidity across all countries and firm types. Restrictions created by collective bargaining were found to be an important consideration for firms in Western European (EU-15) countries but were one of the lowest-ranked obstacles in the new EU member-states in Central and Eastern Europe.
Hidden Owners, Hidden Profits, and Poor Nursing Home Care
Authors: Harrington Charlene , Ross Leslie , Kang Taewoon
Published: July 2015

The study examined the ownership transparency, financial accountability, and quality indicators of a regional for-profit nursing home chain in California, using a case study methodology to analyze data on the chain's ownership and management structure, financial data, staffing levels, deficiencies and complaints, and litigation. Secondary data were obtained from regulatory and cost reports and litigation cases. Qualitative descriptions of ownership and management were presented and quantitative analyses were conducted by comparing financial and quality indicators with other California for-profit chains, for-profit non-chains, and nonprofit nursing home groups in 2011. The chain's complex, interlocking individual and corporate owners and property companies obscured its ownership structure and financial arrangements. Nursing and support services expenditures were lower than nonprofits and administrative costs were higher than for-profit non-chains. The chain's nurse staffing was lower than expected staffing levels; its deficiencies and citations were higher than in nonprofits; and a number of lawsuits resulted in bankruptcy. Profits were hidden in the chain's management fees, lease agreements, interest payments to owners, and purchases from related-party companies. Greater ownership transparency and financial accountability requirements are needed to ensure regulatory oversight and quality of care.
Benevolent Sexism and Support of Romantic Partner’s Goals
Authors: Hammond Matthew D. , Overall Nickola C.
Published: July 2015

The current research demonstrates how benevolent sexism functions to undermine women’s competence while facilitating men’s access to heterosexual intimacy by prompting different support behaviors by men and women. Objective coders rated the support provision exhibited during heterosexual couples’ ( N = 100) video-recorded discussions of each other’s personal goals. Men who endorsed benevolent sexism provided more dependency-oriented support, including directly providing plans and solutions and neglecting the recipient’s own abilities, which led to their female partners feeling less competent and less positively regarded. In contrast, women who endorsed benevolent sexism provided greater relationship-oriented support, characterized by affection and emphasizing the positive relationship outcomes associated with their partner’s goals, which led their male partners to perceive greater regard and intimacy in their relationship. This study is the first to investigate how benevolent sexism prompts naturalistic support behaviors that can impede women’s capacity for independent success while supporting the fulfillment of men’s intimacy needs.
How Close Are We to Achieving Energy and Nutrient Goals for Very Low Birth Weight Infants in the First Week?
Authors: Ng Dawn V. Y. , Brennan‐Donnan Joan , Unger Sharon , Bando Nicole , Gibbins Sharyn , Nash Andrea , Kiss Alex , O'Connor Deborah L.
Published: July 2015

Background: Emerging evidence suggests intakes of protein and energy as early as the first week of life in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are associated with improved neurodevelopment. In response, many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have launched new, more aggressive early feeding guidelines. The aim of this study was to evaluate enteral and parenteral energy and macronutrient intakes during the first postnatal week in VLBW infants admitted to NICUs that have introduced more aggressive early feeding guidelines. Materials and Methods: Estimated energy and macronutrient intakes were prospectively collected from VLBW infants fed exclusively mother's own milk and/or parenteral nutrition and compared with expert recommendations. Days to reach full enteral feeds (150 mL/kg/d) and discharge anthropometrics were examined. Results: By days 6 and 7, median protein and lipid intakes, respectively, reached recommended values (3.5 and 3.0 g/kg/d). However, by day 8, many infants remained below recommended intakes for protein (34%), lipid (34%), carbohydrate (68%), and energy (71%). Late‐onset sepsis was associated with a decreased likelihood of reaching full enteral feeds on any given day (hazard ratio, 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.1–0.5; P ≤ .0009). There was no significant relationship between week 1 nutrient intakes and anthropometrics at discharge. Conclusion: Despite the introduction of more aggressive early feeding guidelines and improved energy and nutrient intakes compared with literature values, many VLBW infants remain below recommended nutrition goals in the first week.
Disaccharidase Deficiencies in Children With Chronic Abdominal Pain
Authors: El‐Chammas Khalil , Williams Sara E. , Miranda Adrian
Published: July 2015

Objectives: Carbohydrate intolerance or malabsorption has been suggested as a cause of chronic abdominal pain (CAP) in a subset of patients. We aimed to evaluate disaccharidase deficiencies in children with functional CAP and to correlate deficiencies with clinical features. Method: Patients presenting to the gastroenterology clinic at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin with abdominal pain prospectively completed a detailed demographic, history, and symptom questionnaire. The CAP cohort included those with at least 1 month of symptoms. Data on disaccharidase activity and histology of endoscopic biopsies were collected retrospectively. Only patients with normal histology were included in the study. The association between groups with low disaccharidases and clinical features was examined. Results: A total of 203 pediatric patients with CAP were included. The mean (SD) age was 11.5 (3.1) years, and 32.5% were male. The percentages of abnormally low disaccharidase levels using the standard laboratory cutoffs were lactase, 37%; sucrase, 21%; glucoamylase, 25%; and palatinase, 8%. Thirty‐nine percent of the patients with low lactase also had low sucrase, and 67% of the patients with low sucrase had low lactase. There was no significant difference in the activities of any of the disaccharidases or sucrase/lactase ratio in relation to age. Also, no association was found between stool consistency, stool frequency, or location of pain and low disaccharidase activity. Conclusions: A large proportion of patients with CAP have deficiencies in disaccharidases. Bowel frequency, vomiting, or location of pain was no different between groups, suggesting that these clinical features cannot be used to predict disaccharidase deficiencies.
Norms of data sharing in biological sciences: The roles of metadata, data repository, and journal and funding requirements
Authors: Kim Youngseek , Burns C. Sean
Published: July 2015

Institutional environments, comprising regulative pressures by funding agencies and journal publishers, and institutional resources, including the availabilities of data repositories and standards for metadata, function as important determinants in scientists’ data-sharing norms, attitudes and behaviours. This research investigates how these functions influence biological scientists’ data-sharing norms and how the data-sharing norms influence their data-sharing behaviours mediated by attitudes towards data sharing. The research model was developed based on the integration of institutional theory and theory of planned behaviour. The proposed research model was validated based on a total of 608 responses from a national survey conducted in the USA. The Partial Least Squares (PLS) was employed to analyse the survey data. Results show how institutional pressures by funding agencies and journals and the availabilities of data repository and metadata standards all have significant influences on data-sharing norms, which have significant influences on data-sharing behaviours, as mediated by attitudes towards data sharing.
Combining resources to improve unsupervised sentiment analysis at aspect-level
Authors: Jiménez-Zafra Salud M. , Martín-Valdivia M. Teresa , Martínez-Cámara Eugenio , Ureña-López L. Alfonso
Published: July 2015

Every day more companies are interested in users’ opinions about their products or services. Also, every day there are more users that search for reviews on the web before purchasing a product. These users and companies are not satisfied with knowing the overall sentiment of a product, they want a finer knowledge of users’ opinions. Owing to this fact, more and more researchers are working on sentiment analysis at aspect-level. This paper describes an unsupervised approach for aspect-based sentiment analysis, which aims to identify the aspects of given target entities and the sentiment expressed for each aspect. We have evaluated several tasks, although perhaps the major novelty is in the classification of the aspects. We employ a lexicon-based method combining different linguistic resources and we conclude that the combination of several classifiers improves the classification significantly. In addition, a comparison with a supervised system is performed in order to determine the strengths and weakness of each of them.