bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel identification of the free fatty acid receptor FFAR1 that promotes contraction in airway smooth muscle
Authors: Mizuta Kentaro , Zhang Yi , Mizuta Fumiko , Hoshijima Hiroshi , Shiga Toshiya , Masaki Eiji , Emala Charles W.
Published: September 2015

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for asthma. Previous studies have demonstrated that free fatty acid levels are elevated in the plasma of obese individuals. Medium- and long-chain free fatty acids act as endogenous ligands for the free fatty acid receptors FFAR1/GPR40 and FFAR4/GPR120, which couple to Gq proteins. We investigated whether FFAR1 and FFAR4 are expressed on airway smooth muscle and whether they activate Gq-coupled signaling and modulate airway smooth muscle tone. We detected the protein expression of FFAR1 and FFAR4 in freshly dissected native human and guinea pig airway smooth muscle and cultured human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The long-chain free fatty acids (oleic acid and linoleic acid) and GW9508 (FFAR1/FFAR4 dual agonist) dose-dependently stimulated transient intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) increases and inositol phosphate synthesis in HASM cells. Downregulation of FFAR1 or FFAR4 in HASM cells by small interfering RNA led to a significant inhibition of the long-chain free fatty acids-induced transient [Ca2+]i increases. Oleic acid, linoleic acid, or GW9508 stimulated stress fiber formation in HASM cells, potentiated acetylcholine-contracted guinea pig tracheal rings, and attenuated the relaxant effect of isoproterenol after an acetylcholine-induced contraction. In contrast, TUG-891 (FFAR4 agonist) did not induce the stress fiber formation or potentiate acetylcholine-induced contraction. These results suggest that FFAR1 is the functionally dominant free fatty acid receptor in both human and guinea pig airway smooth muscle. The free fatty acid sensors expressed on airway smooth muscle could be an important modulator of airway smooth muscle tone.
Sex differences in the intensity and qualitative dimensions of exertional dyspnea in physically active young adults
Authors: Cory Julia M. , Schaeffer Michele R. , Wilkie Sabrina S. , Ramsook Andrew H. , Puyat Joseph H. , Arbour Brandon , Basran Robbi , Lam Michael , Les Christian , MacDonald Benjamin , Jensen Dennis , Guenette Jordan A.
Published: September 2015

Understanding sex differences in the qualitative dimensions of exertional dyspnea may provide insight into why women are more affected by this symptom than men. This study explored the evolution of the qualitative dimensions of dyspnea in 70 healthy, young, physically active adults (35 M and 35 F). Participants rated the intensity of their breathing discomfort (Borg 0-10 scale) and selected phrases that best described their breathing from a standardized list (work/effort, unsatisfied inspiration, and unsatisfied expiration) throughout each stage of a symptom-limited incremental-cycle exercise test. Following exercise, participants selected phrases that described their breathing at maximal exercise from a list of 15 standardized phrases. Intensity of breathing discomfort was significantly higher in women for a given ventilation, but differences disappeared when ventilation was expressed as a percentage of maximum voluntary ventilation. The dominant qualitative descriptor in both sexes throughout exercise was increased work/effort of breathing. At peak exercise, women were significantly more likely to select the following phrases: “my breathing feels shallow,” “I cannot get enough air in,” “I cannot take a deep breath in,” and “my breath does not go in all the way.” Women adopted a more rapid and shallow breathing pattern and had significantly higher end-inspiratory lung volumes relative to total lung capacity throughout exercise relative to men. These findings suggest that men and women do not differ in their perceived quality of dyspnea during submaximal exercise, but subjective differences appear at maximal exercise and may be related, at least in part, to underlying sex differences in breathing patterns and operating lung volumes during exercise.
Neoepitopes of Cancers: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Authors: Srivastava Pramod K.
Published: September 2015

The search for specificity in cancers has been a holy grail in cancer immunology. Cancer geneticists have long known that cancers harbor transforming and other mutations. Immunologists have long known that inbred mice can be immunized against syngeneic cancers, indicating the existence of cancer-specific antigens. With the technological advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing and bioinformatics, the genetic and immunologic lines of inquiry are now converging to provide definitive evidence that human cancers are vastly different from normal tissues at the genetic level, and that some of these differences are recognized by the immune system. The very vastness of genetic changes in cancers now raises different question. Which of the many cancer-specific genetic (genomic) changes are actually recognized by the immune system, and why? New observations are now beginning to probe these vital issues with unprecedented resolution and are informing a new generation of studies in human cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(9); 969–77. ©2015 AACR.
Endoscopic Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Neumann Helmut , Neurath Markus F. , Atreya Raja
Published: September 2015

Background: Endoscopy is an essential diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the clinical care of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Endoscopic therapy can be used for treatment of disease-related strictures, surveillance and resection of intraepithelial neoplasia, and treatment of fistulas or disease-related complications, and is currently being evaluated regarding its capacity in in vivo molecular imaging procedures. Methods: A literature search using Medline and Science Citation Index was performed in March 2015. All studies on endoscopic therapy in IBD published from 1980 to 2015 (March) were reviewed. Potential studies were initially screened by title and abstract. The terms ‘endoscopy IBD', ‘endoscopy therapy IBD', ‘dilatation IBD', ‘strictureplasty Crohn's disease', ‘endoscopy therapy fistula', ‘endoscopy toxic megacolon', ‘endoscopy dysplasia IBD', ‘endoscopy complications IBD', and ‘molecular imaging IBD' were used in the search. A total of 115 articles were studied to construct this review. Results: Dilatation is most useful in short anastomotic strictures, but can be also undertaken in colonic strictures. Strictures in ulcerative colitis are always suspicious for neoplasia and should be evaluated carefully. Lesions with intraepithelial neoplasia can be resected when complete removal can be assured. The finding of carcinoma or high-grade dysplasia in a random biopsy is an indication for colectomy. If intraepithelial neoplasia is present in random biopsy specimens, colectomy should similarly be recommended. Endoscopic therapy of Crohn's fistulas is a possible emerging technology. In vivo molecular imaging is currently being studied in IBD patients and offers promising therapeutic opportunities. Conclusion: Therapeutic endoscopy is indispensable in the management of IBD. It has to be carefully evaluated against alternative surgical options but often offers an effective therapeutic approach.
New Imaging Techniques in the Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Li Yan , Hauenstein Karlheinz
Published: September 2015

Background: Cross-sectional imaging modalities are fundamental in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from the first diagnosis and throughout the entire course of the disease. Over the past few years, the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI) has considerably increased, and no other imaging modality has experienced as advanced a development as MRI. Methods: A comprehensive literature search (PubMed/Medline) using keywords such as ‘MR enterography', ‘imaging modalities', ‘IBD', and ‘Crohn's disease' was performed. 48 articles published between 1999 and 2015 were systematically reviewed. In this article, besides the current standard MRI techniques, we review novel and implementable for routine use MR techniques. The use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and hybrid imaging such as PET/MRI with enormous potential will also be briefly discussed. Results: New imaging techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR perfusion, and MR motility imaging yield advanced findings about changes in the microenvironment and alterations in motility of the affected bowel segment, and are proven to improve the diagnostic accuracy in assessing the scale, activity level, and severity of the IBD. Novel magnetization transfer imaging allows direct visualization of fibrosis in the bowel wall. Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted imaging can be easily implemented in standard MRI for routine use to further enhance the diagnostic accuracy in disease assessment. For validation of magnetization transfer imaging, larger studies are warranted.
Extra- and Intracochlear Electrocochleography in Cochlear Implant Recipients
Authors: Dalbert Adrian , Pfiffner Flurin , Röösli Christof , Thoele Konrad , Sim Jae Hoon , Gerig Rahel , Huber Alexander M.
Published: September 2015

Objective: To monitor cochlear function by extra- and intracochlear electrocochleography (ECoG) during and after cochlear implantation and thereby to enhance the understanding of changes in cochlear function following cochlear implantation surgery. Methods: ECoG responses to acoustic stimuli of 250, 500 and 1,000 Hz were recorded in 9 cochlear implant recipients with presurgical residual hearing. During surgery extracochlear ECoG recordings were performed before and after insertion of the cochlear implant electrode array. After insertion of the electrode array, intracochlear ECoG recordings were conducted using intracochlear electrode contacts as recording electrodes. Intracochlear ECoG recordings were performed up to 6 months after implantation. ECoG findings were correlated with findings from audiometric tests. Results: Extra- and intracochlear ECoG responses could be recorded in all subjects. Extracochlear ECoG recordings during surgery showed moderate changes. Loss or reduction of the ECoG signal at all three frequencies did not occur during cochlear implantation. During the first week following surgery, conductive hearing loss, due to middle ear effusion, led to a decrease in intracochlear ECoG signal amplitudes. This was not attributable to changes of cochlear function. All persistent reductions in ECoG response magnitude after normalization of the tympanogram occurred during the first week following implantation. Thresholds of ECoG signals were at or below hearing thresholds in all cases. Conclusion: Gross intracochlear trauma during surgery appears to be rare. In the early postoperative phase the ability to assess cochlear status by ECoG recordings was limited due to the regular occurrence of middle ear effusion. Still, intracochlear ECoG along with tympanogram recordings suggests that any changes of low-frequency cochlear function occur mainly during the first week after cochlear implantation. ECoG seems to be a promising tool to objectively assess changes in cochlear function in cochlear implant recipients and may allow further insight into the mechanisms underlying the loss of residual hearing.
Concha Bullosa: A Shield against Allergens?
Authors: Worrall Douglas M. , Campbell Raewyn G. , Palmer James N. , Kennedy David W. , Adappa Nithin D.
Published: September 2015

Purpose: Concha bullosa (CB) alters the intranasal anatomy and may influence the buffering of inhalant allergens and the inflammatory microenvironment central to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). By investigating the link between allergies and CB, we can examine this theoretical benefit, which has implications on the extent of resection in endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: Forty-three adults treated between 2010 and March 2014 with chronic sinonasal symptoms were retrospectively analyzed by skin prick allergy testing, maxillofacial computed tomography scan, and Lund-Mackay score. χ2 analysis and t tests were employed to determine statistical significance. Results: Subjects were divided into 30 positive cases and 13 pan-negative allergy controls. No difference in CB prevalence was observed between those with positive (70%) and those with negative (69.2%) allergy tests (p = 0.93). Furthermore, no association between CB and Lund-Mackay score was identified (p = 0.69). Overall, 83.3% of CB were located in the middle turbinate, 16.7% in the superior turbinate, and 20% occurred in the middle turbinate bilaterally. Conclusions: Although an enlarged, pneumatized turbinate could function as a physical barrier to inhalant allergens, documented allergies demonstrate no association with CB formation. Furthermore, this study finds no correlation between CB and radiographic evidence of CRS.
Serum β2-Microglobulin Predicts Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Koh Eun Sil , Lee Kyungsoo , Kim Su Hyun , Kim Young Ok , Jin Dong Chan , Song Ho Chul , Choi Euy Jin , Kim Yong Lim , Kim Yon Su , Kang Shin Wook , Kim Nam Ho , Yang Chul Woo , Kim Yong Kyun
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: β2-Microglobulin (β2-M) is a surrogate marker of middle-molecule uremic toxins and is associated with mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients. However, the impact of serum β2-M levels on mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of serum β2-M levels with all-cause mortality in PD patients. Methods: A total of 771 PD patients were selected from the Clinical Research Center registry for end-stage renal disease cohort in Korea. Patients were categorized into 3 groups by tertiles of serum β2-M levels. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Results: The median value of serum β2-M was 23.6 mg/l (interquartile range 14.8-33.4 mg/l), and the median follow-up period was 39 months. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the all-cause mortality rate was significantly different according to tertiles of serum β2-M in PD patients (p = 0.03, log-rank). Multivariate Cox proportional analysis showed that the hazards ratio for all-cause mortality was 1.02 (95% CI 1.01-1.04, p = 0.006) per 1 mg/l increase in β2-M after adjustment for multiple confounding factors that relate to malnutrition and inflammation marker. However, serum β2-M was not associated with all-cause mortality after adjustment for residual renal clearance. Conclusions: These results are supportive of the potential role of the serum β2-M level as a predictor of mortality in PD patients.
La infracción adolescente a la ley penal en el centro del debate sobre seguridad pública en Uruguay
Authors: González-Laurino Carolina
Published: September 2015

(descriptivo): Este artículo busca refexionar sobre el debate uruguayo de la seguridad pública centrado en la infracción penal juvenil, en el marco de la presentación de un proyecto que propone bajar la edad de imputabilidad penal de dieciocho a dieciséis años presentada a plebiscito en 2014, y de las ambigüedades planteadas a nivel legislativo por la izquierda en el gobierno desde 2005, que se debate entre el discurso de la represión y el de la rehabilitación social. Asimismo se propone un debate acerca de la rehabilitación social en contextos de encierro.
La condición juvenil en Colombia: entre violencia estructural y acción colectiva
Authors: Aguilar-Forero NicoLás , Muñoz Germán
Published: September 2015

(Descriptivo): En este artículo exponemos una reflexión acerca de la condición juvenil en el mundo contemporáneo, centrando la atención en Colombia y en algunos de los efectos de la violencia estructural en la vida de los jóvenes y las jóvenes. Argumentamos que, si bien la condición juvenil está atravesada por toda clase de adversidades asociadas a la precariedad económica y vital, a la incertidumbre frente al futuro, al desencanto y a las violencias, en el contexto actual están emergiendo formas de acción colectiva juvenil que pueden aportar a la constitución de nuevos horizontes de país basados en una cultura de paz. Lo anterior lo sustentamos a partir del caso de una experiencia organizativa que desde el año 2006 viene trabajando por la construcción de memoria, por la lucha contra la impunidad y por la solución política y negociada del conflicto social y armado que afecta a nuestro país.
MBQS: Método de evaluación para intervenciones en apego dirigidas a primera infancia
Authors: Salinas-Quiroz Fernando , Posada Germán
Published: September 2015

(Descriptivo): Presentamos la necesidad de dirigir intervenciones a sujetos cuidadores de menores de edades entre 0 y 6 años, ya que la literatura indica que la habilidad de las personas adultas para ofrecer una respuesta sensible es una poderosa variable para determinar la seguridad emocional del niño o niña. Las intervenciones basadas en la Teoría del Apego deben ser construidas con base en criterios científicos para su replicabilidad. El objetivo del presente trabajo es proponer la evaluación de la sensibilidad del sujeto cuidador con el método Q para la puntuación del comportamiento materno (MBQS), de manera previa y posterior a la intervención para sustentar su efectividad. El MBQS evalúa naturalísticamente al cuidador o cuidadora y a la calidad de la interacción, por lo cual resulta una herramienta válida y confiable para valorar las intervenciones dirigidas a las personas cuidadoras de la primera infancia
Formación en valores y cuentos tradicionales en la etapa de educación infantil
Authors: Marín-Díaz Verónica , Sánchez-Cuenca Carmen
Published: September 2015

(analítico): Los valores son hoy un elemento de la formación, siendo pieza clave en la Educación Infantil. Junto a estos encontramos la metodología de los cuentos tradicionales como forma de enseñanza-aprendizaje. En el presente artículo exponemos los primeros resultados de un estudio no experimental, llevado a cabo con el objetivo general de conocer cuáles son los valores que el profesorado cree que transmiten los cuentos infantiles. El principal resultado obtenido es que los cuentos tradicionales transmiten diferentes valores en función de la etapa educativa en que se empleen y de la experiencia profesional de los sujetos docentes. Concluimos que la educación en valores a través de los cuentos tradicionales en la etapa de Educación Infantil, es una metodología válida para la socialización de los niños y las niñas
La evaluación de las políticas municipales de juventud a partir de un sistema de indicadores
Authors: Soler-Masó Pere , Planas-Lladó Anna , Fullana-noell Judit
Published: September 2015

(analítico): En este artículo presentamos un sistema de indicadores (SIAPJove) para evaluar políticas municipales de juventud. El sistema ha sido creado y validado por un grupo de individuos expertos y se ha aplicado en tres municipios de Cataluña en el Estado Español, en forma de estudio de caso para comprobar su aplicabilidad y eficacia. El resultado es un instrumento con 12 ámbitos de evaluación, 32 objetivos de evaluación y 83 indicadores. Permite evaluar la situación de dichas políticas, hacer evidentes las tendencias y los cambios, valorar su nivel de eficacia y contribuir a establecer objetivos a corto y medio plazo. Asimismo, se puede utilizar como herramienta para la autoevaluación, para reflexionar sobre la propia acción y aprender de los errores y las dificultades en el desarrollo de las políticas municipales de juventud.
Suppression of Early and Late Afterdepolarizations by Heterozygous Knockout of the Na
+
/Ca
2+
Exchanger in a Murine Model
Authors: Bögeholz Nils , Pauls Paul , Bauer B. Klemens , Schulte Jan S. , Dechering Dirk G. , Frommeyer Gerrit , Kirchhefer Uwe , Goldhaber Joshua I. , Müller Frank U. , Eckardt Lars , Pott Christian
Published: September 2015

Background—

The Na
+
/Ca
2+
exchanger (NCX) has been implied to cause arrhythmias. To date, information on the role of NCX in arrhythmogenesis derived from models with increased NCX expression, hypertrophy, and heart failure. Furthermore, the exact mechanism by which NCX exerts its potentially proarrhythmic effect, ie, by promoting early afterdepolarization (EAD) or delayed afterdepolarization (DAD) or both, is unknown.

Methods and Results—

We investigated isolated cardiomyocytes from a murine model with heterozygous knockout of NCX (hetKO) using the patch clamp and Ca
2+
imaging techniques. Action potential duration was shorter in hetKO with I
Ktot
not being increased. The rate of spontaneous Ca
2+
release events and the rate of DADs were unaltered; however, DADs had lower amplitude in hetKO. A DAD triggered a spontaneous action potential significantly less often in hetKO when compared with wild-type. The occurrence of EADs was also drastically reduced in hetKO. I
Ca
activity was reduced in hetKO, an effect that was abolished in the presence of the Ca
2+
buffer BAPTA.

Conclusions—

Genetic suppression of NCX reduces both EADs and DADs. The following molecular mechanisms apply: (1) Although the absolute number of DADs is unaffected, an impaired translation of DADs into spontaneous action potentials results from a reduced DAD amplitude. (2) EADs are reduced in absolute number of occurrence, which is presumably a consequence of shortened action potential duration because of reduced NCX activity but also reduced I
Ca
the latter possibly being caused by a direct modulation of Ca
2+
-dependent I
Ca
inhibition by reduced NCX activity. This is the first study to demonstrate that genetic inhibition of NCX protects against afterdepolarizations and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Once Isolated, Always Isolated?
Authors: Heeger Christian-Hendrik , Wissner Erik , Mathew Shibu , Deiss Sebastian , Lemes Christine , Rillig Andreas , Wohlmuth Peter , Reissmann Bruno , Tilz Roland Richard , Ouyang Feifan , Kuck Karl-Heinz , Metzner Andreas
Published: September 2015

Background—

The second-generation cryoballoon delivers effective pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) associated with superior 1-year clinical outcome. However, data on reconduction of previously isolated PV are sparse.

Methods and Results—

A total of 421 patients underwent second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon-based PVI in 2 centers (St. George’s hospital and Harburg hospital, Hamburg, Germany) between June 2012 and May 2015. Sixty-six of 421 (16%) patients (39/66, 59% women; mean age, 63±10 years, mean left atrium diameter, 45±6 mm) with a history of paroxysmal (40/66, 61%) or persistent atrial fibrillation and atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences despite previous successful second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon-based PVI were included in this analysis. During the index PVI, the standard freeze cycle duration was 240 s. After successful PVI, a bonus freeze cycle of 240 s was applied in the first 15 of 66 (23%) patients, whereas no bonus freeze cycle was applied in the remaining patients. Repeat procedures were performed after a median of 205 (131–357) days following the index ablation. Electric reconduction was assessed for all PVs, and reablation was performed using radiofrequency energy. Persistent electric isolation was noted in 178 of 258 (69%) PVs. In 17 of 66 (26%) patients, all previously targeted PVs remained isolated. A significant difference toward highest reconduction rate for the posteroinferior segment of the right inferior PV was found (
P
=0.0002).

Conclusions—

The second-generation cryoballoon ablation is associated with a high rate of persistent PVI. The posteroinferior segment of the right inferior PV showed the highest reconduction rate and seems to be a predilection site for PV reconduction.
Role of Neutrophils in Exacerbation of Brain Injury After Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Hyperlipidemic Mice
Authors: Herz Josephine , Sabellek Pascal , Lane Thomas E. , Gunzer Matthias , Hermann Dirk M. , Doeppner Thorsten R.
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose—

Inflammation-related comorbidities contribute to stroke-induced immune responses and brain damage. We previously showed that hyperlipidemia exacerbates ischemic brain injury, which is associated with elevated peripheral and cerebral granulocyte numbers. Herein, we evaluate the contribution of neutrophils to the exacerbation of ischemic brain injury.

Methods—

Wild-type mice fed with a normal chow and ApoE knockout mice fed with a high cholesterol diet were exposed to middle cerebral artery occlusion. CXCR2 was blocked using the selective antagonist SB225002 (2 mg/kg) or neutralizing CXCR2 antiserum. Neutrophils were depleted using an anti-Ly6G antibody. At 72 hours post ischemia, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine cerebral tissue injury and immunologic changes in the blood, bone marrow, and brain. Functional outcome was assessed by accelerated rota rod and tight rope tests at 4, 7, and 14 days post ischemia.

Results—

CXCR2 antagonization reduced neurological deficits and infarct volumes that were exacerbated in hyperlipidemic ApoE
−/−
mice. This effect was mimicked by neutrophil depletion. Cerebral neutrophil infiltration and peripheral neutrophilia, which were increased on ischemia in hyperlipidemia, were attenuated by CXCR2 antagonization. This downscaling of neutrophil responses was associated with increased neutrophil apoptosis and reduced levels of CXCR2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and NADPH oxidase 2 expression on bone marrow neutrophils.

Conclusions—

Our data demonstrate a role of neutrophils in the exacerbation of ischemic brain injury induced by hyperlipidemia. Accordingly, CXCR2 blockade, which prevents neutrophil recruitment into the brain, might be an effective option for stroke treatment in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Intracultural Communication and Intercultural Communication: Are They Different?
Authors: Kecskes Istvan
Published: September 2015

The paper discusses the differences between intracultural communication and intercultural communication from a socio-cognitive perspective that treats this relationship as a continuum rather than a dichotomy. Movement on the continuum, and differences between the two phenomena are affected by different factors that will be discussed in the paper. The hypothetical left end of the continuum is intracultural communication and the right end is intercultural communication. Neither exists in pure form. The question is to which end a given communicative situation is closer to and what characteristics it is dominated by. While moving on toward the right end communication becomes less dependent on standards, norms, frames, core common ground and formulaic language and is characterized more by emergent common ground, ad hoc generated rather than formulaic expressions, norm creating attempts and individual creativity in solving communication problems.
Political Communication in Context: A Genre-Based Approach
Authors: Ivanova Anna
Published: September 2015

Research on genres in political communication has been under scrutiny during the last few decades. The papers collected in the reviewed volume present a collection of the existing theories and approaches to the modern research tradition on political communication. They cover both theory- and data-driven studies, which vary in their material from the traditional official documents to the recent ones such as blogs and web ads. All in all, the volume demonstrates a broad range of interests and conducted research, and the vast scope of investigations, which fill in the gap that existed in the field.
On the variation of leaf border in Rhizomnium (Cinclidiaceae)

Authors: Koponen Timo , Buck William R.
Published: September 2015

In the genus Rhizomnium T. Kop. most taxa have a strong leaf border several cells broad and bi- to tristratose. Rhizomnium striatulum (Mitt.) T. Kop. belongs to that group. In Northeast China one population of R. striatulum was found with a very weak leaf border, and also the costa of these plants is weaker than is characteristic for the species. The deviating population is figured and its significance discussed. The distribution of R. striatulum is mapped.
Erratum
Authors: Honda Neli K. , Devincenzi Izilda A.A. , Filho Lauro Xavier
Published: September 2015

Erratum for Secalonic Acid A from Pseudoparmelia sphaerospora (Nyl.) Hale and P. hypomilta (Fée) Hale (Parmeliaceae)
Studies on Hong Kong Cheilolejeunea with two species new to China.

Authors: So M. L. , Zhu R. L.
Published: September 2015

Five species of the genus Cheilolejeunea are reported from Hong Kong. Among them, Cheilolejeunea osumiensis (Hatt.) Mizut. and Cheilolejeunea ryukyuensis Mizut. are new to China. Cheilolejeunea intertexta (Lindenb.) Steph. is newly reported for China except Taiwan, and Cheilolejeunea trifaria (Reinw. et al.) Mizut. is documented for the first time for mainland China except Hainan and Taiwan. The detailed description and illustration of Cheilolejeunea osumiensis as well as the key to the five Cheilolejeunea species of Hong Kong are also presented.
Curicaberis, a new genus of Sparassidae from North and Central America
(Araneae, Sparassidae, Sparassinae)
Authors: RHEIMS CRISTINA A.
Published: September 2015

The genus Curicaberis gen. nov. is described to include the type species, Curicaberis ferrugineus (C.L. Koch, 1836) comb. nov., and eight other species transferred from Olios Walckenaer, 1837: C. abnormis (Keyserling, 1884) comb. nov., C. annulatus (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1900) comb. nov., C. bibranchiatus (Fox, 1937) comb. nov., C. ensiger (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1900) comb. nov., C. ferrugineus (C.L. Koch, 1836) comb. nov., C. luctuosus (Banks, 1898) comb. nov., C. minax (O. Pickard-Cambridge,1896) comb. nov., C. manifestus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1890) comb. nov., and C. peninsulanus (Banks, 1898) comb. nov.. All species are redescribed and illustrated. The males of C. ferrugineus comb. nov. and C. luctuosus comb. nov., and the female of C. annulatus comb. nov. are described and illustrated for the first time. Twenty-three new species are described: C. azul sp. nov. (♂) from Veracruz, C. catarinas sp. nov. (♀) from Chihuahua, C. chamela sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), C. eberhardi sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), C. jalisco sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), and C. urquizai sp. nov. (♂ and ♀) from Jalisco, C. culiacan sp. nov. (♂) from Sinaloa, C. cuyutlan sp. nov. (♂) from Colima, C. durango sp. nov. (♂) from Durango, C. elpunto sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), C. sanpedrito sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), C. tortugero sp. nov. (♀), C. yerba sp. nov. (♀) and C. zapotec sp. nov. (♂) from Oaxaca, C. huitiupan sp. nov. (♂), from Chiapas, C. pedregal sp. nov. (♂) from Distrito Federal, C. potosi sp. nov. (♀) from San Luis Potosí, C. puebla sp. nov. (♀) from Puebla, C. tepic sp. nov. (♀) from Nayarit, and C. mitla sp. nov. (♂ and ♀) from Veracruz and Oaxaca, C. chiapas sp. nov. (♂ and ♀) from Chiapas and Tabasco, all in Mexico, C. granada sp. nov. (♂ and ♀) from Granada and Manágua in Nicaragua and Guanacaste in Costa Rica, and C. bagaces sp. nov. (♀), from Guanacaste, Costa Rica. An identification key and distribution maps are provided for all known species.
New species of Nothybus Rondani, 1875 (Diptera: Nothybidae) from Vietnam with a key to Vietnamese species of the genus
Authors: Galinskaya Tatiana V. , Shatalkin Anatole I.
Published: September 2015

This study is part of an ongoing series of studies on the Vietnamese cyclorrhaphous fauna. One new species from Vietnam, Nothybus kuznetsovorum sp.nov., is described and figured. A key to species of Nothybus is provided. Genital structures are described and figured.
A new species of the South East Asian genus Sarax Simon, 1892 (Arachnida: Amblypygi: Charinidae) and synonymization of Sarax mediterraneus Delle Cave, 1986
Authors: SEITER MICHAEL , WOLFF JONAS , HÖRWEG CHRISTOPH
Published: September 2015

A new species of the whip spider genus Sarax Simon, 1892 from Cebu Island in the Philippines is described: Sarax huberi sp. nov. With the description of this species, the diversity of the genus is increased to three species in the Philippines. Some additional data on their natural environment and their specific habitat are presented and compared with sibling species. The synonymization of Sarax mediterraneus Delle Cave, 1986 with Sarax buxtoni (Gravely, 1915) is carried out.
A Theory for Bjerknes Compensation: The Role of Climate Feedback
Authors: Liu Zhengyu , Yang Haijun , He Chengfei , Zhao Yingying
Published: September 2015

The response of the atmospheric energy (heat) transport (AHT) to a perturbation oceanic heat transport (OHT) is studied theoretically in a zonal mean energy balance model, with the focus on the effect of climate feedback, especially its spatial variation, on Bjerknes compensation (BJC). It is found that the BJC depends critically on climate feedback. For a stable climate, in which negative climate feedback is dominant, the AHT always compensates the OHT in the opposite direction. Furthermore, if local climate feedback is negative everywhere, the AHT will be weaker than the OHT (undercompensation) because of the damping on the surface oceanic heating through the top-of-atmosphere energy loss. One novel finding is that the compensation magnitude depends on the spatial scale of the forcing and is bounded between a minimum at the global scale and a maximum (of perfect compensation) at small scales. Most interestingly, the BJC is affected significantly by the spatial variation of the feedback, particularly a local positive climate feedback. As such, a regional positive feedback can lead to a compensating AHT greater than the perturbation OHT (overcompensation). This occurs because the positive feedback enhances the local temperature response, the anomalous temperature gradient, and, in turn, the AHT. Finally, the poleward latent heat transport leads to a temperature response with a polar amplification accompanied by a polar steepening of temperature gradient but does not change the BJC significantly. Potential applications of this BJC theory to more complex climate model studies are also discussed.
Reconciling Precipitation with Runoff: Observed Hydrological Change in the Midlatitudes
Authors: Osborne Joe M. , Lambert F. Hugo , Groenendijk Margriet , Harper Anna B. , Koven Charles D. , Poulter Benjamin , Pugh Thomas A. M. , Sitch Stephen , Stocker Benjamin D. , Wiltshire Andy , Zaehle Sönke
Published: September 2015

Century-long observed gridded land precipitation datasets are a cornerstone of hydrometeorological research. But recent work has suggested that observed Northern Hemisphere midlatitude (NHML) land mean precipitation does not show evidence of an expected negative response to mid-twentieth-century aerosol forcing. Utilizing observed river discharges, the observed runoff is calculated and compared with observed land precipitation. The results show a near-zero twentieth-century trend in observed NHML land mean runoff, in contrast to the significant positive trend in observed NHML land mean precipitation. However, precipitation and runoff share common interannual and decadal variability. An obvious split, or breakpoint, is found in the NHML land mean runoff–precipitation relationship in the 1930s. Using runoff simulated by six land surface models (LSMs), which are driven by the observed precipitation dataset, such breakpoints are absent. These findings support previous hypotheses that inhomogeneities exist in the early-twentieth-century NHML land mean precipitation record. Adjusting the observed precipitation record according to the observed runoff record largely accounts for the departure of the observed precipitation response from that predicted given the real-world aerosol forcing estimate, more than halving the discrepancy from about 6 to around 2 W m−2. Consideration of complementary observed runoff adds support to the suggestion that NHML-wide early-twentieth-century precipitation observations are unsuitable for climate change studies. The agreement between precipitation and runoff over Europe, however, is excellent, supporting the use of whole-twentieth-century observed precipitation datasets here.
The Changing Nature of Efficiencies in Mergers and in Merger Analysis
Authors: Kwoka John
Published: September 2015

Efficiencies have long been an important aspect of the antitrust analysis of mergers, but in recent years there have been certain noteworthy changes in the nature and analysis of efficiencies. One change appears to be the greater ability of the antitrust agencies to evaluate conventional efficiencies carefully and critically. This is demonstrated by the analysis of efficiencies associated with a number of recent proposed mergers before the antitrust and regulatory agencies. The second important change concerns the types of efficiencies typically claimed by merging firms. Whereas in earlier years these largely involved scale economies, they now more often focus on dynamic efficiencies, quality benefits, and vertical economies. This article discusses each of these in turn and argues that these newer types of efficiencies pose new and greater challenges for analysis.
The eligibility of Public Administration research for ethics review: a case study of two international peer-reviewed journals
Authors: Wessels Jacobus S. , Visagie Retha G.
Published: September 2015

This article reports on research aimed at assessing why Public Administration research is eligible for research ethics review or not through a quantitative content analysis of two international peer-reviewed journals. Through a comprehensive literature review on research integrity, research ethics and human subject protection regulations, the reasons, convictions and conditions for ethics review were identified and combined into a conceptual framework for the purpose of the content analysis. The study revealed that 60% of the articles reported on research involving human participants directly or indirectly. An interesting observation was the lack of reporting on ethical considerations in general and specifically in the research design of those articles with the potential to harm human subjects. It is recommended that higher education institutions hosting researchers in Public Administration, as well as peer-reviewed journals, should instil the awareness and sensitivity for research ethics among researchers.

Points for practitioners

The study on which this article is based reports on the qualifying reasons, convictions and conditions for ethics review in Public Administration research. Consequently, the article proposes a conceptual framework that could be used by Public Administration researchers and ethics review committees to assess whether research is eligible for ethics review or not.
Maintaining Employees’ Commitment to Organizational Change
Authors: Shin Jiseon , Seo Myeong-Gu , Shapiro Debra L. , Taylor M. Susan
Published: September 2015

Via a longitudinal study of organizational change, we found that employees’ later commitment to change, in both affective and normative forms, was generally greater when they initially felt more rather than less commitment to change and that more commitment to change was sustained over time when employees perceived their leaders to have provided more transformational and informational justice behaviors within their work units. We also found that employees’ later commitment to change was a strong predictor of employees’ later behavioral support for change and turnover intention. The implications of our findings for how to maintain employee commitment to organizational change will be discussed.
Layered vulnerability: Temporary migrants in Australian horticulture
Authors: Underhill Elsa , Rimmer Malcolm
Published: September 2015

Australian horticulture (fruit and vegetable production) relies upon a seasonal harvest workforce, much of which now consists of temporary migrant workers. This article argues that the composition of this workforce and the character of the work lead towards layered vulnerability, some groups being more exposed to low pay and substandard working conditions than others. Formally at least, employment conditions are generally protected by the federal Horticulture Award (2010). But are decent employment standards consistently observed? The article explores this question, examining three issues. First, does analysis of workforce composition reveal different tiers in the workforce, some more vulnerable than others? Second, do the casual nature of harvest work and the job search processes used by temporary migrant workers create disadvantaged groups? Third, does evidence about pay, working hours and work intensity reveal some workers to be more vulnerable than others? The article concludes with an examination of those factors that appear to be associated with layered vulnerability in the harvest workforce, and considers some policy implications.
Toddlers’ Word Recognition in an Unfamiliar Regional Accent: The Role of Local Sentence Context and Prior Accent Exposure
Authors: van Heugten Marieke , Johnson Elizabeth K.
Published: September 2015

Adults are generally adept at recognizing familiar words in unfamiliar accents. However, studies testing young children’s abilities to cope with accent-related variation in the speech signal have generated mixed results, with some work emphasizing toddlers’ early competence and other work focusing more on their long-lasting difficulties in this domain. Here, we set out to unify these two perspectives and propose that task demands may play a crucial role in children’s recognition of accented words. To this end, Canadian-English-learning 28-month-olds’ looks to images on a screen were recorded while they were presented with a Scottish-accented speaker instructing them to find a depicted target object. To examine the effect of task demands, both local sentence context and prior accent exposure were manipulated. Overall, Canadian toddlers were found to recognize Scottish-accented words successfully, showing above-chance performance in the identification of words produced in an unfamiliar accent, even when target labels were presented in isolation. However, word recognition was considerably more robust when target words were presented in sentence context. Prior exposure to the unfamiliar Scottish accent in the laboratory did not modulate children’s performance in this task. Taken together, these findings suggest that at least some task-related factors can affect children’s recognition of accented words. Understanding unfamiliar accents, like understanding familiar accents, is thus not an isolated skill but, rather, is susceptible to contextual circumstances. Future models of spoken language processing in toddlerhood should incorporate these early effects of task demands.
Alcohol and Alcohol Effects: Constituting Causality in Alcohol Epidemiology
Authors: Hart Aaron , Moore David
Published: September 2015

Taking cues from Science and Technology Studies, we examine how one type of alcohol epidemiology constitutes the causality of alcohol health effects, and how three realities are made along the way: (1) alcohol is a stable agent that acts consistently to produce quantifiable effects; (2) these effects may be amplified or diminished by social or other factors but not mediated in other ways; and (3) alcohol effects observable at the population level are priorities for public health. We describe how these propositions are predicated upon several simplifications and that these simplifications have political implications, including the attribution of responsibility for health effects to a pharmacological substance; the deletion of other agentic forces that might share responsibility; and a prioritization of simple effects over complex effects. We argue that epidemiological research on alcohol might expand its range of ontological, epistemological and methodological practices to identify new ways of understanding and addressing health effects.
Defendant Remorse and Publicity in Capital Trials
Authors: Tallon Jennifer A. , Daftary-Kapur Tarika , Penrod Steven
Published: September 2015

Exposure to negative pre-trial publicity (PTP) can bias jurors, but the role of PTP in capital sentencing remains unclear. The goal of this study was to examine how variations in PTP concerning a defendant’s emotions prior to sentencing and variations in the defendant’s emotions during sentencing influenced sentencing decisions. One hundred death-qualified community members served as mock jurors in a 2 (pre-sentencing publicity [PSP]: emotional vs. unemotional) × 2 (defendant’s behavior at sentencing: emotional vs. unemotional) between groups factorial design. Participants were exposed to PSP approximately 1 week before viewing a DVD of a simulated sentencing hearing in which we manipulated the defendant’s behavior. Appearing emotional during sentencing decreased the likelihood of a death sentence and improved evaluations of the defendant, but PSP exerted no effect on decision making. Attitudes toward the death penalty directly affected sentencing decisions and moderated the effects of both publicity and sentencing behavior.
Predictive Validity of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory with Youth who have Committed Sexual and Non-Sexual Offenses
Authors: Schmidt Fred , Sinclair Sarah M. , Thomasdóttir Sólveig
Published: September 2015

The predictive validity of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) and the use of professional override were examined in a matched sample of youth who committed sexual ( n = 204) and non-sexual ( n = 185) offenses. Based on the actuarial score, the YLS/CMI obtained moderate to strong levels of predictive validity for non-violent, violent, sexual, and technical recidivism in both samples of youth. Probation officers always used override to increase risk level classification and did so at a high level for both sexual ( n = 151; 74.0%) and non-sexual ( n = 77; 41.6%) offending youth. There was a detrimental impact on the predictive validity of the YLS/CMI for youth who received an override adjustment, regardless of offending category. These preliminary findings suggest that the application of override should be carefully considered on instruments such as the YLS/CMI.
The mediation effects of dysfunctional beliefs and emotional regulation on children's perceived parental conflict and internalizing and externalizing problems
Authors: Lee Ji-yeon , Wesbecher Kristen , Lee Mihwa , Lee Jeeyon
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediational effects of dysfunctional beliefs and difficulties in emotional regulation on children's perception of interparental conflict and subsequent internalizing and externalizing problems. The participants in this study were 335 fifth grade elementary school students in Korea. We hypothesized that the association between children's perceived parental conflict and their internalizing and externalizing problems is mediated by dysfunctional beliefs and difficulty in emotional regulation. The hypothesized model was tested by structural equation modeling (SEM). The hypothesis was supported, and we concluded that children's perceived parental conflict affects children's internalizing problems through dysfunctional beliefs and difficulties in emotional regulation. However, the bootstrap results indicate that the direct path between parental conflict and externalizing problems is not significant, which suggests full mediation of dysfunctional belief in the association between parental conflict and externalizing problems, while dysfunctional belief partially mediated the association between parental conflict and internalizing problems.