bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Complexity in Habitat Use and Selection by Stream Fishes in a Snake River Basin Tributary
Authors: Dauwalter Daniel C. , Wenger Seth J. , Gardner Peter
Published: September 2014

Impacts from grazing, agriculture, and other anthropogenic land uses can decrease stream habitat complexity that is important to stream biota and often is the goal of stream habitat restoration. We evaluated how microhabitat complexity structured a fish assemblage and influenced habitat selection by the Northern Leatherside Chub Lepidomeda copei, a recent candidate for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, in Trapper Creek, a tributary to the Snake River in Idaho. Fishes were sampled using prepositioned areal electrofishing (about 1 m2), and microhabitat conditions were measured within a 1‐m‐diameter circle centered on the electrofishing anode. Constrained correspondence analysis showed complexity in water depths and velocity to structure the fish assemblage and partition habitat use by Northern Leatherside Chub, Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Redside Shiner Richardsonius balteatus. Habitat selection models showed that the chub used areas of heterogeneous depths and flows in addition to the low‐velocity, deep habitats often considered to be the species’ habitat. Additionally, chub were almost certain to occur in deep‐water habitats when overhead cover—often from mature riparian shrubs—was present. The complex depths and flows structuring the fish assemblage, and selected by chub, were often directly tied to other structural stream features such as boulders, mature riparian vegetation, and beaver Castor canadensis dams, stream features that have direct ties to active and passive instream habitat restoration techniques. Our study suggests that habitat complexity should be routinely incorporated into studies evaluating fish habitat use, occupancy, and abundance. Doing so will result in models that are more informative to practitioners conducting stream restoration with a goal of improving habitat complexity.

Received January 9, 2014; accepted April 29, 2014
Atlantic Rock Crab, unlike American Lobster, Is Important to Ecosystem Functioning in Northumberland Strait
Authors: Hanson John Mark , Comeau Michel , Rondeau Amélie
Published: September 2014

To compare the roles of American lobster Homarus americanus and Atlantic rock crab Cancer irroratus in the food web processes of a coastal ecosystem, distribution, abundance, stomach contents, diet overlap, and occurrence in stomachs of predators were described for the two species collected during July–August trawl surveys in Northumberland Strait, southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Atlantic rock crab was more widely distributed, was more numerous on mud and muddy sand substrates, and occurred in deeper water than American lobster. Atlantic rock crab was the principal prey of American lobster while American lobster was almost never eaten by Atlantic rock crab. American lobster (benthic and pelagic stages) was a trace item in all fish and decapod stomachs examined except in those of the Shorthorn Sculpin Myoxocephalus scorpius and other American lobsters. In contrast, Atlantic rock crab larvae commonly occurred in stomachs of many pelagic fishes while small (<40 mm carapace width) benthic individuals were important prey of demersal fish species such as Winter Skate Leucoraja ocellata, Cunner Tautogolabrus adspersus, Longhorn Sculpin M. octodecemspinosus, and Shorthorn Sculpin. Atlantic rock crab had a broad diet consisting of fish, sevenspine bay shrimp Crangon septemspinosa, Atlantic rock crab (mostly cannibalism), bivalves, and polychaetes. American lobster had a narrow diet consisting mainly of Atlantic rock crab with lesser amounts of American lobster (old carapaces and cannibalism) and sea stars. Diet overlap between the two species was moderate and mainly due to joint consumption of Atlantic rock crab. Thus, Atlantic rock crab play a prominent role in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence food web (and therefore energy cycling) while American lobster serves mostly as an energy sink whose loss from the ecosystem would mainly affect people dependent upon the fishery.

Received January 3, 2014; accepted May 30, 2014
Estimates of Effective Number of Breeding Adults and Reproductive Success for White Sturgeon
Authors: Jay Kathleen , Crossman James A. , Scribner Kim T.
Published: September 2014

Accurate estimates of the number of adults contributing to offspring (Ns), effective breeding number (Nb), and individual adult contributions to recruitment are required for recovery planning for endangered White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus populations, many of which are suffering from prolonged periods of recruitment failure. We show that genetic techniques can be used to characterize important features of White Sturgeon reproductive ecology in large rivers where census data are extremely difficult to obtain. We used 12 microsatellite loci and likelihood‐based pedigree analysis to estimate Ns, Nb, number of kin groups (Nk), and individual reproductive success of White Sturgeon contributing to viable eggs and larvae collected in the upper Columbia River in each of 2 years. Estimated mean ±SD annual Ns was 121.5 ± 34.7, Nb was 86.5 ± 10.6, and Nk was 73.5 ± 17.3. Large variations in estimates of Ns, Nb, and Nk were observed between three spawning areas, in which one spawning site representing 61% of total adult spawning population. Variation in adult reproductive success was observed within and among sites. Estimated mean ±SD individual spawning duration was 1.9 ± 1.1 d, and number of mates per adult was 2.9 ± 2.5, which also varied spatially and temporally. Based on age of collected eggs and larvae, number of spawning days ranged from 5 to 19 d between years and among sites. Genetically derived estimates of Ns were lower but generally concordant with empirical estimates of available spawners (Nc), based on sex ratios and maturation staging of adults captured independently (Ns/Nc ratio = 0.683). Results increase our understanding of White Sturgeon reproductive ecology and recruitment and allow projections of cohort levels of genetic diversity. Similar data can be applied to recovery planning and aquaculture programs for this and other species of conservation concern.

Received January 6, 2014; accepted May 28, 2014
A Multi‐Scaled Approach to Evaluating the Fish Assemblage Structure Within Southern Appalachian Streams
Authors: Kirsch Joseph E. , Peterson James T.
Published: September 2014

There is considerable uncertainty about the relative roles of stream habitat and landscape characteristics in structuring stream‐fish assemblages. We evaluated the relative importance of environmental characteristics on fish occupancy at the local and landscape scales within the upper Little Tennessee River basin of Georgia and North Carolina. Fishes were sampled using a quadrat sample design at 525 channel units within 48 study reaches during two consecutive years. We evaluated species–habitat relationships (local and landscape factors) by developing hierarchical, multispecies occupancy models. Modeling results suggested that fish occupancy within the Little Tennessee River basin was primarily influenced by stream topology and topography, urban land coverage, and channel unit types. Landscape scale factors (e.g., urban land coverage and elevation) largely controlled the fish assemblage structure at a stream‐reach level, and local‐scale factors (i.e., channel unit types) influenced fish distribution within stream reaches. Our study demonstrates the utility of a multi‐scaled approach and the need to account for hierarchy and the interscale interactions of factors influencing assemblage structure prior to monitoring fish assemblages, developing biological management plans, or allocating management resources throughout a stream system.

Received January 17, 2014; accepted June 4, 2014
Autarky as a moral baseline
Authors: Olson Kristi A.
Published: September 2014

In his account of fairness in international trade, Aaron James distinguishes autarkic gains from the gains of trade. Since the autarkic gains are external to the practice of trade, James's account allows each country to keep these gains. The gains of trade, in contrast, must be distributed equally. This distinction suffers from three problems. First, James's autarkic adjustment not only allows inequalities to persist, but exacerbates and creates new ones. Second, there is no non-morally arbitrary way to determine the autarkic gains. Finally, by favouring his account over more egalitarian options, James does not merely set autarkic gains aside as external to the practice of trade but rather implicitly endorses a moral entitlement to autarkic gains without argumentation.
Comparison of the Susceptibility of Four Rainbow Trout Strains to Cold-Water Disease
Authors: Wagner Eric J. , Oplinger Randall W.
Published: September 2014

Susceptibility to cold-water disease was compared among four strains of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss: Arlee strain from Ennis National Fish Hatchery, Montana (AL-EN), the Arlee strain from Jocko River Hatchery, Montana (AL-JR), a cold-water disease-resistant strain (WV), and the Harrison–Hofer strain (HH). Bacterial challenges were either by bath or intraperitoneal injection (50 μL of 0.65 optical density). Each strain was exposed at 75 d after hatch to either the CSF 259-93 (Idaho) or 09–104 isolate (Utah) of Flavobacterium psychrophilum. Injection controls received a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution and bath controls were exposed to uninoculated sterile broth (tryptone yeast extract salts) mixed 1:1 with hatchery well water. For injected fish, the WV had significantly lower mortality (20.0–36.7%) than HH and AL-EN (76.7–96.7%) but did not significantly differ from AL-JR (46.7–56.7%). Injected fish had significantly higher mortality than bath-exposed fish. For bath-exposed fish, the WV had significantly lower mortality (0%) than the HH (10.0–26.7%), but both Arlee strains had intermediate mortality values (0–13.3%) that did not significantly differ from either the HH or WV strain. There were no significant differences between the two bacterial isolates, indicating similar virulence and similar resistance response of WV to another novel isolate of F. psychrophilum.

Received November 5, 2013; accepted April 15, 2014
Development and Characterization of a Largemouth Bass Cell Line
Authors: Getchell Rodman G. , Groocock Geoffrey H. , Cornwell Emily R. , Schumacher Vanessa L. , Glasner Lindsay I. , Baker Barry J. , Frattini Stephen A. , Wooster Gregory A. , Bowser Paul R.
Published: September 2014

The development and characterization of a new cell line, derived from the ovary of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, is described. Gonad tissue was collected from Largemouth Bass that were electrofished from Oneida Lake, New York. The tissue was processed and grown in culture flasks at approximately 22°C for more than 118 passages during an 8-year period from 2004 to 2011. The identity of these cells as Largemouth Bass origin was confirmed by sequencing a portion of the cytochrome b gene. Growth rate at three different temperatures was documented. The cell line was susceptible to Largemouth Bass virus (LMBV) and its replication was compared with that of Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus fry (BF-2), one of the cell lines recommended for LMBV isolation by the American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section Blue Book. Quantitative PCR results from the replication trial showed the BF-2 cell line produced approximately 10-fold more LMBV copies per cell than the new Largemouth Bass cell line after 6 d, while the titration assay showed similar quantities in each cell line after 1 week.

Received February 18, 2014; accepted April 16, 2014
Alleviation of Dermatophagoides microceras-induced allergy by an immunomodulatory protein, FIP-fve, from Flammulina velutipes in mice
Authors: Chang Yu-Chi , Hsiao Yi-Min , Hung Shao-Chi , Chen Ya-Wen , Ou Chu-Chyn , Chang Wei-Ting , Lue Ko-Huang , Ko Jiunn-Liang
Published: September 2014

Asthma is a major public health concern. Its greatest risk factor is house dust mite (HDM). Dermatophagoides microceras (Der m) is a type of HDM, and in central Taiwan, there is approximately 80% prevalence of sensitization to Der m. FIP-fve is a fungal immunomodulatory protein (FIP) isolated from the fungus Flammulina velutipes, and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. To investigate whether FIP-fve affects Der m-induced asthma and inflammation, we evaluated hyper-responsiveness (AHR), pathological changes, and cytokines in mice. We demonstrated that oral FIP-fve decreased Der m-induced airway AHR, airway inflammation, cell infiltration, and expression of cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of Balb/c mice. The results of this study suggest that FIP-fve suppresses asthma, inflammation, and respiratory pathogenesis stimulated by Der m. FIP-fve is able to maintain immunomodulatory activity even in simulated gastric fluid and intestinal fluid. FIP-fve could be a safe and stable agent for suppression of allergic asthma.
Reconstructing ‘Traditional’ Justice from the outside in: Transitional Justice in Aceh and East Timor
Authors: Horne Cynthia M.
Published: September 2014

Transitional justice programmes in post-conflict Aceh, Indonesia, and East Timor are often described as acts of bottom-up reconciliation, highlighting both the community focus of the programmes and the inclusion of indigenous justice practices (adat). Traditionally resonant forms of transitional justice are lauded over internationally orchestrated programmes for their presumed legitimacy and efficacy in promoting peacebuilding and reconciliation. This framing ignores the substantial and largely unrecognised role played by external actors in the revitalisation, reconstruction, and in some cases implementation of traditional practices in the transitional justice and peacebuilding programmes in Aceh and East Timor. Moreover, although the use of traditional practices was supposed to improve the effectiveness of the programmes, the reconstruction of ‘tradition’ by external actors created some new legitimacy and implementation problems. The cases highlight how the instrumentalisation of traditional practices in transitional justice programmes may solve some post-conflict dilemmas but create others.
Rising Powers and the Security–Development Nexus: Brazil's Engagement with Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Abdenur Adriana Erthal , De Souza Neto Danilo Marcondes
Published: September 2014

Over the past decade, Brazil has stepped up its involvement in international security and development. However, few studies have looked at how Brazil's concrete experiences in post-conflict and fragile states have shaped its broader positions on key security and development issues (and vice versa). Analysing Brazil's role in Guinea-Bissau, this article asks how Brazilian government actors interpret the intersection between security and development. Drawing on a combination of document analysis and interviews, findings suggest that the Brazilian government has rejected labels such as ‘failed state’ and ‘narco-state’ and that cooperation needs to address the multidimensional causes of Guinea-Bissau's instability. Brazil's stress on combining security sector reform with broader institution-building and socioeconomic development reflects a somewhat different emphasis than the approach promoted by actors that have concentrated more narrowly on curbing the drug trade.
The more your mind wanders, the smaller your attentional blink: An individual differences study
Authors: Thomson David R. , Ralph Brandon C. W. , Besner Derek , Smilek Daniel
Published: September 2014

The present studies investigate the hypothesis that individuals who frequently report experiencing episodes of mind wandering do so because they under-invest attentional/executive resources in the external environment. Here we examined whether self-reported instances of mind wandering predict the magnitude of the “attentional blink” (AB) in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task, since a prominent view is that the AB derives from an over-investment of attention in the information stream. Study 1 demonstrates that subjective reports of mind wandering in a sustained attention task have a negative predictive relation with respect to the magnitude of the AB measured in a subsequent RSVP task. In addition, using the Spontaneous and Deliberate Mind Wandering Questionnaire in Study 2, we were again able to show that trait-level mind wandering in everyday life negatively predicts AB magnitude. We suggest that mind wandering may be the behavioural outcome of an adaptive cognitive style intended to maximize the efficient processing of dynamic and temporally unpredictable events.
What can megastudies tell us about the orthographic structure of English words?
Authors: Chetail Fabienne , Balota David , Treiman Rebecca , Content Alain
Published: September 2014

Although the majority of research in visual word recognition has targeted single-syllable words, most words are polysyllabic. These words engender special challenges, one of which concerns their analysis into smaller units. According to a recent hypothesis, the organization of letters into groups of successive consonants (C) and vowels (V) constrains the orthographic structure of printed words. So far, evidence has been reported only in French with factorial studies of relatively small sets of items. In the present study, we performed regression analyses on corpora of megastudies (English and British Lexicon Project databases) to examine the influence of the CV pattern in English. We compared hiatus words, which present a mismatch between the number of syllables and the number of groups of adjacent vowel letters (e.g., client), to other words, controlling for standard lexical variables. In speeded pronunciation, hiatus words were processed more slowly than control words, and the effect was stronger in low-frequency words. In the lexical decision task, the interference effect of hiatus in low-frequency words was balanced by a facilitatory effect in high-frequency words. Taken together, the results support the hypothesis that the configuration of consonant and vowel letters influences the processing of polysyllabic words in English.
An aesthetic of the unknown
Authors: Evans Michael
Published: September 2014

This paper begins to establish an ‘aesthetic of the unknown’ by drawing together theorists and approaches from mainstream art criticism to provide a starting-point for an aesthetic sympathetic with Jungian perspectives, in an attempt to bridge a gap between contemporary abstract painting, contemporary art theory, and Jungian studies. This is a framework for approaching abstract painting not as an object awaiting interpretation or ‘reading’, but rather as something that offers a numinous experience (or experience of the unknown), which can be thought about but may remain ultimately unknowable and irreducible. Such experience – involving both the unconscious and conscious mind – would provide glimpses of forms of meaning not accessible to full rational exposition. This type of unconsciously understood meaning is explored, acknowledging that there is a need to preserve this encounter with the unknown and a need for a contemporary critical, theoretical framework that recognises the importance of this within abstract painting.
Dipolar modulation in number counts of WISE–2MASS sources
Authors: Yoon Mijin , Huterer Dragan , Gibelyou Cameron , Kovács András , Szapudi István
Published: September 2014

We test the statistical isotropy of the Universe by analysing the distribution of WISE extragalactic sources that were also observed by 2MASS. We pay particular attention to colour cuts and foreground marginalization in order to cull a uniform sample of extragalactic objects and avoid stars. We detect a dipole gradient in the number counts with an amplitude of ∼0.05, somewhat larger than expectations based on local structures corresponding to the depth and (independently measured) bias of our WISE–2MASS sources. The direction of the dipole, (l, b) ≃ (310°, −15°), is in reasonably good agreement with that found previously in the (shallower) 2MASS Extended Source Catalog alone. Interestingly, the dipole direction is not far from the direction of the dipolar modulation in the cosmic microwave background found by Planck, and also fairly closely matches large-scale structure bulk-flow directions found by various groups using galaxies and Type Ia supernovae. It is difficult, however, to draw specific conclusions from the near-agreement of these directions.
Effect of Kernel Size and Mill Type on Protein, Milling Yield, and Baking Quality of Hard Red Spring Wheat
Authors: Baasandorj Tsogtbayar , Ohm Jae‐Bom , Manthey Frank , Simsek Senay
Published: September 2014

Optimization of flour yield and quality is important in the milling industry. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of kernel size and mill type on flour yield and end‐use quality. A hard red spring wheat composite sample was segregated, based on kernel size, into large, medium, and small kernels, as well as unsorted kernels. The four fractions were milled in three roller mills: Brabender Quadrumat Jr., Quadrumat Sr., and Bühler MLU‐202 laboratory mills. Large kernels had consistently higher flour yield than small kernels across mills, with the Quadrumat Jr. mill showing the lowest flour yield. Mill type and kernel size significantly affected variation in flour protein molecular weight distribution. When compared with larger kernels, flour milled from the small‐kernel fraction contained a higher gliadin fraction and SDS‐unextractable high‐molecular‐weight polymeric proteins, which had positive correlations with bread loaf volume (r = 0.61, P < 0.05) and mixograph peak time (r = 0.84, P < 0.001). Overall, small kernels could contribute to enhancing flour breadmaking quality while having a detrimental effect on milling yield.
Editorial
Authors: Stuart Trevor
Published: September 2014

As is usual, the volumes of
Biographical Memoirs
contain much material of interest to the student of the mathematical, physical, engineering, biological and medical sciences. Often a memoir has been written in collaboration with another Academy or Society. In the present volume the memoir of Shiing-Shen Chern is an expanded version of an obituary notice by Nigel Hitchin that appeared in the
Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society
. Chern was a great geometer, who revolutionized differential geometry and whose mathematical tools are now common currency in geometry, topology and theoretical physics. His proof of the Gauss–Bonnet theorem, which was a pivotal event in the history of differential geometry, led to the importance of the Chern classes. Moreover. S.-S. Chern was extremely influential in the development of mathematics and geometry both in the USA, at the Institute of Advanced Study, Princeton, and Chicago and Berkeley, and in China, in Shanghai and Nankei.
Maximizing protein translation rate in the non-homogeneous ribosome flow model: a convex optimization approach
Authors: Poker Gilad , Zarai Yoram , Margaliot Michael , Tuller Tamir
Published: September 2014

Translation is an important stage in gene expression. During this stage, macro-molecules called ribosomes travel along the mRNA strand linking amino acids together in a specific order to create a functioning protein. An important question, related to many biomedical disciplines, is how to maximize protein production. Indeed, translation is known to be one of the most energy-consuming processes in the cell, and it is natural to assume that evolution shaped this process so that it maximizes the protein production rate. If this is indeed so then one can estimate various parameters of the translation machinery by solving an appropriate mathematical optimization problem. The same problem also arises in the context of synthetic biology, namely, re-engineer heterologous genes in order to maximize their translation rate in a host organism. We consider the problem of maximizing the protein production rate using a computational model for translation–elongation called the ribosome flow model (RFM). This model describes the flow of the ribosomes along an mRNA chain of length
n
using a set of
n
first-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations. It also includes
n
+ 1 positive parameters: the ribosomal initiation rate into the mRNA chain, and
n
elongation rates along the chain sites. We show that the steady-state translation rate in the RFM is a
strictly concave
function of its parameters. This means that the problem of maximizing the translation rate under a suitable constraint always admits a unique solution, and that this solution can be determined using highly efficient algorithms for solving convex optimization problems even for large values of
n
. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the optimal translation rate can be computed based only on the optimal initiation rate and the elongation rate of the codons near the beginning of the ORF. We discuss some applications of the theoretical results to synthetic biology, molecular evolution, and functional genomics.
Cyclic dominance in evolutionary games: a review
Authors: Szolnoki Attila , Mobilia Mauro , Jiang Luo-Luo , Szczesny Bartosz , Rucklidge Alastair M. , Perc Matjaž
Published: September 2014

Rock is wrapped by paper, paper is cut by scissors and scissors are crushed by rock. This simple game is popular among children and adults to decide on trivial disputes that have no obvious winner, but cyclic dominance is also at the heart of predator–prey interactions, the mating strategy of side-blotched lizards, the overgrowth of marine sessile organisms and competition in microbial populations. Cyclical interactions also emerge spontaneously in evolutionary games entailing volunteering, reward, punishment, and in fact are common when the competing strategies are three or more, regardless of the particularities of the game. Here, we review recent advances on the rock–paper–scissors (RPS) and related evolutionary games, focusing, in particular, on pattern formation, the impact of mobility and the spontaneous emergence of cyclic dominance. We also review mean-field and zero-dimensional RPS models and the application of the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation, and we highlight the importance and usefulness of statistical physics for the successful study of large-scale ecological systems. Directions for future research, related, for example, to dynamical effects of coevolutionary rules and invasion reversals owing to multi-point interactions, are also outlined.
Regulation of the membrane wrapping transition of a cylindrical target by cytoskeleton adhesion
Authors: Hashemi Seyed Mahmoud , Sens Pierre , Mohammad-Rafiee Farshid
Published: September 2014

The adsorption of external objects to the cell membrane often triggers cellular responses involving large deformations. In phagocytosis, upon contact with the target, the cell creates large extensions that wrap around the target and ultimately lead to its engulfment. Although active force generation, in particular by actin polymerization, is required for completion of this process, the elastic deformation of the cell membrane upon adhesion to an external object might play an important part in its initiation. In this paper, the elastic deformation of a bilayer owing to the binding of a cylindrical object is studied, taking into account the membrane bending rigidity and the surface tension, the membrane adhesion to both the external target and inner cytoskeleton. The problem is studied within the framework of the Helfrich–Hamiltonian and using force balance relations and the proper boundary conditions that are related to the adhesion energy coefficients. It is shown that membrane wrapping around the target may be a continuous or abrupt transition upon increasing the target binding energy, depending on the value of the parameter. The degree of wrapping and the shape of the membrane in the vicinity of the object are computed numerically, and analytical expressions are given for the boundaries separating the different wrapping regimes in the parameter space.
Approximation of weak solution for the problem of a pH-gradient creation in isoelectrofocusing
Authors: Sakharova L. V. , Shiryaeva E. V. , Zhukov M. Yu.
Published: September 2014

The mathematical model describing the stationary naturalpH-gradient arising under the action of an electric field in an aqueous solution of ampholytes is constructed and investigated. The model is a part of a more general model of the isoelectrofocusing process. Investigation is based on the approximation of a weak solution by the piecewise continuous non-smooth functions. The method can be used for solving classes of problems for ordinary differential equations with a small parameter at the highest derivatives and the turning points.
Probing astroglia with carbon nanotubes: modulation of form and function
Authors: Gottipati Manoj K. , Verkhratsky Alexei , Parpura Vladimir
Published: September 2014

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown much promise in neurobiology and biomedicine. Their structural stability and ease of chemical modification make them compatible for biological applications. In this review, we discuss the effects that chemically functionalized CNTs, applied as colloidal solutes or used as strata, have on the morpho-functional properties of astrocytes, the most abundant cells present in the brain, with an insight into the potential use of CNTs in neural prostheses.
Setdb1 is required for germline development and silencing of H3K9me3-marked endogenous retroviruses in primordial germ cells
Authors: Liu Sheng , Brind’Amour Julie , Karimi Mohammad M. , Shirane Kenjiro , Bogutz Aaron , Lefebvre Louis , Sasaki Hiroyuki , Shinkai Yoichi , Lorincz Matthew C.
Published: September 2014

Transcription of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) is inhibited by de novo DNA methylation during gametogenesis, a process initiated after birth in oocytes and at approximately embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) in prospermatogonia. Earlier in germline development, the genome, including most retrotransposons, is progressively demethylated. Young ERVK and ERV1 elements, however, retain intermediate methylation levels. As DNA methylation reaches a low point in E13.5 primordial germ cells (PGCs) of both sexes, we determined whether retrotransposons are marked by H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 using a recently developed low-input ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation [ChIP] combined with deep sequencing) method. Although these repressive histone modifications are found predominantly on distinct genomic regions in E13.5 PGCs, they concurrently mark partially methylated long terminal repeats (LTRs) and LINE1 elements. Germline-specific conditional knockout of the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 yields a decrease of both marks and DNA methylation at H3K9me3-enriched retrotransposon families. Strikingly, Setdb1 knockout E13.5 PGCs show concomitant derepression of many marked ERVs, including intracisternal A particle (IAP), ETn, and ERVK10C elements, and ERV-proximal genes, a subset in a sex-dependent manner. Furthermore, Setdb1 deficiency is associated with a reduced number of male E13.5 PGCs and postnatal hypogonadism in both sexes. Taken together, these observations reveal that SETDB1 is an essential guardian against proviral expression prior to the onset of de novo DNA methylation in the germline.
Recent developments in VSD imaging of small neuronal networks
Authors: Hill Evan S. , Bruno Angela M. , Frost William N.
Published: September 2014

Voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging is a powerful technique that can provide, in single experiments, a large-scale view of network activity unobtainable with traditional sharp electrode recording methods. Here we review recent work using VSDs to study small networks and highlight several results from this approach. Topics covered include circuit mapping, network multifunctionality, the network basis of decision making, and the presence of variably participating neurons in networks. Analytical tools being developed and applied to large-scale VSD imaging data sets are discussed, and the future prospects for this exciting field are considered.
Beyond the bolus: transgenic tools for investigating the neurophysiology of learning and memory
Authors: Lykken Christine , Kentros Clifford G.
Published: September 2014

Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory in the entorhinal-hippocampal circuit is a central challenge of systems neuroscience. For more than 40 years, electrophysiological recordings in awake, behaving animals have been used to relate the receptive fields of neurons in this circuit to learning and memory. However, the vast majority of such studies are purely observational, as electrical, surgical, and pharmacological circuit manipulations are both challenging and relatively coarse, being unable to distinguish between specific classes of neurons. Recent advances in molecular genetic tools can overcome many of these limitations, enabling unprecedented control over neural activity in behaving animals. Expression of pharmaco- or optogenetic transgenes in cell-type-specific “driver” lines provides unparalleled anatomical and cell-type specificity, especially when delivered by viral complementation. Pharmacogenetic transgenes are specially designed neurotransmitter receptors exclusively activated by otherwise inactive synthetic ligands and have kinetics similar to traditional pharmacology. Optogenetic transgenes use light to control the membrane potential, and thereby operate at the millisecond timescale. Thus, activation of pharmacogenetic transgenes in specific neuronal cell types while recording from other parts of the circuit allows investigation of the role of those neurons in the steady state, whereas optogenetic transgenes allow one to determine the immediate network response.
Optimization model for transportation planning with demand uncertainties
Authors: Nakandala Dilupa , Lau Henry , Zhang Jingjing
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the total cost function of an inventory system with a reorder point/order quantity policy where the lead time is controllable based on the cost paid by the buyer for the service.

Design/methodology/approach

– Cost functions are presented to investigate how the changes in lead time affect different components of inventory cost in the present of random demand. Two methods including an iteration technique and Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm are presented to deal with the cost optimization issue. The application of proposed model is illustrated using numerical case scenarios.

Findings

– The cost functions show that besides ordering cost, change in stochastic demand during lead time is the major factor that affects the other cost components such as holding and penalty costs. This finding is validated by numerical study. Results also show that performance of SA algorithm is highly similar to iteration methodology, while the former one is easier in application.

Practical implications

– This paper develops less complex, more pragmatic methods, easily adoptable by logistics managers for cost minimization. This paper also analyzes and highlights the unique characteristics and features of these two approaches that can help practitioners in making the right choice when faced with the identified logistics issue.

Originality/value

– This research explicitly investigate impacts of changing lead time on inventory cost components which enables informed decision making and inventory system planning for cost optimization by logistics practitioners. Two methodologies that can be easily used by practitioners without deep mathematical analysis and is cost effective are introduced to solve the optimization problem. Detailed roadmaps of how to implement proposed approaches have been illustrated by different case scenarios.
Features and motivators of emotionally expressive firesetters: the assessment of women in secure psychiatric settings
Authors: G. Long Clive , Dickens Geoffrey , Dolley Olga
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the antecedent behaviours and consequences of firesetting for women in a secure psychiatric setting along with treatment engagement factors. To explore predictions made about emotionally expressive subtype firesetters by the multi-trajectory theory of adult firesetting (M-TTAF).

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 75 individual firesetting episodes involving 25 female multiple firesetters were assessed using the St Andrew's Fire and Arson Risk Instrument. Assessments were made of treatment readiness, firesetting related self-efficacy, insight and barriers to change.

Findings

– Findings support the relationship between recidivist firesetting and the psychological features of psychosis, personality disorder and substance misuse. The reported association of firesetting with suicidal thoughts, depression, interpersonal problems, anger/revenge motivation and lack of planning supports the view that behaviour is used to manage distressing life experience and as a “cry for help”. However, in a quarter of incidents there was an intention to harm others and evidence of premeditation in twelve percent. A small but significant minority lacked insight into their behaviour, were not ready for treatment and had low firesetting related self-efficacy. Predictions made by the M-TTAF about likely clinical features and motivators of emotionally expressive firesetters were largely supported.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the importance of a detailed and specific risk assessment of firesetting that leads to identification of individual risk factors and an individualised treatment approach. This is of particular importance given the complex problems presented by women in secure settings and by the diversity of the conditions associated with fires set by each individual.
A programme for alcohol related violence with offenders with intellectual disability
Authors: R. Lindsay William , Joanne Smith Kerry , Tinsley Samantha , Macer Jane , Miller Sandra
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– Although studies suggest alcohol abuse is not the major problem among offenders and others with intellectual disabilities (ID), it is still a significant problem. There are also suggestions that alcohol may have a more serious effect on those with ID. The purpose of this paper is to describe a treatment for alcohol-related difficulties designed for people with ID.

Design/methodology/approach

– A programme for alcohol-related problems is described and four case studies are presented to illustrate the sessions and review the way in which people with ID have responded to the methods. The cases have a mixture of alcohol-related problems including anger, anxiety, social withdrawal and depression. The alcohol programme is coordinated with a range of person centred interventions for specific difficulties.

Findings

– All cases responded to the programme positively. Two cases showed reductions in anger, two reported reductions in anxiety and one reported reductions in depression. All cases increased their alcohol knowledge considerably.

Research limitations/implications

– The programme seems promising in its approach to alcohol-related difficulties. It is noted that alcohol education alone is likely to improve participants’ wellbeing in the absence of coordinated intervention for other relevant personal difficulties. A controlled treatment trial for effectiveness is clearly required.

Originality/value

– The paper describes a programme for alcohol-related problems and may be the first such programme that has contained pilot evaluation.
Development of an integrated real time dispatching system
Authors: Ni Yanting , Li Yuchen , Yao Jin , Li Jingmin
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– In a complex semiconductor manufacturing system (SMS) environment, the implementation of dynamic production scheduling and dispatching strategies is critical for SMS distributed collaborative manufacturing events to make quick and correct decisions. The purpose of this paper is to assist manufacturers in achieving the real time dispatching and obtaining integrated optimization for shop floor production scheduling.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, an integrated model is designed under assemble to order environment and a framework of a real time dispatching (IRTD) system for production scheduling control is presented accordingly. Both of the scheduling and ordering performances are integrated into the days of inventory based dispatching algorithm, which can deal with the multiple indicators of dynamic scheduling and ordering in this system to generate the “optimal” dispatching policies. Subsequently, the platform of IRTD system is realized with four modules function embedded.

Findings

– The proposed IRTD system is designed to compare the previous constant work in process method in the experiment, which shows the better performance achievement of the IRTD system for shop floor production dynamic scheduling and order control. The presented framework and algorithm can facilitate real time dispatching information integration to obtain performance metrics in terms of reliability, availability, and maintainability.

Research limitations/implications

– The presented system can be further developed to generic factory manufacturing with the presented logic and architecture proliferation.

Originality/value

– The IRTD system can integrate the real time customer demand and work in process information, based on which manufacturers can make correct and timely decisions in solving dispatching strategies and ordering selection within an integrated information system.
Interactive effects of leader justice and support for safety on safety performance
Authors: R. Kaufman and Benjamin , P. Cigularov Konstantin , Chen Peter , Hoffmeister Krista , M. Gibbons Alyssa , K. Johnson Stefanie
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the main and interactive effects of general and safety-specific leader justice (SSLJ) (i.e. fair treatment) and leader support for safety (LSS) on safety performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two independent samples of construction workers rate their leaders with regards to fair treatment and support for safety and report their own safety performance in a survey.

Findings

– In both studies, LSS significantly moderated relationships of both general and SSLJ with safety performance. In Study 1, the strength of relationship between general leader justice and safety performance increases while LSS is increased. Similar pattern was found for the relationship between SSLJ and safety performance in Study 2.

Practical implications

– Safety interventions targeting leadership should consider training for leader safety practices that are perceived as supportive and fair.

Originality/value

– The research is unique in its examination of leader justice in a safety-specific context and its interactive effects with LSS on safety performance. The present research helps to extend the reach of organizational justice theory's nomological network to include safety.
Health and performance: science or advocacy?
Authors: K. Dimoff Jennifer , Kevin Kelloway E. , M. MacLellan Aleka
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature assessing the return-on-investment (ROI) of healthy workplace programs.

Design/methodology/approach

– Used a narrative review to summarize and evaluate findings.

Findings

– Although substantial ROI data now exist, methodological and logical weaknesses limit the conclusions that can be drawn.

Practical implications

– A strategy for monetizing the benefits of healthy workplaces that draws on both human resource accounting and strategic human resource management is described.

Social implications

– The promotion of healthy workplaces is an important goal in its own right. To the extent that ROI estimates are important in advancing this goal, these estimates should be based on clear logic and strong methodology.

Originality/value

– The paper suggests the need for stronger research designs but also note the difficulties in monetizing outcomes of the healthy workplace.
Leveraging student course enrollment data to infuse personalization in a library website
Authors: Chan Ian
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the benefits of integrating personalization within a library web site and presents methodology for achieving this goal within an academic setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The project documented in this study explores the use of student course enrollment data as the basis for creating a personalized library web site. Off-the-shelf, open source applications are used in conjunction with existing university data to deliver a final product that offers an enhanced user experience for the university community.

Findings

– Adaptive personalization is increasingly commonplace on the web. Academic libraries have a unique source of existing data that offers the potential of adding personalization to the library web site. At present, the personalization of library online services remains largely unexplored. This project illustrates one relatively low-cost method to help libraries interested in creating personalized web sites.

Practical implications

– This paper provides a guide for libraries interested in the implementation of personalization within their web sites.

Originality/value

– The project described in this case study is highly unique within libraries. The paper outlines the feasibility and technical requirements associated with using course enrollment data to add personalized content to a library web site.
Induced variation in administrative systems
Authors: Caldart Adrian , S. Vassolo Roberto , Silvestri Luciana
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to revise Burgelman’s idea (1991, 1994) that induced strategic processes is necessarily variation-reducing. In doing so, the authors explore whether major change in a firm’s administrative system can be managed in an evolutionary fashion via induced variation-increasing mechanisms. In particular, the authors focus on a multi-business multinational firm in which different administrative systems were experimented simultaneously as a way to determine which of these systems provided the most conducive context for innovation and capability development.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors adopted an inductive perspective and developed a single case research project aimed at documenting the process of experimentation and subsequent selection and adoption of a new administrative system by a large multi-business multinational firm.

Findings

– The paper’s main contribution is the concept of “induced variation”, understood as intra-organizational variation-increasing mechanisms deliberately created at the top level of the organization to trigger an intra-organizational evolutionary process of management innovation. This finding extends and modifies Burgelman’s discussion of induced and autonomous strategic behavior by showing that induced processes need not necessarily be variation-reducing, but may actually be variation-increasing. Additionally, the authors explain how an evolutionary process aimed at learning about the relative merits of alternative administrative systems through in vivo “reflection in action” (Schön, 1983) unfolds in a complex global organization.

Research limitations/implications

– While the work provides several insights on the development of an evolutionary process leading to management innovation, its inductive nature limits its external validity and requires the development of further work for such purpose.

Practical implications

– The authors explore the roles of regional organizations in creating new corporate capabilities for the MNC.

Social implications

– The authors show how management capabilities developed in the Latin American context were rolled out to other locations.

Originality/value

– The authors' findings confirm that major drastic reorganization initiatives can actually be approached using an evolutionary approach.